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Azerbaijan facts!

How much do you know about this fascinating country….

Get ready to feel the heat with our fascinating facts about Azerbaijan , the Land of Fire !

Azerbaijan facts

OFFICIAL NAME : Republic of Azerbaijan FORM OF GOVERNMENT : Republic CAPITAL : Baku POPULATION : 9,780,780 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES : Azerbaijani MONEY : Azerbaijani manats AREA : 86,600 square kilometres

Flag of Azerbaijan

Map of azerbaijan, azerbaijan: geography and nature.

Located in Asia, Azerbaijan is bordered by four countries – Russia , Georgia , Armenia and Iran. The east of the country is bordered by the Caspian Sea . Swans, flamingos and pelicans all flock to this region. Much of the north and west is covered by the Caucasus Mountains , where roe deer, brown bears and lynx thrive.

In parts of Azerbaijan, including just outside the capital city of Baku , the land is dotted with oil and gas reserves. These are areas where oil and gas can be extracted from the earth and used as fuel. Volcanoes have formed above some of the reserves. But instead of spewing lava, the volcanoes erupt with a muddy mix of water, sand, gas and sometimes oil.

Azerbaijan, the land of fire!

One of Azerbaijan’s most famous sites is Yanar Dağ  (or “ Burning Mountain “), a natural glowing fire burning on a hillside along the Caspian Sea. True to its name, the mountain has been blazing for at least 65 years! Natural gases seeping through the ground underneath continuously feed the flames, so the fire never goes out. Whilst no one knows for sure where Azerbaijan gets its name from, it’s only fitting that Yanar Dağ sits in a country also known as “ The Land of Fire “.

Azerbaijani culture and traditions

Azerbaijan is home to around ten million people today. About half of the population lives in bustling urban areas, such as Baku.

Some of the country’s inhabitants continue to create traditional crafts, which are famous worldwide for their unique beauty. For instance, a group of people called the Talysh make handmade carpets just as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. And traditional music played on a stringed instrument called a kobuz is still popular. Like the Yanar Dağ fire, these time-honored customs aren’t going away anytime soon. Yay!

Credits Words adapted from By Angela Modany, NGS Staff. Azerbaijani flag: Steve Allen, Dreamstime. Azerbaijan buildings: Andrey Shevchenko, Dreamstime. Azerbaijain city: Elnur, Dreamstime. Azerbaijan countryside: Bazruh, Dreamstime. Azerbaijan fire: Johannamai, Dreamstim. Azerbaijan map: National Geographic Maps. Azerbaijan mud: Pkrysa, Dreamstime.

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This was so cool to look at!!

Yanar Daq, blazing at least 3000 years. First temple of fire worshipers. Such a shame. Check information before publishing it! Didn’t expect it from NG!

Azerbaijan borders 5 countries, Turkey is the 5th. Border length is only 11 km.

Karabagh is Azerbaijan’s national land for hundred of years. I just ask you fix the Azerbaijan map and add Karabagh region to our map

Azerbaijan map is wrong. Please revise it

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Located in Asia, Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea on the east.

A fire glows on a hillside along the Caspian Sea, leaving scorch marks on the rocks. But unlike a campfire or wildfire, this one won’t burn out. The feature is known as Yanar Dağ and it’s been blazing for at least 65 years. Natural gases seeping through the ground underneath continuously feed the flames. It’s only fitting that the site sits in a country named Azerbaijan, which is known as “The Land of Fire.”

Located in Asia, Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea on the east. Swans, flamingos, and pelicans all flock to this region. Much of the north and west are covered by the Caucasus Mountains, where roe deer, brown bears , and lynx thrive.

In parts of Azerbaijan, including just outside the capital city of Baku, the land is dotted with oil and gas reserves. These are areas where oil and gas can be extracted from the earth and used as fuel. Volcanoes have formed above some of the reserves. But instead of spewing lava, the volcanoes erupt with a muddy mix of water, sand, gas, and sometimes oil.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Azerbaijan is home to around ten million people today. About half of the population lives in bustling urban areas such as Baku.

Some of the country’s inhabitants continue to create traditional crafts. For instance, a group of people called the Talysh make handmade carpets just as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. And traditional music from a stringed instrument called a kobuz is still popular. Like the Yanar Dağ fire, these time-honored customs aren’t going away anytime soon.

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• Countries and Their Cultures
• Culture of Azerbaijan

Culture Name

Azerbaijani, Azeri

Alternative Names

Azerbaijani Turkish, Azeri Turkish. The country name also is written Azerbaidzhan, Azerbaydzhan, Adharbadjan, and Azarbaydjan in older sources as a transliteration from Russian. Under the Russian Empire, Azerbaijanis were known collectively as Tatars and/or Muslims, together with the rest of the Turkic population in that area.

Orientation

Identification. Two theories are cited for the etymology of the name "Azerbaijan": First, "land of fire" ( azer , meaning "fire," refers to the natural burning of surface oil deposits or to the oil-fueled fires in temples of the Zoroastrian religion); second, Atropaten is an ancient name of the region (Atropat was a governor of Alexander the Great in the fourth century B.C. ). The place name has been used to denote the inhabitants since the late 1930s, during the Soviet period. The northern part of historical Azerbaijan was part of the former Soviet Union until 1991, while the southern part is in Iran. The two Azerbaijans developed under the influence of different political systems, cultures, and languages, but relations are being reestablished.

Location and Geography. The Azerbaijan Republic covers an area of 33,891 square miles (86,600 square kilometers). It includes the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is inhabited mostly by Armenians, and the noncontiguous Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is separated from Azerbaijan by Armenian territory. Nakhchivan borders on Iran and Turkey to the south and southwest. Azerbaijan is on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. To the north it borders the Russian Federation, in the northwest Georgia, in the west Armenia, and in the south Iran. Half the country is covered by mountains. Eight large rivers flow down from the Caucasus ranges into the Kura-Araz lowland. The climate is dry and semiarid in the steppes in the middle and eastern parts, subtropical in the southeast, cold in the high mountains in the north, and temperate on the Caspian coast. The capital, Baku, is on the Apsheron peninsula on the Caspian and has the largest port.

