Distance with Baku: 311 km
Population: 98,8 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku-Mingechevir – 5 hours; Train: Baku-Mingechevir – 7 hours, Baku-Gazakh, Baku-Agstafa.
Young industrial Mingechevir city is founded in the end of 40, in the beginning of 50 years of XX century. The name of Mingechevir they bind with name of general of Turk origin Mingichovr. According to Arabian historian Tabari, in XIX century in the period of governing of Arabian khalifat, Mingichovr general, being temporal governor of Azerbaijan with the residence in the area of the present Mingechevir, soon had stepped back from caliphate. However, having sustained a defeat, he was captured in prison and cloistered to the fortress. Further, in honor of general, the settlement was called Mingichovur.Namely here, Kura river, on bank of which the city is outspread, is escaped towards Kura-Araz terrain from narrow ravine, having had sawed by it in mountains of Bozdag. Now, dam of hydroelectric station fences the river valley. On the place of ravine at was formed enormous Mingechevir water basin, by waterfalls of which there are being irrigated a considerable massive of dried fertilize lands, and instead of former road deadlock there different parts of convenient ways were run alongside.
Having carrying out archeological diggings in surrounds of the city witness on that on the territory of big city, Sudagilan there was allocated huge settlement. It was discovered remains of ancient religion structure. The big stoned capitol is very interesting bearing symbolic picture of two peacocks being inverted to flower – tree of life. It has been made of soft rock of yellow color. In its top part, it is graven Albanian legend. Having found out here Greek, Romanian, Sasanid coins allow attributing the structure recovery to V-VI centuries.
Having situated in beautiful locality on Kura riverbank, Mingechevir attracts attention of many local and foreign tourists. In the city, there are modern buildings with interesting architecture including the big new mosque. Particular interest among guests there are sites with well-equipped restaurants and tea – houses nearby Kura River.
Around the town, there is artificial lake with not big beach. At Kura riverbank there is allocated Olympic Base on boat race.
Distance with Baku: 176 km
Population: 82,2 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku-Neftchala – 3,5 hours
Neftchala district is situated or Kura River, on area, where river is fallen into Caspian Sea, on ancient Caravan way. In ancient times, in rigrorous winter frosty climate herein with a view of wintering, many herbs of sheep of closer laying khanates had been round up, being allocated in mountain locality. That is why this terrain became called Khangishlagi, which means in translation "khanate wintering" Modern name of the town word for word is translated as "oil pit", which is confirmed by richest reserves of oil and gas.
Animal world of the region is rich and diversified: from jeyrans and pelicans on the land up to salmons and sturgeon types of fishes habituated in the sea. Here is allocated Kura experimental plant upon cultivation of sturgeon fishes, wherein white-baits are grown in laboratory conditions and purposes of reproducing of stocks of valuable types of fishes, they are thrown down to the Kura river. On the territory of the area, it is allocated main part of Gizilagadj preserved park with the richest flora and fauna.
District center – Neftchala city is situated not far from Kura river mouth. In the city, there is palace of culture, regional study museum, and picture gallery. At that land, it was born national poet fighter for independence of Azerbaijan Khalil Rza. Among industrial enterprises, there are fishery factory, iodine-bromide plant upon breeding of sturgeon fishes. In the region, there are rare and medicine plants grown such as mint, dog rose, licorice, goose, grass, daisywheel etc.
In 10 km from the area center, where Kura river is fallen into Caspian sea, one might be witness of extraordinary sight: Kura river waters is separated from sea water by ideal flatted line; as if thin fence interferes waters to be mixed.
Kurkosa Island is splendid place for making fishery.
Distance with Baku: 126 km
Population: 126,5 thsd person
How to reach: Bus-> Scheduled bus Baku-Salyan Train: Baku-Astara – 6 hours.
Salyan district is washed out from the east by waters of Caspian Sea; along the territory of the district, Kura River flows. Salyan plain upon many characteristics has similarity with Mugan plain.
Salyan area is "gates" opened to Lankaran-Astara zone, since, namely via Salyan territory there are railroad and highroads are passing through, binding Baku with the southern districts of Azerbaijan. On the territory of the area, in five kilometers from center, there are allocated muddy volcano – Babazanan, which attracts numerous visitors by its medicinal mud.
District center – Salyan city having been arisen at ancient caravan ways binding the northern and western cities of Azerbaijan with the southern cities, as well as with countries of Middle East region. The city was formed by tribe "sal", herewith there is taken name of the city. Kura River, which occupies all city with numerous curves.
Among architectural monuments in the district was kept such as Gumlavar bridge (XVII century), set of Khanagah structures in Gubali-Baloglan village (XIX century), mosque (XIX century). In Salyan city there is "Tendirkhana" caravanserai, having being built and equipped at present times in the eastern style. Here, guests are getting acquainted with art of ancient Azerbaijan cookery, prescription of which are to being transferred from generation to generation and carefully are exist its specific peculiarities of cooking both courses and browning to those dishes.
