Azerbaijan
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2008-07-17T02:26:09Z
70.59.103.241
{{otheruses1|the country in Eurasia}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = ''Azərbaycan Respublikası''
|conventional_long_name = Republic of Azerbaijan
|common_name = Azerbaijan
|national_motto = none
|national_anthem = ''[[Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət Himni]]''<small><br/>(March of Azerbaijan)</small>
|image_flag = Flag of Azerbaijan.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Azerbaijan.svg
|image_map = LocationAzerbaijan.svg
|capital = [[Baku]]
|latd=40 |latm=22 |latNS=N |longd=49 |longm=53 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|official_languages = [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]
|government_type = [[Presidential system|Presidential republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of Azerbaijan|President]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Azerbaijan|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name1 = [[Ilham Aliyev]]
|leader_name2 = [[Artur Rasizade]]
|sovereignty_type = [[Collapse of the Soviet Union|Independence]]
|sovereignty_note = from the [[Soviet Union]]
|established_event1 = Declared
|established_date1 = [[August 30]] [[1991]]
|established_event2 = Completed
|established_date2 = [[October 18]] [[1991]]
|area_km2 = 86600
|area_sq_mi = 33436 <!--Do not remove [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|area_rank = 113th
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|percent_water = 1.6%
|population_estimate = 8,676,000 [http://www.today.az/news/society/46306.html]
|population_estimate_year = July 2008
|population_estimate_rank = 91st
|population_census = 8,587,000
|population_census_year = 2007
|population_census = 8,265,000
|population_census_year = 2002
|population_density_km2 = 97
|population_density_sq_mi = 251 <!--Do not remove [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 100th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP = $52.35 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 77th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $6.476
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 96th
|GDP_nominal = $31.32 billion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 77th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2007
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $3,633
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 88th
|Gini = 36.5
|Gini_year = 2006
|Gini_rank = 58th
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.746
|HDI_rank = 98th
|HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|currency = [[Manat (Azerbaijan)|Manat]]
|currency_code = AZN
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +4
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST = +5
|demonym = Azerbaijani
|cctld = [[.az]]
|calling_code = 994
|footnotes =
}}
'''Azerbaijan''' ({{IPAEng|ˌæzəbaɪˈʤɑːn}} (UK), {{IPA|/ˌɑzɚbaɪˈʤɑːn/}} (US); {{lang-az|Azərbaycan}}), officially the '''Republic of Azerbaijan''' ({{lang-az|Azərbaycan Respublikası}}), is the largest and most populous country in the South [[Caucasus]] region of [[Eurasia]]. Located at the crossroads of [[Eastern Europe]] and [[Southwest Asia|Western Asia]], it is bounded by the [[Caspian Sea]] to the east, [[Russia]] to the north, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] to the west and northwest, [[Armenia]] to the southwest, and [[Iran]] to the south. The Azerbaijani [[exclave]] of [[Nakhchivan]] is bordered by Armenia to the north and east, Iran to the south and [[Turkey]] to the west and southwest. [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], along with 7 other districts in Azerbaijan's southwest, have been occupied by Armenia since the end of the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] in 1994.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html CIA World Factbook 2007. Online Edition]</ref> Four [[United Nations Security Council]] Resolutions (822, 853, 874, and 884) called for "the withdrawal of occupying forces from occupied areas of the Azerbaijani Republic"<ref>[http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/or/13508.htm U.S. Department of State - 1993 UN Security Council Resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh]</ref> The country's territory also encompasses several islands in the Caspian Sea.
Azerbaijan, a nation with an [[Azerbaijani people|ethnic Azeri]] and [[Shia Islam|Shi‘ite Muslim]] majority population,<ref name="state2007">[http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/a/26487.htm US State Department profile of Azerbaijan]</ref><ref name="cia2007">[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html CIA World Factbook Azerbaijan 2007]</ref> is a [[secularism|secular]] and [[unitarism|unitary]] republic. The country has been a co-founder of [[GUAM]] and the [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]], and has been a member of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] since September 1993.<ref>[http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/erc/economics/trade_reports/1993/Azerbaijan.html US State Department 1993 Country Reports on Economic Practice and Trade Reports: Azerbaijan]</ref> The country has a Permanent Mission to the [[European Union]], hosts a Special Envoy of the [[European Commission]] and is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[OSCE]], [[Council of Europe]], and the [[NATO]] [[Partnership for Peace]] (PfP) program.
