International Invention of Scientific Journal ISSN: 2457-0958

Available Online at http://iisj.in/index.php/iisj September, 2018|Volume 02|Issue 09| Features Nature and Economic Conditions of Prof. RAE Aliyev Institute for soil science and Agrochemistry of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences *Correspondence Author: [email protected]

Accepted 2018-06-28, Published 2018-09-01 Abstract: Natural and economic conditions in Azerbaijan are very complex and peculiar. Up to 60% of the entire territory of Azerbaijan is occupied by mountain and foothill zones, the remaining part (42.8%) - plains and lowlands. The territory of the republic is covered by high mountains, intermountain depressions, valleys, volcanic highlands, which were formed during the geological epoch. On a relatively small territory of the republic there is a whole complex of deposits. The features of the geological structure and the available material on the tectonics of the whole territory of the republic make it possible to restore the history of the development of its relief from the early geological epochs. In the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, the geological history of relief development can be traced from the Upper Jurassic, in Talysh from the beginning of the Paleogene, in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic from the Paleozoic, which is confirmed by the investigations of B.A. Antonova, B.A. Budagova [5] at the beginning of the Oligocene, early Miocene tectonic processes are intensified and as a result, in all folded surfaces, an increase in land occurs. In the Greater Caucasus, the Gusar and Tfan uplifts increase and in their troughs, there is accumulation of clay. In the Lesser Caucasus, along with clays, there is an accumulation of sands, gravels and conglomerates, sediments characteristic of river valleys when they leave the mountains and much more Key Words: Natural-climatic; -equal, lowlands, hollows, valleys, volcanic highlands, geological epoch, relief, mountain ranges; activation of volcanism, erosion, etc. Introduction: territory is divided into 5 major natural-economic Square of the Republic of Azerbaijan-86.6 thousand zones: greater and Lesser Caucasus, Lenkoran and km2, the population (January 1, 2018)-over 10.0 zone located between them extensive - economic zone, natural economic zone, million. man. Azerbaijan is situated on the western shore of the . The length of the coast of which consist of 10 natural-economic regions: the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan is 713 km. Azerbaijan Absheron economic region, Guba- is an important transportation hub of Commerce and economic region, SHAKI-Zaqatala economic of the "Great Silk Road". region, a mountainous Shirvan, Ganja-Gazakh economic region-Lachin economic region, the Upper Garabag, Aran economic region, -Astara economic region, Nakhichevan. Within Azerbaijan is the South-Eastern part of the Greater Caucasus. From the top of g. Teen-Rosso-to the top g. Babadag stretches the main Caucasian Ridge, East of Babadaga goes downgrading Ridge to the Caspian Sea. The highest peaks of the Caucasus Azerbaijan occupies the North-Western and South- Mountains in Azerbaijan are g. Bazaar-borrowed by Eastern parts of the Caucasian Ridge. The borders of Bazarduzi mountain (4489 m), g. Tfan (4197 m) the Republic of are: Republic of Daghestan in the covered with eternal snows. In the southwest of the North, part of the Russian Federation, with the West- main Caucasian Ridge breaks off to Ganykh- Armenian and Georgian Republic, East-Caspian Agrichajskoj Valley where the rivers converge, Sea, to the South it borders (c) Iran and Turkey. the carrying water from the ridge to the South of the

