Shaki (city, Azerbaijan)

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Shaki (shäk´ē) or Sheki (shĕk´–), city (1989 pop. 56,223), N Azerbaijan, on the southern slopes of the Caucasus. It is a silk and manufacturing center in a district that grows fruit and rice. Until its annexation (1805) by Russia it was the capital of a khanate under Persian sovereignty. Shaki was formerly known as Nukha. The summer palace of the khan still stands outside the city.