Budag BudAGOV, True Member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences NATURAL MONUMENTS OF AZERBAIJAN THE territorY OF THE AZerbaijan REPUBLIC, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE CAUcaSUS IS SITUated ON THE SUbtropical ZONE WHICH HAS particUlar EFFect ON THE FORMation OF SpeciFIC CLIMatic TYPES AND SUbtYPES. is not surprising, that out of 11 bonate-sulfate, chloride, sulfate-chlo- world climatic types, 9 occur ride, and etc. Natural monuments of It in a relatively small territory of Azerbaijan can be distinguished as Azerbaijan (88, 6 km2). The country is geological, geologo-morphological, characterized by a diverse landscape: geomorphological, hydrological, flo- for instance in a small distance (40-60 ristic, faunistic and that which refers km), it varies from 28 km below sea to landscape. level to 4480 km (m.Bazardyuzi) el- Geological monuments of na­ evation. ture. The territory of Azerbaijan, as The territory of Azerbaijan is rich the entire territory of the Caucasus, with minerals such as iron, magne- belongs to a belt of Alpine folding sium, titanium, chromium, copper, and has a complicated tectonic for- polymetals, cobalt, molybdenum, mation. Icelandic shtap, andalusite, rock crys- Climatic conditions, regression of tal, quartz, barite, alunite, andalusite, the sea as well as the geological and asphalt, rock salt. There are 10 differ- geomorphological processes going ent types of mineral springs in Azer- on for the last 13-15 thousand years baijan which include: hydrocarbon- have developed a unique form of re- ate, hydrocarbonate-chloride, hydro- lief in the territory of the Azerbaijan carbonate-chloride-sulfate, hydrocar- Republic. The aged rocks of the Low- www.irs-az.com 41 Discovering the regions Khizi Mountains er Pliocene period including Modern them back to the age of Cretaceous gle relict forms. Similar deposits are deposits fascinate the viewer. The and post- Cretaceous period. also observed in other areas of the oldest rocks are the deposits of the Unique stones of various geologi- Caucasus. It is suggested to declare Lower Paleozoic period, composed of cal periods and particularity of the areas rich with these deposits such as metamorphosed schist. The territory territory as a whole represent an in- Shakhdagh, a protected zone. of Azerbaijan is also rich with paleon- teresting element that attracts tour- Geological and geomorphological tological and mineralogical deposits. ists. Mountain rocks range from 570 monuments of Azerbaijan are rather Effusive-magmatic and deposit rocks million years (schist, gneisses) to the diverse. Mountains, hills and different as well as a range of factors associ- age of modern marine sediments rocks emerged by arid-erosive relief- ated with time and space that reflect (limestone, silt, sand, gravel, and formations. Some of them are com- the paleontological conditions and etc). Another prominent geological posed of intrusive (Ilanlydag, Nahad- natural resources allow determining monument is a Sarmatian sediment jar, Alinja and other mountains in the the age of these rocks. Shell compos- preserved on the absolute height of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic) ites of huge boulders help to date 3600 m, sometimes observed in sin- and the ancient crystalline rocks of 42 www.irs-az.com Ilanlidagh. Nakhchivan ous tourists and mountain climbers spend hours viewing the remnants of the towers erected on these rocks centuries ago for defensive purposes (Chyraggala, Sekhyubgala, etc.); some of them are preserved in Shabran (Chyraggala) and Ismailli (Talystan) rayons. Mount Kapaz formed by lime- stone of the Jurassic period fascinates tourists with its unique beauty. Before the end of the nineteenth century oil resources were extracted by 10-15 deep hand-dug wells in the Absheron peninsula. Produced raw oil was collected in pits dug around the Devonian period (Dakhna, Sary- the wells. Such wells are still pre- dag, Velidag and other relict moun- served around the districts of Khirda- tains of Nakhchivan), while other for- lan, Balakhani, Bineqedi, Fatmayi and mations are rich with Pliocene sedi- Hokmeli. They illustrate the wealth of ments (relicts of Ambizler, Gushgayasi oil fields in Azerbaijan, the proximity in Gobustan). In connection with the of oil plast to the ground surface, and process of intensive denudation and the hard work of oil producers in the erosion easy-eroded rocks gradu- past days. To preserve these monu- ally disappeared. There is also Dibrar ments for future generations, we need type of cliffs in the south-eastern to restore old oil wells and to declare Caucasus. These cliffs are made of Lu- their territory a protected zone, due sitanian limestone of the Cretaceous to their significance for the history of period. They are usually expressed