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Azerbaijan

Oh, you again. Fine. Let's get this over with. Don't expect any enthusiasm.

Country in Eastern Europe and West Asia

This is about the nation. For the region within Iran, consult Azerbaijan (Iran). For other contexts, see the rather exhaustive Azerbaijan (disambiguation).

Republic of Azerbaijan

Azərbaycan Respublikası (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan)

Flag Emblem

Anthem: Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət himni ("State Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan")

Show globe Show map of Azerbaijan

Capital and largest city: Baku (40°23′N 49°50′E)

Official languages: Azerbaijani [1]

Minority languages: See full list

Ethnic groups (2019 [2]):

Religion (2020 [3]):

Demonyms: Azerbaijani, Azeri

Government: Unitary semi-presidential republic [4]

Legislature: National Assembly

Formation:

Area:

  • Total: 86,600 km² (33,400 sq mi) (112th)
  • Water (%): 1.6

Population:

  • 2022 estimate: 10,353,296 (90th)
  • Density: 117/km² (303.0/sq mi) (99th)

GDP (PPP): 2024 estimate

  • Total: $272 billion (78th)
  • Per capita: $26,235 (88th)

GDP (nominal): 2024 estimate

  • Total: $79 billion (82nd)
  • Per capita: $7,604 (90th)

Gini (2008): 33.7 (medium inequality)

HDI (2023): 0.789 (high) (81st)

Currency: Manat (₼) (AZN)

Time zone: UTC+4 (AZT)

Calling code: +994

ISO 3166 code: AZ

Internet TLD: .az

Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinental nation, straddling the boundary of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It’s a part of the South Caucasus region, a place where tectonic plates of geography and culture grind against each other. To its east lies the vast, shimmering expanse of the Caspian Sea. To the north, the rugged republic of Dagestan. To the northwest, the ancient land of Georgia. To the west, both Armenia and Turkey, and to the south, the imposing presence of Iran. Its capital, and its largest city, is Baku, a city that wears its history like a well-worn leather jacket.

The land that is now Azerbaijan has seen empires rise and fall. It was once under the sway of Caucasian Albania, then various Persian empires. For centuries, it remained tethered to Qajar Iran. But history, as it often does, intervened. The Russo-Persian wars of 1804–1813 and 1826–1828 were the brutal architects of change, forcing the Qajar Empire to cede its Caucasian territories to the Russian Empire. The borders, etched by treaties like Gulistan in 1813 and Turkmenchay in 1828, solidified the division that persists to this day. The territory north of the Aras river, once part of Iran, was absorbed by Russia, administered as part of the Caucasus Viceroyalty.

By the close of the 19th century, a distinct Azerbaijani national identity began to coalesce. In 1918, a year after the Russian Revolution shattered the Tsarist autocracy, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic declared its independence from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic. It stood as the first secular democratic state in the Muslim world. But the winds of change were fierce. In 1920, the country was absorbed into the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan SSR. The modern Republic of Azerbaijan eventually reclaimed its sovereignty on 30 August 1991, just before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The path to independence was not smooth. In September 1991, the Nagorno-Karabakh region, with its ethnic Armenian majority, declared the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. This de facto independence solidified after the First Nagorno-Karabakh War concluded in 1994. Despite international recognition placing the region and its surrounding seven districts within Azerbaijan's borders, the conflict simmered. The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020 saw the return of those seven districts and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control. A subsequent Azerbaijani offensive in 2023 effectively ended the Republic of Artsakh and led to the flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.

Azerbaijan operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic. [4] It is one of the six independent Turkic states, actively participating in the Organization of Turkic States and the TÜRKSOY community. The country maintains diplomatic ties with 182 nations and is a member of 38 international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE, and participates in NATO's PfP program. It’s a founding member of GUAM and the Commonwealth of Independent States, [24] and is an observer state at the World Trade Organization.

The religious landscape is predominantly Muslim, with approximately 97% of the population adhering to Islam. [25] [26] The Constitution of Azerbaijan upholds secularism, with no official state religion. Azerbaijan is classified as a developing country and ranks 89th on the Human Development Index. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party, in power since 1993, has faced accusations of authoritarianism under the leadership of presidents Heydar Aliyev and his son, Ilham Aliyev. The Aliyev dynasty’s tenure has drawn criticism regarding Azerbaijan's human rights record, including media restrictions and the treatment of its Shia Muslim population. [27]

Etymology

• Further information: Atropatene, Caucasian Albania, and Azerbaijan (toponym)

The name "Azerbaijan" traces its origins back to Atropates, a Persian satrap serving the Achaemenid Empire. He was later reinstated by Alexander the Great as the satrap of Media. [28] [29] The name’s deeper roots are believed to lie in Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion once dominant in the region. Within the Avesta, specifically the Frawardin Yasht ("Hymn to the Guardian Angels"), a phrase appears: âterepâtahe ashaonô fravashîm ýazamaide. This translates from Avestan to "we worship the fravashi of the holy Atropatene". [34] The name itself, "Atropates," is a Greek rendering of an Old Iranian term, likely Median, meaning "Protected by the (Holy) Fire" or "The Land of the (Holy) Fire." [35] This name, recorded by Diodorus Siculus and Strabo, evolved over millennia, transforming into Āturpātākān in Middle Persian, then Ādharbādhagān, Ādhorbāygān, Āzarbāydjān in New Persian, eventually becoming the modern Azerbaijan. [36]

The name "Azerbaijan" was officially adopted by the Musavat government in 1918, following the collapse of the Russian Empire and the establishment of the independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. [37] Prior to this, the designation had been exclusively used for the adjacent region of contemporary northwestern Iran. [38] [39] [40] [41] The territory that constituted the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was previously known by names such as Arran and Shirvan. [42] This naming choice prompted a protest from Iran. [43]

During the Soviet era, the country's name was rendered in Latin script based on the Russian transliteration as Azerbaydzhan (Russian: Азербайджа́н). [44] Between 1940 and 1991, it was written in Cyrillic script as Азәрбајҹан.

History

• Main article: History of Azerbaijan

Antiquity

• Further information: Caucasian Albania

Petroglyphs in Gobustan National Park dating back to the 10th millennium BC, suggesting a vibrant early culture.

The earliest traces of human habitation within the territory of Azerbaijan date back to the late Stone Age, linked to the Guruchay culture found in Azykh Cave. [45] Early inhabitants included the Scythians around the 9th century BC. [35] Following them, Iranian Medes established dominance south of the Aras river. [33] The Medes forged a significant empire between 900 and 700 BC, which was subsequently integrated into the Achaemenid Empire around 550 BC. [46] The Achaemenid conquest facilitated the spread of Zoroastrianism throughout the region. [47]

From the Sasanian period to the Safavid period

The Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku's [Old City](/Old_City_(Baku), UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating from the 11th–12th centuries.

The Sasanian Empire incorporated Caucasian Albania as a vassal state in 252 AD. King Urnayr officially sanctioned Christianity as the state religion in the 4th century. [48] Despite Sasanian suzerainty, Caucasian Albania persisted as a distinct entity until the 9th century, remaining subordinate to Sasanid Iran and retaining its monarchy. Although a primary vassal of the Sasanian emperor, the Albanian king held limited authority; the Sasanian marzban (military governor) wielded the majority of civil, religious, and military power. [49]

During the first half of the 7th century, Caucasian Albania, under Sasanian vassalage, came under nominal Muslim rule following the Muslim conquest of Persia. The Umayyad Caliphate repelled both Sasanian and Byzantine forces from the South Caucasus, subsequently establishing Caucasian Albania as a vassal state after suppressing Christian resistance led by King Juansher in 667. The power vacuum created by the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate was filled by various local dynasties, including the Sallarids, Sajids, and Shaddadids. In the early 11th century, waves of migrating Oghuz Turks from Central Asia began to seize control of the territory. At that time, they adopted the Turkoman ethnonym. [50] The first Turkic dynasty to establish a significant presence was the Seljuk Empire, which entered the region by 1067. [51]

The pre-Turkic populations spoke a variety of Indo-European and Caucasian languages. Among these were Armenian [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] and an Iranian language, Old Azeri, which was gradually supplanted by a Turkic language, the ancestor of modern Azerbaijani language. [57] Some linguists propose that the Tati dialects spoken in Iranian Azerbaijan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, like those of the Tats, are descendants of Old Azeri. [58] [59]

Locally, the territories of the subsequent Seljuk Empire were governed by the Eldiguzids. While technically vassals of the Seljuk sultans, they often acted as de facto rulers. Under Seljuk influence, local poets such as Nizami Ganjavi and Khaqani contributed to a flourishing of Persian literature in the region. [60] [61]

The Shirvanshahs, a local dynasty of Arabic origin that later became Persianized, served as a vassal state to the Timurid Empire of Timur. They assisted Timur in his conflict against Tokhtamysh, the ruler of the Golden Horde. Following Timur's demise, two independent and competing Turkoman states emerged: Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu. The Shirvanshahs reasserted their influence, maintaining a significant degree of autonomy as local rulers and vassals since 861. In 1501, the Safavid dynasty of Iran subjugated the Shirvanshahs and acquired their territories. Over the next century, the Safavids converted the predominantly Sunni population to Shia Islam, [62] [63] [64] mirroring their actions in what is now Iran. [65] The Safavids permitted the Shirvanshahs to retain power under Safavid suzerainty until 1538, when Safavid King Tahmasp I deposed them, establishing the area as the Safavid province of Shirvan. The Sunni Ottomans briefly occupied parts of present-day Azerbaijan as a result of the Ottoman–Safavid War of 1578–1590. By the early 17th century, they were expelled by the Safavid ruler Abbas I. In the aftermath of the Safavid dynasty's decline, Baku and its surrounding areas experienced a brief Russian occupation following the Russo-Persian War of 1722–1723. The remaining territories of present-day Azerbaijan were occupied by the Ottomans between 1722 and 1736. [66] Despite these intermittent occupations by Safavid Iran's rivals, the territory remained under Iranian rule from the early Safavid period until the 19th century. [67] [68]

Modern history

A political map of the eastern part of the South Caucasus between 1795 and 1801.

