Gobustan consists of canyons. Gobustan is located in the east of Azerbaijan, in the south of Caucasian mountains. It is bounded by the Pirsaat River on the west and by the Harami and Mizhov mountains on the south, with the Caspian Sea on the east. The word “Gobustan” means “gobu” (old Turkish) – “gorge” and “stan” – “place”. Gobustan is 100 km long and 50 km wide. Average height is 600-700 m. The largest mud volcanoes of the South Caucasus are in Gobustan, although Gobustan itself and its surroundings are made of rocks. Archaeological research in the vicinity of the mountains “Kichikdash” and “Böjükdash” shows that the history of mankind began in the Upper Paleolithic period, that is, 34 000-35 000 years BC. It means that there was a pleasant climate and rich natural life (flora and fauna) here. Atmospheric condensation (precipitation) is fairly low. The main period of precipitation is from late autumn to mid-spring. The main river of Gobustan is Jeyrankekmes. Mainly water comes from rainwater though.

Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve  is located west of the settlement of Gobustan, about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of the centre of Baku. It was established in 1966, when the area was declared a national historical landmark of Azerbaijan in an attempt to preserve the ancient carvings, mud volcanoes and musical stones in the region.

It State Reserve is very rich in archeological monuments. It Rock Art Cultural Landscape within the reserve, which covers an area of 537 ha, has more than 6,000 rock carvings, which depict people, animals, battle-pieces, ritual dances, bullfights, boats with armed oarsmen, warriors with lances in their hands, camel caravans, pictures of sun and stars, on the average dating back to 5,000-20,000 years.

It State Historical and Cultural Reserve acquired national status in 2006, and It Rock Art Cultural Landscape was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007.As of 2011, the Petroglyph Museum functions in the reserve.