Gobustan District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the east of the country and belongs to the Mountainous Shirvan Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Shamakhi, Khizi, Absheron, and Hajigabul. Its capital and largest city is Gobustan. As of 2020, the district had a population of 47,400. History The name "Gobustan" originated from the word "Gobu", which means "beam" in Azerbaijani. The district's administrative centre, Gobustan was known as Maraza until 2009. The territory of the district belonged to the neighbouring Shamakhi District from 1930 until 1943 and later again from 1960 until 1990 when it was re-established. The ancient dwellings used to be in the area of present Gobustan which date back to the Stone Age. Infrastructure There are six kindergartens in the region, and 30 general education schools. There are 23 cultural centers, 3 hospitals and medical enterprises, and 6 big and middle enterprises. Population According to official statistics the district of Gobustan had a population of 46,100,000 inhabitants at the beginning of 2018; 36,700,000 of whom were living in rural areas. Geography Landscape The territory of Gobustan ranges from the shores of the Caspian Sea to Mount Gijaki, the highest point in the eastern part of the Greater Caucasus. Peculiarities of Gobustan landscape are the rocks of lime and sandstone in the middle territory of the district, and mud volcanoes, which are located in the east part of Gobustan. Climate Gobustan has a semi-arid climate, with mild winters and hot summers. There are rain seasons in early spring and late autumn. The annual precipitation is 250 mm. The western part of Gobustan is more precipitated in autumn and spring than the eastern part of Gobustan since Kura lowlands cover the western part. The highest mean temperature is observed in July (32 C) and the lowest mean temperature occurs in January (-1.6 C). Flora Gobustan has a rich flora with 470 different plant species; in all of Azerbaijan there are 4000 different plant species. The vegetation of Gobustan has desert and semi-desert characteristics. Wild rose, Hibernian honeysuckle, wild pear, wild pomegranate, wild fig, and juniper can be found in Gobustan. Fauna There are approximately 110 wild bird species in the Gobustan region. 53 of them are included in special European conversation concern, 9 of them are included in the Azerbaijan Red Data Book, and 9 of them are listed