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| Azerbaijan Information |
Population: 8,238,672 Dialing Code: +994 Languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1% (1999 census) Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) Internet TLD: .az Located: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range Area: 86,600 sq km Residents with HIV: 7,800 Literacy: 98.8% Comparative Size: slightly smaller than Maine Nationality Noun: Azerbaijani(s) Nationality Adjective: Azerbaijani |
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.”