Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan,officially theRepublic of Azerbaijan,is atranscontinentalandlandlocked countryat the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe.It is a part of theSouth Caucasusregion and is bounded by theCaspian Seato the east, Russia's republic ofDagestanto the north,Georgiato the northwest,ArmeniaandTurkeyto the west, andIranto the south.Bakuis the capital and largest city.
The territory of what is now Azerbaijan was ruled first byCaucasian Albaniaand later by variousPersian empires. Until the 19th century, it remained part ofQajar Iran, but the Russo-Persian wars of1804–1813and1826–1828forced the Qajar Empire to cede its Caucasian territories to theRussian Empire; the treaties ofGulistanin 1813 andTurkmenchayin 1828 defined the border between Russia and Iran.The region north of theAraswas part of Iran until it was conquered by Russia in the 19th century,where it was administered as part of theCaucasus Viceroyalty.
By the late 19th century, anAzerbaijani national identityemerged when theAzerbaijan Democratic Republicproclaimed its independence from theTranscaucasian Democratic Federative Republicin 1918, a year after the Russian Empirecollapsed, and became the firstseculardemocraticMuslim-majoritystate. In 1920, the country was conquered and incorporated into theSoviet Unionas theAzerbaijan SSR.The modern Republic of Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on 30 August 1991,shortly before thedissolution of the Soviet Union. In September 1991, the ethnicArmenianmajority of theNagorno-Karabakhregion formed the self-proclaimedRepublic of Artsakh,which becamede factoindependent with the end of theFirst Nagorno-Karabakh Warin 1994, although the region andseven surrounding districtsremained internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.Following theSecond Nagorno-Karabakh Warin 2020, the seven districts and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh were returned to Azerbaijani control.AnAzerbaijani offensive in 2023ended the Republic of Artsakh and resulted in theflight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.
Azerbaijan is aunitarysemi-presidentialrepublic.It is one of six independent Turkic states and an active member of theOrganization of Turkic Statesand theTÜRKSOYcommunity. Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 182 countries and holds membership in 38 international organizations,including the United Nations, theCouncil of Europe, theNon-Aligned Movement, theOSCE, and theNATOPfPprogram. It is one of the founding members ofGUAM, theCommonwealth of Independent States,and theOPCW. Azerbaijan is an observer state of theWorld Trade Organization.
The vast majority of the country's population (97%) isnominallyMuslim.TheConstitution of Azerbaijandoes not declare an official religion, and all major political forces in the country are secular. Azerbaijan is adeveloping countryand ranks 89th on theHuman Development Index. The rulingNew Azerbaijan Party, in power since 1993, has been accused of authoritarianism under presidentsHeydar Aliyevand his sonIlham Aliyev, and worsening the country'shuman rights record, including increasing restrictions on civil liberties, particularly onpress freedom, and political repression.
The termAzerbaijanderives fromAtropates,aPersiansatrapunder theAchaemenid Empirewho was reinstated as the satrap ofMediaunderAlexander the Great.The original etymology of this name is thought to have its roots in the once-dominantZoroastrianism. In theAvesta'sFrawardinYasht("Hymn to the Guardian Angels"), there is a mention ofâterepâtahe ashaonô fravashîm ýazamaide, which translates fromAvestanas "we worship thefravashiof the holyAtropatene".The name "Atropates" is the Greek transliteration of anOld Iranian, probablyMedian, compounded name with the meaning "Protected by the (Holy) Fire" or "The Land of the (Holy) Fire".The Greek name was mentioned byDiodorus SiculusandStrabo. Over the span of millennia, the name evolved toĀturpātākān(Middle Persian), then toĀdharbādhagān,Ādhorbāygān,Āzarbāydjān(New Persian) and present-dayAzerbaijan.
The nameAzerbaijanwas first adopted by the government ofMusavatin 1918after thecollapse of the Russian Empire, when the independentAzerbaijan Democratic Republicwas established. Until then, the designation had been used exclusively to identify theadjacent region of contemporary northwestern Iran,while the area of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was formerly referred to asArranandShirvan.On that basis Iran protested the newly adopted country name.
During Soviet rule, the country was also spelled in Latin from theRussian transliterationasAzerbaydzhan(Russian:Азербайджа́н).The country's name was also spelled inCyrillic scriptfrom 1940 to 1991 asАзәрбајҹан.
The earliest evidence of human settlement in the territory of Azerbaijan dates back to the lateStone Ageand is related to theGuruchay cultureofAzykh Cave.Early settlements included theScythiansduring the 9th century BC.Following the Scythians, IranianMedescame to dominate the area to the south of theAras river.The Medes forged a vast empire between 900 and 700 BC, which was integrated into theAchaemenid Empirearound 550 BC.The area was conquered by the Achaemenids leading to the spread ofZoroastrianism.
TheSasanian EmpireturnedCaucasian Albaniainto avassal statein 252, while KingUrnayrofficially adopted Christianity as the state religion in the 4th century.Despite Sassanid rule, Caucasian Albania remained an entity in the region until the 9th century, while fully subordinate to Sassanid Iran, and retained its monarchy. Despite being one of the chief vassals of the Sasanian emperor, the Albanian king had only a semblance of authority, and the Sasanianmarzban(military governor) held most civil, religious, and military authority.
In the first half of the 7th century, Caucasian Albania, as a vassal of the Sasanians, came under nominal Muslim rule with theMuslim conquest of Persia. TheUmayyad Caliphaterepulsed both the Sasanians andByzantinesfrom theSouth Caucasusand turned Caucasian Albania into a vassal state after Christian resistance led by KingJuansherwas suppressed in 667. The power vacuum left by the decline of theAbbasid Caliphatewas filled by numerous local dynasties such as theSallarids,Sajids, andShaddadids. At the beginning of the 11th century, the territory was gradually seized by the waves of migratingOghuz Turksfrom Central Asia, who adopted aTurkomanethnonymat the time.The first of these Turkic dynasties established was theSeljuk Empire, which entered the area by 1067.
The pre-Turkic population spoke severalIndo-Europeanand Caucasian languages, among themArmenianand anIranian language,Old Azeri, which was gradually replaced by aTurkic language, the early precursor of theAzerbaijani languageof today.Some linguists have also stated that theTati dialectsofIranian Azerbaijanand the Republic of Azerbaijan, like those spoken by theTats, are descended from Old Azeri.Locally, the possessions of the subsequent Seljuk Empire were ruled byEldiguzids, technically vassals of the Seljuk sultans, but sometimesde factorulers themselves. Under the Seljuks, local poets such asNizami GanjaviandKhaqanigave rise to a blossoming ofPersian literaturein the region.
Shirvanshahs, the local dynasty of Arabic origin that was later Persianized, became a vassal state ofTimurid EmpireofTimurand assisted him in his war with the ruler of theGolden HordeTokhtamysh. Following Timur's death, two independent and rival Turkoman states emerged:Qara QoyunluandAq Qoyunlu. The Shirvanshahs returned, maintaining for numerous centuries to come a high degree of autonomy as local rulers and vassals as they had done since 861. In 1501, theSafavid dynastyof Iran subdued the Shirvanshahs and gained its possessions. In the course of the next century, the Safavidsconverted the formerly Sunni population to Shia Islam,as they did with the population in what is modern-day Iran.The Safavids allowed the Shirvanshahs to remain in power under Safavid suzerainty until 1538, when Safavid KingTahmasp Icompletely deposed them and made the area into the Safavidprovince of Shirvan. The Sunni Ottomans briefly managed to occupy present-day Azerbaijan as a result of theOttoman–Safavid War of 1578–1590; by the early 17th century, they were ousted by Safavid Iranian rulerAbbas I. In the wake of the demise of the Safavid dynasty,Bakuand its environs were briefly occupied by the Russians as a consequence of theRusso-Persian War of 1722–1723. Remainder of present Azerbaijan wasoccupied by the Ottomansfrom 1722 to 1736.Despite brief intermissions such as these by Safavid Iran's neighboring rivals, the land remained under Iranian rule from the earliest advent of the Safavids up to the course of the 19th century.
