Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

The Republic of Azerbaijan is situated at the southern edge of the Caucasus Mountains, bordered by Russia to the north, the Caspian Sea to the east, Iran to the south, Armenia to the west, and Georgia to the northwest. Azerbaijan is distinguished by its diverse and beautiful topography, combining elements of ancient heritage with modern advancements characterized by industrialization, energy resource development, and the growth of urban areas where more than half of the population resides.

History of Azerbaijan

This section highlights significant historical stages that the Republic of Azerbaijan has undergone:

• The earliest state institutions or ethnic political units in Azerbaijan emerged around Lake Urmia during the transition from the 4th to the 3rd century BC. During this period, Azerbaijan was closely linked to the ancient states of Sumer, Akkad, and Assyria, which played a critical role in the military and political history of the region.
• During the period from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD, powerful states such as Manna, the Kingdom of Scythia, Atropatene, and Albania emerged on Azerbaijani territory, contributing significantly to the cultural and economic history of the country.
• Azerbaijan was occupied by the Sassanian Empire in the 3rd century AD, and by the 7th century, the region had embraced Islam, which facilitated the presence of Muslims and Arabs within the republic.
• In the early decades of the 20th century, Turkish groups began to settle in Azerbaijan, with Turkish speakers constituting the majority of the population. The Turkish language became the primary means of communication among various ethnic groups living in Azerbaijan, fostering connections between the northern and southern regions of the country.
• Azerbaijan joined the Soviet Union in 1936 and declared its independence in 1991.

Geography of Azerbaijan

The following outlines some of the prominent topographical and natural features of Azerbaijan:

• Mountains

The Greater Caucasus Mountain range stretches southeast along Azerbaijan’s northern border, with certain peaks rising over 4,267 meters. The Lesser Caucasus and Talysh Mountains lie along the southern border. Notably, the Kura Lowland, situated between these mountainous regions, accounts for nearly half of the country’s land area.

• Vegetation

Azerbaijan’s vegetation is diverse, with deciduous forests covering approximately 11% of the land area in the mountainous regions, while alpine meadows and tundras are found in the higher elevations.

• Rivers

Numerous rivers traverse Azerbaijan, originating from Georgia, Turkey, Armenia, and the Azerbaijani mountains. Most of these rivers flow into the Caspian Sea, located around 129 km south of Baku. Additionally, Azerbaijan possesses roughly 250 lakes and several large water basins. Important rivers include the Aras, Kura, and Alazani.

Climate in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s climate is divided into two main types: a temperate climate prevalent in the northern regions and a semi-tropical climate in the southern areas. Monthly average temperatures vary significantly across the country, with Baku and other parts of the eastern and southeastern regions experiencing averages of 27 degrees Celsius during the hot summer months of July and August.

In contrast, temperatures in the mountainous northern and western areas range between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius in the summer months. During winter (from December to February), the average temperatures in Baku and the eastern and southeastern regions fluctuate between 3 and 4 degrees Celsius, while in the western and northern regions, temperatures can range from -5 to -10 degrees Celsius.

Facts about Azerbaijan

The following points summarize key information and facts about the Republic of Azerbaijan:

• Area

Azerbaijan covers an area of approximately 86,600 square kilometers, with about 82,629 square kilometers of land and 3,971 square kilometers of water.

• Currency

The official currency of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani manat.

• Religion

Islam is the official religion of Azerbaijan.

• Language

Azerbaijani, or Azeri, is the official language, spoken by about 90% of the population, while Russian is spoken by approximately 2%.

• Economy

The Azerbaijani economy primarily relies on the production of oil and natural gas, along with other industries such as cotton and agricultural products.