Following the Safavids, the region came under the rule of the Iranian Afsharid dynasty. After Nader Shah's assassination in 1747, many of his former subjects capitalized on the ensuing instability. Numerous khanates, possessing varying degrees of autonomy, [69] [70] [71] [72] [73] [74] emerged. The rulers of these khanates were often closely related to ruling dynasties in Iran and served as vassals and subjects to the Iranian shah. [74] These khanates exerted control over their internal affairs and engaged in international trade along routes connecting Central Asia and the West. [75]

Subsequently, the area fell under the successive rule of the Iranian Zands and Qajars. [76] From the late 18th century, Imperial Russia adopted a more aggressive geopolitical stance towards Iran and the Ottoman Empire. [77] Russia actively sought to acquire the Caucasus region, which was largely controlled by Iran. [78] In 1804, Russian forces invaded and sacked the Iranian town of Ganja, triggering the Russo-Persian War of 1804–1813. [79] The militarily superior Russians ultimately won the war. [80] Following Qajar Iran's defeat, it was compelled to cede sovereignty over most of the khanates, along with Georgia and Dagestan, to the Russian Empire through the Treaty of Gulistan. [81]

The siege of Ganja Fortress in 1804 during the Russo-Persian War of 1804–1813.

The region north of the Aras River was Iranian territory until its occupation by Russia in the 19th century. [14] [82] [83] [84] [85] [86] [87] Approximately a decade later, in contravention of the Gulistan treaty, Russian forces invaded Iran's Erivan Khanate. [87] [88] This act initiated the final period of hostilities between the two powers, the Russo-Persian War of 1826–1828. The ensuing Treaty of Turkmenchay forced Qajar Iran to relinquish sovereignty over the Erivan Khanate, the Nakhchivan Khanate, and the remaining parts of the Talysh Khanate. [81] With the incorporation of all Caucasian territories from Iran into Russia, the border between the two nations was established along the Aras River. [89]

Despite the Russian conquest, throughout the 19th century, a strong connection to Iranian culture, literature, and language persisted among Shia and Sunni intellectuals in Russian-held cities like Baku, Ganja, and Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia). [90] Within this same period, in Russian-controlled East Caucasia, an Azerbaijani national identity began to emerge towards the end of the 19th century. [91] As a consequence of the Russian conquest, Azerbaijanis are now divided between two nations: Iran and Azerbaijan. [92]

Following the collapse of the Russian Empire during World War I, the short-lived Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic was proclaimed, encompassing the present-day republics of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. This period was marked by the March Days massacres, which occurred between March 30 and April 2, 1918, in Baku and adjacent areas of the [Baku Governorate]. [93] [94] [95] Upon the republic's dissolution in May 1918, the dominant Musavat party declared independence as the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR). This declaration adopted the name "Azerbaijan," a designation that, prior to the ADR's proclamation, had been exclusively applied to the adjacent northwestern region of contemporary Iran. [38] [39] [40] The ADR represented the first modern parliamentary republic within the Muslim world. [14] [96] [97] A significant achievement of the Parliament was the extension of suffrage to women, making the ADR the first Muslim nation to grant women equal political rights. [96] Baku State University, the first modern university established in the Muslim East, was founded during this era. [96]

A map presented by the Azerbaijani delegation at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference.

Independent Azerbaijan's existence was brief, lasting only 23 months until the Bolshevik 11th Soviet Red Army invaded, establishing the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic on 28 April 1920. Despite the majority of the newly formed Azerbaijani army being engaged in suppressing an Armenian uprising in Karabakh, Azerbaijanis did not relinquish their brief independence of 1918–20 easily. An estimated 20,000 Azerbaijani soldiers perished resisting what amounted to a Russian reconquest. [98] During the initial Soviet period, the Azerbaijani national identity was further solidified. [91]

On 13 October 1921, the Soviet republics of Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia signed the [Treaty of Kars] with Turkey. The previously independent Republic of Aras subsequently became the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Azerbaijan SSR, as stipulated by the Treaty of Kars. [14] [99] Conversely, Armenia was granted the region of Zangezur, and Turkey agreed to return Gyumri (then known as Alexandropol). [100]

During World War II, Azerbaijan played a critical role in the Soviet Union's strategic energy policy, supplying 80% of the oil used on the Eastern Front from Baku. By decree of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union in February 1942, the contributions of over 500 oil industry workers and employees from Azerbaijan were recognized with orders and medals. [Operation Edelweiss], carried out by the German Wehrmacht, specifically targeted Baku due to its vital importance as the USSR's energy hub. [14] Approximately one-fifth of all Azerbaijanis served in World War II, from 1941 to 1945. An estimated 681,000 individuals (including over 100,000 women) were deployed to the front lines, out of a total Azerbaijani population of 3.4 million at the time. [101] Around 250,000 Azerbaijanis were killed in the war. More than 130 Azerbaijanis were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, with Major-General Azi Aslanov receiving this honor twice. [102]

Independence

Soviet Army paratroopers during the Black January tragedy in 1990.

Following the policies of glasnost introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev, civil unrest and ethnic tensions escalated across various Soviet republics, including Nagorno-Karabakh, an autonomous region within the Azerbaijan SSR. [103] The disturbances in Azerbaijan, fueled by Moscow's perceived indifference to the escalating conflict, led to widespread calls for independence and secession. These sentiments culminated in the Black January events in Baku. [104] Later in 1990, the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR removed the words "Soviet Socialist" from the country's official title, adopted the "Declaration of Sovereignty of the Azerbaijan Republic," and reinstated the flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as the state flag. [105] In the wake of the failed 1991 Soviet coup attempt in Moscow, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan passed a Declaration of Independence on 18 October 1991, which was subsequently confirmed by a nationwide referendum in December, coinciding with the official dissolution of the Soviet Union on 26 December. [105] The country commemorates its Day of Restoration of Independence on 18 October. [106]

The early years of independence were heavily overshadowed by the [First Nagorno-Karabakh War], fought against the ethnic Armenian majority of Nagorno-Karabakh, supported by Armenia. [107] By the conclusion of hostilities in 1994, Armenian forces controlled approximately 14–16% of Azerbaijani territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh. [26] [108] The war was marked by numerous atrocities and pogroms perpetrated by both sides, including the massacres at Malibeyli, Gushchular and Garadaghly, the Khojaly massacre, as well as the Baku pogrom, the Maraga massacre, and the [Kirovabad pogrom]. [109] [110] Furthermore, an estimated 30,000 people were killed, and over a million people were displaced (more than 800,000 Azerbaijanis and 300,000 Armenians). [111] Four United Nations Security Council resolutions (822, 853, 874, and 884) explicitly demanded "the immediate withdrawal of all Armenian forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan." [112] Many Russians and Armenians fled Azerbaijan as refugees during the 1990s. [113] According to the 1970 census, Azerbaijan was home to 510,000 ethnic Russians and 484,000 Armenians. [114]

Aliyev family rule, 1993–present

The military situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region prior to the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War.

In 1993, democratically elected President Abulfaz Elchibey was overthrown by a military insurrection led by Colonel Surat Huseynov, which paved the way for the ascent of the former leader of Soviet Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev. In 1994, Huseynov, by then the prime minister, attempted another military coup against Heydar Aliyev but was arrested and charged with treason. [115] In 1995, yet another coup attempt was made against Aliyev, this time by Rovshan Javadov, the commander of the Russian OMON special police unit. The coup was thwarted, resulting in Javadov's death and the disbandment of Azerbaijan's OMON units. [116] [117] Concurrently, the country was plagued by pervasive corruption within its governing bureaucracy. [118] In October 1998, Aliyev secured re-election for a second term.