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Valley foothills are located. In the South-East of the Caucasus existed river network. A significant part of large Caucasus is Absheron peninsula and adjacent the Kur basin was a saltwater pool, inside of which foothills of . To the North of the main were located on the island. In the formation of Caucasian Ridge stretches the lateral Ridge, within Oligocene sushi in Talyshe, the central part of the Azerbaijan its eastern part. High peaks of g. Shahdag falls, is the accumulation of a powerful, layers of (4251 ft) are covered with glaciers. Lateral Ridge Maikop retinue, Yardimli, education Peshtasar, gradually descends in a south-easterly direction and Burovarskogo ridges. In the middle and late ends at the apex of Beshbarmak. From the northeast Miocene development relief Azerbaijan intensifies. to the Lateral Ridge abuts the sloping sloping plain Central Vandamskoe lifting and separating their and merges with the -Devichinskoj lowland. Zakatalo-Kovdag perp has already represented the The Lesser Caucasus area located southwest of the middle ranges, fragments of which are preserved in Kur basin. Within Azerbaijan here stand out the the modern relief. In the relief of Gusar, also Shakhdag, Murovdagskij, Zangezur, Nakhchivan Beshbarmac breached the uplift. On average, and Daralagezskij ridges, as well as Garabahskoe Miocene and small Caucasus change occurred. This volcanic mountain. The South-Eastern part of the is evidenced by the presence of sandy material layer country occupied by Talysh mountains with of pebbles of conglomerates. On small Caucasus longitudinal ridges: Burovar, Peshtasarskij, Talysh. Murovdagskij, Miocene average Garabakh, In this zone, but Midland terrain mountainous part of Zangezur ridges obviously exceed the height of the numerous ridges, and this causes the formation of Midlands and the Shakhdag and Daralagezskij intermontane hollows. Lenkoran lowland is a Ridges do not reach the Midlands. According to B.A. sloping plain. Formation of the relief happened Budagov, g.a. Khalilov in the early late Miocene in under the influence of the regressions of the Caspian the Greater Caucasus expands transgression of the Sea and the accumulative revenue of material from sea. In the early Pliocene formation of mountain the mountains. Unlike major and minor Caucasus, constructions of major and minor Caucasus, Talysh this area has not been frozen chetvertichnomu. On continues. In relation to the tectonic Tfansko the territory of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Dibrarskaja-raising land is exempt from the sea. On Republic are Zangezur and Daralagezskij ridges. the big Caucasus there was already a terrain that Along the crest of the Zangezur mountain range stretches to the town of Babadag. Marine pool forms the border between Armenia and Nakhchivan occupied southeastern Shirvan. In the formation of Autonomous Republic. Climatic conditions in the relief of the Lesser Caucasus, Nakhichevan AR, Azerbaijan are complex and peculiar. More than half Talish in the early Pliocene major changes occurred. of the territory of Azerbaijan (58%) covered by Tectonic processes during this period are expressed mountains, the remainder (42.8%)-Plains and in raising major mountain ranges and the lowlands of the Azerbaijani territory with high revitalization of the volcanism of the Karabakh mountains, Intermountain Hollows, valleys, Highlands. From this period also involves the volcanic Highlands formed over geological periods. formation of the South — the Caspian basin and the The relatively small area the Republic has a whole formation of the Lankaran lowland. Late Pliocene- range of deposits. Features of geological structure beginning of a new era that is associated with the and available material on tectonics the entire transgressiej sea, oceanic water erupts in the Caspian territory of the Republic gives the opportunity to basin and form extensive bays. During the restore history to its relief from earlier geological Pleistocene period a sharp climate change and this eras. On the big and small Caucasus geological entails strengthening the tectonic processes of history traces the development of the relief from the growth of the height of the mountain facilities, upper Jurassic, Talyshe-since the beginning of the increased sedimentation, terrgenous material and the Paleogene in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic- alternation of transgressions and regressions of the with the Paleozoic. A. research Antonova, B.A. sea. In the Experimental zone formed band Budagov [5] at the beginning of the Oligocene early proljuvialno-deljuvialnoj plain. In the lower reaches