Naftalan, Azerbaijan

The word Naftalan, can be traced to the Greek word "naphtha" ("νάφθα"), meaning pertaining to oil, and the Azerbaijani suffix "-alan", which is of the verb "to take" (and literally meaning "oil buyer").[3]

Archaeological findings in the region date to the 12th century AD. Naftalan city was functioning as a settlement within the Goranboy and Yevlakh districts until 1967. On April 28, 1967, Naftalan was granted the status of subordinate city. The city of Naftalan consists of a city and two villages. The base of Naftalan city is Sanatorium - Resort infrastructure. Naftalan Resort has been operating since 1933. In 1938, the Naftalan Experimental Laboratory was established in the Azerbaijan Scientific-Research Institute of Medical Rehabilitation. The biological and therapeutic effects of the Naftalan oil began to be studied there. Also, in 1965, Scientific Research Laboratory was established in Naftalan.[4]

Naftalan city is located 330 km west of Baku, 50 km from Ganja in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. It's located at an altitude of 225 m above sea level. The spring is warm, the winter is soft here. The average annual temperature is +14.8 degrees. The wind in Naftalan is mainly monsoon. The city's territory is 35.73 km².[7]

According to the 1999 census, the population in Naftalan was 7,551. As of 2017, the population of the city is 8718 persons.

Ethnic Groups Population (1979 census)

• Azerbaijanis 3,245 (90,6%)
• Tatars 6 (0.2%)
• Russians 136 (3.8%)
• Armenians 182 (5.1%)
• Lezgins 7 (0.2%)

Competitiveness of Naftalan oil and products based on the implementation of the Naftalan City Executive Power. AZS 886: 2020 “Naphthalene oil is natural. General conditions" on the standardization of "Naphthalan oil and products" developed by the Standardization Institute discussed at the Technical Committee. (AZSTAND / TK 29) In 2010s, the number of hotels increased in the city after Azerbaijani government's tourism policy.

Naftalan City Executive Power, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Health, Naftalan Azerbaijan Standardization Institute in coordination with the Treatment and Health Center and other relevant institutions approved by the Order of 13 August 2020, first time in history.

Adoption of the state standard for Naftalan oil in the world and for the future development of Naftalan resort, it is of great importance in terms of wider recognition. Implementation of the standard adopted to increase the competitiveness of Naftalan holiday resort at local place and abroad. It will promote the improvement of the quality of services provided to tourists and the development of medical tourism.

İt is used primary alternative energy sources in Naftalan. Within the scope of landscaping works, a new lighting system, a joint product of domestic and foreign manufacturers, was installed in Galaba Park, one of the city's largest parks. The new lighting system is equipped with solar lamps and solar panels. Using alternative energy will also save electricity. With the initiative of City Executive Power, these lighting systems are planned to be installed in different parts of the city in the future. City dwellers and tourists will be able to head to this park for relaxing and entertaining at night and for an effective view.[8]

Petroleum spas

Baths Resort Naftalan

The area is home to petroleum spas (or "oil spas"), once popular vacation spots of the Soviet Union that are making a return in popularity.[9] Oil from these spas is claimed to be an effective treatment against psoriasis, arthritis and rheumatism.[3] At the height of their Soviet-era popularity, the spas in Naftalan had 75,000 visitors a year. The combination of violent ethnic conflict in nearby Nagorno-Karabakh and the end of Soviet-sponsored free trips brought the industry to its knees in the late-1980s.[9] All but one of the older spas were converted into refugee housing. The remaining spa, the Naftalan Therapeutic Center, had 1,000-beds.[3]

The number of domestic and foreign tourists coming to Naftalan, which has a capacity of about 2200 tourists a day, has increased by 5-6 times in 2016 and counted 30,000.

Health-tourism centers of Naftalan:

• Chinar Hotel & SPA Naftalan
• Naftalan Qashalti Hotel
• Naftalan Treatment and Health Center
• “Miracle Naftalan” Health Center
• Recreation center “Sehirli Naftalan”
• Garabagh SPA&Resort
• “Kepez” Sanatorium
• Recreation center “Gozel Naftalan”[10]

There is a library in the city. There are 32711 copies of books in the book fund of the library. There are two Houses of Culture that are engaged in promoting national traditions, providing cultural services to the population. Also, there is Naftalan Museum and Music School. There are four parks in the city of Naftalan: "Heydar Aliyev", "Samed Vurgun", "Nariman Narimanov" and "Victory" parks.[11]

“Crutches” Museum

The exhibits of the museum are crutches. There are crutches of different types and sizes here. The reason is that sometimes patients who use crutches come to sanatorium for the treatment. When the treatment is completed, they no longer need the crutches, so they leave them in Naftalan.[5]

There are three general education schools and one Children's Creative Center in the city.[12]

Naftalan resort city can be reached by car from Baku and Ganja cities. It is possible to arrive in Naftalan via railway transport from Baku and Ganja cities. The closest route for foreign visitors is the flight to Ganja International Airport.[7]

Naftalan is twinned with:

• Yessentuki, Russia (since 2014)[13]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Naftalan.

• Naftalan, Azerbaijan at GEOnet Names Server
• World Gazetteer: Azerbaijan – World-Gazetteer.com