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Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan>DistrictQabala District>Qabala|leader_title = |leader_name = |established_title = Established|established_date = 1537|area_total_km2 =1548|area_footnotes = |population_as_of = 2011|population_total =12808WEBSITE=WWW.QEBELE-IH.GOV.AZ, |population_density_km2 =Azerbaijan Time>AZT|utc_offset = +4Azerbaijan Time>AZT |utc_offset_DST = +540534745region:AZ|display=inline}}|elevation_m = 783|area_code = +994 160Köppen climate classification>ClimateHumid subtropical climate>Cfa|website = www.qebele-ih.gov.az}}Qabala () is a city and the administrative centre of the Qabala District of Azerbaijan.WEB,www.advantour.com/azerbaijan/gabala.htm, Gabala Travel Guide - Tours, Attractions and Things To Do, www.advantour.com, The municipality consists of the city of Gabala and the village of Küsnat.WEB,www.belediyye.org/index.php?con=qanun&bkod=3637, Belediyye Informasiya Sistemi,www.belediyye.org/index.php?con=qanun&bkod=3637," title="web.archive.org/web/20080924083213www.belediyye.org/index.php?con=qanun&bkod=3637,">web.archive.org/web/20080924083213www.belediyye.org/index.php?con=qanun&bkod=3637, 24 September 2008, az, Before the city was known as Kutkashen, but after the Republic of Azerbaijan’s independence the town was renamed in honour of the much older city of Gabala, the former capital of Caucasian Albania, the archaeological site of which is about 20 km southwest.

History

Antiquity

Gabala is the ancient capital of Caucasian Albania. Archaeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of Caucasian Albania as early as the 4th century BC.WEB,azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/62_folder/62_articles/62_revisit_history.html, 6.2 Revisiting History: Ancient Gabala, azer.com, Up to the present time, there are the ruins of the ancient city and the main gate of Caucasian Albania. Ongoing excavations near the village Chukhur show that Gabala from the 4th – 3rd centuries BC and up to the 18th century was one of the main cities with developed trade and crafts. The ruins of the ancient town are situated 15 km from the regional centre, allocated on the territory between Garachay and Jourluchay rivers.WEB,azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala, Gabala - Visit Azerbaijan, AZERBAIJAN.TRAVEL, azerbaijan.travel, en, 26 May 2017, dead,www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala," title="web.archive.org/web/20170601105820www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala,">web.archive.org/web/20170601105820www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala, 1 June 2017, dmy-all, WEB,mct.gov.az/az/404, XÉ™ta 404 - SÉ™hifÉ™ tapılmadı!, AzÉ™rbaycan Respublikası MÉ™dÉ™niyyÉ™t Nazirliyi, Gabala was located in the middle of the 2,500-year-old Silk Road, and was mentioned by Pliny the Younger as “Kabalaka”, Greek geographer Ptolemy as “Khabala”, Arabic historian Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri as “Khazar”. In the 19th century, the Azerbaijani historian Abbasgulu Bakikhanov mentioned in his book that Kbala or Khabala were in fact Gabala.In the 60s BC, Roman troops attacked Caucasian Albania but did not succeed in capturing the Qabala territory. In 262 AD, Caucasian Albania was occupied by the Sassanid Empire, but preserved its political and economic status. In 464, it lost its independence due to years of invasions from the northern nomadic tribes and had to move its capital city to Partava (currently Barda in Azerbaijan).

Feudal era

Gabala was occupied by Shirvanshah Fariburz, King David IV of Georgia in 1120, Mongol khan Timurleng in 1386, Safavid shah Tahmasib I in 1538, Persian Nader Shah in 1734 but was able to preserve its culture and identity. After the death of Nader Shah in 1747, the region split into independent khanates and sultanates and Gabala became a Qutqashen Sultanate. It was also called Gabala Mahali. After what is today referred to as The Republic of Azerbaijan was annexed from the Persian Empire, under the Qajar dynasty, by the Russian Empire in 1813 through the consequences of the Russo-Persian War (1804-1813) and the resulting Treaty of Gulistan of 1813, it conducted administrative reforms and in 1841 the khanates of this region were terminated and the territories were incorporated into governorates. Gabala area was added to Nukha uyezd of Elisabethpol Governorate. Due to archaeological finds in Gabala, it was declared a National State Reserve in 1985.WEB,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/az?/az/content/238/, Azərbaycan Respublikası Qəbələ Rayon İcra Hakimiyyəti, www.qebele-ih.gov.az,

