Binagadi asphalt lake

This ancient flora and fauna deposit is protected by the State as a monument of a nature of the special significance pursuant to the Decree of the Government of Azerbaijan Republic No. 167 of March 16, 1982.

Geography of the area

The Binagady locality (Binəqədi) is on the crest of a hill 0.5 km (0.31 mi) southeast of the settlement of Binagady, and 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Baku. The coast at its closest is 10 km (6.2 mi) to the south and 25 km (16 mi) to the north.

The bone-bearing area comprises approximately 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) and is located on a hilltop near the Kyrrar hill. The area is 54–57 metres (177–187 ft) above present sea level, and 48 metres (157 ft) above the level of Lake Boyukshor. An ancient mud volcano (Kichik-Dag) lies north of the fossiliferous area; further to the north is the meridionally elongated, saline Lake Masazyr (Mirdalyabi) and to the northeast Lake Binagady. To the east is the saline depression Kariatakh-Shor, beyond which rises the Balakhany Plateau. Extending from the Binagady hill are oil-bearing Salinas and the saline Lake Beyuk-Shor, which stretches far to the southeast.