Infrastructure

After our country gained independence, Naftalan city, like all our regions, began to develop dynamically. Especially thanks to the attention and care of our esteemed President Ilham Aliyev, our city is being renewed day by day.

As a result of the execution of the "State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2004-2008", 25 new administrative buildings have been built in the city, including the Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled, the Financial Department, the City Branch of the State Social Protection Fund, the Water and Sewerage Administration, the Labor and Social Protection Center, as well as major repair works have been carried out in the City Central Hospital, Secondary Schools No. 01 and 02, the Qashalti Qaraqoyunlu village secondary school, the city football stadium, and Heydar Aliyev Park.

Furthermore, in accordance with the "State Program on the Socio-Economic Development of the Regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2009-2013", attention has been increased towards the development of all infrastructure in our city. In other words, Naftalan is being completely rebuilt. The city's electrical network has been renewed, new heating boilers have been built and new heating radiators have been installed for general education schools and residential buildings. Gas pipelines for the city's internal, building and other residential complexes have been renewed. The construction and reconstruction of the city's water supply and sewerage system, as well as health-resort institutions, continues.

As a result of the attention and care of the state towards this resort city, the traffic sections of the road from Heydar Aliyev Park to Shirvan Avenue have been widened, new retaining walls have been built and illuminated in the city's future area.

The opening of the new State Flag Square has taken place, where the flagpole of 65 meters height was raised with the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In 2009, the washed away bridges were rebuilt and put into use again in their original form as a result of the flood waters. A new city signboard has been installed.

In Naftalan city, the 18 km long main road of Baku-Ganja highway has been significantly repaired. New asphalt coverings have been laid on the city's streets and roads, and modern light poles have been installed for lighting the roads and streets.

The outdated elevators in the nine-story residential buildings in the city have been replaced with modern ones. The facades of all the high-rise residential buildings are being renovated in accordance with national architecture style, illuminated, and new plastic windows are being installed in each apartment. The reconstruction of the entrances and roofs of the buildings is ongoing.

In accordance with the instructions given by the head of state regarding the protection of green spaces and the creation of new ones, 35,000 elder trees have been planted in Heydar Aliyev, Samad Vurgun, and Nariman Narimanov parks, along the Shirvan avenue, at the State Flag Square, and on the sides of roads. New water lines have been laid and new artesian wells have been dug for watering these trees.

As Naftalan Kurort develops, the city of Naftalan is also completely changing its appearance, renewing itself and integrating into the World Spa Association. In 2011, Naftalan city twinned with Leql city in France, and the leadership of Naftalan city visited the city during this relationship. During the visit, the "Twinning Declaration" was signed between the head of Naftalan City Executive Power Natiq Aslanov and the mayor of Leql Tyéri Pino. On this occasion, the national anthem of Azerbaijan was played in a festive atmosphere during the performance of the local city orchestra, and Azerbaijan's flag was raised in an official manner alongside the flags of other twinned cities in front of the mayor. Thus, the cities of France and Azerbaijan twinned for the first time in history.

In the event, also participated the President of the Lower Normandy region of France, Laurent Beauvais (Socialist Party), the deputy of the Orn department Jean-Claude Lenoir (UMP party), the prefect of the Orn department Bertrand Maréchaux, and other influential guests.

As a result of the brotherhood agreement signed between Naftalan and Leql cities, Azerbaijan's national flag will now be permanently flown in front of Leql's mayor's office.

Thanks to the special attention and care of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the events, founding, and development works carried out in the city of Naftalan demonstrate that it will be transformed into one of the world's most beautiful, clean, and suitable resort cities.

Sanatorium Resort Infrastructure

After the development of the oil industry in Azerbaijan in 1920, the extraction of Naftalan oil through drilling began. At the same time, research work was carried out in Azerbaijan from 1928 to study the medicinal properties of Naftalan oil.

Until 1933, Naftalan medicinal oil was used in an artisanal way.