== Etymology of the name==
{{main|History of the name Azerbaijan}}
{{main|Atropates}}
The name of Azerbaijan derives from ''[[Atropates]]''<ref>Minorsky, V.; Minorsky, V. "Ādharbaydjān (Azarbāydjān ) ." Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P.Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. <http://www.encislam.brill.nl/subscriber/entry?entry=islam_COM-0016</ref>,<ref>Encyclopedia Iranica, "Azerbaijan: Pre-Islamic History", K. Shippmann</ref> a [[satrap]] of Persia under the [[Achaemenid]] empire, who was later reinstated as the satrap of [[Medes|Media]] under [[Alexander the Great|Alexander of Macedonia]].<ref name="Chaumont">{{citation|last=Chaumont|first=M. L.|chapter=Atropates|title=Encyclopaedia Iranica|volume=3.1|year=1989|location=London|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul|chapter-url=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v3f1/v3f1a020.html}}</ref><ref name="ISBN 2">''Historical Dictionary of Azerbaijan'' by Tadeusz Swietochowski and Brian C. Collins. The Scarecrow Press, Inc., Lanham, Maryland (1999), ISBN 0-8108-3550-9 (retrieved [[7 June]] [[2006]])</ref> The original etymology of this name is thought to have its roots in the ancient [[Zoroastrianism]], namely, in [[Avesta]]n Frawardin Yasht ("Hymn to the Guardian Angels"), there is a mentioning of: ''âterepâtahe ashaonô fravashîm ýazamaide'', which literally translates from [[Old Persian]] as ''"we worship the [[Fravashi]] of the holy Atare-pata"''<ref>[http://www.avesta.org/ka/yt13sbe.htm Frawardin Yasht ("Hymn to the Guardian Angels") -- translated by James Darmesteter (From Sacred Books of the East, American Edition, 1898)]</ref> . [[Atropates]] ruled over the region of present-day [[Iranian Azerbaijan]]. The name "Atropates" itself is derived from [[Old Persian]] roots meaning "protected by fire."<ref name="ISBN">''The Azerbaijani Turks: Power and Identity under Russian Rule'' by Audrey Altstadt. Hoover Institution Press (1992), ISBN 0-8179-9182-4 (retrieved [[7 June]] [[2006]]).</ref>
== History ==
{{main|History of Azerbaijan}}
The earliest evidence of human settlement in the territory of Azerbaijan dates to the late [[Stone Age]] and is related to the [[Quruçay culture]] of [[Azykh|Azykh Cave]]. The [[Upper Paleolithic]] and late [[Bronze Age]] cultures are attested in the caves of [[Tağlar]], [[Damcili]], [[Zar]], [[Yataq-yeri]]and in the [[necropolis]]es of [[Leylatepe]] and [[Sarytepe]]. The area was conquered by the [[Achaemenids]] around 550 B.C., leading to the spread of [[Zoroastrianism]], while later become part of the [[Alexander the Great]]'s empire, and it's successor [[Seleucid]] Kingdom. [[Caucasian Albania]]ns, the original inhabitants of the area established an independent kingdom around 4th century B.C but circa 95-67 B.C. parts of it were subjugated by [[Tigranes the Great]]. As the [[Romans]] and [[Parthians]] began to expand their domains in the area around [[Caucasus]], Albania, unlike Iberia and Armenia, managed to remain independent and in addition signed a peace treaty with [[Roman Republic]] as [[Strabo]] attested.