Republic era

(File:Ancient Gabala01.jpg|thumb|The ruins of the gates of Albanian capital Gabala in Azerbaijan)(File:Qəbələ təbiəti (1).jpg|thumb|Nature of Qabala)After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Gabala embarked on a process of restructuring on a scale unseen in its history.WEB, History of Qabala,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/en/page/22.html, www.qebele-ih.gov.az, 11 November 2014, Thousands of buildings from the Soviet period were demolished to make way for a green belt on its shores; parks and gardens were built on the land reclaimed by filling up the foothill of Gabala.WEB, Президент Ильхам Алиев: Сегодня Габала стала одним из культурных и туристических центров Азербайджана,www.azeri.lv/2013/03/blog-post_1.html, www.azeri.lv, 11 November 2014, Improvements were made in the general cleaning, maintenance, and garbage collection, and these services are now at Western European standards. The city is growing dynamically and developing at full speed on a north axis along the shores of the Caspian Sea.As of the 2010s, Gabala is emerging as a magnet for events, such as the summit of Turkic Council in 2013.WEB, The Third Turkic Council Summit Meeting was held in Gabala,www.mfa.gov.tr/the-third-turkic-council-summit-meeting-was-held-in-gabala.en.mfa, www.mfa.gov.tr, 11 November 2014, In 2013, the city was declared the Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States, in recognition of its long contribution to the history of Azerbaijan and the region.WEB, Summit to See,www.thebusinessyear.com/publication/article/43/3696/azerbaijan-2014/summit-to-see, www.thebusinessyear.com, 11 November 2014,

Geography

The geographical position and mountainous relief of the city greatly influenced on formation of complex climate conditions in the vertical droughty area, as well as on density of river network and richness of soil-vegetation cover.WEB, The climate of the region,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/en/page/34.html, www.qebele-ih.gov.az, 11 November 2014, Relief and humid climate conditions of Gabala region led to formation of a thick river network in the area. The rivers of the city refer to the left branches of Kura basin and run directly into Kura or the rivers of the Shirvan zone.The city is rich with chestnut and hazelnut trees. Flora and Fauna of the district is rich. Deer and mountain tours, wild boar, hare, bears, wolves, foxes and numerous birds – pheasant, grouse, francolin, etc. can be found in the woods. These features attract hunters.WEB,azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala, Gabala,www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala," title="web.archive.org/web/20120908090853www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala,">web.archive.org/web/20120908090853www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala, 2012-09-08, dead, 26 May 2017,

Economy

The economy of Gabala is partially agricultural, partially tourist based, with some manufacturing industries, mainly for food preserves, tobacco and silkworm cocoon drying.WEB, GABALA / QƏBƏLƏ,qebelewelcomesyou.wordpress.com/gabala/, 6 December 2010, dead,qebelewelcomesyou.wordpress.com/gabala/," title="web.archive.org/web/20110101054900qebelewelcomesyou.wordpress.com/gabala/,">web.archive.org/web/20110101054900qebelewelcomesyou.wordpress.com/gabala/, 1 January 2011, dmy-all, The city’s main manufacturing companies are involved in engineering, construction, brewing and distilling and food manufacturing.WEB, Wine Adventures of Italians in Qabala. Furor Magazine (March 2013),www.aspiwinery.com/media-news/media-about-us/114-wine-adventures-of-italians-in-gabala-furor-magazine-march-2013, www.aspiwinery.com, 11 November 2014, WEB, Infrastructure of Gabala,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/en/page/48.html, www.qebele-ih.gov.az, 11 November 2014, There is also “Beltmann” piano factory, whose piano-maker is Hans Leferink - the grandson of Johann Beltmann who, in 1901, founded a similar business in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.WEB, “Beltman” piano factory,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/en/page/45.html, www.qebele-ih.gov.az, 11 November 2014, Beltmann website {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131646beltmannpianos-azerbaijan.com/ |date=2 April 2015 }} Various factories operate in the district, such as juice factory and nut factory.