After the Safavids, the area was ruled by the IranianAfsharid dynasty. After the death ofNader Shahin 1747, many of his former subjects capitalized on the eruption of instability.Numerous khanateswith various forms of autonomyemerged. The rulers of these khanates were directly related to the ruling dynasties of Iran and were vassals andsubjectsof the Iranian shah.The khanates exercised control over their affairs via international trade routes between Central Asia and the West.
Thereafter, the area was under the successive rule of the IranianZandsandQajars.From the late 18th century,Imperial Russiaswitched to a more aggressive geo-political stance towards Iran and theOttoman Empire.Russia actively tried to gain possession of the Caucasus region which was, for the most part, in the hands of Iran.In 1804, the Russiansinvaded and sacked the Iranian town of Ganja, sparking theRusso-Persian War of 1804–1813.The militarily superior Russians ended the war with a victory.Following Qajar Iran's loss, it was forced to concede suzerainty over most of the khanates, along with Georgia and Dagestan to the Russian Empire, per theTreaty of Gulistan.
The area to the north of the Aras River was Iranian territory until Russia occupied it in the 19th century.About a decade later, in violation of the Gulistan treaty, the Russians invaded Iran'sErivan Khanate.This sparked the final bout of hostilities between the two, theRusso-Persian War of 1826–1828. The resultingTreaty of Turkmenchayforced Qajar Iran to cede sovereignty over the Erivan Khanate, theNakhchivan Khanateand the remainder of theTalysh Khanate.After the incorporation of all Caucasian territories from Iran into Russia, the border between the two was set at the Aras River.
Despite the Russian conquest, throughout the entire 19th century, preoccupation withIranian culture,literature, and language remained widespread among Shia and Sunni intellectuals in the Russian-held cities of Baku, Ganja and Tiflis (Tbilisi, now Georgia).Within the same century, in post-Iranian Russian-held East Caucasia, an Azerbaijani national identity emerged at the end of the 19th century.As a result of the Russian conquest, theAzerbaijanisare nowadays parted between two nations: Iran and Azerbaijan.
After the collapse of the Russian Empire duringWorld War I, the short-livedTranscaucasian Democratic Federative Republicwas declared, constituting the present-day republics of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. It was followed by theMarch Daysmassacresthat took place between 30 March and 2 April 1918 in Baku and adjacent areas of theBaku Governorate.When the republic dissolved in May 1918, the leadingMusavatparty declared independence as theAzerbaijan Democratic Republic(ADR), adopting the name of "Azerbaijan", a name that prior to the proclamation of the ADR was solely used to refer to the adjacentnorthwestern region of contemporary Iran.The ADR was the first modernparliamentary republicin the Muslim world.Among the important accomplishments of the Parliament was the extension of suffrage to women, making ADR the first Muslim nation to grant women equal political rights with men.Baku State University, first modern university founded in the Muslim East, was established during this period.
Independent Azerbaijan lasted only 23 months until theBolshevik11th Soviet Red Armyinvaded it, establishing theAzerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republicon 28 April 1920. Although the bulk of the newly formed Azerbaijani army was engaged in putting down an Armenian revolt that had  broken out inKarabakh, Azerbaijanis did not surrender their brief independence of 1918–20 quickly or easily. As many as 20,000 Azerbaijani soldiers died resisting what was effectively a Russian reconquest.Within the ensuing early Soviet period, the Azerbaijani national identity was forged.
On 13 October 1921, the Soviet republics of Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia signed an agreement with Turkey known as theTreaty of Kars. The previously independentRepublic of Araswould also become theNakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republicwithin the Azerbaijan SSR by the treaty of Kars. On the other hand, Armenia was awarded the region ofZangezurand Turkey agreed to returnGyumri(then known as Alexandropol).
DuringWorld War II, Azerbaijan played a crucial role in the strategic energy policy of theSoviet Union, with 80 percent of the Soviet Union's oil on theEastern Frontbeing supplied by Baku. By decree of theSupreme Soviet of the Soviet Unionin February 1942, the commitment of more than 500 workers and employees of the oil industry of Azerbaijan were awarded orders and medals.Operation Edelweisscarried out by the GermanWehrmachttargeted Baku because of its importance as the energy (petroleum) dynamo of the USSR.A fifth of all Azerbaijanis fought in the Second World War from 1941 to 1945. Approximately 681,000 people (with over 100,000 women) went to the front, while the total population of Azerbaijan was 3.4 million at the time.Some 250,000 people from Azerbaijan were killed on the front. More than 130 Azerbaijanis were namedheroes of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijani Major-GeneralAzi Aslanovwas twice awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union.
Following the politics ofglasnostinitiated byMikhail Gorbachev, civil unrest and ethnic strife grew in various regions of the Soviet Union, includingNagorno-Karabakh,an autonomous region of the Azerbaijan SSR. The disturbances in Azerbaijan, in response to Moscow's indifference to an already heated conflict, resulted in calls for independence and secession, which culminated in theBlack Januaryevents in Baku.Later in 1990, theSupreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSRdropped the words "Soviet Socialist" from the title, adopted the "Declaration of Sovereignty of the Azerbaijan Republic" and restored the flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as the state flag.As a consequence of the failed1991 Soviet coup attemptin Moscow, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopted a Declaration of Independence on 18 October 1991 which was affirmed by a nationwide referendum in December, while the Soviet Union officially ceased to exist on 26 December.The country celebrates itsDay of Restoration of Independenceon 18 October.
The early years of independence were overshadowed by theFirst Nagorno-Karabakh warwith the ethnic Armenian majority of Nagorno-Karabakh backed by Armenia.By the end of the hostilities in 1994, Armenians controlled 14–16 percent of Azerbaijani territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh.During the war many atrocities and pogroms by both sides were committed including the massacres atMalibeyli, GushchularandGaradaghlyand theKhojaly massacre, along with theBaku pogrom, theMaraga massacreand theKirovabad pogrom.Furthermore, an estimated 30,000 people were killed and more than a million people were displaced (more than 800,000 Azerbaijanis and 300,000 Armenians).FourUnited Nations Security Councilresolutions (822,853,874, and884) demand for "the immediate withdrawal of all Armenian forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan."Many Russians and Armenians fled Azerbaijan as refugees during the 1990s.According to the 1970 census, there were 510,000 ethnicRussiansand 484,000 Armenians in Azerbaijan.
In 1993, democratically elected PresidentAbulfaz Elchibeywas overthrown by a military insurrection led by ColonelSurat Huseynov, which resulted in the rise to power of the former leader of Soviet Azerbaijan,Heydar Aliyev. In 1994, Huseynov, by that time the prime minister, attempted another military coup against Heydar Aliyev, but he was arrested and charged with treason.In 1995another coupwas attempted against Aliyev, this time by the commander of the RussianOMONspecial police unit,Rovshan Javadov. The coup was averted, resulting in the death of Javadov and disbanding of Azerbaijan's OMON units.At the same time, the country was tainted by rampant corruption in the governing bureaucracy.In October 1998, Aliyev was re-elected for a second term.
