(Azerbaijan) often called " land of fire"(from "azer" - fire). - an amazing country in which everything is unique - nature and culture, history and customs and traditions, architecture and much more. Every city in this country holds something special: a city Lip- famous for its medieval fortresses and mosques, the city of Sheki is famous for its luxurious palaces, some of them have been converted into modern hotels. Also worth noting are such natural beauties as the Tengi Canyon, Afurdzhinsky Waterfall and the Gobustan Nature Reserve, which was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Azerbaijan n - " country of fire»

1. Capital

And the largest port on the Caspian Sea. The city is located on the southern coast of the Absheron Peninsula. The first mentions of it date back to the 5th century. At this place there were ancient oil fields, which were holes dug in the ground, from which oil was simply drawn, like water. According to one version, the word “” is translated from an ancient dialect as “ God's city" The city has a large number of ancient monuments - fortresses, palaces, caravanserais, mosques.

- a city that combines “oriental flavor” and “European civilization”, authentic historical buildings and mega-modern architectural projects. Today, in terms of the scale of construction, it is increasingly reminiscent of Dubai, and in terms of the standard of living, it is one of the most expensive capitals in the world!

2. Flag

On the flag of Azerbaijan:

Three stripes of blue (top), red (middle) and green (bottom). In the center of the flag on a red stripe is a white crescent and a white eight-pointed star.

Meaning and history of the Azerbaijan flag:

State flag of Azerbaijan(flag of Azerbaijan) was officially adopted on February 5, 1991. Flag It is a three-color panel, stripes of blue, green and red colors are located horizontally. In the center of the flag on a red stripe there is an eight-pointed star and a crescent. Both images are white. In accordance with Constitution of Azerbaijan, the blue color on the flag is the traditional color of the Turkic peoples and symbolizes Turkism, red - progress, green - Islam. The crescent signifies belonging to the religion of Islam, the eight-pointed star signifies the eight branches of the Turkic peoples.

3. Coat of arms

State emblem of Azerbaijan was approved on January 19, 1993. It is made in the shape of an oriental shield against the background of an arc woven from oak branches and ears of wheat.

In the center coat of arms fire is drawn, symbolizing " Country of Fire y". The colors that are present on the coat of arms are similar to the national colors flag(blue, red, green, white). The eight-pointed star is a symbol of the eight branches of the Turkic people. At the bottom there is a wreath of wheat ears and oak branches. A wreath of ears of grain is a symbol of wealth, fertility, and oak branches are the antiquity of the country. This star is also depicted on the state flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The edges of the shield and the stars are framed in golden color, the oak acorns and the buttons of the shield are also golden. Pictured on coat of arms the shield represents the military power of the state, the heroic valor of the people. Fire in the center coat of arms depicted as the word " Allah", written in the old alphabet.

4. Anthem

listen to the anthem of Azerbaijan

watch and listen to the anthem of Azerbaijan

5. Currency

Manat- official currency of Azerbaijan(AZN). Manat Available in six types of coins and six types of banknotes. Coins in denominations - 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 50 qepik, banknotes in denominations - 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 manats. Code Azerbaijani manat according to ISO 4217, official abbreviation - AZN.

Well Azerbaijani manat To ruble or any other currency can be viewed on the currency converter

Azerbaijani manat looks like this:

Coins

Banknotes

6. 10 Largest cities of Azerbaijan:

• Baku (capital)
• Ganja
• Sumgayit
• Mingachevir
• Khirdalan
• Yevlakh
• Stepanakert
• Nagorno-Karabakh
• Lankaran

7. Geography

The area of ​​Azerbaijan is 86600 km2.

State in the Transcaucasian region in western Asia. In the north it borders with Russia, in the northwest - with Georgia, in the south - with Iran, in the west - with Armenia. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic borders on Armenia in the northeast, Iran in the south, and Turkey in the west.

More than half of the territory is occupied by mountains. In the north there is the Caucasus ridge, in the middle part there is the Kura Lowland, in the southeast there are the Talysh Mountains and the Lankaran Lowland.

8. How to get to Azerbaijan?

9. Things to see

Sights of Azerbaijan will satisfy the needs of the most demanding traveler. there are over 130 museums and galleries in all cities and regions of the republic. You will see unique ancient mausoleums: Momine-Khatun, towers of the Absheron Peninsula, in the mountains you will find evidence of the centuries-old past of the Azerbaijani people starting from the Stone Age and subsequent periods - rock carvings, sites of ancient people, rock fortresses, tombstones and burial grounds.

Take a look at the Shirvanshahs' Palace Museum-Reserve (15th century), a pearl of Azerbaijani architecture located in the Old Fortress of Baku. The capital acquires a special color during the celebrations of Ramadan Bayram (February 9), Nowruz Bayram (March 20-21) and Gurban Bayram (April 18), when the whole city blooms with countless festive events.

Having come here, you will never regret it - here in the heart of the Caucasus, like nowhere else, you can study the subtle nature of the East and learn the wisdom of a great people.

Here's a small one list of attractions, which you should pay attention to when planning excursions to:

• Azerbaijan State Philharmonic
• Azerbaijan Drama Theater
• Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
• Azerbaijan Youth Theater
• Baku seaside boulevard
• Bathhouse Gadzhi Gaib
• Gandzasar Monastery
• Gobustan Reserve
• State Opera and Ballet Theater named after. M. F. Akhundova
• Palace of Sheki Khans
• Palace of the Shirvanshahs
• Maiden Tower in Baku
• Icheri Sheher
• Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center
• Caravanserai in Sheki
• Museum of Azerbaijani Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi
• Azerbaijan Art Museum
• National Museum of History of Azerbaijan
• Museum of Modern Art in Baku
• Lake Goygol
• Flame towers in Baku
• State Flag Square
• Ateshgah Temple
• Yanardag

10. What’s the weather like here?

Climate of Azerbaijan- transitional from temperate to subtropical. Due to the strong influence of altitudinal zones, weather conditions in the country vary greatly. In total, there are 9 natural and climatic zones. The average temperature in July can vary from +5 C in high mountain areas to +27 C in lowland areas, and in January from -10 C and +3 C. At the same time, the maximum summer temperature can reach +45 C, and in winter the thermometer in mountainous areas drops at night up to -40 C.

Precipitation falls from 200 mm. per year on the slopes of the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, up to 1200-1700 mm. on the Lankaran lowland. The typical strong north wind is in autumn. The optimal time to visit the country is from April to October.

11. Population

It is 9.9 million people.

Population density equal to 115.0 people per square kilometer. multinational, about a hundred different nationalities and peoples live on its territory, however, all nations, except Azerbaijani, are small in number. TO Azerbaijanis More than 90 percent of the population consider themselves to be The Russian diaspora is small, it amounts to only 120 thousand people.

