QUBA

also spelled Kuba, city in northeastern Azerbaijan. It is situated on the eastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, on the right bank of the Kudial River. In the 18th century a khanate was founded with Quba as the capital. The khanate was occupied by Russian troops in 1806 and ceded to Russia by Iran in 1813. The city of Quba is the centre of a fruit-growing region known particularly for its apples, and food processing is an important industry. In addition, Quba has long been a centre for carpet making; its carpets are regarded as the best in Azerbaijan. Pop. (1991 est.) 21,500.