Ilham Aliyev, Heydar Aliyev's son, became chairman of theNew Azerbaijan Partyas well asPresident of Azerbaijanwhen his father died in 2003. He wasre-elected to a third termas president in October 2013.In April 2018, Aliyev secured his fourth consecutive term in theelectionthat was boycotted by the main opposition parties as fraudulent.On 27 September 2020, clashes in the unresolvedNagorno-Karabakh conflictresumed along theNagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact. Both the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia reported military and civilian casualties.TheNagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreementand the end of the six-weekwar between Azerbaijan and Armeniawas widely celebrated in Azerbaijan, as they made significant territorial gains.Despite the much improved economy,particularly with the exploitation of theAzeri–Chirag–Guneshlioil field andShah Deniz gas field, the Aliyev family rule has been criticized with election fraud,high levels of economic inequalityanddomestic corruption.In September 2023, Azerbaijanlaunched an offensiveagainst the breakawayRepublic of Artsakhin Nagorno-Karabakh that resulted in the dissolution and reintegration of Artsakh on 1 January 2024 and theflight of nearly all ethnic Armenians from the region.
Azerbaijan is located in theSouth Caucasusregion ofEurasia, straddlingWest AsiaandEastern Europe. It lies between latitudes38°and42° N, and longitudes44°and51° E. The perimeter of Azerbaijan's land borders is 2,648 km (1,645 mi), of which 1,007 km (626 mi) are with Armenia, 756 km (470 mi) with Iran, 480 kilometers with Georgia, 390 km (242 mi) with Russia and 15 km (9 mi) with Turkey.The coastline stretches for 800 km (497 mi), and the length of the widest area of the Azerbaijani section of theCaspian Seais 456 km (283 mi).The country has a landlockedexclave, theNakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Three physical features dominate Azerbaijan: the Caspian Sea, whose shoreline forms a natural boundary to the east; theGreater Caucasusmountain range to the north; and the extensive flatlands at the country's center. There are three mountain ranges: the Greater andLesser Caucasus, and theTalysh Mountains, together covering approximately 40% of the country.The highest peak isMount Bazardüzü4,466 m (14,652 ft), while the lowest point lies in the Caspian Sea −28 m (−92 ft) . Nearly half of all themud volcanoeson Earth are concentrated in Azerbaijan,these volcanoeswere among nominees for theNew 7 Wonders of Nature.
The main water sources are surface waters. Only 24 of the 8,350 stream are greater than 100 km (62 mi) in length.All the streams drain into the Caspian Sea.The largest lake isSarysuat 67 km(26 sq mi), and the longest river isKurat 1,515 km (941 mi), which istransboundarywith Armenia. Azerbaijan has several islands along the Caspian sea, mostly located in theBaku Archipelago.
Since independence in 1991, the government has taken measures to preserve theenvironment of Azerbaijan. National protection of the environment accelerated after 2001 when the state budget increased through revenues provided by theBaku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline. Within four years, protected areas doubled and now make up eight percent of the country's territory. Since 2001 the government has set up seven large reserves and almost doubled the sector of the budget earmarked for environmental protection.
Azerbaijan is home to a wide variety of landscapes. Over half of the land consists of mountain ridges, crests, highlands, and plateaus which rise up to levels of 400–1,000 meters (including the middle and lower lowlands), in some places (Talis, Jeyranchol-Ajinohur and Langabiz-Alat foreranges) up to 100–120 meters, and others from 0–50 meters and up (Qobustan, Absheron). The rest of Azerbaijan's terrain consists of plains and lowlands. Elevations within the Caucasus region vary from about −28 meters at the Caspian Sea shoreline up to 4,466 meters (Bazardüzüpeak).
The climate is influenced particularly by cold arcticair massesof Scandinaviananticyclone, temperate air masses ofSiberiananticyclone, and Central Asian anticyclone.Azerbaijan's diverse landscape affects the ways air masses enter the country.The Greater Caucasus protects the country from direct influences of cold air masses coming from the north. That leads to the formation ofsubtropical climateon most foothills and plains of the country. Meanwhile, plains and foothills are characterized by highsolar radiationrates.
Nine out of eleven existingclimate zonesare present in Azerbaijan.Both the absolute minimum temperature (−33 °C or −27.4 °F) and the absolute maximum temperaturewere observed inJulfaandOrdubad—regions ofNakhchivan Autonomous Republic.The maximum annual precipitation falls inLankaran(1,600 to 1,800 mm or 63 to 71 in) and the minimum in Absheron (200 to 350 mm or 7.9 to 13.8 in).
Rivers and lakes form the principal part of the water systems of Azerbaijan, they were formed over a long geological timeframe and changed significantly throughout that period. This is particularly evidenced by remnants of ancient rivers found throughout the country. The water systems are continually changing under the influence of natural forces and human-introduced industrial activities. Artificial rivers (canals) and ponds are a part of Azerbaijan's water systems. In terms of water supply, Azerbaijan is below the average in the world with approximately 100,000 cubic metres (3,531,467 cubic feet) per year of water per square kilometer.All bigwater reservoirsare built on Kur. The hydrography of Azerbaijan basically belongs to the Caspian Sea basin.
TheKuraandArasare the major rivers in Azerbaijan. They run through theKura-Aras lowland. The rivers that directly flow into the Caspian Sea originate mainly from the north-eastern slope of the Major Caucasus and Talysh Mountains and run along the Samur–Devechi and Lankaran lowlands.
Yanar Dag, translated as "burning mountain", is a natural gas fire which blazes continuously on a hillside on theAbsheron Peninsulaon the Caspian Sea near Baku, which itself is known as the "land of fire." Flames jet out into the air from a thin, porous sandstone layer. It is a tourist attraction to visitors to the Baku area.
The first reports on the richness and diversity of animal life in Azerbaijan can be found in travel notes of Eastern travelers. Animal carvings on architectural monuments, ancient rocks, and stones survived up to the present times. The first information on flora and fauna of Azerbaijan was collected during the visits of naturalists to Azerbaijan in the 17th century.
There are 106 species of mammals, 97 species of fish, 363 species of birds, 10 species of amphibians, and 52 species of reptiles which have been recorded and classified in Azerbaijan.The national animal of Azerbaijan is theKarabakh horse, a mountain-steppe racing and riding horse endemic to Azerbaijan. The Karabakh horse has a reputation for its good temper, speed, elegance, and intelligence. It is one of the oldest breeds, with ancestry dating to the ancient world, but today the horse is an endangered species.
Azerbaijan's flora consists of more than 4,500 species of higher plants. Due to the unique climate in Azerbaijan, the flora is much richer in the number of species than the flora of the other republics of the South Caucasus. Sixty-six percent of the species growing in the wholeCaucasuscan be found in Azerbaijan.The country lies within four ecoregions:Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests,Caucasus mixed forests,Eastern Anatolian montane steppe, andAzerbaijan shrub desert and steppe.
