Astara, Azerbaijan

Astara is a city in and the capital of the Astara District of Azerbaijan. Astara is a short walk across the border from Astara, Iran.

For the city of Astara across the border in Iran see Astara, Iran.
Astara

Azerbaijani Astara
Astara City Boulevard at the shore of Caspian Sea
Coat of arms
Astara
Coordinates: 38°27′22″N 48°52′43″E
Country Azerbaijan
DistrictAstara
Elevation
−22 m (−72 ft)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total16,130[1]
Time zoneUTC+4 (AZT)
Area code(s)+994 195

Geography

Climate

Astara has a borderline humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa) and a hot-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa) since only two summer months have precipitation levels below the 40 mm threshold. Astara has cool, wet winters and very warm, partially dry/highly humid summers. The maximum annual precipitation is one of the highest in Azerbaijan.

Climate data for Astara
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 22.1
(71.8)		 26.1
(79.0)		 28.8
(83.8)		 29.0
(84.2)		 33.4
(92.1)		 38.0
(100.4)		 38.0
(100.4)		 40.0
(104.0)		 40.0
(104.0)		 31.3
(88.3)		 28.7
(83.7)		 25.7
(78.3)		 40.0
(104.0)
Average high °C (°F) 8.8
(47.8)		 8.8
(47.8)		 10.6
(51.1)		 15.6
(60.1)		 21.2
(70.2)		 25.8
(78.4)		 29.5
(85.1)		 29.0
(84.2)		 25.1
(77.2)		 19.6
(67.3)		 14.6
(58.3)		 10.7
(51.3)		 18.5
(65.3)
Average low °C (°F) 3.2
(37.8)		 3.2
(37.8)		 5.5
(41.9)		 9.5
(49.1)		 14.5
(58.1)		 18.0
(64.4)		 21.1
(70.0)		 21.1
(70.0)		 18.2
(64.8)		 13.7
(56.7)		 8.8
(47.8)		 4.7
(40.5)		 12.0
(53.6)
Record low °C (°F) −7.8
(18.0)		 −13
(9)		 −6.1
(21.0)		 −3.9
(25.0)		 −2.8
(27.0)		 6.0
(42.8)		 11.1
(52.0)		 10.0
(50.0)		 10.0
(50.0)		 −2.8
(27.0)		 −7.8
(18.0)		 −15
(5)		 −15
(5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 85
(3.3)		 89
(3.5)		 99
(3.9)		 54
(2.1)		 56
(2.2)		 35
(1.4)		 34
(1.3)		 64
(2.5)		 190
(7.5)		 288
(11.3)		 167
(6.6)		 103
(4.1)		 1,264
(49.7)
Source: climatebase.ru[2]

Attractions

Caspian Sea
Main article: Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. It is an endorheic basin (a basin without outflows) located between Europe and Asia, to the east of the Caucasus Mountains and to the west of the broad steppe of Central Asia. The sea has a surface area of 371,000 km2 (143,200 sq mi) (excluding the detached lagoon of Garabogazköl) and a volume of 78,200 km3 (18,800 cu mi). It has a salinity of approximately 1.2% (12 g/l), about a third of the salinity of most seawater.

Astara TV Tower
Main article: Astara TV Tower

As the demand for television broadcasting and telecommunication rises during the early 1980s, the Astara TV Tower was built. The television tower was uniquely designed, as its pinnacle is guyed to a horizontal cross-like steel structure.[1][3]

Tourism

Astara bordered by Mountains and the Caspian Sea has the curative black sands of Caspian-lapped beaches, aromatic tea, fragrant citrus fruits and a number of hot springs, this subtropical corner of Azerbaijan is naturally therapeutic for tourists.

Astara to a land of hot springs, nature reserves and the majestic Mountains. The local cuisine is pretty great too – offering dishes like fish lavangi or parcha-dosheme plov and endless cups of freshly locally grown Azerbaijani tea.

Economy

Located next to the Iranian border, Astara attracts numerous visitors to south of the border, going to Iran to purchase goods and services that may not be as readily available on the Azerbaijani side.[4]

Transport

Astara is currently served by a broad gauge railway only headed north. A standard gauge connection to the Iranian railway network along the shore of the Caspian Sea is planned. This break of gauge station is likely to be equipped with bogie exchange and SUW 2000 variable gauge axle track gauge changing facility.

See also

Notes
  1. "Astara TV Tower - SkyscraperPage Forum". Forum.skyscraperpage.com. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  2. "Climatebase". Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  3. picture
  4. The Tijuana of the Caspian: At the border between Azerbaijan and Iran, everything’s for sale: sex, booze, tattoos—and maybe some revolutionary fervor. By Peter Savodnik, December 2009, ATLANTIC MAGAZINE

References
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