Azerbaijan is the correct name of the state. Where is Azerbaijan located? Republic of Azerbaijan: capital, population, currency and attractions

- a 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. Azerbaijan owns the Nakhichevan region, separated from the republic by the territory of Armenia.

The name of the country comes from the Persian "azar" - "fire", abadagan - "gathering".

Official name: The Republic of Azerbaijan

Capital:

The area of ​​the land: 86.6 thousand sq. km

Total population: 9 million people

Administrative division: Azerbaijan is divided into 61 regions and includes the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic and de jure Nagorno-Karabakh.

Form of government: Parliamentary republic.

Head of State: President elected for 5 years.

Composition of the population: 90% - Azerbaijanis, 3.2% - Dagestanis, 2.5% - Russians, 2.3% - Armenians. Lezgins, Kurds, Tatars, Georgians, Ukrainians and Avars also live.

Official language: Azerbaijani. also many speak Russian.

Religion: 93.4% are Shia Muslims, as well as Orthodox.

Internet domain: .az

Mains voltage: ~220 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +994

Country barcode: 476

Climate

Most of Azerbaijan is located in the subtropical zone. Several types of climate are distinguished within the country, 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. Mid-July temperatures range from 26° C in the plains to 5° C in the highlands, and mid-January temperatures, respectively, from 3° C to –10° C. The summer is dry.

Precipitation is unevenly distributed: 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, the maximum precipitation occurs in winter, in the mountains and foothills - in April - September.

Geography

State in the southeastern part of Transcaucasia. It borders on Georgia in the northwest, Russia in the north, Iran and Turkey in the south, and Armenia in the southwest. In the east it is washed by the Caspian Sea (total length coastline about 800 km.). The country includes a number of islands (Zhiloy, Bulla, Nargin, Wulf, etc.) and archipelagos (Baku and Absheron) in the Caspian Sea. The total area of ​​the country is 86.6 thousand square meters. km. The capital is Baku.

The relief of the Republic of Azerbaijan is very diverse. Two forms of relief prevail here: lowlands and highlands.

About 60% of the territory of Azerbaijan is mountainous. The main geomorphological units of the republic - the Greater Caucasus, the Lesser Caucasus (together with the Karabakh plateau) and the Talysh mountains cover the Kura-Araz lowland from the north, west and southeast.

The average elevation of the republic is up to 400 meters. The amplitude of land heights ranges from - 26.5 m (Caspian lowland) below sea level to 4466 m absolute altitude(top of Bazarduzu). This means that it becomes clear that on the territory of the republic the difference in altitude is about 4500 meters.

The southeastern part of the Greater Caucasus belongs to Azerbaijan. There are two mountain ranges here: with the top of Bazarduzu (4466 meters) Main or watershed, with the top of Shahdag (4243 meters) Big or Side. To the southwest, the mountain ranges gradually decrease by 1000 - 700 meters. The main Caucasian ridge is surrounded by foothills: in the northwest - flat meadows, in the southeast - Gobustan, in the southwest - Alazan-Haftaran, in the northeast - the Gusar sloping plain.

The mountains are mainly formed from deposits of rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, which are relatively less subject to denudation. The foothills are characterized by badlands (steppes of Jeyranchel, Ajynour) and mud volcanoes (Gobustan, Absheron). The Gusar plain and the Alazan-Haftaran valley are formed from a thick layer of crushed stone deposits of the fourth period.

The Lesser Caucasus covers the southwestern and western parts of the republic, has a relatively low elevation, consists of a number of ridges and meadows, is a mountainous area with a complex structure. The main mountain ranges are Murovdag, Shahdag and Zangezur. The Karabakh plateau, starting from the south of Murovdag to the Araz River, is located on arched cones of extinct volcanoes and lava of the fourth period. The Lesser Caucasus is formed from volcanogenic and deposited rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

There are more than 4,100 species in the flora of Azerbaijan (of which 9% are endemic, including Eldar pine, Hyrcanian boxwood, Lankaran acacia, Caspian lotus, some species 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. Salt marshes occur in places.

High plains and arid foothills are occupied by sagebrush-bearded steppes, shrubs, steppe-like sagebrush 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 forests and alder-lapine forests grow in humid lowlands. Subalpine meadows are common in the highlands. The highest peaks are located in the alpine nival belt.

Animal world

The fauna of Azerbaijan includes about 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, goitered gazelle are common on the plains.

Wild boars, roe deer, badgers, and jackals are found in the valleys of the Kura and Araks. Red deer, Dagestan tur, chamois, bezoar goat, roe deer, bear, lynx, forest cat, mouflon and leopard live in the mountains. Animals such as sika deer, saiga, raccoon dog, American raccoon, coypu, 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.).

There are many valuable commercial fish in the Caspian Sea (salmon, stellate sturgeon, beluga, herring, kutum, vobla, asp, lamprey, sprat, etc.), and among mammals - the Caspian seal.

Attractions

• Square State flag
• Heydar Aliyev Center
• Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
• Gobustan Reserve
• Maiden Tower in Baku
• Temple Ateshgah

Banks and currency

Since January 1, 2006, new "denominated manats" have been put into circulation in Azerbaijan - banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 manats, as well as metal coins of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 50 qepiks. One "denominated manat" is equal to 5,000 old manats.

In Baku, banks are open from 9.00-9.30 to 17.30 (some banks continue to work until late in the evening, and many exchange offices work around the clock), in the periphery, business hours are usually from 9.30 to 17.00-17.30 (some banks work with clients only until lunch).

You can exchange money at banks, hotels and numerous currency exchange offices (located throughout the capital and other major cities, as well as at airports). Some stores have their own exchange offices.

Credit cards are accepted for payment, mainly only in large supermarkets of the capital, in some hotels and banks. Using credit cards in the province is almost impossible. Traveler's checks are accepted to a limited extent only in large hotels and banks, but gradually an increasing number of institutions are switching to their service.

Useful information for tourists

The best time to travel to Azerbaijan is during the warm and dry months from April to October. It should be borne in mind that in the second half of summer the air temperature can rise to + 38 ° C. In winter, the Azerbaijani sky is covered with clouds, and the mountains are immersed in thick fog.

In the central part of Baku, shops are open from 9.00 until late in the evening, in the periphery, as a rule, until 19.00-20.00.

It is customary for taxi drivers and waiters to tip about 10% of the total bill. Bargaining is quite acceptable in the markets.

AZERBAIJAN
The Republic of Azerbaijan, a state in the west of Asia, in the Transcaucasus. 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, and the Caspian Sea in the east. Azerbaijan is also called the historical region of Iran, located south of the Araks River, along which the border between the two states passes. The population on both sides of the border speaks the same Turkic language, professes the same religion - Islam, and also has a common history until the conquest by Russia in the early 19th century. territory of Azerbaijan to the north of the Araks river.

Azerbaijan. The capital is Baku. Population - 7797 thousand people (1997). The population density is 90 people per 1 sq. km. km. Urban population - 54%, rural - 46%. Area - 86.6 thousand square meters. km. The highest point is Mount Bazarduzu (4480 m), the lowest is 27 m below sea level. (Caspian Sea). The state language is Azerbaijani. The main religion is Islam. Administrative-territorial division: 61 districts and 1 autonomous republic. Monetary unit: manat = 100 qapiks. National holiday: Republic Day - 28 May. National anthem: "Azerbaijan, our Motherland"

