[2] Archaeological excavations indicate that people have lived in the region since at least the Bronze Age (3rd or 2nd millennia BC).

The area around Lankaran has fertile soil, rich water reserves and a humid subtropical climate with a maximum annual precipitation of 1,600 to 1,800 mm, the highest precipitation in Azerbaijan, leading to abundant agriculture, cattle-breeding, gardening, fishing, bee-keeping and silk production.

The area's development was also aided by its location as a point of communication between ancient empires, leading to caravan trade funnelled along the Caspian Sea coast.

Following the 1813 Gulistan Treaty, the northern area of the khanate was occupied by Russia, and the remainder was seized in the final Russo-Persian war of 1826–1828.

During the 19th century, Lankaran exported rice, silk, vegetables, wood and fish to Russia.

During the period of instability that followed Azerbaijan's 1991 independence from the USSR, Lankaran and surrounding districts were briefly declared the Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic, but this only survived between June and August 1993.

The district's tea industry struggled post-independence due to increased competition from exports and the results of land redistribution: the break-up of Soviet-era collective farms into small personal plots having rendered most tea-cultivation unprofitable.

The district also suffered severely from the rising level of the Caspian Sea, most notably at Narimanabad where many waterfront properties were washed away.

Currently[data missing], government carry out work of energy sales and exploitation to settlements and villages of the district including 47,914 individual subscribers, 46 refugees, 3052 trade and services, 891 productions, transport and construction, 155 budgets and 157 other consumer groups.

[5] During the three months of 2017, some measures have been undertaken for providing residential areas and companies with gas supply in the city.

At present, 65 settlements including Lankaran and Liman city have been provided with gas, which means 90.1% of the total people of the district.

87 clubs, 94 libraries, State Drama Theater, museum, branch of Azerbaijan Scientific Research Institute of Fisheries and Subtropical Crops operate.

Since 1992 Lankaran State University, Azerbaijan National EA Regional Science Center since 2006 have been established.

Independent newspapers such as "Prizma" (2004), "Şəfəq" (1992), literary magazines such as "Söz" (1994), "Məşəl" (1999), radio broadcasting editing since 1957, Lankaran television has been operating since 2004.

There are more than 6500 exhibits reflecting Lankaran's ancient history, culture, national-moral values and today in the museum.

The house-museum of the Hero of the Soviet Union, a prominent military commander and the major general Hazi Aslanov, was opened on May 9, 1969(on Victory Day of Azerbaijan).