Lankaran is one of the ancient settlements of Azerbaijan. Archeological excavations corroborated the fact that people lived here in III-II millennium BC, in Bronze Age. The favorable position, the attractive nature, communication between powerful countries of Ancient World, presence of main caravan roads of East and West and situated on the Caspian Sea accelerate its development. Since 1742 Lankaran has become the main city of the Talish Chanate.
  The ancient occupation of population in Lankaran- the area which has fertile soil, rich water reserves, warm climate- was agriculture, cattle-breeding, gardening, fishing, bee-keeping silk industry. Blacksmith, copper-smith, pottery and other trades were widely spread in Lankaran. Trade has a special place in economic development of Lankaran Khanate and also establishment trade relation with Iran, Turkey, Russia, Central Asia, China, Pakistan and India. In 1813 according to the "Gulustan Treaty" Northern Azerbaijan was occupied by Russia and after this was transformed the main cities of Russian empire's outlying district. Wood, ceramics, brick-yards industry, sugar, grape and fish productions are developed in Lankaran.
  In XVIII-XIX centuries Lankaran exported such products as rice, silk, vegetables, wood, fish and etc. This product mainly exported to Russia.
  Trade relation between Russia and Lanakaran played an important role in development of the industry, science, culture and education of Lankaran.
  During the soviet regime economics, culture, education, public health, social life has highly developed in Lankaran.