Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is allocated on southwest of Small Caucuses. In the region of geomorphology regioning of the territory of Azerbaijan Republic, the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is related to semi-regions of adjacent Mountains and Nakhchivan conclave (Memdium Araks) of the geomorphologic region of the territory of Small Caucasus. In the territory of Autonomous Republic the semi-region adjacent mountains of Daralayaz and Zangezur edges and semi-region of Nakhchivan cavity basically surrounded by Arazboy plains. The medium height distance over sea level equals 1450 m. The one third part of the territory includes more than 1000m height highlands areas. And the one third of the territory are covered by sloped Arazboy plains (Sadarak, Sharur, Boyukduz, Nakhchivan, Djulfa, Yaychi, Kangarli, Dasta, Ordubad and etc) being separated from each other by rock hands and pickets. The total area of the plains equals to 10 thousands hectares.
RELIEF
Most part of the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is covered by Zangazur and Daralayaz mountain ridges of small Caucasus and its hands leading to Araks valley, which forms middle and lower mountains in modern relief. Zangezur ridges are the top highest mountain ridges in small Caucasus. The highest top is Gapijic mountain (3906m) and at the same time within Small Caucasus of Azerbaijan Republic it is considered the top highest peak and constant snow is laid from 41m-height level. High tops: Yaglidara mountain 3827m, Gazangoldag 3814m, Saridara mountain 3754 m, Davaboyu montain 3560 m and etc. Absolute height of mounting passing is among 2346m (Bicanak crossing), 3362 m (Aycongal crossing).
GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND MINERALS
The territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has been attracted by attention of geologists and travelers still since middle 18 century. In the field of minerals reas (Duzdag, Daridag, Shakardara, Gomur, Guyuludag, Giszilgaya and etc.). Being discovered caves, wells, primitive instruments of labor findings, still from the ancient times it shows that within the territory of Nakhchivan Republic there are deposits of salt, arsenic, copper, gold, sulfur and others: in the Middle Ages in Azerbaijan territory there were founded scientific descriptive mineralogy tractates Djavahirname. In the territory the first geological research works and mineral wealthy studying have been commenced since the 2nd half of 18th century. Foundation exploring works carried out in the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic have been started since when Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was established.
Taking into account geological factor the territory of Autonomous Republic is allocated at Small Caucasus Nakchevan plicate tectonic zones. Geological structure total thickness is formed from 14 kilometers coverings of vugs, land surface beds. Their extractions being lifted on the land surface found possibilities on carrying out refurbishment works on geological history accounting 400 million year in the territory of Nakhhcivan. The discovered produced rocks, being widely spread out, constructional stones and glass products in such beds with hollow structures play important role in development of local industry.
MINERAL WATERS
ue to multi coloring range mineral water springs of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are staying under the worthiest attention throughout the world. On 5,5 thousands sq km territory of Autonomous Republic there were discovered more than 250 mineral water springs. The majority of those sources are in Shargi Arpachay, Nakchevanchay, Alincachay, Gilanchay, Ordubadchay, Garadara and Aylishchay valleys and vicinities. According to their chemical properties, being a certain numbers of types they are being utilized in farming, potable water supply, therapy purposes, and in industry. In the territory the most ancient water carrying rock age is 400 mln. is ranged for 500-700 thousand year.
In Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic there are exist 6 types, 16 kinds and 33 different sorts of mineral waters. This water contained 98% carbon gases and it is related to hydrocarbon water kind. Mineral water temperature rate mostly ranged in 8C-22C. There are 35% Azerbaijan carbon gases water discovered in the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Among the essential mineral waters, as well as for table water needs it is allowed showing such springs like Badamli, Sirab, Vayxir, Daridag, Nahacir, Gahab, Ordubad Narzan. On the basis of springs there are being operated Badamli and Daridag balneological clinics. Mineral water manufacturing by industrial method has been started since 1947. Nowadays the Autonomous Republic possesses by two mineral water plants. They are allocated closer to Badamli and Sirab mineral water plants.
