Capital: Baku
Official language: Azerbaijani
Location: A state in Asia, in Transcaucasia, in the east it is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. It borders on Russia (the Republic of Dagestan) in the north, Georgia and Armenia in the west, and Iran in the south.
Square: 86.6 thousand km²
Administrative division: is divided into 66 districts, 12 cities of republican subordination and 1 autonomous republic - the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. The division into districts has been preserved since Soviet times. Districts are divided into municipalities. In total, there are 2,698 municipalities in Azerbaijan. The two cities of republican subordination, Baku and Ganja, are in turn divided into districts.
Population: 9 million 494 thousand (as of 2012)
Telephone code: +994
Currency unit: Azerbaijani manat (AZN), there are 100 qapiks in 1 manat.
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Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic
The Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic is a unicameral legislative body of the Azerbaijan Republic. The Milli Majlis was first formed after the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic declared itself an independent sovereign state, forming supreme body The country's authorities are the National Assembly. After the breakup Soviet Union The unicameral legislative body was revived on November 26, 1991 on the basis of the conciliation parliamentary commission of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan.
Compound: 125 deputies.
How to get elected: Deputies of the Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic are elected for 5 years on the basis of a majoritarian electoral system and general, equal and direct elections through free, personal and secret voting. Any citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the age of at least 25 years can be elected as a deputy of the Milli Majlis.
Asadov
Oktay Sabir oglu
Chairman of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Born on January 3, 1955 in the village of Shekherjik, Kafan region, Armenian SSR. Graduated from the Azerbaijan State Petrochemical Institute.
Since 1979, he worked as chief engineer at the Azerbaijan Department of Main Facilities and Special Construction Works.
Since 1981, chief technologist, head of department, head of the Azertechstroy trust.
From 1996 to 2005, President of the Absheron Regional Joint-Stock Water Company.
Member of the Council of the Political Party “New Azerbaijan”.
He was a deputy of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan of the 2nd convocation.
In November 2005, he was elected as a deputy from the 45th Absheron constituency.
Since December 2, 2005, Chairman of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Geography of Azerbaijan
The Republic of Azerbaijan is a state located on the southwestern coast of the Caspian Sea, in the east of Transcaucasia. It borders on the south with Iran, on the west on Armenia and on the north on Georgia and Russia (Dagestan). The exclave of Azerbaijan is the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, bordering Armenia in the northeast, Iran in the south, and Turkey in the west. Mountains occupy more than half of the entire territory of Azerbaijan. So, in the southeast there is the Lenkoran Lowland and the Talysh Mountains, in the middle part of the country there is the Kura Lowland, and in the north of Azerbaijan there is the Caucasus ridge.
State structure of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a so-called presidential republic, in which the president is elected for a term of 5 years by popular vote. The elected president appoints government officials. The Milli Majlis or parliament is the highest legislative body, and the cabinet of ministers is the executive.
Weather in Azerbaijan
Within this country, several types of climate can be distinguished: in the Lankaran lowland there is a humid subtropical and dry climate, and in the highlands Greater Caucasus– mountain tundra. Average annual air temperatures range from 15°C to 0°C (in the lowlands and, accordingly, in the mountains). Average July temperatures on the plains reach 26°C, and in the highlands they are about 5°C, while average January temperatures, accordingly, vary from 3°C to –10°C. Well, summer in Azerbaijan can be called dry. The distribution of precipitation is uneven: on the plains it falls approximately from 200 to 300 mm per year, in the foothills - about 300-900 mm, in the highlands of the Greater Caucasus - from 900 to 1400 mm per year, and within the Lenkoran lowland - up to 1700 mm per year. The maximum amount of precipitation in Lenkoran falls precisely in the winter, and in the foothills and mountains - from April to September.
Language of Azairbajan
The official language is Azerbaijani. Armenian and Russian languages are also widely spoken.
Religion of Azairbajan
In terms of religion, about 93.4% are Shiite Muslims, and Georgian, Armenian and Russian minorities also practice different forms of Orthodoxy.
Currency of Azerbaijan
AZN is the international name for the currency of Azerbaijan. The import and export of currency in the country is not limited, and declaration is required. Banks in Baku are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but there are banks that continue to work until late in the evening, and most exchange offices are open 24 hours a day. In the periphery, as a rule, bank opening hours are from 9.30 to 17.30, and some banks only work with clients in the first half of the day. Money can be exchanged not only in banks, but also in numerous exchange offices located in all major cities, including the capital, at airports, and in hotels. In addition, some stores have their own currency exchange offices. Credit cards are also accepted for payment, but only in large metropolitan supermarkets, some banks and hotels. In the provinces, credit cards are almost impossible to use. Large banks and hotels accept tourist checks to a limited extent, but the number of institutions that are switching to servicing them is gradually growing.
National characteristics of Azerbaijan
Traditions
In the country, a lot is subject to centuries-old customs and traditional norms of Islam, so certain orders and rules of behavior must be observed. Women in in public places Excessively tight or revealing clothing, as well as miniskirts, should be avoided, while men should avoid wearing sleeveless T-shirts or shorts.
Tips
In most restaurants, a tip of the bill amount is about 5-10%; if there is no mention of this in the menu, you can add 10% to the bill amount (sometimes in advance, which speeds up your service). Depending on the weight and amount of luggage, you can leave about 5-10 manats to a porter at the hotel or at the airport. Tipping is not accepted in taxis, and the fare must be agreed upon in advance (taxi drivers, as a rule, do not accept currency).
