Mardakan

Mardakan (Azerbaijani: Mərdəkan, pronounced [mæɾdæˈkɑn]) is a settlement and municipality in Khazar Rayon of Baku, Azerbaijan, located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, with a population of 32,084. It's positioned on the eastern Absheron Peninsula, about 30 km away from downtown Baku, and just 10 km from Heydar Aliyev International Airport, bounded by Shuvalan to the east, Qala to the south, and Shagan to the west. It also borders Bina in the south-west, and Buzovna to the north-west. Mardakan is the third largest settlement in Khazar Rayon by population, and one of the most populated municipalities in the country. It is considered to be the center of the Khazar Rayon, with the district's office being located in the settlement. Widely regarded and known across the peninsula as a resort town, Mardakan attracts thousands of visitors every year during the summertime. It is praised for its beaches, a generally pleasant climate, and an abundance of recreational establishments. It occupies a portion of the northern part of the Khazar Rayon, although the municipality's territory was adjusted multiple times throughout its history. Mardakan was granted the status of a settlement in 1936. In 1933, Shagan village was incorporated into the Mardakan municipal council, however, Shagan was separated in 1945, only to be reunited with Mardakan in 1948. Finally, in 1994, Shagan once again became independent and was granted the status of a settlement.