Demography. The population of the Azerbaijan Republic has been estimated to be 7,855,576 (July 1998). According to the 1989 census, Azeris accounted for 82.7 percent of the population, but that number has increased to roughly 90 percent as a result of a high birthrate and the emigration of non-Azeris. The Azerbaijani population of Nagorno-Karabakh and a large number of Azeris (an estimated 200,000) who had been living in Armenia were driven to Azerbaijan in the late 1980s and early 1990s. There are about one million refugees and displaced persons altogether. It is believed that around thirteen million Azeris live in Iran. In 1989, Russians and Armenians each made up 5.6 percent of the population. However, because of anti-Armenian pogroms in Baku in 1990 and Sumgait in 1988, most Armenians left, and their population (2.3 percent) is now concentrated in Nagorno-Karabakh. Russians, who currently make up of 2.5 percent of the population, began to leave for Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The number of Jews decreased as they left for Russia, Israel, and the United States in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Numerous ethnic groups (up to ninety) of the former Soviet Union are represented in small numbers (Ukrainians, Kurds, Belorussians, Tatars). Other groups with a long history of settlement in Azerbaijan include the Persian-speaking Talysh and the Georgian-speaking Udins. Peoples of Daghestan such as the Lezghis and Avars make up 3.2 percent of the population, with most of them living in the north. Fifty-three percent of the population is urban.

Linguistic Affiliation. Azeri (also referred to as Azeri Turkish) or Azerbaijani is a Turkic language in the Altaic family; it belongs to the southwestern Oguz group, together with Anatolian Turkish, Turkmen, and Gagauz. Speakers of these languages can understand each other to varying degrees, depending on the complexity of the sentences and the number of loan words from other languages. Russian loan words have entered Azeri since the nineteenth century, especially technical terms. Several Azeri dialects (e.g., Baku, Shusha, Lenkaran) are entirely mutually comprehensible. Until 1926, Azeri was written in Arabic script, which then was replaced by the Latin alphabet and in 1939 by Cyrillic. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and other Turkic-speaking former Soviet republics reintroduced the Latin alphabet. However, the main body of modern Azeri literature and educational material is still in Cyrillic, and the transition to the Latin alphabet is a time-consuming and expensive process. The generations that learned Russian and read Azeri in Cyrillic still feel more comfortable with Cyrillic. During the Soviet period, linguistic Russification was intensive: although people referred to Azeri as their native tongue, the language many people in the cities mastered was Russian. There were both Azeri and Russian schools, and pupils were supposed to learn both languages. Those who went to Russian schools were able to use Azeri in daily encounters but had difficulty expressing themselves in other areas. Russian functioned as the lingua franca of different ethnic groups, and with the exception of rural populations such as the Talysh, others spoke very little Azeri. Roughly thirteen languages are spoken in Azerbaijan, some of which are not written and are used only in everyday family communication. Azeri is the official language and is used in all spheres of public life.

Symbolism. Azerbaijan had a twenty-three-month history of statehood (1918–1920) before the institution of Soviet rule. The new nation-state's symbols after the dissolution of the Soviet Union were heavily influenced by that period. The flag of the earlier republic was adopted as the flag of the new republic. The flag has wide horizontal stripes in blue, red, and green. There is a white crescent and an eight-pointed star in the middle of the red stripe. The national anthem forcefully portrays the country as a land of heroes ready to defend their country with their blood. The sentiments associated with music in Azerbaijan are very strong. Azeris regard themselves as a highly musical nation, and this is reflected in both folk and Western musical traditions.

To show pride in country, Azeris first refer to its natural resources. Oil is at the top of the list, and the nine climatic zones with the vegetables and fruits that grew in them also are mentioned. The rich carpet-weaving tradition is a source of pride which is used to highlight the artistic sensibilities of carpet weavers (most of the time women) and their ability to combine various forms and symbols with natural colors. Hospitality is valued as a national characteristic, as it is in other Caucasus nations. Guests are offered food and shelter at the expense of the host's needs, and this is presented as a typical Azeri characteristic. The use of house metaphors was widespread at the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Armenians were regarded as guests who wanted to take possession of one of the rooms in the host's house. Ideas of territorial integrity and the ownership of territory are very strong. Soil—which in Azeri can refer to soil, territory, and country—is an important symbol. Martyrdom, which has a high value in the Shia Muslim tradition, has come to be associated with martyrdom for the Azeri soil and nation. The tragedy of the events of January 1990, when Russian troops killed nearly two hundred civilians, and grief for those who died in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have reinforced the ritual activity attached to martyrdom.

Azeri women and their characteristics are among the first ethnic markers (attributed characteristics) that differentiate Azeris as a nation. Their moral values, domestic abilities, and role as mothers are pointed out in many contexts, especially in contrast to Russians.

The recent history of conflict and war, and thus the suffering evoked by those events in the form of deaths, the misery of displaced persons, and orphaned children, has reinforced the idea of the Azeri nation as a collective entity.

