
Azerbaijan Guide
Azerbaijan – country information
Country name | Azerbaijan |
Official name | Republic of Azerbaijan |
Capital | Baku |
Continent | Asia |
Area | 86,600 km2 |
Population | 9,477,100 (2013) |
Foundation of a state | 30/8/1991 |
The highest mountains | Bazarduju 4466 m |
Longest rivers | Kura 1510 km (in the country 1010 km) |
State system | a republic with a unicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | Baku (capital) 1,150,000 (conurbation 1,950,000), Ganja 310,000, Sumgait 245,000 |
Official language | Azerbaijani language |
Ethnicity/National Composition | Azerbaijanis 85%, Russians 5%, Armenians 4% (in Nagorno-Karabakh), Lezgins 2.5%, others 3.5% |
Religious affiliation | Shia Muslims 65%, Sunni Muslims 25%, the rest Christians |
Currency | 1 manat |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$10,365 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | 63.85 years (2006) |
Structure of GDP | agriculture and fishing 26%, mining and industry 38%, construction 4%, services 32% |
Azerbaijan – neighboring states
State | Capital | Area | Population |
Armenia | Yerevan | 29,800 km2 | 3,017,400 |
Georgia | Tbilisi | 69,700 km2 | 4,483,800 |
Iran | Tehran | 1,648,200 km2 | 77,288,000 |
Russia | Moscow | 17,098,200 km2 | 143,700,000 |
Turkey | Ankara | 783,562 km2 | 76,667,864 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Azerbaijan is the largest republic of Transcaucasia, of which it occupies its eastern half. It stretches along the western coast of the Caspian Sea and borders Russia in the north, or Dagestan, in the northwest with Georgia, in the west with Armenia and in the south with Iran. In the southwest, its territory also includes the Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region, which is claimed by Armenia. On the other hand, the Azerbaijani enclave on the territory of Armenia is represented by Nakhichevan.
Country data
Location: Southwest Asia
Time zone: CET + 3
Total area: 86,600 km²
Land area: 82,629 km²
Water area: 3,971 km²
Length of the state border: 2,468 km
Bordering countries:
Armenia: 996 km
Georgia: 428 km
Iran: 689 km
Russian Federation: 338 km
Turkey: 17 km
Coastline: 0 km
Capital: Baku
Regions: 66 (and 11 cities)
Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabirabad, Sabirabad, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardab
(Baku, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax)
Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz
Telephone code: 00 994 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Population
Population: approx. 9.7 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 112
Life expectancy: 69 (male), 75 (female)
Official language: Azerbaijani
Religions:
- 93% Muslim
- 2% Russian Orthodox
- 2% Armenian Orthodox
- 3% other
Climate
In the coastal areas there is a humid subtropical climate, with a daytime temperature in summer around 27 ° C. Occasional peak values also reach 40 ° C.
Precipitation is particularly heavy and frequent in the southern coastal regions.
Towards the inland the climate changes into a semi-desert climate. Winters are very mild here and the summer months are hot and dry.
In the higher mountains of the Caucasus, on the other hand, it is quite cold. Temperatures around 6 ° C in summer below -4 ° C in winter are normal.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Azerbaijan manat (AZN)
Classification: 1 manat = 100 Qəpik
ATMs: not available
International credit cards: These are rarely accepted by larger hotels and shops. Cash payments are common.
Regulations: The import and export of national currencies is prohibited.
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. There is an obligation to declare. The export is permitted in the amount of the declared import.
It is recommended to carry the US dollar as a foreign currency. It is important to ensure that the notes are as new as possible.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 3 cartons of cigarettes
- 3 liters of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
All valuable objects and electrical devices should be declared upon entry in order to avoid problems with re-export.
The export of antiques (older than 40 years) and metal objects is prohibited.
Travel advice
Travel to the following parts of the country is not recommended:
- there whole border region to Armenia
- Nagorno-Karabakh conflict region
- Agdam district
- Fusuli district
- Jabrayil district
- Sangilan district
- Kubadli district
- Ladschin district
- Kalbadschar district
There are some unmarked minefields. Occasionally there are also armed clashes with rebels.
The border between Armenia and Azerbaijan is closed.
Economy
There has been strong economic growth in recent years. In particular, the export of oil and natural gas has created many jobs and brings foreign currency into the country.
Corruption and nepotism are very widespread in Azerbaijan.
Industries: chemistry, oil and gas production, steel and iron processing, textiles
Natural resources: aluminum, iron ore, natural gas, petroleum
Land use:
- Usable land: 18%
- Grain cultivation: 5%
- Pasture area: 25%
- Forests: 11%
- other: 41%
Plants
There are many large and flat plains (some at sea level) which are covered with grasses, shrubs and bushes. These are limited by the Caucasus Mountains in the north and the Karabakh highlands in the west.
Forests are mainly found in the higher regions. There are also wide grasslands there.
Animals
With more than 18,000 different animal species, many of them reptiles, rodents and insects, the biodiversity is very pronounced.
Like the flora, most animals are found in the higher regions. There are also many brown bears, chamois and golden eagles here.
The many sturgeons that live in the Caspian Sea are also well known. The export of caviar has long been a profitable business.