Naftalan Resort operated since 1933. Additionally, in 1938, an experimental laboratory was created at the Azerbaijan Scientific Research Medical Rehabilitation and Natural Factors Institute to study the biological and therapeutic effects of Naftalan oil. Moreover, in 1965, a Scientific Research Laboratory was established in Naftalan.

Academician Y.Q. Mammad Aliyev, professors T.H. Pashayev, S.A. Guliyev, and Medical Sciences doctor T.H. Huseynov have made great contributions to the study of the composition of Naftalan oil in Azerbaijan.

The main development of Naftalan Resort took place in the 1970s-1990s. During that time, our National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who had led Azerbaijan SSR and later worked in high positions in the USSR Council of Ministers, took the initiative to further develop Naftalan Resort, which gained even more popularity. In fact, on February 19, 1982, a joint decision was made by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, the Council of Ministers of Azerbaijan SSR, and the Executive Committee of the Azerbaijan Trade Union to take measures to further develop Naftalan Resort city. It was precisely as a result of this decision that Naftalan Resort city expanded even more.

As a result of the work done in this area, the number of people coming for treatment to Naftalan Resort from the former Soviet space increased from 40 thousand to 70 thousand people during the years 1982-1987. Due to the 80-85% positive effect of treatment with Naftalan oil, Naftalan Resort ranked among the leading resorts of the Soviet Union in terms of its therapeutic importance.

Thanks to the founding work carried out by our national leader Heydar Aliyev in our republic, the city of Naftalan has grown and developed even more. The material and technical base of the Naftalan resort has been further strengthened, and the "Mil" sanatorium with 480 places, "Azərbaycan" with 480 places, "Şirvan" with 580 places, "Chinar" with 560 places, and "Goran" with 800 places have been built in the city. New avenues and multi-story residential buildings have been built in Naftalan. During this period, a utility services plant, a 400-seat cinema building, an airport, a bus station, a 4-story Telecommunications building, and a 9-story 108-room hotel have been built and put into operation.

There is a unique museum in Naftalan which exhibits crutches. After being treated with Naftalan, patients no longer need their crutches, so they donate them to the Naftalan museum. After being cured and leaving Naftalan, patients would write hundreds of gratitude letters to the sanatoriums where they were treated. These letters were kept as a memory in those sanatoriums.

In the period of 1988-1993, the processes that occurred in Azerbaijan's political, economic, and social life led to the disruption of the centralized operation of the Kurort Union, which was responsible for the organization, management, financing, and establishment of leisure, medical treatment, and strengthening of people's health, as well as the application of resort technologies. The Union suffered significant damage when Armenia invaded and occupied 20% of Azerbaijani territories, resulting in our compatriots becoming refugees and internally displaced persons, who were resettled in existing sanatoriums in the city of Naftalan to provide them with housing. This had a negative impact on the rest and treatment of the disabled, patients, children, and especially tourists from other republics who came to the Sanatorium Resort. Currently, appropriate measures are being taken to develop the infrastructure of the Naftalan resort-sanatorium (medical treatment with Naftalan oil) and restore the former glory of the Naftalan resort.

In recent years, extensive measures have been taken in our city to develop entrepreneurship by creating new resort medical centers. Health-tourism centers such as "Şəfa vannaları" LLC, which can accommodate up to 300-350 people, "Naftalan Müalicə və Sağlamlıq Mərkəzi" LLC, " Möcüzəli Naftalan " LLC, and "Sehirli" Naftalan LLC, built by businessmen in the city, are in operation.

These sanatorium complexes have sleeping quarters, examination and treatment rooms, dining halls, and other service areas (such as sports halls, computer rooms, men's and women's lounges, etc.).

The sleeping quarters consist of rooms for 1, 2, or 3 people and luxury rooms for 2 people with two rooms. There are all kinds of facilities in the rooms to meet the daily needs of those who come for treatment. In addition, the medical rooms are equipped with all the necessary equipment.

