# Göytəpə

> city in Azerbaijan

**Wikidata**: [Q2656617](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2656617)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Göytəpə,_Jalilabad)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/goytp

## Summary

Göytəpə is a city located in southern Azerbaijan, situated within Jalilabad District at coordinates 39.1167°N, 48.5953°E, approximately 5 meters above sea level. The settlement was established in 1840 and was historically known as Prishib (Prişib) until April 29, 1992, when it was officially renamed Göytəpə. With a population of 10,067 as of 1989 (growing to approximately 14,000 by 2012), the city operates in the UTC+04:00 timezone and serves as an administrative center within the region.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Jalilabad District, Azerbaijan; coordinates 39.1167°N, 48.5953°E
- **Elevation**: 5 meters above sea level
- **Established**: 1840
- **Former official names**: Prishib, Prishibinsk, Prishibinskoye (until April 29, 1992)
- **Current official name**: Göytəpə (since April 29, 1992)
- **Population**: 5,085 (1959), 6,951 (1970), 9,225 (1979), 10,067 (1989), ~14,000 (2012)
- **Timezone**: UTC+04:00
- **Official language**: Azerbaijani
- **Administrative history**: Part of Lankaran Uyezd until 1929; Jalilabad District since August 8, 1930
- **Country history**: Part of Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (April 28, 1920 – August 30, 1991); Independent Azerbaijan since August 30, 1991
- **Classification**: Human settlement, city
- **OpenStreetMap ID**: 180970084
- **Geonames ID**: 146862
- **Wikidata ID**: Available (Q-related entity)
- **Wikipedia coverage**: Available in 22 language versions including Azerbaijani, Russian, English, Persian, Turkish, and others

## FAQs

**What region is Göytəpə located in?**

Göytəpə is located in southern Azerbaijan, specifically within Jalilabad District. The city sits at an elevation of 5 meters above sea level and is positioned at coordinates 39.1167°N latitude and 48.5953°E longitude.

**What was Göytəpə called previously?**

The city was formerly known as Prishib (also spelled Prişib, Prishibinsk, or Prishibinskoye) from its founding in 1840 until April 29, 1992, when it was officially renamed Göytəpə. The former Russian name was Пришиб.

**What is the population of Göytəpə?**

The population has grown substantially over the decades: 5,085 in 1959, 6,951 in 1970, 9,225 in 1979, 10,067 in 1989, and approximately 14,000 by 2012. The 1989 figure is considered the preferred census data.

**What administrative changes has Göytəpə undergone?**

Historically, Göytəpə was part of Lankaran Uyezd until 1929. On August 8, 1930, it became part of Jalilabad District. From April 28, 1920 to August 30, 1991, it was within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, after which it became part of independent Azerbaijan.

**What language is spoken in Göytəpə?**

The official language of Göytəpə is Azerbaijani, as confirmed by Russian Wikipedia references.

## Why It Matters

Göytəpə represents a significant example of post-Soviet urban renaming and identity transformation in the South Caucasus region. The city's transition from its Russian-derived name Prishib to the Azerbaijani name Göytəpë in 1992 reflects the broader wave of de-Russification and national reassertion that swept through Azerbaijan following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This renaming symbolizes the country's efforts to reclaim its linguistic and cultural heritage after decades of Soviet rule.

The city's steady population growth—from just over 5,000 in 1959 to approximately 14,000 by 2012—demonstrates its developing role as a regional administrative and population center in southern Azerbaijan. Its location in Jalilabad District positions it within an agricultural region that contributes to Azerbaijan's economy. The administrative history of Göytəpə, transitioning from Lankaran Uyezd to its current district structure, also illustrates the evolution of Soviet and post-Soviet administrative divisions in the region.

Furthermore, Göytəpə's inclusion in various international databases (Geonames, OpenStreetMap, Freebase) and its coverage across 22 Wikipedia language versions indicate its recognition as a legitimate urban entity within the global information ecosystem, facilitating research, travel, and cultural exchange.

## Notable For

- **Historical name change**: One of many Azerbaijani settlements that underwent official renaming in 1992 to reflect Azerbaijani linguistic identity rather than Russian/Soviet nomenclature
- **Population growth**: Nearly tripling in size from 1959 to 2012, indicating sustained urban development
- **Multi-language recognition**: Featured in 22 Wikipedia language editions, demonstrating international documentation
- **Administrative continuity**: Has served as part of Jalilabad District since 1930, providing regional stability
- **Geographic positioning**: Located in the Lankaran region of Azerbaijan, an area known for its subtropical climate and agricultural significance

## Body

### History and Establishment

Göytəpə was established in 1840 during the Russian Empire's expansion into the South Caucasus region. The settlement initially developed under the name Prishib (also transliterated as Prişib, Prishibinsk, or Prishibinskoye), reflecting the Russian administrative influence prevalent during the imperial period. The city emerged as part of the Lankaran Uyezd, an administrative division that encompassed much of what is now southern Azerbaijan.