Tourism and shopping

Qabala is a tourist destination due to the combination of its spring climate, mountainous landscape, and diverse fauna.QÉ™bÉ™lÉ™ rayonu on Qabala.aztelekom.org {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725025416www.qabala.aztelekom.org/html/qabala.html |date=25 July 2011 }} {{in lang|az}} There are many world-class hotels and resorts, most part of the Qafqaz chain.WEB, Recommended for you in Gabala,www.booking.com/city/az/qbl.en-gb.html, www.booking.com, 10 November 2014, Natural climatic conditions of the region create opportunities for the development of both summer and winter tourism in the region. The northern side of Qabala belongs to the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, the central part to Alazan-Haftaran valley, the southern part to Ajinohur upland. Furthermore, the highest mountain peak of the republic- Mount Bazarduzu (4466 meters) is situated in this region.WEB,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/en/page/35.html, Azerbaijan Republic Gabala Region Executive Power, 26 May 2017, Also located in Qabala is Yeddi Gozel Waterfall. The name means ‘seven beauties’ due to the seven stages of the falls but also reflecting a classic Nizami Ganjavi story. The waterfall, situated in woodlands west of Vandam, is climbed by thousands of people each year - the lower levels being accessible by stairways.(:az:Yeddi gözÉ™l (ÅŸÉ™lalÉ™)|Yeddi GözÉ™l){{Circular reference|date=November 2017}}The city contains “Qabaland” amusement park, an ice skating rink and a Greek-style theatre, rental houses, built especially for outside concerts.WEB, Machlachlan, Fiona, Getting to know Dmitry Yablonsky,www.visions.az/art,29/, Visions of Azerbaijan, 23 September 2011, Gabala also has several qebelede kiraye evler shopping malls.WEB, Grand shopping center to be opened in Gabala,www.today.az/news/society/117759.html, www.today.az, 10 November 2014, Qabala is home to the Tufandag Ski Complex, rated the best ski resort in AzerbaijanWEB,www.skiresort.info/ski-resorts/azerbaijan/, Ski resorts Azerbaijan - skiing in Azerbaijan (AzÉ™rbaycan), www.skiresort.info, and one of the foremost in the Caucasus.WEB, Mountain-skiing tourist complexes,azerbaijan.travel/en/pages/38-Mountain-skiing-tourist-complexes, azerbaijan.travel, 10 November 2014, dead,azerbaijan.travel/en/pages/38-Mountain-skiing-tourist-complexes," title="web.archive.org/web/20141111022353azerbaijan.travel/en/pages/38-Mountain-skiing-tourist-complexes,">web.archive.org/web/20141111022353azerbaijan.travel/en/pages/38-Mountain-skiing-tourist-complexes, 11 November 2014, dmy-all, The complex serves up to 3,000 people a day.WEB, Ilham Aliyev reviewed progress of construction of the “Tufan” summer and winter ski resort in Gabala,en.president.az/articles/5988, en.president.az, 10 November 2014,

Culture

File:Габала-фестиваль.jpeg|left|thumb|Gabala International Music FestivalGabala International Music FestivalSince 2009, city has been home of Gabala International Music Festival, which included performances from classical and jazz performers such as Al Jarreau and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.WEB, Gabala International Music Festival programme,www.news.az/articles/19387, news.az, 15 August 2010, dead,news.az/articles/19387," title="web.archive.org/web/20100801061045news.az/articles/19387,">web.archive.org/web/20100801061045news.az/articles/19387, 1 August 2010, dmy-all, WEB, Second International Music Festival {{sic, offic, ialy, y, opens in Gabala|url=http://www.news.az/articles/20129|publisher=news.az|access-date=15 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805013958news.az/articles/20129|archive-date=5 August 2010|df=dmy-all}}Gabala also boasts many museums such as Historical Ethnography Museum of Gabala and Gabala Cultural Centre, most notably featuring Folk Theatre named after Jalil Mammadguluzadeh.WEB, Culture in Qabala,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/en/page/55.html, www.qebele-ih.gov.az, 11 November 2014,

