View source for Lankaran

{{coord|38|45|13|N|48|51|04|E|display=title}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Lankaran
|native_name = Lənkəran
|native_name_lang = az
|image_skyline =Lankaran.jpg
|imagesize            = 300px
|image_caption = Lankaran
|image_seal           = Lənkəran şəhərinin gerbi.png
|seal_size            = 80px
|pushpin_map            =Azerbaijan
|pushpin_mapsize         =300
|coordinates            = {{coord|38|45|13|N|48|51|04|E|region:AZ|display=inline}}
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
|subdivision_type1      = [[Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan|City]]
|subdivision_name1      =Lankaran
|established_title      =
|established_date       = 
|leader_title           = 
|leader_name            = 
|area_footnotes           = 
|area_total_km2           = 1539.4
|elevation_m            = 
|population_total =223,100
|population_as_of         =2016 
|population_footnotes   = <ref>[http://www.stat.gov.az/source/demoqraphy/az/001_15.xls Statistic: Azerbaijan] &ndash; Statistics {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622020159/http://www.stat.gov.az/source/demoqraphy/az/001_15.xls |date=June 22, 2011 }}</ref>
|population_density_km2   =
|area_code              = +994 025 25
|website                = [http://lankaran.org/ Official website]
|timezone =[[Azerbaijan Time|AZT]]
|utc_offset             = +4
}}
'''Lankaran''' ({{lang-az|'''Lənkəran'''}}, ''Ләнкәран'', لنکران) is a city in [[Azerbaijan]], on the coast of the [[Caspian Sea]], near the southern border with [[Iran]]. It has a population of 223,100 (2016 census). It is next to but independent of [[Lankaran (rayon)|Lankaran rayon]]. The city forms a distinct first-order division of Azerbaijan.

==Etymology ==
The old form of the name was "Langarkanan" that in [[Persian language|Persian]] means "the place of pulling up the anchor(s)" : "Langar" ({{Lang-fa|'''لنگر'''}}, anchor) + "kan" ({{Lang-fa|'''کن'''}}, to pull) + "an"({{Lang-fa|'''آن'''}}, suffix of places). However, some sources state that Lankaran is said to come from  the Talish words for 'Cane house', which sounds as 'Lan Karan'.<ref>[http://www.ozaramizdi.org/l%C9%99nk%C9%99ran.html lənkəran on ozaramizdi.org] {{az icon}}</ref><ref>[http://lankaranmks.jimdo.com/l%C9%99nk%C9%99ran-haqq%C4%B1nda-%C3%BCmumi-m%C9%99lumat/ Lənkəran haqqında tarixi coqrafi məlumat ] {{az icon}}</ref> Alternatively, from [[Median language|Median]] ''*Lan(a)karan-'', where *''karan-'' means 'border, region, land' and ''Lan'' is probably a name of a [[Caspians|Caspian]] tribe.<ref>А. Периханян '''(1982)''', ''Этимологические заметки // Историко-филологический журнал. Ереван. № 1, pp. 55-62''</ref>

==History==
The city was built on a swamp along the northern bank of the river bearing the city's name. There are remains of human settlements in the area dating back to the [[Neolithic period]] as well as ruins of fortified villages from the Bronze and Iron Ages.<ref name=history>[http://www.lankaran.az/content.php?lang=en&page=tarixi History of Lankaran]</ref>

Lankaran's history is rather recent, dating from the 16th century.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} With the death of [[Nader Shah]] and his disintegrating [[Afsharid dynasty|empire]], the [[Talysh Khanate]] was founded by a certain Seyyid Abbas, whose ancestors were members of the Iranian [[Safavid dynasty]], and had moved into the Talish region during the 1720s during a turbulent period in Iranian history.<ref name="Azerbaijan">[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Azerbaijan.html#Talysh-Mugan Azerbaijan<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> From the founding of the khanate, until 1828, it was ruled by subsequently by the [[Iran]]ian [[Zand dynasty|Zand]] and [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar empires]]. Following the [[Russo-Persian War (1722-1723)|Russo-Persian War of 1722-1723]], Lankaran fell in [[Imperial Russia|Russian]] hands, but in 1732 it was ceded back to Iran per the [[Treaty of Resht]]. Following about another century of being back in Iranian hands, during the [[Russo-Persian War (1804-1813)|Russo-Persian War of 1804-1813]], [[General Kotlyarevsky]] heading the southernmost Russian contingent during the war, [[Storming of Lankaran|stormed and captured Lankaran's fortress]]. Following the [[Treaty of Gulistan]] of 1813, it was returned and still remained part of Qajar Iran.<ref name="books.google.nl">Timothy C. Dowling [https://books.google.com/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA728&dq=russo+persian+war+1804-1813&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QnOXVJXpCcz7UPevhPAK&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=russo%20persian%20war%201804-1813&f=false ''Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond''] pp 728-730 ABC-CLIO, 2 dec. 2014 ISBN 978-1598849486</ref> However, per the outcoming [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]] of 1828 that followed through the next and final war, the [[Russo-Persian War (1826-1828)|Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828]],<ref name=history /> Qajar Iran was now forced to irrevocably cede the city to Russia.<ref name="books.google.nl"/>