History and Ethnic Relations

Emergence of the Nation. Azerbaijan was inhabited and invaded by different peoples throughout its history and at different times came under Christian, pre-Islamic, Islamic, Persian, Turkish, and Russian influence. In official presentations, the Christian kingdom of Caucasian Albania (which is not related to Albania in the Balkans) and the state of Atropatena are regarded as the beginnings of the formation of Azerbaijani nationality. As a result of Arab invasions, the eighth and ninth centuries are seen as marking the start of Islamization. The invasions of the Seljuk Turkish dynasty introduced the Turkish language and customs. From the thirteenth century onward, it is possible to find examples of literature and architecture that today are considered important parts of the national heritage. The local dynasty of Shirvan shahs (sixth to sixteenth centuries) left a concretely visible mark in Azeri history in the form of their palace in Baku. Until the eighteenth century, Azerbaijan was controlled by neighboring powers and was invaded repeatedly. In the nineteenth century, Iran, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia took an interest in Azerbaijan. Russia invaded Azerbaijan, and with the 1828 treaty borders (almost identical to the current borders), the country was divided between Iran and Russia. The rich oil fields in Baku that were opened in the midnineteenth century attracted Russians, Armenians, and a few westerners, such as the Nobel brothers. The vast majority of the oil companies were in Armenian hands, and many Azeri rural inhabitants who came to the city as workers joined the socialist movement. Despite international solidarity between the workers during strikes (1903–1914), tension existed between Armenian and Azeri laborers, with the Azeris being less skilled and thus worse paid. This discontent exploded in bloody ethnic conflicts in the period 1905–1918. The fall of the Russian monarchy and the revolutionary atmosphere fed the development of national movements. On 28 May 1918, the Independent Azerbaijan Republic was established. The Red Army subsequently invaded Baku, and in 1922 Azerbaijan became part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In November 1991, Azerbaijan regained its independence; it adopted its first constitution in November 1995.

National Identity. In the early twentieth century, secular Azeri intellectuals tried to create a national community through political action, education, and their writings. Ideas of populism, Turkism, and democracy were prevalent in that period. As a reaction to the colonial regime and exploitation that was expressed in ethnic terms, the formation of Azeri national identity had elements of both Islamic and non-Islamic traditions as well as European ideas such as liberalism and nationalism. The idea of an Azeri nation also was cultivated during the Soviet period. The written cultural inheritance and the various historical figures in the arts and politics reinforced claims to independent nationhood at the end of the Soviet regime. During the decline of the Soviet Union, nationalist sentiment against Soviet rule was coupled with the anti-Armenian feelings that became the main driving force of the popular movements of national reconstruction.

Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space

There are various dwellings in different regions. Traditionally, people in towns lived in quarters ( mahallas ) that developed along ethnic lines. Modern Azerbaijan adopted the Soviet style of architecture; however, Baku retains a Maiden Tower and an old town criscrossed with narrow streets as well as examples of a mixture of European styles in buildings that date back to the beginning of the twentieth century. These edifices usually were built with funds from the oil industry.

Soviet-era governmental buildings are large and solid with no ornamentation. Residential complexes built in that period usually are referred to as "matchbox architecture" because of their plain and anonymous character. Public space in bazaars and shops is crowded, and people stand close to each other in lines.

Food and Economy

Food in Daily Life. There are regional differences in the selection and preparation of food resulting from the availability of agricultural products and membership in different ethnic groups. A mixture of meat and vegetables and various types of white bread constitute the main foods. In rural areas, there is a tradition of baking flat white bread ( churek , lavash , tandyr ). Kufte bozbash (meat and potatoes in a thin sauce) is a popular dish. Filled pepper and grape leaves and soups also are part of daily meals. Different types of green herbs, including coriander, parsley, dill, and spring onions, are served during meals both as a garnish and as salad. Pork is not popular because of Islamic dietary rules, but it was consumed in sausages during the Soviet period. The soup borsch and other Russian dishes are also part of the cuisine. Restaurants offer many varieties of kebabs and, in Baku, an increasingly international cuisine. Some restaurants in the historic buildings of Baku have small rooms for family and private groups.

Basic Economy. Azerbaijan has a rich agricultural and industrial potential as well as extensive oil reserves. However, the economy is heavily dependent on foreign trade. The late 1980s and 1990s saw intensive trade with Russia and other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Turkey and Iran have begun to be important trade partners. About one-third of the population is employed in agriculture (producing half the population's food requirements); however, with 70 percent of agricultural land dependent on poorly developed irrigation systems and as a result of delays in the privatization process, agriculture is still inefficient and is not a major contributor to the economy. People in rural areas grew fruits and vegetables in small private gardens for subsistence and sale during the Soviet period. The major agricultural crops are cotton, tobacco, grapes, sunflowers, tea, pomegranates, and citrus fruits; vegetables, olives, wheat, barley, and rice also are produced. Cattle, goats, and sheep are the major sources of meat and dairy products. Fish, especially sturgeon and black caviar, are produced in the Black Sea region, but severe pollution has weakened this sector.

Land Tenure and Property. In the Soviet period, there was no private land as a result of the presence of state-owned collective farms. As part of the general transition to a market economy, privatization laws for land have been introduced. Houses and apartments also are passing into private ownership.

Commercial Activities. There is a strong carpet-weaving tradition in addition to the traditional manufacturing of jewelry, copper products, and silk. Other major goods for sale include electric motors, cabling, household air conditioners, and refrigerators.

Major Industries. Petroleum and natural gas, petrochemicals (e.g., rubber and tires), chemicals (e.g., sulfuric acid, and caustic soda), oil refining, ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy, building materials, and electrotechnical equipment are the heavy industries that make the greatest contribution to the gross national product. Light industry is dominated by the production of synthetic and natural textiles, food processing (butter, cheese, canning, wine making), silk production, leather, furniture, and wool cleaning.

Trade. Other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Western European countries, Turkey, and Iran are both export and import partners. Oil, gas, chemicals, oil field equipment, textiles, and cotton are the major exports, while machinery, consumer goods, foodstuffs, and textiles are the major imports.

