Balakən | |
|---|---|
City & Municipality | |
        | |
  Balakən  Balakən | |
| Coordinates:41°43′33″N46°24′30″E / 41.72583°N 46.40833°E /41.72583; 46.40833 | |
| Country | Azerbaijan |
| District | Balakan |
| Elevation | 378 m (1,240 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 14,800 |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (AZT) |
| Website | balaken |
Balakən (Balakan;Avar:Билкан) is a city and the administrative centre of theBalakan District ofAzerbaijan. The city is situated at the foot of theGreater Caucasus Mountains and on the Balakan river, a tributary of theAlazani River.
According to theConcise Oxford Dictionary of World Place Names, the nameBalakan may be derived from anOld Georgian word "ბელის კანი (belis k'ani)" meaning "skin of a bear cub".[2]
Throughout its history, the city was ruled by different kingdoms and khanates. In 1918–1920, Balakan wasdisputed betweenAzerbaijan Democratic Republic andDemocratic Republic of Georgia until both countries were occupied by Soviet Russia and the city became part ofAzerbaijan SSR. In 1965, Balakan gainedcity status after the Azerbaijani government's approval.[3]
The economy of Balakan is partially agricultural, partially tourist-based, with some industries in operation.[3]
The majority of the population of Balakan is ethnicAzerbaijanis. There's a significant minority ofAvars and smaller minorities ofIngiloys (a subgroup ofGeorgians).According to a 2005 survey, 85% of the population was ethnicAzerbaijani, 14%Avar, and the remaining 1% consisted of other ethnicities.[4]
Balakan's signature cuisine includesmaxara,cüttü, chicken chigirtma and Balakanhalva.
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41°43′33″N46°24′30″E / 41.72583°N 46.40833°E /41.72583; 46.40833
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