Souvenirs
Azerbaijan is famous throughout the world for its masters of carpet weaving. Here you can find a huge variety of carpets and rugs. It is worth remembering that if the carpet was created before 1960, it will be subject to export tax, and it will also need to be certified by the Ministry of Culture.
Office hours
In Baku, most shops open from 9.00 and are open until late in the evening. Typically, in the provinces, stores close around 19.00-20.00. Taxi fares are negotiable, only manats are accepted, taxi drivers almost always work without a meter.
Safety
Immunization against yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria and tetanus is recommended. Theoretically, there is a risk of contracting rabies and meningitis, but cases of infection with these diseases are extremely rare and mainly occur in isolated internal areas.
Mains voltage:
220VCode of the country:
+994Geographic first level domain name:
.azEmergency numbers:
Unified emergency service - 112
Fire service - 101
Police - 102
Medical ambulance - 103
When the great Russian poet Sergei Yesenin left Baku in 1925, he wrote that he felt “sadness,” i.e. It is difficult for him to part with hospitable Azerbaijan. Since then, Azerbaijan has changed a lot, but the people have remained the same – very hospitable. Tourists in Azerbaijan will find beautiful mountains, delicious cuisine, the Caspian Sea, ancient cities, and, of course, hot and mineral springs.
Geography of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is located in the Transcaucasus, where Western Asia meets Eastern Europe. Azerbaijan borders on Russia in the north, Georgia in the northwest, Armenia in the west, and Iran in the south. In the east, Azerbaijan is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. The total area of this country, including the Nakhchivan enclave, is 86,600 square meters. km., and the total length of the state border is 2,648 km.
In the north of Azerbaijan there is the Greater Caucasus Range, in the center of the country there are vast plains, and in the southeast there are the Talysh Mountains. In general, mountains occupy about 50% of the territory of all Azerbaijan. The highest point is Bazarduzu Peak, whose height reaches 4,466 meters.
There are more than 8 thousand rivers in Azerbaijan, and all of them flow into the Caspian Sea. The longest river is the Kura (1,515 km), and the largest lake is Sarysu (67 sq. km.).
Capital of Azerbaijan
The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku, which is now home to more than 2.1 million people. Archaeologists believe that people lived on the territory of modern Baku already in the 5th century AD.
Official language
The official language in Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, which belongs to the Oghuz subgroup of Turkic languages.
Religion
About 95% of the population of Azerbaijan consider themselves Muslims (85% are Shia Muslims, and 15% are Sunni Muslims).
State structure of Azerbaijan
According to the current Constitution of 1995, Azerbaijan is a presidential republic. Its head is the President, elected for 5 years.
In Azerbaijan, the local unicameral Parliament is called the National Assembly (Milli Məclis), it consists of 125 deputies. Members of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote for a 5-year term.
The main political parties in Azerbaijan are the New Azerbaijan Party, the Equality Party and the National Unity.
Climate and weather
The climate in Azerbaijan is very diverse, which is due to its geographical location. The climate is greatly influenced by the mountains and the Caspian Sea. On the foothills and plains of Azerbaijan the climate is subtropical. In Baku in July and August, daytime air temperatures often reach +38C, and at night drop to +18C.
The best time to visit Azerbaijan is mid-April - late August.
Sea in Azerbaijan
In the east, Azerbaijan is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea, the coastline is 800 km. Azerbaijan owns three large islands in the Caspian Sea. By the way, the peoples who lived in the Caspian Sea region at different times gave it a total of about 70 names. This sea has been called the Caspian Sea since the 16th century.
Rivers and lakes
More than 8 thousand rivers flow through the territory of Azerbaijan, but the length of only 24 of them exceeds 100 km. Some mountain rivers have very beautiful waterfalls. There are many lakes in the mountains of Azerbaijan. The most beautiful of them are Maral-Gel and Gey-Gel.
Story
The first archaeological evidence of human life on the territory of modern Azerbaijan dates back to the end of the Stone Age. Azerbaijan was conquered by Armenians, Persians, Romans, Arabs, and Turks in different historical eras. The history of Azerbaijan is very rich in interesting events.
I millennium BC - formation of the state of Manna with the capital Izirtu.
I-IV centuries AD - Azerbaijan is part of the Caucasian Albania tribal association, which was subordinate to Ancient Rome.
III-IV centuries AD - Caucasian Albania becomes Christian.
XIII-VIV centuries - Azerbaijan is in vassal dependence on the Hulaguid state.
The end of the 14th century - the state of Shirvan appeared in the north of modern Azerbaijan.
The beginning of the 16th century - almost all the lands of Azerbaijan were united into one state - the Safavid state.
First half of the 16th century – Shiism, a branch of Islam, becomes the state religion in Azerbaijan.
1724 – the territory of Azerbaijan is divided between Russia and the Ottoman Empire.
1920 – The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was formed.
1922-1936 – Azerbaijan becomes part of the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. 1936-1991 – Azerbaijan becomes part of the USSR.
1991 - Azerbaijan's independence is declared.
Azerbaijani culture
Azerbaijan became an independent state only in 1991. Before this, for many centuries the territory of Azerbaijan was divided between neighboring empires - Russian and Ottoman. As a result, now the culture of Azerbaijan is multi-ethnic in nature, but the decisive influence on it is exerted by religion - Shiism, one of the branches of Islam.
Every year, for four weeks during the Novruz holiday, interesting religious events, festivals, and folk celebrations take place in Azerbaijan. A mandatory element of such festivities is jumping over a fire.
In addition, other holidays are celebrated in Azerbaijan on a grand scale - Ramadan Bayram (November-February) and Gurban Bayram.
