Shaki, Azerbaijan

Shaki (Azerbaijani: Şəki) is a city in northwestern Azerbaijan, surrounded by the district of the same name. It is located on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, 240 km (150 mi) from Baku. As of 2020, it has a population of 68,400.^[2] The center of the city and the Palace of Shaki Khans were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 because of its unique architecture and its history as an important trading center along the Silk Road.^[3]

Shaki Şəki
City
Seal
Shaki Location of Shaki in Azerbaijan
Coordinates: 41°11′31″N 47°10′14″E
Country	Azerbaijan
Region	Shaki-Zagatala
Government
• Governor	Elkhan Usubov
Area
• Total	9 km2 (3 sq mi)
Elevation [1]	700 m (2,300 ft)
Population  (2020)[2]
• Total	68,400
• Density	7,600/km2 (20,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+4 (AZT)
Postcode	5500
Website	sheki-ih.gov.az

Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Cultural: ii, v
Reference	1529
Inscription	2019 (43rd Session)
Area	120.5 ha
Buffer zone	146 ha

Geography

Shaki is surrounded by snowy peaks of the Greater Caucasus, which in some places reaches 3000–3600 m. The average annual temperature in Shaki is 12 °C.

The mountain forests around the area prevent the city from floods and overheating of the area during summer. During the Soviet rule of Azerbaijan, many ascended to Shaki to bathe in its prestigious mineral springs.