CLIMATE
There are 5 types of climates to exist in Nakhchivan Republic:
1. Dried summer climate of moderate hot semi desert and dry steppe covers Arax plains and partially lowered mountain areas (600-110m). Here, the medium temperature rate 10-14C, middle annual downfalls till 300mm, possible is steaming rate 1200-1400 mm.
2. Semi desert climate and dried steppe with dried winter covers upper of lower mountain zone and lower of medium mountains zones (1100-1600m). Medium annum temperature rate 8-10C, middle annual downfalls- 300-350mm, possible vaporing 800-1100mm.
3. Dried summer climate of cold semi desert and dried stepped climate covers medium part of lower mountain zone and high mountain lower part of zone (1600-2600m). Middle annual temperature rate is 6-10C, middle annual downfalls 400-800mm.
4. Dried summer and cold climate are spread out at 2600-3200m heights only in northwest slopes of Zangezur ridges, in center stripe of high mountain zones. Medium annual temperature 1-3C.
5. Mountain tundra climate surrounds high mountaintops of the territory (more than 3200m). Medium annual temperature 3-8C.
In the territory obligatory minimum temperature – 31C (Darvish), compulsory maximum temperature -+44C (Djulfa); at the same time this is the most higher and lower temperature within the territory of Azerbaijan Republic. Wind middle speed rate 2/4 m a sec. Annual downfalls in Arax plains makes up 200-300mm, in highest mountain areas 500-800mm.
INNER WATERS
Having been proceeded from hydrographic peculiarity Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is related to Araz river basin. In center and in southwest part of the territory rivers influents take from Zangezur and Daralyaz mountain ridges. In Zangezur ridges in Sagarsu upper flows, in Goygol, Gazngoldag, Gapichig Gamigaya divisions there are available ancient icy shapes, as well as in summer – snow caps lying on mountaintops.
LAKES
Taking into account dried climate conditions on the territory of Autonomous Republic here it is observed less quantity of lakes; their areas and capacities are not a big. It has, basically, relation to Nature lakes of the territory such as Nakhchivanchay and Gilanchay basins. On the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic there are exists 20 lakes. There were established a certain number of watersheds (Arpachay, Uzunboa, Nehrem, Vayxir, Bananiyar, Gahab, Khok and etc.) and irrigated channels had been laid. One part of water shed of Araz water merger is placed in Nakhchivan territory.
FORAL CLOTH
he territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic possesses by wealthy flora and vegetative coats. In comparison with other botanic-geography regions of Azerbaijan the flora of Autonomous Republic is richer. In this region there are met 2782 kinds of supreme herbs; they were agglomerated in 773 breeds and 134 families. Among those ones there 68 kinds were cultivated as crops. There are 123 families and 697 breeds are related to agrarian plants. There are met flora 732 kinds in Arax river plains, 1326 kinds in middle mountains, 640 kinds in top mountains. The listed below vegetative cloth and its types are differed in the territory of Autonomous Republic: deserts and semi deserts, friganoid and steeped plants; mountain meadows and steeps; high grass, sub-Alp and Alpine plains; forests, oasis, riverbank grooves; pits and rock herbs, swamps.
WORLD OF ANIMALS
Owing to nature condition and world animals wealthy range the territory of Autonomous Republic is differed from other regions in Azerbaijan. Animals habituating here comprise 60-80% of Azerbaijan fauna area. Autonomous Republics animal world has been investigated since the second half of 19th century. There were highlighted among animal world: 813 kinds of butterflies, 134 kinds of sovka, 4 sorts of caterpillars, 3 kinds of beetles, 4 kinds of mantis, 67 kinds of rectal-wings, 75 kinds of grasshoppers, 480 kinds of semi-rigid-wings.
In rivers and in lakes of Autonomous Republic there were discovered 29 kinds of osseous fishes.
In Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic it is available 6 kinds of amphibious animals and 19 kinds of reptiles.
Out of 366 kinds being registered in Azerbaijan more than half of them (218) are met in this territory. It is known 61 kinds of mammals. Out of 350 of spinal animals, being distributed throughout Autonomous Republic, 45 kinds were inserted into Red Book.
Reference: nakhchivan.az