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Surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains and bounded by the oil-rich beaches of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is a land of diverse landscapes, climates, flora and fauna. It does not geographically belong to either Europe or Asia, but since it is at the crossroads of two continents, it became a cradle of prehistoric civilization and a hot seat of cultural, religious, and artistic exchanges between its neighbors Russia, Georgia, Iran, and Armenia.

Secular Islamic republic

Although 95 percent of Azerbaijanis are Muslims, the country was the first Muslim nation to have successfully attempted to establish a secular and democratic republic. It remains a secular state today, with high tolerance for religious freedom. Citizens belonging to other religions are given equal rights as the Muslim populace. Although racked by corruption, the parliament boasts of being the first in the Muslim world to have given women the right to vote and the right to equal protection and rights as men.

Ancient landscapes

Geographically, Azerbaijan is home to a variety of ancient environments. Almost half of the world's mud volcanoes are in Qobustan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for having 6,000 petroglyphs dating back to 10,000 BC. In Nakhchivan, there are glaciers linked to the story of Noah's Ark. The Greater Caucasus Mountains that surround the rest of Azerbaijan are home to some of the country's 4,500 species of plants and a wide range of fauna like Karabakh horse, the national symbol and one of the world's oldest horse breeds.

Cultural pride

Baku, the national capital, is the most developed city in the Caucasus region. In the city's frontlines are 21st century mansions and skyscrapers, but in its core is the World Heritage-listed Old City, the site of a castle, medieval wall, and a Fire Temple belonging to the Persian Empire.

Like the architectural gems Momine Khatun Mausoleum in Nakhchivan and Palace of Shaki Khans in Sheki, the folk dances, music and art of Azerbaijan have been included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. In particular, the Azerbaijani form of singing called mugam has been declared by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

User blogs:

I wish I was Johann Ludwig Burckhardt

Some first encounters are ireplaceable, they can happen once and the impact is something you can't replicate afterwards, Imagine yourself being swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (why do they have to have such complicated names? whats wrong with just Van Dam??), Johann was an explorer and toured the middle east/african region back in the 18th century, GPS was still an expensive gadget for young ... Read full Blog post

Moving to Manila

It was about a year ago, when I received phone call from my hubby asking me what do I think about Manila. I wasn't sure, I said I've been there before, memories rush to the surface of my mind. Crowded roads of jeepneys, the smell of exhaust, constant horning, traffic jams, YMCA's hotel, people selling food from small carts....I stayed only a day in Manila before heading down to Boracay about 12 years ... Read full Blog post

Volunteering for typhoon Ketsana victims

“There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer,” says a general in the movie Pearl Harbor. True enough, typhoon Ondoy (internationally nicknamed Ketsana) may have proven its might by destroying hundreds of lives and hundreds more in houses and properties, yet this monster-of-a-calamity did not win in devastating the faith and Good Samaritan-spirit of thousands of men and ... Read full Blog post

Traveling back to my 2009 trips

Watching travelers in an airport coffee shop while waiting for my flight, I couldn't help but wonder what 2010 has for me when it comes to traveling.   Of course, 2009 was a good one. I have covered almost 20,000 miles, visited four countries, and enjoyed several beaches and landmarks. It was my first time to cross the Pacific, expanding my journeys beyond Asia, and to travel during my birthday.   Looking ... Read full Blog post