Masally District

Geography

In the east, the district is washed by the Caspian Sea, and in the west it approaches Talysh Mountains, Burovar ridge. Height of the territory reaches 917 metres (3,009 ft). There are mineral and geothermal springs in Masally. Average temperature is 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) in January, and 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in July. The amount of annual precipitation is 600–800 millimetres (24–31 in). Vilash is the largest river of the district. There are broad-leaved forests of Girkan type-chestnut-leaved oak, hornbeam, beech, Persian ironwood tree, Girkan boxwood, Caucasian persimmon, medlar and others in the mountainous part of the district. Total area of the district's forests equals 16,870 hectares (41,700 acres). There are 107 villages in Masally.

History

Masally district was established in 1930. Formerly, the territory of the district was part of Arkevan area of Lankaran District. Before that, the territory of the district belonged to ancient Manna and Atropatena states. It was included in Talysh Khanate in the middle of the 18th century.

Administrative structure

The center of the district is the city of Masally. The average population density is 159 people per km2. Boradigah township, Badalan, Arkevan, Banbashi, Gizilagaj, Teze Alvadi, and Chakhirli villages are the other largest population aggregates.

Territory

The total area of the district is 72097 ha. 22783 ha (31,6%) of the territory belongs to the state. 16,663 hectares (41,180 acres) (73.1%) of this area is covered with forests, which Forest Agriculture department owns 15960 ha, and the rest 703 hectares (1,740 acres) is for the domestic economy. 440 hectares (1,100 acres) (1.9%) area is included to water fund and 4,609 hectares (11,390 acres) (20.02%) area belongs to the state reserve fund.

Municipality owns 18,738 hectares (46,300 acres) (26.0%) of the area. 560 hectares (1,400 acres) of this territory is for the perspective development of municipality bodies and 1393 ha of area belongs to the reserve fund of the municipality.

30,576 hectares (75,550 acres) (42.4%) of the area is private property. 26,911 hectares (66,500 acres) (88%) of the territory is privatized and 3,665 hectares (9,060 acres) (12%) belong to the local people.

Museums

Museum of History and Local Lore

The construction of the museum stated in 2014 and completed in 2016. The president Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the museum. The museum has an exhibition hall, administrative room, ideological center, fund, and drawing gallery.

Museum of History and Regional Studies

The museum has more than 7000 exhibits, which illustrates the history of Masally from Eneolithic period to the 20th century. Exhibits include sculptures, carvings, drawings, clothing, photos, arts, crafts, and documents.