Geographical names derived from the words “kət” (guard) and “bək” (hill) can also be found in Central Asian Turkic states.

In ancient Turkic, the places where the word “kət” was used often had numerous watchtowers and guard posts to alert the population of sudden enemy attacks.

The Albanian historian Mkhitar Gosh referred to the Gədəbəy region as “Getabey” in his work The Chronicle of Albania (1206).

It is believed that the word “Gettabey” eventually underwent deformation and became “Gədəbəy.” In ancient Turkic, the name was used to denote a great or powerful person.

The ruins of Gədəbəy fortress, first mentioned in historical records in the 12th century, are located in the upper, elevated part of the region.

[2] Another theory suggests that the name “Dədəbəy” was altered over time to become “Gədəbəy.” During the Middle Ages, parts of this land were divided among Atabəy, Şəkərbəy, and Gədəbəy—a father and his sons.

While kerosene lamps were still being used in major European cities like London, Paris, and Saint Petersburg, electric lighting was already in use in Gadabay.

[4] Gadabay lies at the northern foot of the Shahdagh Range, at an altitude of 1460 meters, on the coast of the Mis River.

The area includes the northern slopes of the Shahdagh range, the Bashkend-Dastafur depression, and part of the Shamkir mountain massif.

The climate is predominantly arid and moderately warm in summer, cold and dry in winter, with tundra-like conditions in the highlands.

The district includes the northern slopes of the Shahdagh range, the Bashkend-Dastafur depression, and part of the Shamkir mountain massif.

Mineral and table water springs such as Mormor, Turshsu, Koroglu, Shahzade, Narzan, and Boyuk Bulag are abundant.

The main rivers include Akhinca, Zayam, Inakbogan, Mamasan, Shamkir, and Gadabay Jahri.

The subalpine areas range from 1800–2600 meters and are home to blueberry, clustered broomrape, eastern violet, sage, blazing tulips, butterfly flowers, bitterroot, dock, Iberian geranium, and others.

These carpets consist of Caucasian cliff grass, slender primrose, rocky plantain, meadow clover, saxifrage, Steven’s nettle, Sibbaldia, three-toothed bellflower, and others.

The district’s most beautiful geological monuments include the picturesque landscapes of the Akhinca, Shamkir, and Zayam river valleys.

The economy is mainly based on agriculture, including potato farming, livestock breeding, and grain cultivation.

Ancient jars known as the “Gadabay treasures,” containing various valuable items, silver coins, household goods, necklaces, and ornaments, have been discovered.

Coins minted during Shah Tahmasib’s reign (1524–1576) circulated in Ganja, Tabriz, Shirvan, and Ardabil.

Traditional crafts such as embroidery, carpet weaving, and wood and metal carving are preserved in the district.