Kitchen
Azerbaijani cuisine has been greatly influenced by Turkish and Central Asian culinary traditions. The main Azerbaijani dish is pilaf with rice, to which various “fillings” are added (meat, fish, fruits, spices, etc.). A special place in Azerbaijani cuisine belongs to salads from fresh vegetables. Salads are usually served along with the main dish (by the way, there are more than 30 types of soups in Azerbaijan).
In Azerbaijan, we recommend trying local soups (“shorba with chicken”, okroshka “ovduh”, lamb soup “piti”), salads (“green kyukyu”, “soyutma”, “bahar”), kebabs (lamb, chicken, liver), pilaf (more than 30 types), dolma, baklava, halva.
The majority of Azerbaijanis are Shiite Muslims. But for some reason religion does not stop them from drinking alcohol. Apparently due to the fact that good wines and cognacs are made in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijanis love tea very much. In the teahouse, men drink sweet black tea from small bowls. Tea is usually served with jam (from quince, figs, apricots, cherries and plums).
Another popular non-alcoholic drink in Azerbaijan is sherbet (sugar, lemon, mint, saffron, basil, cumin, etc. are added to boiled water).
Sights of Azerbaijan
According to official data, there are now more than 6 thousand historical and architectural monuments in Azerbaijan. The Top 10 best Azerbaijani attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:
Cities and resorts
The largest Azerbaijani cities are Ganja, Sumgayit, Lankaran, Mingachevir, Nakhichevan, Khirdalan, Khankendi, and, of course, Baku.
There are a lot of hot and mineral springs in Azerbaijan, which are concentrated in the mountainous part of the country. Thus, in Kelbajar alone there are about 200 mineral springs. The best mineral springs in Azerbaijan are Istisu (in Kelbajar), Badamli, Sirab (in Nakhichevan), as well as Darrydag, Turshsu, Arkivan, and Surakhani.
On the plains of Azerbaijan, in particular in the Goranboy region, there is medicinal oil (it is called “naftalan”). Medicinal oil is widely used in medicine. Moreover, neftalane was found only in one place in the world - in the Goranboy region of Azerbaijan.
Souvenirs/shopping
Tourists from Azerbaijan usually bring products folk art, carpets, ceramics, cognac, wine. Remember that to export any piece of art from Azerbaijan, even if it does not have artistic value, you must obtain permission from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture.
Office hours
Offices:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00
The shops:
Mon-Sat: 10:00-19:00
Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-18:00
Visa
Ukrainians do not need a visa to visit Azerbaijan (if the trip does not exceed 90 days).
Currency
Since 1992, the Azerbaijani manat (its international designation: AZN) has been in circulation in Azerbaijan. One Azerbaijani manat = 100 qepik. Credit cards are generally accepted only by prestigious hotels and restaurants in Baku.
Customs restrictions
Export of local currency from Azerbaijan is prohibited. Export of currency ( we're talking about, of course, about foreign currency) is limited to the amount that was declared upon arrival in the country.
Useful telephone numbers and addresses
Address of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ukraine:
Index: 01901, Kyiv, st. Glubochitskaya, 24
T: 484-69-40 (telephone city code - 044)
Email mail:
Address of the Ukrainian Embassy in Azerbaijan:
AZ1069, Baku, st. Yusif Vezirova, 49
T: 449-40-95 (country and city telephone code - +99412)
Email mail: This address Email protected from spam bots. You must have JavaScript enabled to view it.
Emergency numbers
102 – Call the police
103 – Calling an ambulance
101 – Call the fire brigade
Time
The difference is +2 hours. Those. if in Baku, for example, it is 09:00 am, then in Kyiv or, for example, Donetsk – only 06:00 am.
Tips
Tipping in Azerbaijan is encouraged, but it is not mandatory.
Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Republic, a state in the southeastern part of Transcaucasia. Area – 86.6 thousand square meters. km. It borders on Russia in the north, Georgia in the northwest, Armenia in the west, Iran in the south, Turkey in the extreme southwest, and is washed by the Caspian Sea in the east.
Azerbaijan since the beginning of the 19th century. until 1918 it was part of Russian Empire, from 1918 to 1920 was an independent state, from 1922 to 1991 it was part of the USSR. State independence was proclaimed on August 30, 1991 (the official date of establishment of independence was October 18, 1991). The capital and largest city of Azerbaijan is Baku. The republic de jure includes two administrative entities: the Nakhichevan Republic and de facto the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (until 1991 – an autonomous region), which was separated from Azerbaijan, populated mainly by Armenians.
Nature
Relief
More than half of the territory of Azerbaijan is occupied by mountains belonging to the Greater Caucasus system in the north (the Greater Caucasus ridges with the Bazarduzu peak, 4480 m, and the Bokovaya ridge with the Shahdag peak, 4250 m) and the Lesser Caucasus in the west and southwest. The highlands of the Greater Caucasus are characterized by glaciers and turbulent mountain rivers, while the middle mountains are strongly dissected by deep gorges. From west to east, the mountains of the Greater Caucasus first gradually and then sharply decrease and are replaced by a system of low ridges. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains are less high, consisting of numerous ridges and the volcanic Karabakh Highlands with cones of extinct volcanoes. In the extreme southeast are the Lenkoran Mountains, consisting of three parallel ridges. The main peak of the highest Talysh ridge, Kömyurköy, reaches 2477 m. The mountains of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus are separated by the vast Kura-Araks lowland.
To the northeast of the Greater Caucasus is the Kusar Plain. The northwestern and northern part of the Kura-Araks lowland is a system of hills, low ridges and valleys; in the center and in the east there are alluvial plains, and near the sea coast there is a low delta of the Kura River. The low-lying Absheron Peninsula and Kura Spit protrude deeply into the Caspian Sea.