Azerbaijan had a 2018Forest Landscape Integrity Indexmean score of 6.55/10, ranking it 72nd globally out of 172 countries.Forest coveris around 14.% of the total land area, equivalent to 1,131,770 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, up from 944,740 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 826,200 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 305,570 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 0% was reported to beprimary forest(consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 33% of the forest area was found within protected areas. In 2015, 100% of the forest area was reported to be underpublic ownership, 0%private ownershipand 0% with ownership listed as other or unknown.
Azerbaijan's government functions as an authoritarian regime in practice;although it regularly holdselections, these are marred byelectoral fraudand other unfair election practices.The government has been ruled by theAliyev political familyand theNew Azerbaijan Party(Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası, YAP) established byHeydar Aliyevcontinuously since 1993.It is categorised as "not free" byFreedom House,who ranked it 7/100 on Global Freedom Score in 2024, calling its regime authoritarian.
The structural formation of the political system was completed by the adoption of theconstitutionon 12 November 1995. According to Article 23 of the constitution, thestate symbolsare theflag, thecoat of arms, and thenational anthem. The state power is limited only by law for internal issues, but international affairs are also limited by international agreements' provisions.
The Constitution of Azerbaijan states that it is a presidential republic with three branches of power – executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative power is held by theunicameralNational Assemblyand the Supreme National Assembly in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. TheParliament of Azerbaijan, called Milli Majlis, consists of 125 deputies elected based onmajority vote, with a term of five years for each elected member. The elections are held every five years, on the first Sunday of November. The Parliament is not responsible for the formation of the government, but the constitution requires the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers by Milli Majlis.The New Azerbaijan Party, and independents loyal to the ruling government, currently hold almost all of the Parliament's 125 seats. During the2010 Parliamentary election, the opposition parties,MusavatandAzerbaijani Popular Front Party, failed to win a single seat. European observersfound numerous irregularitiesin the run-up to the election and on election day.
The executive power is held by thepresident, who is elected for a seven-year term by direct elections, and theprime minister. The president is authorized to form theCabinet, a collective executive body accountable to both the president and the National Assembly.The Cabinet consists primarily of the prime minister, his deputies, and ministers. The8th Government of Azerbaijanis the administration in its current formation. The president does not have the right to dissolve the National Assembly but has the right to veto its decisions. To override the presidential veto, the parliament must have a majority of 95 votes. The judicial power is vested in theConstitutional Court,Supreme Court, and the Economic Court. The president nominates the judges in these courts.
Azerbaijan's system of governance nominally can be called two-tiered. The top or highest tier of the government is the executive power headed by president. The local executive authority is merely a continuation of executive power. The provision determines the legal status of local state administration on local executive authority (Yerli Icra Hakimiyati), adopted 16 June 1999. In June 2012, the president approved a regulation which granted additional powers to local executive authorities, strengthening their dominant position in local affairsThe Security Council is the deliberative body under the president, and he organizes it according to the constitution. It was established on 10 April 1997. The administrative department is not a part of the president's office but manages the financial, technical and pecuniary activities of both the president and his office.
The short-lived Azerbaijan Democratic Republic succeeded in establishing diplomatic relations with six countries, sending diplomatic representatives to Germany and Finland.The process of international recognition of Azerbaijan's independence from the collapsing Soviet Union lasted roughly one year. The most recent country to recognize Azerbaijan was Bahrain, on 6 November 1996.Full diplomatic relations, including mutual exchanges of missions, were first established with Turkey, Pakistan, the United States, Iranand Israel.Azerbaijan has placed a particular emphasis on its "special relationship" with Turkey.
Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 158 countries so far and holds membership in 38 international organizations.It holds observer status in theNon-Aligned MovementandWorld Trade Organizationand is a correspondent at theInternational Telecommunication Union.On 9 May 2006 Azerbaijan was elected to membership in the newly establishedHuman Rights Councilby theUnited Nations General Assembly. The term of office began on 19 June 2006.Azerbaijan was first elected as a non-permanent member of theUN Security Council in 2011with the support of 155 countries.
Foreign policy priorities include, first of all, the restoration of its territorial integrity; elimination of the consequences of occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other regions of Azerbaijan surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh;integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structure; contribution to international security; cooperation with international organizations; regional cooperation and bilateral relations; strengthening of defense capability; promotion of security by domestic policy means; strengthening of democracy; preservation of ethnic and religious tolerance; scientific, educational, and cultural policy and preservation of moral values; economic and social development; enhancing internal and border security; and migration, energy, and transportation security policy.
Azerbaijan is an active member of international coalitions fighting international terrorism, and was one of the first countries to offer support after theSeptember 11 attacks.The country is an active member ofNATO'sPartnership for Peaceprogram, contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.Azerbaijan is also amemberof theCouncil of Europesince 2001 and maintains good relations with the European Union. The country may eventually apply for EU membership.
On 1 July 2021, the US Congress advanced legislation that will have an impact on the military aid that Washington has sent to Azerbaijan since 2012. This was because the packages to Armenia, instead, are significantly smaller.
Azerbaijan has been harshly criticized for bribing foreign officials and diplomats to promote its causes abroad and legitimize its elections at home, a practice termedcaviar diplomacy.TheAzerbaijani laundromatmoney launderingoperation involved the bribery of foreign politicians and journalists to serve the Azerbaijani government's public relations interests.
The National Army of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was created on 26 June 1918.When Azerbaijan gained independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan were created according to the law on the armed forces of 9 October 1991.The original date of the establishment of the short-lived National Army is celebrated as Army Day (26 June).As of 2021, Azerbaijan had 126,000 active personnel in its armed forces. There are also 17,000 paramilitary troops and 330,00 reserve personnel.The armed forces have three branches: theLand Forces, theAir Forcesand theNavy. Additionally the armed forces embrace several military sub-groups that can be involved in state defense when needed. These are theInternal Troopsof the Ministry of Internal Affairs and theState Border Service, which includes the Coast Guard as well.TheAzerbaijani National Guardis a paramilitary force that operates as a semi-independent entity of the Special State Protection Service, an agency subordinate to the president.
Azerbaijan adheres to theTreaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europeand has signed all major international arms and weapons treaties. Azerbaijan closely cooperates withNATOin programs such asPartnership for PeaceandIndividual Partnership Action Plan/pfp and ipa. Azerbaijan has deployed 151 of its peacekeeping forces in Iraq and another 184 in Afghanistan.
Azerbaijan spent $2.24 billion on its defence budget as of 2020,which amounted to 5.4% of its total GDP,and some 12.7% of general government expenditure.Azerbaijanidefense industrymanufactures small arms, artillery systems, tanks, armors andnight vision devices, aviation bombs, UAVs/unmanned aerial vehicle, various military vehicles and military planes and helicopters.
The constitution claims to guarantee freedom of speech, but this is denied in practice. After several years of decline in press and media freedom, in 2014, the media environment deteriorated rapidly under a governmental campaign to silence any opposition and criticism, even while the country led the Committee of Ministers of theCouncil of Europe(May–November 2014). Spurious legal charges and impunity in violence against journalists have remained the norm.All foreign broadcasts are banned in the country.According to the 2013Freedom HouseFreedom of the Press report, Azerbaijan's press freedom status is "not free", and Azerbaijan ranks 177th out of 196 countries.Radio Free Europe/Radio LibertyandVoice of Americaare banned in Azerbaijan.Discrimination againstLGBT peoplein Azerbaijan is widespread.
Christianity is officially recognized. All religious communities are required to register to be allowed to meet, under the risk of imprisonment. This registration is often denied. "Racial discrimination contributes to the country's lack of religious freedom, since many of the Christians are ethnic Armenian or Russian, rather than Azeri Muslim".