Naftalan is a city in Azerbaijan known for its petroleum-based medicinal oil called Naftalan oil. In 2008, during his first visit to Naftalan, President Ilham Aliyev proposed the idea of transforming Naftalan into a modern resort city, leading to the implementation of various measures for the restoration and development of the city. As part of the "State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Regions of Azerbaijan for 2009-2013" and the "State Program on the Development of Resorts in Azerbaijan for 2009-2018," efforts have been made to rebuild Naftalan as a resort city, including the development of not only the sanatorium but also the entire infrastructure and social welfare of the city's residents.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev visited Naftalan city for the second time on February 11, 2011, and participated in the opening ceremonies of "Chinar hotel & SPA Naftalan" and "Qashaltitı" Recreation and Health Centers, where he was introduced to high-quality services. These recreation and health centers were built in accordance with world standards with an area of 312-200 square meters, respectively.

“Chinar hotel & SPA Naftalan”

The major renovation of the "Chinar hotel & SPA Naftalan" Sanatorium began in May 2007. The reconstruction of the 312-room sanatorium located on 18.8 hectares of land was completed in November 2010. 200 employees will work in the sanatorium. The building has six floors and includes a 170-room accommodation section consisting of 59 standard rooms, 100 superior rooms, 4 suites, 6 deluxe suites, and 1 king suite. The Health Center section includes the Naftalan Therapy Center, SPA Therapy Center, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center, Fitness Center, Winter Garden, "Firuze" restaurant, Vitamin Bar, and Water Procedures section, which includes a 24x12-meter swimming pool, Whirlpool, Turkish Bath, Talassotherapy, and Sauna. In addition, the sanatorium will provide treatment for peripheral nervous system, central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, ear nose throat, pediatric, urological, dermatological, gynecological, and peripheral vascular diseases.

"Gashalti" Rest and Health Center

The foundation of the "Qashalti" Rest and Health Center was laid in February 2008. The construction of the 200-room sanatorium located on a 3.5-hectare area was completed in November 2010. 200 employees work at the Rest and Health Center. The building consists of five floors. The building has a 92-room Bed Corps - 83 standard rooms, 7 superior, 2 suites, a Health Center Corps - Naftalan Therapy Center, SPA Therapy Center, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Cafe-Bar, and a Water Procedures Corps - Pool (72 m2), Iodine-Bromine Bath, Underwater Pool for Aquatic Exercises, Finnish Sauna, Turkish Bath, and Sauna. In addition, the modern X-ray, ultrasound, stomatology, urology, gynecology, cardiology, laboratory, movement disorders, and dermatology departments will operate at the sanatorium. For those who come for treatment and rest at the sanatorium, there are 3 cottages, an underground car park, a computer center, a bowling alley, a 3D cinema, a billiard room, a tennis court, a mini football field, a basketball court, a training room, and a Jacuzzi on the terrace.

In order to improve the living conditions of internally displaced persons temporarily residing in the existing sanatoriums of the Resort Union in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, they were relocated to five-story buildings built in the Goranboy region. Currently, the old sanatoriums, which do not meet any standards, are being replaced with new health and wellness centers built to world standards.

Naftalan oil

Naftalan oil is a brownish-red, aromatic oil with a unique odor, high density, and special viscosity. The specific gravity of Naftalan oil is between 0.92-0.96, with a boiling point of 220 C and a freezing point of -20 C. When mixed with water, it forms a stable emulsion. According to its chemical composition, Naftalan oil has a specific gravity between 0.923-0.974 grams per cubic centimeter. As early as 1896, Dr. F.Q. Rozenbaum presented a brief report at the meeting of the Caucasian Medical Society on the effect of Naftalan oil based on his personal experience. He showed that Naftalan oil is used as a remedy for 1st-degree burns, acute and chronic eczema, seborrhea, psoriasis, inflammatory wounds, boils, abscesses, pimples, bruises, rheumatic, and gouty pains, as well as for cooling and soothing effects, antiseptic properties, and promoting wound healing. Naftalan oil has particular importance in the treatment of musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, urological, gynecological, and skin diseases.

