Black City Baku
Black City (Azerbaijani - Qara Şəhər) is the general name for the southeastern neighborhoods of Baku that once formed its suburbs. In the late 19th and early 20th century it became the main location for Azerbaijan's oil industry, and the area's name derives from the dark dust of the factories and refineries.
The first oil refining plants were built in 1859 in the city suburbs. By the 1860s the Baku fields accounted for 90% of the oil supply.
Most of the Baku oil workers lived in the area. The suburb also accommodated oil companies’ offices, workshops and housing for the associated laborers. Living conditions were very bad in contrast to conditions in Baku proper.
When Black City began growing beyond its borders, oil industrialists started to look for new areas to serve their needs. Soon a new industrial area to the east of Black City emerged and became known as White City. By the end of 1902, up to 20 more large oil refineries and oil-related trade businesses were built here such as Mantashev and Co., Caspian–Black Sea Society and Shibayev's Chemical Plant. Unlike Black City, White City accommodated more modern and better functioning refineries and therefore, the area was not as polluted.
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