[[Image:Maidentt.jpg||right|thumb|299px|The [[Maiden Tower]], XI-XII centures, in [[Inner City (Baku)|old Baku]]]]
In 252 A.D. the [[Sassanids]] turned it into a [[vassal state]] while King Urnayr officially adopted [[Christianity]] as the state religion in the 4th century A.D. Despite numerous conquests by the [[Sassanids]] and [[Byzantines]], [[Caucasian Albania]] remained an entity in the region until the 9th century A.D. The territory of modern Azerbaijan roughly corresponds to that of the ancient kingdom.<ref>Minorsky, V. "Caucasica IV", ''Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London'', Vol. 15, No. 3. (1953), p. 504</ref> The Islamic [[Umayyad Caliphate]] repulsed both Sassanids and the Byzantines from the region and turned [[Caucasian Albania]] to a vassal state after the Christian resistance, led by Prince [[Javanshir]], was suppressed in 667 A.D. The power vacuum left by the decline of the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] was filled by numerous dynasties such as the [[Salarids]], [[Sajids]], [[Shaddadids]], [[Rawadids]] and [[Buyids]]. At the beginning of the 11th century, the territory was gradually seized by waves of [[Turkic]] [[Oghuz]] tribes from Central Asia. The first of these Turkic dynasties were the [[Ghaznavids]], who took over the area now known as Azerbaijan by 1030.
Locally, the possessions of the subsequent [[Seljuk Empire]] were ruled by [[Atabegs of Azerbaijan|atabegs]], who were technically vassals of the Seljuk sultans, being sometimes de facto rulers themselves. Under the [[Seljuk Turks]], local poets such as [[Nizami Ganjavi]] and [[Khagani|Khagani Shirvani]] gave rise to a blossoming of [[Persian literature]] on the territory of present-day Azerbaijan. The next ruling state of the [[Jalayirids]] was short-lived and fell under the conquests of [[Tamerlan]]. The local dynasty of [[Shirvanshah]]s became a vassal state of Tamerlan's empire and assisted him in his war with the ruler of the [[Golden Horde]] [[Tokhtamysh]]. Following Tamerlan's death two independent and rival states emerged: [[Kara Koyunlu]] and [[Ak Koyunlu]]. The [[Shirvanshahs]] returned, maintaining a high degree of autonomy as local rulers and vassals from 861 until 1539. During their persecution by the [[Safavids]], the last dynasty imposed [[Shia Islam]] upon the formerly [[Sunni]] population, as it was battling against the Sunni [[Ottoman Empire]].
After Safavids the area was ruled by the Iranian dynasties of [[Afsharid Dynasty|Afshar]] and [[Zand dynasty|Zand]] and briefly by [[Qajar dynasty|Qajars]]. However, while nominally under Persian rule <ref>Encyclopaedia Britannica Online: History of Azerbaijan [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-129462/Azerbaijan]</ref> [[de facto]] independent [[khanate]]s<ref name="bertsch297">{{cite book
| last = Bertsch
| first =Gary Kenneth
| title =Crossroads and Conflict: Security and Foreign Policy in the Caucasus and Central Asia
| publisher =Routledge
|date=2000
| location =
| pages =297
|quote = Shusha became the capital of an independent "Azeri" khanate in 1752 (Azeri in the sense of Muslims who spoke a version of the Turkic language we call Azeri today)
| isbn =0415922739}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
| last = Nafziger, E. Wayne, Stewart, Frances and Väyrynen, Raimo
| first =
| title = War, Hunger, and Displacement: The Origins of Humanitarian Emergencies
| publisher = Oxford University press
|date=2000
| location =
| pages = 406
| isbn = 0198297394}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Kashani-Sabet |first=Firoozeh |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1997 |month=May |title=Fragile Frontiers: The Diminishing Domains of Qajar Iran |journal=International Journal of Middle East Studies |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=210 |id= |url= |quote=In 1795, Ibrahim Khalil Khan, the wali of Qarabagh, warned Sultan Selim III of Aqa Muhammad Khan's ambitions. '''Fearing for his independence''', he informed the Sultan of Aqa Muhammad Khan's ability to subdue Azerbaijan and later Qarabagh, Erivan, and Georgia.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Baddeley |first=John Frederick |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=The Russian Conquest of the Caucasus |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year=1908 |month= |publisher=Longmans, Green and Co. |location=Harvard University |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=71 |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote=Potto sums up Tsitsianoff's achievements and character as follows: "In the short time he passed there (in Transcaucasia) he managed to completely alter the map of the country. He found it composed of minutely divided, '''independent''' Muhammadan States leaning upon Persia, namely, the khanates of Baku, Shirvan, Shekeen, Karabagh, Gandja and Erivan..."}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Avery |first=Peter |authorlink= |coauthors=Hambly, Gavin |editor= |others= |title=The Cambridge History of Iran |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year=1991 |month= |publisher=Cambridge University
