Oghuz District

Oğuz
Rayon
Map of Azerbaijan showing Oghuz Rayon
Country	Azerbaijan
Capital	Oghuz
Area
• Total	1,220 km2 (470 sq mi)
Population (2016)
• Total	43,100
• Density	40/km2 (100/sq mi)
Postal code	AZ 4800
Telephone code	(+994) 24[1]

Oghuz (Oğuz) is a rayon (administrative division, equivalent of English county) of Azerbaijan. Population - 43 100 (01.01.2016). The population of the region consisted of Azerbaijanis. The capital, also renamed Oğuz, maintains three old castles, numerous old mosques, some archaeological monuments and two attractive old Caucasus Albanian churches (one now a museum) and two active synagogues.

The modern Oghuz region was established in 1930. A number of national minorities, representatives of ethnic groups have been living together in the atmosphere of tolerance and close friendship. The names of many villages (Abdalli, Bayan, Khal-khal, Padar and etc.) show that Oghuz-Turks, Seljug tribes have been living here since ancient times.

History

Oghuz territory is an ancient settlement. The archeological excavations carried out in the area show that it has been an ancient settlement since Eneolit Period. The ancient Turk (Hun, Bulgar, Caspian, Barsil, Savir, Onogur, Khaylandur, Iskit-Scythian, Alan) tribes have lived in the territory since II century of Christmas. The Padar (1883), Khachmaz (1883) and Oghuz (1887) schools are the ancient schools of Azerbaijan.

Geography

Distance from Baku - 268 km. Highest peaks: Malgamud (3879 m), Tiklarbash (3506 m), Chaldash (3468 m), Fiy (3273 m). Rivers and water basins: The main rivers of the area are Alijan (98 km), Dashaghil (134 km), Turyan (180 km), Khal-khal (27 km), Oghuz (16 km), Nazarchay (35 km) and Galachay (Filfili).

Relief

The relief of the region is mainly mountainous. The Northern part of the region is a part of southern slopes of Great Caucasus, whereas the central part belongs to Ganikh-Haftaran valley, and the southern part includes the front mountainous areas of Ajinohur. The climate of the region is temperate warm, semi-dry subtropical in plains and foothills and cold climate in high mountainous areas. The maximum height of the area is 3879 meters (Malgamud), and the minimum height is 350 meters. The typical soil of alpine and subalpine meadows are mountain meadow, mountain forest and alluvial meadow types.

Geological structure

The geological structure of the region consists of shale, clay, sandstone and limestone of Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The Ganikh-Haftaran valley composed of Quaternary Period of cagil stones, sand and clays of Tertiary Periot.

Geological natural moniments

Dashaghil passage formed by Dashaghil River extends from the Northern part of Dashaghil village to Gidim pass. Khachmaz passage combines 3 mountain road near Khachmaz village. Gidim pass (2906 m), Fiy pass (3100 m) and Malgamud pass (3879m)

Unique species

The rare species of the region included to The Red Book of Azerbaijan are the following: alpine woodsia (Woodsia alpina), winter daffodil (Sternbergia fischeriana), common yew (Taxus bassata), wingnuts (Pterocarya pterocarpa), ivy (Hedera pastuchowii) and Oriental plane (Platanus prientalis), Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna). There are many veteran trees in the area as well: Oghuz, Mukhas, Chalut and Khachmaz.

Landscapes and biodiversity

Broad leaved forests (oak, beech, hornbeam) also sleeve and sparse wooded grassland, dry steppe species have spread in the territory. There are low plain forests in Ayrichay valley. Iberian Oak (Quercus iberica) and Caucasian hornbeam (Carpinus caucasica) are characteristic trees of lover mountain zone. Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) and hornbeam beech forests are spread in middle mountain zone. Birch (Betula sp.), Georgian Oak (Quercus iberica), rowan (Sorbus sp.) and medlar (Mespilus germanica) have spread in upper mountain zone. The wild animals of the territory are mainly noble deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), East Caucasian Tur (Capra cylindricornis), forest cat (Felis silvestris), Wolf (Canis lupus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), Wilt boar (Sus scrofa), fox (Vulpes vulpes), hare (Lepus europaeus) and birds are pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and partridge (Alectoris chukar).

Monuments

Archeological monuments: Burial mounds of I millennium before Christmas in Karimli village, ancient cemetery of Bronze and Early Iron (necropolis) periods near Oghuz (city), the cemetery referring to IV-I centuries before Christmas near Garabaldir village are among the monuments.

Historical and cultural monuments: Covurgala defense tower of Galadagh hear Khachmaz village. Wall, tower and residential building constructed from stone and river rocks. Tower with shooting marks are semicircular and rectangular. Up to 12 residences, defence ditches the first (8 m width and 10 m depth) and the second (30 m width and 20 m depth). Mukhas tower of IX-XIII centuries near Mukhas village, three-storey tower with 1,6 m height and 1,5 m thickness of walls. The monument played the role of guard station.

Vartashen tower of V-VI centuries in Galashishik plain hear Oghuz (city). The cemetery of early Middle Ages related to ancient Oghuz-Turkic tribes near Filfilli village. Surkhaykhan tower (XVIII century), Khachmaz village mosque (XIX century), and Gumlag village mosque (XIX century).

References

Coordinates: 41°04′15″N 47°27′30″E / 41.070833°N 47.458333°E / 41.070833; 47.458333