Gobustan National Park

Gobustan National Park in Azerbaijan is renowned for its ancient rock engravings and mud volcanoes, providing a unique outdoor adventure steeped in history.

156,000
Acres Protected
20
Miles of Trails
100,000
Annual Visitors
1966
Year Established

About Gobustan National Park

 

Gobustan National Park, located in Azerbaijan, near the country's capital of Baku, is an area of significant historical and geological importance. The park spans a semi-desert region and is famous for its extensive petroglyphs—a collection of over 6,000 rock engravings bearing witness to 40,000 years of human history. These carvings depict scenes of hunting, dancing, and daily life, offering insights into the early inhabitants of the region. Who visited this area millennia ago? The terrain is also well-known for its mud volcanoes, which comprise nearly half of the world’s total and provide a striking contrast to the bare rock landscapes surrounding them. Visitors to Gobustan can experience fascinating natural phenomena and delve into an ancient past, with the park being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its archaeological value. Key attractions include the Gobustan Museum and individual petroglyph sites, each narrating a part of humankind's early story. The park is a magnet for history buffs, geology enthusiasts, and those seeking the unusual landscapes of mud volcanoes.

Highlights

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The Gobustan Petroglyphs

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Mud Volcanoes

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Gobustan Museum

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Ancient Settlements

Notable Natural Features

Gobustan Petroglyphs

Ancient carvings depicting early human life and activities.

Mud Volcanoes

Distinctive geological features offering an otherworldly landscape.

Gobustan Museum

Houses artifacts and provides context to the petroglyphs found in the area.