Press |location= |language= |isbn=0521200954 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=126 |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote=Agha Muhammad Khan could now turn to the restoration of the outlying provinces of the Safavid kingdom. Returning to Tehran in the spring of 1795, he assembled a force of some 60,000 cavalry and infantry and in Shawwal Dhul-Qa'da/May, set off for Azarbaijan, intending to conquer the country between the rivers Aras and Kura, formerly under Safavid control. This region comprised a number of '''independent''' khanates of which the most important was '''Qarabagh''', with its capital at Shusha; Ganja, with its capital of the same name; Shirvan across the Kura, with its capital at Shamakhi; and to the north-west, on both banks of the Kura, Christian Georgia (Gurjistan), with its capital at Tiflis.}}</ref> emerged in the area, especially following collapse of Zand dynasty and in early Qajar era. Engaged in constant warfare, these khanates were eventually incorporated to the [[Russian Empire]], following two [[Russo-Persian War (1804-1813)|Russo-Persian Wars]]. Under the [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]] the [[Persian Empire]] recognized Russian sovereignty over the [[Erivan khanate]], the [[Nakhchivan khanate]] and the remainder of the [[Talysh Khanate|Talysh khanate]].
[[Image:Azerbaigian-baku2.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Mausoleum of Shirvanshahs in old Baku.]]
After the collapse of the [[Russian Empire]] during [[World War I]], Azerbaijan, together with [[Armenia]] and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] became part of the short-lived [[Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic]]. When the republic dissolved in May 1918, Azerbaijan declared independence as the [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic|Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR)]]. The ADR was the first democratic [[parliamentary republic]] in the Muslim world, but lasted only 23 months until the [[Bolshevik]] XIth [[Red Army]] invaded it in April 1920, establishing the [[Azerbaijan SSR]] on [[April 28]], [[1920]]. In 1922, Azerbaijan became part of the [[Transcaucasian SFSR|Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic {TSFSR)]], which itself became a constituent member of the newly-established [[Soviet Union]]. In 1936, TSFSR was dissolved and [[Azerbaijan SSR]] became one of the constituent member states of the [[Soviet Union]]. During [[WW2]], Azerbaijan supplied much of the Soviet Union's oil on the [[Eastern Front of World War II]] while Close to 600,000 Azerbaijanis fought against [[Nazi Germany]]. [[Operation Edelweiss]] carried by [[wermacht]] targeted [[Baku]] because of its importance as the energy dynamo of USSR..<ref>Swietochowski, Tadeusz(1995) ''Russia and Azerbaijan: A Borderland in Transition, Columbia University'', p. 133</ref>
Following the politics of ''[[glasnost]]'', initiated by [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], civil unrest and ethnic strife grew in various regions of the [[Soviet Union]], including [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], a region of the [[Azerbaijan SSR]]. The disturbances in Azerbaijan, in response to Moscow's indifference to already heated conflict, resulted in calls for independence and secession, which subsequently culminated in the events of [[Black January]] in [[Baku]]. At this time, [[Ayaz Mutallibov]] was appointed as the First Secretary of the [[Azerbaijan Communist Party]]. Later in 1990, the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR dropped the words "Soviet Socialist" from the title; adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Azerbaijan Republic and restored the modified flag of the [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic]] as a state flag. On [[September 8]], [[1991]], [[Ayaz Mutallibov]] was elected as president in nationwide elections in which he was the only candidate running.
[[Image:Transheya.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A painting by Enver Aliyev depicting Azerbaijani citizens digging entrenchments and antitank obstacles near Baku to prevent a possible [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] invasion.]]
