Districts of Azerbaijan (Rayons): All 66 Districts by Economic Region
Azerbaijan is divided into districts, called rayon, and separate cities of republican significance. Every district sits inside one of 14 economic regions set by presidential decree in 2021. For an apparel importer, that map is a working tool: it shows which districts carry the ports, airports, rail junctions, and border crossings that move garments from the Philippines into and across the country. This page lists all 66 districts by economic region, with the English and Azerbaijani name, the capital, and a short note on each.
Administrative division at a glance
Count per ISO 3166-2:AZ. Aghdara district was reestablished on 5 December 2023, so the newest State Statistics Committee classification counts 67 districts.
All 66 Districts, Grouped by Economic Region
The economic regions were set by presidential decree on 7 July 2021 for economic planning, regional development, and statistics. They group the districts and cities into larger areas and do not add a level of government. The Baku economic region holds the capital city alone, with no separate district, so it is listed with the cities below.
66 districts shown
Absheron-Khizi Economic Region
2 districtsThe peninsula and Caspian foothills around the capital, the industrial belt of Sumgait, and the main sea and air gateways of the country.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absheron | Abşeron | Xırdalan | Baku commuter belt on the Absheron peninsula |
| Khizi | Xızı | Khizi | Caspian foothills north of Baku |
Ganja-Dashkasan Economic Region
4 districtsThe western industrial axis around Ganja, Azerbaijan second city, with highland mining and Kura valley farming.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dashkasan | Daşkəsən | Dashkasan | Highland mining district known for iron ore |
| Goranboy | Goranboy | Goranboy | Kura valley irrigation and farming |
| Goygol | Göygöl | Goygol | Mountain district around Lake Goygol |
| Samukh | Samux | Samukh | Kura valley farming and vineyards |
Shaki-Zagatala Economic Region
6 districtsThe green north west against the Greater Caucasus and the Georgian border, known for silk heritage, orchards, and hazelnuts.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balakan | Balakən | Balakan | Foothill orchards and hazelnut belt near Georgia |
| Qakh | Qax | Qakh | Mountain district on the Georgian border |
| Qabala | Qəbələ | Qabala | Tourism and orchard district in the Greater Caucasus |
| Oghuz | Oğuz | Oghuz | Foothill district with orchards and silk heritage |
| Zagatala | Zaqatala | Zaqatala | Hazelnut and tobacco district near the Georgian border |
| Shaki | Şəki | Shaki | Silk and craft heritage district, its city is separate |
Lankaran-Astara Economic Region
6 districtsThe humid south east on the Caspian and the Iranian border, the tea, citrus, and rice belt of Azerbaijan, with the Talysh mountains inland.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astara | Astara | Astara | Border district on the Astara river facing Iran |
| Jalilabad | Cəlilabad | Jalilabad | Southern lowland farming district |
| Lerik | Lerik | Lerik | Talysh mountain district known for long lived residents |
| Yardimli | Yardımlı | Yardimli | Talysh highland district |
| Lankaran | Lənkəran | Lankaran | Subtropical tea and citrus district on the Caspian |
| Masally | Masallı | Masally | Subtropical coastal district on the Caspian |
Guba-Khachmaz Economic Region
5 districtsThe north east Caspian coast toward the Russian border, with orchard districts and the mountain resorts of the Greater Caucasus.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shabran | Şabran | Shabran | Caspian coast and Samur lowland |
| Khachmaz | Xaçmaz | Khachmaz | Coastal and orchard district near the Russian border |
| Quba | Quba | Quba | Mountain and orchard district around historic Quba |
| Qusar | Qusar | Qusar | Greater Caucasus district facing Mount Shahdag |
| Siyazan | Siyəzən | Siyazan | Caspian industrial coast north of Baku |
Central Aran Economic Region
6 districtsThe central Kura lowland, the farming and cotton heartland of the country, crossed by the Baku to Tbilisi rail and road corridor.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agdash | Ağdaş | Agdash | Central Kura lowland farming |
| Goychay | Göyçay | Goychay | Pomegranate growing district in the Kura valley |
| Kurdamir | Kürdəmir | Kurdamir | Kura lowland farming and rail junction |
| Ujar | Ucar | Ujar | Central lowland farming district |
| Yevlakh | Yevlax | Yevlakh | Rail junction and lowland farming, its city is separate |
| Zardab | Zərdab | Zardab | Kura lowland irrigation district |