During the last few years,three journalists were killed and several prosecuted in trials described as unfair by international human rights organizations. Azerbaijan had the largest number of journalists imprisoned in Europe in 2015, according to theCommittee to Protect Journalists, and is the 5th most censored country in the world, ahead of Iran and China.Some critical journalists have beenarrestedfor their coverage of theCOVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan.
A report by anAmnesty Internationalresearcher in October 2015 points to "...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."Amnesty's 2015/16 annual reporton the country stated "... 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 in 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."
The Guardianreported 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." There was no suggestion that all recipients were aware of the source of the money as it arrived via a disguised route.
There are 14 economic regions; 66rayons(rayonlar, singularrayon) and 11 cities (şəhərlər, singularşəhər) under the direct authority of the republic.Moreover, Azerbaijan includes theAutonomous Republic(muxtar respublika) ofNakhchivan.The President of Azerbaijan appoints the governors of these units, while the government of Nakhchivan is elected and approved by the parliament of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan became a member of theInternational Monetary Fund, theWorld Bank, theEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development, theIslamic Development Bank, and theAsian Development Bank.The banking system consists of theCentral Bank of Azerbaijan,commercial banks, and non-banking credit organizations. The National (now Central) Bank was created in 1992 based on the Azerbaijan State Savings Bank, an affiliate of the former State Savings Bank of the USSR. The Central Bank serves as Azerbaijan's central bank, empowered to issue the national currency, theAzerbaijani manat, and to supervise all commercial banks. Two major commercial banks areUniBankand the state-ownedInternational Bank of Azerbaijan, run by Abbas Ibrahimov.
Pushed up by spending and demand growth, the 2007Q1inflation rate reached 16.6%.Nominal incomes and monthly wages climbed 29% and 25% respectively against this figure, but price increases in the non-oil industry encouraged inflation.Azerbaijan shows some signs of the so-called "Dutch disease" because of its fast-growing energy sector, which causes inflation and makes non-energy exports more expensive.In the early 2000s, chronically high inflation was brought under control. This led to the launch of a new currency, the new Azerbaijani manat, on 1 January 2006, to cement the economic reforms and erase the vestiges of an unstable economy.Azerbaijan is also ranked 57th in theGlobal Competitiveness Reportfor 2010–2011, above other CIS countries.By 2012 the GDP of Azerbaijan had increased 20-fold from its 1995 level.
Two-thirds of Azerbaijan is rich in oil and natural gas.The oil industry dates back to the ancient period. Arabian historian and travelerAhmad Al-Baladhuridiscusses the economy of the Absheron Peninsula in antiquity, mentioning its oil in particular.There are manypipelines in Azerbaijan. The goal of theSouthern Gas Corridor, which connects the giantShah Deniz gas fieldin Azerbaijan to Europe,is to reduce European Union's dependency on Russian gas.
The region of the Lesser Caucasus accounts for most of the country's gold, silver, iron, copper,titanium,chromium,manganese,cobalt,molybdenum, complexoreandantimony.In September 1994, a 30-year contract was signed between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and 13 oil companies, among themAmoco,BP,ExxonMobil,LukoilandEquinor.Western oil companies have been able to tap deepwateroilfieldsuntouched by the Soviet exploitation. International academics consider Azerbaijan as one of the most importantoil explorationand development regions.TheState Oil Fund of Azerbaijanwas established as an extra-budgetary fund to ensuremacroeconomicstability, transparency in the management of oil revenue, and safeguarding of resources for future generations.
Access tobiocapacityis less than world average. In 2016, Azerbaijan had 0.8 global hectaresof biocapacity per person within its territory, half the world average of 1.6 global hectares per person.In 2016 Azerbaijan used 2.1 global hectares of biocapacity per person – theirecological footprintof consumption. This means they use more biocapacity than Azerbaijan contains. As a result, Azerbaijan is running a biocapacity deficit.
Azeriqaz, a sub-company of SOCAR, intends to ensure full gasification of the country by 2021.Azerbaijan was one of the sponsors of the east–west and north–south energy transport corridors.Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railwayline connects the Caspian region with Turkey. TheTrans-Anatolian gas pipelineandTrans Adriatic Pipelinedeliver natural gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas to Turkey and Europe.Azerbaijan extended the agreement on development ofACGuntil 2050 according to the amendedPSAsigned on 14 September 2017 by SOCAR and co-ventures (BP,Chevron,Inpex,Equinor,ExxonMobil,TP, ITOCHU andONGC Videsh).
Azerbaijan has the largest agricultural basin in the region. About 54.9 percent of Azerbaijan is agricultural land.At the beginning of 2007 there were 4,755,100 hectares of used agricultural area.In the same year the total wood resources counted 136 million m.Agricultural scientific research institutes are focused on meadows and pastures, horticulture and subtropical crops, green vegetables,viticultureandwine-making, cotton growing andmedicinal plants.In some areas it is profitable to grow grain, potatoes,sugar beets, cottonand tobacco. Livestock, dairy products, and wine andspiritsare also important farm products. The Caspianfishing industryconcentrates on the dwindling stocks ofsturgeonandbeluga. In 2002 the Azerbaijanimerchant marinehad 54 ships.
Some products previously imported from abroad have begun to be produced locally. Among them are Coca-Cola by Coca-Cola Bottlers LTD., beer by Baki-Kastel, parquet by Nehir and oil pipes by EUPEC Pipe Coating Azerbaijan.
The country was a well-known tourist spot in the 1980s. The fall of the Soviet Union and the First Nagorno-Karabakh War during the 1990s damaged the tourist industry and the image of Azerbaijan as a tourist destination.It was not until the 2000s that the tourism industry began to recover, and the country has since experienced a high rate of growth in the number of tourist visits and overnight stays.In recent years, Azerbaijan has also become a popular destination for religious, spa, andhealth care tourism.During winter, theShahdag Mountain Resortoffers skiing with state of the art facilities.
The government has set development as an elite tourist destination as a top priority. It is a national strategy to make tourism a major, if not the single largest, contributor to the Azerbaijani economy.These activities are regulated by theMinistry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan. There are 63 countries which have a visa-free score.E-visa– for a visit of foreigners of visa-required countries to the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 of theWorld Economic Forum, Azerbaijan holds 84th place.
According to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, Azerbaijan was among the top ten countries showing the strongest growth in visitor exports between 2010 and 2016,In addition, Azerbaijan placed first (46.1%) among countries with the fastest-developing travel and tourism economies, with strong indicators for inbound international visitor spending in 2016.
The convenient location of Azerbaijan on the crossroad of major international traffic arteries, such as theSilk Roadand the south–north corridor, highlights the strategic importance of the transportation sector for the country's economy.The transport sector includes roads, railways, aviation, and maritime transport. It is also an important economic hub in the transportation of raw materials. TheBaku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline(BTC) became operational in May 2006 and extends more than 1,774 km (1,102 mi) through the territories of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. The BTC is designed to transport up to 50 million tons of crude oil annually and carries oil from the Caspian Sea oilfields to global markets.TheSouth Caucasus Pipeline, also stretching through the territory of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, became operational at the end of 2006 and offers additional gas supplies to the European market from theShah Deniz gas field. Shah Deniz is expected to produce up to 296 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year.Azerbaijan also plays a major role in the EU-sponsored Silk Road Project.