On [[October 18]], [[1991]], Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopted a Declaration of Independence which was affirmed by a nationwide referendum in December, 1991, when the [[Soviet Union]] was officially dissolved. The early years of independence were overshadowed by the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] with neighboring [[Armenia]]. By the end of hostilities in 1994, Azerbaijan lost control of up to 16% of its territory, including [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] itself.<ref name="DeWaal">Thomas De Waal. ''Black Garden: Armenia And Azerbaijan Through Peace and War''. New York: New York University Press, p. 286. ISBN 0-8147-1945-7</ref><ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/aj.html#Issues CIA — The World Factbook. Azerbaijan.]</ref> In 1993, democratically elected president [[Abulfaz Elchibey]] was overthrown by a military insurrection led by Colonel Suret Huseynov, which resulted in the rise to power of the former leader of [[Soviet Azerbaijan]], [[Heydar Aliyev]]. In 1994, Suret Huseynov, by that time a prime minister, attempted another military coup against [[Heydar Aliyev]] but HE was arrested and charged with treason. In 1995, another coup attempt against [[Heydar Aliyev|Aliyev]], by the commander of the [[military police]], Rovshan Javadov, was averted, resulting in the killing of the latter and disbanding of Azerbaijan's military police.
Although during his presidency, Aliyev managed to reduce the country's unemployment, reined in criminal groups, established the fundamental institutions of independent statehood, and brought stability, peace and major foreign investment, the country was tainted by rampant corruption in the governing bureaucracy. In October 1998, Aliyev was reelected for a second term. Despite the much improved economy, particularly with the exploitations of [[Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli|Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field]] and [[Shah Deniz gas field]], Aliyev's presidency became unpopular due to vote fraud, wide-spread corruption and objection to his [[autocratic]] regime. The same harsh criticism followed the elections of former [[Prime Minister of Azerbaijan|Prime Minister]] [[Ilham Aliyev]], the second leader of [[New Azerbaijan Party]] after the death of his father Heydar.
== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Azerbaijan}}
{{see also|Extreme points of Azerbaijan}}
The total length of Azerbaijani [[List of land border lengths|land borders]] is 2,648 km, of which Armenia constitutes 1007, Iran 756, Georgia 480, Russia - 390 and Turkey - 15.<ref name="STA">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Geographical data | work = | publisher = The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan| date = | url = http://www.azstat.org/publications/azfigures/2007/en/001.shtml#t1_2| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> The [[coastline]] stretches for 800 km and the length of the widest area of the Azerbaijani section of Caspian Sea is 456 km.<ref name="STA"/> The territory of Azerbaijan extends 400 km from north to south, and 500 km from west to east. The three mountain ranges are the [[Greater Caucasus|Greater]] and [[Lesser Caucasus]], and the [[Talysh Mountains]], together covering approximately 40% of the country.<ref name="GEO">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan: Biodiversity| work = | publisher = CAC-Biodiversity.org| date = | url = http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/aze/aze_biodiversity.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> The highest peak of Azerbaijan is mount [[Bazardüzü]] (4,466 m), while the lowest point lies in the Caspian Sea (-28 m). Nearly half of all the [[mud volcano]]es on Earth are concentrated in Azerbaijan.
[[Image:Aj-map.png|thumb|right|250px|The Map of Azerbaijan.]]
The main water sources are the surface waters. However, only 24 of the 8,350 rivers are greater than 100 km in length.<ref name="GEO"/> All the rivers drain into the Caspian Sea in the east of the country.<ref name="GEO"/> The largest lake is [[Lake Sarısu|Sarısu]] (67 km²) and the longest river is [[Kura River|Kur]] (1,515 km), which is transboundary. Azerbaijan's four main islands in the Caspian Sea have a combined area of over thirty [[square kilometer]]s.
===Climate===
{{main|Climate of Azerbaijan}}
The formation of climate in Azerbaijan is influenced particularly by cold [[arctic]] [[air masses]] of [[Scandinavia]]n [[anticyclone]], temperate of [[Siberia]]n anticyclone, and [[Central Asia]]n anticyclone.<ref name="CLIM">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - Climate| work = | publisher = Azerbaijan.az| date = | url = http://www.azerbaijan.az/_Geography/_Climate/_climate_e.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> Regarding landscape diversity, air masses have different ways to enter the country.<ref name="CLIM"/> The Greater Caucasus protects the country from direct influences of cold air masses, coming from the north. That leads to the formation of [[subtropical climate]] on most foothills and plains of the country. Meanwhile plains and foothills are characterized by high [[solar radiation]] rates.
