Qakh

Qax
Rayon
Map of Azerbaijan showing Qakh Rayon
Country	Azerbaijan
Villages	58
Capital	Qakh (city)
Government
• Executive power	Musa Shakiliyev
Area
• Total	603 km2 (233 sq mi)
Population
• Total	53,900
• Density	89/km2 (230/sq mi)
Postal code	3400
Telephone code	(+994) 24
Website	qax-ih.gov.az

Qakh District (Azerbaijani: Qax rayonu; Georgian: კახის რაიონი – K′axis raioni), also Kakhi or sometimes Gakh, is a raion (district) in the north of Azerbaijan, on the border with Georgia.

The area of the region occupies 1,494 km² (577 sq mi) and borders Russia on the north, Georgia on the west. It also shares the internal boundaries with Zaqatala Rayon in the northwest, Yevlakh and Samukh regions in the south and Shaki region in the east.

The Qakh region of Azerbaijan has a long history dating back to ancient times. Archaeological excavations the area had been populated during Eneolithic, Bronze and early Iron Ages. What remains of these early inhabitants' activities indicates they engaged largely in sedentary cultivation, animal-breeding and art. Qax (Kakhi) region was part of Kakheti-Hereti Kingdom and than part of united Georgian kingdom. In 1921 Kakhi Region became part of Azerbaijan.

With the spread of Christianity throughout the region during the existence of Caucasian Albania, some Churches were built in the Qakh district. In the 8th century A.D., Qakh fell under Arab occupation. Starting from the 11th century first Oghuz Turks and later Qipchaq Turks inhabited the area, the region was incorporated into the Seljuq Empire. Qakh was later a part of Atabeg and Shirvanshah states. With invasion of Hulaguids in Azerbaijan in the 13th century, Mongolian nomadic tribes populated the region. In 1562, by the order of the Safavid Shah Tahmasp I, Ilisu Sultanate was established in Qakh. In the 18th century, Ilisu Sultanate became so powerful that, the Ottoman Emperor conferred its ruler Ali Sultan Bey the highest title of Pasha recognizing him as the Beylerbey of Shaki.

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Wikipedia