Social Stratification

Symbols of Social Stratification. As in the socialist era, Western dress and urban manners usually have a higher status than does the rural style. During the Soviet period, those who spoke Russian with an Azeri accent were looked down on, since this usually implied being from a rural area or having gone to an Azeri school. By contrast, today the ability to speak "literary" Azeri carries a high value, since it points to a learned family that has not lost its Azeri identity.

Political Life

Government. According to the constitution, Azerbaijan is a democratic, secular unitary republic. Legislative power is implemented by the parliament, Milli Mejlis (National Assembly; 125 deputies are directly elected under a majority and proportional electoral system for a term of five years, most recently 1995–2000). Executive power is vested in a president who is elected by direct popular vote for five years. The current president Heydar Aliyev's term will end in October 2003. The Cabinet of Ministers is headed by the prime minister. Administratively, the republic is divided into sixty-five regions, and there are eleven cities.

Leadership and Political Officials. Since the late 1980s, the attainment of leadership positions has been strongly influenced by social upheaval and opposition to the existing system and its leaders. However, the network based on kin and regional background plays an important role in establishing political alliances. The system of creating mutual benefits through solidarity with persons with common interests persists.

Social Problems and Control. According to the constitution, the judiciary exercises power with complete independence. Citizens' rights are guaranteed by the constitution. However, as a result of the uncertainties of the current transitional period, the legacy of the Soviet judicial system, and the authoritative measures taken by power holders, the implementation of legal rules is in practice a source of tension. This means that state organs can break the law by committing actions such as election fraud, censorship, and the detention of protesters. Given the prevalence of white-collar crime affecting investments, savings funds, and financial institutions, the large number of refugees and displaced persons with limited resources has resulted in various illegal business dealings. For example, recent years have seen considerable drug trafficking to Russia and the smuggling of various goods and materials. Despite improvements, people have little faith that they will receive a fair trial or honest treatment unless they belong to the right circles. The ideas of shame and honor are used in evaluating and hence controlling people's actions. Family and community opinion impose limitations on actions, but this also leads to clandestine dealings.

Military Activity. Azerbaijan has an army, navy, and air force. Defense expenditures for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict placed a sizable burden on the national budget. The official figures for defense spending were around $132 million in 1994.

Social Welfare and Change Programs

There are laws providing for social security for the disabled, pensions, a guaranteed minimum wage, compensation for low-income families with children, grants for students, and benefits for war veterans and disabled persons (e.g. reduced fares on public transport etc.). However, the level of social benefits is very low. National and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are involved in aid work for displaced persons, especially children.

Nongovernmental Organizations and Other Associations

Most NGOs concentrate on charity, mainly for displaced persons and refugees and focus on human rights, minority issues, and women's problems (e.g., the Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan and the Association for the Defense of Rights of Azerbaijan Women). Depending on their specialties, these organizations collect information and try to collaborate with international organizations to support people financially, politically, and socially.

Gender Roles and Statuses

Division of Labor by Gender. Many women were employed outside the home as a result of Soviet policies, but they have traditionally played a secondary role in supporting the family economically. Men are considered the main breadwinners. There are no restrictions on women's participation in public life, and women are active in politics in the opposition and ruling parties. However, their number is limited. Rural women's participation in public life is less common.

The Relative Status of Women and Men. With few exceptions, socially and politically powerful women at the top levels have male supporters who help them maintain their positions. Although professional achievement is encouraged, women are most respected for their role as mothers. Women in rural areas usually control the organization of domestic and ritual life. There is a higher degree of segregation between female and male activities and between the social spaces where they gather.

Marriage, Family, and Kinship

Marriage. Even in rural areas, marriages increasingly are arranged in accordance with the partners' wishes. In some cases, girls in rural areas may not have the right to oppose a candidate chosen by their parents; it is also not unusual for parents to disapprove of the chosen partner. Marriages between Azeri girls and non-Muslim non-Azeris (Russians, Armenians) in the Soviet period were very rare, but Western non-Muslims apparently now have a different status. Men, by contrast, could marry Russians and Armenians more easily. Both men and women marry to have children and bring up a family, but economic security is another important concern for women. In addition to the civil marriage ceremony, some couples now go to a mosque to get married according to Islamic law.

Domestic Unit. The basic household unit is either a nuclear family or a combination of two generations in one household (patrilocal tendency). In urban areas, mainly as a result of economic difficulties, newlyweds live with the man's parents or, if necessary, the woman's parents. The head of the household is usually the oldest man in the family, although old women are influential in decision making. In rural areas, it is possible for an extended family to live in one compound or house shared by the sons' families and their parents. Women engage in food preparation, child rearing, carpet weaving, and other tasks within the compound, while men take care of the animals and do the physically demanding tasks.

Inheritance. Inheritance is regulated by law; children inherit equally from their parents, although males may inherit the family house if they live with their parents. They then may make arrangements to give some compensation to their sisters.

Kin Groups. Relatives may live nearby in rural areas, but they usually are dispersed in cities. On special occasions such as weddings and funerals, close and distant relatives gather to help with the preparations. It is common for relatives in rural areas to support those in urban areas with agricultural and dairy products, while people in the cities support their rural relatives with goods from the city and by giving them accommodation when they are in city as well as helping them in matters involving the bureaucracy, health care, and children's education.

Socialization

Infant Care. Infant care differs according to location. In rural areas, infants are placed in cradles or beds. They may be carried by the mother or other female family members. In cities, they usually are placed in small beds and are watched by the mother. Parents interact with babies while attending to their daily chores and prefer to keep babies calm and quiet.

Child Rearing and Education. The criteria for judging a child's behavior are gender-dependent. Although children of all ages are expected to be obedient to their parents and older people in general, boys' misbehavior is more likely to be tolerated. Girls are encouraged to help their mothers, stay calm, and have good manners. It is not unusual for genetic makeup and thus a resemblance to the behavior patterns and talents of their parents and close family members to be used to explain children's negative and positive qualities.

