Azerbaijan

7th Century – Arab invasions and the spread of Islam

11th–13th Century – Seljuk Turks and Mongol invasions

16th Century – Control by Safavid Persia

19th Century – Russian Empire annexes Azerbaijan

1918 – Independence from Russia, establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic

1920 – Soviet occupation, becoming a Soviet Socialist Republic

1991 – Independence from the Soviet Union (date of modern state formation)

1994 – Ceasefire agreement after the Nagorno-Karabakh war

2020 – Second Nagorno-Karabakh War with Armenia

2023 – Azerbaijan increases global oil production and economic growth

Continent: Asia (Caucasus region)
Location: Eastern Transcaucasia, bordering the Caspian Sea
Capital: Baku
Language: Azerbaijani (official)
Currency: Azerbaijani Manat (AZN)
Population: ~10 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Azerbaijan Standard Time (AZT, UTC+4)

Borders: Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and the Caspian Sea
Landscape: Caspian Sea coastline, Caucasus Mountains, flat plains, oil-rich areas
Major Rivers: Kura, Aras
Notable Features: Gobustan mud volcanoes, Caspian Sea beaches, Caucasus Mountains

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Azerbaijani (92%); minorities include Lezgins, Russians, and Armenians
Religion: Predominantly Muslim (Shia Islam), with a small Christian minority
Urban Population: ~53% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Growing urbanization in Baku and other major cities, with a large Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia and Europe

Famous For: Oil industry, carpets, music (mugham), hospitality, tea culture
Cuisine: Plov (pilaf), kebabs, dolma, lavash, baklava
Arts: Azerbaijani carpets, mugham music, literature, dance
Sports: Wrestling, football (soccer), chess, judo

Economy Type: Mixed, oil-dependent economy
GDP: Approx. $95 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Petroleum and natural gas, agriculture (cotton, fruits), mining, manufacturing
Key Exports: Oil, gas, cotton, fruits, chemicals
Unemployment Rate: ~5.3% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Baku is the center of the oil industry; rural areas focus on agriculture and textiles

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Ilham Aliyev (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Ali Asadov (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly
Constitution: In effect since 1995 (amended in 2009)

Baku: Flame Towers, Icherisheher (Old City), Heydar Aliyev Center
Gobustan National Park: Mud volcanoes and petroglyphs
Sheki: Historical sites, including Sheki Khan’s Palace
Gabala: Popular for hiking and adventure tourism
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 1 (last updated: 2023)