Istory of development of tourism in Azerbaijan prior to the beginning of the 1990s

The article concerns the chronology of foundation and development of tourism in Azerbaydzhan beginning from the ancient times up to the 1990s. The main routs of the Great Silk Road laid along the territory of the country are characterized, the motivation of tours in different stages is given and is defined the important role of Azerbaydzhan in exchanging of cultures and developing trade relations between the East and the West. It is mentioned that the position of the country on the crossing of the western and eastern civilization and communication, as well as existence of tourism recourses gave the opportunity to facilitate tourist growth and create infrastruction.