Azerbaijan is divided into 9 economic zones. These regions are not administrative parts.
Each region contains several counties. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic forms a separate tenth economic zone.
Ten Economic Regions of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is divided into ten economic regions, including Nakhchivan. The most populated region of Azerbaijan is the Absheron economic zone, while the least populated region is Kalbajar-Lachin region.
The Absheron Economic Region is the highest population density region at the same time. The region with the least population density is the Kalbajar-Lachin economic region.
The region with the most surface area is Aran. The region with the least area is Absheron.
Absheron
The area of Absheron is 5,420 square kilometers. The population of the region is 2,613,300 and is the most populated region of Azerbaijan. The share of the Absheron region in the industrial production volume of the private sector is 30%.
The agricultural activities of the region are also high. Milking and broiler livestock, vegetable growing, woodworking, viticulture, floriculture and dry subtropical fruit growing are agricultural activities in the region. Positive climatic conditions allow the cultivation of plants such as olives, saffron, peanuts, and almonds.
Ganja-Qazakh
The area of Ganja-Qazakh is 12,480 square kilometers. The population of the region is 1,191,700 and it is the third most populated region in Azerbaijan. Aghstafa, Dashkasan, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goygol, Gazakh, Samukh, Shamkir, Tovuz administrative provinces are located here. It is located in the west of Azerbaijan.
Shaki-Zaqatala
The area of Shaki-Zaqatala area is 8,969 square kilometers. The population of the region is 543,400 and it is the sixth most populated region. Shaki-Zagatala economic region, one of the richest regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a region located in the north of Azerbaijan, including Balakan, Gakh, Qabala, Oghuz, Zagatala and Shaki administrative regions. Shaki is the most developed and important city in Shaki-Zagatala economic zone.
Lankaran
The area of Lanrakan is 6,140 square kilometers. The population of the region is 926,500 and is the fourth most populous economic region of Azerbaijan. The economic region of Lankaran-Astara comprises six administrative districts: Astara, Jalilabad, Lerik, Lankaran, Masally and Yardimli. There are 8 provinces, 6 districts, 13 districts and 642 villages in the economic region. The Lankaran economic region is located in the south-east of Azerbaijan.
Guba-Khachmaz
The area of the Guba-Khachmaz region is 6,960 square kilometers. The population of the region is 498,400 and it is the seventh most economic region of Azerbaijan. The Guba-Khachmaz economic region, which includes the administrative provinces of Shabran, Khachmaz, Guba, Gusar, and Siyazan, is located in the northeastern part of Azerbaijan. The Guba-Khachmaz economic region is located north of the Absheron region in the north-east of Azerbaijan starting from the shores of the Caspian Sea.
Aran
The area of Aran is 23,375 square kilometers and is the largest economic region of Azerbaijan. The population of the region is 1,893,036 and it is the second most populated economic region of Azerbaijan.
Yukhari-Karabakh
The area of Yukhari-Karabakh region is 7,253.5 square kilometers and it is the second largest economic region of Azerbaijan. The population of the region is 628,200 and is the fifth most populous economic region of Azerbaijan.
Kalbajar Lachin
The area of Kalbajar Lachin is 6,400 square kilometers. The population of the region is 231,300 and it is the least populated region of Azerbaijan. The Kalbajar-Lachin economic region includes the provinces of Kalbajar, Lachin, Zangilan, and Qubadli. Lachin is the most developed and important city in the economic zone of Kalbajar-Lachin. 7.5% of the territory of Azerbaijan and more than 2% of the population enter this region. The basis of the regional economy is agriculture, especially livestock. Sheep, beef, apiculture, tobacco cultivation, viticulture, fruit, and grain are among the most developed agricultural areas.
Mountainous Shirvan
The area of the Mountainous Shirvan Region is 6,060 square kilometers. The population of the region is 287,800 and it is the second most populated region of Azerbaijan. The region covers the administrative districts of Agsu, Ismayilli, Gobustan and Shemakha. The economic zone is located in the south-east of the Greater Caucasus. Most of the region is composed of mountains and therefore is one of the least populated areas.
Nakhchivan
The area of Nakhchivan Region is 5,550 square kilometers. The population of the region is 414,900 and it is the eighth most economic region of Azerbaijan. As a result of the transfer of the Soviet leadership of the former Azerbaijan territory, Zangezur, to Armenia in 1920, the 44-45-km-long strip separated the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from the rest of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Nakhchivan is separate wisdom from the Azerbaijani lands and has the status of an autonomous state.