Dashkasan Rayon

Daşkəsən
Rayon
Map of Azerbaijan showing Dashkasan rayon
Coordinates: 40°31′05″N 46°04′58″E / 40.51806°N 46.08278°E / 40.51806; 46.08278Coordinates: 40°31′05″N 46°04′58″E / 40.51806°N 46.08278°E / 40.51806; 46.08278
Country	Azerbaijan
Capital	Daşkəsən
Area
• Total	1,047 km2 (404 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	32,900
Postal code	1600
Telephone code	(+994) 22

Dashkasan (Azerbaijani: Daşkəsən) is a rayon of Azerbaijan. The district was called Dastafur (Azerbaijani: Dəstəfur) until 1956.

The district is located in northwestern Azerbaijan, 33–41 km away from Ganja city and on northeastern edge of Lesser Caucasus rising 1,600-1,800 meters above sea level. The regional capital of the raion is Dashkasan city located by Qoshqar River on a mountain. The capital was established as an urban facility on March 16, 1948, after the end of World War I, mainly to explore and mine iron ore and other natural resources.

The rayon itself was founded as an administrative center in 1930 and was named Dastafur until 1956 when it was renamed to Dashkasan. In 1963, the rayon status was eliminated and Dashkasan province was merged with Khanlar Rayon. However, in 1965, it was split again and Dashkasan regained its administrative rayon status. There is one city, six city type settlements and 42 villages in Dahskasan Rayon. Dashkasan rayon shares an 8 km border with Armenia and 24.5 km border with Shamkir Rayon, 23 km border with Kalbajar Rayon, 41 km border with Gadabay Rayon, 56.3 km border with Khanlar Rayon.

Population 30,510

The rayon covers the Dashkasan plateau of the Lesser Caucasian Mountain range encompassing parts and tips of Shahdagh and Murovdag ranges. The highest altitudes are at Hinaldag Peak (3,367 meters) and Qoshqar Peak (3,361 meters). Part of Bashkend-Dastafur lowlands also falls in Dashkasan rayon. This part of the region is rich with cretaceous chalk. Average annual rainfall is 600–900 mm. It mostly rains during spring time. The mountains are enriched with oak forests.

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Wikipedia