Karabakh Economic Region
8 districtsThe central Karabakh districts, returned to Azerbaijani control after the 2020 and 2023 wars, now rebuilding around the lowland cities of Aghdam, Barda, and Khankendi.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aghjabadi | Ağcabədi | Aghjabadi | Kura lowland farming district |
| Aghdam | Ağdam | Aghdam | Rebuilding district east of Karabakh |
| Barda | Bərdə | Barda | Historic Kura lowland district |
| Fuzuli | Füzuli | Fuzuli | District under reconstruction after the Karabakh conflict |
| Khojaly | Xocalı | Khojaly | Mountain district in central Karabakh |
| Khojavend | Xocavənd | Khojavend | Mountain district in southern Karabakh |
| Shusha | Şuşa | Shusha | Historic highland district and cultural centre of Karabakh |
| Tartar | Tərtər | Tartar | District on the Tartar river in Karabakh |
East Zangezur Economic Region
5 districtsThe south western districts along the Armenian border and the Aras river, the reconstruction belt restored after 2020 and 2023.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jabrayil | Cəbrayıl | Jabrayil | Southern border district under reconstruction |
| Kalbajar | Kəlbəcər | Kalbajar | Highland district of the Lesser Caucasus |
| Qubadli | Qubadlı | Qubadli | Mountain district on the Armenian border |
| Lachin | Laçın | Lachin | Mountain district astride the Lachin corridor |
| Zangilan | Zəngilan | Zangilan | Southern border district on the Aras river |
Mountainous Shirvan Economic Region
4 districtsThe inland foothills and forests south west of Baku, a wine and orchard belt with the mud volcanoes and petroglyphs of Gobustan.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agsu | Ağsu | Agsu | Foothill district on the Baku to Shamakhi road |
| Ismayilli | İsmayıllı | Ismayilli | Foothill district of forests and orchards |
| Gobustan | Qobustan | Gobustan | District known for mud volcanoes and petroglyphs |
| Shamakhi | Şamaxı | Shamakhi | Historic wine and vineyard district |
Nakhchivan Economic Region
7 districtsThe Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an exclave south west of Armenia on the Iranian and Turkish borders, its own economic region and a separate administrative republic.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babek | Babək | Babek | Central district of the Nakhchivan exclave |
| Julfa | Culfa | Julfa | Nakhchivan district on the Iranian border |
| Kangarli | Kəngərli | Qıvraq | Nakhchivan district created in 2004 |
| Ordubad | Ordubad | Ordubad | Southern Nakhchivan district on the Aras river |
| Sadarak | Sədərək | Sadarak | Nakhchivan district facing Armenia and Turkey |
| Shahbuz | Şahbuz | Şahbuz | Mountain district of Nakhchivan |
| Sharur | Şərur | Sharur | Nakhchivan lowland district on the Aras |
Gazakh-Tovuz Economic Region
5 districtsThe western border districts against Georgia and Armenia, a belt of highland mining and Kura valley farming along the main western rail line.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aghstafa | Ağstafa | Agstafa | Western district on the Georgian border |
| Gadabay | Gədəbəy | Gadabay | Highland district known for gold mining |
| Qazakh | Qazax | Qazakh | Western border district near Georgia and Armenia |
| Shamkir | Şəmkir | Shamkir | District on the Kura river and reservoir |
| Tovuz | Tovuz | Tovuz | Western border district on the Tovuzchay river |
Mil-Mughan Economic Region
4 districtsThe south central Kura and Aras lowland, a flat farming plain of cotton, grain, and sugar beet.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beylagan | Beyləqan | Beylagan | Mil Mughan lowland farming district |
| Imishli | İmişli | Imishli | Central lowland farming and sugar district |
| Saatly | Saatlı | Saatly | Kura and Aras lowland farming district |
| Sabirabad | Sabirabad | Sabirabad | District at the Kura and Aras confluence |
Shirvan-Salyan Economic Region
4 districtsThe south eastern Caspian coast and Kura delta, an oil, gas, and fishing belt around the industrial city of Shirvan.
| District | Azerbaijani | Capital | Trade note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilasuvar | Biləsuvar | Bilasuvar | Southern lowland district on the route to Iran |
| Hajigabul | Hacıqabul | Hajiqabul | District around Lake Hajigabul |
| Neftchala | Neftçala | Neftchala | Caspian coastal district with oil and fishing |
| Salyan | Salyan | Salyan | Kura delta district on the Caspian |
The 11 Cities of Republican Significance
Alongside the districts, Azerbaijan has 11 cities under the direct authority of the republic, each with the status of a first level unit equal to a district. Baku, Ganja, and Sumgait are the industrial and logistics anchors of the country.
