.:First in Azerbaijan web portal about Guba city:.: General description

General description

The land of gardens - Guba - shows us round unique natural and climatic conditions, sights and memorable places of the region. Guba spread over the most picturesque places of Azerbaijan, north-eastern slopes of Shahdag range, the snowy peaks of which give birth to numerous rivers. The territory of Guba is 2.6 thousand square km and its population is more than 140,000 people. Guba and its villages have 144 schools, 16 kindergartens, a central hospital, 92 polyclinics, 107 libraries, 25 palaces of culture and 62 clubs. Since 1999 a great amount of municipal rehabilitation works have made Guba more attractive. Guba is a major flower and carpet production centre. Guba originated in the village of Kudyal, and only became important in the early 18th century as it succeeded Khudat as the capital of a small but ambitious Khanate. One of its rulers, Fatali Khan, tried to create a unified Azeri state in the 18th century by annexing the neighboring Khanates. However the khanate was occupied by the Russian army in 1806 and formerly ceded to Russia by Persia in 1813. After collapse of the Russian Empire, the region as well as the Baku province in whole had entered the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, formed in 1918. Then, in 1920 it became a part of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan. Since 1991 it is a part of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan. The town started to expand at the end of the seventeenth century when it became the capital of a khanat, fighting Persian invasions with Russian support. Highlights include three eighteenth and nineteenth-century mosques, and ancient covered baths, or hammams. Continue to the suburb of Krasnaya Sloboda inhabited by "mountain Jews", whose origin is much debated. Guba is also famous for its historic places and its very unique nature. Lodging in a chalet located in the Long Forest resort, which offers open-air activities in a relaxing environment. Walk in the forest to the inviting village of Qashresh, known for its suspension bridge and "shaslik houses" (brochette restaurants). Lunch there, then excursion to the spectacular Tangy Alty Canyon and cascade sites - the Afurdja cascade is 30 metres high… The region is a natural reserve full of winding torrents and remote villages. Brown bears and ibexes live in the surrounding Caucasus mountains. The village of Khinalig 3,500 m above sea level has a ninth century fire temple, while in Guba Town boasts a Cupol Bath, the "Sinakhanim" mosque and the "Guma" mosque. There are a various eth

nic groups, mainly made up of Azerbaijanis and national minorities such as Lezgins, Russians, Tats and Jews, represented in this diverse region. The summers are cool and the winters are snowy and cold.
Guba is one of the leading fruit farming regions in Azerbaijan. The main branches of agriculture are fruit growing and sheep breeding. Agriculture in Azerbaijan is largest sector next to oil and gas, with over 40% of the population engaged in agriculture. Azerbaijan's agricultural sector has undergone a dramatic transition since the breakup of the collective/state farm system and the privatization of agricultural land starting in 1996. Before the collapse of the former Soviet Union, Guba region of Azerbaijan was a net agricultural exporter, exporting fresh and canned fruits and vegetables to all the republics of the ex-USSR. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the breakup of economic ties, trading relationships collapsed and sellers were cut off from buyers.
The Guba region is developing its agricultural sector with its apple-tree gardens, the symbol of the picturesque region. You will find here apples of any color and taste and Guba is the leading fruit-farming region in the republic. The apple gardens of Guba are famous not only within Azerbaijan but also in Georgia and Southern Russia. Guba is, first of all, the capital of "apples", though there also are cultivated pears, plums, apricots, cherries here. Old-timers defend the development of gardening in Guba by an ancient tradition, following which every boy and girl before marrying were committed to planting fruit trees. Only after young trees bore fruits, the bridegrooms could celebrate their wedding. Other branches of agriculture are grain crops and sheep breeding. The processing industry is primarily focused on canning. The carpets of Guba are equally as famous as the fruit that is grown there. One such carpet dating from 1712 is on display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Carpets from Guba are distinctive in their graphic design and are sold all over the world.