In 2002, the government established the Ministry of Transport with a broad range of policy and regulatory functions. In the same year, the country became a member of theVienna Convention on Road Traffic.Priorities are upgrading the transport network and improving transportation services to better facilitate the development of other sectors of the economy.The 2012 construction of Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway was meant to improve transportation between Asia and Europe by connecting the railways of China and Kazakhstan in the east to the European railway system in the west via Turkey. In 2010Broad-gaugerailways and electrified railways stretched for 2,918 km (1,813 mi) and 1,278 km (794 mi) respectively. By 2010, there were 35 airports and oneheliport.
In the 21st century, a new oil and gas boom helped improve the situation in the science and technology sectors. The government launched a campaign aimed at modernization and innovation. The government estimates that profits from the information technology and communication industry will grow and become comparable to those from oil production.Azerbaijan has a large and steadily growing Internet sector. In 2012, rapid growth was forecast for at least five more years.Azerbaijan was ranked 95th in theGlobal Innovation Indexin 2024.
The country has been making progress in developing its telecoms sector. The Ministry of Communications & Information Technologies and an operator through its role in Aztelekom are both policy-makers and regulators. Public payphones are available for local calls and require the purchase of a token from the telephone exchange or some shops and kiosks. Tokens allow a call of indefinite duration. As of 2009, there were 1,397,000 main telephone linesand 1,485,000 internet users.There are fourGSMproviders:Azercell,Bakcell, Azerfon (Nar Mobile),Nakhtelmobile network operators and oneCDMA.
In the 21st century several prominent Azerbaijanigeodynamicsandgeotectonicsscientists, inspired by the fundamental works of Elchin Khalilov and others, designed hundreds of earthquake prediction stations and earthquake-resistant buildings that now constitute the bulk of The Republican Center of Seismic Service.TheAzerbaijan National Aerospace Agencylaunched its first satelliteAzerSat 1into orbit on 7 February 2013 fromGuiana Space Centrein French Guiana at orbital positions 46° East.The satellite covers Europe and a significant part of Asia and Africa and serves the transmission of TV and radio broadcasting as well as the Internet.The launching of a satellite into orbit is Azerbaijan's first step in realizing its goal of becoming a nation with its own space industry, capable of successfully implementing more projects in the future.
As of March 2022, 52.9% of the population of 10,164,464 is urban, with the remaining 47.1% being rural.In January 2019, the 50.1% of the total population was female. Thesex ratioin the same year was 0.99 males per female.The 2011 population growth-rate was 0.85%, compared to 1.09% worldwide.A significant factor restricting population growth is a high level of migration. In 2011 Azerbaijan saw a migration of −1.14/1,000 people.
TheAzerbaijani diasporais found in 42 countriesand in turn there are many centers for ethnic minorities inside Azerbaijan, including theGermancultural society "Karelhaus",Slaviccultural center, Azerbaijani-Israeli community,Kurdishcultural center, InternationalTalyshAssociation,Lezginnational center "Samur", Azerbaijani-Tatarcommunity,Crimean Tatarssociety, etc.
In total, Azerbaijan has 78 cities, 63 city districts, and one special legal status city. 261 urban-type settlements and 4248 villages follow these.
The ethnic composition of the population according to the 2009 population census: 91.6%Azerbaijanis, 2.0%Lezgins, 1.4%Armenians(almost all Armenians live in the break-away region ofNagorno-Karabakh), 1.3%Russians, 1.3%Talysh, 0.6%Avars, 0.4%Turkish people, 0.3%Tatars, 0.3%Tats, 0.2%Ukrainians, 0.1%Tsakhurs, 0.1%Georgians, 0.1% Jews, 0.1%Kurds, other 0.2%.
The official language isAzerbaijani, aTurkic language. Approximately 92% of the national population speak it as theirmother tongue.Russian andArmenian(only in Nagorno-Karabakh) are still spoken in Azerbaijan. Each is the mother tongue of around 1.5% of the national population.In 1989, Armenian was the majority language in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, spoken by about 76% of the regional population.After the first Nagorno-Karabakh war, native speakers of Armenian composed around 95% of the regional population.
A dozen other minority languages are spoken natively,includingAvar,Budukh,Georgian,Juhuri,Khinalug,Kryts,Lezgin,Rutul,Talysh,Tat,Tsakhur,andUdi.All these are spoken only by small minority populations, some of which are tiny and decreasing.
Azerbaijan is considered the most secular Muslim-majority country.Around 97% of the population are Muslims.Around 55–65% of Muslims are estimated to beShia, while 35–45% of Muslims areSunnis.Other faiths are practised by the country's various ethnic groups. Under article 48 of its constitution, Azerbaijan is asecular stateand ensures religious freedom. In a 2006–2008Galluppoll, only 21% of respondents from Azerbaijan stated that religion is an important part of their daily lives.
Of the nation's religious minorities, the estimated 280,000 Christians (3.1%)are mostlyRussianandGeorgianOrthodoxandArmenian Apostolic(almost all Armenians live in the break-away region of Nagorno-Karabakh).In 2003, there were 250Roman Catholics.Other Christian denominations as of 2002 includeLutherans,BaptistsandMolokans.There is also a smallProtestantcommunity.Azerbaijan also has an ancient Jewish population with a2,000-year history; Jewish organizationsestimate that 12,000 Jews remain in Azerbaijan, which is home to theonly Jewish-majority townoutside of Israel and the United States.Azerbaijan also is home to members of theBaháʼí,Hare KrishnaandJehovah's Witnessescommunities, as well as adherents of the other religious communities.Some religious communities have beenunofficially restricted from religious freedom. AU.S. State Departmentreport on the matter mentions detention of members of certain Muslim and Christian groups, and many groups have difficulty registering with the agency who regulates religion,The State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
A relatively high percentage of Azerbaijanis have obtained some form of higher education, most notably in scientific and technical subjects.In the Soviet era, literacy and average education levels rose dramatically from their very low starting point, despite two changes in the standard alphabet, fromPerso-Arabic scripttoLatinin the 1920s and from Roman toCyrillicin the 1930s. According to Soviet data, 100 percent of males and females (ages nine to forty-nine) were literate in 1970.According to theUnited Nations Development ProgramReport 2009, the literacy rate is 99.5 percent.
Since independence, one of the first laws that Parliament passed to disassociate itself from the Soviet Union was to adopt amodified-Latin alphabetto replace Cyrillic.Other than that the Azerbaijani system has undergone little structural change. Initial alterations have included the reestablishment of religious education (banned during the Soviet period) and curriculum changes that have reemphasized the use of the Azerbaijani language and have eliminated ideological content. In addition to elementary schools, the education institutions include thousands of preschools, general secondary schools, andvocational schools, including specialized secondary schools and technical schools. Education through the ninth grade is compulsory.
Theculture of Azerbaijanhas developed as a result of many influences; that is why Azerbaijanis are, in many ways, bi-cultural. National traditions are preserved despite Western influences, including globalized consumer culture. For example,Novruz Bayramis a family holiday derived from the traditional celebration of the New Year inZoroastrianism.
Azerbaijani national and traditional dresses are thechokhaandpapakhi. There are radio broadcasts in Russian,Georgian,Kurdish,LezgianandTalyshlanguages, which are financed from the state budget.Some local radio stations inBalakanandKhachmazorganize broadcasts inAvarandTat.In Baku several newspapers are published in Russian, Kurdish (Dengi Kurd), Lezgian (Samur) and Talysh languages.Jewish society "Sokhnut" publishes the newspaperAziz.
