Almost all exports go to Russia, Europe or the Middle East. However, foreign oil companies have insisted that their costs must be covered in the first years of oil production, so it will be some time before Azerbaijan can really benefit. Income Distribution Wealth is confined to Baku and people involved in the oil business. The rest of the country is made up of valleys and plains. Soil pollution - from heavy use of toxic chemicals for the cotton crops.
Water pollution is also a problem.
Politics Azerbaijan became independent from the USSR in 1991. Although there is no real democracy, the opposition was allowed to criticise the president on TV before the last election. However, in rural areas society remains very traditional. Flags courtesy of ITA 's Flags of All Countries used with permission.