Nine out of eleven existing [[climate zone]]s are present in Azerbaijan.<ref name="KL">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Climate| work = Water Resources of the Azerbaijan Republic| publisher = Institute of Hydrometeorology, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources | date = | url = http://www.azhydromet.com/SRIH/Water%20Resurs.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> Both the absolute minimum temperature (<span style="white-space:nowrap">-33 °C (-27.4 °F)</span>) and the absolute maximum temperature (<span style="white-space:nowrap">+46 °C (114.8 °F)</span>) were observed in [[Julfa (rayon)|Julfa]] and [[Ordubad (rayon)|Ordubad]].<ref name="KL"/> The maximum annual [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] falls in [[Lankaran]] (1,600 to 1,800 [[Millimetre|mm]]) and the minimum in Absheron (200 to 350 mm).<ref name="KL"/>
===Nature and ecology===
[[Image:Gabala lake.jpg|thumb|A lake in [[Qabala (rayon)|Qabala]] district of Azerbaijan]]
{{main|Nature of Azerbaijan}}
{{see|Fauna of Azerbaijan|Flora of Azerbaijan|State Reserves of Azerbaijan}}
From the [[water supply]] point, Azerbaijan is below the average in the world with approximately 100,000 m³/year of water per km².<ref name="KL"/> All big [[water reservoir]]s are built on Kur.
The main areas of plant diversity in Azerbaijan are the highlands of Nakhchivan (60% of the species occur here), the [[Kura-Araz plain]] (40%), the [[Davachi]]-[[Quba]] region east of the Greater Caucasus (38%), the centre of the Lesser Caucasus (29%), Gobustan (26.6%), the [[Lenkoran]] region in the Talysh Mountains (27%) and the Absheron region (22%).<ref name="GEO"/> Northern-eastern slopes of the Great Caucasus, the northern, northern-eastern, and eastern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus and Talysh Mountains are deemed to be vast forest areas of Azerbaijan.<ref name="LES">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Forestry| work = | publisher = CAC-Biodiversity.org| date = | url = http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/aze/aze_forestry.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref>
[[Endemism|Endemics]] include over 400 [[species]] of plants (of which around 16 species of Caspian [[algae]]), seven [[reptiles]] and [[perch]]es from fifteen species and six [[sub-species]] of ''[[Gobiidae]]''. Most of the endemic freshwater fish belongs to ''[[Cypriniformes]]''.<ref name="GEO"/> However there are no strictly endemic mammals.<ref name="GEO"/> The major cause of biodiversity loss in Azerbaijan is the decrease in natural environments.
[[Image:Baku-super142546.jpg|thumb|right|190px|[[Baku]] at night.]]
== Administrative divisions ==
{{main|Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan}}
Azerbaijan is divided into 59 [[raions|rayons]] (''rayonlar'', singular ''rayon''), 11 city districts (''şəhərlər'', singular ''şəhər''), and one [[autonomous republic]] (''muxtar respublika'') of [[Nakhchivan]],<ref name="cia2007" /> which subdivides into 7 rayons and a city. The [[President of Azerbaijan]] appoints the governors of these units, while the government of [[Nakhchivan]] is elected and approved by the parliament of [[Nakhchivan|Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic]]. The local governments of regions and cities under Armenian occupation, such as [[Khankendi]] or [[Shusha]], continue to function in exile.<ref name="llrx">[http://www.llrx.com/features/azerbaijan.htm LLRX. com - A Guide to the Republic of Azerbaijan Law Research]</ref>
== Government and politics ==
[[Image:Aliyev April06.jpg|right|160px|thumb|[[Ilham Aliyev]], the current president of Azerbaijan.]]
{{main|Politics of Azerbaijan}}
{{see also|Elections in Azerbaijan|Human rights in Azerbaijan}}
The structural formation of Azerbaijan's political system was completed by the acceptance of the new [[Constitution of Azerbaijan|Constitution]] on [[November 12]], [[1995]]. The [[National symbol|state symbol]]s of the Azerbaijan Republic are, according to the Article 23 of Constitution, the flag, the coat of arms and the national anthem. The state power in Azerbaijan is limited only by law for internal issues, but for international affairs is additionally limited by the provisions of international agreements.
