Gabala

  




Gabala is a region situated in the north-western part of the Republic of Azerbaijan, within Shaki-Zagatala administrative region. It was established as one of administrative regions of Azerbaijan on September 08, 1930. It borders with Oghuz region in the west, the Russian Federation and Gusar region in the north, Guba and Ismayilli region in the east, Yevlakh region and Goychay region in the south. Its centre is Gabala city. Total population of the region is more than 100 thousand people.


Current territory of Gabala was a sea about 185 million years ago. As a result of the collision of the East European platform from the north and Arabian platform from the south in Alpine mountain formation phase, the dry relief was gradually formed here, and current relief forms were formed 75–85 million years ago.


The main types of climate: The geographical location of the region, mainly mountainous relief and altitudinal zonation had great influence on the formation of complex climatic conditions on the territory, density of the river network, and richness of the soil and vegetation cover. Humid subtropical marine climate dominated on the territory of the region about 25 million years ago. Heavy rains, warm weather conditions resulted in the development of evergreen dense forest cover on this territory. The average winter temperature in the Gabala is –3.9−9.4 °C, and the average summer temperature is between 15.4–29.5 °C. Minimum temperature in the region, up to –50 °C is observed at the peak of Bazarduzu (4466 m).


Sights of Gabala

Nohur lake, Tufangol, peak of Bazarduzu, Duruja village.

Gabala cuisine

Hamzali halva, Doshamali pilaf, Dasharasi kebab

Nohur lake or Nohurgishlag reservoir is located 3 km east of Gabala city, 1 km north of Nohurgishlag village, in natural basin between Gulluburun, Goydagh and Yumuru mountains, at an altitude of 700 m above the sea level.[1] Nohur lake, which existed as natural lake till 1949, had been surrounded by a swamp covered with dense reeds and aquatic vegetation, and a lake with yellow-green water had been located in deep basin in its centre. Earthen dam with length of 850 m, height of 8–10 m, width of 4-6 m was built and a reservoir was created in the southern part of this lake in 1949 — between Gulluburun and Yumuru mountains. At present the reservoir is 1925 m long and 1355 meters wide and has an area of 240 hectares. Its maximum depth reaches 24 m, and its water volume reaches 16 million m³.


The water of Damiraparan (70%) and Vandam (30%) rivers is discharged into Nohurgishlag reservoir. Nohurgshilag reservoir is important for regulating the water of mentioned rivers, as well for meeting the water needs of the farms of Gabala, Aghdash, Goychay and Ujar regions. On the other hand, this reservoir located near Gabala, Ismayilli – Baku highway, densely populated area, is one of the most popular recreation areas for local people, tourists and visitors. Nohurgishlag reservoir is also of great importance for the development of lake fishermen (aquaculture) and sports (rowing). At present, the recreation areas function on the north, south west and east shores of the reservoir.


Sometimes in harsh winter, the surface of the Nohur lake is completely covered with the ice. The thickness of the ice cover on the surface of the lake reached 40-50 cm in the winter of 1953. The people of nearby Nohurgishlag village, taking advantage of this situation, carried firewood and building materials from Goydagh mountain to the north of the lake, passing over it by means of manpower and equipment. The surface of Nohurgishlag reservoir was repeatedly completely covered with the ice in the winter of 2007-2008.

Peak of Bazarduzu is a mountain in Main Caucasus Range, on the border of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Dagestan. Its highest peak is 4466 meters. It is situated on the territory of Gabala region.


It is located on Main Caucasian Range of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, on the territory of the Gusar region, on the border with the Russian Federation. It is the southernmost point of the Russian Federation. It consists in three peaks. Turyan and Gusar rivers originate here. The mountain got its name from the name of a plain called Bazarduzu, located in Shahnabadchay valley, which was the pasture for the cattle-breeding tribes in the past. It is considered to be an ethnotoponym.


It is about 7 km from Kuzun village to Laza village by a dirt road. First you need to walk along the left bank of Gusarchay river from Laza village using better path, and then get to Shahyaylag by moving along Shahnabadchay, cross Shahnabadchay using the bridge, go from the bridge to Kuzun village. It takes 9–12 hours. Then you need to climb up the right side of Shahnabadchay in the direction of travel, get to wide meadow – Yatukhdara mountain mass, where two rivers converge, located 2 hours away from the bridge.


Then you need to move along the right side in the direction of travel up to the place where the river flows through Kurush passage. By crossing to another side of the river, you need to get to the lower point between Bazarduzu and Yarudagh mountain mass (black slate rocks act as additional landmarks). It takes 30–40 minutes to get from the watersmeet to Kurush (Garanlig) passage. Then you need to go through Kurush passage to the north-eastern range of Bazarduzu at the place where there are piles of stones. It takes 3–5 hours to go from the camp to the peak of Bazarduzu, along wide mountain range. The safety net is needed here.

You are able to climb to the peak of Bazarduzu through the range or the slope, using traverse in an arc: left-up-right (safety net!). Then you need to go down into narrow place and climb up to the ice dome of the peak (Grampons are a must!). Climbing to the peak along the ice dome. (corridor!) It's 2 hours from the Eastern peak. There are control tours along the ice dome, and slates at the exit 30 m from the Peak.


Tufangol – the left tributary of Demiraparan river – is located 4 km north of the source of the right tributary of Tufanchay, at an altitude of 3,277 m above the sea level. Tufangol, which is of glacial (moraine) origin, is freshwater lake surrounded by the mountains, fed by snow and glacial waters. The length of the lake is 160 m, its width is 125 m, depth is 5.6 m, and the area in the high water period reaches 3.8 ha.


The water of Tufangol lake becomes transparent in the summer, and the bottom of the lake up to 2 m is clearly visible.In July the water temperature of the lake is higher than t 0 - u +10 0 -. Tufangol lake, situated on the Northern border of the mountain pastures of the region, is surrounded by clouds, snow and blizzard 8 – 9 months a year. Sometimes the snow cover does not manage to dissolve for a whole year. Nomadic cattle breeders (local people) who are familiar with these places call Tufangol lake the Lake of Noah. Tufangol is situated in Main Dividing Range of the Azerbaijani part of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, on the border of Guba and Gabala regions, in the upper part of the source of the left tributary of Damiraparan river.


Tufanchay river on the left tributary of Damiraparan river is fed from Tufangol. Thus, just below the level of the lake, where there are no glaciers or springs on the southern slope of the mountain, the water in the lake flows, as if cutting through the mountain, and forms the source of the Tufanchay river. You can reach Tufangol from Khinalig village in Guba region and Laza village in Gabala region. It is relatively easy to go to the lake from Laza village, Gabala region; and the distance here is shorter.


When you go from Khinalig village, you can first get to Tufandagh peak (4191 meters) and then go down to the lake. In addition to these two villages, you can also climb Tufangol from Shahyaylaghi. There are Turfan lakes in the north-west direction from Tufangol, where several lakes are next to each other, which are also located in very beautiful and picturesque territory.