Rivers and lakes
More than 1,000 rivers flow through the territory of Azerbaijan, but only 21 of them have a length of more than 100 km. The Kura, the largest river in Transcaucasia, crosses the territory of Azerbaijan from northwest to southeast and flows into the Caspian Sea. The main tributary of the Kura is the Araks. Most of the rivers of Azerbaijan belong to the Kura basin. Rivers are used for irrigation. The Mingachevir hydroelectric power station and the Mingachevir reservoir (605 sq. km) were built on the Kura River. There are 250 lakes in Azerbaijan, the largest of them are Lake. Hadzhikabul (16 sq. km) and lake. Boyukshor (10 sq. km).
Climate. Most of Azerbaijan is located in the subtropical zone. Within the country there are several types of climate, from dry and humid subtropical (Lenkoran) to mountain tundra (highlands of the Greater Caucasus). Average annual temperatures vary from 15°C in the lowlands to 0°C in the mountains. Average July temperatures range from 26°C on the plains to 5°C in the highlands, and average January temperatures, respectively, from 3°C to –10°C. Summer is dry. Precipitation is distributed unevenly: 200–300 mm per year on the plains (less than 200 mm in the Baku region), 300–900 mm in the foothills, 900–1400 mm in the highlands of the Greater Caucasus, up to 1700 mm within the Lankaran lowland. In Lankaran, maximum precipitation occurs in winter; in the mountains and foothills - in April - September.
Vegetation
There are more than 4,100 species in the flora of Azerbaijan (9% of them are endemic, including Eldar pine, Hyrcanian boxwood, Lankaran acacia, Caspian lotus, some types of astragalus, etc.). Dry lowlands are covered with semi-desert and desert vegetation (with a predominance of wormwood and saltwort), as well as ephemeral subtropical vegetation. In some places there are salt marshes. The high plains and arid foothills are occupied by wormwood-bearded vulture steppes, shrubs, and steppe wormwood semi-deserts. The southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, some areas of the Lesser Caucasus, as well as the Talysh Mountains at altitudes from 600 to 1800 m are covered with extensive forests of oak, hornbeam, beech, chestnut, acacia, and ash. Tugai forests, alder and alder-lapine forests grow in the humid lowlands. Subalpine meadows are common in the highlands. The highest peaks are located in the high-mountain nival belt.
The fauna of Azerbaijan includes approximately 12 thousand
species, including 623 species of vertebrates (more than 90 mammals, about 350 bird species, more than 40 reptile species, more than 80 fish species, the rest are cyclostomes and amphibians). Reptiles, hares, wolves, foxes, and gazelle are common on the plains. In the valleys of the Kura and Araks there are wild boars, roe deer, badgers, and jackals. The mountains are inhabited by red deer, Dagestan tur, chamois, bezoar goat, roe deer, bear, lynx, forest cat, mouflon and leopard. Animals such as sika deer, saiga, raccoon dog, American raccoon, nutria, and skunk have been introduced. The world of birds (pheasants, partridges, black grouse, etc.), especially waterfowl, is very diverse. Many of them arrive for the winter (ducks, geese, swans, herons, pelicans, flamingos, cormorants, etc.). The Caspian Sea is home to many valuable commercial fish (salmon, stellate sturgeon, beluga, herring, kutum, roach, asp, lamprey, sprat, etc.), and among mammals - the Caspian seal.
State of the environment
The Absheron Peninsula and other coastal areas are among the most ecologically unfavorable areas of the globe due to severe air, water and soil pollution. Soil and groundwater pollution is caused by the use of DDT and toxic defoliants in cotton cultivation. Air pollution is associated with industrial emissions in Sumgait, Baku and other cities. A serious source of sea pollution is the oil production and oil refining industry.
The country's rich flora and fauna are subject to strong anthropogenic influence. Forests suffer from logging and grazing. Due to deforestation, agricultural land is expanding.
Work is underway in Azerbaijan to protect natural environment. In order to preserve some areas of natural forest, relict flora and rare species of animals, 14 reserves and 20 reserves have been created. Red and spotted deer, chamois, goitered gazelle, bezoar goat, mouflon, roe deer, and saiga are especially protected.
Population
According to the results of the last population census conducted in the USSR, in Azerbaijan in 1989, out of 7029 thousand people, the share of ethnic Azerbaijanis (before the formation of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1936 were called Caucasian Tatars, Transcaucasian Muslims or Caucasian Turks) accounted for 5813 thousand, or 82.7 %.
The largest national minorities were Russians (5.6%) and Armenians (5.5%). In addition, Lezgins (4.3%), Avars, Ukrainians, Tatars, Jews, Talysh, Turks, Georgians, Kurds, and Udins lived here. After ethnic clashes between Azerbaijanis and Armenians in Sumgait and Nagorno-Karabakh and as a result of the outflow of the Russian-speaking population and Armenians, the share of Azerbaijanis increased to 89%, and the share of Russians decreased to 3% (as of 1995).
The proportion of mixed marriages is very low. Despite rapid urbanization and social changes, close family ties remain in Azerbaijani families, playing an important role in personal and public life, politics and business.
The state language is Azerbaijani, which belongs to the Turkic languages and is close to Turkish and Turkmen. The role of the Russian language in the 1990s decreased significantly.
