[2] Archaeological finds including many historical monuments and kurgans in the region speak of early human habitation.

of the time who authored books on the battle between the Roman troops and Caucasian Albanians on the bank of Alazani (Qanıx) river in 65 AD., described the locals as calm, prideful and full of courage.

After the Arab rule was overthrown in 9th–10th centuries, Balakan established its political and economic links with Shaki.

In 1803, the territory of the Balakan District was incorporated into the Russian Empire and was administratively part of Georgia until 1842, when it became a separate oblast.

[7] During World War II, 6,882 residents of Balakan fought Nazi Germany and 2,315 of them died on the front lines.

The district is situated at the foothills of Greater Caucasus and is very rich with flora and fauna.

The northern part of rayon is enriched with vegetation, among them hornbeam, alder, oak, chestnut, walnut, acacia trees, as well as raspberry, rose hip and medlar.

Main segments of the agriculture are tobacco growing, horticulture, sericulture and corn cultivation.

Additionally, cattle breeding, wheat growing, winemaking and fishery are widely practised.

[6] The 1970-1980s saw rapid economic reforms due to the construction of Baku-Balakan Railway which connected the region with capital Baku and industrial Absheron Peninsula.

[10] The majority of the population speak the Azerbaijan language with a minority of Avar and Georgian speakers.

[6] As the district is contributing mostly to the persimmon production in Azerbaijan, Balakan started to host annual Hazelnut Festival since 2017.