Landmarks

File:Receiver and Transmitter of Pechora Radar.jpg|thumb|A 1984 artist’s concept of a Daryal-type (Pechora) bistatic phased-array early warning radarearly warning radarQabala is known for the ruins of an ancient walled city, Chukhur Gabala, dating back to the 4th century BC.WEB,gilanpianos.com/,gilanpianos.com/3.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20090425051039gilanpianos.com/3.html,">web.archive.org/web/20090425051039gilanpianos.com/3.html, dead, Paddy power casino in Canada review — Attemption of Cheating Machine, 25 April 2009, The city has a large war memorial, numerous ancient stone houses and the Rashidbek monument, which is shaped like a huge book.Another landmark is the large Qabala Radar station, on the southern horizon as seen from Gabala, is one of only two Daryal-type missile early warning stations in the former USSR.WEB,www.turksam.org/en/a120.html,www.turksam.org/en/a120.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20090826014108www.turksam.org/en/a120.html,">web.archive.org/web/20090826014108www.turksam.org/en/a120.html, dead, Gabala Radar Station: “Somebody is watching us”, 26 August 2009,

Parks and gardens

Qabala has large sections of greenery either preserved by the National Government or designated as green zones. The city includes “Qabaland”, which is the largest amusement park in Azerbaijan.WEB, Travel to Gabala,azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala, azerbaijan.travel, 9 November 2014, dead,www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala," title="web.archive.org/web/20170601105820www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala,">web.archive.org/web/20170601105820www.azerbaijan.travel/en/region/53-Gabala, 1 June 2017, dmy-all,

Sports

The city has one professional football team competing in the top-flight of Azerbaijani football – Gabala, currently playing in the Azerbaijan Premier League. The team was managed by former England and Arsenal player Tony Adams in 2010–11 season.NEWS,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8675874.stm, Tony Adams’ grand plans for Azerbaijan, 11 May 2010, news.bbc.co.uk, The clubs holds its home games in the Gabala City Stadium. The Qabala Horse Racing Complex is used for horse-racing tournaments.WEB, “QÉ™bÉ™lÉ™” atıcılıq klubu Dünya Kubokunun finalına ev sahibliyi edÉ™cÉ™k,az.trend.az/azerbaijan/sports/2324294.html, az.trend.az, 21 October 2014, 10 November 2014, az, As of 2013, there is Qabala Shooting Club functions in the city.WEB, Target in Sight,www.thebusinessyear.com/publication/article/43/3698/azerbaijan-2014/target-in-sight, www.thebusinessyear.com, 11 November 2014,

Cuisine

The district has rich cuisine as other Azerbaijani regions.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} Popular local dishes include Qabala plov (rice), Dolma with nut, Dovga, Uchgulag, and types of chigirtma (chicken chigirtma, {{ill|eggplant chigirtma|az|Badımcan çığırtması#Ərzaqlar|vertical-align=sup}}, {{ill|chigirtma plov|az|Çığırtma plov|vertical-align=sup}}, fresh green beans chigirtma, etc.).

Transport

Public transport

Qabala is linked by regular bus and minibus to Baku, and less frequently to other regional centres. Within the city there are three numbered minibus routes running once or twice an hour.

Air

Qabala Airport is around 20 km south of the city. There are twice weekly flights to Baku and international connections to Dubai and Russia.NEWS, Yagubov, Elvin, New flight launched from Qabala to Moscow,en.apa.az/xeber_new_flight_launched_from_gabala_to_mosco_214409.html, 28 July 2014, Azeri-Press Agency (APA) LLC, apa.az/, 25 July 2014,

Education

There are 4 primary schools, 5 secondary schools and 4 special schools in the town.WEB, Qəbələdə Təhsil,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/page/15.html#3, www.qebele-ih.gov.az, 12 November 2014, az,

Healthcare

Qabala Central Regional Hospital is the largest hospital in the city, Qabala Children’s Hospital and Qabala Treatment and Diagnostic Center, which specialises in rehabilitation and long-term illnesses and conditions.WEB, Healthcare in Gabala,www.qebele-ih.gov.az/en/page/56.html, www.qebele-ih.gov.az, 11 November 2014,

