Employees of the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan have conducted field research in the Ganja–Dashkasan economic region to study the origins of geographical names.

From September 7 to 11, 2026, the Institute’s Sector Head, PhD in Geography, Associate Professor Natiq Babayev, and Chief Specialist Nazim Garayli were on a field mission in the city of Naftalan and the Goygol district.

The research was carried out within the framework of the topic “Classification of Geographical Names of the Ganja–Dashkasan Economic Region by Origin (2026–2027)”.

During the field research, observations were conducted on the oikonyms of settlements in Naftalan and Goygol, as well as on hydronyms and oronyms. Oral information was collected from local residents regarding the local pronunciation, usage characteristics, and etymology of geographical names.

As part of the study, oikonyms were initially classified according to their semantic characteristics into oronymic, hydronymic, phytonymic, ethnonymic/toponymic, and anthroponymic groups. Toponyms associated with hydrographic and relief features were compared with cartographic materials and further clarified.

As a result of the research, additional field materials were obtained on the distribution of hydronymic and phytonymic oikonyms in Goygol district. Factual information concerning settlement names of ethnonymic/toponymic and anthroponymic origin in Naftalan was also clarified.

The collected textual, photographic, and coordinate data will be digitized, archived, and incorporated into the electronic toponymic database.

It should be noted that the field materials obtained will be used in the preparation of the “Toponymic Dictionary of the Ganja–Dashkasan Region,” the updating of the region’s electronic toponymic database, and the development of the analytical and cartographic sections of the research.