Azerbaijani architecturetypically combines elements ofEastandWest,with heavy influences fromPersian architecture. Many ancient architectural treasures are preserved, such as theMaiden TowerandPalace of the Shirvanshahsin the Walled City of Baku. Entries on theUNESCO World Heritagetentative list include theAteshgah of Baku,Momine Khatun Mausoleum,Hirkan National Park,Binagadi asphalt lake,Lökbatan Mud Volcano,Shusha State Historical and Architectural Reserve, Baku Stage Mountain, Caspian Shore Defensive Constructions, Ordubad National Reserve and thePalace of Shaki Khans.
Among other architectural treasures areQuadrangular CastleinMardakan,ParigalainYukhary Chardaglar, several bridges spanning the Aras River, and several mausoleums. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, little monumental architecture was created, but distinctive residences were built in Baku and elsewhere. Among the most recent architectural monuments, theBaku subwaysare noted for their lavish decor.
The task for modern Azerbaijani architecture is diverse application of modern aesthetics, the search for an architect's own artistic style and inclusion of the existing historico-cultural environment. Major projects such asHeydar Aliyev Cultural Center,Flame Towers,Baku Crystal Hall,Baku White CityandSOCAR Towerhave transformed the country's skyline and promotes its contemporary identity.
Music of Azerbaijanbuilds onfolk traditionsthat reach back nearly a thousand years,evolving around the badge ofmonody, producing rhythmically diverse melodies.The music has a branchymodesystem, wherechromatizationofmajor and minorscalesis of great importance.Among national musical instruments there are 14string instruments, eight percussion instruments and six wind instruments.According toThe Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, "in terms of ethnicity, culture and religion the Azerbaijani are musically much closer to Iran than Turkey."
Mughamis usually a suite with poetry and instrumental interludes. When performing mugham, the singers have to transform their emotions into singing and music. In contrast to the mugham traditions of Central Asian countries, Azerbaijani mugham is more free-form and less rigid; it is often compared to the improvised field ofjazz.UNESCOproclaimed the Azerbaijani mugham tradition aMasterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.Meykhanais a kind of traditional Azerbaijani distinctive folk unaccompanied song, usually performed by several people improvising on a particular subject.
Ashiqcombines poetry, storytelling, dance, and vocal and instrumental music into a traditional performance art that stands as a symbol of Azerbaijani culture. It is a mystictroubadouror traveling bard who sings and plays thesaz. This tradition has its origin in theshamanisticbeliefs of ancientTurkic peoples.Ashiqs' songs are semi-improvised around common bases. Azerbaijan's ashiq art was included in the list ofIntangible Cultural Heritageby UNESCO in 2009.
Since the mid-1960s, Western-influencedAzerbaijani pop music, in its various forms, that has been growing in popularity in Azerbaijan, while genres such asrockandhip hopare widely produced and enjoyed. Azerbaijani pop andAzerbaijani folk musicarose with the international popularity of performers likeAlim Qasimov,Rashid Behbudov,Vagif Mustafazadeh,Muslim Magomayev,Shovkat AlakbarovaandRubaba Muradova.Azerbaijan is an enthusiastic participant in the Eurovision Song Contest. Azerbaijan made its debut appearance at the 2008Eurovision Song Contest. Thecountry's entrygained third place in 2009 and fifth the following year.Ell and Nikkiwon the first place at theEurovision Song Contest 2011with the song "Running Scared", entitling Azerbaijan to host the contest in2012, in Baku.They have qualified for every Grand Final up until the2018 edition of the contest, entering withX My Heartby singerAisel.
There are dozens ofAzerbaijani folk dances. They are performed at formal celebrations and the dancers wear national clothes like the chokha, which is well-preserved within the national dances. Most dances have a very fast rhythm.
Azerbaijani artis represented by a wide range of handicrafts, such aschasing, jeweling, engraving in metal, carving in wood, stone, or bone, carpet-making, lasing, pattern weaving and printing, and knitting and embroidery. Each of these types of decorative art, evidence of the endowments of the Azerbaijan nation, is very much in favor here. Many interesting facts pertaining to the development of arts and crafts in Azerbaijan were reported by numerous merchants, travelers, and diplomats who had visited these places at different times.
TheAzerbaijani carpetis a traditional handmade textile of various sizes, with a dense texture and a pile or pile-less surface, whose patterns are characteristic of Azerbaijan's many carpet-making regions. In November 2010 the Azerbaijani carpet was proclaimed aMasterpiece of Intangible Heritageby UNESCO.Azerbaijani carpets can be categorized under several large groups and a multitude of subgroups. Scientific research of the Azerbaijani carpet is connected with the name ofLatif Karimov, a prominent Soviet-era scientist and artist.
Azerbaijan has been since ancient times known as a center of a large variety of crafts. Archeology testifies to the well-developed agriculture, stock raising, metalworking, pottery, ceramics, and carpet-weaving that date as far back as to the 2nd millennium BC. Archeological sites in Dashbulaq, Hasansu, Zayamchai, and Tovuzchai uncovered from the BTC pipeline have revealed early Iron Age artifacts.
TheGamigaya Petroglyphs, which date back to the 1st to 4th millennium BC, are located in Azerbaijan'sOrdubad District. They consist of some 1,500 dislodged and carved rock paintings with images of deer, goats, bulls, dogs, snakes, birds, fantastic beings, and people, carriages, and various symbols were found on basalt rocks.Norwegianethnographerand adventurerThor Heyerdahlwas convinced that people from the area went toScandinaviain about 100 AD, took their boatbuilding skills with them, and transmuted them into theViking boatsin northern Europe.
Over the centuries, Azerbaijani art has gone through many stylistic changes. Painting is traditionally characterized by a warmth of colour and light, as exemplified in the works ofAzim AzimzadeandBahruz Kangarli, and a preoccupation with religious figures and cultural motifs.Azerbaijani painting enjoyed preeminence in Caucasus for hundreds of years, from theRomanesqueandOttomanperiods, and through theSovietandBaroqueperiods, the latter two of which saw fruition in Azerbaijan. Notable artists includeSattar Bahlulzade,Togrul Narimanbekov,Tahir Salahov,Alakbar Rezaguliyev,Mirza Gadim Iravani,Mikayil AbdullayevandBoyukagha Mirzazade.
The earliest known figure in writtenAzerbaijani literaturewasIzzeddin Hasanoghlu, who composed adivanconsisting of Persian and Azerbaijanighazals.In Persian ghazals he used a pen-name, while his Azerbaijani ghazals were composed under his own name of Hasanoghlu.Among the medieval authors was Persian poet and philosopherNizami, called Ganjavi after his place of birth,Ganja, who was the author of theKhamsa("The Quintuplet"), composed of five romantic poems, including "The Treasure of Mysteries", "Khosrow and Shīrīn", and "Leyli and Mejnūn".
Classical literature was formed in the 14th century based on the various Early Middle Ages dialects ofTabrizandShirvan. Among the poets of this period wereGazi Burhanaddin, Haqiqi (pen-name ofJahan Shah Qara Qoyunlu), andHabibi.The end of the 14th century was the start of literary activity ofImadaddin Nasimi,one of the greatest AzerbaijaniHurufimystical poets of the late 14th and early 15th centuriesand one of the most prominent early divan masters in Turkic literary history,who also composed poetry in Persianand Arabic.The divan and ghazal styles were further developed by poetsQasem-e Anvar,FuzuliandSafavidShah Ismail Iwho wrote under the pen name "Khata'i".