Ilham Aliyev, Heydar Aliyev's son, assumed the chairmanship of the New Azerbaijan Party and the presidency of Azerbaijan upon his father's death in 2003. He was re-elected for a third term as president in October 2013. [119] In April 2018, Aliyev secured his fourth consecutive term in an election boycotted by the main opposition parties due to allegations of fraud. [120] On 27 September 2020, hostilities reignited along the [Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact] in the ongoing [Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]. Both Azerbaijani and Armenian armed forces reported military and civilian casualties. [121] The [Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement] and the cessation of the six-week war between Azerbaijan and Armenia were met with widespread celebration in Azerbaijan, as the country achieved significant territorial gains. [122] Despite an improving economy, [123] particularly through the exploitation of the Azeri–Chirag–Guneshli oil field and the Shah Deniz gas field, the Aliyev family's rule has faced criticism for alleged election fraud, [124] significant economic inequality, [125] and domestic corruption. [126] In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched an offensive against the breakaway Republic of Artsakh in Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to its dissolution and reintegration into Azerbaijan on 1 January 2024, and the subsequent [flight of nearly all ethnic Armenians from the region]. [127] [128] [129]

On 8 August 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint declaration at the White House, [130] formalizing a peace deal facilitated by the Trump administration, aiming to end nearly four decades of conflict between the two nations. [131]

Geography

• Main articles: Geography of Azerbaijan, State reserves of Azerbaijan, and National parks of Azerbaijan • See also: Extreme points of Azerbaijan

A map illustrating the Köppen-Geiger climate classification for Azerbaijan. [132]

Azerbaijan is situated in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, straddling the geographical divide between West Asia and Eastern Europe. Its latitudinal extent is between 38° and 42° N, and its longitudinal position is between 44° and 51° E. The total length of its land borders is 2,648 km (1,645 mi). These borders are shared with Armenia (1,007 km / 626 mi), Iran (756 km / 470 mi), Georgia (480 km), Russia (390 km / 242 mi), and Turkey (15 km / 9 mi). [133] The Caspian Sea coastline stretches for 800 km (497 mi), with the widest section of the Azerbaijani Caspian coast measuring 456 km (283 mi). [133] The country possesses a landlocked exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. [134]

The Caucasus Mountains form a prominent feature in northern Azerbaijan.

Three dominant geographical features define Azerbaijan: the Caspian Sea, whose shoreline forms the eastern boundary; the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north; and the extensive plains in the country's center. Mountain ranges, including the Greater and Lesser Caucasus and the Talysh Mountains, cover approximately 40% of the nation's territory. [135] The highest point is Mount Bazardüzü, reaching an elevation of 4,466 m (14,652 ft). The lowest point is situated in the Caspian Sea, at -28 m (-92 ft). Azerbaijan hosts nearly half of the world's mud volcanoes, with these geological formations [Mud_volcanoes_in_Azerbaijan] being among the nominees for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. [136]

Surface waters constitute the primary water sources. Out of the 8,350 streams, only 24 exceed 100 km (62 mi) in length. [135] All streams ultimately drain into the Caspian Sea. [135] The largest lake is Sarysu, covering 67 km² (26 sq mi). The longest river is the Kura, which flows for 1,515 km (941 mi) and is transboundary, shared with Armenia. Azerbaijan also has numerous islands along the Caspian Sea coast, largely concentrated within the Baku Archipelago.

Since gaining independence in 1991, the government has implemented measures to preserve Azerbaijan's environment. Environmental protection efforts intensified after 2001, bolstered by increased state revenues from the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline. Within four years, protected areas doubled, now encompassing 8% of the country's territory. Since 2001, the government has established seven major reserves and nearly doubled the budget allocated to environmental protection. [137]

Landscape

• Main articles: Orography of Azerbaijan, Climate of Azerbaijan, and Water bodies of Azerbaijan

Mount Bazarduzu, Azerbaijan's highest peak, as viewed from Mount Shahdagh. The landscape of the Khinalug valley.

Azerbaijan presents a diverse range of landscapes. Over half of its landmass consists of mountain ridges, crests, highlands, and plateaus, rising to elevations of 400–1,000 meters (including mid- and lower-level lowlands). In certain areas, such as the Talysh, Jeyranchol-Ajinohur, and Langabiz-Alat foothills, elevations reach 100–120 meters, while others, like Qobustan and Absheron, range from 0–50 meters. [138] [139] The remaining terrain comprises plains and lowlands. Elevations within the Caucasus region vary from approximately -28 meters at the Caspian Sea shoreline to 4,466 meters at the Bazardüzü peak. [138] [139]

The country's climate is influenced by cold arctic air masses originating from the Scandinavian [anticyclone], temperate air masses from the Siberian anticyclone, and the Central Asian anticyclone. [140] [141] [142] Azerbaijan's topography significantly affects how these air masses enter the country. [140] The Greater Caucasus range provides a natural barrier, shielding the country from the direct impact of cold northern air masses. This protection fosters the development of a subtropical climate across most foothills and plains. [143] [144]

Azerbaijan encompasses nine of the eleven existing climate zones. [145] The extreme recorded temperatures, both minimum (-33 °C or -27.4 °F) and maximum, were observed in the Julfa and Ordubad regions of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. [145] The highest annual precipitation occurs in [Lankaran], ranging from 1,600 to 1,800 mm (63 to 71 in), while the lowest precipitation is recorded in Absheron, between 200 and 350 mm (7.9 to 13.8 in). [145] [146] [147]

Murovdag stands as the highest mountain range within the Lesser Caucasus.

Rivers and lakes form the principal components of Azerbaijan's water systems, shaped over extensive geological periods and subject to continuous evolution. Evidence of ancient river systems is found throughout the country. These water systems are constantly altered by natural forces and human industrial activities. Canals and ponds are integrated into Azerbaijan's water infrastructure. In terms of water supply, Azerbaijan falls below the global average, with approximately 100,000 cubic meters (3,531,467 cubic feet) of water available per square kilometer annually. [145] The major water reservoirs are situated on the Kura River. Azerbaijan's hydrography is part of the Caspian Sea basin.

The Kura and Aras are the principal rivers in Azerbaijan, flowing through the Kura-Aras lowland. Rivers that flow directly into the Caspian Sea originate primarily from the northeastern slopes of the Major Caucasus and Talysh Mountains, traversing the Samur–Devechi and Lankaran lowlands. [148] [149]

Yanar Dag, translating to "burning mountain," is a natural gas fire that perpetually blazes on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula, near Baku. The peninsula itself is known as the "land of fire." Flames erupt from a porous sandstone layer, making it a notable tourist attraction for visitors to the Baku region. [150]

Biodiversity

• Main article: Wildlife of Azerbaijan • Further information: Fauna of Azerbaijan and Flora of Azerbaijan

The Karabakh horse is recognized as the national animal of Azerbaijan.

Early accounts of Azerbaijan's rich and diverse animal life can be found in the travelogues of Eastern travelers. Animal depictions carved into architectural monuments, ancient rocks, and stones have survived to the present day. Initial documentation of Azerbaijan's flora and fauna was gathered by naturalists who visited the region in the 17th century. [135]

A total of 106 mammal species, 97 fish species, 363 bird species, 10 amphibian species, and 52 reptile species have been recorded and classified in Azerbaijan. [135] The national animal of Azerbaijan is the Karabakh horse, a breed endemic to the region, known for mountain-steppe racing and riding. The Karabakh horse is renowned for its good temperament, speed, elegance, and intelligence. It is one of the oldest horse breeds, with ancestry tracing back to antiquity, though it is now considered an endangered species. [151]

Azerbaijan's flora comprises over 4,500 species of higher plants. Due to its unique climate, the flora is considerably richer in species diversity compared to other South Caucasus republics, with 66% of plant species found in the entire Caucasus present in Azerbaijan. [152] The country falls within four ecoregions: Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests, Caucasus mixed forests, Eastern Anatolian montane steppe, and Azerbaijan shrub desert and steppe. [153]

In 2018, Azerbaijan recorded a mean score of 6.55 out of 10 for the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, ranking 72nd globally among 172 countries. [154] Forest cover constitutes approximately 14% of the total land area, equivalent to 1,131,770 hectares (ha) in 2020, an increase from 944,740 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forests covered 826,200 hectares (ha), with planted forests accounting for 305,570 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest area, 0% was classified as primary forest (defined as native tree species without clear signs of human activity), and approximately 33% of the forest area was located within protected zones. In 2015, 100% of the forest area was reported to be under public ownership, with 0% under private ownership and 0% with ownership categorized as other or unknown. [155] [156]

Government and politics

• Main article: Politics of Azerbaijan • See also: Elections in Azerbaijan and Human rights in Azerbaijan

Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan. Mehriban Aliyeva, Vice President of Azerbaijan. Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan.

A government building in Baku.

