Salyan (Azerbaijani: Salyan), is a city and the capital of the Salyan District of Azerbaijan. The city of Salyan is industrialized and known for processing caviar.
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History
The city of Salyan was called "Dalan-Navur" in Mongolian during the Mongol invasion of Azerbaijan.
The word "Salyan" is either derived from the Arabo-Persian words seyl (flood) and seylan (overflow) or the Turkic word sal (raft). It was part of Quba Khanate during 1680 to 1782 and ruled by various khans. Salyan was the administrative center of the Javad Uyezd of the Baku Governorate.
Throughout its history, Salyan has suffered from floods because of its proximity to the river and the relatively low elevation of most of the town.
Geography
Demographics
As of 2026, the city population counts of 36,000 people, while the whole district population stands around 142,000 people.
Administrative divisions
The municipality of Salyan consists of the city of Salyan. The mayor, presently Rüstam Xalilov, embodies the executive power of the city.
List of City's mayors
(1920) Yusif Gasimov
(1961–1966) Huseyn Huseynov
(1993) A.Yusubov
(1993–2004) Valihat Azizov
(2004) Yusif Alakbarov
(2004–2009) Rasim Bashirov
(2009–2011) Aliagha Huseynov
(2011–2016) Tahir Karimov
(2016–2024) Sevindik Hatamov
(2024–present) Rüstam Xalilov
Economy
Salyan bases its economy on cotton cultivation, grain production, livestock farming, food processing, fishing and small scaled industry.
Culture
Sport
Salyan was home to former football teams Plastik Salyan and Mughan. Mughan through its history played in the Azerbaijan Premier League.
Transport
Public transport
Salyan has a large urban transport system, mostly managed by the Ministry of Transportation.
Education
Salyan educational systems dates back to the nineteenth century. By 1860s they were several private schools and madrassas in the district, when 1880 saw the first European styled secondary school established. Currently the education system is under the Shirvan–Salyan Regional Education Department. The administration holds a network of public primary and secondary schools, attended by both urban and rural students. In recent years Azerbaijani government has invested in modernizing school infrastructure through construction and renovating of school buildings, fittong them with laboratories, libraries, computers and sport facilities.
Notable residents
Some of the city's many prestigious residents include: philosopher Ali bey Huseynzade, mathematician Vagif Guliyev, lieutenant general Rail Rzayev, poet Khalil Rza Uluturk and footballer Samadagha Shikhlarov.
Sister cities
Kahramanmaraş, Turkey