It is estimated that in 2001, children and adolescents under the age of 15 made up 32% of the population, the economically active population group (men aged 16–62 years, women aged 16–57 years) – 59%, people of retirement age – 9%. It was typical for Azerbaijan high level population growth: between 1979 and 1989 it was 1.7% per year. In the 1990s, the rate of population growth slowed down: from 1991 to 1998 it was estimated at 0.5–0.7% per year, in 2001 it was 0.3%. According to 2001 estimates, life expectancy is 63 years (58.6 for men and 67.5 years for women). Infant mortality is 83.08 per 1000 births.
51% of the country's population lives in cities, with more than half of them concentrated in Greater Baku and Sumgait. The population of Baku, the capital and largest city of the country, is 1228.5 thousand people, and the entire capital region is 2071.6 thousand. The second most populous city in the country is Ganja (294.7 thousand), the third is Sumgayit (279.2 thousand). Other big cities– Mingachevir, Ali-Bayramli, Nakhichevan, Lankaran.
Religion
The main religion of Azerbaijan is Islam. With the fall of the Soviet regime, a period of Islamic revival began in Azerbaijan. The majority of Muslims in Azerbaijan are adherents of the Jafarite school (madhab) of Shiism. About 70% of all Muslims in the country are Shiites, 30% are Sunnis. There are also Orthodox and Jewish communities in Azerbaijan.
Bibliography
To prepare this work, materials were used from the site http://www.krugosvet.ru/
The official name is the Republic of Azerbaijan. Located in eastern Transcaucasia. Area 86.6 thousand km2, population 8.2 million people. (2002). The official language is Azerbaijani. The capital is Baku (2 million people, 2002). Public holidays: Republic Day on May 28 (since 1918), Independence Day on October 18 (since 1991), Constitution Day on November 12 (since 1995), National Revival Day on November 17. The monetary unit is manat. Member of the CIS, the UN and its specialized organizations, OSCE, Council of Europe, WTO (observer), EBRD, IBRD, IMF, OECD, etc.
Sights of Azerbaijan
Geography of Azerbaijan
Located between 44° and 52° east longitude and 38° and 42° north latitude. It is washed by the Caspian Sea, the length of the coastline is 800 km. Azerbaijan includes three peninsulas: Absheron (2000 km2), Sara (100 km2) and Kura Spit (76 km2), as well as numerous islands: Artyoma (Pir Allah) (14.4 km2), Zhiloy (Chilov) (11 .5 km2), Bulla (Hera-zire) (3.5 km2), Nargin (Boyuk-zire), Clay (Gilzire), Pork (Senki Mugan), Duvanny (Zembil), Wulf (Dash-zire). Azerbaijan borders in the north with the Russian Federation, in the northwest with Georgia, in the west with Armenia, in the south with Iran and in the extreme southwest with Turkey.
The territory of Azerbaijan combines vast flat lowlands lying below the level of the World Ocean and mountain peaks, deserts and alpine meadows, salt marshes and subtropical forests. In the north of Azerbaijan rises the Greater Caucasus - the Main and Side ranges. Highest points: Bazar-Dyuzi (4466 m), Shahdag (4243 m), Tufandag (4191 m), Salavat Pass (2895 m). The Lesser Caucasus is located in the southwest of Azerbaijan. Highest points: Kapydzhik (3906 m), Gamyshdag (3724 m), Bichenek Pass (2345 m). Between the ridges and spurs of the Lesser Caucasus there is the Karabakh volcanic highland, the highest point of which is the Greater Ishikly (3552 m). In the southeast of Azerbaijan there are the Talysh Mountains, which descend to the Lenkoran Lowland, the highest points being Kemurkoy (2477 m) and Kyzyurdu (2438 m).
More than 1/2 of the territory of Azerbaijan is occupied by lowlands. The largest is the Kura-Araks, bordered by sloping plains and low mountains. In addition, on the territory of the republic there are elevated Kusar and Sharuro-Ordubad sloping plains and the Samur-Divichi lowland. More than 1,000 rivers flow through the territory of Azerbaijan, but only 21 of them have a length of more than 100 km. All rivers belong to the Caspian Sea basin, the largest: Kura (1364 km) and Araks (1072 km). The republic has an irrigation system regulated by reservoirs. There are only six of them: Mingachevirskoye, Varvarinskoye, Sarsangskoye, Jeyranbatanskoye, Akstafa, Arpachayskoye. The largest is Mingachevir, in the middle reaches of the Kura. The main irrigation canals - Upper Karabakh and Upper Shirvan - originate from it. There are 250 lakes in Azerbaijan, 6 of them have an area of more than 10 km2.
The vegetation of Azerbaijan is distinguished by a variety of species (over 4100), among which there are rare and endangered ones. Broad-leaved species are common in the forests. There are separate relict tracts of ancient trees. Deserts and semi-deserts of lowland areas are dominated by wormwood, wormwood-saltwort and semi-shrub vegetation. The plains are inhabited by rodents, reptiles and reptiles, as well as goitered gazelles. Representatives of European forests are common on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus. In the shallow bays of the Caspian Sea there is a diverse world of birds.
Large reserves of oil, industrial deposits of gas, magnetic iron ore (Dashkesan), rock salt (Nakhichevan), marble, tuff, and pumice have been explored in Azerbaijan. Deposits of polymetallic ores containing gold, silver, and copper have been explored in various regions of the republic. In total, there are more than 70 oil and gas fields, more than 40 ore and mineral deposits located on the territory of Azerbaijan. 300 non-metallic deposits.
Most of Azerbaijan is located in the subtropical zone. There are several types of climate - from dry and humid subtropical (Lenkoran) to mountain tundra. Soils: from mountain-meadow alpine highlands to gray soils of semi-deserts and yellow soils in the Lankaran subtropics.