12. Language

In accordance with the current Constitution, official language Republic of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, and Russian is also quite widespread.

What should you wear?

What kind clothes you need to take with you when going. There are no norms or rules when choosing as such, wear what you consider necessary and comfortable, the style of clothing does not matter, but you should dress neatly, not provocatively, since the Islamic religion has its place in the way of life. Therefore, it is better not to wear a miniskirt or tight-fitting clothes. Also, do not abuse the country’s hospitality when visiting religious places and it is better to opt for closed, modest clothes. If you notice a woman dressed in a veil on the streets, you should not show your interest, much less film her.

13. What about something to eat?

Azerbaijani cuisine In terms of the composition and variety of dishes, it is one of the most delicious and “healthy” cuisines of the world. It differs in its abundance of all kinds of meat (lamb, beef, poultry), fish (stellate sturgeon, sturgeon) and vegetable dishes, complemented by fragrant herbs and spices, and of course, a beautiful appearance.

It has long been the case that Azerbaijani national dishes were prepared in copper containers, and to this day in many regions and rural areas of Azerbaijan, dishes prepared in copper containers are delicious. Therefore, many items of Azerbaijani national cuisine are often made of copper. pilaf is cooked in ghee. Rice is boiled in boiling water, poured with oil and left to settle. The meat is stewed with onions, chestnuts and dried plums.

Another feature is that before eating the main meal Azerbaijanis They drink tea, often black or long tea. And if guests come to the house, they are always served tea. Tea in Azerbaijan- a symbol of warm hospitality.

14. Note to shopaholics

Shopping in Azerbaijan. From 9 am until late evening, life is in full swing in the center of the capital, all shops are open, and in the suburbs everything is closed after 19-20 hours. You will find the lowest prices at fairs or markets. The Sharg Bazary market is popular for local silks, ceramics and other handicrafts. As in any other markets, prices here are negotiable, so you can always bargain.

When I remember, an association always comes up with high-quality and inexpensive carpets, which can be found in the suburb of the capital Nardaran in the center of carpet weaving. There are also many interesting places for children in Baku. When visiting shops, you can come across a lot of Turkish goods.

15. Rules of exemplary behavior

Peculiarities of behavior in Abkhazia. Local police are quite strict towards various violators of public order. Always carry your passport with you - this greatly facilitates relations with the police. Currently, legislation does not restrict smoking in public places.

Very hospitable. Therefore, if you are invited to visit, be sure to take a souvenir with you for the owner of the house and do not refuse the invitation, because your refusal may offend you. And also, during the visit, do not pay too much attention to the hostess of the house - this is not accepted by tradition.

16. Holidays

National holidays and non-working days in Azerbaijan:

• January 1st and 2nd New Year
• March 8 International Women's Day
• March 20 - March 24 Novruz Bayrami
• May 9 Victory Day
• May 28 Republic Day
• June 15 is the Day of National Salvation of the Azerbaijani People
• June 26 is Azerbaijan Armed Forces Day
• October 18 Independence Day
• November 12th Constitution Day
• November 9 National Flag Day
• November 17 National Revival Day
• December 31st is the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis around the World

17. Flora and Fauna

Flora and fauna The territory has at its disposal a rich flora. In these places there are about 4,500 species of flowering plants, including rare and endangered ones. The country has broad-leaved forests, subalpine woodlands, mixed forests, tugai forests, evergreen plantings, and alpine meadows (in the mountains). Flora of Azerbaijan, with its picturesqueness and abundance of colors resembles a huge national carpet. The real decoration of this land are the mountain and lowland lakes: Tufan, Alagellar, Karagel, Goygol, Maralgel, Zaligel - there are about 250 lakes in total.

Fauna of Azerbaijan is also extremely diverse. The forests are inhabited by bear, wild boar, wolf, deer, lynx, and jackals. In arid regions and plains there are a huge number of lizards, poisonous snakes and other reptiles, as well as hares and foxes. Of the large animals, goitered gazelles live (an artiodactyl mammal from the genus of gazelles of the bovid family). You can see chamois, Dagestan tur, and roe deer. The Caspian bays are rich in a variety of birds - pheasants, partridges, black grouse.

18. Religion

Religion of Azerbaijan. There are a lot of religious denominations in the country, since it is a multinational country in which a large number of ethnic groups live. However, the dominant religion remains Shiite Islam.

Islam is the main religion Azerbaijan A. 99.2% of the country's population are Muslims. Approximately 85% of Azerbaijani Muslims practice Shiite Islam, and 15% - Sunni Muslims.

19. Medicine

Healthcare The country guarantees free treatment for all citizens. But free public health care is quite limited and only applies to citizens of the country. If you have any chronic diseases, then you should have the required minimum set of medications with you, since there is a slight shortage of medications in the country. For all foreign citizens who arrived in the country on an official basis, ambulance and emergency treatment are free of charge.

20. "Danger to life"

Territory of Azerbaijan is located in a zone of increased seismic hazard. Earthquakes often occur here. Landslides also pose a significant threat to tourists, especially in mountainous areas. So be careful and careful! Although it is a safe country with an effective police force, beware of pickpockets and scammers.

21. Souvenirs

Here's a small one list most common souvenirs which tourists usually bring from:

• Carpets and carpet products.
• Coasters for cups and a teapot are miniature rugs woven according to all the rules of carpet-making art.
• Jewelry, one of which is shebeke - lace made from the finest wires.
• Ceramics with complex patterns and fine painting.
• Wood carving
• Shoes with pointed toes are called charyki.
• Velor vests - curdu.
• Azerbaijani wines and tea, as well as tea cups - “armuds”.

22. “Neither nail nor rod” or customs rules

Residents of the Russian Federation, as well as residents of the CIS countries, can enter Azerbaijan without a visa; it is enough to have a foreign passport. The import of foreign currency is not limited (a declaration is required), the export is limited to the amount declared in the declaration. Import and export of local currency is permitted exclusively to citizens of Azerbaijan.

Persons over the age of 16 are allowed duty-free import of up to 1 thousand cigarettes or 1 kg. tobacco products, up to 1.5 l. strong alcoholic drinks and 2 liters. wine, as well as other goods totaling up to $10 thousand. The import of weapons and ammunition (with the exception of hunting, for which a special permit is issued), drugs and drug-containing drugs, animals, photographs and printed materials that can be considered as directed against the constitutional order of Azerbaijan is prohibited. , as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.

