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       Baku, capital and largest city of Azerbaijan. The first historical reference to Baku dates from AD 885. By the 11th century AD, Baku was in the possession of the Shirvan-Shahs, who made it their capital in the 12th century, although for a period in the 13th and 14th centuries it came under the sway of the Mongols. Baku served as the capital of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic from 1920 to  1991. In 1991 Azerbaijan became an independent republic.
      The core of present-day Baku is the old town, or fortress, of Icheri-Shekher. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive, as does the 90-ft (27-m) tower of Kyz-Kalasy (Maiden's Tower, 12th century). The old town is highly picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings. These include the palace of the Shirvan-Shahs, now a museum, the oldest part of which dates from the 11th century. Also of the 11th century is the Synyk-Kala Minaret and Mosque (1078-79). Other notable historic buildings are the law court (Divan-Khan), the Dzhuma-Mechet Minaret, and the mausoleum of the astronomer Seida Bakuvi.
      Around the walls of the fortress, the regular streets and imposing buildings of modern Baku rise up the slopes of the amphitheatre of hills surrounding the bay. Along the waterfront an attractive park has been laid out. Most industrial plants are located at the eastern and southwestern ends of the city. Greater Baku, divided into 11 districts, encompasses almost the entire Apsheron Peninsula and 48 townships. Among these are townships on islands off the tip of the peninsula and another built on stilts in the Caspian Sea, 60 mi (100 km) from Baku.      
      Baku is also a major cultural, science and educational center.

ZAGULBA SETTLEMENT

     The Workshop was held in "Ganclik" International Tourist Centre, in Zagulba Settlement, Baku, Azerbaijan. This Centre is located in the northeast part of Apsheron peninsula, on a picturesque coast of the Caspian sea, which may take about 20 minutes drive from the city centre. The total area of the Centre is 16 hectares including 5.5 hectares of green planting area. A special transport was organized from airport to the Centre and back. Guarded parking, bars, tennis-court, billiard-room, indoor swimming pool and sauna are also available. The distance from the main buildings to special beach is about 400 meters.