How Garments Reach Azerbaijan from the Philippines
Azerbaijan has no ocean coast. Philippine containers cannot sail straight to Baku, so ocean cargo is discharged at a Black Sea port in Georgia and moves overland through Tbilisi. Air cargo flies into Baku, and the Baku to Tbilisi to Kars railway links the country to Turkey and the Middle Corridor.
Philippines
Cartons consolidate at the Davao International Container Terminal in Panabo, or at Manila and Cebu, and production can run beside the Hijo Industrial Estate and Special Economic Zone in Tagum City.
Georgia
Containers discharge at Poti or Batumi on Georgia's Black Sea coast, then move by rail or road east through Tbilisi toward the Azerbaijani border and Baku.
Azerbaijan
Cargo reaches Baku and the Baku International Sea Trade Port at Alat (AZBAK / AZALA) on the Caspian, the country's main port, cleared at the Absheron Logistics Center dry port.
Sea
Black Sea discharge, Caspian arrival- Poti (GEPTI) and Batumi (GEBUS), GeorgiaThe usual Black Sea discharge ports for cargo bound for Azerbaijan
- Baku International Sea Trade Port, Alat (AZBAK / AZALA)The largest port on the Caspian, opened at Alat in 2018 beside the Alat Free Economic Zone
- Middle Corridor feederCaspian feeder ships link Baku to Turkmenbashi and Aktau
Air
Freighter and bellyhold capacity- Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Baku (GYD / UBBB)Main gateway and hub of the Silk Way West Airlines freighter fleet
- Ganja International Airport (GNJ / UBBG)Western air node serving the second city
- Nakhchivan International Airport (NAJ / UBBN)Air link to the Nakhchivan exclave
Rail
Intermodal corridors- Poti or Batumi to Baku corridorAzerbaijan Railways (ADY) carries containers east through Tbilisi to Baku
- Baku to Tbilisi to Kars (BTK) lineOpened 30 October 2017, linking Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey
- Absheron Logistics CenterDry port in the Garadagh district of Baku, freight station code 548004
Routing, duties, and border procedure for a commercial consignment are confirmed by a licensed Azerbaijani broker before shipment. See the Philippines to Azerbaijan import guide for the landed cost framework and documentation.
Guides That Support a Shipment into Azerbaijan
The register sets the geography. The pages below carry the rules, the gateways, and the corridors around it.
Districts of Azerbaijan FAQ
How many districts does Azerbaijan have?
Azerbaijan has 66 districts, called rayon, under the ISO 3166-2:AZ standard, plus 11 cities of republican significance. Aghdara district was reestablished on 5 December 2023, so the newest State Statistics Committee classification counts 67 districts. This page lists the 66 in the ISO standard.
What is a rayon?
A rayon is a district, the main first level administrative unit below the republic. Districts are further divided into municipalities and into urban, town, and rural administrative territorial circuits.
How are the districts grouped into economic regions?
For economic planning, regional development, and statistics, the districts and cities are grouped into 14 economic regions. The present division was set by a presidential decree on 7 July 2021. The groupings are for planning and do not add a level of government.
Which districts and cities matter most for apparel sourcing and delivery?
The Baku economic region holds the capital, the main seaport, and the air cargo gateway. Ganja, Sumgait, Mingachevir, and Shirvan are the industrial cities. Baku and its region also run the country's textile and trade base. The southern Lankaran-Astara and northern Guba-Khachmaz districts handle subtropical and orchard crops, while the Karabakh and East Zangezur districts are rebuilding after the 2020 and 2023 conflicts.
How do garments reach Azerbaijan from the Philippines?
Azerbaijan has no ocean coast. Ocean containers discharge at a Black Sea port in Georgia, usually Poti or Batumi, then move by rail or road through Tbilisi to Baku. Air cargo flies into Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) at Baku, and the Baku to Tbilisi to Kars railway links the country to Turkey and the Middle Corridor.
What are the 11 cities of republican significance?
They are Baku, Ganja, Sumgait, Mingachevir, Naftalan, Shirvan, Shaki, Lankaran, Yevlakh, Khankendi, and Nakhchivan. Each has the status of a first level unit equal to a district, and seven districts plus the city of Nakhchivan sit inside the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
What is the minimum order for shipping apparel to Azerbaijan?
50 pieces per design for custom production. Blank stock minimums depend on the brand, colour, and size mix. The quotation states the commercial terms that apply to the actual order.
Plan a Shipment to an Azerbaijani District
Send the garment type, the destination district or city, and the monthly volume, and the export desk will come back with the routing options, the packing plan, and the documents an Azerbaijani importer can file.