The export of personal belongings, handicrafts and goods officially purchased in the country is allowed. The export of antiques without permission from the Ministry of Culture, as well as weapons and ammunition, is prohibited. Any carpet or handicraft produced before 1960 is automatically considered an antique and is subject to tax, to avoid which the product must have an appropriate certificate from the Ministry of Culture, which is issued automatically in official art salons or shops (goods purchased at markets or private shops usually do not have such a certificate). The customs declaration issued upon entry into the country must be saved until departure.

What about sockets?

Mains voltage: 220V

23. Phone number

Code of the country: +994 -(area code)-(subscriber's telephone number)
Geographic first level domain name: .az

Dear reader! If you have been to this country or have something interesting to tell . WRITE! After all, your lines can be useful and educational for visitors to our site "Across the planet step by step" and for all travel lovers.

Azerbaijan- an inexpressibly picturesque country with its own unique “highlights”. Azerbaijan is metaphorically called the “land of fire”, since its territory is rich in oil and gas deposits that lie close to the surface and shoot torches of fire from the ground. The stunning natural panoramas of this country are replete with contrasting views: here you can observe all 4 seasons at the same time! Luxurious architectural forms, soaring skyscrapers, an original modern urban style in the Western style coexist with ancient buildings, ancient palaces and fortresses. And at first glance it is difficult to determine whether this is actually an eastern country?

Primitive people inhabited the territory of modern Azerbaijan more than 1.5 million years ago, facilitated by a favorable climate and natural conditions. To this day, in some regions of Azerbaijan, evidence of the presence of ancient people in this territory has been preserved: a Zoroastrian temple Ateshgah, city Shamakhi(remember the Shamakhan queen glorified by Pushkin?), Chukhur-Gabala, Sheki and, of course, an archaeological reserve Gobustan, famous for the huge number of carved images on stones - petroglyphs, which are 4-5 thousand years old!

A completely different life is in full swing in the capital of Azerbaijan - the most beautiful Baku, the largest city on Caucasus and the largest port on Caspian Sea. The lively, brightly lit streets are lined with souvenir and theme shops, luxurious restaurants and cozy cafes. Here you can eat delicious food, relax, smoke an incomparable hookah, and plunge into dancing to oriental rhythms. Baku is very interesting to visit in terms of attractions and historical places: Baku embankment, which every tourist who sees it admires; Flag Square, whose flagpole is the second tallest in the world; Old city(Icheri Sheher), scenes from famous Soviet films were filmed on its streets; “Fire Towers” ​​are the tallest buildings in Azerbaijan, resembling 3 tongues of flame; modern cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev, whose design became the best in the world in 2014, and many others.

Affable and friendly Azerbaijanis are hospitable, open and always ready to help you if necessary. And how incomparable the taste of national dishes is! Moreover, the masterpieces of Azerbaijani cuisine are also good for health - it is well known that the Caucasian peoples are among the longest-livers of our planet.

Welcome to “fiery” Azerbaijan, its amazing contrasts will strike you to the very heart!

Useful information for traveling around Azerbaijan

General information about Azerbaijan.

Location. Azerbaijan is located in the southeast of Transcaucasia. It borders with Russia, Georgia, Iran, Armenia and Turkey. In the east, the territory of Azerbaijan is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. Almost half of the territory of Azerbaijan has mountainous terrain. In the north - the Caucasus ridge, in the middle part - the Kura-Araks lowland, in the southeast - the Talysh Mountains and the Lenkoran lowland. The highest point of the country is Mount Bazarduzu (4466 m). Spain, Greece, Turkey and Korea are located at latitudes similar to Azerbaijan.

Square. 86.6 thousand sq. km. The length of Azerbaijan from north to south is about 400 km, from west to east - about 500 km. The territory of Azerbaijan also includes small islands of the Caspian Sea (Baku and Absheron archipelagos).

Population. About 9.7 million people (2016 data). As of July 1, 2013, the urban population was 53.1% and the rural population was 46.9%. Population density: 112 people/km2. Composition: 91.6% Azerbaijanis, 2% Lezgins, 1.4% Armenians, 1.3% Russians, 1.3% Talysh, less than 1% each Avars, Turks, Tatars, Ukrainians, Kurds, Jews, etc.

Political structure. Azerbaijan is a democratic legal secular unitary republic. Part of the CIS. The system of state power of the Republic of Azerbaijan is based on the principle of separation of powers into legislative (Milli Majlis - National Assembly), executive (President) and judicial (courts of the Azerbaijan Republic).

Administrative division. Territorially, Azerbaijan is divided into 66 districts, 11 cities and 1 autonomous republic - the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic.

Capital. The city of Baku with a population of more than 2.1 million inhabitants. Baku is the largest city in the Caucasus, the largest economic, industrial and scientific-technical center Transcaucasia and the largest port on the Caspian Sea.

Official language. Azerbaijani (Turkic group of languages). Russian is not an official language in Azerbaijan, but is actively used among residents of Baku and other large cities. However, outside the capital, the number of people who know Russian has decreased significantly since the collapse of the USSR. Young people speak English.

Currency unit. Azerbaijani manat. There are numerous exchange offices in the Republic where you can exchange currency at the current rate. Such points often operate around the clock in Baku, major cities and airports. In addition, money can be exchanged at banks and some hotels.

Religions. According to the Constitution, Azerbaijan is a secular state. Approximately 99.2% of the country's population professes Islam: about 85% are Shia Muslims, about 15% are Sunni Muslims. Orthodoxy is poorly spread in Azerbaijan; there are 6 Orthodox churches in the country, 3 of which are located in Baku. Jewish communities are considered active and influential.

Standard time zone. UTC/GMT +4 hours.

Electricity. The voltage in the power grids of Azerbaijan is 220/240 volts, the current frequency is 50 Hz. Standard double plug socket (grounded).

Climate in Azerbaijan.

Best time to visit Azerbaijan - the period from April to June and September-October. The territory of Azerbaijan is interesting because it combines 9 climatic zones out of 11 existing in the world, from subtropics to high alpine meadows.

Azerbaijan has quite a large number solar days. The temperature regime is formed depending on the characteristics of incoming air flows, the diversity of the relief and the degree of distance from the Caspian Sea. The average temperature in January ranges from -10 °C in high mountain areas to +3 °C in lowland areas, in July - from +5 °C to +27 °C, respectively. The maximum temperature in summer reaches +45°C, and in winter the temperature in mountainous areas drops to -40°C at night.

Strong winds from the north are typical, mainly in autumn. The amount of precipitation varies from 200 mm per year in the foothills of the Caucasus to 1200-1700 mm per year in the Lankaran lowland.

Average temperatures in Baku
Temperature	January	February	March	April	May	June
Max	7˚	6˚	10	16	22˚	27˚
Min	2˚	2˚	4	9	15	20
Temperature	July	August	September	October	November	December
Max	31˚	thirty	26˚	20	14	10
Min	22˚	23˚	19	14	9	5

How to dress in Azerbaijan.