Once absorbed into the [[Russian empire]], it became a part of the [[Azerbaijan]] Soviet Socialist Republic after the Russian revolution in 1917, and the short time as part of the [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic]]. In 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it became a part of independent Azerbaijan.

==Geography==
There are sandy beaches near Lankaran. Thermal [[sulphide]], [[chloride]], [[sodium]]-[[calcium]] waters of [[Andjin]] (Upper and Lower) mineral springs are situated 12&nbsp;km west of the town. Also to the west are the ruins of [[Ballabur castle]], near the village with the same name.

The region has a vast area of national parks, where a variety of fauna and flora are preserved. [[Gizil-Agach State Reserve]] hosts over 250 kinds of plants, 30 species of fish and more than 220 kinds of birds. Lankaran is also known for ''[[Parrotia persica]]'', or ironwood. It is naturally grown in the region and could be seen in [[Hirkan 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. The [[Persian leopard]] (Panthera pardus saxicolor) subspecies of the [[leopard]], lives in the national park as well. In 1937, members of the ''[[Opilio lepidus]]'' species of [[Opiliones|harvestman]] were sited in the area.<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society|title=Two New Harvestman Species from Lenkoran, Azerbaijan (Arachnida: Opiliones: Phalangiidae)|author=Nataly Y. Snegovaya|year=2007|volume=14|issue=2|pages=88–92|url=http://www.museunacional.ufrj.br/mndi/Aracnologia/pdfliteratura/Snegovaya/Snegovaya%202007%20Two%20Lenkoran.pdf}}</ref>

===Climate===
Lankaran has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa''), which borderlines the [[Mediterranean climate]]. Lankaran has cool, wet winters and very warm, dry/highly humid summers. The maximum annual precipitation of 1,600 to 1,800&nbsp;mm, and is the highest precipitation in Azerbaijan.

{{Weather box
|location = Lenkaran
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan high C = 7.2
|Feb high C = 7.2
|Mar high C = 11.0
|Apr high C = 17.5
|May high C = 22.5
|Jun high C = 27.2
|Jul high C = 30.4
|Aug high C = 29.5
|Sep high C = 25.9
|Oct high C = 19.9
|Nov high C = 14.1
|Dec high C = 10.1
|Jan low C = 0.0
|Feb low C = 1.0
|Mar low C = 3.9
|Apr low C = 8.6
|May low C = 13.1
|Jun low C = 17.5
|Jul low C = 20.1
|Aug low C = 19.7
|Sep low C = 16.9
|Oct low C = 11.8
|Nov low C = 6.7
|Dec low C = 2.5
|Jan precipitation mm = 91
|Feb precipitation mm = 114
|Mar precipitation mm = 90
|Apr precipitation mm = 50
|May precipitation mm = 54
|Jun precipitation mm = 22
|Jul precipitation mm = 17
|Aug precipitation mm = 50
|Sep precipitation mm = 143
|Oct precipitation mm = 259
|Nov precipitation mm = 168
|Dec precipitation mm = 88
|Jan precipitation days = 10
|Feb precipitation days = 10
|Mar precipitation days = 11
|Apr precipitation days = 8
|May precipitation days = 8
|Jun precipitation days = 3
|Jul precipitation days = 2
|Aug precipitation days = 4
|Sep precipitation days = 7
|Oct precipitation days = 13
|Nov precipitation days = 12
|Dec precipitation days = 9
|Jan sun = 105.4
|Feb sun = 98.9
|Mar sun = 124.0
|Apr sun = 171.0
|May sun = 226.3
|Jun sun = 282.0
|Jul sun = 306.9
|Aug sun = 254.2
|Sep sun = 189.0
|Oct sun = 127.1
|Nov sun = 99.0
|Dec sun = 108.5
|year sun = 
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]] (UN) <ref name= WMO >{{cite web
  | url =  http://www.worldweather.org/007/c00020.htm
  | title = World Weather Information Service – Lenkaran
  | accessdate = 19 January 2011
  | publisher = United Nations }}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Hong Kong Observatory]](sun only)<ref name= HKO >{{cite web
  | url = http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/europe/gr_tu/lankaran_e.htm
  | title = Climatological Information for Lankaran, Azerbaijan
  | accessdate = November 17, 2012
  | publisher = Hong Kong Observatory }}</ref> 
|date=January 2011
}}