Azerbaijan's governance operates in practice as an authoritarian regime. [157] [158] [159] [160] Although regular elections are held, they are reportedly marred by electoral fraud and other unfair electoral practices. [161] [162] [163] [164] [165] [166] [167] The government has been continuously led by the Aliyev political family and the New Azerbaijan Party (Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası, YAP), established by Heydar Aliyev, since 1993. [168] Freedom House categorizes Azerbaijan as "not free," ranking it 7/100 on its Global Freedom Score in 2024 and describing its regime as authoritarian. [169] [170] [171]

The framework of the political system was finalized with the adoption of the constitution on 12 November 1995. According to Article 23 of the constitution, the state symbols include the flag, the coat of arms, and the national anthem. State power is limited by law concerning internal matters; however, international affairs are also constrained by the provisions of international agreements. [172] better source needed

The Constitution of Azerbaijan establishes it as a presidential republic with three distinct branches of power: executive, legislative, and judicial. Legislative authority is vested in the unicameral National Assembly and the Supreme National Assembly within the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The Parliament of Azerbaijan, known as the Milli Majlis, comprises 125 deputies elected through majority vote, serving five-year terms. Elections are conducted every five years on the first Sunday of November. While the Parliament does not form the government, the constitution mandates the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers by the Milli Majlis. [173] The New Azerbaijan Party and independents aligned with the ruling government currently hold nearly all of the Parliament's 125 seats. During the 2010 Parliamentary election, opposition parties, Musavat and the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party, failed to secure any seats. European observers noted numerous irregularities during the election campaign and on election day. [174]

Executive power is exercised by the president, who is elected for a seven-year term via direct popular vote, and the prime minister. The president holds the authority to establish the Cabinet, a collective executive body accountable to both the president and the National Assembly. [4] The Cabinet is composed primarily of the prime minister, his deputies, and ministers. The 8th Government of Azerbaijan represents the current administration. While the president cannot dissolve the National Assembly, he possesses the power to veto its decisions. To override a presidential veto, the parliament requires a majority of 95 votes. Judicial power resides within the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and the Economic Court. The president nominates the judges for these courts. citation needed

Azerbaijan's governance structure can be described as nominally two-tiered. The highest tier of government is the executive power, headed by the president. Local executive authorities function as extensions of this central executive power. The legal framework for local executive administration (Yerli Icra Hakimiyati) was established by a regulation adopted on 16 June 1999. In June 2012, the president approved a regulation that granted enhanced powers to local executive authorities, thereby strengthening their influence in local governance. [175] The Security Council, established on 10 April 1997, serves as a deliberative body under the president, organized according to constitutional provisions. The administrative department, distinct from the president's office, oversees the financial, technical, and budgetary activities of both the president and his office. [176]

Foreign relations

• Main article: Foreign relations of Azerbaijan • See also: Azerbaijan and the European Union

President İlham Aliyev accepting the Supreme Order of the Turkic World from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the 8th summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Istanbul, Turkey, on 12 November 2021.

The brief existence of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic saw the establishment of diplomatic relations with six countries, including diplomatic representation in Germany and Finland. [177] The process of international recognition of Azerbaijan's independence from the disintegrating Soviet Union spanned approximately one year. Bahrain was the most recent country to recognize Azerbaijan, on 6 November 1996. [178] Full diplomatic relations, including mutual establishment of missions, were first instituted with Turkey, Pakistan, the United States, Iran, [177] and Israel. [179] Azerbaijan places particular emphasis on its "special relationship" with Turkey. [180] [181]

To date, Azerbaijan maintains diplomatic relations with 158 countries and is a member of 38 international organizations. [23] It holds observer status in the Non-Aligned Movement and the World Trade Organization, and is a correspondent member of the International Telecommunication Union. [23] On 9 May 2006, Azerbaijan was elected to membership in the newly established Human Rights Council by the United Nations General Assembly, commencing its term on 19 June 2006. Azerbaijan secured its first non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2011 with the support of 155 countries.

President Ilham Aliyev and other heads of state are hosted by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the Caspian Summit in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on 12 August 2018.

Foreign policy priorities are primarily focused on restoring territorial integrity, addressing the consequences of the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven surrounding regions, [183] [184] integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, contributing to international security, cooperating with international organizations, fostering regional cooperation and bilateral relations, strengthening defense capabilities, promoting security through domestic policy measures, reinforcing democracy, maintaining ethnic and religious tolerance, advancing scientific, educational, and cultural policies, preserving moral values, ensuring economic and social development, enhancing internal and border security, and addressing migration, energy, and transportation security. [183]

Azerbaijan actively participates in international coalitions combating terrorism and was among the first nations to offer support following the September 11 attacks. [185] The country is an active member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program, contributing to peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. citation needed Azerbaijan has been a member of the Council of Europe since 2001 and maintains positive relations with the European Union, with potential future application for EU membership being a possibility. [183]

President Ilham Aliyev, US President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signing a trilateral joint declaration in Washington, D.C., on 8 August 2025.

On 1 July 2021, the US Congress advanced legislation impacting military aid allocated to Azerbaijan since 2012, with a notable shift in focus towards Armenia. [186]

Azerbaijan has faced significant criticism for allegedly bribing foreign officials and diplomats to advance its agenda abroad and legitimize its domestic elections, a practice referred to as [caviar diplomacy]. [187] [188] [189] [190] The Azerbaijani laundromat money laundering scheme involved bribing foreign politicians and journalists to serve the Azerbaijani government's public relations interests. [191]

Military

• Main article: Azerbaijani Armed Forces

Azerbaijani Navy vessels during the 2022 Teknofest Azerbaijan festival in Baku.

The National Army of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established on 26 June 1918. [192] [193] Upon gaining independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan were constituted in accordance with the law on armed forces dated 9 October 1991. [194] The anniversary of the establishment of the short-lived National Army is observed as Army Day on 26 June. [195] As of 2021, Azerbaijan maintained 126,000 active personnel in its armed forces, supplemented by 17,000 paramilitary troops and 330,000 reservists. [196] The armed forces comprise three branches: the Land Forces, the Air Forces, and the Navy. Additionally, the armed forces encompass several paramilitary sub-groups that can be mobilized for national defense, including the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Border Service, which includes the Coast Guard. [26] The Azerbaijani National Guard operates as a semi-independent force under the Special State Protection Service, an agency subordinate to the president. [197]

Members of the Special Forces of Azerbaijan during the Baku Victory Parade of 2020.

Azerbaijan adheres to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and has ratified all major international arms and weapons treaties. Azerbaijan collaborates closely with NATO within programs such as Partnership for Peace and the Individual Partnership Action Plan/pfp and ipa. Azerbaijan has deployed 151 peacekeeping forces to Iraq and an additional 184 to Afghanistan. [198]

As of 2020, Azerbaijan's defense budget amounted to $2.24 billion, [update] representing 5.4% of its total GDP [200] and approximately 12.7% of general government expenditure. [201] The Azerbaijani defense industry is capable of manufacturing small arms, artillery systems, tanks, armored vehicles, night vision devices, aviation bombs, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), various military vehicles, and military aircraft and helicopters. [202] [203] [204] [205]

Human rights and freedom

• Main article: Human rights in Azerbaijan

Human rights activist Rufat Safarov, arrested on December 4, 2024.

While the constitution guarantees freedom of speech, this right is not upheld in practice. Following several years of decline in press and media freedom, the media environment deteriorated significantly in 2014 amid a government campaign to silence opposition and criticism, even as the country presided over the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (May–November 2014). The use of spurious legal charges and impunity for violence against journalists has become commonplace. [206] All foreign broadcasts are prohibited within the country. [207] According to the 2013 Freedom House Freedom of the Press report, Azerbaijan's press freedom status is rated as "not free," with the country ranking 177th out of 196 nations. [208] As of 2025, there were 375 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. [209] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America are banned in Azerbaijan. [210] Discrimination against LGBT people is widespread in the country. [211] [212]

Christianity is officially recognized. All religious communities are required to register to be permitted to gather, facing potential imprisonment if they fail to comply. This registration process is frequently denied. [213] [214]

Azerbaijani journalist Khayala Aghayeva was apprehended in December 2024 in connection with a criminal case initiated against Meydan TV journalists.

In 2015, Azerbaijan had the highest number of imprisoned journalists in Europe, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, and is ranked as the 5th most censored country globally, surpassing Iran and China. [215] Some critical journalists have faced arrest for their reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan. [216] [217] Journalists from independent outlets such as Abzas Media, Toplum TV, and Meydan TV were prosecuted in 2024 and 2025 in trials that international human rights organizations deemed unfair. [218] [219] [220]

An October 2015 report by an Amnesty International researcher highlighted "...the severe deterioration of human rights in Azerbaijan over the past few years. Sadly Azerbaijan has been allowed to get away with unprecedented levels of repression and in the process almost wipe out its civil society." [221] Amnesty's 2015/16 annual report [222] concerning the country stated that "...persecution of political dissent continued. Human rights organizations remained unable to resume their work. At least 18 prisoners of conscience remained in detention at the end of the year. Reprisals against independent journalists and activists persisted both within the country and abroad, while their family members also faced harassment and arrests. International human rights monitors were barred and expelled from the country. Reports of torture and other ill-treatment persisted." [223]

The Guardian reported in April 2017 that "Azerbaijan's ruling elite operated a secret $2.9bn (£2.2bn) scheme to pay prominent Europeans, buy luxury goods and launder money through a network of opaque British companies .... Leaked data shows that the Azerbaijani leadership, accused of serial human rights abuses, systemic corruption and rigging elections, made more than 16,000 covert payments from 2012 to 2014. Some of this money went to politicians and journalists, as part of an international lobbying operation to deflect criticism of Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev, and to promote a positive image of his oil-rich country." It was noted that there was no suggestion that all recipients were aware of the money's origin due to its disguised route. [224]

Administrative divisions

• Main article: Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is divided into 14 economic regions.