When choosing a set of clothes for traveling to Azerbaijan, you should take into account the climate depending on the time of year. For trips from May to September, it is better to give preference to light summer clothes made of cotton fabrics, and in winter you cannot do without insulated jackets and raincoats. In the summer, be sure to have sunscreen and a hat with you. During excursions, you will need the most comfortable shoes, including sneakers or sneakers, especially when visiting rocky areas.

There are no strict rules when choosing clothes in Azerbaijan, especially in large cities. However, you should not wear provocative clothing: women should avoid tight silhouettes, miniskirts and deep necklines, and we recommend that men exclude shorts and sleeveless T-shirts from their wardrobe.

The locals themselves tend to dress business-like; women prefer elegant style, flawless makeup and high heels.

When visiting religious places, be sure to wear modest, closed clothes and have a headscarf or scarf with you, and when entering the house of local residents, you must take off your shoes.

Cuisine of Azerbaijan.

The national cuisine of Azerbaijan is famous for its abundance of exquisite and unique-tasting dishes: meat, fish, vegetable, dairy and flour delicacies, brought to perfection with aromatic herbs and spices.

In Azerbaijan, bread is of paramount importance in the diet, and is treated with great respect. For example, if a piece of bread fell on the floor, you definitely need to pick it up, kiss it and ask for forgiveness. The bread is baked on a slightly convex iron sheet saj V tandoor, intended for baking churek and lavash. It is popular to cook in spring and autumn gutab- thin crescent-shaped unleavened dough pies stuffed with meat, herbs, cottage cheese, pumpkin, etc.

Particular variety is characteristic of meat dishes, of which there are a great variety in Azerbaijani cuisine. Widespread basturma(cured beef tenderloin) and shashlik, as well as thick lamb soups - piti And bozbash. Also popular kelem dolmasy- chopped lamb wrapped in cabbage leaves, mixed with rice and spices, yarpag dolmasi - lamb, eggplant and tomatoes wrapped in grape leaves, and lula kebab- finely chopped lamb, seasoned with onions and aromatic spices. Sajem also called a meat dish prepared from pieces of lamb in assorted vegetables.

In Azerbaijan, rice dishes are held in high esteem, especially pilaf, which has about 50 variations in the “land of fire.” The favorite and most characteristic dish made from poultry meat is considered chygartma. As a rule, after lunch (especially after pilaf) they serve dovgu from sour milk and greens.

Azerbaijani cuisine is famous for its unsurpassed taste characteristics of sweets that no one, even the most indifferent to all things sweet, can resist: nogul, alarm bell, shekerbura, gata, baklava, kozinaki, halva, Turkish Delight, jellied figs and sherbet(water sweetened with honey). Has a significant place in the daily meals of Azerbaijanis. tea, which not only accompany the process of eating, but also precede it. First, tea is served, after which they offer to taste the main courses. For tea, the table is set with sweet dishes: Baku baklava, fig, dogwood, cherry, white cherry, walnut and watermelon jams.

Cost of food in Azerbaijan.

The traditional tour program includes hotel accommodation with breakfast. For your convenience, we can reserve seats in restaurants. In case you prefer to do it yourself, we provide approximate prices, which may vary slightly in different regions.

Visa and registration.

Entry into Azerbaijan is carried out according to abroad passport. For citizens of Russia and some CIS countries, a period of up to 90 days is established visa-free entry regime into Azerbaijan. You can find out more about the conditions for obtaining a visa to Azerbaijan, the list of required documents, processing times and consular fees rates.

Please note that even if a tourist has an Azerbaijani visa, he may be denied entry into Azerbaijan if his passport contains a note about visiting Nagorno-Karabakh, the occupied territory of Azerbaijan.

For the entire duration of your stay in Azerbaijan, you must have an identity document or a copy of it with a visa to enter the country (for citizens of countries with a visa regime).

All foreign citizens staying in Azerbaijan for more than 10 days must undergo the procedure within 9 days from the date of arrival registration at the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan. To do this, you must provide the State Migration Service with a completed registration form, a copy of your passport and a copy of your visa (for citizens of countries with a visa regime) in person or by email. Hotels assist their guests in this procedure, but tourists staying in private apartments or unlicensed hotels must go through registration themselves. Registration is absolutely free, but failure to register may result in a fine of 300-400 manats.

Customs regulations of Azerbaijan.

To enter Azerbaijan, you must have a foreign passport with you, and it is also recommended to fill out customs declaration indicating the exact amount of cash. The declaration must be endorsed by the signature and seal of a Customs Service officer and kept until departure from Azerbaijan.

Import of foreign currency not limited provided that the customs declaration is filled out. If you are importing less than US$1,000 or less in another currency, completing a customs declaration is not required. Export of foreign currency allowed up to the amount imported into Azerbaijan in accordance with the customs declaration.

You can import up to 1.5 liters of strong drinks and up to 2 liters of wine (for persons over 16 years old) into Azerbaijan. To export antiques and carpets from Azerbaijan, you need to have special permission from official services. It is allowed to export up to 125 grams. caviar, 3 cartons of cigarettes and enough medicines for their own needs.

Currency of Azerbaijan.

The national currency of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani manat(AZN). In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 manats, as well as coins of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 qepik. 1 manat is equal to 100 qepik. You can exchange currency in banks, hotels and numerous currency exchange offices. Exchange offices often operate around the clock (in Baku, major cities and airports). When exchanging money over $500, you must present identification. The rate of the National Bank may differ from the rate of private banks. To check the real exchange rate at the time of travel, we recommend contacting the resource of the International Bank of Azerbaijan.

ATMs are available only in large cities of Azerbaijan. In the center of Baku you can meet them at every step. Even the smallest regional center has at least one ATM. In Baku, banks are open from 9:00-9:30 to 17:00. On public holidays and weekends, banks and their branches in hotels are closed, so you can exchange currency only at the duty bank "Respublika".

Credit cards Master Card or Visa in Azerbaijan can be used in boutiques, expensive restaurants and large hotels. Credit cards are not accepted at some grocery stores, cafes, hotels and B&Bs. Using credit cards in the province is almost impossible.

Photography in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is replete with captivating views and mesmerizing panoramas that cannot be left unimpressed. Regular tourist photography and video shooting is allowed in this country. The exception is the subway, airports, bus stations, oil refineries, factories and other protected facilities that are prohibited from photography. Additional fees may apply for photography.

Tipping in Azerbaijan.

In many large restaurants in Baku, the service charge is indicated on the menu, usually 5-10% of the bill. If there is no mention of this, then 10% can be added to the bill amount (sometimes in advance, this will speed up service). At the same time, some cafes reserve the right for their customers to decide whether to leave a tip or not. If you really liked the way you were served, it would be appropriate to thank the waiter 10% of the amount indicated on the bill.

