Shirvan State Nature Reserve, Protected nature reserve near the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan
The Shirvan State Nature Reserve is a protected area near the Caspian Sea covering flat semi-desert plains that lie below sea level. The territory includes extensive wetlands and water bodies that support diverse wildlife.
The reserve was established in 1969 from the former Bendovan Game Reserve and underwent boundary changes over the following decades. The site's evolution shows how conservation priorities shifted to protect this distinctive coastal ecosystem.
The name comes from the Persian word for lion, recalling the Asiatic lions that once roamed this region until the 10th century. Today visitors witness how the landscape has become a refuge for the animals that replaced those ancient predators.
Access is strictly controlled to preserve natural habitats and protect wildlife populations. Visitors should plan to observe migratory birds and their seasonal movements, particularly during nesting and wintering periods.
The territory sits dramatically below sea level, creating one of Asia's lowest-lying ecosystems. This extreme location influences water and weather patterns in ways found nowhere else in the region.
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