Qusar, Azerbaijan

Capital City

With a population of just 16,500, Qusar is a sleepy Azerbaijani outpost where the bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the climate can change dramatically over the course of a day. The city sits in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, over the Qusarchay River, and is home to a 97% Lezgin population. While Qusar has a local history museum, state art gallery, and even a Heydar Aliyev Center, the economic reality is one of limited industry and a reliance on agriculture and tourism. This quiet, remote town is best suited for those seeking a slower pace of life and a taste of Caucasian culture, rather than the bright lights of Azerbaijan's capital Baku.