Depending on the amount of luggage, you can leave 5-10 manats to the porter at the airport or hotel. It is not customary to tip in a taxi; the fare should be discussed in advance. Please note that taxi drivers usually do not accept currency.

Remember about the opportunity to bargain, especially in markets and private stores - you can easily reduce the price by 2 times!

Souvenirs of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is famous for its inimitable art folk crafts. You definitely won’t rack your brains about what to bring home with you from your trip to this bright and hospitable land. The solution will come to you as soon as As soon as you look into the souvenir shops. From this sea of ​​strange things, without any doubt, you will find something that will appeal to your soul. The most important souvenir of Azerbaijan is considered carpets, as well as unique Azerbaijani carpet bags, carpet teapot stands and cups. Valuable antique carpets cannot be exported from the country, but it is quite possible to purchase a brand new carpet with an unusually beautiful pattern. You can find out more about this from your guide before making a purchase.

Pear-shaped ones will be a wonderful souvenir Armuda glasses(crystal and painted with colored patterns), in which tea remains hot for a long time, as well as white cherry jam. This unusual treat for your favorite sweet tooth can be bought in stores in tightly sealed jars, which guarantees a long shelf life of the delicacy.

You can add a “zest” to your kitchen by bringing original tablecloth With buta- national Azerbaijani pattern, as well as copper utensils. The tablecloths are made of thick fabric with gold embroidery; they look elegant, are practical and are easy to wash. In Azerbaijan, copper is used to produce wine jugs, embossed plates, vases and samovars, which are used not only as decorative items, but also for their intended purpose.

The souvenir market of Azerbaijan is replete with jewelry, ceramics, wooden carvings (note the handmade backgammon), items of national costume, items made from local silk, painted items using the batik technique and, of course, wines.

Among this ocean of various souvenirs, there is a whole sea of ​​pleasant gifts for children of different ages. Be prepared for the fact that children will want to buy absolutely everything in the souvenir shops! Well, take a spare suitcase with you for souvenirs.

National holidays in Azerbaijan.

Public holidays: . 1st of January - New Year; . March 8 - International Women's Day; . March 20-21 - ; . 9th May - Victory Day; . May 28 - Republic Day; . June 15 - Day of National Salvation of the Azerbaijani People; . June 26 - Day of creation of the national army; . October 18 - State Independence Day; . November 12 - Constitution day; . November 17 - National Revival Day; . 31th of December - Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis around the world.

Religious holidays with changing dates:

State symbols of Azerbaijan: flag, coat of arms and anthem.

consists of three horizontal equal stripes of blue, red and green. In the middle of the red stripe on both sides of the flag there is a white crescent and an eight-pointed star. The aspect ratio of the flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan is 1:2. The blue color reflects the Turkic origin of the Azerbaijani people. The red color symbolizes an orientation toward building a modern society and developing democracy. Green is the color of Islam. The Azerbaijani tricolor is a symbol of Turkic national culture, modern democratic society and Muslim civilization.

The crescent on the flag symbolizes Islam, as well as the Turkic peoples. The eight-pointed star represents the 8 branches of the Turkic-speaking peoples and the 8 letters of the name “Azerbaijan” in the Arabic alphabet. There is a version according to which the eight-pointed star means 8 traditional peoples living in Azerbaijan.

Coat of arms of Azerbaijan represents an eastern shield against the background of an arc woven from green oak branches and yellow ears of wheat. The shield symbolizes the military power of the state and heroism, the branches of the oak tree symbolize glory and strength, the antiquity of the state, and the ears of corn symbolize fertility and abundance. In the center of the coat of arms on the shield, against the background of the colors of the flag of Azerbaijan, there is a white eight-pointed star, in the heart of which a red fire burns, symbolizing the “land of fire” - Azerbaijan. Fire in heraldry means progress, and this symbol also recalls the fire worship of Azerbaijanis in ancient times and the traditions associated with the worship of fire (Novruz holiday). The state emblem of Azerbaijan represents the independence of the Azerbaijani state.

Anthem of Azerbaijan was adopted on May 27, 1992 after the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence. Words by Ahmed Javad, music by Uzeyir Hajibeyov.

Original text: Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan! Ey qəhrəman övladın şanlı Vətəni! Səndən ötrü can verməyə cümlə hazırız! Səndən ötrü qan tökməyə cümlə qadiriz! Üçrəngli bayrağınla məsud yaşa! Minlərlə can qurban oldu, Sinən hərbə meydan oldu! Hüququndan keçən əsgər! Hərə bir qəhrəman oldu! Sən olasan gülüstan, Sənə hər an can qurban! Sənə min bir məhəbbət Sinəmdə tutmuş məkan! Namusunu hifz etməyə, Bayrağını yüksəltməyə, Namusunu hifz etməyə, Cümlə gənclər müştaqdır! Şanlı Vətən! Şanlı Vətən! Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan!

Translating to Russian language: Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan! O holy cradle of glorious sons! There is no land dearer than the Fatherland, no relatives From the beginning of our life to the end of our days! Make your way under the banner of Freedom! Thousands of us who died in battle, Defending their land. In the hour of fate we will stand as a wall In unbreakable military formation! Let your gardens bloom! Create, dream, create! Heart full of love We dedicated it to you. Glory, glory to your proud destiny, Our ancient land, our holy land. Each of your sons is driven by a dream Seeing a peaceful light above you. O bright land, cherished land, Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan!

Telephone codes in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan international code: +994 (8-10 994)

Telephone codes of city lines of large cities of Azerbaijan.

Leading mobile operators in Azerbaijan:

Azercell Telecom GSM standard International code: +994 050/051 www.azercell.com

Bakcell GSM and UMTS standard International code: +994 055 www.bakcell.com

Nar Mobile (Azerfon) GSM standard International code: +994 070/077 www.nar.az

Foreign embassies and consulates in Azerbaijan.

There are 51 embassies and consulates of different countries of the world in Baku.

Embassies and consulates of Azerbaijan abroad.

Azerbaijan has 60 diplomatic missions in Europe and Asia, as well as in Canada and North Africa.

Information services of Azerbaijan.

Information and reference service of Azerbaijan “119” tel.: 012 119	Information desk for Baku tel.: 109	Bus station information desk tel.: 499-70-38/39
Airport information desk tel.: 497-27-27	Railway station information desk tel.: 493-93-66

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.