Higher Education. Higher education has been important for Azeris both in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. Having higher education makes both boys and girls more attractive as prospective marriage partners. Parents go to great lengths to pay fees for higher education or other informally determined costs associated with admission to schools.

Issues relating to sex and the body usually are not talked about openly in public. Depending on the age of the speaker, some men may refrain from using words such as "pregnant"; if they must use them, they apologize. It is not considered proper for adults to openly mention going to the bathroom; in private homes, people of the same age and gender or children can be asked for directions to the toilet. Women seldom smoke in public or at parties or other gatherings, and an Azeri woman smoking on the street would be looked down on. To show respect for the elderly, it is important not to smoke in front of older people of both genders. Young men and women are circumspect in the way they behave in front of older people. Bodily contact between the same sexes is usual as a part of interaction while talking or in the form of walking arm in arm. Men usually greet each other by shaking hands and also by hugging if they have not seen each other for a while. Depending on the occasion and the degree of closeness, men and women may greet one another by shaking hands or only with words and a nod of the head. In urban settings, it is not unusual for a man to kiss a woman's hand as a sign of reverence. The awareness of space is greater between the sexes; men and women prefer not to stand close to each other in lines or crowded places. However, all these trends depend on age, education, and family background. Activities such as drinking more than a symbolic amount, smoking, and being in male company are associated more with Russian women than with Azeris. Azeri women would be criticized more harshly, since it is accepted that Russians have different values.

Religious Beliefs. Among the total population, 93.4 percent is Muslim (70 percent Shia and 30 percent Sunni). Christians (Russian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolics) make up the second largest group. Other groups exist in small numbers, such as Molokans, Baha'is, and Krishnas. Until recently, Islam was predominantly a cultural system with little organized activity. Funerals were the most persistent religious ritual during the socialist era.

Religious Practitioners. In 1980, the sheikhul-Islam (head of the Muslim board) was appointed. Mullahs were not very active during the Soviet period, since the role of religion and mosques was limited. Even today, mosques are most important for the performance of funeral services. Some female practitioners read passages from the Koran in women's company on those occasions.

Rituals and Holy Places. Ramadan, Ramadan Bayram, and Gurban Bayram (the Feast of Sacrifice) are not widely observed, especially in urban areas. Muharram is the period when there are restrictions on celebrations. Ashure is the day when the killing of the first Shia imam, Huseyin, who is regarded as a martyr, is commemorated by men and boys beating their backs with chains while the people watching them, including women, beat their chests with their fists. This ritual was not introduced until the early 1990s, and it attracts an increasing number of people. People go to the mosque to pray and light candles and also visit the tombs of pir (holy men) to make a wish.

Death and the Afterlife. Although people increasingly follow Islamic tradition, owing to the lack of organized religious education, people's beliefs about the afterlife are not clearly defined. The idea of paradise and hell is prominent, and martyrs are believed to go to heaven. After a death, the first and subsequent four Thursdays as well as the third, seventh, and fortieth days and the one year anniversary are commemorated. When there is too little space, a tent is put up in front of people's homes for the guests. Men and women usually sit in separate rooms, food and tea are served, and the Koran is read.

Medicine and Health Care

Western medicine is very widely used, along with herbal remedies, and people visit psychics ( ekstrasenses ) and healers. The sick may be taken to visit pir to help them recover.

Secular Celebrations

The new year's holiday is celebrated on 1 January, 20 January commemorates the victims killed by Soviet troops in Baku in 1990, 8 March is International Women's Day, and 21–22 March is Novruz (the new year), an old Persian holiday celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox. Novruz is the most distinctive Azeri holiday, accompanied by extensive cleaning and cooking in homes. Most households grow semeni (green wheat seedlings), and children jump over small bonfires; celebrations also are held in public spaces. Other holidays are 9 May, Victory Day (inherited from the Soviet period); 28 May, Day of the Republic; 9 October, Armed Forces Day; 18 October, State Sovereignty Day; 12 November, Constitution Day; 17 November, Day of Renaissance; and 31 December, Day of Solidarity of World Azeris.

The Arts and Humanities

Support for the Arts. State funds during the socialist era provided workshops for painters and other artists. Such funds are now limited, but national and international sponsors encourage artistic activity.

Literature. The book of Dede Korkut and the Zoroastrian Avesta (which date back to earlier centuries but were written down in the fifteenth century) as well as the Köroglu dastan are among the oldest examples of oral literature (dastans are recitations of historical events in a highly ornamented language). Works by poets such as Shirvani, Gancavi, Nasimi, Shah Ismail Savafi, and Fuzuli produced between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries are the most important Persian- and Turkish-language writings. The philosopher and playwriter Mirza Fath Ali Akhunzade (Akhundov), the historical novelist Husein Javid, and the satirist M. A. Sabir all produced works in Azeri in the nineteenth century. Major figures in the twentieth century included Elchin, Yusif Samedoglu, and Anar, and some novelists also wrote in Russian.

Graphic Arts. The tradition of painted miniatures was important in the nineteenth century, while the twentieth century was marked by examples of Soviet social realism and Azeri folklore. Among the widely recognized painters, Sattar Bakhulzade worked mainly with landscapes in a manner reminiscent of "Van Gogh in blue." Tahir Salakhov painted in Western and Soviet styles, and Togrul Narimanbekov made use of figures from traditional Azeri folk tales depicted in very rich colors. Rasim Babayev cultivated his own style of "primitivism" with hidden allegories on the Soviet regime (bright saturated colors, an absence of perspective, and numerous nonhuman characters inspired by folktales and legends).

