Kalbajar District

Kəlbəcər ( kyrillischschriftliches Azerbaijani and Russian Кельбаджар, also Kalbajar ) is a rayon (district) in western Azerbaijan. Capital of the district is the city Kəlbəcər. According to the Azerbaijani rayon had 2009 77.600 inhabitants.

History

The bordering on Armenia district was created in 1930 after the area was until 1929 part of the Kurdish Autonomous Province.

By taking away the autonomy of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region on 26 November 1991 the Azerbaijani government decided to integrate the local area west of Mardakert ( Ağdərə, Martakert ) in the rayon Kəlbəcər, while the easternmost area with Mardakert was assigned to the rayon Tərtər. After the beginning of hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh, the Azerbaijani army took the Mardakert region on 4 July 1992 in the framework of their summer offensive, and so divided the area briefly also de facto in the districts Kəlbəcər and Tərtər one.

In July 1993, the rayon was occupied by the Armenian army. Since then, the province Schahumjan and the formerly autonomous region belonging to the eastern regions and a small strip west of it situated its western part forms (outside the former autonomous region located ) a part of the province Martakert.

Until that time, there were 32 settlements in the district with about 53,900 inhabitants. Many residents of the district are currently living as refugees in other parts of Azerbaijan.

Geography

The district includes 1,936 square kilometers, it is as part of the Lesser Caucasus one of the highest of Azerbaijan. The mountain Kamis ( 3724 m) is the highest point. The territory is rich in mineral resources such as gold, chromium and mercury, further Kəlbəcər has many mineral springs, such as in Yuxarı, Aşağı İstisu, Bağırsaq and Keşdəkvə. The area is also densely forested.

Economy

In Rayon grain is grown and used in animal husbandry. In the 1980s, a resort was built over the İstisu source. In the settlement there were two sanatoriums, which were frequented every year by 50,000 guests.

Attractions

In the area there is the Tərtər Canyon and near the monasteries of Dadiwank (also Chotawank / Khotavank called ), and Gandsassar Jeritz Mankanz ( Yerits Mankants ).