MOUNTAIN TOURISM POTENTIAL OF THE SOUTHERN SLOPE OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS: A CASE STUDY OF THE OGUZ REGION

Mountain ecosystems with diverse natural features are highly complex. While mountainous areas are often considered unsuitable for industrial, construction, or residential development, they represent one of the most valuable resources for tourism. Their complexity is regarded as a source of richness for tourism, providing a competitive advantage. The relatively undeveloped nature, clean air, rich biodiversity, and cultural diversity of mountain regions continue to attract increasing numbers of visitors. Although mountaineering has developed into a highly profitable sector worldwide, it remains underdeveloped in Azerbaijan. To promote mountaineering in Oguz region, two climbing routes were mapped to the highest peak, Malkamud. Accurate route identification is a critical prerequisite for mountaineering development. Therefore, the study examined the physical and geographical conditions of the area relevant for climbing, gathered information from various mountaineering clubs, and applied digital tools such as Google Earth Pro and ArcGIS 10.8.