| Khinalug Xınalıq |
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|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |
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Khinalug
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Azerbaijan |
| Rayon | Quba |
| Elevation | 2,350 m (7,710 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,075 |
| Time zone | AZT (UTC+4) |
| • Summer (DST) | AZT (UTC+5) |
Khinalug, Khinalugh, or Khinalig[1][2][3][4][5] (Azerbaijani: Xınalıq; Khinalug: Kətş; also rendered as Khanaluka, Khanalyk, Khinalykh, or Khynalyk) is an ancient Caucasian village going back to the Caucasian Albanian period. It is located high up in the mountains of Quba Rayon, Azerbaijan. It is also a municipality in Quba Rayon, which consists of the villages of Khinalug and Qalayxudat.[6]
It is located just north of Quba in the middle of the Greater Caucasus mountains that divide Russia and the South Caucasus. Khinalug is also the highest, most remote and isolated village in Azerbaijan and among the highest in the Caucasus. The weather changes dramatically during summer and winter, ranging from −20 °C to 18 °C. Khinalug has a population of about 2,000 people. This small group of people speaks the Khinalug language, which belongs to the Northeast Caucasian language family, although many speak Azerbaijani as well.
Because of its location, scenery and relative isolation, the village is considered one of Azerbaijan's premiere destinations for hikers and adventure travellers in such travel guides as Lonely Planet.
On 7 October 2006, the Azerbaijani president announced plans to modernize the educational buildings, infrastructure, governmental buildings and other resources of Khinalug.[7]
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Khinalug is among the most ancient and continuously inhabited places in the world, with history of over 5,000 years.
Because of the high altitude and remoteness of Khinalug it managed to survive and withstand many invasions. There are also some other historical places such as a 12th century mosque, a 15th century mosque, and several ancient cemeteries between the mountains. There are also many ancient holy caves of early humans.
The unique original ethnoculture and unique language together means Ketsh Khalkh of Azerbaijan. The Khinalug language requires more detailed research. Archaeological research also will help to give answers to many questions. To find and keep in a protogenic kind sources is the main task. BIRJA is supporting these efforts.
The village of Khinalug was included on the World Monuments Fund's 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites due to concern over the building of a road between Khinalug and Guba. The listing is not intended to criticize potential tourist and commercial activity in the village, rather it is intended as a warning that new development should not come at the cost of the site's essential, historic character.