1st 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:

1. Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku
2. Mardakan Fortress
3. Mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi in ​​Baku
4. Mosque of Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr in Baku
5. Rock paintings of Gobustan
6. Temple complex "Ateshgah" in the village of Surakhani
7. Palace of Sheki Khans
8. "Maiden Tower" in Baku
9. Gyz-Galasy fortress in Shamakhi
10. Mausoleum of Yusuf ibn-Kuseyir in Nakhichevan

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 folk art, carpets, ceramics, cognac, and 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. The export of currency (we are, of course, talking 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 email address is being protected from spambots. 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: Land of Fire!

Republic of Azerbaijan. Coat of arms and flag of Azerbaijan. Population

Welcome to Azerbaijan!

The state flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width. The top stripe is blue, the middle stripe is red, and the bottom stripe is green. The blue color refers to the Turkic origin of the Azerbaijani people, the red color reflects the modernization of society and the development of democracy, and the green color indicates belonging to the Islamic civilization. In the middle of the red stripe, a crescent with an eight-pointed star is depicted in white. The ratio of the width of the flag to its length is 1:2.

The coat of arms of the Republic of Azerbaijan looks like this: the star is white, the fire is red, the oak branches are green, the ears are yellow. The shield represents the military power of the state and the heroism of the people. The edges of the shield and the star are covered with golden color, the oak acorns and the buttons of the shield are also golden. Oak branches, meaning glory and strength, and ears of corn - abundance, productivity, are traditional symbols. The eight-pointed star is a type of ornamental pattern that has become widespread in the architectural and jewelry art of Azerbaijan. The star is also depicted on the state flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The fire in the center of the coat of arms is depicted in the form of the word "Allah" written in the old alphabet.

Area of ​​Azerbaijan: 86.600 sq. km.
Population of Azerbaijan: 9,590,159 people (2013)
Capital of Azerbaijan: Baku city
President of Azerbaijan: Ilham Heydarovich Aliyev
Language of Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani, Russian, written language based on Latin script
Religion of Azerbaijan: Islam
Monetary unit of Azerbaijan: 1 manat = 100 kapik
Internet zone:.az
Azerbaijan telephone code: +994
Time: GMT + 4 hours, summer time: GMT + 5 hours

Currency
The national currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZM). Foreign currency and traveler's checks are exchanged for Azerbaijani manats in all banks. In addition, currency can be exchanged at official currency exchange offices located everywhere; the exchange receipt must be kept until leaving the country. Anyone who changes currency from private individuals runs the risk of becoming a victim of fraud and is himself responsible for possible abuses.

Credit cards
As a rule, you can pay in hotels using a credit card. However, it is recommended to find out in advance whether your credit card will be accepted. In the most important business centers, large stores, and metro stations there are ATMs with which you can get cash.

National holidays
New Year	1st of January
International Women's Day	March 8
Navruz Bayramy	March 20-21
Victory Day	9th May
Republic Day	May 28
National Salvation Day	June 15
National Army Day	June 26
State Independence Day	October 18
Constitution day	November 12
National Renaissance Day	November 17
Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis Around the World	31th of December
Religious holidays
Ramadan Bayrami
Gurban Bayramy
Memorable days
Martyrs' Remembrance Day	January 20th
Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Khojaly	February 26
Azerbaijani genocide	March 31

Azerbaijan is truly an amazing country. Everything about it is unique - nature, culture, history, customs and traditions, architecture and much more. It is also called the “land of fire” (from “azer” - fire). Indeed, even before our era, tribes of fire worshipers lived here. And from these times, the most ancient evidence has been preserved on the territory of Azerbaijan - rock paintings, statues of deities, ancient temples.

In addition, the country has been known since ancient times for its burning hearths - ateshgahs (fire temples). There is a place in Absheron called Yanardag (burning mountain). In Nakhchivan, Kalbajar, Lankaran, Babadag... hot water flows out of the ground. In Surakhany there is an eternally burning and never extinguishing Ateshgah (temple of fire). The ancient states of Atropatena and Albania once existed on the territory of Azerbaijan. Each city of Azerbaijan carries something special. The center of the ancient Cuban Khanate - the city of Cuba - is known for its medieval fortresses and mosques, and the Tengi Canyon and Afurdzhinsky Falls deserve special attention. One of the oldest cities, Sheki, is famous for its luxurious palaces, some of which have now turned into hotels. If you think that you have never seen Azerbaijan, you are mistaken. We know him from all of our favorite films “The Diamond Arm” and “Amphibian Man”. After all, these wonderful films were filmed here. Today these filming locations are very popular among tourists.

click to enlarge

Azerbaijan will surprise you with its natural conditions: the country is home to the sea and rivers, high mountain ranges and plains, semi-deserts and forests. Beautiful landscapes, waterfalls and mountain rivers, springs with clear water, deep gorges, green meadows, thermal and mineral springs, clean mountain air await you...

Tourists relax here at the resorts of the Caspian Sea, enjoy diving, water skiing, motorcycles, and boats. Those who want to improve and improve their health go to numerous famous resorts in Azerbaijan. Thanks to their unique microclimate, Lankaran and Talysh are considered one of the best balneological resorts. As a memory of your trip to this unique country, you will have famous Cuban carpets, real wine, high-quality silk, gold jewelry and many other souvenirs.
Additional information about Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan - Cities
Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, located at the junction of Europe and Asia. The very name of the capital is interpreted as “blow of the wind”, “city of winds” or “hill”, “city on a hill”. The port city of Baku is the cultural, industrial, and political capital of Azerbaijan, located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea, on the shores of the bay of the same name in the southern part of the Absheron Peninsula, rich in its oil fields.
More about Baku

Ganja, Azerbaijan

Ganja is called the mother of cities in Azerbaijan. This is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Azerbaijan. From time immemorial it has been famous for its rich culture, original architecture, magnificent silk and carpets. All this made Ganja the cultural and political center of the entire Middle East. Ganja is the birthplace of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi. Mikhail Lermontov wrote his famous Persian poems here.
More about Ganja

Cuba, Azerbaijan

The city of Kuba (Guba) is located 170 km north of Baku, right on the picturesque mountain slopes. In the past, it was the capital of the Kuban Khanate, which arose in the mid-18th century. The unsurpassed beauty of the mountains of this region was praised by famous people: Alexander Dumas the father, Russian writer Bestuzhev-Marlinsky, Norwegian traveler Thor Heyerdahl and others. Indeed, the landscapes of Cuba are difficult to describe in words. It’s as if nature has gathered its brightest colors here: the lush greenery of alpine meadows, the boiling tops of snow caps, transparent blue rushing mountain rivers.
More about Cuba