Following the establishment of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic on April 28, 1920, Göytəpə became part of the Soviet administrative system. On August 8, 1930, the settlement was incorporated into Jalilabad District, an administrative reorganization that consolidated regional governance under the Soviet system. This district affiliation has continued through the present day, providing administrative continuity for over 90 years.

The most significant historical transformation occurred on April 29, 1992, when the settlement was officially renamed from Prishib to Göytəpə. This change occurred during the period of Soviet dissolution and Azerbaijani independence, as the country sought to remove Soviet-era place names and restore Azerbaijani linguistic and cultural identity. The renaming marked a definitive break from the Soviet period and aligned the city's identity with post-independence Azerbaijan.

### Geography and Location

Göytəpə is situated in southern Azerbaijan within Jalilabad District. The city lies at coordinates 39.116666667°N latitude and 48.595277778°E longitude. The elevation of the city is 5 meters above sea level, placing it in the lowland coastal region near the Caspian Sea. This geographic position places Göytəpə within the Lankaran region, known for its subtropical climate, fertile agricultural lands, and proximity to the Iranian border.

The city operates in the UTC+04:00 timezone, consistent with Azerbaijan's standard time. This timezone alignment reflects the country's geographic positioning between Europe and Asia.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Göytəpə has demonstrated consistent growth throughout its modern history. According to census data and referenced sources:

- **1959**: 5,085 residents
- **1970**: 6,951 residents
- **1979**: 9,225 residents
- **1989**: 10,067 residents (preferred census figure)
- **2012**: Approximately 14,000 residents (per Russian Wikipedia reference)

This population trajectory represents nearly a threefold increase over approximately 53 years, indicating sustained economic development, natural population growth, and potential in-migration. The 1989 Soviet census figure of 10,067 is designated as the preferred population data, suggesting it represents the most reliable official count.

### Administrative Status

Göytəpə holds the classification of both a human settlement and a city within the Azerbaijani administrative system. The city serves as an administrative center within Jalilabad District, contributing to regional governance and public services.

The administrative history reflects the broader political transformations of the region:

- **Pre-1920**: Part of the Russian Empire, within Lankaran Uyezd
- **1920-1991**: Part of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
- **Since 1991**: Part of independent Azerbaijan

This progression from imperial Russian territory to Soviet republic to independent nation encapsulates the complex political history of the South Caucasus region during the 20th century.

### International Identification and References

Göytəpə is catalogued in multiple international databases and reference systems:

- **Geonames ID**: 146862
- **Freebase ID**: /m/04gjl2v
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -2709396
- **OpenStreetMap Way ID**: 180970084

The city has a Wikipedia presence in 22 language versions, including Azerbaijani (az), Azerbaijani (South) (azb), Belarusian (be), Chechen (ce), Cebuano (ceb), English (en), Persian (fa), Finnish (fi), Upper Sorbian (hsb), Armenian (hy), Kazakh (kk), Malay (ms), Polish (pl), Russian (ru), Swedish (sv), Tajik (tg), Talysh (tly), Turkish (tr), Tatar (tt), Ukrainian (uk), and Uzbek (uz).

### Cultural and Linguistic Identity

The official language of Göytəpə is Azerbaijani, a Turkic language that serves as the national language of Azerbaijan. The renaming from the Russian-derived Prishib to the Azerbaijani Göytəpə in 1992 represents the broader cultural and linguistic decolonization efforts undertaken by Azerbaijan following independence from the Soviet Union.

The city has various aliases and spellings across different languages and transliterations: Geytepe, Göytäpä, Prišib, Prishib, Prishibinsk, Prishibinskoe, Prishibinskoye, Göytepe, Гейтепе, and Пришиб. This diversity of names reflects the multilingual nature of the region and the various administrative and cultural influences that have shaped the settlement over time.

### Infrastructure and Modern Status

As a city of approximately 14,000 residents (as of 2012), Göytəpə functions as a regional center within Jalilabad District. The city's classification as a city (rather than a smaller settlement) indicates the presence of urban infrastructure, administrative facilities, and economic activity sufficient to support its population. The Commons category "Göytəpə" suggests visual documentation of the city exists in Wikimedia Commons, with an image file available at the specified path showing the city sign.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. 1959 Soviet census
3. 1970 Soviet census
4. 1979 Soviet census
5. 1989 Soviet census
6. GeoNames