The government of Azerbaijan is based on the [[separation of power]]s among the [[legislative power|legislative]], [[executive power|executive]] and [[judicial power|judicial]] branches. The legislative power is held by the [[unicameral]] [[National Assembly of Azerbaijan|National Assembly]] and the Supreme National Assembly in the Nakhchevan Autonomous Republic. Parliamentary elections are held every five years, on the first Sunday of November. The accuracy of the election results are checked and confirmed by the Constitutional Court. The laws enacted by the National Assembly, unless specified otherwise come into effect from the day of their publication. The executive power is carried out by the [[president of Azerbaijan|president]], who is elected for a 5 year term by [[direct election]]s. The president is authorized to form the [[Cabinet of Ministers]], an inferior executive body, subordinated to him. The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan consists primarily of the [[Prime Minister of Azerbaijan|Prime Minister]], his Deputies and Ministers. The president does not have the right to dissolve the National Assembly, but has the right to [[veto]] its decisions. To override the presidential veto, the parliament must have a majority of 95 votes. The judicial power is vested in the Constitutional Court, [[Supreme Court of Azerbaijan|Supreme Court]] and the [[Economic Court of Azerbaijan|Economic Court]]. The President nominates the judges in these courts.
The Security Council is the deliberative body under the president and he organizes it according to the Constitution. It was established on [[April 10]], [[1997]]. The administrative department is not a part of the president's office, but manages the financial, technical and pecuniary ensuring of activity of both the president and his office.
==Foreign relations==
{{main|Foreign relations of Azerbaijan}}
The short-lived Azerbaijan Democratic Republic succeeded in establishing diplomatic relations with six countries, sending diplomatic representatives to [[Germany]] and [[Finland]].<ref name="CSUS">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - Foreign Relations | work = | publisher = CountryStudies.us| date = | url = http://countrystudies.us/azerbaijan/36.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-31}}</ref> The process of international recognition of Azerbaijan's independence from the collapsing Soviet Union lasted roughly one year. The last country, [[Bahrain]] recognized Azerbaijan on [[November 6]], [[1996]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Bilateral relations | work = | publisher = Ministry of Foreign Affairs| date = | url = http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/bilat.shtml| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> Full diplomatic relations, including mutual exchanges of missions, were first established with [[Turkey]], [[Pakistan]], the [[United States]] and Iran.<ref name="CSUS"/>
Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 158 countries so far and holds membership in 38 international organizations.<ref name="FCO">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =AUK Foreign Office - Country Profiles: Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = FCO.gov.uk| date = | url = http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029394365&a=KCountryProfile&aid=1019233781986| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> It holds observer status in the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and [[World Trade Organization]] and is a correspondent at the [[International Telecommunication Union]].<ref name="FCO"/> The Azerbaijani [[diaspora]] is represented in 36 countries,<ref>{{az icon}}{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Xaricdəki təşkilatlar | work = | publisher =Diaspora.az| date = | url = http://www.diaspora.gov.az/teze/teskilatlar/teskilatlar.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> dozens of ethnic minorities centers in turn are functioning inside the country (German cultural society "Karelhaus", [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] cultural center, Azerbaijani-[[Israel]]i community, [[Kurdish people|Kurdish]] cultural center, International [[Talysh people|Talysh]] Association, [[Lezgins|Lezgin]] national center "Samur", Azerbaijani-[[Tatarstan|Tatar]] community, [[Crimean Tatars]] society etc.).<ref name="MIN">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Ethnic minorities | work = | publisher =Ministry of Foreign Affairs| date = | url = http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/inter_affairs/human/ethnic.shtml| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> On [[May 9]], [[2006]] Azerbaijan was elected as one the members of the newly established [[Human Rights Council]] by the [[United Nations General Assembly]]. The term of office begun on [[June 19]], [[2006]].<ref>[http://www.un.org/ga/60/elect/hrc/ Elections & Appointments - Human Rights Council<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Foreign policy priorities of Azerbaijan include: first of all, the restoration of its territorial integrity, elimination of the consequences of the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other regions of Azerbaijan ,<ref> [http://www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=2886 Independence of Kosovo and the Nagorno-Karabakh Issue]</ref> development of good-neighbourly and mutually advantageous relations with neighbouring countries; promotion of security and stability in the region; integration into European and Transatlantic security and cooperation structures, promotion of transregional economic, energy and transportation projects.