The State of the Physical and Social Sciences

Universities and institutions of higher education from the Soviet era have been joined by new private universities. The Academy of Sciences has traditionally been the site of basic research in many fields. Social sciences were developed within the Soviet framework, although the directions of study are changing slowly with international involvement. Financial difficulties mean that all research is subject to constraints, but oil-related subjects are given a high priority. State funds are limited, and international funds are obtained by institutions and individual scientists.

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——. "Azerbaijanis." In The Nationalist Question in the Soviet Union , edited by Graham Smith, 1990.

——. "Islam in Azerbaijan: The Position of Women." In Muslim Women's Choices , edited by Camilla Fawzi El-Sohl and Judy Marbro, 1994.

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—H ÜLYA D EMIRDIREK

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66 Amazing Facts about Azerbaijan

Last updated on March 7th, 2022

Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. It has an area of 86,600 square km. Its capital and largest city is Baku. Azerbaijani is the official language of the country. Manat (AZN) is its official currency . Its four land bordering countries are Georgia, Russia, Iran, and Armenia . The inhabitants or natives of this region are called Azerbaijani. With these 66 facts about Azerbaijan, let’s discover more about its history, culture, traditions, geography, economy, people and more.

About Azerbaijan’s history

1. Azerbaijan is the first democratic state in the Islam-oriented countries. It is also the first Muslim country to have theater plays and operas.

2. Azerbaijan is an ancient country with rich history and culture.

3. Azer means “fire”. The people living in Azerbaijan before thousands of years from today worshiped the fire as they considered it as their god. The word ‘Azer’ has two parts – ‘az’ and ‘er’.

4.  Azerbaijan is also known as “the Land of Fire”.

5. Azerbaijan– the name of the country –is also considered to have originated from the name of an ancient Turkish tribe, who lived in those territories.

Flag of Azerbaijan

6. Azerbaijan briefly became independent between 1918 and 1920; however, it was once again incorporated into the Soviet Union for the next seventy years.

7. Before the establishment of Soviet power in Azerbaijan, there were 2,000 mosques in the country. However, most of these mosques were closed in the 1930s.

8. Corruption is widespread in the country and is one of its major problems.

9. The government is also accused of authoritarianism as it amended the presidential term limit from 5 years to 7 years in 2016.

10. The country got hold of its independence on August 30th, 1991.

Also read:  facts about Iran

11. The country has a majority-Turkic and majority-Shia Muslim population.

12. Humans have inhabited Azerbaijan since the Paleolithic age (also called Old Stone Age, ancient cultural stage, or level, of human development, characterized by the use of rudimentary chipped stone tools – definition by Encyclopedia Britannica .)

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia

13. Nagorno-Karabakh (a territory inside Azerbaijan, but consists mainly of ethnic Armenian) is a landlocked region , which became a reason for conflict (territorial and ethnic) between Azerbaijan and the neighboring Armenia.

14. During the war which started in 1991 after the declaration of independence by Nagorno-Karabakh (a self-declared autonomous region), an estimated 30,000 people were killed and a million left their home.

15. At the end of the war, Ethnic Armenian militia gained control of the region.

16. A ceasefire was signed in 1994. However, the tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan mounted once again in 2014 for a short while.

17. Notable people: The country has produced many scientists ( Kerim Kerimov, Seyid Yahya Bakuvi), musicians, thinkers, poets, philosophers (Adil Asadov, Zumrud Gulu-zade), thinkers and architects.

18. Azerbaijan vs rest of the world: Azerbaijan stands on the 113th spot on the list of the world countries by area. Also, in the area, Australia is 89 times, and Guatemala (a Central American country) is 1.25 times larger than Azerbaijan.

19. In population: Azerbaijan is on the 92nd spot among the list of the countries with the highest population. China ‘s population is 139 times that of Azerbaijan (2016 statistics).

20. Check and mate: Azerbaijan is the home of two of the world class chess players – Garry Kasparov and Teymur Rajabov. Garry was born in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku and was undisputed world champion between 1985 and 1993.

Geographical facts

21. Agricultural region:  The Kura River Valley in Azerbaijan is its major agricultural zone.

22. Mountains vs plains:  Mountains cover 60% area of the country and the remaining is covered by plains and lowlands.

23. Highest point:  Bazarduzu ( Parent range:  Greater Caucasus ) is the highest peak of the country at 4466 meters.

24. Location:  Azerbaijan is located at the intersection of the temperate and subtropical climate zones.

25. Also known as:  Azerbaijan is also called as “the museum of mineral waters.” Istisu (hot water spring), Sirab, and Badamly are famed mineral waters. The country has more than 1000 unlimited mineral water resources.

You may like:  facts about Turkey

26. A land of many rivers:  Azerbaijan also has an abundance of small and large rivers accounting to more than 8400 in total. However, only 24 of these rivers are more than 100 kilometers long.

27. Country’s largest port:  Baku, with an estimated population of 3 million, is the largest port on the Caspian Sea. Baku is expected to be 5,500 years old.

28. Baku is also interpreted as “windy city” or “city on a hill”.

29. Offshore oil:  Baku is also home to the world’s first offshore oil platform – Oil Rocks.

30. Relation with other countries:  Azerbaijan maintains diplomatic relations with 158 countries. And it is also a member of the United Nations, IMF, and NATO.

Azerbaijan on the map

31. Education:  The first university in the East also lies in Baku, Azerbaijan.

32. Being a guest in Azerbaijan:  Hospitality in Azerbaijan is not just important but a valuable characteristic of the national culture. Food and shelter will be offered to the guest even at the expense of the host’s needs.

33. Cotton and silk from Azerbaijan are known all over the world since ages.

34. Country’s width and length:  Azerbaijan is 400 kilometers from north to south and 500 kilometers from east to west.

35. The longest river:  The longest river is Kura measuring 1,515 kilometers in length.

36. Extreme temperatures:  At its extreme, temperatures in Azerbaijan can reach a maximum of 46 °C, and in winters can get harsh at -33 °C. These temperatures were observed in Julfa and Ordubad.

