Forests of Azerbaijan facts for kids

Caucasus mixed forest in the Quba District

Azerbaijan is a country in the Caucasus region. Its total forest area is about 1,021,880 hectares, which covers around 11.8% of the country. These forests include different types, such as those with trees that lose their leaves (deciduous), those with evergreen trees (coniferous), and mixed forests. There are also special forests found near rivers.

Experts believe that a long time ago, around the 8th or 9th century, about 30-35% of Azerbaijan was covered in forests. Most of these older forests were in the mountains.

Where Are Azerbaijan's Forests?

While Azerbaijan doesn't have a huge amount of forest overall, the trees are spread out very differently across the country.

In the low-lying areas, there are very few trees. This is often because there isn't enough rain for forests to grow well there. However, in many mountainous areas, you'll find much more forest, especially where it's wetter.

Here's how the forests are divided:

• Almost half (49%) of Azerbaijan's forests are in the Greater Caucasus Mountains.
• About 34% are in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.
• Around 15% are in the Talysh Mountains and Lankaran Lowland area.
• Only 2% are in the Kur-Araz Lowland.
• A tiny part (0.5%) is in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Types of Forests in Azerbaijan

The forests in Azerbaijan are grouped into two main types of natural areas, called ecoregions:

• The Caucasus mixed forests are found in the Greater Caucasus Mountains and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.
• The Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests are located in the Talysh Mountains and the Lankaran Lowland region.

Special Trees and Plants

Map showing forest distribution in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is home to many special types of trees and bushes. These are called endemic species, meaning they are only found in this region and nowhere else in the world.

These unique plants are like "relicts" from a very old time called the Tertiary period. They managed to survive big ice ages (glaciations) that happened much later, in the Pliocene and Pleistocene periods.

Out of a total of 435 different kinds of trees and bushes in Azerbaijan, 150 of them are endemic. This shows how special and unique the country's forests are!

Images for kids

• 

  Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forest in the Lerik District

• 

  Mountain forests in Gakh