In the Zakatala reserve.
Azerbaijan was part of Russian Empire from the beginning of the 19th century until 1918, from 1918 to 1920 it was an independent state, from 1922 to 1991 it was part of the USSR. On August 30, 1991, the country's independence from Soviet Union(official date of establishment of independence October 18, 1991). The capital and largest city of Azerbaijan is Baku. The republic includes two administrative entities with a special status: the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, separated from the main territory of Azerbaijan by Zangezur (the southern part of Armenia), and Nagorno-Karabakh (until 1991 - an autonomous region), populated mainly by Armenians.
NATURE
Relief. More than half of the territory of Azerbaijan is occupied by mountains: the Greater Caucasus in the northeast and the Lesser Caucasus in the southwest. They are separated by the vast Kura-Araks lowland (the lowest part of the country). In the extreme south-east are the Talysh mountains, in the south - the valley of the Araks river. The highest point - the city of Bazarduzu (4480 m), is located within the Greater Caucasus, on the border with Russia. The highlands are characterized by glaciers and rapids, the middle mountains are strongly dissected by deep gorges. From west to east, the Greater Caucasus first gradually, and then sharply lowers and turns into a system of low ridges. To the northeast of the Greater Caucasus lies 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 east of it are alluvial plains, near the sea coast - a low delta of the Kura River. the largest geographic features on the coast of the Caspian Sea are the Apsheron Peninsula and the Kurinskaya Spit.
Rivers and lakes. More than 1000 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 the northwest to the 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) are located on the Kura. There are 250 lakes in Azerbaijan, the largest of them are Lake. Hadjikabyul (16 sq. km) and lake. Boyukshor (10 sq. km).
Climate. Most of Azerbaijan is located in the subtropical zone. Several types of climate are distinguished within the country, 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. The average July temperatures range from 26° C in the plains to 5° C in the highlands, and the average January temperatures range from 3° C to -10° C, respectively. The summer is dry. Precipitation is distributed extremely unevenly: 200-300 mm per year on the plains, 300-900 mm in the foothills, 1000-1400 mm in the highlands of the Greater Caucasus, up to 1700 mm in the Lankaran lowland. In the latter, precipitation falls mostly in winter, in the mountains and foothills - mainly from April to September.
Vegetation and fauna. The flora of Azerbaijan has more than 4100 species. Dry lowlands are covered with semi-desert and desert vegetation (wormwood, ephemera, saltwort). High plains and arid foothills are occupied by sagebrush-bearded steppes and shrubs. The southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, some areas of the Lesser Caucasus, as well as the Talysh mountains are covered with extensive forests of oak, hornbeam, chestnut, acacia, and ash. The fauna of the country has about 12 thousand species. Reptiles, snakes, hares, antelopes are common on the plains. Wild boars, roe deer, badgers, and jackals are found in the valleys of the Kura and Araks. Caucasian deer, lynxes, bears, mountain goats and roe deer live in the mountains. The world of birds is very diverse. There are pheasants, partridges, black grouse, ducks, geese, swans, herons, pelicans, flamingos. The Caspian Sea and the Kura River are rich in fish.
The state of the environment. According to local scientists, the Absheron Peninsula and other Azerbaijani coastal regions of the Caspian Sea are among the most environmentally unfavorable areas the globe due to severe air, water and soil pollution. Salinization of soils and water is caused by the use of DDT, as well as toxic defoliants in cotton cultivation. Air pollution is associated with industrial emissions in Sumgayit, Baku and other cities in the region. A serious source of sea pollution is the oil-producing and oil-refining industry. The rich flora and fauna of the country is subjected to strong anthropogenic impact. Forests suffer from logging, plowing and grazing.
POPULATION
According to the last census conducted in the USSR in 1989, the population of Azerbaijan was 7029 thousand people, of which 5813 thousand, or 82.7%, accounted for ethnic Azerbaijanis. The largest national minorities in 1989 were Russians (5.6%) and Armenians (5.5%). Lezgins (4.3%), Avars, Ukrainians, Tatars, Jews, Talyshs, Turks, Georgians and Kurds also lived here. After inter-ethnic clashes between Azerbaijanis and Armenians in Sumgayit and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as as a result of the outflow of the Russian-speaking population, the share of Azerbaijanis in the population of the country increased. The state language is Azerbaijani, belonging to the Turkic languages, close to Turkish and Turkmen. The role of the Russian language declined significantly in the 1990s. Azerbaijan is characterized by a high level of population growth. Between 1979 and 1989 it was 1.7% per year. Growth slowed down in the 1990s; from 1991 to 1998 the population increased from 7.2 to 7.6 million people (by 0.7-0.5% annually). According to 1997 estimates, life expectancy was 63.5 years (59.3 for men and 68.0 for women). Infant mortality due to low level health care is very high (80.7 deaths per 1000 newborns in 1997). In 1989, 54% of the country's population lived in cities, with more than half concentrated in the Baku-Sumgayit metropolitan region. The population of Baku, the capital and largest city of the country, was 1150 thousand inhabitants in 1989, and the entire capital region - 2020 thousand. The second largest city in the country is Ganja (278 thousand), the third is Sumgayit (231 thousand). Other large cities are Lankaran, Mingachevir, Nakhichevan, Shemakha and Khankendi (Stepanakert). The working-age population (men from 16 to 59 years old, women from 16 to 54 years old) is 55%. Official unemployment in 1997 did not exceed 1.5%. Many Azerbaijanis work in Russia (trade, oil and gas sector), Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan. The proportion of mixed marriages is very low. Despite rapid urbanization and social change, strong family ties remain in Azerbaijani families, which play an important role in personal and public life, politics and business.
Religion. The main religion in Azerbaijan is Islam. With the weakening and fall of the Soviet regime, a period of Islamic revival began in Azerbaijan. Most of the Muslims of Azerbaijan are adherents of the Jafarite school (madhhab) in Shiism. Shiites make up approx. 70% of all Muslims in the country, Sunnis - 30%. In addition to Muslims, Christians and Jews live in Azerbaijan.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL SYSTEM
Legislative and executive power. During the Soviet period, the republic had a traditional set of governing bodies, including committees of the Communist Party, councils of people's deputies and executive committees, with the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Council and the Council of Ministers at the republican level. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan made decisions, the Supreme Council gave them the form of laws, and the Council of Ministers ensured the implementation of decisions and laws. From 1969 to 1982, the republic was led by G. A. Aliyev as the first secretary of the Central Committee (since 1982 - first deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR). In 1987 Aliyev was dismissed by Gorbachev and returned to Azerbaijan. The post of President of the Republic was introduced in 1991; Ayaz Mutalibov was elected the first president. Mutalibov's activities were supported by the Supreme Council elected in September 1990, most of the seats in which were occupied by representatives of the Communist Party. The opposition parties created the National Council as an alternative body of power to the Supreme Council, and in 1992 Mutalibov was removed from the presidency. The next president was Abulfaz Elchibey, the leader of a nationalist-minded opposition group of parties. During this period, Heydar Aliyev led the Nakhichevan Republic. Unsuccessful decisions of Elchibey in the field of economy, internal and foreign policy who brought the republic to the brink civil war and economic chaos, led to his removal in June 1993. Since June 1994, Heydar Aliyev, who received the support of the population in a referendum in September 1993, became the head of state. In November 1995, a new parliament (Milli Mejlis) was elected. Milli Mejlis consists of 125 deputies and is elected for 5 years. The highest body of executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers, appointed by the President and approved by the Milli Majlis. The actions of the authorities are regulated by the new constitution of the republic, adopted by referendum in November 1995. The suppression of the military coup attempts made in October 1994 and March 1995 led to the elimination of semi-independent armed groups and the creation of conditions for greater political stability in the country. The presidential elections of 1998 reaffirmed the confidence of the population in Aliyev, who remained the leader of the republic until 2003.
Judicial system. The judicial system of the country as a whole is close to that which existed in the former Soviet Union. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court, elected by Parliament for a five-year term. The Court consists of chambers for criminal and civil cases. Judicial proceedings are carried out by local courts.
Political parties. Simultaneously with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Communist Party of Azerbaijan also collapsed, which until then had owned all the power. Formally, the Communist Party announced its self-dissolution in September 1991. Nevertheless, many former communists retained their leadership positions in the government, economy, state and local authorities authorities. After February 1988, when the war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh began, several political parties and groups emerged in the wake of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Apart from People's Front Azerbaijan, the most influential political organizations were the Azerbaijan Social Democratic Party, the Musavat (Equality) Party, the National Independence Party and the People's Party (Hulk). Since 1995, the New Azerbaijan Party, the party of President Aliyev, has become the country's leading political force. She holds the majority of seats in parliament. The leading opposition force represented in parliament is the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (the party of former President Elchibey). Of the other opposition parties, Musavat and the National Independence Party are represented in parliament. Opposition parties criticize the president and the government for the slow implementation of economic and democratic reforms, the inability to return the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent regions, and the provision of oil concessions to Western companies on unfavorable terms for Azerbaijan.
Armed forces. One of the first steps that followed the declaration of independence was the creation of the Ministry of Defense, whose task was to reform the armed forces. At present, the armed forces include ground troops, navy, air force and air defense forces, border troops. There is conscription in Azerbaijan; the number of armed forces is 69.5 thousand military personnel. Azerbaijan's military spending is estimated at 30-40 billion manats.
International relationships. Azerbaijan's independence was proclaimed on August 30, 1991, and on December 21, 1991, it joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). On March 2, 1992, Azerbaijan was admitted to the UN, and later joined other international organizations. Special relations are maintained with neighboring Muslim states - Turkey and Iran. To the unresolved international affairs include the Karabakh problem, and the absence of an agreement on borders between Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe (invited member status), CIS, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), Islamic Congress Organization (OIC), OSCE, NATO Partnership for Peace program , UN, World Trade Organization (WTO) (observer status), etc. See below
AZERBAIJAN. ECONOMY
AZERBAIJAN. STORY
LITERATURE

Ismail M. History of Azerbaijan: Short review from ancient times to 1920 Baku, 1995 Todua Z. Azerbaijan today. M., 1995

Collier Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

Synonyms:

See what "AZERBAIJAN" is in other dictionaries:

Republic of Azerbaijan, state in Transcaucasia First mentioned in other Greek. and Latin. authors like Atropatene; in Iran, a source of the III century. Aturpatakan; in later Persians, geographers Adarbadagan (Azarbadagan), in Arabic, sources Adarbaidzhan or ... ... Geographic Encyclopedia

Azerbaijan- Azerbaijan. View of the old part of Baku. AZERBAIJAN (Republic of Azerbaijan), a state in the eastern part of Transcaucasia, is washed by the Caspian Sea. The area is 86.6 thousand km2. Population 7136.6 thousand people, urban 53%; Azerbaijanis (82.6%),… … Illustrated encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Republic of Azerbaijan), a state in the eastern part of Transcaucasia, washed by the Caspian Sea. The area is 86.6 thousand km2. Population 7136.6 thousand people, urban 53%; Azerbaijanis (82.6%), Armenians (5.6%), Russians (5.6%), etc. Official language… … Modern Encyclopedia

- (Azerbaijan Republic Azerbaijan Republics), a state in the eastern part of Transcaucasia; in the east it is washed by the Caspian m. 86.6 thousand km². Population 7398 thousand people (1993), urban 54%; Azerbaijanis (5805 thousand people; 1989, ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

The Republic of Azerbaijan, state in Transcaucasia First mentioned in other Greek. and latin. authors like Atropatene; to Iran, Source III in. Aturpatakan; later Persians, geographers of Adarbadagan (Azarbadagan) , in Arab, sources Adarbaidzhan or Azarbaidzhan. The last version of the name is explained from Persian, as "gathering fire" (azar - "the fire", badagan - "collecting") and associated with the ancient cult of worship of fire.

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001 .