The country is administratively structured into 14 economic regions, 66 rayons ( rayonlar, singular rayon ), and 11 cities ( şəhərlər, singular şəhər ) directly under the republic's authority. [225] Additionally, Azerbaijan includes the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan. [26] Governors of these administrative units are appointed by the President of Azerbaijan, while the government of Nakhchivan is elected and approved by the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's parliament.

Economy

• Main article: Economy of Azerbaijan

A graph showing the change in per capita GDP of Azerbaijan since 1973, adjusted for inflation to 2011 International dollars.

Upon achieving independence in 1991, Azerbaijan became a member of key international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. [226] The banking system comprises the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, various commercial banks, and non-banking credit organizations. The National Bank, now the Central Bank, was established in 1992, succeeding the Azerbaijan State Savings Bank, which was an affiliate of the former State Savings Bank of the USSR. The Central Bank functions as Azerbaijan's primary monetary authority, responsible for issuing the national currency, the Azerbaijani manat, and overseeing all commercial banks. Two prominent commercial banks are UniBank and the state-owned International Bank of Azerbaijan, managed by Abbas Ibrahimov. [227]

Driven by increased spending and demand growth, the inflation rate in the first quarter of 2007 reached 16.6%. [228] While nominal incomes and monthly wages saw increases of 29% and 25% respectively, price hikes in the non-oil sector contributed to inflationary pressures. [228] Azerbaijan exhibits signs of "Dutch disease," a phenomenon where a rapidly expanding energy sector leads to inflation and makes non-energy exports more expensive. [229]

During the early 2000s, persistent high inflation was brought under control. This success facilitated the introduction of a new currency, the new Azerbaijani manat, on 1 January 2006, aimed at cementing economic reforms and eradicating the remnants of an unstable economy. [230] [231] By 2012, Azerbaijan's GDP had multiplied twentyfold compared to its 1995 level. [232]

Energy and natural resources

• Main article: Energy in Azerbaijan • Further information: Petroleum industry in Azerbaijan

Oil Rocks (Neft Daşları), an offshore oil field near Baku.

Two-thirds of Azerbaijan is rich in oil and natural gas reserves. [233] The oil industry boasts a long history, dating back to antiquity. The Arab historian and traveler Ahmad Al-Baladhuri documented the economy of the Absheron Peninsula in ancient times, specifically mentioning its oil resources. [234] Numerous pipelines in Azerbaijan transport these resources. The Southern Gas Corridor, which connects Azerbaijan's vast Shah Deniz gas field to Europe, [235] aims to reduce the European Union's reliance on Russian gas supplies. [236]

The Lesser Caucasus region accounts for the majority of the country's mineral wealth, including gold, silver, iron, copper, titanium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, molybdenum, complex ore, and [antimony]. [233] In September 1994, a 30-year contract was signed between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and 13 major oil companies, including Amoco, BP, ExxonMobil, Lukoil, and Equinor. [226] Western oil companies have successfully accessed deepwater oilfields that remained untapped during the Soviet era. International academics regard Azerbaijan as a significant region for hydrocarbon exploration and development. [237] The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan was established as an extra-budgetary fund to ensure macroeconomic stability, promote transparency in oil revenue management, and safeguard resources for future generations.

The South Caucasus Pipeline, transporting natural gas through Turkey to Europe.

Azerbaijan's access to biocapacity is below the global average. In 2016, Azerbaijan possessed 0.8 global hectares [238] of biocapacity per person within its borders, which is half the world average of 1.6 global hectares per person. [239] In the same year, Azerbaijan's per capita biocapacity usage for consumption, its ecological footprint, was 2.1 global hectares. This indicates that the country utilizes more biocapacity than it contains, resulting in a biocapacity deficit. [238]

Azeriqaz, a subsidiary of SOCAR, aims to achieve full gasification of the country by 2021. [240] Azerbaijan has been instrumental in sponsoring energy transport corridors connecting east-west and north-south routes. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway connects the Caspian region with Turkey. The Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline deliver natural gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field to Turkey and Europe. [235] Azerbaijan extended its development agreement for the ACG field until 2050, following the amendment of the PSA signed on 14 September 2017 by SOCAR and its co-ventures (BP, Chevron, Inpex, Equinor, ExxonMobil, TP, ITOCHU, and ONGC Videsh). [241]

Agriculture

• Main article: Agriculture in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan possesses the largest agricultural basin in the region. Approximately 54.9% of Azerbaijan's land is designated as agricultural land. [133] As of early 2007, the utilized agricultural area amounted to 4,755,100 hectares. [242] In the same year, total wood resources were estimated at 136 million cubic meters. [242] Agricultural research institutes focus on areas such as meadows and pastures, horticulture and subtropical crops, vegetable cultivation, viticulture and wine-making, cotton cultivation, and medicinal plants. [243] Profitable crops in certain regions include grains, potatoes, sugar beets, cotton, [244] and tobacco. Livestock, dairy products, and wine and spirits are also significant agricultural outputs. The Caspian fishing industry concentrates on the declining populations of sturgeon and beluga. In 2002, Azerbaijan's merchant marine consisted of 54 vessels.

Certain products previously imported from abroad are now produced domestically. These include Coca-Cola by Coca-Cola Bottlers LTD., beer by Baki-Kastel, parquet flooring by Nehir, and oil pipes by EUPEC Pipe Coating Azerbaijan. [245]

Tourism

• Main article: Tourism in Azerbaijan

Shahdag Mountain Resort is the country's primary winter resort destination.

In the 1980s, Azerbaijan was a recognized tourist destination. However, the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in the 1990s severely impacted the tourism industry and Azerbaijan's image as a travel destination. [246] It was not until the 2000s that the tourism sector began to recover, experiencing a significant growth in tourist arrivals and overnight stays. [247] In recent years, Azerbaijan has also emerged as a popular destination for religious tourism, spa retreats, and health care tourism. [248] During winter, the Shahdag Mountain Resort provides skiing facilities equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. [249]

The government has prioritized the development of Azerbaijan as an elite tourist destination. This national strategy aims to establish tourism as a major contributor, if not the primary driver, of the Azerbaijani economy. [250] These tourism-related activities are regulated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan. Visa-free access is available to citizens of 63 countries. [251] The e-visa system [252] facilitates visits for foreigners from visa-required countries to the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015, Azerbaijan ranked 84th. [253]

A report by the World Travel and Tourism Council indicated that Azerbaijan was among the top ten countries exhibiting the strongest growth in visitor exports between 2010 and 2016. [254] Furthermore, Azerbaijan secured the first position (46.1%) among countries with the fastest-developing travel and tourism economies, demonstrating robust indicators for inbound international visitor spending in 2016. [255]

A panoramic view of Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan.

Transportation

• Main articles: Transportation in Azerbaijan and Rail transport in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's strategic location at the crossroads of major international transit routes, such as the Silk Road and the north–south corridor, underscores the critical importance of its transportation sector for the national economy. [256] The transportation sector encompasses road, rail, aviation, and maritime transport. It also serves as a vital economic hub for the transit of raw materials. The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline (BTC) became operational in May 2006, extending over 1,774 km (1,102 mi) through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. The BTC is designed to transport up to 50 million tons of crude oil annually, channeling oil from Caspian Sea fields to global markets. [257] The [South Caucasus Pipeline], also traversing Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, commenced operations by the end of 2006, providing additional gas supplies to the European market from the Shah Deniz gas field. Shah Deniz is projected to produce up to 296 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. [258] Azerbaijan also plays a significant role in the EU-sponsored Silk Road Project. [256]

In 2002, the government established the Ministry of Transport, granting it broad policy and regulatory authority. In the same year, the country became a signatory to the [Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]. [259] Priorities include upgrading the transport network and enhancing transportation services to better support the development of other economic sectors. citation needed The construction of the Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, completed in 2012, aimed to improve transportation links between Asia and Europe by connecting the railway networks of China and Kazakhstan in the east with the European rail system in the west via Turkey. By 2010, broad-gauge railways and electrified railways extended for 2,918 km (1,813 mi) and 1,278 km (794 mi), respectively. As of 2010, there were 35 airports and one heliport. [26]

Science and technology

• Main articles: Science and technology in Azerbaijan, Communications in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency, and List of Azerbaijani inventions and discoveries

The Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory.

In the 21st century, a new oil and gas boom has contributed to improvements in the science and technology sectors. The government has initiated a modernization and innovation campaign. Projections suggest that revenues from the information technology and communication industry will grow to rival those from oil production. [260] Azerbaijan possesses a substantial and steadily expanding internet sector. In 2012, rapid growth was anticipated to continue for at least five more years. [261] Azerbaijan was ranked 95th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024 [262] and advanced to the 94th position in 2025. [263]

The country has made progress in developing its telecommunications sector. The Ministry of Communications & Information Technologies and operators like Azercell play dual roles as policymakers and regulators. Public payphones are available for local calls, requiring the purchase of a token from telephone exchanges or specific retail outlets. These tokens permit calls of unlimited duration. As of 2009, [update] there were 1,397,000 main telephone lines [264] and 1,485,000 internet users. [265] Four GSM providers operate in the country: Azercell, Bakcell, Azerfon (Nar Mobile), and [Nakhtel], along with one CDMA provider.

In the 21st century, several prominent Azerbaijani scientists in geodynamics and geotectonics, inspired by the foundational work of Elchin Khalilov and others, developed hundreds of earthquake prediction stations and designed earthquake-resistant buildings, which now form the core of The Republican Center of Seismic Service. [266] [267] [268] The Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency successfully launched its first satellite, AzerSat 1, into orbit on 7 February 2013 from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, positioning it at orbital coordinates 46° East. [269] [270] [271] The satellite provides coverage across Europe and a significant portion of Asia and Africa, facilitating the transmission of TV and radio broadcasts, as well as internet services. [272] This satellite launch marks Azerbaijan's initial step toward realizing its ambition of becoming a nation with its own space industry, capable of undertaking more ambitious projects in the future. [273] [274]

Demographics

• Main articles: Demographics of Azerbaijan and List of cities in Azerbaijan

Population pyramid of Azerbaijan.

As of March 2022, 52.9% of Azerbaijan's population of 10,164,464 resided in urban areas, with the remaining 47.1% living in rural settings. [275] In January 2019, females constituted 50.1% of the total population. The human sex ratio in the same year was recorded at 0.99 males per female. [276] The population growth rate in 2011 was 0.85%, compared to the global average of 1.09%. [26] A significant factor limiting population growth is the high rate of migration; in 2011, Azerbaijan experienced a net migration rate of -1.14 per 1,000 people. [26]

The Azerbaijani diaspora is present in 42 countries, [277] and conversely, Azerbaijan hosts numerous centers for ethnic minorities. These include the German cultural society "Karelhaus," the Slavic cultural center, the Azerbaijani-Israeli community, the Kurdish cultural center, the International Talysh Association, the Lezgin national center "Samur," the Azerbaijani-Tatar community, and the Crimean Tatars society. [278]

In total, Azerbaijan is divided into 78 cities, 63 urban districts, and one city with a special legal status. These are followed by 261 urban-type settlements and 4,248 villages. [279]

[Rank] Name Economic regions Pop. [Rank] Name Economic regions Pop.
1 Baku Absheron 2,150,800 11 Khachmaz Guba-Khachmaz 64,800
2 Sumgait Absheron 325,200 12 Aghdam Upper Karabakh 59,800
3 Ganja Ganja-Qazakh 323,000 13 Jalilabad Lankaran 56,400
4 Mingachevir Aran 99,700 14 Khankandi Upper Karabakh 55,100
5 Lankaran Lankaran 85,300 15 Agjabadi Aran 46,900
6 Shirvan Aran 80,900 16 Shamakhi Daglig-Shirvan 43,700
7 Nakhchivan Nakhchivan 78,300 17 Fuzuli Upper Karabakh 42,000
8 Shamkir Ganja-Qazakh 69,600 18 Salyan Aran 37,000
9 Shaki Shaki-Zaqatala 66,400 19 Barda Aran 38,600
10 Yevlakh Aran 66,300 20 Neftchala Aran 38,200

(2013 Demographic statistics according to administrative divisions, Azerbaijan State Statistics Committee)

Ethnicity

• Main articles: Azerbaijanis and Ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan

Ethnic composition of Azerbaijan (2019 census) [280] [281]

The ethnic composition of the population, according to the 2019 census, is as follows: 94.8% Azerbaijanis, 1.7% Lezgins, 0.9% Talysh, 0.7% Russians, 0.5% Avars, 0.4% Turks, 0.3% Tats, 0.2% Tatars, 0.1% Ukrainians, 0.1% Tsakhurs, 0.1% Georgians, 0.1% Jews, and 0.2% comprising others. [282]

Languages

• Main article: Languages of Azerbaijan

The official language is Azerbaijani, a Turkic language. Approximately 96% of the national population speaks it as their mother tongue. Russian is still spoken in Azerbaijan, serving as the mother tongue for 0.8% of the national population. [283] In 1989, Armenian was the predominant language in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, spoken by about 76% of its population. [284] Following the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, native Armenian speakers constituted around 95% of the region's population. [285]

A dozen other minority languages are spoken natively, [286] including Avar, Budukh, [287] Georgian, Juhuri, [287] Khinalug, [287] Kryts, [287] Lezgin, Rutul, [287] Talysh, Tat, [287] Tsakhur, [287] and Udi. [287] These languages are spoken by small minority populations, some of which are critically endangered. [288]

Religion

• Main articles: Religion in Azerbaijan and Irreligion in Azerbaijan

The Bibi-Heybat Mosque in Baku, built over the tomb of a descendant of Muhammad. [289]

Azerbaijan is recognized as the most secular Muslim-majority country. [290] Approximately 97% of the population identifies as Muslim. [291] Estimates suggest that 55–65% of Muslims are Shia, while 45–55% are Sunnis. [292] [293] [294] Azerbaijani Sunnis predominantly follow the Hanafi school. [295] [296] The secular government of Azerbaijan has officially favored a Turkish-influenced Sufi version of Sunni Islam over Shia Islam, while maintaining vigilance over the activities of all religious sects. [297] [298] Consequently, there is an observed increase in conversions to Sunni Islam, viewed as a symbol of growing ties with Turkey. [299] Other faiths are practiced by the country's diverse ethnic groups. Under Article 48 of its constitution, Azerbaijan is a secular state that guarantees religious freedom. A poll conducted by Gallup between 2006 and 2008 found that only 21% of respondents in Azerbaijan considered religion an important part of their daily lives. [300]

Among the nation's religious minorities, the estimated 280,000 Christians (3.1%) [301] are primarily Russian and Georgian Orthodox, along with Armenian Apostolic adherents (most Armenians reside in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh). [26] In 2003, there were 250 Roman Catholics. [302] Other Christian denominations as of 2002 included Lutherans, Baptists, and Molokans. [303] A small Protestant community also exists. [304] [305] Azerbaijan is home to an ancient Jewish population with a 2,000-year history; Jewish organizations estimate that 12,000 Jews remain in the country, which hosts the only Jewish-majority town outside of Israel and the United States. [306] [307] [308] [309] Azerbaijan also accommodates members of the Baháʼí, Hare Krishna, and Jehovah's Witnesses communities, as well as adherents of other religious groups. [303] Certain religious communities have reportedly faced unofficial restrictions on religious freedom. A U.S. State Department report on the matter indicated the detention of members from specific Muslim and Christian groups, and many organizations encounter difficulties in registering with the agency responsible for religious affairs, The State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. [310]

Education

• Main article: Education in Azerbaijan

A classroom scene at Dunya School.

A relatively high percentage of Azerbaijanis possess some form of higher education, particularly in scientific and technical fields. [311] During the Soviet era, literacy and average education levels saw a dramatic increase from their initial low points, despite two shifts in the standard alphabet—from Perso-Arabic script to Latin in the 1920s, and from Roman to Cyrillic in the 1930s. According to Soviet data from 1970, literacy rates stood at 100% for both males and females aged nine to forty-nine. [311] The United Nations Development Program Report of 2009 indicated a literacy rate of 99.5 percent. [312]

Since gaining independence, one of the initial legislative actions taken by Parliament was the adoption of a modified-Latin alphabet to replace the Cyrillic script, signifying a move away from Soviet influence. [313] Beyond this, the Azerbaijani education system has undergone minimal structural changes. Early reforms included the reintroduction of religious education, which had been prohibited during the Soviet period, and curriculum revisions that emphasized the use of the Azerbaijani language and eliminated ideological content. Educational institutions encompass elementary schools, thousands of preschools, general secondary schools, and vocational schools, including specialized secondary and technical schools. Education up to the ninth grade is compulsory. [314]

Culture

• The Azerbaijani carpet and Kalaghai, a UNESCO Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The culture of Azerbaijan has developed through a confluence of numerous influences, resulting in a population that is, in many respects, bi-cultural. National traditions are preserved despite the pervasive influence of Western culture, including globalized consumerism. For instance, Novruz Bayram, the celebration of the New Year, is a family holiday rooted in the traditional Zoroastrianism calendar. [315]

Traditional Azerbaijani attire includes the chokha and papakhi. Radio broadcasts are available in Russian, Georgian, Kurdish, Lezgian, and Talysh languages, funded by the state budget. [278] Certain local radio stations in Balakan and Khachmaz organize broadcasts in Avar and Tat. [278] In Baku, several newspapers are published in Russian, Kurdish (Dengi Kurd), Lezgian (Samur), and Talysh. [278] The Jewish society "Sokhnut" publishes the newspaper Aziz. [278]

Architecture

Baku White City in Baku, inaugurated in 2011 and completed in 2022.

Azerbaijani architecture typically blends elements of the East and West, [316] with significant influences from Persian architecture. Numerous ancient architectural landmarks are preserved, such as the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs within the Walled City of Baku. Sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list include the Ateshgah of Baku, the Momine Khatun Mausoleum, Hirkan National Park, the Binagadi asphalt lake, the Lökbatan Mud Volcano, the Shusha State Historical and Architectural Reserve, Baku Stage Mountain, Caspian Shore Defensive Constructions, Ordubad National Reserve, and the Palace of Shaki Khans. [317] [318]

Other architectural treasures include the [Quadrangular Castle](/Quadrangular_castle_( Mardakan)) in Mardakan, Parigala in Yukhary Chardaglar, several bridges spanning the Aras River, and various mausoleums. Monumental architecture was limited during the 19th and early 20th centuries, though distinctive residences were constructed in Baku and other cities. Among more recent architectural achievements, the Baku Metro stations are noted for their opulent decoration. [319]

The contemporary challenge for Azerbaijani architecture involves the diverse application of modern aesthetics, the pursuit of unique artistic styles, and integration with the existing historical-cultural environment. Major projects such as the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, Flame Towers, Baku Crystal Hall, Baku White City, and SOCAR Tower have significantly transformed the country's skyline, promoting its modern identity. [320] [321]

Music and dance

Uzeyir Hajibeyov integrated traditional Azerbaijani music with Western styles in the early 20th century.

Music of Azerbaijan draws upon folk traditions dating back nearly a thousand years, [322] evolving around a monodic structure and producing rhythmically diverse melodies. [323] The music features a complex modal system, where the chromatization of major and minor scales holds significant importance. [323] Azerbaijan possesses a rich collection of national musical instruments, including 14 string instruments, 8 percussion instruments, and 6 wind instruments. [324] According to The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, "in terms of ethnicity, culture and religion the Azerbaijani are musically much closer to Iran than Turkey." [325]

Alim Qasimov performing mugham at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The Azerbaijani Mugham tradition was inscribed by UNESCO in 2008 as a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

[Mugham] typically consists of a suite incorporating poetry and instrumental interludes. During mugham performances, singers are expected to convey emotion through their singing and music. In contrast to the mugham traditions of Central Asian countries, Azerbaijani mugham is characterized by greater freedom of form and less rigidity, often drawing comparisons to the improvisational nature of jazz. [326] UNESCO recognized the Azerbaijani mugham tradition as a [Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity]. [Meykhana] refers to a distinctive traditional Azerbaijani folk singing style, typically performed unaccompanied and involving multiple individuals improvising on a given theme. [327]

[Ashiq] performances blend poetry, storytelling, dance, and vocal and instrumental music into a traditional art form that symbolizes Azerbaijani culture. It features a mystic troubadour or traveling bard who sings and plays the saz. This tradition has its roots in the shamanistic beliefs of ancient Turkic peoples. [328] Ashiqs' songs are semi-improvised, based on common themes. Azerbaijan's ashiq art was included in UNESCO's list of [Intangible Cultural Heritage] in 2009. [329]

Since the mid-1960s, Western-influenced Azerbaijani pop music, in its various forms, has gained popularity in Azerbaijan, while genres like rock and hip hop are widely produced and enjoyed. Azerbaijani pop and Azerbaijani folk music emerged with the international recognition of performers such as Alim Qasimov, Rashid Behbudov, Vagif Mustafazadeh, Muslim Magomayev, Shovkat Alakbarova, and Rubaba Muradova. [330] Azerbaijan actively participates in the Eurovision Song Contest. Azerbaijan made its debut at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. The country's entry secured third place in 2009 and fifth place the following year. [331] Ell and Nikki won first place at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "Running Scared", granting Azerbaijan the right to host the contest in 2012, in Baku. [332] [333] They qualified for every Grand Final until the 2018 edition of the contest, entering with X My Heart performed by singer Aisel. [334]

Dozens of Azerbaijani folk dances exist. These dances are performed at formal celebrations, with dancers wearing traditional attire such as the chokha, which is well-preserved within these national dances. Most dances are characterized by a very fast rhythm. [335]

Art

Traditional Azerbaijani clothing and musical instruments.

Azerbaijani art is represented by a wide array of handicrafts, including chasing, jeweling, metal engraving, wood, stone, or bone carving, carpet-making, lasing, pattern weaving and printing, and knitting and embroidery. Each of these decorative art forms, reflecting the nation's artistic endowments, is highly valued. Numerous merchants, travelers, and diplomats who visited the region throughout history have documented interesting facts regarding the development of arts and crafts in Azerbaijan. [336]

The Azerbaijani carpet is a traditional handmade textile of various sizes, characterized by a dense texture and either a pile or pile-less surface, with patterns distinctive to Azerbaijan's numerous carpet-making regions. In November 2010, the Azerbaijani carpet was proclaimed a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage by UNESCO. [337] [338] Azerbaijani carpets can be classified into several major groups and numerous subgroups. The scientific study of Azerbaijani carpets is closely associated with the name of Latif Karimov, a prominent Soviet-era scholar and artist. [339]

Copper handwork in Lahij.

Azerbaijan has historically been recognized as a center for a wide variety of crafts. Archaeological evidence indicates well-developed agriculture, animal husbandry, metalworking, pottery, ceramics, and carpet weaving dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. Excavations at Dashbulaq, Hasansu, Zayamchai, and Tovuzchai, revealed during BTC pipeline construction, have uncovered artifacts from the early Iron Age. [340]

A miniature painting depicting a battle scene, found on the walls of the Palace of Shaki Khans, dating from the 18th century, in the city of Shaki.

The [Gamigaya Petroglyphs], dating from the 1st to 4th millennium BC, are located in Azerbaijan's Ordubad District. They consist of approximately 1,500 carved rock paintings featuring images of deer, goats, bulls, dogs, snakes, birds, mythical creatures, humans, chariots, and various symbols found on basalt rocks. [341] Norwegian ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl proposed that people from this region migrated to Scandinavia around 100 AD, bringing their boatbuilding skills, which subsequently influenced the development of Viking boats in Northern Europe. [342] [343]

Over centuries, Azerbaijani art has undergone numerous stylistic transformations. Painting is traditionally characterized by a warmth of color and light, as exemplified in the works of Azim Azimzade and Bahruz Kangarli, with a focus on religious figures and cultural motifs. [344] Azerbaijani painting held a preeminent position in the Caucasus for centuries, spanning periods from the Romanesque and Ottoman eras through the Soviet and Baroque periods, with the latter two experiencing particular development in Azerbaijan. Notable artists include Sattar Bahlulzade, Togrul Narimanbekov, Tahir Salahov, Alakbar Rezaguliyev, Mirza Gadim Iravani, Mikayil Abdullayev, and Boyukagha Mirzazade. [345]

Literature

The earliest known figure in written Azerbaijani literature was Izzeddin Hasanoghlu, who compiled a divan containing both Persian and Azerbaijani ghazals. [346] [347] In his Persian ghazals, he used a pen name, while his Azerbaijani ghazals were published under his own name, Hasanoghlu. [346] Among the medieval literary figures was the Persian poet and philosopher Nizami, known as Ganjavi after his birthplace, Ganja. He authored the Khamsa (The Quintuplet), a collection of five romantic poems, including "The Treasure of Mysteries," "Khosrow and Shīrīn," and "Leyli and Mejnūn." [348]

Classical literature began to take shape in the 14th century, drawing from various Early Middle Ages dialects of Tabriz and Shirvan. Prominent poets of this era included Gazi Burhanaddin, Haqiqi (the pen name of Jahan Shah Qara Qoyunlu), and Habibi. [349] The late 14th century marked the commencement of the literary career of Imadaddin Nasimi, [350] recognized as one of the greatest Azerbaijani [351] [352] [353] Hurufi mystical poets of the late 14th and early 15th centuries, [354] and a leading early master of the divan in Turkic literary history. [354] Nasimi also composed poetry in Persian [352] [355] and Arabic. [354] The divan and ghazal styles were further developed by poets such as Qasem-e Anvar, Fuzuli, and the Safavid Shah Ismail I, who wrote under the pen name "Khata'i."

The [Book of Dede Korkut] consists of two manuscripts copied in the 16th century, [356] with its composition estimated to be no earlier than the 15th century. [357] [358] It is a compilation of twelve stories reflecting the oral traditions of Oghuz nomads. [358] The 16th-century poet Fuzuli produced his enduring philosophical and lyrical ghazals in Arabic, Persian, and Azerbaijani. Benefiting significantly from the rich literary heritage of his environment and building upon the legacy of his predecessors, Fuzuli emerged as the preeminent literary figure of his time. His major works include The Divan of Ghazals and The Qasidas. In the same century, Azerbaijani literature experienced further flourishing with the development of the ashik (Azerbaijani: Aşıq) poetic genre of bards. During this period, Shah Ismail I, writing under the pen name Khatāī (Arabic: خطائی, meaning "sinner"), composed approximately 1,400 verses in Azerbaijani, [359] which were later published as his Divan. A distinct literary style known as qoshma (Azerbaijani: qoşma, meaning "improvisation") was introduced and cultivated by Shah Ismail and later by his son and successor, Shah Tahmasp I. [360]

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Fuzuli's unique genres, alongside ashik poetry, were embraced by prominent poets and writers such as Qovsi of Tabriz, Shah Abbas Sani, Agha Mesih Shirvani, Nishat, Molla Vali Vidadi, Molla Panah Vagif, Amani, and Zafar, among others. Alongside Turks, Turkmens, and Uzbeks, Azerbaijanis commemorate the [Epic of Koroglu] (from Azerbaijani: kor oğlu, meaning "blind man's son"), a legendary folk hero. [361] Several documented versions of the Koroglu epic are preserved at the Institute for Manuscripts of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. [347]

Media

• Main articles: Media of Azerbaijan and Media freedom in Azerbaijan

The first Azerbaijani newspaper, Akinchi, was published in 1875. [362] Three state-owned television channels operate: AzTV, Idman TV, and Medeniyyet TV. There is one public channel and six private channels: İctimai Television, Space TV, Lider TV, Azad Azerbaijan TV, Xazar TV, Real TV, [363] and ARB.

Cinema

• Main articles: Cinema of Azerbaijan and Television in Azerbaijan

A scene from the Azerbaijani film In the Kingdom of Oil and Millions, 1916.

The film industry in Azerbaijan traces its origins back to 1898. Azerbaijan was among the earliest nations involved in cinematography, [364] with the first cinematic apparatus appearing in Baku. [365] In 1919, a documentary titled "The Celebration of the Anniversary of Azerbaijani Independence" was produced, commemorating the first anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence from Russia on May 27th, and premiered in June 1919 at several Baku theaters. [366] Following the establishment of Soviet power in 1920, [Nariman Narimanov], chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of Azerbaijan, signed a decree nationalizing the country's cinema industry. This also influenced the development of Azerbaijani animation. [366]

In 1991, after Azerbaijan regained its independence from the Soviet Union, the first Baku International Film Festival East-West was held in Baku. In December 2000, former President Heydar Aliyev issued a decree designating August 2nd as the professional holiday for Azerbaijani filmmakers. Today, Azerbaijani filmmakers are once again navigating challenges similar to those faced by cinematographers prior to the Soviet Union's establishment in 1920. Both content selection and film sponsorship are largely left to the initiative of individual filmmakers. [364]

Cuisine

Dolma, a traditional Azerbaijani meal.

Azerbaijani cuisine features a wide array of seasonal vegetables and greens. Fresh herbs, including mint, cilantro (coriander), dill, basil, parsley, tarragon, leeks, chives, thyme, marjoram, green onions, and watercress, are popular and frequently served alongside main dishes. The country's diverse climate and fertile land are reflected in its national dishes, which are based on Caspian Sea fish, local meats (primarily mutton and beef), and seasonal vegetables and greens.

Saffron-infused rice plov is considered the signature dish of Azerbaijan, and black tea is the national beverage. [367] Azerbaijanis often use traditional [armudu] (pear-shaped) glasses, indicative of a strong tea culture. [368] [369] Popular traditional dishes include [bozbash] (a lamb soup with regional variations incorporating different vegetables), [qutab] (fried turnovers filled with greens or minced meat), and [dushbara] (dumplings filled with ground meat and spices).

Sport

• Main article: Sport in Azerbaijan

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov was the 2013 World Rapid Chess champion and a three-time European Team Chess champion. Teimour Radjabov was the 2019 World Cup winner and a three-time European Team Chess champion.

Freestyle wrestling is traditionally regarded as Azerbaijan's national sport. Since joining the International Olympic Committee, Azerbaijan has secured fourteen Olympic medals in this discipline, including four golds. The most popular sports are football and wrestling. [370]

The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, with 9,122 registered players, is the largest sporting association in the country. [371] [372] The national football team demonstrates comparatively modest performance on the international stage, unlike the nation's football clubs. The most successful clubs include Neftçi, Qarabağ, and Gabala. In 2012, Neftchi Baku became the first Azerbaijani team to advance to the group stage of a European competition. [373] [374] In 2014, Qarabağ became the second Azerbaijani club to reach the group stage of the [UEFA Europa League]. In 2017, after defeating Copenhagen 2–2 (on away goals) in the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League, Qarabağ achieved the distinction of being the first Azerbaijani club to reach the group stage. [375]

Futsal is another sport with considerable popularity in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan national futsal team achieved fourth place in the 2010 UEFA Futsal Championship, while the domestic club [Araz Naxçivan] secured bronze medals in the 2009–10 UEFA Futsal Cup and the [2013–14 UEFA Futsal Cup]. [376] Azerbaijan served as the primary sponsor for the Spanish football club Atlético de Madrid during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons, a partnership described by the club as intended to "promote the image of Azerbaijan in the world." [377]

Azerbaijan is recognized as one of the traditional powerhouses in the world of chess, [378] having hosted numerous international chess tournaments and competitions. The national team clinched the European Team Chess Championship titles in 2009, 2013, and 2017. [379] [380] [381] Notable chess players from Azerbaijan include Teimour Radjabov, Shahriyar Mammadyarov, Vladimir Makogonov, Vugar Gashimov, and the former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov. As of 2014, [update] the Shamkir Chess tournament, a Category 22 event, was one of the highest-rated chess tournaments ever held. [382] [Backgammon] also holds significant cultural importance in Azerbaijan, widely played and enjoyed by the local population. [383] [384] Various backgammon variations have been developed and analyzed by Azerbaijani experts. [385]

The Baku National Stadium was utilized for the inaugural European Games in June 2015.

The [Azerbaijan Women's Volleyball Super League] secured fourth place at the 2005 European Championship. [386] In recent years, clubs such as Rabita Baku and Azerrail Baku have achieved considerable success in European competitions. [387] Prominent Azerbaijani volleyball players include Valeriya Korotenko, Oksana Parkhomenko, Inessa Korkmaz, Natalya Mammadova, and Alla Hasanova.

Other notable Azerbaijani athletes include Namig Abdullayev, Toghrul Asgarov, Rovshan Bayramov, Sharif Sharifov, Mariya Stadnik, and Farid Mansurov in wrestling; Nazim Huseynov, Elnur Mammadli, Elkhan Mammadov, and Rustam Orujov in judo; Rafael Aghayev in karate; Magomedrasul Majidov and Aghasi Mammadov in boxing; Nizami Pashayev in Olympic weightlifting; Azad Asgarov in pankration; Eduard Mammadov in kickboxing; and K-1 fighter Zabit Samedov.

Azerbaijan features a Formula One racetrack, constructed in 2012, [388] and hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix in 2016, [389] followed by the [Azerbaijan Grand Prix] annually since 2017. Other annual sporting events held in the country include the [Baku Cup] tennis tournament and the [Tour d'Azerbaïdjan] cycling race.

Azerbaijan has hosted several major sporting competitions since the late 2000s, including the 2013 F1 Powerboat World Championship, the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, the 2010 European Wrestling Championships, the 2009 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, the 2014 European Taekwondo Championships, the 2014 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, and the 2016 World Chess Olympiad. [390] Baku was selected to host the 2015 European Games. [391] Baku hosted the fourth [Islamic Solidarity Games] in 2017, [392] the [2019 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival], [393] and was a host city for [UEFA Euro 2020]. [394]

See also

Notes

  • ^ UK: /ˌæzərbaɪˈdʒɑːn, -ˈdʒæn/ ⓘ AZ-ər-by-JA(H)N, US: /ˌɑːzərbaɪˈdʒɑːn, ˌæz-/ ⓘ A(H)Z-ər-by-JAHN; [9] Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan [ɑːzæɾbɑjˈdʒɑn]
  • ^ Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Respublikası [ɑːzæɾbɑjˈdʒɑn ɾespublikɑˈsɯ]; Azerbaijan Republic is sometimes used in an official capacity.
  • ^ While often politically aligned with Europe, Azerbaijan is generally considered to be at least mostly in Southwest Asia geographically, with its northern part bisected by the standard Asia–Europe divide, the Greater Caucasus. The United Nations' classification of world regions places Azerbaijan in Western Asia, [10] the CIA World Factbook places it mostly in Southwest Asia, [3] and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary places it in both. [11]
  • ^ a b c d e f g h i j k City under the direct authority of the republic.