Khinalug

Infobox Settlement
name =Khinalug
settlement_type=Municipality
native_name = Xınalıq


pushpin_

pushpin_mapsize =300
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|Azerbaijan
subdivision_type1 = Rayon
subdivision_name1 =Quba
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_title =
established_date =
area_total_km2 =
area_footnotes =
population_as_of =
population_total =2075
population_footnotes = [TCSC|30]
population_density_km2 =
timezone =AZT
utc_offset = +4
timezone_DST =AZT
utc_offset_DST = +5
latd=41 |latm=10 |lats=41 |latNS=N
longd=48|longm=07 |longs=36 |longEW=E
elevation_m =
area_code =
website =

Khinalug or Khinalugh (Azerbaijani: Xınalıq; also rendered as Khanaluka, Khanalyk, Khinalykh, and Khynalyk) is an ancient Caucasian village going back to the Caucasian Albanian period; high up in the mountains of Quba Rayon, Azerbaijan. It is also a municipality in Quba Rayon; the municipality consists of the villages of Khinalug and Qalayxudat. [AJmuni] .

It is located just north of Quba (which is two hours from Baku) in the middle of the Greater Caucasus mountains that divide Russia and the South Caucasus. Khinalug is also the highest, most remote and isolated village in Azerbaijan and among the top highest in Caucasus, the weather changes dramatically during summer and winter ranging from −20 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius. Khinalug has a population of about 2,000 people. This small group of people speaks the Khinalug language, belonging to the Northeast Caucasian language family, although many speak Azerbaijani as well. Furthermore, although citizens of Azerbaijan, they are considered to be a different ethnicity.

Because of its location, scenery and relative isolation, the village is considered one of Azerbaijan's premiere destinations for hikers and adventure travellers in such travel guides as "Lonely Planet".

On 7 October 2006, the Azerbaijani president announced plans to modernize the educational buildings, infrastructure, govermential buildings and other resources of Khinalug. [http://today.az/news/society/31135.html ]

History

Khinalug is amongst the most ancient and still active places in the world, the history of Khinalug is 5,000 years old. Before the conversion to Christianity of Caucasian Albania in the 3rd century, and Islam in the 7th century, the people of Khinalug were followers of the prophet Zoroaster, who established Zoroastrianism.

Because of the high altitude and remoteness of Khinalug it managed to survive and withstand many invasions and therefore many historical sites in Khinalug are still intact and are considered as holy places for Zoroastrianism. There are also some other historical places such as a 12th century mosque, a 15th century mosque, and several ancient cemeteries between the mountains. Like Yanar Dag there used to be a natural occurring of eternal flames that was once a Zoroastrian holy site. There are also many ancient holy caves of early humans.

upport

The unique original ethnoculture and unique language together means Ketsh Khalkh of Azerbaijan. The Khinalug language requires more detailed research. Archeologic researches also will help to give answers to many questions. To find and keep in a protogenic kind sources is the main task. BIRJA is supporting these efforts.

The village of Khinalug was included on the World Monuments Fund's 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites due to concern over the building of a road between Khinalug and Guga. The listing is not intended to criticize potential tourist and commercial activity in the village; rather it is intended as a warning that new development should not come at the cost of the site's essential, historic character.

Pictures of Khinalug

ee also

* Khinalug language
* Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan
* Yanar Dag
* Gobustan
* Fire Temple of Baku

References

* [http://today.az/news/society/31135.html Azerbaijani President visits Khinalyg]
* [http://impressions-ba.com/features.php?id_destination_info=2&id_feature=10102 Living On The Edge]
* [http://www.bakutoday.net/view.php?d=23622 BakuTODAY.net: Lost town finds outside world but risks losing itself in Azerbaijan]

External Links

* [http://www.xinaliq.com/ Xinaliq.com Tourism website]
* [http://wmf.org/watch2008/watch.php?id=S8263 The World Monuments Fund 2008 Watch Listing for Khinalug]