Azerbaijan

state in V. Transcaucasia, on the coast Caspian Sea . Pl. 86.6 thousand km², population approx. 7.8 million people (2001), divided into 61 districts. Capital - Mr. Baku . In the composition - Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic and de jure Nagorno-Karabakh . The head of state is the president, the parliament is the Milli Mejlis. The Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh actually withdrew from A. In ancient times, b. part of the territory of A. was called Albania. Wednesday century has been repeatedly invaded, late XVI in. - the object of the struggle between Iran and Turkey. As a result of the Russian-Iranian wars in 1828 b. part of the territory became part of Russia; at the same time, south were installed. borders of A., which exist to this day. In 1918, an independent republic was proclaimed, and in 1920, a Soviet republic, which from 1922 to 1991 was part of the USSR ( Azerbaijan SSR ); since 1991 - independent The Republic of Azerbaijan . In 1988, a conflict arose with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, which took over in 1991–94. armed character. Azerbaijanis (90%), Russians (2.5%), Lezgins (3.2%), Talyshs live. 56% is urban population. All Armenians emigrated to Russia, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in 1988–90. During the Armenian-Azerbaijani war of 1992–94 more than 250 thousand Azerbaijanis left the areas of hostilities, Armenian troops captured 20% of the country's territory. Official language is Azerbaijani. Religion is Islam.
OK. 1/2 of the territory is occupied by mountains: in the north. Bol. Caucasus(Bazarduzu city, 4466 m), to the SW. Mal. Caucasus, which are separated Kura-Araks region. On SE. Talysh mountains separated from the sea Lenkoran Nism. The climate is transitional from temperate to subtropical, arid on the plains. Main rivers Kura and its tributary Araks whose waters are used for irrigation. Over 250 lakes, approx. 400 groups of miners. springs, many mud volcanoes. Vegetation of dry steppes, semi-deserts, alpine meadows; on the slopes of the mountains, broad-leaved forests (Iberian and chestnut-leaved oak, noble chestnut, beech, hornbeam, albizia, iron tree, persimmon, etc.); under forest and shrubs approx. 11% of the territory; 14 nature reserves ( Kyzylagach, Zaqatala, Shirvan, Goygolsky and others).
The basis of x-va is oil production, natural. gas and oil refining, which are closely related to chemical. and petrochemical, machinery (petroleum and chemical equipment), el.-tech., radioel. industry and metallurgy (steel, pipes, aluminum). Light (silk, carpets), food, tab. prom. Mining is underway. ores, alunite, pyrite, barite, cobalt, molybdenum, arsenic, marble, tuff. HPP Cascade and Reservoir. on the Kura, including Mingachevir. Subtropical fruits (pomegranate, persimmon, figs, olives, feijoa, citrus fruits), tea growing, viticulture and winemaking; cereals (wheat, rice, barley), cotton, tobacco, vegetables, potatoes; alive, walking. Zhel.-dor. (1800 km), sea (the main port of Baku), road (21 thousand km of roads, of which 12 thousand km are paved) transport. Through A. goes well. to Iran (to Tabriz). Court on Kura. Pipelines.
Artistic crafts: making copper utensils, jugs, cauldrons with engraving, carpets, etc. 20 universities (primarily in Baku and Ganja), including un-t, conservatory; AN. Museums, theaters. Resorts: sea, mountain (including Goygol) and balneological (Lenkoran, Surakhany, Naftalan, etc.); recreation areas (Absheron, Lankaran, Zagatala). Archite. monuments in Baku, Ganja, Nakhichevan, Sheki, Aghdam, Barda, Kakhi, Mingachevir, Surakhani, Shamakhi, etc.; ancient rock paintings of Gobustan. Museum-apartment of S. Yesenin (Mardakan), house-museum of the poet M. Vagif (Kazakh). The most famous are the poet Nizami, the composer U. Gadzhibekov, the singer M. Magomayev. Cash unit - manat.

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Yekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of Acad. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .

The Republic of Azerbaijan , 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 the Caspian Sea in the east.
Azerbaijan since the beginning of the 19th century. until 1918 it was part of the Russian Empire, from 1918 to 1920 it was an independent state, from 1922 to 1991 it was part of the USSR. On August 30, 1991, state independence was proclaimed (the official date of establishing independence is 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, which separated from Azerbaijan (until 1991, an autonomous region), populated mainly by Armenians. The population of Azerbaijan, as of July 2004, was 7 million 868 thousand 385 people.
NATURE
Relief. More than half of the territory of Azerbaijan is occupied by mountains belonging to the system of the Greater Caucasus in the north (the ridges of the Greater Caucasus with the peak of Bazarduzu, 4480 m, and the Side with the peak of Shahdag, 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; the middle mountains are strongly dissected by deep gorges. From west to east, the mountains of the Greater Caucasus first gradually, and then sharply lower and are replaced by a system of low ridges. The mountains of the Lesser Caucasus are less high, they consist of numerous ridges and the volcanic Karabakh highlands with cones of extinct volcanoes. In the extreme southeast are the Lankaran Mountains, which consist of three parallel ridges. The main peak of the highest Talysh ridge Kyomyurkoy 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 lies 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, near the sea coast there is a low delta of the Kura River. The low-lying Apsheron Peninsula and the Kura Spit jut deep into the Caspian Sea.
Water resources. More than 1000 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 the northwest to the 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. There are 250 lakes in Azerbaijan, the largest of them are Lake. Hadjikabyul (16 sq. km) and lake. Boyukshor (10 sq. km).
Climate. Most of Azerbaijan is located in the subtropical zone. Several types of climate are distinguished within the country, 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. The average July temperatures range from 26°C in the plains to 5°C in the highlands, and the average January temperatures, respectively, from 3°C to –10°C. The summer is dry. Precipitation is unevenly distributed: 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, the maximum precipitation occurs in winter, in the mountains and foothills - in April - September.
Vegetable world. There are more than 4,100 species in the flora of Azerbaijan (of which 9% are endemic, including Eldar pine, Hyrcanian boxwood, Lankaran acacia, Caspian lotus, some species 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. Salt marshes occur in places. High plains and arid foothills are occupied by sagebrush-bearded steppes, shrubs, steppe-like sagebrush 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 forests and alder-lapine forests grow in humid lowlands. Subalpine meadows are common in the highlands. The highest peaks are located in the alpine nival belt.
Animal world Azerbaijan includes about 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, goitered gazelle are common on the plains. Wild boars, roe deer, badgers, and jackals are found in the valleys of the Kura and Araks. Red deer, Dagestan tur, chamois, bezoar goat, roe deer, bear, lynx, forest cat, mouflon and leopard live in the mountains. Animals such as sika deer, saiga, raccoon dog, American raccoon, coypu, 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.). There are many valuable commercial fish in the Caspian Sea (salmon, stellate sturgeon, beluga, herring, kutum, vobla, asp, lamprey, sprat, etc.), and among mammals - the Caspian seal.
The state of the environment. The Apsheron Peninsula and other coastal areas are among the most environmentally 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 Sumgayit, Baku and other cities. A serious source of sea pollution is the oil-producing and oil-refining industry.
The rich flora and fauna of the country is subjected to strong anthropogenic impact. Forests suffer from logging and grazing. Agricultural land is expanding due to deforestation.
Work is underway in Azerbaijan to protect the natural environment. In order to preserve some areas of natural forest, relict flora and rare species animals created 14 reserves and 20 wildlife sanctuaries. Red and sika deer, chamois, goitered gazelle, bezoar goat, mouflon, roe deer, and saiga are especially protected.
POPULATION
According to the results of the last 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, Udins lived here. After ethnic clashes between Azerbaijanis and Armenians in Sumgayit and Nagorno-Karabakh and as a result of the outflow of the Russian-speaking population and Armenians, the share of Azerbaijanis increased to 89%, while the share of Russians decreased to 3% (as of 1995).
The proportion of mixed marriages is very low. Despite rapid urbanization and social change, Azerbaijani families retain close family ties that play an important role in personal and social life, politics and business.
The official 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 declined significantly.
It was estimated that in 2003 children and adolescents under the age of 15 made up 27.7% of the population, the economically active population group (men aged 16-62, women aged 16-57) - 64.7%, people of retirement age - 7.6%. Azerbaijan was characterized by a high level of population growth: in the period from 1979 to 1989 it was 1.7% per year. In the 1990s, the population growth rate slowed down: from 1991 to 1998 they were estimated at 0.5–0.7% per year, in 2001 - 0.3%, and in 2003 they amounted to 0.44%. According to 2003 estimates, life expectancy is 63.16 years (58.9 for men and 67.5 years for women). Infant mortality - 82.41 per 1000 newborns.
51% of the country's population lives in cities, with more than half of them concentrated in Greater Baku and Sumgayit. The population of Baku, the capital and largest city of the country, is 1228.5 thousand people, and the entire capital region - 2071.6 thousand. The second largest city in the country is Ganja (294.7 thousand), the third is Sumgayit (279.2 thousand). Other large cities are Mingechaur, 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 (madhhab) in Shiism. About 70% of all Muslims in the country are Shiites, 30% are Sunnis. There are also Orthodox and Jewish communities in Azerbaijan.
GOVERNMENT
In accordance with the constitution of 1995 (with subsequent additions), Azerbaijan is a presidential republic. The head of state is the president, elected by popular vote for a five-year term (since October 15, 2003 - Ilham Aliyev, head of the New Azerbaijan Party). The head of state has broad legislative and executive powers. The apparatus of the presidential administration operates under the president. The legislative body is the unicameral National Assembly (Milli Mejlis), elected for 5 years. Of the 125 deputies of parliament, 100 are elected by single-member districts, and 25 by the proportional system (according to party lists). The right to vote is granted to citizens of the country, starting from the age of 18. The highest body of executive power, the Cabinet of Ministers, is appointed by the President and approved by the Milli Majlis. The head of the cabinet is the Prime Minister (since 2003 - Artur Rasizade).
Administratively, Azerbaijan is divided into 59 regions, 11 cities and the autonomous republic of Nakhchivan. The latter has its own constitution, its own parliament and government.
Judicial proceedings are carried out by local courts and the Supreme Court, which includes chambers for criminal and civil cases. The Supreme Court is elected by Parliament for a five-year term. There is a Constitutional Court.
Bodies of legislative and executive power. In the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, the governing bodies at the local level included committees Communist Party, councils of people's deputies and executive committees, and in republican - the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Council and the Council of Ministers. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan made decisions, the Supreme Council gave them the form of laws, and the Council of Ministers ensured the implementation of decisions and laws. From 1969 to 1982, the republic was led by the first secretary of the Central Committee, G. A. Aliyev, who later became the first deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. In 1987, Aliyev returned to Azerbaijan and took the post of chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic.
The post of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan was introduced in 1991. The President is elected in general elections by secret ballot for 5 years, but no more than two terms.
Legislative power in Azerbaijan is exercised by the Parliament - Milli Mejlis, which consists of 125 deputies and is elected for a 5-year term. The highest body of executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers, appointed by the President and approved by the Milli Majlis. The actions of the authorities are regulated by the constitution of the republic, adopted by referendum in November 1995.
Judicial system. The judicial system of the country as a whole is close to that which existed in the former USSR. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court, elected by Parliament for a five-year term. The Court consists of chambers for criminal and civil cases. Judicial proceedings are carried out by local courts.
Political parties. Since the early 1990s, Azerbaijan has officially had a multi-party system, but the opposition accuses the government of authoritarianism and persecution of dissidents. The ruling party that dominates the country's political scene is New Azerbaijan (ON THE). It was founded in 1992 by the former First Secretary of the Communist Party (1969-1982) Heydar Aliyev, who at that time headed the autonomous Nakhichevan Republic. The party took a moderately conservative position and advocated the transformation of Azerbaijan into a modern secular state with a market economy. She won the 1996 parliamentary elections. In 2000, she won 75 out of 125 seats in the Milli Majlis. After President Heydar Aliyev left the political arena, the new President Ilya Aliyev became the de facto head of the NA.
Opposition parties: Azerbaijan Party Popular Front- formed in 1989 as a liberal-nationalist association Popular Front, ruling in 1992-1993. In the 2000 elections, she won 6 seats in the Milli Majlis. The leaders are Ali Karimli, Mirmahmud Mirali-ogly, Kudrat Hasanguliyev.
Civil Solidarity Party- liberal. In the 2000 elections, she won 3 seats in parliament. The leader is Sabir Rustamkhanli.
Communist Party of Azerbaijan- recreated in 1993, successor to the Communist Party, which was part of the CPSU. In 2000 she received 2 seats in parliament. Leader - Ramiz Akhmadov.
Equality Party(Musavat) - right-wing liberal, recreated in 1992 by politicians who were part of the Popular Front. In 2000 she received 2 seats in parliament. Leader - Isa Gambar.
National Independence Party- Formed in 1992, right. Created by former members of the Popular Front. In 2000, she received 2 seats in the Milli Majlis. The leader is Etibar Mammadov.
There are also: Liberal Party(leader - Lala-Shevket Hajiyeva); Democratic Party(leader - Rasul Guliyev); Party Alliance for Azerbaijan(1 seat in parliament); Social Welfare Party(left-liberal, 1 seat in parliament); Fatherland Party(1 seat in parliament); Party of Compatriots(1 seat in parliament, leader - M. Safarov); Justice Party(leader - Ilyas Izmailov), Modern Equality Party(leader - Khafiz Hajiyev), Social Democratic Party(leader - Z. Alizade) and others.
Armed forces. One of the first steps that followed the declaration of independence was the creation of the Ministry of Defense, whose task was to reform the armed forces. Currently, the armed forces include the ground forces, the navy, the air force, the air defense forces and the border troops. The number of armed forces is 69.5 thousand people. Azerbaijan's military spending is estimated at 30-40 billion manats.
Foreign policy. December 21, 1991 Azerbaijan joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). March 2, 1992 he was admitted to the UN, and later joined other international organizations. Special relations are maintained with neighboring Muslim states - Turkey and Iran. The unresolved international issues include the Karabakh problem and the lack of an agreement on the borders between Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea.
Azerbaijan has the status of an invited member of the Council of Europe and is a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the Organization of the Islamic Congress (OIC), the OSCE, the NATO Partnership for Peace program, the World trade organization (WTO) with observer status, etc.
ECONOMY
The volume of Azerbaijan's GDP in 2003 was estimated at 26.65 billion US dollars (14% falls on agriculture, 46% on industry, 40% on services), which corresponded to 3,400 dollars per capita. Approximately 49% of the population live below the official poverty line.
The structure of the economy. For almost 70 years, the economy of Azerbaijan has been developing as part of the economy of the USSR, with a focus mainly on Russian market. The main sectors of the economy were the oil-producing and oil-refining industries and agriculture. In the 1960s–1980s, engineering, chemical, textile, food and other industries developed in the republic. The war in Karabakh and political instability led to a significant drop in production in 1988–1994. After the conclusion of the Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement on a ceasefire in the conflict zone in May 1994 and the stabilization of the political situation, the economic decline was stopped.
