Ethnic composition Earthquakes The 1191 earthquake was so destructive that the capital of Shirvan was transferred to Baku. The 1667 earthquake is considered to have been the worst with a death toll of 80,000; one-third of the city collapsed, according to the Persian merchants' reports. The 1859 Shamakhi earthquake on 2 December caused the shifting of the same-named government centre to Baku. The 1872 earthquake triggered emigration to Baku, where oil production had started in industrial proportions. The 1902 earthquake, a devastating earthquake destroyed the 10th-century Juma Mosque. Nature The productivity of lands in Shamakhi has always attracted people. The district has beautiful nature with a mild climate and mineral wells. The weather is not too cold and hot here. There are more than 50 medicinal plants in Shamakhi. The rich nature of the district allows various animals and birds to settle here. The fauna of the city has different animals such as roe, boars, bears and wild cats. 40–80 days of a year snow in this place. This district attracts tourists in summer and winter. Babadagh peak is also in Shamakhi. Rivers of Garachay, Valvalachay and Girdmanchay begin here in Babadagh. Education Not only Azerbaijan but also the Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey and from the other countries had studied science in madrassah of Juma mosque since the end of the 19th century. Some of them such as Khagani Shirvani, Feleki Shirvani, Muslim Shirvani, Imadeddin Nasimi, Nishat Shirvani, Mir Nazim Shirvani, Seyid Azim Shirvani, Mirza Nasrulla bey Dede, Mahmud Aga, Habib Efendi, Seyid Ünsizade and others. was prominent intelligent educators. In the Middle Ages, many madrasahs of large mosques functioned in several cities of Azerbaijan. In the 10th–13th centuries, many cities of Azerbaijan, including Tabriz, Maragha, Ganja, Nakhchivan, Shamakhi and Ardabil, were known as the centres of science, education, art and culture in the East. According to 17th-century famous Turkish traveller E. Chalabi, there were 40 schools, 7 madrassas in Shamakhi. Nowadays, there are 72 secondary schools in the region, Shamakhi branch of the Azerbaijan Teachers Institute, Shamakhi Humanitarian College, Shamakhi State Industrial Economic College and Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory of the National Academy of Sciences. Culture As one of the largest wine-growing regions of Azerbaijan, Shamakhi hosted the Grape and Wine Festival in August 2019 in Meysari village with the support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The festival was aimed to encourage local grape and wine production, as well as,