Zaqatala (city)
Coordinates: 41°38′01″N 46°38′36″E / 41.63361°N 46.64333°E
| Zaqatala | |
|---|---|
| — City & Municipality — | |
 Zaqatala
|
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| Coordinates: 41°38′1″N 46°38′36″E / 41.63361°N 46.64333°E | |
| Country |  Azerbaijan |
| Rayon | Zaqatala |
| Elevation[1] | 518 m (1,702 ft) |
| Population (2010)[2] | |
| • Total | 31,300 |
| Time zone | AZT (UTC+4) |
| • Summer (DST) | AZT (UTC+5) |
Zaqatala Azerbaijani: Zaqatala;(also, Sakataly,Zakatalsk, and Zakataly; Georgian: ზაქათალა) is a city in northwest Azerbaijan. With a municipal population of 31,300 inhabitants, it is located northwest of Sheki, by the Tala River and is the main municipality of the Zaqatala rayon. The municipality consists of the city of Zaqatala and the nearby village of Qazangül.[3]
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[edit] Climate
| Climate data for Zakataly | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 6 (42) |
7 (45) |
11 (52) |
17 (63) |
23 (73) |
27 (80) |
29 (85) |
30 (86) |
24 (76) |
19 (66) |
12 (54) |
7 (45) |
17.7 (63.9) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −2 (28) |
−1 (30) |
2 (36) |
7 (45) |
12 (54) |
16 (60) |
19 (66) |
19 (66) |
13 (56) |
9 (49) |
4 (39) |
0 (32) |
8.2 (46.8) |
| Precipitation cm (inches) | 3 (1) |
4 (1.5) |
7 (2.8) |
12 (4.8) |
11 (4.2) |
11 (4.5) |
7 (2.7) |
4 (1.7) |
11 (4.2) |
8 (3.3) |
5 (2) |
3 (1) |
86 (33.7) |
| Source: Weatherbase [4] | |||||||||||||
[edit] History
Zaqatala has several sites of historic significance, most of which are centered on its 19th century town centre. The main square, formerly called Lenin Square, features a pair of 700 year old plane trees.
The city's most prominent feature is a ruined fortress, built in the 1830s by occupying Russian forces during the Caucasian War to defend the city from rebels. In the 1850s, the town was the site of battles between Russians and Dagestani leader Imam Shamil.[5]. It was center of Zakatala okrug (district) of Tiflis Governorate between 1860 and 1917. It was part of Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic between 1917 and 1918 and Georgian Democratic Republic between 1918 and 1921 before passing to Azerbaijan in March 1922.
In the 20th century the town and its fortress became more famous when the fortress was used as one of the prisons for the mutinous crew of the battleship Potëmkin, whose actions in the failed 1905 Revolution were a precursor to the eventual 1917 revolution. The statue of one of the mutineers erected in the Soviet era still decorates Heydar Aliyev park not far from the fortress.[6] Currently, the fortress still houses a military garrison as well as several Soviet-style apartment buildings. Near the northern part of the ramparts and off of the main square is a beautiful, but abandoned, Georgian church.[7] The town now sports a sizable new mosque.[8]
[edit] The town
It is served by the A315 road coming from Mingachevir and leading to the Georgian border at Lagodekhi as well as by a small airfield.
North of the town there is an important wildlife and nature preserve. The Caucasus Mountains provide it with natural protection from the north winds. The wooded mountainsides, with frequent waterfalls offer great hiking opportunities. Due to its climate the town became a mountain health resort.[citation needed]
There are several hotels in both Zaqatala and surrounding villages including Ashghi Tala and Jar (also spelled Car/Djari), both about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Zaqatala.
[edit] Demographics
Azerbaijanis, Avars, Lezgins, and Tsakhurs inhabit Zaqatala and the surrounding rayon. In addition to the Azeri population, which is the majority here and in most of the rest of Azerbaijan, communities of Dagestani peoples, including the Avars, Tsakhurs, and Lezgins, live in the area.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ "Zaqatala, Azerbaijan Page". http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AJ/70/Zaqatala.html. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
- ^ The State Statistical Committee of the Azerbaijan Republic
- ^ Belediyye Informasiya Sistemi
- ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Zakataly, Azerbaijan". Weatherbase. 2011. http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=57573&refer=wikipedia. Retrieved on November 24, 2011.
- ^ Elliott, Mark (2010). "Azerbaijan with excursions to Georgia" (4th edition). p. 237.
- ^ Nicas, Peter. "Azerbaijan Things to See & Do Guide". ProfessionalTravelGuide.com. http://www.professionaltravelguide.com/see-and-do/azerbaijan/destinations-101317. Retrieved 2008-06-17.[dead link]
- ^ Torres Curado, L.M.. "Zaqatala (Zakataly)". Azerb.com. http://www.azerb.com/az-zaqatala.html. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ^ Elliott, Mark (2010). "Azerbaijan with excursions to Georgia" (4th edition). p. 234.
- ^ Clifton, John M. (2005). "The Sociolinguistic Situation of the Tsakhur in Azerbaijan". SIL International. http://www.sil.org/silesr/2005/silesr2005-016.pdf. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
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