Miocene tectonic processes and as a result all folded of the rivers Bolgarchaja, Viljashchaja and other surfaces increase the sushi. In the Greater Caucasus rivers formed cones. Mountain building of the is increasing, raising Tfanskie Kusarskie and their greater and Lesser Caucasus continued to be formed deflection is the accumulation of clay. On small and purchased the modern shape of the Caucasus Caucasus along with clays is the accumulation of Highlands in this period reached a height of 4000 m. sand, gravelitov and conglomerates, sediment In the field of Garabahs Highlands volcanic activity characteristic of river valleys when leaving the was evident. The lava formed either step or plateau mountains. It is said that already at that time on small flows down the valleys of , Bazarchaja,

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Arpachay. In mountainous parts of the greater and Lesser Caucasus (1400-1500 m), this region is Lesser Caucasus developed mining and Valley temperate moist, mild winters and moderately hot glaciers. On the territory of the greater and Lesser summers. Such a climate favorable for cultivation of Caucasus folded Jurassic and chalk slates meet cereals, grapes, also to the spa zone (Roads, Sheki, Sandy limestones, sandstones, limestones, collected zagatala, Ajikend). into complex folds. In the South-Eastern Caucasus Warm-temperate climate with dry summers: developed deposits of chalk, represented by clays, Inherent in the Experimental area. Mild, wet winters lime stones. On the territory of the Nakhichevan AR and moderately hot, dry summers and rainy autumn. Miocene deposits denominated saliferous thickness. Rainfall reaches 1300 mm per year. This climate is According to M.A. Kashkaja (7) Middle Devonian called wet-subtropical, is favorable for cultivation of sediments are represented by coral limes citrus fruits, tea and fruit-melons. volcanogenic tones, sandstones, and Shales. Upper Devonian sediment is sand, these are sandstones, Cold climate with dry winter: shales, quartzites. The power of these deposits Typical Alpine and mountain area of the Lesser amounts to 1100 m. Perm deposits consist of Marly Caucasus and (1500-2700 m) and North-eastern limestones with a capacity of several tens of meters. slopes of the Greater Caucasus (1000-2700 m). This On the territory of the greater and Lesser Caucasus region due to the cool summer, a harsh winter, a meet Jurassic deposits. This argillite, sandstones are large number of solar radiation and the presence of found in high jure volcanogenic rocks in the upper mineral springs suitable for sanatoriums and holiday jure-carbonate. Lowland territories of Azerbaijan are homes (Lake GekGel, Istisu). folded by alluvial, alluvial debris and marine Cold climate with dry summers: Quaternary sediments. Inherent to the mountain zone of Nakhchivan. Climate: Compared with the Near the Araksinsky stripe there is more moisturizing, less hot summers, more cold Azerbaijan, as a mountainous country, at the same and snowy winter. time has extensive lowlands, valleys and in connection with a variety of surface topography has Warm-temperate climate with uniform a varied climate. From the invasion of cold air precipitation: masses from the North of the Republic protects the Noted in the forest zone of southern region (600- main Caucasian Ridge. Depending on the height 1500 m) and North-eastern slopes of the Greater above sea level, climatic conditions Azerbaijan vary. Caucasus (200-500 m). Mild winters and moderately With the show in the mountains the average hot summers. temperature falls. Of the 11 installed on globe main A cold climate with abundant rainfall: climate types according to E.m. Shihlinskogo Found in the Alpine zone of the greater and Lesser [10.11] 8 types found on the territory of the Caucasus. Republic, namely: Vegetation: Climate semi-desert and dry steppe: It is endemic to the territory of the Kur depression, Vegetation of Azerbaijan is very varied. On the Ganja-Gazakh array and the Near the Araksinsky territory of the Republic has around 4100 vegetation lowlands area of Nakhchivan. This region is types. Vegetation is distributed on tall steps characterized by hot summers, ild winter