Regional media

During the USSR period, “Galibiyyat” newspaper was published in Qabala.Currently, a group of young people created Gabalacity.net website which gives information about Qabala aiming to develop the tourism potential of the district.Today “Qabala” newspaper is being published in the region which was first published on 15 October 1933 as “Bolshevik Mubarizi”. Qabala Region Executive Power manages the publication of “Gabala” newspaper. Nadir Atakishiyev is leading the newspaper.(:az:QÉ™bÉ™lÉ™ rayonu|QÉ™bÉ™lÉ™ rayonu){{Circular reference|date=November 2017}}

Climate

Qabala has a humid continental climate (Dfa) close to the borderline of the humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Climate of Qabala is warm-temperate with dry winters in low areas, cold and damp in high mountains and the annual precipitation is 500–600 mm in the south, and up to 1600 mm in the northern high mountains.{{Weather box|location = Qabala|width = auto|single line = Yes|metric first = Yes|Jan high C = 4.4|Feb high C = 5.0|Mar high C = 9.4|Apr high C = 17.3|May high C = 21.1|Jun high C = 26.0|Jul high C = 29.5|Aug high C = 28.6|Sep high C = 24.8|Oct high C = 17.4|Nov high C = 11.4|Dec high C = 7.0|year high C = 16.8|Jan mean C = -0.5|Feb mean C = 0.1|Mar mean C = 4.0|Apr mean C = 10.5|May mean C = 15.6|Jun mean C = 19.6|Jul mean C = 21.9|Aug mean C = 22.3|Sep mean C = 17.4|Oct mean C = 11.7|Nov mean C = 5.9|Dec mean C = 2.0|year mean C = 10.9|Jan low C = -3.9|Feb low C = -2.8|Mar low C = 1.0|Apr low C = 6.7|May low C = 11.2|Jun low C = 15.4|Jul low C = 18.2|Aug low C = 17.4|Sep low C = 13.9|Oct low C = 8.5|Nov low C = 3.0|Dec low C = -1.4|year low C = 7.3|precipitation colour = green|Jan precipitation mm = 43|Feb precipitation mm = 50|Mar precipitation mm = 72|Apr precipitation mm = 73|May precipitation mm = 101|Jun precipitation mm = 97|Jul precipitation mm = 53|Aug precipitation mm = 55|Sep precipitation mm = 51|Oct precipitation mm = 102|Nov precipitation mm = 57|Dec precipitation mm = 41|year precipitation mm = 795|Jan precipitation days = 8|Feb precipitation days = 8|Mar precipitation days = 11|Apr precipitation days = 9|May precipitation days = 11|Jun precipitation days = 8|Jul precipitation days = 6|Aug precipitation days = 4|Sep precipitation days = 5|Oct precipitation days = 9|Nov precipitation days = 8|Dec precipitation days = 8|year precipitation days = 95|source 1 = NOAAWEB,ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/AJ/37740.TXT, Qabala Climate Normals 1961–1990, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 22 March 2015, |date=March 2015}}

Picture gallery

File:Qabala153.jpg|Gabaland amusement parkFile:Ancient Gabala00.jpg|Ancient Qabala fortressFile:Ancient Gabala02.jpg|Archeological site of Qabala fortressFile:Ancient Gabala05.jpg|Archeological excavations File:Ancient Gabala09.jpg|Archeological excavations in QabalaFile:Ancient Gabala10.jpg|Ceramic findsFile:Gabala lake.jpg|Qabala lakeFile:Handicraft Gabala Azerbaijan 01.jpg|Handcraft birdsFile:Handicraft Gabala Azerbaijan.jpg|Handcrafting is a special form of art in QabalaFile:Waterfall Gabala Azerbaijan.jpg|Waterfall in Qabala

See also

• Shaki
• Lankaran
• Nakchivan
• Mingachevir

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

• {{GEOnet2|32FA8814FE073774E0440003BA962ED3}}
• Site of Executive Power of Qabala
• Introducing Gabala presented by Mark Elliott

{{Qabala Rayon}}{{Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan}}{{Authority control}}