Lankaran, Azerbaijan

Lankaran is a subtropical paradise, a resort town. Located in the southeast of Azerbaijan, almost on the border with Iran. In the east, the city is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. The nature of Lankaran naturally combines steep mountain peaks and fertile lowlands, and pebble sea coasts. 100 km from Lenkoran lies one of the most beautiful cities of the Middle Ages - Khanege, in which the fortress walls (XII-XIV centuries), the mosque and tomb of Pir Hussein, a minaret and other ancient buildings have been preserved.
More about Lankaran

Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan

Nakhichevan (Nakhchivan) is one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan. At the end of the 8th - beginning of the 7th century. BC. the city was part of Manna, then Media.
In the VI century. BC. was captured by the Akhmenid state. In the II century. BC. it is part of Atropatena. In the 10th century, Nakhichevan became the capital of the Atabek Eldegezid state, and in the 11th century the capital of the Seljuk state. Nakhichevan region is reputed to be a wonderful resort.
Mineral springs are found here in abundance. The main attractions of the city are the mausoleums of Yusuf ibn-Kuseyir, Momine Khatun, the Alinja-Kala fortress (in the vicinity of Nakhichevan) and the famous Khudaferin bridges across the Araks. More about Nakhichevan

Sheki, Azerbaijan

This town began its history 2700 years ago. And it is rightfully considered one of the oldest settlements and cultural centers of Azerbaijan. Sheki is famous for its harsh, but at the same time impressive nature: powerful mountain ranges, blue ribbons of mountain streams, dark green coniferous forests. In the past, Sheki was the capital of the Sheki Khanate, which, after its conquest in 1805, was included in the Russian Empire. Throughout its centuries-old history, this city has been subjected to many destructions. The old city was almost completely destroyed, so in 1772 Sheki was rebuilt in a new location. The beauty of Sheki was once admired by Alexander Dumas the father, Leo Tolstoy, and Mikhail Lermontov.
More about Sheki

Shemakha, Azerbaijan

Only 130 km separates Baku from one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the country - Shemakha. In the 9th-16th centuries, this city was the capital of Shirvan and the residence of the Shirvanshahs (before it was moved to Baku). Located at the intersection of caravan routes, it was one of the major trade and craft centers in the Middle East. Shemakha lands are famous for their vineyards, pastures, wines and cognacs. There are neither severe frosts nor scorching heat here - the unique nature, mild climate, mineral springs - all this attracts tourists from all over the world.
More about Shamakhi

The capital of the state is Baku. The country is considered secular. The state is located in Western Asia. The regions of Azerbaijan are inhabited by more than 9 million people. (as of 2013). The area of ​​the country is 86 thousand square meters. km. The official language of the state is Azerbaijani. The country is multi-religious and multi-ethnic. Most of the population professes Islam, while a smaller part professes Christianity and Judaism. Every citizen of Azerbaijan has a biometric passport since September 1, 2013. It is used to travel within the country and travel abroad. The monetary unit is the Azerbaijani manat (1 AZN is about 42 Russian rubles).

Holidays of Azerbaijan

Officially the country celebrates:

1. New Year (Jan. 1).
2. International Women's Day (March 8).
3. Novruz Bayramy (21.03).

The following days are also included in the holidays of Azerbaijan:

1. Victory (May 9).
2. Republic (28.05).
3. Armed Forces (June 26).
4. Independence (October 18).
5. State flag (November 9).
6. Constitution (November 12).
7. National Revival (November 17).
8. Solidarity of Azerbaijanis around the world (December 31).

The president

He acts as head of state. The president is elected by popular vote. Duration of tenure is 5 years. The president's powers include the appointment of government officials. If it is not possible to carry out elections due to hostilities, the term of office continues until their completion. The decision on this is made by the Constitutional Court at the request of the state body whose competence includes ensuring the holding of elections.

Features of Azerbaijan's politics

The highest representative body is the National Unicameral Assembly - the Milli Majlis. The laws of Azerbaijan are adopted by 125 deputies. The representative body is elected by universal suffrage. The term of office is 5 years. The first elections were held in 1955. There are more than 30 parties and movements in the country. The key associations are:

1. "New Azerbaijan".
2. "Musavat".
3. Democratic Party.
4. "People's Front".
5. Liberal Party.
6. Social Democratic movement.

National economic complex

The Republic of Azerbaijan is an industrial-agrarian country. Industry is well developed in the state. The country's agriculture is diversified. A key place in the national economic complex is occupied by the gas and oil production, chemical, mining, engineering industries, and non-ferrous metallurgy. The food industries are well developed: tea, tobacco, canning, and wine. Large production volumes are observed in light industry (cotton, cotton ginning, wool, silk, carpet weaving). The economy of Azerbaijan is considered to be the leader in terms of growth among the countries in the period from 2003 to 2008. The country's GDP increased 2.6 times, and the poverty level decreased from 45 to 11%. In 2006, GDP increased by 36.6%. has continued to grow continuously since 1996. Over the past 10 years, it has added an average of 13.6% each year.

Geographical position

It is washed by the Caspian Sea. On land, the country neighbors Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Iran. The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic - an exclave of Azerbaijan - borders on Armenia in the northeast, Iran in the southwest, and Turkey in the northwest.

Relief

More than half of the state's territory is occupied by mountains. Their northern part is included in the Greater Caucasus system, the western and southwestern parts are included in the Lesser Caucasus. There are glaciers in the highlands. The turbulent rivers of Azerbaijan flow here. In the middle mountains there are deep gorges. The ridges of the Greater Caucasus from west to east first gradually, then sharply decrease. They give way to low ridges. In the Lesser Caucasus, the mountains are not very high. They include numerous ridges and the Karabakh Highlands with extinct volcanoes. The extreme southeast is occupied by the Lenkoran Mountains. They consist of 3 parallel ridges. The Talysh ridge is considered the highest. Its main peak, Kemryukey, reaches 2477 m.

The Kura-Araks lowland passes between the mountains of the Lesser and Greater Caucasus. Its northern and northwestern parts are represented by a system of hills, valleys and low ridges. Alluvial plains lie in the east and center. Near the sea coast there is a low Kura delta. In the northeast direction from the Greater Caucasus lies the Kusar Plain. The Caspian Sea includes the Kura Spit and the Absheron Peninsula. The river is considered the main water artery of the country. Kura. It crosses the Republic from the northwest towards the southeast, flowing into the Caspian Sea. The main tributary is the Araks. Most of the country's rivers belong to the Kura basin. In total, there are about a thousand streams in the territory, but only 21 have a length of more than one hundred kilometers.

Story

The Republic of Azerbaijan was formed during the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Ayaz Mutalibov acted as the first president. At the end of August 1991, the Supreme Council of the country adopted a declaration. In accordance with it, the Republic of Azerbaijan restored its independence. In pursuance of the declaration, a constitutional act was adopted. It determined the foundations of the economic, political and state structure of Azerbaijan. In June 1992, Ayaz Mutalibov was replaced by At that time in Azerbaijan, he was the leader of the Popular Front. Yagub Mamedov and Isa Gambar also acted as temporary acting heads of the country. Both were at one time prime ministers in Azerbaijan.