After Rozenbaum, prominent scientists such as P.M. Malishev, D.I. Mendeleev, and Borukhovich also wrote works on the therapeutic importance of Naftalan. After the establishment of Soviet power in Azerbaijan in 1920 and the transfer of Naftalan oil to state ownership, several expeditions were organized to study its therapeutic importance, and a special department was created at the Azerbaijan Scientific-Research Clinical Institute. Before the Second World War, high-efficiency preparations were obtained from Naftalan oil at the Naftalan test plant and at the Azerbaijan Institute of Kurortology, and during the war, the "Naftomastika" preparation proposed by Sh.M. Hasanov was used for bullet wounds, traumatic arthritis, burns, and frostbite in the evacuation hospitals of Azerbaijan and Baku. In the 1940s, Yusif Mammadaliyev, the founder of Azerbaijan's oil and chemical science, proposed another hypothesis about its therapeutic properties, different from other researchers of Naftalan. He found that Naftalan oil, when consecutively purified from asphaltenes, bitumen, and aromatic hydrocarbons, its therapeutic properties increase, and its toxic effects and other negative properties decrease. Y.Mammadaliyev revealed that the therapeutic importance of Naftalan is associated with its polycyclic naphthenic hydrocarbons.

Naftalan is a complex physical-chemical composition of tar-like, low-sulfur, paraffin-free petroleum product, and unlike industrial oils, it does not contain light fractions such as gasoline, kerosene, and liquors, as well as methane hydrocarbons. Polycyclic naphthene hydrocarbons are significant in its composition.

The composition of Naftalan oil is as follows:

1. Naphthenic hydrocarbons - 50-55%
2. Aromatic hydrocarbons - 10-15%
3. Tar substances - 14-15%
4. Naphthenic acids - 0.5-3%
5. Sulfur compounds - 0.3-0.7%
6. Nitrogen compounds - 0.3%
7. Contains microelements (Y, Br, Cu, Mn, Zn, Li, B, etc.)

Naftalan's main therapeutic components are the high-molecular-weight, polycyclic compounds (cyclopentane-perhydrophenanthrene) that make up the basis of its composition, which are naften hydrocarbons. In addition to these, the sulfur-containing, nitrogen-containing compounds, and microelements present in naftalan also play an important role in its therapeutic effects.

Naftalan has a strong anti-inflammatory, analgesic, vasodilatory, anti-allergic, hormone-like, and regulatory effect on metabolic processes. It also accelerates the processes of oogenesis, ovulation, and spermatogenesis.

Iodine-bromine water:

When Naftalan oil is extracted from the ground, it consists of 90% water and 10% Naftalan oil. However, when Naftalan oil is used for medical purposes, the composition changes to 10% water and 90% Naftalan. The water that comes out of the ground with Naftalan is very rich in composition, containing numerous microelements that are also present in Naftalan oil, in addition to iodine and bromine. Because of this, it is successfully used in the treatment of many diseases.

Scientific research on Naftalan oil and its physiotherapeutic application has been carried out for over 100 years. Its high effectiveness in the treatment of many diseases has been scientifically proven. Over 1600 scientific works and monographs have been published on this topic since 1896, and 270 dissertations have been defended by doctoral and candidate degree holders. In all of these sources, Naftalan oil is identified as a unique natural resource belonging solely to Azerbaijan. Therefore, despite the fact that in the late 19th century, the German entrepreneur K. Yeager produced a product called "Naftalan" using an industrial method, and it was promoted as an "expensive German medicine" and currently there are resorts operating under this name in Croatia, one thing should be clear to everyone: the Naftalan oil that has no analogue in the world is Azerbaijan's national treasure and will remain so.