The Largest Cities In Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, in the South Caucasus region of Asia is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Iran to the south, Russia to the north, and Armenia to the west. Here is a list of the largest cities in Azerbaijan, as per the States Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan. 

The Five Biggest Cities In Azerbaijan

1. Baku - 2,262,600

Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, enjoys a number of titles. It is the biggest city in Azerbaijan as well as the largest city in the Caucasus region and on the Caspian Sea. Baku, situated 92 feet below sea level, is also the world’s largest city located below sea level and the lowest lying capital in the world. The city is also the country’s cultural, scientific, and industrial center. It is often nicknamed the "City of Winds” because of the harsh winds that blow through this city.

2. Ganja - 332,600

Ranking second among the biggest cities in Azerbaijan, Ganja is inhabited by a large number of Azerbaijani refugees who arrived here from Armenia and areas in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. The number of the refugees was estimated to be 33,000 in 2011. Ganja’s economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Copper and alumina are produced by metallurgical industries here after extraction from nearby mines. Footwear, silk, and porcelain industries are also active in the city. Gaja has a number of interesting shopping destinations selling everything from traditional items to foreign products. The city also thrives with rich cultural activities and events throughout the year.

3. Sumqayit - 341,200

The third biggest city in Azerbaijan after Baku and Ganja, Sumqayit is located close to the Caspian Sea, 31 km away from the capital city of Baku. The city is only recently founded and was established on November 22, 1949, and encompasses an area of 83 square km. Sumqayit supports a number of heavy industries including metallurgical and chemical plants. It is the second biggest industrial center in the country after Baku.

4. Lankaran - 226,900

Lankaran is located near Azerbaijan’s southern border with Iran. It is a coastal city with sandy beaches. Mineral springs which are the source of sodium, calcium, sulfide, and chloride are located 12 km west of Lankaran while the ruins of the Ballabur Castle are also nearby. The area around Lankaran is important from the ecological point of view as it hosts a diversity of flora and fauna. Over 250 types of plants, 220 avian species, and 20 fish species occur here. Lankaran is famous for its ironwood that is naturally grown in the region. The Hirkan National Park near the city hosts the Persian leopard as well as a rare harvestman species. Lankaran is also associated with ruins and artifacts belonging to the Neolithic period and Bronze and Iron Ages.

5. Mingachevir - 104,500

It is the fifth biggest city in Azerbaijan and is also nicknamed the city of lights due to the hydroelectric power station on the Kur River located right in the middle of the city. Though the area in and around Mingachevir was occupied by humans for thousands of years, the modern city was founded as recently as 1948.

High Potential For Development

Though many of the cities in Azerbaijan are only recently established, they have high growth rates and are developing rapidly. Though corruption is a big issue in the country, the problem can be overcome with proper management. Human development levels in the country are quite high and considered to be at par with most East European countries. Literacy, employment, and economic development rates of the cities of Azerbaijan are also quite high.