Animals and Plants

What animals live in Azerbaijan?

Many different landscapes in Azerbaijan also offer a habitat for many animal species. In Azerbaijan there are both high and low mountains, fresh water lakes and the salt water lake of the Caspian Sea. There are forests, a lowland on the Kura River, meadows and also arable land.

A total of 107 species of mammals have been counted so far. They include wolves, jackals, foxes, brown bears, lynxes, wild boars and hyenas. Jeyran gazelles are among the fastest animals in the Caucasus. The West Caucasian ibex roams there too.

Who is the Karabagh?

The Karabagh is a breed of horse from the Caucasus. He is considered the national animal of Azerbaijan. The breed is very old and noble. She was used again and again to breed new horse breeds. A special feature of the Karabagh is that when there is danger it stands very still instead of running away. That can save his life in the mountains.

Caspian seals

The Caspian Sea is the largest lake on earth. Its water is salty. The Caspian seal lives here. It is endemic here. In winter, the Caspian seals are more in the north, where the water is shallower. In summer they then migrate south. Their existence is endangered today by hunting.

There are also numerous fish in the Caspian Sea. Among them is the sturgeon, whose eggs (roe) are used to make caviar. But there are also trout, roach, barbel, carp, eel, pike, goby and many more.

What is flying there?

Birds are found in Azerbaijan in 363 species. Some of them come to winter in the country as migratory birds, others live here all year round. Pelicans, flamingos and herons can be seen on the coast of the Caspian Sea and on the country’s lakes. Many birds of prey are at home in the mountains, such as the golden eagle.

What is growing in Azerbaijan?

Due to the diverse landscapes and climatic zones, many different plants grow in Azerbaijan, a country located in Asia according to allpubliclibraries. There are mountains and lowlands, lakes and a long coast on the Caspian Sea, forests and meadows.

About 11 percent of the country’s area is covered by forest. It is noticeable that there are many very old tree and plant species. They include the ironwood tree, the silk tree, the chestnut-leaved oak and the lotus plum. Often you can also find beeches and birches.

Economy

Oil – Azerbaijan’s treasure?

Oil is Azerbaijan’s most important mineral resource. There are rich oil deposits on the Caspian Sea and also on the islands and in the sea bed. Since 2005 the oil has been transported via a pipeline (oil line) to Tbilisi in Georgia and further to Turkey. There the oil is transported from the port in Ceyhan. Another pipeline runs from Baku to Supsa in Georgia on the Black Sea. Natural gas is also produced and is the second mainstay of the economy.

But the oil and gas deposits also have disadvantages. The environment is severely damaged by the funding. In addition, other industries and agriculture have been severely neglected. When the price of oil falls, the whole economy suffers.

Agriculture

Although about 37 percent of the working population is involved in agriculture, it only accounts for 6 percent of the overall economy. Fruits and vegetables, rice and cereals, tea, cotton and tobacco are grown. Cattle, sheep, pigs and goats are also kept.

In addition to grapes, pomegranates are fruits of the land. The pomegranate is even one of Azerbaijan’s national symbols. It thrives here wonderfully. Every year in October the pomegranate festival is celebrated.

Problems of the economy

Despite the high economic growth in Azerbaijan, 5 percent of the population live in poverty. Corruption is another big problem.