== Economy ==
Dominating spheres in Lankaran economy are vegetable-growing, tea-growing, paddy cultivating, cattle-breeding, citrus plants, [[beekeeping]], [[fishing]], and grain farming.<ref>[http://lankaranbc.com/content_183_en.html Business opportunities of the region]</ref> Favourable humid subtropical climate, availability of good arable land, water and sufficient labour resources of city provides a good basis for agricultural activities as well as development of agro-processing enterprises. The city is also home of Azerbaijan's first [[tea]] plant, built in 1937.<ref>[http://www.pasha.az/en-teaworld.html Tea culture in Azerbaijan]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Expand section|date=November 2014}}
Lankaran is home to Azerbaijan's largest [[Talysh people|Talysh]] community.

* [[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijanis]] 62.1% (31.151)
* [[Talysh people|Talysh]] 35.9% (17.935)
*Others 2% (1.024)

===Religion===
The religion with the largest community of followers is Islam. The majority of the Muslims are [[Shia Islam|Shia Muslims]], and the Republic of Azerbaijan has the second highest Shia population percentage in the world after [[Iran]].<ref>Juan Eduardo Campo,''Encyclopedia of Islam'', p.625</ref> The city's notable mosques include [[Kichik Bazar Mosque]] and [[Boyuk Bazar Mosque]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Culture in Lankaran|url=http://lenkeran-ih.gov.az/page/16.html|accessdate=13 November 2014|language=Azerbaijani}}</ref>

==Culture==
As of 2012, the city along with [[Baku]] and [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]] participated in [[Earth Hour]] movement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan to join Earth Hour|url=http://www.news.az/articles/57316|website=www.news.az|accessdate=17 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=IDEA campaign to hold Earth Hour action|url=http://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/2008366.html|website=en.trend.az|accessdate=17 November 2014}}</ref>

===Cuisine===
Lankaran's cuisine has largely been affected by its multicultural history, hence the large variety of food originating during [[Talysh Khanate]]. Lankaran's signature cuisine includes lavangi, Lankaran kulcha, marji plov, white plov, pumpkin plov and turshu kebab.<ref>[http://www.azmaison.fr/az/index_az.shtml?language=1;section=11;section2=10 Azerbaijani Cuisine: Şirniyyat] {{az icon}}</ref><ref name=cuisine>[http://www.lankaran.az/content.php?lang=en&page=metbex Cuisine of Lankaran]</ref><ref>[http://abqala.az/Subtropical.html Azərbaycanın subtropik zonası] {{az icon}}</ref>

===Music and media===
[[File:Nənələr folklor və rəqs ansamblı.jpg|thumbnail|The Bajilar folk and dance collective.]]
Lankaran is home to several national folk performers, including the ''Bacılar'' (The Sisters) national [[Talysh people|Talysh]] folk and dance collective.<ref>[http://lankaranmks.jimdo.com/milli-folklorumuz/ "Bacılar" talış folklor mahnı və rəqs kollektivi] {{az icon}}</ref>

The regional channel ''Janub TV'' and newspaper ''Lankaran'' are headquartered in the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=Radio-TV yayımı|url=http://www.mincom.gov.az/fealiyyet/radio-tv-yayimi/|accessdate=13 November 2014|language=Azerbaijani}}</ref>

===Sports===
[[File:Firtina face.jpg|thumb|right|Khazar Lankaran fans in [[Lankaran City Stadium]].]]
The city has one professional [[football (soccer)|football]] team competing in the top-flight of [[Azerbaijan]]i football - [[Khazar Lankaran]], currently playing in the [[Azerbaijan Premier League]]. Sporting venues in the city include the [[Lankaran City Stadium]] and Lankaran Olympic Sports Complex.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lankaran Olympic Sport Complex|url=http://www.noc-aze.org/national-olympic-academy/activities/olympic-complexes/lankaran-olympic-sport-complex?lang=en|website=www.noc-aze.org|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref> The stadium was one of the venues for the group stages of the [[2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|title=France end Asian domination|url=http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u17womensworldcup/azerbaijan2012/index.html|work=fifa.com|publisher=[[FIFA]]|accessdate=6 July 2013}}</ref>

In 2012, the city won to host European Masters Weightlifting Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weightlifting Masters|url=http://www.lankaran2012.az/weightlifting/masters/|publisher=Official Website of European Masters Weightlifting 2012|accessdate=19 March 2011}}</ref>

==Transport==

===Public system===
Lankaran has a large urban transport system, mostly managed by the [[Ministry of Transportation (Azerbaijan)|Ministry of Transportation]].

