Agsu District

According to some sources that Agsu city was founded by Nadir Shah, in 1735. The remainders of that city (“Ruined city”) is situated in the south of Agsu city. The name of the city is derived from “Agsuchay” which flow through the city. City status was given to Agsu, in 1967. Agsu district was arranged, in 1943. it is bounded by Ismayilli from the north and north-west, Shamakhi from the north-west and east, Kurdamir and Hadzhigabul from the south.

Its territory is 1020 km2, population in 69.4 persons. There are a city (Agsu city), 78 villages. These dwelling areas are embraced by 24 territorial representations and 60 municipalities. Gagali, Kendoba, Bijo, Calva, Pirhassanli, Dzhalayir, Padar, Arabushagi and Garagoyunlu are the greatest villages of the district.

49.1% of the population is male, 50.9% is female. 98,92% of the population is Azerbaijani, 1,08% is Lezghin, Turkish and other. 25.7% of the population lives in the city, 74.3% lives in villages. 2068 refugees and forced immigrants were settled down in the district. They are moved here from Armenia, Uzbekistan and our occupied regions.

69 schools providing general education, 5 out-of-school and pre-school institutes, 6 hospitals, 18 ambulatory-polyclinics, 22 doctor's assistant-mama dispensaries, a cultural palace, 10 cultural houses, 47 libraries, a musical school for children and history-ethnographical museum operate in the district.

In 1954, the first newspaper “Yeni Heyat” (“New Life”) was published in the district. Then, inter-regional newspaper “Irali” (“Forward”) was published in 1961 and newspaper “Birlik” (“Unity”) was published in 1966. Nowadays, newspaper “Agsu” which is agency of Executive Government of Agsu district is published in the district. The newspaper was registered in the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan Republic, on January 13, 2003.

There are 55 km road of republican importance through the district. 37 km the road Baku-Shamakhi Yevlakh is second categorical road, 18 km road Agsu-Kurdamir-Behramtapa is third categorical road.

Children and Youth Art Center in Agsu

Regional organization of 16 political parties and regional department of 16 social-political organizations (including, 3 non-governmental organizations) operate in the district. Regional organization of Yeni Azerbaijan Party in Agsu district takes an important role in social-political, cultural life of the district. The main organizations of YAP were founded in the district, in the beginning of 1993. Constituent Assembly was held in November, 1993.[1]

Nature of Agsu

According to the geographical location, Agsu district is located at the bottoms of the Great Caucasian Mountains and on the plain of Shirvan. 6 villages, 3 territory units are mountainous zone. Relief of the district consists of mountainous, foothills and slanting flats. Mountainous zone is located in 700–1000 m height above sea level. Relief of the mountainous zones is compound with rivers, valleys, ravines. Langabiz mountain chain is formed by small grey mountains from the banks of Goycay River to Pirsaatchay River. Its highest peak Sendelen (it is also known as "Sangalan" and "Bijo mountain") situated in the territory of Bijo village has the 929 m height above sea level.

The Girdiman and the Agsuchay and their branches flow through the district. Kukash gorge and Djavanshir Lake (in the west), Yukhari Shirvan canal and its branch Agsu (in the south) as well as little Bijoderesi river are located in the district.

Climate of the district is, semi desert, dry gray, winter months are usually mild, warm and dry (the south) and summer months are usually mild, warm and dry. Winter is dry, sunny and less snowy. Average annual temperature is 13-14 C. average monthly relative humidity is 50-81% during year. Annual quantity of rain is 400–600 mm.[2]

Aghsu Chess School

Agsuchay begins to flow from Lahij Mountains. Middle flow of the rain is too deep, but it flows through wide valley. The valley of the river loses its form beginning from Agsu city to the south. Here the river is used for irrigation of farming lands.[2]

According to the State Statistics Committee, as of 2018, the population of city recorded 79,200 persons, which increased by 16,100 persons (about 25.5 percent) from 63,100 persons in 2000.[3] 39,800 of total population are men, 39,400 are women.[4] More than 27,3 percent of the population (about 21,700 persons) consists of young people and teenagers aged 14–29.[5]

The statues of ram built in the Middle Ages bring the great interest to Agsu region. Even the figures of ram on the graves are observed in Padar village, Mustafa village. In Azerbaijan these kinds of statues can be seen frequently. These types of the grave monuments are widely used in the South Caucasus, East Anadolu, Middle Asia, Sibir, and Altay.

Agsu Medieval Ages Archaeological Tourism Complex

In ancient times, ram was the symbol of abundance, victory and strength. It should be mentioned that the early information about stone ram figures comes from the foreign travellers who visited Azerbaijan in the XIII-XIX centuries. These ram statues are related to the Middle Ages historical Azerbaijani governments Aghoyunlu and Garagoyunlu.[6]

Sheikh Dursun Mausoleum (XV century), “Xəzinə dağı” (Treasure Hill) tower, Sheikh Amir Ahmed Mausoleum (1722), Pir Bakhtiyar Mausoleum (XVIII century) are among the historical monuments of Agsu district. Red dome and white dome are located in Garagoyunlu village. The walls of Red dome constructed in 1869-1870 in an octahedral prism shape were built of red-baked bricks. The white dome was built of white limestones in 1909.[7]

Agsu region has a number of amenities offering a wide range of services, such as Agsu region History and Ethnography Museum displaying archaeological artifacts date back to the III-I centuries BC and other historical exhibits,[8] Agsu region Cultural Center featuring “Goncha” folk instrumental ensemble, "New Aghsu" vocal instrumental ensemble. "Ashugs" ensemble,[9]  Ethnography Houses in Garagoyunlu, Padar and Bozavand villages, Craftsmanship centers in Bijo and Yenilik villages, Culture houses in Jalayir and Kalva villages, Agsu region Children’s Music School, Agsu Chess School, Agsu Children and Youth Art Center, Agsu region Heydar Aliyev Center. There is also a stadium with a capacity of 3000 and a sports complex.[10] “Agsu” newspaper is published in the region.[11]

Agsu city stadium

Agsu district is agricultural district. Cattle-breeding, grain-growing, cotton-growing, fruit-growing and vegetable-growing are the most important fields of the district's economy. 75.2% or 76742 hectare of its territory is useful for agriculture, 46.3% or 35550 hectare of it consists of arable land.

Economy of the district is arranged by the agricultural activity. In 2007, total output of the district was 55879.9 thousand manats, and 36685.8 thousand manats or 66 per cent falls to agriculture's share. Vegetable products of 21644 thousand manats, cattle-breeding products of 15042 thousands manats were produced in the district.

36184 hectare arable lands were freely given to long-term 43892 proprietors as a result of carried out agrarian reforms in National Leader Heydar Aliyev's initiative and under his leadership. Property of sovkhozes and kolkhozes in the sum of AZM 17.8 billion (AZN 3.6mln.) was privatized and share permission was given to the proprietors. 98-100% of production of the district, retail commodity circulation, paying services falls to non-governmental sector's share.

Agsu city