Beylagan District () is one of the 67 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the centre of the country and belongs to the Mil-Mughan Economic Region. It borders the districts of Fuzuli, Aghjabadi, Zardab, Imishli, and the Ardabil Province of Iran. Its capital and largest city is Beylagan. As of 2020, the district had a population of 99,500.
History
There is mention of the name of the district in various historical books. One of the "Roads and Countries" is written by Naila Valikhanli. Dimensions of the main historical trade ways are indicated in that book. At the same time, an indication of the route from Greece to Beylagan shows the significance of the city. According to the sources, the north–south line (Derbent – Ardabil road) of the Silk Road passed through Beylagan. Traders of the city built relations with China, India, Iran, Georgia and Byzantium through thanks to this geophysical condition.
In accordance with the historical sources, Beylagan was founded in the 5th century. In the 13th century, the city was completely destroyed by Mongol invasions. Reconstruction of Beylagan started by Amir Teymur in the 14th century but after his death works in that territory stopped. Ancient Beylagan city was ruined in the 16th century and has never been restored again.
Climate
In the Köppen climate classification, Beylagan has a semi – arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. Geophysical location plays the main role in the formation of the climate. Thus, the area is constantly affected by cyclones and air flows come from tropics and Central Asia. The average annual temperature is 14 °C. January is characterized by an average 1,8 °C and the average temperature is 26 °C in July.
Flora and fauna
Indigenous flora is characterized by semi-arid plants. The coastal area of the Kur river is covered by poplars, mulberry, cypress trees and tugai forests in a small area.
Gazelle, fox, boar, wolf, grey rabbit are characteristic animals for the district. In the Tugai forests and swamp areas, hedgehogs, wolves, boars, snakes, owls and woodpeckers are found. There are ducks, vessels and seagulls in the ponds.
Several indigenous species of plants and animals are protected in the Ag-Gol National Reserve where located in both Agchabadi and Beylagan districts. There are reserved especially migratory birds.
According to the State Statistics Committee, as of 2018, the population of the city recorded 97,500 persons, which increased by 18,700 persons (about 18.9 percent) from 79,000 persons in 2000. Of the total population, 49,400 are men and 48,100 are women.
{| class="wikitable"
|+The population of the district by the year (at the beginning of the year, thsd. persons)