with little depending on zonal changes in climate and soil, i.e. rainfall from intense evaporation. The air According to the law of vertical and horizontal temperature ranges from +12 to -150. Months of July zonation. Throughout the history of the flora was and August is hottest months, January-the coldest subjected to changes, i.e. Since the Cretaceous era to month. Rainfall ranges from 430 mm-185, relative the present day due to changes in physical and air humidity from 50-60% in summer, 75-80%- geographical conditions, vegetation of Azerbaijan during the winter months. Northern winds are found had changed. Historical Geology data show that at on the Absheron peninsula in all seasons, sometimes the end of the Cretaceous and early tertiary epoch of reach hurricane force ( Nord or "Khazri"). the Caucasus was an island with a humid climate. These winds blow in the summer of 2-3 days. The area was covered with lush evergreen vegetation, but this ancient vegetation has not Warm-temperate climate with dry winters: survived to the present day and in the tertiary period Characteristic of mountain zones of southern slope was expelled. Glacial period introduced new of Great Caucasus (1400-2000 m), Alazan-Avtoran changes to vegetation. With the retreat of the Valley (200-500 m) and the eastern slope of the glaciers, forest vegetation occupied the mountain International Invention of Scientific Journal, Vol. 02, Issue. 09, Page no: 251-256 Page | 253 Prof. RAE Aliyev, Features Nature and Economic Conditions of Azerbaijan slopes. This vegetation, a few vidoizmenivshis, has The Absheron peninsula, Gobustan belong to been preserved to our time. In the modern vegetation treeless areas. In Guba-Khachmaz zone large space of Azerbaijan, you can highlight certain types of occupied by forests of oak, poplar, hornbeam, Elm, landscapes and vegetation. For example, the Kur mulberry. Compared with forest shrub takes a depression, Absheron, South Mughan, Samur- smaller area. Woody shrubs such as: Hawthorn, Devechi lowland, Priaraksinskoj plain and Foothill dogwood, medlar, a dogrose, a slow found on the semi-deserts. Within Azerbaijan at an altitude 1500- edges of forests. Other shrubs, rhododendron 2000 m above sea level vegetation is represented by derzhitree, Astragalus, Juniper took steppe and semi- broadleaved forests. They include: Georgian oak, desert area. By type of grassy vegetation S.A. hornbeam, Linden, maple, in the lower parts of the Zakharov and B.A. Aliyev distinguishes semi- belt include chestnut, Caucasian persimmon. desert, desert, steppe, meadow, Sandy, Rocky, srednegornogo forests belt: predominate East beech, swampy. Steppe vegetation covers Shemakha hornbeam, maple, ash, Linden. In the western slopes Highlands, meets on Guba-Gusar plain. Among the of the bushes "Rhododendron luteum», on East mountain-steppe vegetation representatives of Juniper "juniperus» Climbing even higher. legumes, with the deep root system, form the high characteristic of the zone of East oak forest (Quercus grass. Among the most common encounters, sweet macranthera) forms the Park oak. Subalpine clover, sainfoin clover, vetch, chick peas. vegetation is divided into 2 zones: lower, upper. The The Soil Cover: lower notes, from 1600 to 2000 m above sea level. This includes forest edges, clearings. Dominated by Formation of the relief, climate and human activities subalpine, poslelesnye, tall, plains and meadows. affect the appearance of the soils of Azerbaijan. The Upper zone within heights from 2000-2700 m above soil is represented by all major soil types and obeys sea level. It is dominated by the motley ostepnennye the law of horizontal and vertical conation. Among meadows and steppes. Above 2600-3200 m Nival the factors of soil formation plays an important role belt with cold climates are almost devoid of in relief, because the vertical soil zones are in direct vegetation. Lankaran-Astara region depending on dependence on the vertical zonation, climate and the humid-subtropical climate vegetation has a vegetation. In the mountainous part of Azerbaijan specific species composition. A study of the flora of nature of the terrain is very difficult and this is the this area was A.A. Grossgejmom [6], and L.i. reason of runoff of surface waters. On the Prilipko [8]. The main breed of Lenkoran lowland supervision of G.A. Aliyev [1] very often with forest area is Demir-Agach (Porrotia persica), mountainous part-sloping plain carried products of hornbeam (Carpinus caucasica). As Bush advocated weathering. In the mountainous part of the greater shrubs of Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), Ruscus (Ruscus and Lesser Caucasus common mountain-meadow hyrcanus), medlar (Mespilus germanica). In lowland soil, where the soil-forming process takes place forests at the edges and glades grow vines, silk under the influence of grassy vegetation. These soils Acacia (Albizzia julibrissi ). Vegetation of are well expressed in the humus horizon. Alpine Nakhchivan also formed depending on the climate. region occupied by sub-alpine and alpine meadows, According to Li Prilipko all with Arax lowlands and is a rich pasture. foothills takes wormwood semi-desert. Rising above Brown mountain-forest land occupied zone of the predominant vegetation of lugovostepnogo Northern and North-eastern slopes of the Lesser nature. In the area of the Highlands on the slopes of Caucasus, the southern and northern slopes of the vegetation does not form a closed cover. Intervals main Caucasian Ridge formed under the beech and between shrubs and trees are occupied by the lush, hornbeam-beech forests. lush meadows, dry meadows, depending on the steepness of slopes and soil cover. Vegetation is one Brown mountain-forest land are located under the of the main factors of the soil-process. Decaying cover of dry forest with dense grass stand. 3-4% plants accumulate a large amount of soil organic content of humus, humic acids predominate over matter. Depending on soil organic matter enrichment fulvoacids-alkaline reaction. S.a. Zakharov allocates 3 types of vegetation: wood, Soil dry steppes - gray-Brown Earth soils desert Cliff, travjanistuju. Wood, i.e. forest vegetation steppes. occupy a strip of the foothills and low occupies a large area and rises to a height of 2700 m mountains with moderately warm and moist climate, above sea level. m on the southern slope of the main where poluvlazhnym dominates steppe vegetation. Caucasian Ridge and alazan-Avtoranskoj Valley Gray-Brown Earth well humidified flowing from the forests occupy almost 34% of the area. In the north- slopes atmospheric precipitation. Named soils eastern slope and 13.8% of the Caspian depression. developed in deluvial rocks and forests, they have International Invention of Scientific Journal, Vol. 02, Issue. 09, Page no: 251-256 Page | 254 Prof. RAE Aliyev, Features Nature and Economic Conditions of Azerbaijan

good moisture-holding capacity and provide 3. River directly flowing into the Caspian Sea. vegetation moisture. Grey-brown soil of River network is distributed unevenly in the territory Nakhichevan AR compared to other areas of of the Republic. In the mountains the hydrographic Azerbaijan contain less humus. network strongly developed, depending on the Gray- in strechajutsja on the Kur depression, terrain and abundance of precipitation. The greatest Nakhichevan AR on the flat part in terms of climate development of the hydrographic network reaches at poluaridnogo. Depending on soil conditions, the altitudes of 1000-2500 m, medium mountain zone. nature of the species, salinity, they are divided into The largest water artery of Azerbaijan-Kura, within subtypes. Since the climate in the grey zone of soil the Republic of its length is 900 km. It originates in is characterized by hot and dry continental climate Turkey, the length of the river is 1072 km. Between vegetation of this zone is poor and does not form a the main Caucasian Ridge and Lesser Caucasus is continuous turfing. Accumulation of humus is the Kura-Aras lowland, which carry their waters negligible. Saline and alkaline soils develop in terms Kura and Arax. of climate poluaridnogo. These soils contain in their According to the method of feeding the River are profile highly soluble salts in toxic for crops. The formation of saline soils is associated with the divided into accumulation of salts in groundwater and rocks and 1. snow-soil. the conditions conducive to their accumulation in 2. rain-soil soils. Common in Mil, Shirvan, Salyan Plains. 