AZERBAIJAN BEAUTY

Summary:

Introduction.
Map and flag.
Borders.
Regions.
Main cities
Relief.
Religions.
Climate.
Tourism.

1) INTRODUCTION:

Azerbaijan is a country of West Asia, located in Eastern Transcaucasia. In Azerbaijani the country is called Azärbaycan.

Capital: Baku.
Population (2015): 9,649 million inhabitants.
Gross Domestic Product - Current GDP: $ 53.047 billion.
Language: Azerbaijani.
Area: 86 600 km².
Minority groups: Lezghian (1.9%), Armenian (1.2%), Russian (1.2%), Talish (0.7%), Avar (0.5%), Tatar (0.2%) , Ukrainian, Tsakhur, Georgian, Kurdish, etc.
Political system: authoritarian presidential republic.
Official currency: Azerbaijan Manat.

2) MAP AND FLAG:

AZERBAIJAN MAP

BAKU,AZERBAIJAN

AZERBAIJAN FLAG

3) BORDERS:

Azerbaijan is situated to the south by Iran, to the west by Armenia, to the east by the Caspian Sea. to the north by Russia and to the northwest by GeorgiaIt encompasses in the west the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh (4,400 km2) and in the southwest the autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan (5,500 km²).

4) REGIONS:

The Azerbaijan is cut into 59 administrative states, 11 cities and one autonomous republic. In addition, there are 10 main economic regions listed below: Absheron, Lankaran, Aran, Ganja-Qazakh,Nakhchivan. Shaki-Zaqatala,-Karabakh, Kalbajar-Lachin, Quba-Khachmaz and Shirvan.

5) MAIN CITIES:

Baku is the largest and country capital with (10.50 million) population. Open port on the Caspian Sea, located near the oil fields, it carries out most of the national industrial production. It is today the only cosmopolitan city of the Republic. The other big cities of the country, Gandja, Kirovabad, and Sumqayit suffer from the excessive development of the capital, which accounts for almost a quarter of the total population.

6) RELIEF:

Located at the eastern end of the Caucasus, the country is mountainous in its northern and western parts. To the north, the southern flank of the Greater Caucasus, culminating at 4 466 m, is the northern border of the country. To the south-west, the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, at a height of 3,500 m, outline the south-eastern border.

7) RELIGIONS:

At the religious level, the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religion. Islam is the main religion in Azerbaijan, which has been established in the country since the 7th century. However, the Azeri population was converted to Shi'ism in the 16th century. Today, followers of Islam account for 91.7% of the population, against 5% for Christianity (Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant), 0.3% for Baha'ism, Judaism and Zoroastrianism. There are three small Jewish communities in Baku, Oghuz and Quba.

As far as the Muslim religion is concerned, we must distinguish Shiites (about 70%) and Sunnis (about 25%). After Iran, Azerbaijan is the second largest country in the world as a percentage of Shiites. Before the sixteenth century, the proportion was the opposite, while the Sunnis were the majority until large waves of conversion to Shiism.

Although Islam is the religion of almost all Azerbaijanis, it is one of the least religious peoples in the world. The government shows a negative attitude towards any form of religion, while a religious affairs committee controls all activities related to religion. All Christians are victims of persecution, but Christians of Muslim origin are the most affected; but the small Zoroastrian community remains relatively respected in the country. Azerbaijan is a secular state, while religion and the state are strictly separated.

8) CLIMATE:

The country, which has a dry continental climate, is the driest part of Transcaucasia, with the exception of the region of Lenkoran in the south, which enjoys a hot and humid tropical climate.

9) TOURISM:

Stroll on the seafront

Baku lies in a natural bay on a peninsula that juts into the Caspian Sea. The city is oriented towards the water and the breeze that emerges, and the best part of the waterfront is reserved for recreation and entertainment. Milli Park and its wide pedestrian promenade, named Dənizkənarı Bulvar, draws the curve of the bay and offers plenty of sun and space for jogging, cycling, dog walking and in-line skating (yes, the skate to inline wheels is one more thing here). Along the route, sights such as the "Baku Eye" Ferris wheel, the Park Bulvar shopping mall and the Caspian Waterfront building with its petal-shaped points inspired by the "sails" of the Sydney Opera House . Walk to the end to finish at the National Flag Square (Dövlət Bayrağı Bayrağı Meydanı Meydanı) with a flag and a mast that are among the largest in the world. Its neighbor, the gigantic Crystal Hall, was built for Eurovision 2012.

Eat like a king

Since 2015, the Azerbaijani currency has depreciated by half against the pound. As a result, Baku is a terribly budget-friendly city where even hikers can afford to eat like royalty. Book a table in Şirvanşah's vaulted stone dining room, which is as much a museum as a restaurant. The list of cocktails is long, but we love the fresh pomegranate juice and the simple feijoa compote, the latter being a sweet juice made from feijoa, most often associated with Brazil. Book room to finish with a tea set and a plate of national sweets, such as hazelnut filled shekerbura, while local musicians play Azeri traditional music. For a feast for two, you will have trouble spending even 85 manats (44 €) in total.

Take the funicular up to the flames

50 qəpik, that's all it costs to go up the Baku funicular from the seashore to the three amazingly modern buildings known as Flame Towers. One contains offices, other residences and the third is the Fairmont Baku hotel, although none offers an observation deck. The funicular allows you to get off at Dağüstü Park, whose landscaped terraces overlook Baku Bay and offer breathtaking views of the city. It's time to catch the start of the sunset from the foot of the flames, then descend the stairs through the park to the seashore to the square near the carpet museum. Azerbaijan: the best place to see the nocturnal decorations of the flame towers (which, of course, have fake flames).

Drink tea without moderation

Bypass the old town's souvenir peddlers and walk down the stone stairs to a hidden teahouse and shisha den on the corner of the Shah Palace Hotel. Low seats, Azerbaijani wool carpets, silk curtains with tassels and carved wooden screens from the former Baku teahouse in semi-private corners ideal for relaxing and playing backgammon. There is no menu, but your best choice is the "national tea set" of a home-made teapot, delicately poured into pear-shaped crystal glasses.

Taste a traditional kebab

On a night version, millions of people end their day with a stroll through Baku's pedestrian zone, flanked by embassies, headquarters and palatial residences with architectural styles ranging from neo-Moorish to Baroque. Nizami Street (Nizami Küçəsi) is nicknamed "shopping street" for all the street shops that border it, which remain open late into the night in the hope of attracting in occasional browsers, but it is also a snacking destination late night. Forget the "tornado potato" sticks and stop by one of the many döner stores for an Azeri kebab. Point your finger at the fine paper flatbread called "lavash" and choose your meat. Skewers, or "shashliks", can be lamb, beef, chicken, fish or vegetables, but always special onions and spices before being wrapped in bread.

Official website: https://evisa.gov.az/en/

Illustration Credit : Muhammad Sharjeel

AZERBAIJAN BEAUTY