TheBook of Dede Korkutconsists of two manuscripts copied in the 16th century,and was not written earlier than the 15th century.It is a collection of 12 stories reflecting the oral tradition of Oghuz nomads.The 16th-century poetFuzuliproduced his timeless philosophical and lyricalQazalsin Arabic, Persian, and Azerbaijani. Benefiting immensely from the fine literary traditions of his environment, and building upon the legacy of his predecessors, Fuzuli was destined to become the leading literary figure of his society. His major works includeThe Divan of GhazalsandThe Qasidas. In the same century, Azerbaijani literature further flourished with the development of ashik (Azerbaijani:Aşıq) poetic genre of bards. During the same period, under the pen-name of Khatāī (Arabic:خطائیforsinner) Shah Ismail I wrote about 1,400 verses in Azerbaijani,which were later published as hisDivan. A unique literary style known asqoshma(Azerbaijani:qoşmaforimprovisation) was introduced in this period and developed by Shah Ismail and later by his son and successor, ShahTahmasp I.
In the span of the 17th and 18th centuries, Fuzuli's unique genres as well ashik poetry were taken up by prominent poets and writers such asQovsi of Tabriz,Shah Abbas Sani,Agha Mesih Shirvani, Nishat,Molla Vali Vidadi,Molla Panah Vagif, Amani, Zafar and others. Along with Turks,TurkmensandUzbeks, Azerbaijanis celebrate theEpic of Koroglu(fromAzerbaijani:kor oğluforblind man's son), a legendary folk hero.Several documented versions of Koroglu epic remain at the Institute for Manuscripts of theNational Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
The first newspaper in Azerbaijani,Akinchiwas published in 1875.There are three state-owned television channels:AzTV,Idman TVandMedeniyyet TV. There is one public channel and 6 private channels:İctimai Television, Space TV,Lider TV,Azad Azerbaijan TV,Xazar TV,Real TVandARB.
The film industry in Azerbaijan dates back to 1898. Azerbaijan was among the first countries involved in cinematography,with the apparatus first showing up in Baku.In 1919 a documentaryThe Celebration of the Anniversary of Azerbaijani Independencewas filmed on the first anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence from Russia, 27 May, and premiered in June 1919 at several theatres in Baku.After the Soviet power was established in 1920,Nariman Narimanov, chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of Azerbaijan, signed a decree nationalizing Azerbaijan's cinema. This also influenced the creation ofAzerbaijani animation.
In 1991, after Azerbaijan gained 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 signed a decree proclaiming 2 August to be the professional holiday of filmmakers of Azerbaijan. Today Azerbaijani filmmakers are again dealing with issues similar to those faced by cinematographers prior to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1920. Once again, both choices of content and sponsorship of films are largely left up to the initiative of the filmmaker.
Azerbaijani cuisineuses an abundance of seasonal vegetables and greens. Fresh herbs, including mint, cilantro (coriander), dill, basil, parsley, tarragon, leeks, chives, thyme, marjoram, green onion, and watercress, are popular and often accompany main dishes on the table. Climatic diversity and fertility of the land are reflected in the national dishes, which are based on fish from the Caspian Sea, local meat (mainly mutton and beef), and seasonal vegetables and greens.
Saffron-riceplovis the flagship food in Azerbaijan, andblack teais the national beverage.Azerbaijanis often use traditionalarmudu(pear-shaped) glass as they have very strongtea culture.Popular traditional dishes includebozbash(lamb soup that exists in several regional varieties with the addition of different vegetables),qutab(fried turnover with a filling of greens or minced meat) anddushbara(dumplings filled with ground meat and spices).
Freestyle wrestling has been traditionally regarded as Azerbaijan'snational sport, in which Azerbaijan has wonfourteen medals, including four golds, since joining theInternational Olympic Committee. The most popular sports arefootballand wrestling.
TheAssociation of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, with 9,122 registered players, is the largest sporting association in the country.Thenational football teamdemonstrates relatively low performance in the international arena compared to the nation football clubs. The most successful clubs areNeftçi,Qarabağ, andGabala. In2012, Neftchi Baku became the first Azerbaijani team to advance to the group stage of a European competition.In2014, Qarabağ became the second Azerbaijani club advancing to the group stage ofUEFA Europa League. In 2017, after beatingCopenhagen2–2 (a) in the play-off round of theUEFA Champions League, Qarabağ became the first Azerbaijani club to reach the group stage.
Futsalis another popular sport in Azerbaijan. TheAzerbaijan national futsal teamreached fourth place in the2010 UEFA Futsal Championship, while domestic clubAraz Naxçivanclinched bronze medals at the2009–10 UEFA Futsal Cupand2013–14 UEFA Futsal Cup.Azerbaijan was the main sponsor of Spanish football clubAtlético de Madridduring seasons 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, a partnership that the club described should 'promote the image of Azerbaijan in the world'.
Azerbaijan is one of the traditional powerhouses of worldchess,having hosted many international chess tournaments and competitions and becameEuropean Team Chess Championshipwinners in 2009, 2013 and 2017.Notable chess players includeTeimour Radjabov,Shahriyar Mammadyarov,Vladimir Makogonov,Vugar Gashimovand formerWorld Chess ChampionGarry Kasparov. As of 2014, country's home ofShamkir Chessa category 22 event and one of the highest rated tournaments of all time.Backgammonalso plays a major role in Azerbaijani culture.The game is very popular in Azerbaijan and is widely played among the local public.There are also different variations of backgammon developed and analyzed by Azerbaijani experts.
Azerbaijan Women's Volleyball Super Leagueplaced fourth at the2005 European Championship.Over the last years, clubs likeRabita BakuandAzerrail Bakuachieved great success at European cups.Azerbaijani volleyball players include likes ofValeriya Korotenko,Oksana Parkhomenko,Inessa Korkmaz,Natalya Mammadova, andAlla Hasanova.
Other Azerbaijani athletes areNamig Abdullayev,Toghrul Asgarov,Rovshan Bayramov,Sharif Sharifov,Mariya StadnikandFarid Mansurovinwrestling,Nazim Huseynov,Elnur Mammadli,Elkhan MammadovandRustam Orujovin judo,Rafael Aghayevin karate,Magomedrasul MajidovandAghasi Mammadovinboxing,Nizami PashayevinOlympic weightlifting,Azad Asgarovinpankration,Eduard Mammadovin kickboxing, andK-1fighterZabit Samedov.
Azerbaijan has aFormula One racetrack, constructed in 2012,and the country hosted its firstFormula One Grand Prixin 2016and theAzerbaijan Grand Prixsince 2017. Other annual sporting events held in the country are theBaku Cuptennis tournament and theTour d'Azerbaïdjancycling race.
Azerbaijan hosted several major sport competitions since the late 2000s, including the2013 F1 Powerboat World Championship,2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup,2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships,2010 European Wrestling Championships,2009 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships,2014 European Taekwondo Championships,2014 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, and2016 World Chess Olympiad.Baku was selected to host the2015 European Games.Baku hosted the fourthIslamic Solidarity Gamesin 2017and the2019 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival,and was a host ofUEFA Euro 2020.
40°18′N47°42′E﻿ / ﻿40.3°N 47.7°E﻿ /40.3; 47.7