Since 1997, there has been a rapid growth in GDP (5.8%, in 1999 - 7.2%, in 2000 - 11.3%, in 2001 - 9.9%), which is provided mainly by the service sector against the background of a slight increase in industrial production and continued decline in agricultural production. However, the share of the shadow economy is estimated at 25% of GDP.
Oil and gas remains the key sector of the economy (58% of GDP). In 1997, 9 million tons of oil were produced (99.2% of the 1996 level) and 6 billion cubic meters. m natural gas(95% of the 1996 level). The production of gasoline and diesel fuel and its export to the CIS countries increased by 20%.
Azerbaijan's oil and gas reserves are attractive for foreign oil companies. Azerbaijan leads among the CIS countries in terms of foreign investment growth (from 10 to 50% per year). Possible routes for the transportation of Azerbaijani oil (through the North Caucasus or Transcaucasia, to the Black or Mediterranean Sea) are a source of political discord and conflicts at the international and regional levels.
The second most important sector is agriculture. Agricultural land accounts for 46% of the country's total area (about 4 million ha), half of which is occupied by pastures. They grow grain, industrial (cotton, tobacco), subtropical (pomegranate, tea, citrus, persimmon) crops, grapes. Natural silk is produced. In 1997, the area under grain crops increased by 3%, while the area under fodder and industrial crops decreased by 55%. The country provides itself with food only by 10-15%. In 2000, grain production increased by 40.7% and reached 1538.8 thousand tons, potatoes were harvested 468.6 thousand tons, fruits and berries 407.9 thousand tons, gourds 260 thousand tons, grapes 75.6 thousand tons, tobacco 13.8 thousand tons, green tea leaf 625 tons, cotton 90.5 thousand tons. 6% over the previous year.
In 2000, meat production amounted to 195 thousand tons in live weight, milk - 1070 thousand tons, eggs - more than 550 million pieces, wool - 12 thousand tons, silkworm cocoons - 70 tons. Livestock production increased by 3.7 %, and in general agricultural products by 12%.
Since the second half of the 1990s, there has been an increase in investment in various sectors of the economy (in 1996 it increased by 65%, in 1997 - by 67%, in 1998 - by 45%), primarily due to extrabudgetary funds. For the period from 1996 to 2000, the amount of foreign investment amounted to 5 billion dollars. Up to 50% of foreign investment goes to the development of engineering, communications, food industry, the service sector, etc. (in 1996, the share of the "non-oil" investment sector was 33%).
Economic reforms. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the decline in production in Azerbaijan for the period after independence in 1991 to 1995 amounted to approx. 60%. However, in 1996 there were signs of an economic recovery.
As the reform program was implemented, by the end of 1997 inflation was reduced to a minimum and currently stands at 1-2% per year (in 1994 - 1600%, in 1995 - 85%, in 1996 - 28%), the manat strengthened (devaluation 2 -3% per year), and the total GDP growth for 1995-2001 was 40%. At the same time, efforts are being stepped up to reduce unemployment and eliminate the crisis in non-oil sectors of the economy. An important step towards economic transformation was the adoption of the law on land reform, which introduced private ownership of land for citizens of the country. Since 1995, more than 1,300 collective farms and state farms have been liquidated and approx. 35 thousand farms. To support reforms in agriculture, in 1999 a law was passed on exempting agricultural producers from taxes for 5 years, on writing off tax debts to the budget and on selling fuel at preferential prices.
After independence was declared, trade was privatized. At present, the private sector concentrates most of the retail trade, catering facilities and household services. The privatization of medium and large industrial enterprises has begun. Underway preparatory work on the privatization of important objects of strategic importance (metallurgy, engineering, fuel industry, petrochemical industry).
The year 2000 was marked by the construction of important production facilities: the Yenikendskaya HPP was put into operation, a gas turbine power plant was put into operation at the Baku CHPP-1, the Gurtulush drilling rig was put into operation, the reconstruction of the Severnaya GRES and the construction of highway Alyat - Gazimagomed and others.
Labor resources. Traditionally in the Republic largest number qualified specialists were Russians and Armenians, who began to leave Azerbaijan since 1988. In 1991, out of 3.9 million able-bodied population, 2.7 million people were employed, but only a quarter of the unemployed received the official status of unemployed. In 1994 the real unemployment rate was 24.6%. The subsequent stabilization of the economy made it possible to reduce unemployment by the end of 1997 to 2.5% (according to unofficial data, the unemployment rate is much higher). Many Azerbaijanis work in Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan in the trade and oil and gas sectors. The sectoral structure of employment is dominated by the service sector (52.6%), followed by agriculture, forestry and fisheries (32.1%) and industry (15.3%).
Transport. The length of railways is 2125 km, and more than half of them are electrified. Two railway lines, through which the main freight and passenger traffic is carried out, connect Azerbaijan with neighboring states - Russia and Georgia: Baku - Makhachkala (Dagestan) and Baku - Tbilisi (Georgia). Less loaded railways between Baku and the Nakhichevan Republic, as well as between Baku and Lankaran. Railway communication with Yerevan and Iran has been terminated. Approximately one third of the railway tracks are badly worn out and require reconstruction, therefore, in many sections, the speed of trains is limited (the journey to Tbilisi takes 20 hours).
Highways run parallel to the main railways: along the Caspian Sea from Russia through Baku to Iran and from Baku to the Georgian border. From the city of Yevlakh (on the Baku-Tbilisi highway), a highway to Nagorno-Karabakh departs to the south. After 1991, the volume of road repair work was reduced. Currently ok. 60% of roads are in need of repair and reconstruction. Nevertheless, regular bus service has been established between Baku and major cities of the republic, as well as with Derbent, Tbilisi, Tehran and Istanbul.
Baku is a port city and transshipment point mainly for oil, oil products, timber and lumber. The port has 17 berths (5 are intended for the transportation of crude oil and oil products, 10 for the transportation of timber and other cargo, 2 for passengers). The port can serve ships with a carrying capacity of up to 12 thousand tons and has covered storage facilities with an area of ​​10 thousand square meters. m and open - an area of ​​28.7 thousand square meters. The merchant fleet has 55 vessels with a total displacement of 248,155 gross register tons (each with a displacement of more than 1,000 gross register tons) and includes 12 cargo, 40 oil tankers, 2 ferries and 1 passenger ship. Cargoes are sent to Turkmenistan (the port of Turkmenbashi, formerly Krasnovodsk) and to Iran (the ports of Anzeli and Bandar-Torkemen). The passenger ship runs to Turkmenbashi about three times a week with 300 passengers on board.
Azerbaijan has 1,130 km of pipelines for transporting crude oil, 630 km for transporting petroleum products, and 1,240 km of gas pipelines. The main pipeline transports oil through Georgia to Batumi, and from there it is exported either in its raw form or after processing at the Batumi oil refinery. The two gas pipelines run parallel to the oil pipeline to Tbilisi and from there north through the Greater Caucasus to Russia and Western Europe.
Largest cities Azerbaijan are connected with Baku and between themselves by air. The largest airport is located in Baku, from where regular flights are made to Moscow, other cities of Russia and the CIS countries.
Azerbaijan occupies an important strategic position on the way from Europe to Asia, on the so-called Great Silk Road. In 1993, the EU adopted a special program for the creation of a transport corridor from Europe through the Black Sea and the Caucasus to Central Asia, the expansion of regional trade and the restoration of ties lost after the collapse of the USSR. In 1998, as part of the development of this program, 12 states signed a multilateral agreement, the so-called Baku Declaration, on economic cooperation in order to restore and develop transport infrastructure. The new Silk Road has become a reality, and the volume of trade along it has already exceeded initial plans. One of the latest successful projects was the Tauz Bridge in Azerbaijan, the reconstruction of which allowed to double the volume of trade between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
In recent years, the volume of transport traffic has been growing. So, in 2000, 80 million tons of cargo and 880 million passengers were transported by road. About 55% of cargo transportation and 84% of passenger transportation is carried out vehicles non-state sector.
International trade. Disintegration of the single economic space former USSR led to significant changes in the trade orientation of Azerbaijan. Trade with Russia and Ukraine declined, while trade with Turkey, Iran and the UAE increased. In 2000, the volume of foreign trade operations was estimated at 2,796 million dollars (an increase of 88% compared to 1999). The share of exports was 63.3%. Positive balance - 680 million dollars. Trade turnover with non-CIS countries increased by 2.2 times and amounted to 80.7% of the total foreign trade, and with the CIS countries increased by 18%.
The main foreign trade partners of Azerbaijan are Turkey, Russia, Iran, UAE, Turkmenistan, Germany, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan and the USA.
Banking system. The functions of the country's central bank are performed by the Azerbaijan National Bank (ANB). During the early years of the transition period Negative influence on the financial system provided a policy of free lending. In 1996, the NSA regained control over the growth of the money supply and introduced tighter banking rules. Currently, several foreign and mixed banks operate in Baku: Baybank (Turkey), the Iranian National Bank and the British Bank of the Middle East, Azerturkbank (with the participation of Turkey's largest state bank Zirayet). The largest Azerbaijani banks are the International Bank, Azerbaijan Agro-Industrial Bank and private banks - Azkombank, Bakobank, Renaissance, Inpatbank and Gunai.
Major foreign investors. The Azerbaijani government has signed several important agreements on the development of oil and gas fields. In September 1994, an agreement was signed on investing 8 billion dollars in the development of the Chirag and deepwater Guneshli fields. The Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) was established. In November 1995, an agreement was signed, and in February 1996, an agreement was ratified on the exploration of the Karabakh offshore field with an investment of $ 3 billion. In accordance with the agreement, the Caspian International Oil Company (CIOC) was created. Upon completion of exploratory drilling in 1999, the company came to the conclusion that the development of the field was unprofitable and ceased operations. On May 15, 2001, an agreement was ratified between Azerbaijan and Turkey on the supply of natural gas from the Shah Deniz offshore field to Turkey. It is planned to build the Baku-Tbilisi-Arzrum gas pipeline. The implementation of this project requires 2.6 billion dollars of investment.
Currently, the main investors in Azerbaijan are oil companies. 90% of AIOC shares are owned by foreign investors: British Petroleum (Great Britain, 17.1%), Amoko (USA, 17.0%), Lukoil (Russia, 10.0%), Pensoil (USA , 4.8%), Yunocal (USA, 10.0%), Statoil (Norway, 8.6%), Itochu Oil (Japan, 3.9%), Ramco (Great Britain, 2.1%), TPAO (Turkey, 6.7%), Exxon (USA, 8.0%), Delta-Nimir (Saudi Arabia, 1.7%). The investors of the Shah Deniz project are: British Petroleum/Statoil (Great Britain/Norway, 25.5% each), SOCAR (10%), Lukoil (Russia, 10%), Elf-Akiten "(France, 10%), Iranian Holding Company (Iran, 10%), TPAO (Turkey, 9%).
Following the entry of Itochu Oil into the AIOC, representatives of several large Japanese corporations visited Azerbaijan to explore investment opportunities. Significant Japanese investments are expected in the Azerbaijan Oil and Gas Company.
CULTURE
Education system and science. Universal initial education was introduced in Azerbaijan in 1928. In the same year, the transition was made from the Arabic writing system to Latin, and in 1939 to Cyrillic. The number of literate adults before 1917 was approx. 10%, in 1939 - 82.8%, and in 1959 it reached 97%. Compulsory eight-year education was introduced in 1959, and universal secondary education was introduced in 1966. Currently in the middle general education schools studying approx. 1.9 million schoolchildren.
Approx. 50 higher educational institutions, where approximately 100 thousand students receive education. The largest universities of the country - Azerbaijan State University them. Rasulzade (founded in 1919, about 11 thousand students), Institute of Oil and Chemistry (founded in 1920, about 15 thousand students), Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan Pedagogical Institute of Russian Language and Literature. M.V.Akhundova, Azerbaijani state institute foreign languages, Azerbaijani medical University them. N.Narimanova, Conservatory. U. Gadzhibekova, State Agricultural Institute in Ganja, etc. In recent years, several private ones have appeared (the first of them is the Khazar University, founded in 1991, education is conducted on English language) and international universities. Among the latter stands out the Western University (founded in 1991, has about 1000 students). At the Caucasus University, education is conducted in Turkish. There are also branches of Dagestan and Dnepropetrovsk universities. Most universities are located in Baku.
