“Learning Our Country”: 360 students from nine regions are in Gabala.

The educational tour-campaign held under the motto “Learning Our Country” for the IX-XI class students of the cities and regions of the Republic still continues. Within the next period of the tour-campaign, the groups consisting of the students from 9 regions – Aghjabadi, Aghdam, Aghstafa, Barda, Beylagan, Dashkasan, Goychay, Gazax and Tovuz – moving on the route Shaki-Gabala-Zagatala came to the old but modern Gabala city after Shaki on March 27, the second day of the excursion to the north-western region. The students were welcomed by the Deputy Head of the region Executive Power Ataya Osmanova and the associates of the educational department in front of the Heydar Aliyev Center. A.Osmanova said to the students that they would have the opportunity of getting acquainted with historical monuments, modern manufacturing enterprises, tourism, culture and sports facilities in Gabala region, one of the most beautiful corners of Azerbaijan, and with the splendid nature of the region. Then the students visiting Heydar Aliyev Center became familiar with photos and documents covering the life and the political activity of the National Leader. During the acquaintance of 360 students with Gabala, the next destination was “Tufandag” Winter – Summer Tourism Recreation Complex. During acquaintance with this most tourist receiving facility of the region, the students were informed that 4 cableways and 10 ski tracks of the complex are currently operating. For meaningful organization of vacations of the tourists, restaurants with all conveniences and five-star “Tufandag” hotel have been opened within the complex, all mountain and ski trail has been equipped with artificial snow generators, and relevant condition to serve 3 thousand people in a day has been created in the complex. In general, the length of 4 cableways is 6 kilometers, and of 10 ski tracks is 17 kilometers. The students ascended to the top of the mountains via cableway, and gazed at Gabala city and the surrounding rivers, forests and beautiful view from there. Then, the students visiting Nij settlement became familiar with the "Jotari" Alban-Udi Church therein. It was said that the church is one of the historically old and significant monuments. Nij settlement is considered as a little model of tolerance. There are three churches and two mosques in the settlement. 3700 Udi people live in the settlement having population more than six thousand. Udis living there maintain their language, religion, traditions for 2500 years. Udi language is taught at primary grades of Nij schools. The students also got acquainted with the production process at Gabala canning plant. The facility, which is located on a twelve hectare area, is unique in the Caucasus region for its producing capacity and technological parameters. 30 varieties of juice, concentrate, nectar, 12 varieties of pickle, tomato paste, preserve, jam, ice teas, and 15 varieties of by-products are manufactured at the enterprise where 350 people work. Along with being released to the local market, the products are exported to more than 30 countries. Then the students visited the Chukhur Gabala Historical and Cultural Reserve, and got acquainted with the remains of old Gabala city, the results of the conducted archeological excavations and with the material and cultural samples exposed at Gabala Archeological Center. It was said that one of Azerbaijan’s oldest cities Gabala has a very rich history. The ancient architectural monuments of country importance in the region are considered rare pearls of our cultural heritage. The tour-campaign participants were provided with extensive information about the old Gabala city, which has developed rapidly and turned into one of the beautiful cities of Azerbaijan today. Acquaintance with "Gilan" food town, five-star hotels, “Gabaland” Recreation and Entertainment Center, the modern tourism infrastructure created in the region, and with the fascinating nature of the region made a good impression on the tour-campaign participants. One of the places, which aroused the students’ interests, was Nohur Lake during the visit to Gabala. The students, who went for a walk around the lake located in a dense forest and mountainous terrain, had their memorial photos taken. It was said that Nohur Lake, which is located at 700 meters above the sea level was surrounded by dense forests and mountains. The lake with 240 hectares area is 24 meters in depth, while its water volume 16 million cubic meters. Damiraparan and Vandam rivers flow into Nohur Lake. The excursion to the Zoo in Yengija village made good impressions on the students. It should be noted that the students of 9 regions turned to Shaki after the end of Gabala visit.