Population of Azerbaijan
Birth rate 18.44‰, mortality 9.55‰ (2001). Average life expectancy is 63 years (58.6 years for men and 67.5 years for women). Infant mortality 83.08 people. per 1000 newborns. It is estimated that in 2001 children and adolescents under 15 years of age accounted for 32%. There are more women in the republic than men (4.4 million and 3.9 million people, respectively). Predominance female population explained by the high mortality rate among men and their more intensive migration ability. 51% of the population lives in cities. The dynamics of rural population growth exceeds urban indicators by almost 2 times.
The economically active population is 3.776 million people. (2002). During 1991-2001, approximately 1.5 million people went to Russia to work. The number of pensioners is 1215 thousand people. (con. 2001). Retirement age: 62 years for men, 57 years for women.
The educational level of the population is quite high. 98% of the country's adult population has secondary education. Azerbaijanis make up 91% of the country's population, Dagestanis 3.2%, Russians 2.5%, others (Ukrainians, Tatars, Tats, Kurds, Avars, Turks, Georgians) 3.3%. Although state language is Azerbaijani, Russian is often used in everyday life. By 2000, the Russian population decreased by more than 2.5 times, amounting to 150 thousand people in 2002. The number of Armenians living mainly in Nagorno-Karabakh by 2001 was approximately 130 thousand people. The main religion is Islam. Most Muslims are adherents of the Jafarite school (madhab) of Shiism. Approximately 70% of all Muslims are Shiites, 30% are Sunnis. There are also Orthodox and Jewish communities in Azerbaijan.
History of Azerbaijan
The first states on the territory of Azerbaijan arose at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. and were under Persian rule. Later, the territory of Azerbaijan was part of the Caucasian Albania tribal association, subordinate to Sasanian Iran, then to the Arab Caliphate. From the 8th century The process of Turkization began and the Azerbaijani language was formed. In the 15th century The Azerbaijani state of the Shirvanshahs was formed. In the 16th-18th centuries. Azerbaijan was a field of confrontation between Turkey and Persia, by the middle. 18th century About 15 khanates were formed on his land. In the 1st third of the 19th century. they were annexed to Russia.
After the October Revolution in Russia, Soviet power was established in Baku on November 15, 1917, but on May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijan National Council proclaimed the Azerbaijan Republic, which was immediately occupied by Turkey, then by Great Britain, which withdrew its troops only in August 1919.
The Soviet period of Azerbaijan began on April 28, 1920, when units of the Red Army entered its territory. After the declaration of independence of Azerbaijan on August 30, 1991, Ayaz Mutalibov was elected president, forced to resign in March 1992 as a result of military failures in Nagorno-Karabakh. In June 1992, the leader of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan, Abulfaz Elchibey, who also suffered military setbacks, was elected president. In the context of an aggravated internal political situation, the economic situation became more complicated. In June 1993, Elchibey fled from Baku due to a military revolt against him. Power passed to Heydar Aliyev, who led the Azerbaijan SSR in 1969-82 as the first secretary of the Central Committee. In October 1993 he was elected president. In October 1998, Aliyev was re-elected as head of state. In 2003, Heydar Aliyev died, and his son Ilham Aliyev became president.
State structure and political system of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a democratic legal state with a republican form of government. The Constitution of 1995 is in force.
Administrative division of Azerbaijan: 59 districts, Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. The issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, around which a long-term conflict continues, has not been resolved. The total number of cities is 69, of which 11 are cities of republican subordination, the largest: Baku, Ganja (294.7 thousand people), Sumgait (279.2 thousand people), Mingachevir, Ali-Bayramli, Nakhichevan, Lankaran .
The highest legislative body is the parliament (Milli Majlis), consisting of 125 deputies and elected for a period of 5 years on the basis of majoritarian and proportional electoral systems and universal equal and direct elections through free, personal and secret voting. The Parliament of Azerbaijan holds two sessions annually. Spring session - from February 1 to May 31, autumn session - from September 30 to December 30.
The highest body of executive power is the cabinet of ministers, appointed by the president and approved by the Milli Majlis.
The head of state is the president, the post of president was introduced in 1991. The president is elected in general elections by secret ballot for a period of 5 years, but not more than two terms.
In 2002, there were more than 30 parties. Leading since 1995 political force became the New Azerbaijan Party under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev. It holds the majority of seats in parliament. The leading opposition force in parliament is the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (the party of former President Elchibey). Other opposition parties in parliament include Musavat (Equality) and the National Independence Party. Influential political organizations include the Azerbaijan Social Democratic Party and the Azerbaijan People's Party.
Among public organizations Azerbaijan singles out organizations of national minorities. The most authoritative organization of the Russian diaspora is the Russian community, headed by M. Zabelin. There is a National Council of Youth Organizations, which represents 46 youth public organizations (including organizations of volunteers, disabled people, veterans of the Karabakh war, etc.).
The internal policy of the top leadership of Azerbaijan was aimed at ending hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh and eliminating economic consequences this war. One of the main tasks was the reconstruction and reform of the national economy, increasing standard of living population.
Unresolved international issues include the mentioned problem of Nagorno-Karabakh and the issue of the borders between Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran in the Caspian Sea, unresolved by 2003.
There is universal conscription in Azerbaijan. Service life (as of 2000) - 17 months - may be slightly increased in the Ground Forces. Armed forces include Ground troops(number 55.6 thousand people), Navy (2.2 thousand people), Air Force and Air Defense Forces (8.1 thousand people) and border troops, organizationally part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (approximately 5 thousand people) (2000). In order to expand the training of senior national military personnel and specialists in the field of military sciences, the Academy was created in Azerbaijan armed forces. Azerbaijan's military expenditures are estimated at 30-40 billion manats. The budget of the Ministry of Defense is 120 million US dollars (1999). Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation, established on April 3, 1992.