37. Most important drink of the nation:  Tea takes a special place in Azerbaijan’s customs and traditions. It is a part of almost all social occasions and is served in countless trimmings. Jam, mint, rosewater, lemon are often used to give that extra rich flavor to the tea.

38. National Animal:  The horse is the national animal of Azerbaijan, and the Karabakh horse (rare and beautiful) is especially known for its agility, endurance, and intelligence.

39. Crude oil:  As of 2016, Azerbaijan produced a whopping 842,000 barrels of crude oil per day. With 10,250,000 barrels of crude oil produced in 2015, Russia tops the list of the nations producing the highest number of barrels of crude oil per day. The United States is at the number three spot. See the full list here.

40. According to a source , Azerbaijan exported wine worth $3.5 million in 2016.

41. Euro and Manat:  Azerbaijan’s national currency (Manat) resembles the Euro in color, font, and size.

42. Celebrations time: Novruz (March 20-24) is the oldest national holiday of Azerbaijan. It is also celebrated in 11 other countries including – Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan , Kazakhstan, Albania , Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan , Georgia and Autonomous region of Kurdistan.

43. Shia and Sunni Muslims:  The Republic of Azerbaijan has the second highest percentage of Shia Muslim population (Shia – 85%, Sunni – 15%) in the world after Iran.

44. Azerbaijan  has two cultural UNESCO World Heritage sites –  Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape  (2007) and  Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower  (2000).

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25 interesting facts about Azerbaijan

The most interesting facts about Azerbaijan, from unique geographical features to the origins of the Vikings?

Official name: Republic of Azerbaijan Population: 10.2 million Area: 86,600 sq km Capital city: Baku Major languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri), Russian, Armenian Major religions: Islam (predominantly Shia) Time zone: UTC+4 (Azerbaijan Time) – Source: CIA World Fact Book

Interesting facts about Azerbaijan

1. Azerbaijan is a landlocked country in Southwestern Asia bordering Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey. – Source: CIA World Fact Book

2. Even though Azerbaijan is landlocked, and doesn’t have access to the open sea, it does have a 713km (443mi) coast along the Caspian Sea – the world’s largest inland body of water. – Source: CIA World Fact Book , Britannica

3. Azerbaijan is also home to the world’s largest landlocked exclave, the autonomous republic of Nakhchivan. Severed from Azerbaijan by an 80-130km (50-80 mi) strip of Armenia, Nakhchivan borders Armenia, Iran and Turkey. – Source: BBC Travel

4. Azerbaijan is sometimes considered a  transcontinental  country as some of its northern districts are deemed to geographically be in Europe . – Source: CIA World Fact Book

5. As such, Azerbaijan hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 and the Baku European Games in 2015. – Source: BBC News

6. Azerbaijan’s flag is horizontally striped light blue, red and green with a crescent and star in its centre. Blue represents the Turkic-speaking people of the region, green represents Islam and red represents Europe. The crescent is also an Islamic symbol while the eight-pointed star symbolises the different Turkic-speaking groups of people in the country. – Source: Wanderlust (2021) Flags, Capitals and Countries of the World: The Complete Handbook. Wanderlust Press: London

7. Azerbaijan was controlled by Russia from 1828 to 1991. It was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920 due to the Russian Revolution but was then invaded and absorbed into the USSR. It finally gained independence in 1991 following the collapse of the USSR. – Source: BBC News

8. In 1848-49, the world’s first oil well was drilled in Azerbaijan to the south of Baku. – Source: BBC News

9. Azerbaijan is known as “The Land of Fire” due to Yanar Dag (which means “burning mountainside”), an area where natural gas sometimes leaks to the surface causing several spontaneously occurring fires to break out. – Source: CNN

10. Archaeologists have found prehistoric tools and remains of early humans dating back 1.5 million years in Azokh Cave in western Azerbaijan. – Source: Fernández-Jalvo et al (2016) Introduction: Azokh Cave and the Transcaucasian Corridor, Azokh Cave and the Transcaucasian Corridor. Springer International Publishing: New York

11. The historic  Silk Road , the ancient trading route that connected China with Europe and the Middle East, ran through Azerbaijan. – Source:  UNESCO

12. The Azerbaijani city of Neft Daşları (meaning Oil Rocks) was built on stilts above the Caspian Sea and is the world’s oldest offshore oil platform. The city, located 55km (34mi) from the coast, was built by the Soviets in 1949 to drill for oil and is still in use today as a functioning town that includes hotels, hostels, a bakery, a power station and separate ‘islands’ connected by more than 200km (124mi) of trestle bridges, all supported on metal stilts. – Source: Guinness World Records

13. Azerbaijan is part of Transcaucasia, a small mountainous region to the south of the Caucasus Mountains. – Source:  Britannica

14. Chovqan, a traditional horse-riding game, is played in Azerbaijan. The game is interspersed with instrumental folk music called janghi . – Source: UNESCO

15. Azerbaijan is home to over 400 mud volcanoes – more than anywhere else in the world. Mud volcanoes are ‘geologically flatulent’ cone-like structures that belch out methane and a muddy mix of water and sometimes erupt with thick grey mud. – Source: CNN

16. The name of the capital city, Baku, comes from the Persian name “bad-kube” meaning “wind-pounded city” referring to the severe winds and snowstorms that can strike the city – Source: CIA World Fact Book

17. Azerbaijan has repeatedly clashed with Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The latest flare-up, in 2020, saw thousands of people killed before a peace deal was agreed upon. – Source:  BBC News

18. The UNESCO-listed Walled City of Baku in the capital features 12th-century defensive walls, the 12th-century Maiden Tower (Giz Galasy) as well as earlier structures dating from the 7th to 6th centuries BC. – Source: UNESCO