Main Scientific research are held at the institutes of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, established in 1945 (at the Institute of Philosophy and Law, the Institute of History, Language and Literature named after G. Nizami, the Institute of Economics, as well as at the institutes of the natural and technical profile). largest library Azerbaijan - State Library. M.Akhundov, the largest repository of documents - the National Archives.
Literature and art. Ancient epics such as Kitabi Dede Korkud (The book of my grandfather Korkud, 11th c.), as well as poetry of a later period (Ganjavi Nizami, c. 1141-1209; Muhammad Fizuli, 1494-1556) are part of the literary heritage shared with the Anatolian Turks. A distinctive feature of Azerbaijani literature is the oral poetry of ashugs (folk singer-poets), whose traditions have been preserved to this day.
Written Azerbaijani literature arose after the final inclusion of the country into Russia in the early 19th century. Its founder Mirza Fatali Akhundov (1812-1878) is also the founder of Azerbaijani drama, which received further development in the works of Najaf-bek Vezirov (1854–1926) and Abdurragim Akhverdov (1870–1933). Gasanbek Zardabi (1837–1907) began publishing the first Azerbaijani newspaper, Ekinchi (Plowman), in 1875.
After the closure of the Ekinchi newspaper by the Russian authorities in 1877, small-circulation magazines Ziya (Dawn, 1879–1881), Ziya and Kavkasia (Dawn of the Caucasus, 1881–1884) and the literary magazine Keshkul (1884–1884) were published. 1891). With the closure of Keshkul, until the revolutionary events of 1905 in Russia, publications in the Azerbaijani language ceased. The ensuing weakening of state control made Baku the leading center of Muslim journalism in the Russian Empire. Between 1905 and 1917 different time came out ok. 60 newspapers and other periodicals (newspapers "Hayat" - "Life" and "Irshad" - "Guide", the literary magazine "Fuyuzat" - "Blago" and the popular satirical magazine "Molla Nasreddin", etc.).
The hopes of the period of national upsurge were embodied in the poetry of Alakbar Sabir (1862–1911). Among the prominent writers of this period are Jalil Mammadguluzadeh (1866–1932), playwright Hussein Javid (1884–1941), and poet Muhammad Hadi (1879–1920). The literary revival that began after 1905 put forward the task of further purifying the language, this time from Ottoman influence. This movement arose simultaneously with pan-Turkism, which preached the unification of all Turkic peoples. The tribune of Pan-Turkism was Alibek Huseynzade (1864–1940).
In the 1930s, as a result of Stalin's purges, the Azerbaijan Writers' Union suffered significant losses. Such leading writers as Huseyn Javid, Salman Mumtaz, Kurban Musaev, Taqi Shahbazi, Ali Nazim and Mikayil Mushfiq became victims of repressions. Socialist realism became the norm of creativity. Political conformism led to a general decline in the artistic level of literature, although such talented writers as Samed Vurgun (1906–1956), Jafar Jabarly (1899–1934) and Ilyas Efendiev (b. 1914) continued to create at that time. After 1945, a significant place was occupied by a new literary direction, which developed the theme of the unity of Soviet and Iranian Azerbaijan. Its most notable representatives were the writers Mammad Ordubady (1872–1950) and Mirza Ibrahimov (b. 1911), as well as the poets Suleiman Rustam (1906–1989) and Bakhtiyar Vahabzade (b. 1925).
Cinematography. Such Azerbaijani film directors as A.M.Sharifzade, A.I.Bek-Nazarov, T.M.Tagizade, A.M.Ibragimov are widely known. Strong point Azerbaijani cinematography is documentary.
Theatrical art. The theater appeared in Azerbaijan only in the middle of the 19th century. Dramatic works are widely represented in the works of Mirza Fatali Akhundov, the founder of modern Azerbaijani literature. Between 1905 and 1917, the theatrical life of Azerbaijan was in the sphere of educational and charitable societies, highly professional theaters appeared. During this period, marked by a cultural upsurge, the first Azerbaijani opera was staged. Leyli and Majnun(1908), written by Uzeyir Gadzhibekov based on the poem of the same name by Fizuli (16th century).
With the advent of Soviet power, theaters were nationalized. In 1920, the Azerbaijan Drama Theater was opened in Baku, and in 1924, the Opera and Ballet Theater.
Architecture and fine arts. The rich architectural heritage of Azerbaijan reflects its multifaceted history and various external influences, but the strongest imprint was left by the Islamic period. Islamic architectural monuments primarily include mosques, minarets, mausoleums, caravanserais (inns) and madrasahs (Muslim schools), as well as fortresses, including the symbol of Baku - a unique oval-shaped Maiden Tower (12th century) . The historical ancient part of Baku with the palaces of the Shirvanshahs and Sheki khans has been well preserved. During the oil boom of the 19th century. European culture penetrated the capital, which was reflected in architecture.
The classical Azerbaijani applied art used Persian and Islamic styles and techniques, which were reflected in ceramics, chasing, carpets, calligraphy, hand-written illustrations, in particular, in the miniatures of the famous Tabriz school. Applied art is characterized by sophistication and richness of decor.
Mass media. Approx. There are 400 newspapers, but less than 50 are published regularly. The state finances the newspapers "Azerbaijan" (an organ of the Milli Majlis, more than 70 thousand copies, in Azerbaijani), "Baku Rabochiy" (about 40 thousand, in Russian). ), “Yeni Azerbaijan” (“New Azerbaijan”, the organ of the party of the same name), “Hulk” (“The People”, more than 30 thousand copies, in Azerbaijani). Some parties publish their newspapers at their own expense (“Azadlyg”, about 40 thousand copies, in Azerbaijani - the organ of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan, “Musavat” and “Mukhalifat” - the Musavat parties, “Milliyet” - the Parties national independence, "Istiglal" - the Social Democratic Party, "Khurriyet" - the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan). In addition, a number of independent newspapers are published. Of these, Vyshka has the largest circulation (about 50,000 copies, in Russian, published since 1928). Russian and Western newspapers and magazines go on sale.
The first radio broadcasts took place in Baku in 1926. Television began broadcasting in 1956. Most of the radio and television stations are state-owned. Broadcasts are conducted mainly in Azerbaijani, as well as in Russian.
In 1998, 3 Turkish, 3 Russian, 2 national state and 2 commercial TV stations operated in Baku. A television center also operates in Nakhichevan. Broadcasts from Turkey and Russia are relayed via satellites. Baku commercial stations, ANS-KM and "Sara", produce programs in Russian and Azerbaijani languages, show American films dubbed in Russian.
Holidays. The following holidays are officially celebrated in Azerbaijan and memorable dates: New Year- January 1, International Women's Day - March 8, Novruz Bayram - March 20-21, Victory Day - May 9, Republic Day - May 28, Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan - June 26, Independence Day - October 18, Constitution Day - November 12, National Revival Day - November 17, Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis - December 31. In addition, Muslim holidays are celebrated, including Kurban-Bayram (the holiday of sacrifice), Uraza-Bayram (the holiday of breaking the fast), etc.
STORY
At the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. on the territory of northern Iran, the state of Mana (with the capital Zirta) was formed, which subsequently significantly expanded its borders, by the middle of the 7th century. BC. he owned part of the territory of modern Azerbaijan. In the first half of the 7th c. BC. south of the Caspian Sea, the state of Media (with the capital Ecbatana) was formed, which conquered Manu, in alliance with Babylonia destroyed the Assyrian state and conquered Urartu. In the middle of the 6th c. BC. Media was conquered by Persia. Under the Persian ruler Atropate (4th century BC), it was called the Median Atropatene, or simply Atropatene, from which, according to one version, the modern name of the state of Azerbaijan comes. According to another version, the Persian word "azer" means fire, and Azerbaijan can be translated as "Land of fires (or fire worshipers)". Later, the territory of the country was part of the Caucasian Albania tribal association, which existed until the 4th century BC. AD
From 387 AD until the middle of the 7th c. Caucasian Albania was under the rule of Sasanian Iran, and later - the Arab Caliphate. In the 8th-11th centuries. the influence of nomadic Turkic tribes increased, mixing with the local population and influencing the language, culture and politics of the state. The Persian language of the indigenous population was gradually replaced by the Turkic dialect, from which, over time, an independent Azerbaijani language was formed. In the 13th century, after being conquered by the Mongols, Azerbaijan became part of the Khulaguid state and was under their rule until the second half of the 14th century. At the end of the 14th and 15th centuries the state of Shirvan was formed on this territory. In the 15th century, after the invasion of Timur, Azerbaijan came under the rule of the Turkmens, who founded two rival states - Kara-Koyunlu and Ak-Koyunlu.
At the beginning of the 16th century Azerbaijan became the stronghold of the local Safavid dynasty, which, through conquests and an energetic policy of centralization, created a new vast Persian state from the Syr Darya to the Euphrates with the capital Tabriz. Shah Ismail I (reigned 1502–1524) declared Shiism the state religion, which alienated the Azerbaijanis from the Seljuk Turks. Under the Safavids, Azerbaijan often became a battlefield in wars between Shiite Persia and Sunni Turkey. Due to the threat of Ottoman invasions, the Safavid capital was moved from Tabriz to Qazvin and later to Isfahan. Azerbaijan, being a strategically important province, was ruled by a governor, who usually combined this position with the highest military rank sepahsalara. Azerbaijan remained under the rule of Persia until the beginning of the 18th century. In 1723, Russian troops occupied Baku and the Caspian lands south of it, up to Rasht. However, most of Azerbaijan was captured by Turkey. According to the agreement between Turkey and Russia in 1724 (Istanbul Peace), the Caspian regions, including Baku, Salyan and Lankaran, became part of Russia, the rest of Azerbaijan was ceded to Turkey.
The struggle of Persia with Turkey for the return of Persian lands was led by the commander Nadir. In 1734 he conquered Ganja from the Turks, and in 1735 he signed an agreement with Russia on the transfer of the Caspian lands to Persia. In 1736, Nadir became Shah of Persia, and after his assassination in 1747, 15 independent khanates were formed on the territory of Persia, north of the Araks River, including Karabakh, Sheki, Shirvan, Baku, Ganja, Quba, Nakhichevan, Derbent and Talysh. Second half of the 18th century marked by rivalry between Turkey and Persia, political fragmentation and civil strife, which facilitated the penetration of Russia into the Transcaucasus. This process was challenged by Persia, which gained strength under the Qajar Shah dynasty. The first Russian-Persian war (1804-1813) ended with the Gulistan peace (1813), according to which the Karabakh, Ganja, Sheki, Shirvan, Quba, Derbent, Baku and Talysh khanates, as well as Western Georgia (Imeretia and Abkhazia) and Dagestan, went to Russia . The second war (1826–1828), in which Russia also won, ended with the Turkmenchay peace (1828), according to which the large khanates of Nakhichevan and Erivan ceded to Russia, and Azerbaijan was divided between Persia and Russia. The border passed along the Araks river.
In the second half of the 19th century started fast economic development Russian Azerbaijan. In 1848 the first oil well was drilled at the Bibi-Heybat field, in 1859 the first oil refinery was built in Surakhani, and in 1863 the first kerosene plant. In 1868, a telegraph communication was established between Baku and Tiflis, and in 1883 a railway communication was established. In 1897, the construction of the Baku-Batumi oil pipeline began. Baku has become a cultural and industrial centre Azerbaijan: in the 1870s, the Azerbaijani national theater, real and oil schools were opened, the first Azerbaijani library was founded in 1894, then the first women's school was opened and a textile factory was built.
At the beginning of the 20th century Baku continues its rapid growth, which at that time accounted for 50% of world oil production and 95% of Russia's oil production.
Musavat, the largest illegal political party, was founded in 1911. The number of its members increased significantly after 1917. The most important components of the Musavat ideology were secular nationalism and federalism (Azerbaijani autonomy within a larger state). The right and left factions of the party disagreed on a number of issues, in particular on land reform. Musavat was headed by M.E. Rasulzade, who shared the views of the left faction.
First independent republic. On November 15, 1917, the Baku Soviet of Workers' Deputies proclaimed Soviet power in Baku. By the spring of 1918, Soviet power had been established not only in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, but also in some coastal districts of Azerbaijan. The Baku Council came to the leadership people's commissars headed by Stepan Shaumyan. However, Soviet power lasted only a few months.