Economy of Azerbaijan
In 2002, GDP (at current prices) amounted to 29.6 trillion. manats, annual growth of 10.6%. Since 2000, the level of GDP has been steadily increasing. The share of the non-observed economy in GDP production, according to statistical services, is 20-22%.
The number of registered unemployed is 51 thousand people (end of 2002). Unemployment is 1.3% (according to unofficial data - much higher). The total number of people employed in the economy is 3726.5 thousand people. The sectoral structure of employment is dominated by the service sector (52.6%), followed by agriculture, forestry, fisheries (32.1%) and industry (15.3%). 68% of the total number of employees is employed outside the public sector.
The volume of industrial output is 19,742 billion manats (at current prices, 2002). The metallurgical, chemical, and light industries are developing rapidly. Oil produced, including gas in industrialized republics former USSR, Azerbaijan, however, after gaining independence was unable to maintain the previous level of volumes industrial production. By 2001, compared to 1991, industrial production decreased by 2.7 times. By 1999, output (at constant prices) of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy decreased by 92-94%, chemical, petrochemical and food industries - by 80-83%, light industry, mechanical engineering and metalworking - by 72-73%. As a result, the most dynamic sectors of the economy were transport, communications and telecommunications, which was due to large investments (especially in the communications sector).
At the beginning of the 21st century, the economy of Azerbaijan becomes mainly focused on raw materials. This applies not only to industry, but also Agriculture, where the area sown with industrial crops (for example, tobacco, cotton) has significantly decreased. Cotton was one of the oldest crops cultivated in Azerbaijan and occupied up to 90% of the area of all industrial crops. Its cultivation is concentrated in the Kura-Araks lowland and in the western regions of the country. Tobacco is grown in foothill and mountainous areas. By 2002, the importance of sericulture was practically reduced to zero.
Agricultural products of all categories 6.4 billion manats (2002, at current prices). The area of agricultural land is 4.6 million hectares, including arable land 1.8 million hectares (2001). Number of farms: 2.6 thousand (end 2001), assigned to them land area 23.4 thousand hectares (end 2001). In con. 1990s The area under fodder and industrial crops decreased by 50%. In terms of the size of sown areas, grain crops are in first place, occupying an average of 550 thousand hectares of land. In the structure of grains in recent decades, about 70% was durum wheat, part of the area was sown with corn and barley. In 2002, there was an increase in the production of grain, potatoes and vegetables, mainly due to increased yields.
Traditionally, the most important branches of agriculture in Azerbaijan were viticulture and horticulture. The area under grapes (mainly for wine production) exceeded 230 thousand hectares and was located mainly in the Samur-Divichi lowland and on the northeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. More than 150 thousand hectares are occupied by gardens in Azerbaijan. The number of livestock is 2153 thousand heads (end 2002). In 2002, compared to 2001, meat production increased by 6%, whole milk products by 4%, and vegetable oil by 1.6 times. 224 thousand tons of livestock and poultry were produced for slaughter (in live weight) (of which 220 thousand tons were produced by households and private farms) (2002). Farms were also the main producers of milk and eggs.
Net railways- 2125 km. main tracks (gauge - 1520 mm), of which 815 km are double-track and 1310 km are single-track (260 km are blocked as a result of the war with Armenia). There are 1390 km of station and access roads. The total length of roads is 25 thousand km, of which 94% are paved roads. total length pipelines 3000 km, of which oil pipelines 1130 km, oil product pipelines 630 km, gas pipelines 1240 km. In 2002, trunk pipelines pumped 5.3 million tons of gas (102% of the 2001 figure) and 10 million tons of oil (89%).
Azerbaijan has seaport in the city of Baku. There are 69 airfields in Azerbaijan (of which 29 have a paved runway). The volume of cargo transportation by transport enterprises is 82.6 million tons. The total volume of cargo transportation by rail (import, export, transit and internal transportation) increased in 2002 by 13% compared to 2001. The volume of transportation by road increased by 6%. Cargo transportation by transport and port fleets increased by 11%, and maritime cargo turnover by 6%.
Azerbaijani airlines carried 1.3% more cargo and mail. Passenger transportation 893.3 million people. In 2002, Azerbaijan's maritime transport transported 30% more passengers compared to 2001; passenger transport by rail decreased by 4%. Airlines carried 5% more passengers in 2002 than in 2001.
Retail turnover (through all sales channels) in 2002 amounted to 13.4 trillion. manats (increased by 9.6% compared to 2001). The share of the informal market in the total volume of retail trade turnover accounted for 75.5%. Distribution of the number of retail trade enterprises by type of ownership: state ownership 6.7%, non-state ownership 93.3%, including private ownership 84.8%.
There are 61 insurance companies represented on the insurance market of the republic, 9 of which have foreign capital. 20 companies operate most stably, accounting for 90% of the volume of all insurance services and more than 80% of the volume of all paid losses. The share of insurance operations in total GDP is insignificant, but tends to grow. The republic's insurance service offers about 40 types of insurance services. An indicator of the population's activity in insurance operations - in Azerbaijan, each person insures himself or his property for 1.8 US dollars per year.
In 2002, investments in fixed capital from all sources of financing amounted to 10.3 trillion. manats (which is 82% more than in 2001). The main share of investments (98%) came from extra-budgetary funds, the predominant direction being the oil industry and electricity. Up to 50% of foreign investment goes to the development of mechanical engineering, communications, the food industry, and the service sector.
