BAKU
Azerbaijan is a landlocked country in Southwestern Asia located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is bounded by the Caspian Sea, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Iran. The government system is a republic; the chief of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister
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INTRODUCTION ON BAKU
Azerbaijan is located at the crossroads of Europe and Central Asia. Its territory lies in the region once called the Silk Route, a famous network of roads between China and Europe. Over the centuries, many kingdoms and empires have fought to gain control over the region.
By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the region was under Russian control. In 1918 Azerbaijan gained its independence and became known as the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. But freedom was very short-lived. In 1920, army troops from what was then the Soviet Union invaded and occupied the capital city, Baku. Azerbaijan then lived under the domination of the Soviet Union until 1991. That year, the Soviet Union collapsed and Azerbaijan was able to regain its independence as the Republic of Azerbaijan. Since 1988, Armenians have been fighting with the people of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijanis. As of 1997, Armenians occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan's territory.
BAKU
CLIMATIC CONDITION AND SEASON
In general, more mountainous parts of Azerbaijan receive higher levels of precipitation and lower average temperatures than the central lowlands and Caspian Sea coast, where the climate is drier and hotter. Azerbaijan experiences hot summers (especially in lowland areas) and moderate winters. The best time to visit Azerbaijan is April to June and September to October, which will let you avoid the 40°C summers and sub-zero winters - particularly in the mountains. You can also participate in the Novruz Bayrami celebrations each March, which mark the Persian New Year.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT BAKU
A virtual guide to Azerbaijan. The former Soviet republic is an independent state since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The country is situated in southwestern Asia with the Great Caucasus Mountains to the north.
Historically, the name Azerbaijan refers to a larger region that formed part of Persia (Iran). Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea in the east, Iran in the south, Armenia in the west, and Georgia and Russia in the north. The Azeri autonomous republic of Nakhchivan forms an enclave within the Republic of Armenia, in a narrow part in west it borders Turkey. Its highest mountain is Bazarduzu Dagi with 4,485 m.
With an area of 86,600 km² the country is slightly larger than Austria or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maine.
Azerbaijan has a population of 9.7 million people (in 2016). Main religion is Islam, Azerbaijan is one of the few countries with a majority Shiite population.
Capital and largest city is Baku. Spoken languages are Azeri 90% (official), Russian 2%.
Read on and get an overview of Azerbaijan's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and government.
