Vfrdtyky

Qusar Lezgian: КцIар район
Rayon
Azerbaijani: Qusar rayonu
Map of Azerbaijan showing Qusar Rayon
Coordinates: 41°25′N 48°26′E / 41.417°N 48.433°E / 41.417; 48.433Coordinates: 41°25′N 48°26′E / 41.417°N 48.433°E / 41.417; 48.433
Country	Azerbaijan
Capital	Qusar
Villages	92
Government
• Executive power	Şair Alxasov
Area[1]
• Total	1,542 km2 (595 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	90,438
• Density	59/km2 (150/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+4 (AZT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+5 (AZT)
Postal code	3800
Telephone code	(+994) 23[2]
Website	www.qusar-ih.gov.az

The District of Qusar (Azerbaijani: Qusar rayonu, Lezgian: КцIар район) is an administrative unit in the northern part of Azerbaijan. It’s administrative center is Qusar city.^[3][4][5]

The district borders upon Quba and Khachmaz rayons of the republic and Dagestan (Russia). A distance from Baku - the capital of Azerbaijan is 180 kilometers.

Qusar toponymy

There are several views about the origin of the Qusar toponymy. There is argued that the word “qusar” comes from the Russian language which means “cavalry warrior”. “qusar” regiment was organized in this territory in 1783 – 1784. The district was named as “Qusar” according to the name of the regiment.

There is another view that the word "qusar" derived from ancient Turkish tribe called “qus/ quz” and “ar” means male.

A. Bakikhanov also used the word “qusar” in his book called “Gulistani – Iram”. He described the events took place in the village called Qusar.^[6]

Geography

Shahdag in the summer

Qusar is located in Eurasian continent, in the north-eastern inclination of the main Caucasus Mountain ridge. It is located between 41°11’ - 41°45’ latitude North and 47°52’ - 48°41’ longitude East. Mountains, among which is also Shahdagh Mount, take the great part of the rayon. Territory of the rayon occupies the north-eastern part of Azerbaijan. Qusar is a unique gate of the republic. Even in the ancient times the territory of the rayon took a good position on a junction of the main trade roads. It is 179 kilometers from Qusar to Baku.

The local relief within Qusar district consists of mountains and valleys. Mineral sources such as limestone, chalcopyrite, limonite, and marble are common in the district. Qusar and Samur are main rivers of the Qusar District.^[7]

Qusar rayon is located far from sea routes. The most nearest seas to it are – the Caspian Sea (15 km) and the Black Sea (550 km). Area of the rayon consists of 1542 km² and occupies 1,7% area of Azerbaijan. For size of its territory Qusar takes the 14th place among the other rayons of Azerbaijan. Length of the rayon from West to East is 84 km, but from North to South it is 35 km.

Extreme points of the rayon are:

• In North – Suduroba
  


• In South – Tufan dagh


• In East – Guzun qishlaq


• In West – Bazarduzu summit

Length of the rayons borders is 225 km. Extension of the borders in kilometers:

1. 
   Dagestan Republic (with Akhtin, Dokuzpara and Mahammadkend rayons) 95 km.


2. 
   Qabala Rayon 25 km.


3. 
   Quba Rayon 70 km.


4. 
   Khachmaz Rayon 65 km.

Flora and Fauna

Oak, peanut and hornbeam are often found in the forest areas.^[7] Natural herbs such as cranberry, sumac, hawthorn, wild grapes and blackberries are also grown in the forests.

Wolf, fox, bear, boar, mountain goat and rabbit are particular for forests of the district. There is wild pigeon, quail, green duck and partridge birds in the fields and lakes.^[8]

Population

According to data of 2007, population of the rayon consists of 85 899 people and 98,67% are Lezgins and 0,86% are the Azerbaijanis.^[9] According to the data of 2009, Lezgins are 90.5%, Azerbaijanis are 9.1% and other nationalities - 0.4%. As of 2016, population of rayon grew to 96199 people.^[10] Lezgins constituted 2% of the total population of Azerbaijan in 2009 who commonly settled in Qusar district.^[11][12] National composition was indicated below in accordance with statistics in 2009.^[13]

The urban population in 2017 accounted for 21% and 79% of the district’s population lives in the village.^[7]

History

The earliest sediments in the district belong to the Jurassic Period and count 135-145 million years. It is estimated that the life in Gusar district has been existing from the 2nd millennium B.C. Mahmudtapa, the hills of Monsar, the Govdushan hills, the hills of Hafla belonging to the Bronze Age, the hills of Kyzylgul and Agahan, the Halakhur hills belonging to the Middle Ages are ancient dwellings dating back to the 1st millennium B.C.^[6]

The district was originated in 1930, and called Gil Rayon with a center in Gil village. In 1934, the center of the rayon was moved to Qusar, and in 1938 it was renamed to Qusar Rayon.

Administrative structure:

• Qullar Village


• Urva Village

Sightseeing

Shaykh Junayd Mausoleum in Yargun (Hazra) village. There are also the remains of the walls of the fortress in the village of Anig belonging to the 13th century, Kohne Khudat and Huray mosques, belonging to the 18th century, Gil, Gyunduzgala and Hasangala mosques, belonging to the 19th century.^[14][15] There is a museum named after Russian poet Michael Lermentov.^[16]

Religion

• 
  Muslims 98%

Sports and Tourism

Ski Lift in Shahdag

Qusar is home of Shahdag Mountain Resort one of the biggest ski resorts in Caucasus and Azerbaijan's first and largest winter resort. Tourist facilities also include such rescreational areas as "Alpine Gusar", "Star Gusar", "Gayi Bulak", mountain tourism recreation area "Suvar" and Olympic Sports Complex.

Education

There are 48 secondary schools, 86 general-education schools, 4 non-formal and 13 pre-school education facilities.

In addition, 3 large sports facilities are functioning in Gusar district: Olympic Sports Complex, Central Stadium named after Shovkat Ordukhanov, Children and Youth Sports School.^[17]

Economy

Agriculture is a basis of the region’s economy. Sown area comprises 34,403 hectares (42,2%) of the 8,1460 hectares of land suitable for agriculture. The area of irrigated lands is 29,398 hectares. Agriculture of this region is based on two main fields – crop production and animal husbandry.^[18]

Health-care

There are 3 hospital establishments, 19 health posts, 38 medical centers and 61 medical institutions in Gusar district.^[19]

Noted residents

Heroes of the Soviet Union:

• Mirza Valiyev


• Adil Guliyev

Names of the cities and villages

There is 1 city, 1 settlement respectively, Samur and Qusar and 88 villages in the district.^[7]

• Anig


• Laza


• Gusar


• Uzdenoba


• Gyunduzkala


• Duztahir


• Zindanmurug


• Suvadzhal


• Hiloba


• Urva


• Chilegir


• Yukhary Leger

Qusar executive authority

Executive authority led by Shair Alkhanov since 2007. Under the head of the executive authority, there is acted Council consisted of thirteen members. Villages are controlled by overall 29 municipalities.^[20][21][22]

References

External links

• www.kycap.com


• Lezgi Informational Entertainment Port--- www.zilezgi.narod.ru