Shaki, or Sheki, is a city in northwestern Azerbaijan, surrounded by the district of the same name. It's located on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, 240 km (150 mi) from Baku. As of 2017, it has a population of 68,360.

Shaki is surrounded by snowy peaks of the Greater Caucasus, which in some places reaches 3000-3600 m. Shaki's climate includes a range of cyclones and anticyclones, air masses and local winds. The average annual temperature in Shaki is 12°C. In June and August, the average temperature varies between 20 and 25°C.

The mountain forests around the area prevent the city from floods and overheating of the area during summer. The main rivers of the city are the Kish and Gurjhana. During the Soviet rule of Azerbaijan, many ascended to Shaki to bathe in its prestigious mineral springs.

Shaki has one of the greatest density of cultural resources and monuments that include 2700 years of Azerbaijani history. The city boasts a lot of houses with red roofs. In pop culture, probably the most famous feature of Shakinians are their nice sense of humor and comic tales. Shaki's comic tales hero Haci dayi (Uncle Haji) is the subject of nearly all jokes in the area.

Shaki has always played a central role in Azerbaijani art and more generally in the art and architecture of Azerbaijan. Under the name of Nukha, the city is the scene of much of the action in Brecht's play The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

In the second half of the XIX century. Nukha was ranked second in terms of trade and industry development. New types of city and county schools were created.

According to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijani SSR No. 97 of March 6, 1968, the "Yukhary Bash" area in Nukha was declared an architectural reserve.

In 1975, the construction of the drama theater building was completed in Shaki.

In 1983, the Shaki craft Museum opened.