Lerik (rayon)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lerik is a town and rayon located near the Iranian border in southern Azerbaijan, between tall mountains and the agricultural plain.

[edit] People

Lerik is mainly famous for the longevity of some of its citizens. It is known for myths of human longevity; a man named Shirali Baba Muslimov, born in the village of Barzavu, who was reported by the Guinness Book of Records to have been aged 168 when he died, and was believed to have lived between 1805 and 1973.[1] The population of the Lerik rayon is mostly Talysh (Indo-Iranian group - population is spread across both sides of the border).

[edit] Travel

You can visit the local history museum and have a look at the Karabakh war memorial, located between of the parade ground and the modest city hall.

Anyway, better than any human creation is the superb landscape around the town, with the Talysh mountains in the horizon. Lerik is also a good starting point for hiking.

You can reach Lerik easily from Lankaran using the A323 road. It is a very scenic route along the Lankaran river and the Chirkan Nature Reserve. Buses run regularly to Lankaran and Baku. (220 km south of Baku)