User:Makhsud Garayev
Balakan (Avar: Билкан/Bilkan ; Azerbaijani: Balakən) is a district of northwestern Azerbaijan, located between Georgia and Russia. It borders Kakheti of Georgia to south and west and Dagestan of Russia to east and north. There is an Azerbaijan-Georgia border crossing at Postbina in the rayon that is open to both local residents and foreigners. The rayon is situated at the foothills of Greater Caucasus and is very rich with flora and fauna. Balakan is rich with many rivers. The mountainous part of rayon is cold, the temperature in lower parts is mild. The northern part of rayon is enriched with vegetation, among them hornbeam, alder, oak, chestnut, walnut, acacia trees, as well as raspberry, rose hip and medlar. There are over 30 plants used for medical treatment purposes.
History
Balakan district was organized as an administrative unit on August 8, 1930. Prior to the establishment of the district, this area was administratively included in the Zagatala district. It was abolished in 1963 and given to Zagatala district, and in 1965 it became an independent district again.
The ancient Greek geographer Strabo called the territory of ancient Balakan "the land of temples". Archaeological excavations at certain times, as well as some surviving building monuments and mounds, suggest that Balaka was an ancient settlement.
According to written sources, Balakan entered the territory of the ancient state of Albania. The ancient Greek historian Plutarch, who took part in the battle between the Roman and Albanian armies on the banks of the Alazan (Ganikh) River in 65 BC, wrote that the people of these places were calm, proud, brave and courageous in battle. The Hetovs (reminiscent of the Hittites), the Hunbulchay (reminiscent of the Huns), the Ingilis (reminiscent of the Gers), etc., are still used today. The study of toponyms proves that Turkic-speaking tribes have been permanent residents of this region since ancient times.
Until the 11th century, this district was considered to be the ancestor of the Turks, revolutionaries and Avars living in the north-west of the ancient Caucasian Albania. was the abode of the tribes. Due to its abundant natural resources, fertile lands and its importance, this area has always been in the interest of foreign forces and foreign countries, and at times has become a battleground.
At the same time, this area has always served as a shield against the invaders, and the first blow often had to be met by the locals as the invaders advanced into Azerbaijan. Those who came here asking for help were greeted with respect, and those who came with bad intentions received a deserved punishment.
Due to the political situation in the South Caucasus at the end of the 18th century, the people of Balakan were also involved in the disputes between the feudal rulers of different khanates, Georgia and Dagestan.
Geography and Economy The district is situated at the foothills of Greater Caucasus and is very rich with flora and fauna. Balakan mountains make up the big part of Zakatala State Reserve. The Katex waterfalls are located in the reserve. Due to the existence of many mountains in the rayon, Balakan is rich with many rivers. The mountainous part of rayon is cold, the temperature in lower parts is mild. Average annual humidity reaches 41%, average monthly temperature is 13 °C (55 °F). The northern part of rayon is enriched with vegetation, among them hornbeam, alder, oak, chestnut, walnut, acacia trees, as well as raspberry, rose hip and medlar. There are over 30 plants used for medical treatment purposes.
Balakan District is considered one of the most resourceful regions of Azerbaijan by its economic potential, natural resources and cultural heritage. The economy of rayon is based on agrarian sector. Main segments of the agriculture are tobacco growing, horticulture, sericulture and corn cultivation. Additionally, cattlebreeding, wheat growing, winemaking and fishery are widely practised. There are 123 agricultural farming businesses in Balakan district.
Demographics
There is one city of Balakən and 59 villages in the rayon. According to 2018 census, Balakan rayon has 97,600 residents, out of which 14,900 (15%) live in urban and 82,700 (85%) live in rural areas. Men make up 49.6%, women – 50.4% of the population. The population density is 95.7 people per 1 km2. In 2010, there were 1,238 newborns and 510 deaths in rayon. The ethnic composition of the rayon is very rich. Representatives of 27 ethnicities live in Balakan rayon. The largest group, Azeris make up 88.4% of the population (61,170 people living throughout the region), Avars – 18,4% (25,370 people living mainly in Qabaqçöl, Mahamalar and Mazımçay villages), Ingiloys (Muslim Georgians) – 2.4% (2,145 people living mainly in İtitala village) and other ethnicities such as Georgians (23 residents), Lezgins (223 residents), Russians (138 residents), Laks (23 residents), Persians (226 residents), Tatars (27 residents), Tsakhurs (13 residents), Turks (11 residents), Ukrainians (6 residents), Armenians (3 residents) and Talysh (1 resident) – 1.49%.