By 2000, as a result of reforms, a two-tier banking system, accepted in international practice, was created and is functioning in Azerbaijan. The 1st level is represented by the National Bank of Azerbaijan (NBA), which performs the classic functions of the issuing central bank of the country, regulates and supervises banking activities, determines the monetary and foreign exchange policy of the state, stores free resources and required reserves of other banks, manages centralized credit resources, conducts cash execution of the budget and, if necessary, lends to the state.
The powers of the NBA include the guaranteed placement of government-issued authorized treasury obligations. The NBA is a financial institution independent from the government, and parliament is practically deprived of the opportunity to seriously influence the NBA's policies. At the beginning In July 1999, the NBA's gold and foreign exchange reserves amounted to $707 million, which exceeded the volume of money in circulation by 3.2 times. However, the reserves consist of 50-55% of IMF stabilization loans, which, by agreement with it, cannot be used in everyday activities and can only be used in an emergency situation. 2nd level banking system Azerbaijan consists of 73 banks (1999), which directly provide credit, settlement and cash services to individuals and legal entities. In the first years of the transition period Negative influence on financial system had a policy of free lending. In 1996, the NBA regained control over money supply growth and introduced stricter banking rules. There are several foreign and mixed banks operating in Azerbaijan, the total number of credit organizations in Azerbaijan (2002) is 93. The NBA refinancing rate is 7%.
State budget (January-September 2002, billion manats): revenues 3144.3; expenses 3141.4. Azerbaijan's external debt is over $700 million. 86% of budget revenues are generated from tax revenues. The ratio of total state budget expenditures to GDP is 15.6%. Budget expenses for social sphere and economics 27.3 and 14.2% (2002).
Cash income of the population (trillion manats): 15.1, cash expenses 12.5 (January-September 2002). The minimum wage is 27.5 thousand manats, average monthly nominal wage 315.2 thousand manats, or 64.8 US dollars (2002). The minimum old-age pension is 70 thousand manats (2002), the average pension is 73.7 thousand manats (2001). The minimum amount of scholarships in universities is 16.5 thousand manats (2002). Deposits of the population in savings banks (including commercial ones) 744.1 billion manats (2002).
Foreign trade (2002, million US dollars): exports 1778, imports 1496.5. Export to the CIS countries 10.1% of total exports, 1/2 of exports to these countries are petroleum products, cotton fiber, machinery and equipment, vehicles. 93% of exports to other countries are crude oil and its products. Imports from CIS countries - 30.8% of total imports. Azerbaijan imports from these countries mainly natural gas, mineral and chemical fertilizers, food products, timber, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and cars. The main import items of A. from other countries of the world are machinery, equipment and vehicles.
Science and culture of Azerbaijan
There are more than 50 higher education institutions in Azerbaijan educational institutions, in which approximately 100 thousand students study. The largest universities in the country: Azerbaijani State University them. Rasuzade, Institute of Oil and Chemistry, Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan Pedagogical Institute of Russian Language and Literature named after. M.V. Akhundova, Azerbaijani state institute foreign languages, Azerbaijan Medical University named after. Narimanov, Conservatory named after. U. Gadzhibekova and others. V last years Several private and international universities have emerged. Among the latter, Western University (founded in 1991) stands out. At the Caucasus University, training is conducted in Turkish. Most universities are located in Baku.
Basic Scientific research are carried out at the institutes of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, created in 1945 (at the Institute of Philosophy and Law, the Institute of History, Language and Literature named after G. Nizami, the Institute of Economics, etc.). The largest library in A. is the State Library named after. M. Akhundov, the largest document repository is the National Archive.
A distinctive feature of Azerbaijani literature is the oral poetry of ashugs (folk singers-poets), the traditions of which have been preserved to this day. Ancient epics (for example, Kitabi Dede Korkud, 11th century), as well as poetry of a later period (Ganjavi Nizami, c. 1141-1209; Muhammad Fuzuli, 1494-1556) are part of the literary heritage shared with the Anatolian Turks. Written Azerbaijani literature emerged after the country's final incorporation into Russia in the early 19th century. Its founder Mirza Fatali Akhundov (1812-78) is the founder of Azerbaijani drama, which received further development in the works of Najaf-bey Vezirov (1854-1926) and Abdurragim Akhverdov (1870-1933). In the beginning. 20th century created by Jalil Mamekulizadeh (1866-1932), playwright Huseyn Javid (1884-1941), poet Muhammad Hadi (1879-1920).
Such Azerbaijani directors as A.M. Sharifzade, A.I. Bek-Nazarov, T.M. Tagizade, A.M. Ibragimov are famous. The strength of Azerbaijani cinematography is documentary films.
The theater appeared in Azerbaijan only in mid. 19th century With coming Soviet power theaters were nationalized. In 1920, the Azerbaijan Drama Theater opened in Baku, and in 1924 - the Opera and Ballet Theater.
The Islamic period left a strong imprint on the rich architectural heritage of Azerbaijan. The symbol of Baku is also one of the Islamic architectural monuments - the unique Maiden Tower, which has an oval shape in plan (12th century). In classical Azerbaijani applied arts Persian and Islamic styles and techniques were used, which were reflected, in particular, in the miniatures of the famous Tabriz school. The first Azerbaijani newspaper “Ekinchi” (“Plowman”) was published in 1875 by Hasanbek Zardabi (1837-1907). In modern Azerbaijan, about 400 newspapers are registered, but less than 50 are published regularly. The first radio broadcasts took place in Baku in 1926. Television began broadcasting in 1956.
