It is also known as a land of extremes. Within Azerbaijan are nine of the eleven climate classifications of the earth-from arid to subtropical. Landscapes from desert to dense forests.

Azerbaijan is the land of some of the most hospitable people you could ever meet. They are people who value the presence of a visitor and treat the visitor well.

And some of the most beautiful landscapes can be found in Azerbaijan. Some of the most beautiful works of art can be found in Azerbaijan.

History
In 1806, Azerbaijan, a region of Turkic Muslim people, was conquered by the Russians. In 1918, Azerbaijan declared independence from Russia, but was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920. It again declared its independence in 1991, following the collapse of the USSR. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region is still unresolved after 10 years and Baku has yet to settle disputes with its neighbors over oil rights in the Caspian Sea. During the war, Karabakh Armenians declared independence and seized almost 20% of the country's territory, creating some 750,000 Azerbaijani refugees in the process. Both sides have generally observed a Russian-mediated cease-fire in place since May 1994.

Capital
Baku, or Baky, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan. The population is 1,149,000 (1990 estimate). The city is close to major petroleum fields near the border with Iran, and oil refining is its chief industry.

The core of present-day Baku is the old town, or fortress, of Icheri-Shekher. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive, as does the 90-ft (27-m) tower of Kyz-Kalasy (Maiden's Tower, 12th century). The old town is highly picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings. These include the palace of the Shirvan-Shahs, now a museum, the oldest part of which dates from the 11th century. Also from the 11th century is the Synyk-Kala Minaret and Mosque (1078-79). Other notable historic buildings are the law court (Divan-Khan), the Dzhuma-Mechet Minaret, and the mausoleum of stronomer Seida Bakuvi.

Around the walls of the fortress, the regular streets and imposing buildings of modern Baku rise up the slopes of the amphitheatre of hills surrounding the bay. Along the waterfront, an attractive park has been laid out. Most industrial plants are located at the eastern and southwestern ends of the city. Greater Baku, divided into 11 districts, encompasses almost the entire Apsheron Peninsula and 48 townships. Among these are townships on islands off the tip of the peninsula and another built on stilts in the Caspian Sea, 60 mi (100 km) from Baku.

Baku is also a major cultural and educational center.

Things To See

		The Maiden's Tower (Kyz Kalasy)The 32-meter Maiden's Tower (Kyz Kalasy), built in the 8th century B.C., is one of the beautiful and mysterious architectural monuments on the Apsheron Peninsula.
		The Shirvan-shah Palace The most strirking example of the Medieval palace structures in Azerbaijan is the Shirvanshah Palace complex dating to the middle of the 15th century. A state museum, it is now open to the thousands of tourists.
		The Ateshgyakh Fire-Worshippers' Temple The Ateshgyakh Fire-Worshippers' Temple is located within Greater Baku in the village of Surakhany (15 km from Baku). The Temple was built by Indian trades-people at the end of the 17th century. Today the temple is a unique monument of world culture.
		Gobustan Gobustan is famous for archeological monuments. There are more than 4,000 rock drawings left by artists of the Neolithic period.
		Castles and Towers of Absheron The Absheron peninsula, being a part of Shirvan, was the site for a peculiar type of defensive structure. It originated and developed due to special social, historical and natural conditions-the need for protection from foreign invaders attracted by natural resources. Local feudal lords erected fortified castles, some of which stand today, too.

Language
Many young people in Azerbaijan are learning to speak English, but older people tend to know Russian as their second or even first language, as it was the prestigious language in Azerbaijan during the Soviet period. You'll find that Azeris are anxious to practice their English with native speakers and will welcome your attempts at conversation. Try to learn some useful Azeri and Russian phrases from the people you meet. At the present time, phrasebooks will probably be difficult to find, except a few published in Azeri Cyrillic.

Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia.

Area-comparative: slightly smaller than Maine

Land boundaries:
total: 0 km (landlocked)
border countries: Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Climate: dry, semiarid steppe

Terrain: large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina

Geography—note: landlocked

Population: 7,908,224 (July 1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Azerbaijani(s)
adjective: Azerbaijani

Ethnic groups: Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.)
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region

Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)

Languages: Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)

Country name:
conventional long form: Azerbaijani Republic
conventional short form: Azerbaijan
local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
local short form: none

Government type: republic

Capital: Baku (Baki)

National Holiday: Independence Day, 28 May

Constitution: adopted 12 November 1995

Legal system: based on civil law system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV
chancery: (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 or P. O. Box 28790, Washington, DC 20038-8790
telephone: [1] (202) 842-0001
FAX: [1] (202) 842-0004

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO
embassy: Azadliq Prospekt 83, Baku 370007
mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7050
telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37
FAX: [9] (9412) 90-66-71