3. soil-rain. Soils of floodplain- r azvivajutsja on river valleys. Is 4. soil-snow. alluvial and alluvial-forest soils have been formed The first type consists of r. Kura River with highly with the participation of the they fluvial. Alluvial located watershed. They belong to the North-East provide natural fertilizer than plodorodnee napilok and the southern slope of the main Caucasian Ridge. is, the more it develops natural vegetation in the This Samur, Gusarchay, r. and Turyan tributaries of floodplain. the river Gumchai, Damiraparanchay. On these rivers rain feeding. The second type are the low- Soil moist subtropical climate- common in Lankaran region, mainly zhovtozemah, poor in lying River watershed. Such rivers are found in the humus with sour reaction, slightly opodzolennaja are major and minor Caucasus and Lankaran region. polyvalent metals (Fe, Al). In a small number of This is Divichichay, Ahchaj, Shabranchaj, Kuruçay, flowing with Lateral Ridges North-East slope of the Experimental zones there are also red soils. It has been established that these soils have developed on Great Caucasus and also the river current to the krasnocvetnoj crust of weathering on damp Kobustanu. Tugchaj, Atachai Rivers Traverse. Tea. subtropics with a predominance of podzolistogo Here snow food is 5%. In the small Caucasus among process, characteristic in acidic Wednesday. But on rivers, with rain-soil nutrition include the rivers: the other hand, signs opodzolivanija manifested not Tauzchaj, Ahyndzhchaj, Dzhagirchaj, Qarqar River, Kendelenchaj, Kuruçay. A third type of food-soil- clear-cut, since decomposition of organic substance formed a large number of bases and neutralizes the rain fall River, flowing from the South and the north- acidic reaction. eastern slopes of the main Caucasian Ridge, it is Dashagylchaj, Aldzhiganchaj, Turyan, , Hydrography: Velvelichay, Karachay. These River obvodnjajutsja Hydrographic network in Azerbaijan formed over a at the expense of emerging on the surface of the long period and of tectonic processes experienced groundwater. Here snow eating-not more than 20%. various changes. Under human activities and natural Republic of Lakes is poor. Largest of them is Lake processes, it and now continues to change. In the Adzhikabul, sarysu, Akgel. The most beautiful-gek- Republic of nachityvaetsja 1000-1200 rivers in gel and Maralgel. The Caspian Sea is the largest lake General, most of them long, or more than 100 km- in the world. It was formed in the second half of the 21, from 5 to 100 km-67 rivers, length of 5 km and anthropogenic p less-850 rivers. References: All the rivers in the Republic belong to the basin of 1) Алиев Г.А. «Почвы Азербайджанской ССР», the Caspian Sea. They can be divided into three изд-во Волобуев В.Р. «АН» Азерб. groups: ССР.г.Баку, 1959. 1. Kura river basin 2. river basin of the Aras, International Invention of Scientific Journal, Vol. 02, Issue. 09, Page no: 251-256 Page | 255 Prof. RAE Aliyev, Features Nature and Economic Conditions of Azerbaijan

2) Алиев Б.Г. «История мелиоративной науки в 8) Кашкай М.А. «Геолого-петрографический Азербайджане, перспективы ее развития и очерк района минеральных источников. методология»,Изд. «Элм»,г.Баку 1999,с. 112 Истису и их геохимическая характеристика». 3) Алиев Б.Г. «Техника орошения в изд-во «АзФАН», №1, 1939 г. Азербайджане», «Азернешр», г.Баку, 9) Прилипко Л.И.«Лесная растительность 1994.236 стр. Азербайджана», г. Баку,1964 г. 4) Aliev B.H. The problem of desertification in 10) Сельское хозяйство Баланс Азерб. ССР», г. Azerbaijan and ways to solve it, "Ziya-Naji" Баку, «Элм»,1969 г. publishing house Baku-2005/ 11) Шыхлинский Э.М. «Климат Азербайджана». 5) Алекперов К.А. «Почвенная эрозия в г. Баку, 2000 г. Азербайджане и борьба с ней». г.Баку, 1961г. 12) Шыхлинский Э.М. «Тепловой от 6) Будагов Б.А. «Рельеф Азербайджана». г.Баку, Азербайджана», г. Баку, изд-во «АН, «Элм», 1993 г. Азерб. ССР», 1968 г.стр. 341,344. 7) Гроссгейм А.А. «Растительный покров Кавказа». Изд. «Московского общества испытателей природы», г. Москва, 1948 г.

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