New head of the country

During the military confrontation, there were a number of failures due to the incompetence of the Popular Front. All this caused a crisis of power. On June 4, 1993, the rebellion of Suret Huseynov began in Ganja. To prevent the outbreak of a civil war, Heydar Aliyev was invited to Baku. At that time he lived in Nakhichevan. The power of the head of the Republic was transferred to Heydar Aliyev. During the events, a group of Talysh officers under the leadership of Colonel Gummatov proclaimed autonomy in Lankaran. Heydar Aliyev did not recognize it, and on August 23 this uprising was suppressed.

Territorial disputes

At the turn of 1991-1992. Some territorial changes have occurred. In particular, the Artsvashen exclave came under the control of the Republic of Azerbaijan. At the same time, it itself had non-sovereign regions that began to belong to Armenia. In particular, such regions of Azerbaijan as Upper Askipara, Bakhurdaly, and Karki passed to it.

Ceasefire agreement

It was signed through the mediation of the CIS countries in May 1994. During the war, the Armenians were forced out of several regions by the Azerbaijanis. Previously, the latter constituted the majority in these territories. Predominantly the NKR army and the Armenian forces that supported it regained control over some regions located beyond the border of the Nagorno-Karabakh sections declared in 1991, which were previously inhabited mainly by Azerbaijanis. These actions in 1993 were regarded by the UN Security Council as occupation. Over time, the NKR authorities, who continued to maintain control over these areas, included them in their administrative-territorial structure.

"Contract of the Century"

It was concluded in 1994, on September 20, in the Gulistan Palace. This contract became one of the largest agreements. The contract provided for the shared distribution of products obtained from the deep-sea fields of Chirag, Azeri and Gunashli. This agreement was one of the largest in terms of both the volume of hydrocarbon reserves and the number of proposed investments. The contract was 400 pages long and was written in 4 languages. The agreement involved 13 companies from 8 countries. Preliminary calculations showed that the estimated oil reserves initially amounted to 511 million tons. But subsequently, appraisal drilling was done, and according to updated information, the presence of 730 million tons of raw materials was established. In this regard, the number of investments was increased to $11.5 billion. According to the contract, 80% of the total net profit was due to Azerbaijan, and 20% to investors. Since the beginning of the implementation of the agreement, a significant change has occurred in the country’s national economic complex, and a huge amount of work has been launched. In 1995, under the primary oil production project, in accordance with international standards, restoration work was carried out on the Chigrak-1 platform. To drill wells with greater inclination, the upper module was modernized and re-equipped. A new type of drilling rig made it possible to drill horizontally to the layers of wells. A large volume of oil began to flow from the maximally inclined channels drilled. Since 1997, production began at the Chirag field.

Present tense

Azerbaijan today is a fairly developed country in economic terms. In 2003, Heydar Aliyev died. He was replaced as president by his son, Ilham. In 2010, 2 villages of the Magaramkent region of Dagestan with 600 Lezgins, citizens of the Russian Federation, transferred to the Khachmaz region of Azerbaijan. In addition, the river flow was divided. Samur. In May 2013, 3 pasture areas of the Dokuzparinsky district of Dagestan also went to Azerbaijan.

Attractions

The largest accumulation of rock carvings in the CIS countries, Kobystan, was discovered 70 km south of Baku. There are also more than 4 thousand unique sites, fortresses, caves and burial grounds. All of them are more than 10 thousand years old. The monuments present on the territory constitute a historical and cultural reserve. The village of Surakhani lies 30 km northeast of Baku. It contains the Ateshgah temple complex. The original construction of the monument dates back to the 2nd century. BC e. There are fortresses on everything. They were built by the Shirvan shahs. Castles in Mardakan, sunken ruins of Bail Castle, Tuba Shahi Mosque, various fortifications in Buzovny, Shuvelyany, Kishly, Sabunchi, Amiradzhany, Mashtagi, Kala, on the island. Pirallahi and others. The city of Shabran is located in the northeast of Azerbaijan. It was part of the Derbent defensive system in the Middle Ages. In the same direction is the capital of the ancient Cuban Khanate, the city of Cuba.

Shamakhi is considered one of the most interesting and ancient cities of Azerbaijan. It is located 130 km west of the country's capital. The city of Sheki is located 380 km from the border with Georgia. Archaeological evidence indicates that it may be one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus. In the suburbs of Sheki there are a large number of historical and cultural monuments. These, for example, include the Kyumbazi towers in Kutkashen, the fortresses of Sumug, Gelesen-Geresen, Kish, the tower and temple of Orta-Zeyzit, the Ilisu mosque, the mausoleum in Babaratma, etc. The region itself is amazingly beautiful. It is intricately dotted with narrow and deep valleys with a huge number of springs, waterfalls, clean rivers, and mineral springs. All this splendor is surrounded by alpine meadows and dense forests. The city of Lankaran was previously the capital of the Talysh Khanate. It is located in the southeastern part of the country, near the border with Iran.

To the north, 100 km, is one of the most beautiful medieval cities of Hanege. The walls of the fortress, a mosque, the tomb of Pir Hussein and other structures have been preserved in it to this day. Near the confluence of the river. Chickens in the sea is located in the old town of Neftechala. It preserves the Goltuk fortress, the ruins of defensive structures, the Piratavan sanctuary, and the Khylly mosque. To the northwest of the city, archaeologists continue to find new historical monuments. In particular, the city of Orenkala, the mounds of Garatepe, Gyzyltepe, Goshatepe, Muhurtepe and others were discovered. Along the border there are fortified towers, mausoleums, castles, and monasteries of the Middle Ages.

On the Caspian coast there are numerous nature reserves, fishing and resort towns. Areas near the mouth of the river. Chickens are considered traditional sturgeon fishing grounds. Along the border with Iran lie the ridges of the Talysh Mountains. This area is considered the most exotic in the country. In the subtropical zone there are many representatives of the Hyrcanian flora. This territory is known as one of the best resorts in Azerbaijan. Another of the oldest cities is Kabala. It is considered the religious and political center of Caucasian Albania. In Arabic sources he is known as Khazar. The mosque, the mausoleums of Mansur and Badreddin, the castles of Sary-Tepe and Ajinne-Tepe have been preserved here to this day. The city of Nakhchivan is also ancient. To the south is the city of Ordubad. It has been known since the 12th century. Here are the Dilber and Juma mosques, Khan's courtyards, madrassas, as well as a huge number of medieval buildings, which are combined into a state historical architectural reserve.