===Air===
The [[Lankaran International Airport]] is well served with connections to domestic and international destinations. The airport's international terminal was opened in September 2008 and the airport is set on its way for becoming one of the busiest hubs in Azerbaijan.<ref>[http://www.paritet.az/eyalet/566.html Lənkəranda çay plantasiyalarının sahəsi genişləndirilir] {{az icon}}</ref>

===Rail===
The city has rail service from historic terminals in downtown to [[Baku]] in the east and [[Astara, Azerbaijan|Astara]] in the south.<ref>[http://www.yusif.us/lankaran.html History of Lankaran:Economy]</ref><ref>[http://lankaran.az/content.php?page=turizm_muessiseleri Turizm müəssisələri] {{az icon}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Expand section|date=November 2014}}
The following universities are located in Lankaran:
* [[Lankaran State University]] - Founded in 1991, [[Lankaran State University]] is Lankaran's first university to start courses.

== Notable residents ==
{{details|:Category:People from Lankaran}}
Some of the city's many prestigious residents include: [[Major-General]] of the Soviet [[armoured troops]] during [[World War II]] [[Hazi Aslanov]], [[General of the Artillery (Imperial Russia)|General of the Artillery]] in the [[Imperial Russian Army]] [[Samad bey Mehmandarov]], folk singer and theatre actress [[Jahan Talyshinskaya]], social activist [[Maryam Bayramalibeyova]], pop singer [[Ilhama Gasimova]], weightlifter [[Turan Mirzayev]], singer [[Hagigat Rzayeva]] and footballer [[Dmitriy Kramarenko]].<ref>{{az icon}} [http://www.musigi-dunya.az/new/added.asp?action=print&txt=117 The Voice of Happiness and Optimism: Jahan Talyshinskaya] by Afruz Mammadova. ''Musigi-dunya.az''</ref><ref>{{cite news | script-title=ru:Асланов Ази Ахад оглы
|publisher=Heroes of the country| url=http://www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=851| language=ru}}</ref>

<center>
<gallery perrow=5>
File:Həzi Aslanov.jpg|[[Hazi Aslanov]], was awarded the [[Hero of the Soviet Union]] title twice.<ref>[http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=111857 "We are heirs of victory" campaign started in Baku]</ref>
File:General Samed bey Mehmandarov.jpg|[[Samad bey Mehmandarov]], served as the [[Minister of Defense (Azerbaijan)|Minister of Defense of]] [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic]].
File:Bayramalibeyova.jpg|[[Maryam Bayramalibeyova]], was social activist.
</gallery>
</center>

==International relations==

===Twin towns — Sister cities===
Lankaran is [[Sister cities|twinned]] with various cities.

{|class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Monterey, California|Monterey]], United States, <small>(since 2011)</small><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ru:Города США и Азербайджана стали побратимами|url=http://news.day.az/politics/275438.html|accessdate=13 November 2014|language=Russian}}</ref>
|}

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery heights="100px" perrow=5 >
File:Lankaran SV100334.jpg|The central street of Lankaran
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:Xanb.jpg|Khanbulan -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:DosaLenkeran.jpg|The central park of Lankaran -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:LenkoranYek.jpg|Lankaran -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:LankPark.jpg|Hazi Aslanov Park -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:XanEvi.jpg|Khan's house -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:Genclerevilenk.jpg|Lankaran Youth Center -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:Hapishane.jpg|Former prison -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:Heyder.jpg|Heydar Aliyev Center -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:Sutemordov.jpg|Sutemordov -->
</gallery>
</center>

==See also==
*[[Lankaran (rayon)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lenkoran|Lankaran}}
{{wikivoyage|Lankaran}}
*[http://www.lankaran.az/ Official city webpage] - [http://www.lankaran.az/index.php?lang=eng (English version)]
*[http://www.lsu.edu.az/ Lankaran State University]
*[http://sunsite.berkeley.edu:8085/azerbaijan/100k/J-39-038.jpg Soviet topographic map 1:100,000 (published in 1991)]
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.758501,48.851566&spn=0.083040,0.152967&t=k&hl=en Satellite photo via Google Maps]
* [http://lankaran.aznet.org/lankaran/history_eng.htm History]
* [http://lankaran.aznet.org/lankaran/economy_eng.htm Economy]
*{{GEOnet2|32FA881505703774E0440003BA962ED3|Lankaran (as Lənkəran)}}

{{Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan}}

[[Category:Port cities in Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Districts of Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Lankaran| ]]
[[Category:Baku Governorate]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Caspian Sea]]