Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

 

Azerbaijan
Once a key stop on the Silk Route, Azerbaijan is a country of paradoxes. Modernity and medievalism exist side by side. Grinding poverty mingles with wealth due to the oil boom. Modern buildings have come to occupy the space alongside with 10th century mosques. A non-entity in not so long past, the country has recently emerged as a pivotal power thanks to the ability of late president Heydar Aliyev. The country’s provision of intelligence and airspace to US forces after the September 2001 attacks has increased its standing in the comity of nations.

Over the centuries, Azerbaijan came under the rule of various regional empires. Islam was established in the country by the Arabs in the seventh century In the 11th century witnessed the establishment of a Turkish dialect as the main language of the country. Azerbaijan was one of the Soviet republics for forty years.

Bounded by Russian Federation, Georgia and Iran, Azerbaijan is divided by the Republic of Armenia into a smaller western part in the Lesser Caucasus and a larger eastern part, extending from the Greater Caucasus to the Mugan, Mili and Shirvan Steppes and bordered by the Caspian Sea in the east. The highest peaks of Azerbaijan are Mount Bazar-Dyuzi (4114m/13,497ft) and Sag-Dag (3886m/12,749ft).

Travel Overview
Azerbaijan is enriched by history. Wonderful architectures and traditions have played an important role in shaping the nation with a vibrant cultural and artistic heritage. Medieval castles including those at Ramana, Nardaran and Mardakan, fire temples such as Atesgah Fire Temple, and gorgeous palaces are scattered all over the country. Its capital Baku boasts the Synyk Kalah Minaret dating from 1093. The Shirvanshah’s Palace and other fortresses are examples of marvelous architecture from the 13th to 15th centuries. Icheri Sheker retains the medieval charm and is famous for Maiden Tower dating back to the 12th century.

The rock paintings in the caves of Gobustan date back to some 10,000 years. Sheki in the Caucasus lays its claim to be one of the oldest settlements, dating back 2500 years.
Capital: Baku
Location: Southwestern Asia
Climate: dry, semiarid steppe
Total Area: 86,600 sq km
Total Population: 8,120,247
Population Growth Rate: 0.688%
Sex Ratio: 0.968 male(s)/female
Literacy: 98.8%
Ethnic Groups: Azeri, Dagestani, Russian, Armenian,
Irrigated land: 14,550 sq km
Languages: Azerbaijani, Lezgi, Russian, Armenian
Time Zone: UTC+4
Currency: Azerbaijani manat (AZM)
Neighbouring countries: Armenia, Georgia, Iran , Russia , Turkey
Type of govt.: republic
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Artur Rasizade
Major Political Parties: Azadliq coalition, Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF, Civic Solidarity Party or CSP, Civic Union Party , Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA, DPA, Justice Party

Participation in International Organizations: AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Major Agricultural Products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Natural Resources & Minerals: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite

Industry & Transport: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Airports: 36
Railways: 2,957 km
Roadways:
59,141 km

Major Trade Partners: Italy , France , Russia , Turkey , Turkmenistan , Georgia , Israel, Croatia , Russia , UK, Singapore, Turkey, Germany, Ukraine
Exports: $12.51 billion
Imports: $5.176 billion