Lankaran

Lankaran(Azerbaijani:Lənkəran,(listen)) orLánkon(Talysh:Lánkon) is a city inAzerbaijan, on the coast of theCaspian Sea, near the southern border withIran. As of 2021, the city had a population of 89,300. It is next to, but independent of,Lankaran District. The city forms a distinct first-order division of Azerbaijan.
The origin of the name "Lankaran" is uncertain. One theory consider it to derive from one of thePersianwords,Langarkunān("the place for dropping the anchor(s)") orLangarkanān("the place for weighing anchor(s)"). Both meanings simply translate as "sea port." The pronunciation shifted through the years, andLangarkunānbecameLankarānor, in the even more simpleTalyshpronunciation,Lankon. The other theory links it to the Talysh wordlankran("cane house").
It is unknown when the town of Lankaran was actually established. The French archaeologistJacques de Morgan(died 1924) discovered extremely ancient remains in Lankaran, such as dolmens, graves, and instances of bodies seemingly exposed in aZoroastrianmanner.
With the death ofNader Shah(r. 1736–1747), theTalysh Khanatewas founded by Seyyed Abbas, whose ancestors were members of the IranianSafavid dynasty, and had moved into the Talish region in the 1720s during a turbulent period in Iranian history. From the founding of the khanate until 1828, it was under the suzerainty of theIranianZandandQajardynasties. In the first half of the 18th century, theRussiansgained control over it for a few years during theRusso-Persian War of 1722–1723; in 1732 it was ceded back to Iran by theTreaty of Resht. During theRusso-Persian War of 1804–1813,General Kotlyarevsky, heading the southernmost Russian contingent during the war,stormed and captured Lankaran's fortress. Following theTreaty of Gulistanof 1813, it was ceded to Russia.Qajar Iran would later retake the city during theRusso-Persian War of 1826–1828, but was forced to return it following theTreaty of Turkmenchay(1828), which saw the definite end of Persian influence in the South Caucasus.
Under Russian rule, Lankaran, known as Lenkoran (Ленкорань) inRussian, was the center of theLenkoran Uyezdof theBaku Governorate. Following the collapse of the Russian Empire, it was a part of the short-livedAzerbaijan Democratic Republic(1918–1920), then became a part of theAzerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republicfollowing thesovietization of Azerbaijan. In 1991, following the dissolution of theSoviet Union, it became a part of independent Azerbaijan.
There are sandy beaches near Lankaran. Thermalsulphide,chloride,sodium-calciumwaters ofAndjin(Upper and Lower) mineral springs are situated 12 km west of the town. Also to the west are the ruins ofBallabur castle, near the village with the same name.
Vast area of this region is covered by national parks, where a variety of fauna and flora are preserved.Gizil-Agach State Reservehosts over 250 kinds of plants, 30 species of fish and more than 220 kinds of birds. Lankaran is also known forParrotia, or ironwood. It is naturally grown in the region and could be seen inHirkan National Park. Local myth has it that it is the only wood that sinks in water, hence the name (ironwood). Historically it has been used for heating since it burns for a long time and is not easily extinguished. ThePersian leopard(Panthera pardus saxicolous) subspecies of theleopard, lives in the national park as well. In 1937, members of theOpilio lepidusspecies ofharvestmanwere sighted in the area.
Lankaran has ahot-summer Mediterranean climate(Köppen climate classification:Csa), with cool, wet winters and very warm, highly humid summers, albeit with infrequent rain.
Dominating spheres in the economy of Lankaran are vegetable-growing,tea-growing, paddy cultivating, cattle-breeding, citrus plants,beekeeping,fishing, and grain farming.Favourable humid subtropical climate, availability of good arable land, water and sufficient labour resources of the city provides a good basis for agricultural activities as well as the development of agro-processing enterprises. The city is also home to Azerbaijan's firstteaplant, built in 1937.
Lankaran is the capital of theTalysh region(Talyshistan), the ethnic homeland of theTalysh people, and the main urban and cultural center of this people.
The vast majority of the population of Lankaran isTalysh,and the rest areAzerbaijanisand other nationalities.
The religion with the largest community of followers is Islam. The majority of the Muslims areShia Muslims, and the Republic of Azerbaijan has the second-highest Shia population percentage in the world afterIran.The city's notable mosques includeKichik Bazar MosqueandBoyuk Bazar Mosque.
As of 2012, the city along withBakuandGanjaparticipated inEarth Hourmovement.
Lankaran's cuisine has largely been affected by its multicultural history, hence the large variety of food originating duringTalysh Khanate. Lankaran's signature cuisine includes lavangi, Lankaran kulcha, marji plov, white plov, pumpkin plov and turshu kebab.
Lankaran is home to several national folk performers, including theBacılar(The Sisters) nationalTalyshfolk and dance collective.
The regional channelJanub TVand newspaperLankaranare headquartered in the city.
The city used to have a professionalfootballteam competing in the top-flight ofAzerbaijanifootball -Khazar Lankaran, which played in theAzerbaijan Premier League. Sporting venues in the city include theLankaran City Stadiumand Lankaran Olympic Sports Complex.The stadium was one of the venues for the group stages of the2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
In 2012, the city won to host European Masters Weightlifting Championship.
TheLankaran International Airport's international terminal was opened in September 2008.
The city has rail service from historic terminals in downtown toBakuin the east andAstarain the south.
Lankaran State Universityis located in the city. It was founded in 1991 and it was Lankaran's first university to start courses.
Lankaran istwinnedwith: