The country of Azerbaijan is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, at the crossroads between Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It has been an independent republic since 1991. The capital is Baku. GeographyAzerbaijan has an area of 33,400 square miles (86,600 square kilometers). It is bordered by Russia and Georgia to the north, the Caspian Sea to the east, Armenia to the west, and Iran to the south. The republic of Nakhichevan is separated from the rest of the country by a part of Armenia. Much of the north and the south of Azerbaijan is mountainous. Bazardyuzyu, at 14,652 feet (4,466 meters), is the highest peak. The central area consists of a large plain crossed by the Kura River. The country lies in a region that has many earthquakes. The climate of Azerbaijan is dry, with hot summers and mild winters. During the summer months the temperature ranges from 81° F (27° C) to a maximum of 109° F (43° C). The plains have a dry and even desertlike climate. Southeastern Azerbaijan is more humid, with the highest rainfalls in the country. The annual rainfall there ranges from 47 to 55 inches (1,120 to 1,400 millimeters), most of it falling during the winter months. People and cultureThe Azerbaijanis traditionally were herders and farmers, but now more than half of the population lives in cities. Most of the people speak Azerbaijani, which is a member of the Turkic family of languages. A majority of the country's people are Muslims. Followers of the Orthodox Catholic church form important minorities. The Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is disputed with neighboring Armenia, has a majority Orthodox population. Economy - Oil derricks in the Caspian Sea near Baku, Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan has developed an agricultural and industrial economy. The main crops include cotton, tobacco, wheat, barley, corn, and rice. Fruits and potatoes and other vegetables are also important. Tea and citrus fruits are grown in the humid lowlands. In some areas the climate is suitable for cultivating grapes, most of which are used to make wine. Almost all of the wine is exported. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the basis of meat and wool production. Silk is another major product. Azerbaijan's major resources are petroleum and natural gas. Petroleum refineries and other industries are located in the Baku area. Major industries include the manufacture of steel, oil equipment, chemicals, and textiles; metal refining is also important. Azerbaijan's fisheries are of particular importance because of the sturgeon, a fish found in the Caspian Sea. The roe, or eggs, of sturgeon are used to produce the delicacy caviar. Sturgeon stocks, however, are declining because of pollution in the Caspian Sea. Modern Azerbaijan has a network of roadways and railways. Motor transport is used extensively for both freight and passengers. Baku, the largest city, is a busy port on the Caspian Sea. Air routes connect Baku with a number of European and Asian cities. HistoryAzerbaijan's recorded history is more than 2,000 years old. At various times Arabs, Persians, Turks, and Mongols dominated the land. Present-day Azerbaijan became a part of the Russian Empire in the early 19th century. In 1918, in the turmoil following the Russian Revolution, Azerbaijan declared its independence. In 1920, however, the new Soviet army invaded Azerbaijan, and in 1922 it was combined with Georgia and Armenia as a republic of the Soviet Union. In 1936 Azerbaijan became the separate Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. With the breakup of the Soviet Union Azerbaijan once again declared its independence in August 1991. One of the most serious issues facing the new country was an ongoing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Although the region was part of Azerbaijan, most of the people living there were ethnic Armenians. The Armenians wanted Azerbaijan to give up control of the area, but the Azerbaijanis refused. The conflict continued into the 21st century. Population (2001 estimate), 8,105,000. |