On May 28, 1918, the Musavat Provisional National Council of Azerbaijan proclaimed the independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) with its capital in Ganja. The republic lasted 23 months, while from May to October 1918 it was occupied by Turkey, and from November 1918 to August 1919 - by Great Britain. Turkey, which joined the Austro-German bloc in 1914, capitulated to the troops of the Entente at the end of October 1918. British troops occupied Baku in August and dissolved the Baku Council of People's Commissars in September. After that, in less than a year, five governments changed in the republic; they were all formed by the Musavat party in coalition with other parties. The prime minister of the first three governments was Fatali Khoysky (Khan Khoysky), the last two - Nasib Yusufbekov. The head of state was considered to be the chairman of the parliament, A.M.Topchibashev, who was elected in absentia on December 7, 1918. In this capacity, he represented Azerbaijan at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919–1920. The survival of independent Azerbaijan after the withdrawal of British troops in August 1919 depended entirely on the outcome of the civil war in Russia. In the spring of 1920, victory was on the side of the Red Army, and on April 28, 1920, its units entered Azerbaijan. On the same day, the Soviet government of Azerbaijan was formed, headed by Nariman Narimanov.
Soviet period. The history of Soviet Azerbaijan began with the suppression of armed rebellions. In December 1922, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia formed a temporary state association - the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (TSFSR), which on December 30, 1922 became part of the USSR.
In the 1930s, mass purges began in the USSR, in which the first secretary of the Central Committee and the Baku Committee of the Communist Party (b) of Azerbaijan, M.J.Bagirov, took part. In 1936, the TSFSR was dissolved, and the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was incorporated into the USSR as an independent republic. Azerbaijani Turks began to be officially called Azerbaijanis, their National language was named Azerbaijani.
The Second World War. The German troops that invaded the USSR during World War II reached the Greater Caucasus Range in July 1942, but never entered the territory of Azerbaijan. Many Azerbaijanis fought in the Red Army. Entering Parts Soviet army on the territory of Iran contributed to the revival of pan-Azerbaijani sentiments and the idea of ​​uniting Iranian and Soviet Azerbaijan. Under pressure from the Western powers, the Soviet Union was forced to withdraw its troops beyond the Araks River.
post-war period. In the post-war years, the Stalinist policy of repression was continued. Khrushchev's "thaw" (1955-1964) was a period of weakening control in the field of literature and public life. At the same time, this era was marked by a new anti-Islamic campaign and a policy of "rapprochement of nations", which was supposed to lead to the merging of all the peoples of the USSR into a "new historical community" - the Soviet people.
The crisis in the oil industry in the 1960s led to a reduction in investment in the Azerbaijani economy. In 1969, the Allied authorities appointed Heydar Aliyev as the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan. In 1982, Aliyev became a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU, and in 1987 he returned to Azerbaijan.
The revolution in neighboring Iran (1978) contributed to the revival of Islamism in Azerbaijan. In response to the growth of Iranian influence, the slogan "United Azerbaijan" was again put forward. In 1988, independent publications and political organizations began to appear. Of these organizations, the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (PFA) turned out to be the most powerful.
In January 1990, a split occurred in the PFA between the conservative Islamist and the moderate currents. Most of the PFA leaders were arrested. In the alternative elections held in September 1990, the Communists received approx. 90% of the votes and were accused of electoral fraud.
independent Azerbaijan. After the failure of the coup attempt in Moscow, Azerbaijan declared on August 30, 1991 its independence from the USSR. The Communist Party of Azerbaijan announced its withdrawal from the CPSU, and then was dissolved. 8 September former first Communist Party Secretary Ayaz Mutalibov was elected president of the country. On October 18, a constitutional act on the state independence of Azerbaijan was adopted, then approved by 95% of the citizens who took part in the referendum on December 29, 1991.
During the first years of independence, Azerbaijan experienced a period of political instability. It was exacerbated by the armed conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh (the Armenian majority of the population of the region sought to join Armenia) and growing pressure from the opposition Popular Front. In opposition to the Supreme Council, which was dominated by former communists, the opposition formed a parallel body - the National Council.
In January 1992, Mutalibov began to liberalize prices, but already in March, after the massacre of Azerbaijanis in Khojali (Nagorno-Karabakh), he was forced to resign under pressure from the opposition. Interim President Yagub Mammadov appointed a new government and demanded emergency powers from the Supreme Council to create a national army of 20,000 troops. The National Council was created, in which representatives of the government and the opposition participated on an equal footing, the representative of the latter received the post of Minister of the Interior. However, already in May 1992, the Supreme Council re-elected Mutalibov as president. He immediately introduced a state of emergency in Baku, dissolved the National Council and dismissed the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Popular Front responded to this act with an armed uprising, Mutalibov was overthrown. The National Council dissolved the Supreme Council, formed a coalition government, appointed Isa Gambara as interim head of state, and announced new presidential elections.
The election of June 7, 1992 was won by the candidate of the Popular Front, Abulfaz Elchibey. He announced Azerbaijan's intention to withdraw from the CIS. In the field of foreign policy, the new president sought to draw closer to Turkey and develop ties with the Azerbaijanis in Iran. In December 1992, the National Council canceled the country's entry into the CIS and announced Turkish language state. However, despite the supply of Turkish weapons, Azerbaijan suffered more and more defeats in conflicts with Armenia. In April 1993, after the loss of the city of Kalbajar, Elchibey introduced a state of emergency. Many figures in the ruling Popular Front were accused of corruption and incompetence. Chaos reigned in the economy, the standard of living of the country's inhabitants fell catastrophically, which caused growing discontent among the population. Colonel Suret Huseynov, the President's Extraordinary Plenipotentiary, accused Elchibey of military defeats and demanded the resignation of the president and government. On June 4, 1993, supporters of the rebellious colonel captured the country's second largest city, Ganja, and launched an offensive against Baku, encountering virtually no resistance. On June 18, Elchibey fled from the capital to Nakhichevan, where he died in 2000. On June 24, the National Council voted to remove him from the presidency; functions of the head of state were entrusted to former head Communist Party and leader of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic Heydar Aliyev, who a few days before was elected chairman of the council. Huseynov received the posts of prime minister and head of power ministries. Aliyev announced a general mobilization.
In August 1993, the removal of Elchibey was approved in a referendum, and in October Aliyev became president of the country as a result of new elections. The National Council voted for the return of Azerbaijan to the CIS. In an effort to stabilize the economy, Aliyev raised the price of oil and gas by 600% and the price of bread by 800%. On January 1, 1994, a new monetary unit, the manat, was introduced.
The defeats in Nagorno-Karabakh continued. In September 1993, the Azerbaijanis lost Kubatly and Horadiz, in October - Sangelan. The counter-offensive of the Azerbaijani army in December made it possible to somewhat push back the Armenian units. In May 1994, a ceasefire agreement was signed in Moscow. As a result, Azerbaijan lost 16% of its territory; the number of refugees reached 800 thousand people.
Consolidating his power, Aliyev came into conflict with Prime Minister Huseynov. In October 1994, the Special Purpose Police Detachment (OPON) led by Deputy Interior Minister Rovshan Javadov rebelled. He demanded the release of 3 of his members, accused of killing 2 of Aliyev's employees, and took the Prosecutor General hostage. Not having achieved their goal, the rebels returned to the barracks. Aliyev declared a state of emergency for 60 days. Government troops destroyed Huseynov's headquarters in Ganja, he himself was removed from the post of prime minister. In March 1995, troops stormed the OPON barracks in Baku. OPON was disbanded, 200 of its employees were arrested. At least 36 people died in the fighting, including Javadov.
Aliyev's initially cordial relations with Russia cooled somewhat when Azerbaijan signed an agreement with an international consortium on exploitation in the fall of 1994. oil fields in the Caspian Sea. In 1996-1997 further agreements were signed with international consortiums. Azerbaijani oil is supplied to the Black Sea ports via two oil pipelines: the northern one, stretched through the territory of Russia to Novorossiysk, and the western one, going through the territory of Georgia to the terminal near the port of Supsa. In 1999, the leaders of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and the United States agreed to build an oil pipeline from Baku through Tbilisi to the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the coast. mediterranean sea(bypassing Russia). Azerbaijan's rapprochement with Western oil companies aroused dissatisfaction with Russia, which also objected to the definition of the Caspian Sea as a lake with a corresponding division of resources, and sought recognition of its status as a sea. However, in 1998 it signed an agreement with Kazakhstan recognizing the principle of sharing resources. Ultimately, Aliyev sought to maintain a balance of foreign policy between Russia and the West, primarily the United States.
On November 12, 1995, the Azerbaijani authorities held a referendum in the country, at which a majority of more than 90% of the votes approved new constitution which gave the President extremely broad powers. Simultaneously, elections to the Milli Majlis parliament were held. The ruling party New Azerbaijan won a complete victory. The opposition criticized the organization of the elections, referring to the exclusion of a number of parties and candidates, significant pressure from the state apparatus, restriction of freedom of the press, and so on. It was even alleged that the voting results were rigged. In 1996, Artur Rasizade (1996–2003) was appointed prime minister. In January 1997, the authorities announced the suppression of a conspiracy organized by Mutalibov and Huseynov, who were in Moscow. 40 opposition figures were arrested. In 1998, Aliyev won the next presidential election; and this time many observers complained of numerous violations.
Despite the official preservation of political pluralism and a multi-party system, the Azerbaijani authorities restrict the activities of the opposition. In April 2000, the police broke up a rally organized by the opposition People's Democratic Congress coalition. 46 people were arrested. The demonstrators demanded free and fair parliamentary elections. They took place in November 2000 and again brought a complete victory to the ruling party, which, according to official figures, gained St. 62% of the votes.
The deteriorating health of 80-year-old Heydar Aliyev sharply raised the question of his political successor. The president himself actively nominated his son Ilham for this post. In December 1999, the congress of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party elected him vice-chairman. At the end of 2002, changes were made to the constitution, which provided that in the event of the termination of the powers of the president, his functions were transferred to the prime minister. On July 8, 2003, G. Aliyev was placed in a Turkish hospital due to heart disease. In August, Ilham was appointed Prime Minister of Azerbaijan. However, in reality, Rasizade continued to perform the functions of the head of government, so that Ilham Aliyev could concentrate all his forces on the presidential campaign that had actually begun. In October 2003, presidential elections were held, in which I. Aliyev collected 76.8% of the vote, his main rivals were left behind (Musavat candidate Isa Gambar received 14%, representative of the National Union Lala Shevket Hajiyeva - 3.6%, leader of the Party national independence Etibar Mammadov - 2.9%, etc.). After that, Ilham Aliyev took the presidential oath, and Rasizade was returned to the post of prime minister. Heydar Aliyev died on December 12, 2003 at the Cleveland Clinic (USA).
Ilham Aliyev firmly holds power in Azerbaijan, despite opposition protests. In the spring of 2005, opposition parties again tried to organize protest rallies in the country, but they were dispersed.
LITERATURE
Ismail M. . Baku, 1995
Todua Z. Azerbaijan today. M., 1995
Azerbaijan today. Reference materials. M., 1995
Ismail M. History of Azerbaijan: A Brief Overview from Ancient Times to 1920. Baku, 1995
Todua Z. Azerbaijan today. M., 1995
and Russia: Societies and States. M., 2001
Post-Soviet South Caucasus: bibliography and review of publications in the social and political sciences. M., 2002
Andrianov V., Miralamov G. Heydar Aliyev. M., 2005

