Azerbaijan
| Flag of Azerbaijan Coat of arms of Azerbaijan | |
| Capital | Baku |
|---|---|
| Largest city | Baku |
| Official language | Azerbaijani |
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic |
| President | Ilham Aliyev |
| Prime Minister | Ali Asadov |
| Area | 86,600 km2 (33,436 sq mi) |
| Population (est.) | 10,150,000 |
| Currency | Azerbaijani manat (AZN) |
| Time zone | AZT (UTC+4) |
| Calling code | +994 |
| Internet TLD | .az |
Azerbaijan (Template:Lang-az), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to the south.
The country boasts a rich cultural heritage shaped by centuries of history at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. With a population exceeding 10 million people, it serves as an important economic hub in the South Caucasus region, largely driven by energy production and international transport corridors connecting East and West.
History
Ancient and Medieval Era
The earliest evidence of human settlement in the territory of Azerbaijan dates back to the late Stone Age. Early states in the region included Caucasian Albania and Atropatene.
Modern History
In 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic declared its independence, becoming the first secular democratic Muslim-majority republic. In 1920, the country was incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan SSR. Azerbaijan restored its full independence in October 1991 following the collapse of the USSR.
Geography
Azerbaijan is located in the South Caucasus mountain region. More than half of the country consists of mountain ranges, including the Greater Caucasus in the north and the Lesser Caucasus in the west.
Climate
The climate in Azerbaijan is diverse, featuring 9 out of the 11 climate zones present globally, ranging from dry subtropical to alpine climates.
Economy
Azerbaijan's economy is heavily driven by its major oil and natural gas reserves located in the Caspian Sea basin. Major export routes include the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline. In recent years, the government has focused on diversification into sectors like agriculture, tourism, and information technology.
Demographics
- **Population:** Over 10 million inhabitants.
- **Ethnic groups:** Predominantly Azerbaijanis (approx. 91%).
- **Religions:** Predominantly Islam (majority Shia, minority Sunni).
- **Languages:** Azerbaijani is the sole official language, with Russian also widely spoken in urban centers.
See also
References
<references />