natural-economical condition of agricultural production The territory of Azerbaijan is distinguished by 10 natural-economical zones: Apsheron; Guba-Khachmaz; Sheki-Zagatala; Mughan-Salyan; Lankaran-Astara mountain zones; Garabagh-Mil; Gyanja-Gazakh mountain downhill zone; Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic; Mountain Karabagh; Shirvan zones.

a z e r b a i j a n

The Apsheron Zone: It is situated in the east of the republic. The climate of the Absheron P eninsula is characterized with dry hot summer and winter temperate. Average annual air temperature is 10,0-14,5°C. Total land area of the zone is 508,0 thous.ha., out of which 165,8 thous.ha. is agricultural land. Sowing area is equal to 24,8 thous.ha. Basic agricultural specialization is animal husbandry. Table grapes and vegetable growing have also widely developed here.

The Guba-Khachmaz zone: It is situated in the north of the country. Average annual weather temperature is equal to 7,0-10,0 °C. Total land area of the zone consists of 832 thous.ha., out of which 390 thous.ha. belongs to agricultural lands. Sowing area is equal to 95,2 thous.ha. General climate and soil climatic condition of all the five districts forming part of the zone is favorable for vegetable cultivation and developing fruit growing. Just that's why at present animal husbandry and tobacco growing have developed in the mountain and foothill parts of the zone, but vegetable growing in the plain part.

The Sheki-Zagatala Zone: The zone is characterized by temperate and moist climate. The average annual air temperature is 6,0-8,0°C. Total land area of the zone is equal to 1039 thous.ha. out of which agricultural land accounts 457,0 thous.ha. Sowing area accounts 160,0 thous.ha., out of which relative irrigated lands share 66,7 thous.ha. Tobacco growing, cereals, vegetable growing and animal husbandry have considerably developed among other agricultural fields. A large amount of nut, filbert, fruit and tea are also produced in the agricultural farming of the zone. Silkworm breeding occupies an important place in the structure of agricultural production.

The Mughan-Salyan zone: The zone includes the lands of 6 provincial districts. The average annual air temperature is equal to 8,0-11,0°C. Total land area consist 6124,0 thous.ha., out of which 365,0 thous.ha. is agricultural land. Sowing area is equal to 198,9 thous.ha. Out of which irrigated soils consists 182,6 thous.ha. A great part of agricultural land is salined. Cotton growing, cereals, viticulture and animal husbandry have mainly developed among other agricultural fields.

The Lankaran-Astara zone: A large territory of the zone is characterized by dry and hot climate in summer but high moisture and temperate climate in winter. Average annual air temperature is 10,0-13,0°C. By the level of air temperature and average annual precipitation the climate of the zone concerns subtropical climate. Total land area of the zone consists of 639,0 thous.ha, out of which 247,2 thous.ha. forms agricultural land. Sowing area is equal to 76,2 thous.ha, Among other agricultural fields vegetable growing, tea growing, tobacco growing and subtropical crops have developed.

The Garabagh-Mil zone: According to its climatic peculiarities it belongs to dry subtropical climate. Average annual weather temperature is 13,0-14,0°C. Total land area is equal to 1472 thous.ha., out of which agricultural land consists of 856,7 thous.ha. Sowing area is equal to 270 thous.ha. Cotton growing, cereal growing, viticulture, fruit growing and animal husbandry have also developed in the zone.

The Shirvan Zone: The territory of the zone is subdivided into mountain and plain parts. Dry, hot summer and temperate moist winter characterize the zone. The average annual air temperature is 9,0-12,0° C. Total land area is equal to 134,0 thous.ha, out of which agricultural lands comprise 652,0 thous.ha. Sowing area consists of 246,5 thous.ha. Which of them lands share 174,6 thous.ha. Cotton growing, cereals, viticulture and animal husbandry are principal in the agriculture of the zone.

The Gyanja-Gazakh zone: Lowland part of the zone distinguishes by dry and hot climate taken in average. Mountain part distinguishes by cold and mainly moist climate. Average annual weather temperature is 11,8-13,0°C. Total land area of the zone is equal to I290 thous.ha., out of which agricultural land consists of 648 thous.ha. Sowing area is equal to 206 thous.ha. In the zone mainly viticulture, cereals and vegetable growing, animal husbandry have developed among other agricultural specializations.

The Nakhichevan zone: It includes the territory of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. The average annual weather temperature is 3,0-7,0° C. Total land area of the zone is 537,0 thous.ha., out of which agricultural land consistsof 47,6 thous.ha. Sowing area is equal to 31,8 thous.ha. Irrigated lands share 22,9 thous.ha. Viticulture, cereals, tobacco growing and sugar beet have mainly developed among other agricultural fields. Animal husbandry has also developed in the zone, but in Ordubad province fruit growing occupies a considerable share.

Mountain Garabagh zone: The territory of the zone is subdivided into mountain and plain parts. The average annual air temperature is 8,0-10,0°C. Total land area is equal to 496,0 thous.ha. Out of which agricultural lands consist of 208,0 thous.ha. Sowing area is equal to 73,0 thous.ha., which irrigated lands share 8,5 thous.ha. Animal husbandry and viticulture comprise basic agriculture of the zone. Tobacco growing, production of cereals, potato and fodder crops have also developed in the provinces comprising the territory of the zone.