19. The UNESCO-listed Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is home to over 6,000 rock engravings dating back over 40,000 years. – Source: UNESCO

20. One of the most striking landmarks in Baku is the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. Designed like a stylised roll of carpet, the building houses an extensive collection of Azerbaijani carpets. – Source: Lonely Planet

21. Another interesting museum in Baku is the Museum of Miniature Books. The museum houses a collection of thousands of books that are so small readers require a magnifying glass to make out the print. The smallest of which is just 2mm x 2mm! – Source: Lonely Planet , Azerbaijan Tourism Board

22. There is a theory that suggests Vikings originated in Azerbaijan. The disputed theory stems from an 800-year-old Icelandic saga that mentions the Norse god Odin migrated to Scandinavia from an eastern land called “As-hov” or Aser” which has been interpreted as Azer-baijan. Local petroglyphs also depict ships similar to the longboats used by Vikings but it should be noted these pre-date Vikings. – Source: National Geographic

23. Azerbaijan is home to the last Soviet-style collective farm. The Caucasus village of Ivanovka is the last kolkhoz a practice of socialised agriculture that is operated on state-owned land by peasants from a number of households who belonged to the collective – Source: National Geographic

24. Azerbaijan is oil-rich. Its main exports are overwhelmingly oil and gas accounting for over 85% of its total exports. – Source: BBC News , Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC)

25. Azerbaijan has had one Nobel prize Winner. Lev Landau won the 1962 prize for physics when “he applied quantum theory to the movement of superfluid liquid helium.” – Source: Nobel Prize

We have verified these facts about Azerbaijan using primary sources . However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us .

Azerbaijan Country Presentation

Oct 09, 2014

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Azerbaijan Country Presentation. Basics. Establishment: 28 May 1918 Independence: 18 October 1991 Area : 86.6 thsd km2 Population: 9 . 48 million Official Language: Azerbaijani

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Presentation Transcript

Basics • Establishment: 28 May 1918 • Independence: 18 October 1991 • Area: 86.6 thsdkm2 • Population: 9.48 million • Official Language: Azerbaijani • Government system: Presidential Republic • Membership in: UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, Non-Aligned Movement, OIC • Highlights: • 1st democratic republic in the Islamic world • 1st Opera in the Islamic world • Women voting right in 1918 • (while in Italy - 1946; Switzerland - 1971; France – 1944) • Currency: Manat: 1 AZN = 1.27 USD • 1.01 EUR

Characteristics of economy ECONOMIC STABILITY FAVOURABLE BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT CLIMATE PRIVATE SECTOR CLEAR VISION FOR FUTURE

Economic stability: Macroeconomy 8th among 148 countries in terms of stability of macroeconomic environment Source: World Economic Forum 2nd fastest growing economy among 179 countries for GDP per capita growth in 2001-2010 Source: The Economist

Economic stability: Diversification Structure of GDP Diversification of economy and development of non-oil sectors are key strategic priority of economic policy

Economic stability:Competitiveness GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT 2014-2015 The report assesses the ability of countries to provide high levels of prosperity to their citizens. This in turn depends on how productively a country uses available resources. Therefore, the Global Competitiveness Index measures the set of institutions, policies, and factors that set the sustainable current and medium-term levels of economic prosperity. 1st among CIS countries (6times running), 38thamong 144countries Other indicators (place among 144): Inflation– 1st Macroeconomic environment – 9th Government budget balance – 15th General government debt – 12th Labour market efficiency – 33rd Capacity for innovation – 43rd Technological readiness – 56th

Business enabling environment

Business enabling environment WB Doing Business Report 2014 70th among 189 countries 15th among the 50 economies narrowing the distance to frontier the most since 2005. The distance to frontier measure shows how far on average an economy is from the best performance achieved by any economy on each Doing Business indicator since 2005. Some sub-indicators: Starting a business– 10th Registering property – 13th Investor protection – 22nd Enforcing contracts – 28th Getting credit – 55th In Global Competitiveness Index 2013-2014 (rank/148): Hiring and firing practices – 8th Burden of government regulation – 21st Strength of investor protection – 25th

Liberal investment climate

Liberal investment climate Foreign 83.7bln USD Domestic 88.7bln USD 1995-2013 Non-oil sector 64% Oil sector 36% Total Investments 172.4bln USD

Food industry/agriculture

Special zones

Azerbaijan Investment Company Supporting Non-Oil Sector Development

ABOUT AIC “Azerbaijan Investment Company” OJSC (AIC) is a state owned equity fund, established by the Presidential Decree on the 30th of March 2006 AIC serves the purpose of developing non-oil sector of the national economy via termed equity injections Supervisory Board is the supreme governing body of AIC

OBJECTIVES Supporting non-oil sector development via termed equity investments in commercially viable projects and investment funds Attraction of local and foreign investments into the economy of Azerbaijan Increase market value and competitiveness of investee companies by integrating new technologies and know-how, and promoting modernization and innovation Support development of capital markets in Azerbaijan

KEY INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES Investments in all sectors excluding oil and gas industry Investments into brownfield or greenfield projects Minority shareholding in the invested projects

INVESTMENT CRITERIA Competitive products IFRS compliance Independently audited financial statements Corporate governance best practices Board member at investee companies

Subjectto terms of shareholders’ agreement AIC may choose from the following exit strategies: EXIT STRATEGY Divestment via IPOs Sale to third-party strategic acquirers Sale to existing shareholders

PORTFOLIO DISTRIBUTION

Azerbaijan Investment Company 37 Khojali Ave. Baku, Azerbaijan AZ1025 TEL: (+99412) 488 8010 FAX: (+99412) 488 8012 [email protected] www.aic.az

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