in Azerbaijan. Spontaneous combustion Dunes. Shabran District the form of sharp-edged rocks. Curi- of natural gas flowing through tec- www.irs-az.com 43 Discovering the regions Waterfall in Lerik tonic fractures to the ground surface from India built a Zoroastrian temple of the Hinalyg village at absolute alti- and the flame coming out of it dis- here. Yields of methane gas are also tude of 2200 m from the shale to the plays a unique phenomenon against observed in the craters of active mud surface of ground. Its flame creates a the background of green vegetation volcanoes, which are not few in Azer- unique pattern against a background or white snow. In the ancient past baijan. One can also observe natural of steep cliffs and mountain mead- flame of natural gas was a place of gas emissions on the southern slopes ows. It is an attractive place where worship of pagan religions. Pilgrims of the Gizilgaya plateau, to the west curious tourists can cook barbecue on hot sandstones. Among hydrogeological monu- ments mineral springs are notewor- thy. They are widely distributed on the territory of Azerbaijan: springs with more than 10 different chemi- cal compositions have been discov- ered in the country. These include hydrocarbonates, hydrocarbonate- chlorides, hydrocarbonate-chloride- sulfates, hydrocarbonate-sulfates, chloride-hydrocarbonates, sulfate- chlorides and vitriolic. In addition to these there are a number of sources with unknown chemical composi- tions. Debit of these resources range from 10 to 100 thousand liters per Isti-su. Masalli day. More than 30 springs are distin- guished with temperature ranging 44 www.irs-az.com Bazarduzu Mountain from 20 to 70 degrees. Most of the and charm the listener. This beauty of the major components of physical mineral springs have sulphur, car- is attributable to Qusarçay, Kishchay, and geographical environment, but bon, and carbon disulfide gas emis- Terterchay, Nakhchivanchay, Lan- also a criterion of the internal struc- sions. They are generally used to treat karan and other rivers of Azerbaijan. ture of the landscape, the formation patients with gastro-intestinal, skin, Waterfalls appear during certain cli- of which is due to mutual landscape cardiovascular, and rheumatic dis- matic conditions. There are 2 types forming factors. Floristic monuments eases. Mineral sources of therapeutic of waterfalls within the boundaries enrich the natural environment. For significance include Darydag, Sirab, of the country: waterfalls inherent to example, 1500-1700 old plane trees Badamli,Turshsu, Shirlan-Istisu, Slavy- permanent and temporary mountain observed along the roads are an in- anka, Agkerpu, Khaltan, Khashy, Jimy, rivers such as Afurdja (Velvelchay), valuable natural gift. Since past, these Khalkhal, Beshbarmag, Gyrhbulag Mychig (Damiraparanchay), Hamzali trees were carefully preserved. The and others. We believe that it is rea- (Hamzalichay), Katek (Katekchay), Kir- famous eastern plane trees are pre- sonable to declare sources of these intov and Sariguney (Kishchay), Ilisu served in many places of Azerbaijan springs zones of reserve. (Kurmukhchay), etc. - Nagorno-Karabakh, Geranboy and Hydrologic monuments. Natu- Mountain lakes of Azerbaijan, re- other areas. ral streams of Azerbaijan are mainly flect a boundless sky. Highland Lakes Other floristic monuments are Mountain Rivers. Elevations between such as Tufan (Greater Caucasus), Sultanbud forests (pistachio), Goygol the upper and lower reaches of the Goygol, Alagellar (Lesser Caucasus), pine and others. These zones are pro- river flows sometimes vary between Batabat (Nakh. AR) and others are tected as natural reserves. Valuable 2000-3000 m while the distance from known for their unique attraction. floristic monuments include: nar- the mouth of the river to its entrance Floristic monuments. Flora is one band (Nakh. AR), elm tree (Apsheron into the plain area changes between - of the distinct components of the Peninsula), chestnut tree (Gabala), 15-20 to 30 km. Therefore, rivers flow- landscape. Change of landscape at zubovnik (Zagatala, Khachmaz dis- ing through deep gorges and the plains and mountains is a result of tricts), and etc. Pyramidal plane trees noise of their fluxes produce strong different natural factors impacting along Guba-Khachmaz highway, nut echo to the distant environment relief. Therefore, flora is not only one plantations along the Oghuz-Sheki- www.irs-az.com 45 Discovering the regions Sometimes, we witness rare Asian, European and African birds in some natural reserves and wildlife preserves: flamingos, swans, bittern, pelicans, sultan and others. Knowl- edge of this birds has a cognitive and aesthetic significance. Tourists are showing special interest towards paleozoological monuments of na- ture. A better demonstration of this