Encyclopedia Around the World. 2008 .

AZERBAIJAN

THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
A 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. Azerbaijan also owns the Nakhichevan region, separated from the republic by the territory of Armenia. The area of ​​the country is about 86,600 km2. Approximately half of the territory is occupied by mountains: in the north - the ridge of the Greater Caucasus, in the southwest - the ridge of the Lesser Caucasus. The highest peak of the country is Mount Bazarduzu on the Main or Dividing Range (height 4466 m). In the middle part of the country there is the Kuro-Araks lowland, in the southeast - the Lankaran lowland.
The population (estimated in 1998) is about 7,855,600. Although Azerbaijan is a multinational country, the number of Azerbaijanis has increased dramatically in recent years due to the influx of refugees from neighboring Armenia as a result of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. Many representatives of other nationalities (Armenians, Russians) left Azerbaijan both because of the aforementioned conflict and because of the turbulent situation in the country as a whole. Ethnic groups in the country are represented as follows: Azerbaijanis - 90%, Dagestanis - 3.2%, Russians - 2.5%, Armenians - 2.3%, Lezgins, Kurds, Tatars, Georgians, Ukrainians and Avars. Language: Azerbaijani (state), Russian, Turkish. Religion: Mostly Shia Muslims - 93.4%, various forms of Orthodoxy are practiced by the Georgian, Russian and Armenian minorities. The capital is Baku. Largest cities: Baku (1853000 people), Ganja (formerly Kirovabad) (278000 people), Sumgayit (235000 people). State structure- republic. The head of state is President Heydar Aliyev (in office since October 3, 1993). The head of government is Prime Minister A. Rasizade. Monetary unit - manat. Average duration life (for 1998): 67 years - men, 75 years - women. The birth rate (per 1,000 people) is 22.2. Mortality rate (per 1000 people) - 9.4.
The territory of present-day Azerbaijan in the VIII century BC was inhabited by honeys, and later became part of the Persian Empire. At the end of the 7th century AD. The country was conquered by the Arabs who brought Islam here. In the 11th and 20th centuries, the territory was controlled by the Turkic tribes, in the 17th century Azerbaijan again became part of Persia. According to the treaties of 1813 and 1828, he went to Russia. In 1918 Azerbaijan became an independent state. In 1920, the country was proclaimed a Soviet Socialist Republic and in 1922, together with Georgia and Armenia, became part of the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (TSFSR). In 1936, after the collapse of the TSFSR, it became part of the USSR as a union republic. On August 30, 1991, Azerbaijan declared independence. The country is a member of the UN.
The climate of the country is different in different regions: from subtropical in the Lankaran lowland to arid in mountainous areas. In the subalpine zone, forests grow in which bear, deer, lynx, and wild boar are found. In arid zones, a large number of lizards, poisonous snakes and other reptiles. There are three nature reserves in Azerbaijan: Zagatala, where there are virgin forests, mountain meadows, among the representatives of the fauna, the Dagestan tur, stone and pine marten are noteworthy; Turianchay and the most famous Kyzylagach, where waterfowl winter. Azerbaijan includes the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, located in the southeast of the Transcaucasian Highlands and separated from the main part of the country by the territory of Armenia. De jure, Azerbaijan includes the territory of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, inhabited by Armenians, but since 1988 it has actually been independent. According to the results of the 1989 census, about 83% of the country's population were Azerbaijanis, about 6% Russians, over 5% Armenians. After ethnic clashes, the outflow of the Russian-speaking population and Armenians, the proportion of Azerbaijanis increased to 89% (1995). Significant groups of Lezgins, Avars, Kurds, Talysh, Turks, Tsakhurs, Tats live in Azerbaijan. The majority of believing Azerbaijanis are Shia Muslims. Several million Azerbaijanis live in South Azerbaijan, on the territory of Iran and Iraq. In addition, more than two million Azerbaijanis live in Russia.
natural conditions
Natural conditions are extremely diverse: from the humid subtropics of the Lankaran lowland to the snowy highlands of the Caucasus. About half of the territory is occupied by mountains: in the north - the ridges of the Greater Caucasus (the highest point is Mount Bazarduzu, 4466 m), in the southwest - the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus (Mount Gyamysh, 3724 m), in the southeast - the Talysh mountains (height up to 2492 m ), separated from the sea by the Lankaran lowland.
The climate is transitional from temperate to subtropical, in the south - subtropical, in the mountains - altitudinal zonality. Average January temperatures vary from 0 to 3 °C in the plains, from 3 to -10 °C in the mountains. In summer, the average temperature is 25 °C in the plains, 5 °C in the mountains. Precipitation falls from 200 mm in the foothills to 1400 mm in the mountains and on the Lankaran lowland. The main rivers are Kura and Araks.
The animal world is diverse, more than 12 thousand species of animals live in Azerbaijan, of which about 10 thousand are invertebrates. The kingdom of birds is especially rich and diverse. To preserve original landscapes, a number of reserves have been created, among them the largest - Kyzylagach, Zakatal, Shirvan. Red and sika deer, chamois, goitered gazelle, bezoar goat, mouflon are especially protected. Balneological resorts are located in several regions of Azerbaijan, including the Naftalan clinic based on the unique fossil mineral naftalan.
Economy
Azerbaijan - large area oil and natural gas production. The main deposits are located on the Apsheron Peninsula, the Kura-Araks lowland and on the shelf of the Caspian Sea. Oil refining center - Baku. Iron ore and alunite (Dashkesan), copper-molybdenum, lead-zinc ores are also mined in Azerbaijan. Metallurgical plants are located in the cities of Sumgayit and Ganja. The most developed are the canning, tobacco, tea, and wine industries. The main agricultural region of the country is the Kura-Araks lowland, where wheat, cotton, tobacco are grown, in the Lankaran lowland - tea, grapes, subtropical crops (pomegranate, fig, quince). Sericulture is also developed in Azerbaijan; traditional crafts are preserved: carpet weaving, pottery.
In the early 2000s, Azerbaijan became one of the most dynamically developing countries in the CIS in terms of economy. However, the standard of living of the population is low and a significant part of the income of the population is the funds received by migrants from trade in Russia and other CIS countries.
Story
The history of Azerbaijan is rooted in ancient times. Already from the first half of the first millennium BC. e. states were formed here: Midia Atropatena, Caucasian Albania. Since ancient times, these lands have been strongly influenced by their southern neighbor - Persia (Iran), for many centuries the territory of Azerbaijan was part of Persia. After the Arab conquest in the 7th century, the term Aderbaijan (Arabic), or Aderbadagan (Persian) comes into use. At the same time, the spread of Islam began. In the 11-14 centuries, the local population was subjected to Turkization due to the invasions of the Oghuz Turks and the Mongol-Tatars. In the 16-18 centuries, Azerbaijan was the object of the struggle between Persia and Ottoman Empire. From the middle of the 18th century, one and a half to a dozen feudal khanates (the largest: Quba, Shirvan, Baku, Karabakh) were formed on the territory of Azerbaijan, subordinate to Persia. In 1813 and 1828 Northern Azerbaijan was annexed to Russia. It was part of the Caucasian governorship and consisted of the Baku and Elizavetpol provinces.
After February and October Revolution in May 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was proclaimed with the ruling Musavat party. The Musavat government held out until April 1920 and was overthrown by the troops of Soviet Russia. Soviet power was established on the territory of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Soviet Union was proclaimed. socialist republic(AzSSR), which in 1922 became part of the USSR as part of the Transcaucasian Federation, and since December 1936 - directly as a union republic.
In the late 1980s, Azerbaijan became one of the most "hot" spots on the territory of the USSR, an arena of interethnic hatred. The massacres of the Armenian population in Sumgayit (1988) and Baku (January 1990) led to the flight of 200 thousand Armenians from the country. Autonomous Nagorno-Karabakh, inhabited by Armenians, actually left Azerbaijan. Hostilities began between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which lasted for several years.
In August 1991, the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was proclaimed, but this state received worldwide recognition after the final collapse of the USSR. From May 1990 to March 1992, the president of Azerbaijan was its former party leader Ayaz Mutalibov, but in March 1992 he resigned under pressure from the Popular Front, the most influential political force in Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. In June 1992, Abulfaz Elchibey was elected as the new president. The collapse of the economy, defeats in the war with the Armenians quickly discredited the authority of the president and the Popular Front in the eyes of the entire population. In June 1993, a rebellion broke out in the army, Elchibey resigned. The resulting political vacuum was filled by the former long-term leader of Soviet Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev. He actually abandoned the violent way of solving the Karabakh problem, and directed all his efforts to stabilizing the internal political and economic situation in Azerbaijan itself. Heydar Aliyev also managed to strengthen his own regime, which made it possible at the end of 2003 to transfer the presidential post to his son Ilham Aliyev.
Modern Azerbaijan is a secular state, in Everyday life Islam and oriental customs are of relatively little importance. The most stable national traditions are preserved in the culture of cooking and eating, in traditional crafts (carpet weaving, pottery), folk music and customs (kalym for the bride, the subordinate position of women in the family).
Most interesting architectural monuments preserved in the cities: Baku - the complex of the palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Maiden's Tower; Barda - the ancient city, the capital of medieval Azerbaijan (10-12 centuries); Shekakh - the palace of the khans and the fortress of Gemsen-Geresen, Lankaran - ancient monuments in the vicinity of the city; Kube - juma mosque, khan's house, city bath. Holidays in Azerbaijan are January 1, March 8, May 1, 9, 28, June 15, 26, October 18, November 12, 17, December 31, as well as the days of religious holidays.
National cuisine
The specificity of Azerbaijani cuisine is determined by the nature of Azerbaijan, which provides vegetables and fruits almost all year round, as well as the originality of dishes, utensils, kitchen hearths (tendir, kylfa). From bread products, Azerbaijanis prefer oblong churek and lavash (thin cakes) - bread baked in a tendir. Such Azerbaijani dishes as dolma, plov, khash, bozbash, arishta are well known among other Caucasian peoples. About 30 species are known of one dolma (ground meat with rice in grape, less often in cabbage or quince leaves). One of the most famous and traditional dishes is plov. It is eaten with various seasonings from meat, fish, vegetables and fruits. Meat dishes are seasoned with chestnuts, dried apricots, raisins and herbs. Eggplants, tomatoes, bell peppers, apples are also stuffed with young lamb. In the north-west of the republic, they love khingal - a flour dish stuffed with meat, fried onions and kurut - dried cottage cheese.

- (Republic of Azerbaijan), a state in the eastern part of Transcaucasia, washed by the Caspian Sea. The area is 86.6 thousand km2. Population 7136.6 thousand people, urban 53%; Azerbaijanis (82.6%), Armenians (5.6%), Russians (5.6%), etc. Official language… … Modern Encyclopedia

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 in the north with Russia (with the Republic of Dagestan), in the west with Georgia, Armenia, in the south with Iran.
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. The districts are divided into municipalities. In total there are 2698 municipalities in Azerbaijan. The two cities of republican subordination, Baku and Ganja, are in turn divided into districts.
Population: 9 million 494 thousand (for 2012)
Telephone code: +994
Currency unit: Azerbaijani manat (AZN), in 1 manat there are 100 qapiks.

Flag

Coat of arms

Anthem JavaScript is disabled in your browser

Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan

The Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the unicameral legislative body of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Milli Majlis was first formed after the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic proclaimed itself an independent sovereign state supreme body The government of the country is the National Assembly. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the unicameral legislative body was revived on November 26, 1991 on the basis of a conciliatory parliamentary commission of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan.

Compound: 125 deputies.

How elected: Deputies of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan are elected for 5 years on the basis of the majoritarian electoral system and general, equal and direct elections by free, personal and secret ballot. Any citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan who is at least 25 years of age can be elected as a deputy of the Milli Majlis.

www.meclis.gov.az

Asadov
Oktay Sabir oglu Chairman of the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Born on January 3, 1955 in the village of Shekherdzhik, Kafan region of the Armenian SSR. Graduated from the Azerbaijan State Petrochemical Institute.
Since 1979, he worked as a chief engineer in the Azerbaijan Department of Main Structures and Special Construction Works.
Since 1981, he has been the chief technologist, head of department, head of the Azertechstroy trust.
From 1996 to 2005 President of the Absheron Regional Joint Stock Water Society.
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 II 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.