The schoolchildren were pleased with Gabala.

On November 20, on the third day of excursion, students from Gazakh, Aghstafa, Tovuz, Gadabay, Shamkir, Samukh, Neftchala, Salyan and Hajigabul regions who came to the north-western region of our country as part of an educational tour-campaign under the slogan “Learning our country”, got acquainted with historical sights, modern manufacturing enterprises, tourism and leisure centers. Participants of the tour-campaign first visited the Heydar Aliyev Center and got acquainted with photos reflecting the life and activity of the great leader. At the Gabala Canning Factory, schoolchildren were informed that the processing plants here produce semi-finished frozen potatoes and potato chips, as well as soft drinks. Students were informed that the non-oil sector is an important part of the Azerbaijani economy. At the present moment, the country is focused on the development of non-oil industry. The shapes of this development are reflected in the Strategic Roadmap. From this point of view, Gabala region occupies one of the important places in the country's economy. The students then got acquainted with the Tufandag Winter Summer Tourism Holiday Complex. They were informed that this facility, hosting the most number of tourists in the region, currently has 4 cable lines and 10 ski slopes. For a full rest of the tourists, the complex has restaurants and a five-star Tufandag Hotel with all amenities, and the ski slopes are equipped with an artificial snow-making system. The complex can serve up to 3000 people per day. Children were informed that the Gabala region, like other regions of the country, is known for its developed tourist economy. Commissioning of modern tourist complexes in the regions not only shows the economic potential of Azerbaijan, but also contributes to the increase in the number of tourists coming to our country. The Tufandag Winter Summer Tourism Holiday Complex plays an important role in increasing the tourism potential of the region. It was noted that the Leki-Gabala railway, which is being built on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev, will contribute to improvement of the tourism infrastructure and providing comfortable access to tourist facilities. In recent years Tufandag Winter Summer Tourism Holiday Complex has led to the popularization of skiing among young people, being a new sport for our country. The ski center of the complex has great importance in terms of tourism development and the widespread popularization of the new mountain sports. The schoolchildren climbed to the top of high mountains by cable road, observed the landscape of Gabala and took pictures for memory. Getting acquainted with the Heydar Aliyev Congress Center, children were informed that there are halls, restaurants for 350 seats and administrative premises on the first floor of the building, and there is a multifunctional conference hall for 1200 seats on the second floor. The hall can be transformed into an open space hiding the seats under the floor. Traditionally, most of the concerts of the Gabala International Music Festival, held annually, take place in this Center. The excursion to the "Gabaland" Entertainment and Leisure Center also pleased students. In the afternoon, the participants of the tour-campaign arrived at the Albanian-Udi Chotari church in Nij village. It was noted that the church is one of the oldest monuments. Nij, being a small model of tolerance, has three churches and two mosques. A village of six thousand people is home for more than four thousand Udis. They maintain their language, religion and traditions for more than 2500 years. Schoolchildren also visited the Chukhur Gabala Historical and Cultural Reserve, got acquainted with the ruins of ancient Gabala and the results of archaeological excavations in the region, as well as with materials and cultural samples presented in the Gabala Archaeological Center. It was reported that Gabala, being one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan, has rich history. Ancient monuments of nationwide scale in this region are considered unique pearls of our cultural heritage. After dinner, participants of the tour-campaign will show their knowledge in intellectual competitions.