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/foreign_policy.shtml MFA Foreign Policy Priorities]</ref> (For more information about Azerbaijan's official foreign policy, see<ref>http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/international_affairs.shtml</ref>) The Azeri Government, in late 2007, stated that if a comprehensive peace treaty is not signed with Armenia in 2008, then Azerbaijan will adopt military solutions to the conflict involving the Karabakh enclave.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} The Government is in the process of increasing its military budget as its oil and gas revenues bring a torrent of cash into its coffers. Furthermore, economic sanctions by Turkey along the west, and by Azerbaijan itself along the east, have combined to greatly erode Armenia's economy, leading to steep prices for basic commodities and a great decline in the Armenian state revenues.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}
Azerbaijan is an active member of international coalitions fighting international terrorism. The country is contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Azerbaijan is an active member of NATO's “Partnership for Peace” program. It also maintains good relations with the [[European Union]], and could potentially one day apply for membership. ''see [[Azerbaijan and the European Union]]''.
==Military==
[[Image:Azerbaijan Army 4.jpg|thumb|250px|Azerbaijani interior guard troops on training.]]
{{main|Military of Azerbaijan}}
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan were created according to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan of [[9 October]] [[1991]]. Initially, the equipment and facilities were those of the Soviet Fourth Army. The Armed Forces have three branches: Land Forces, Air Force and Air Defence Force (a united branch) and the Navy. Besides the Armed Forces there are some additional militarily organised groups that can be involved in state defence when needed. These are the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and forces of the State Border Service, which includes the Coast Guard as well.<ref> [http://https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html CIA World factbook Azerbaijan]</ref>
Azerbaijan adheres to the [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe]]. On [[January 13]], [[1993]] Azerbaijan signed the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]] on the 47th [[United Nations General Assembly]] in [[Paris]]. In 1999 the country signed particularly the Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/inter_affairs/arms.shtml|title= Arms control and non-proliferation|author= |accessdate=2007-05-24}}</ref> Azerbaijan has been also a member of the [[Partnership for Peace|NATO's Partnership for Peace]] since 1994 and the [[Individual Partnership Action Plan|NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan]] since 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/pfp/azerbaijan/homepage.htm|title= Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to NATO|author= Khasiyev, Kamil|accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref> Azerbaijan is also a party to the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] and has an additional protocol with the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azeri Military Statistics | work = | publisher = NationMaster.com| date = | url = http://www.nationmaster.com/country/aj-azerbaijan/mil-military| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> The armed forces supported the American [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] by providing one peacekeeping infantry [[platoon]] and [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] with one peacekeeping infantry [[Company (military unit)|company]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/Coalition%20Fighting%20Terror/CoalitionPages/Azerbaijan/Azerbaijan.htm|title= Azerbaijan| publisher = Centcom.mil |accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> 2007 military expenditures reached 871 [[Million|mln]] [[USD]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Azerbaijan will end possible military reforms by 2015 to coincide with NATO standards |url= http://www.today.az/news/politics/40864.html| |publisher= Today. az |first= |last= |date=2007-05-15 |accessdate= 2007-05-27}}</ref>
== Economy ==
[[Image:Azeri Square.JPG|right|200px|thumb|The National Bank.]]
{{main|Economy of Azerbaijan}}
After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan became a member of the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[World Bank]], the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]], the [[Islamic Development Bank]] and the [[Asian Development Bank]].<ref name="AZE">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - General Information | work = | publisher = Azerbaijan.az| date = | url = http://www.azerbaijan.az/_Economy/_GeneralInfo/_generalInfo_e.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-22}}</ref> The banking system of Azerbaijan consists of the [[National Bank of Azerbaijan]], [[commercial bank]]s and non-banking credit organizations. The National Bank was created in 1992 based on the Azerbaijan State Savings Bank, an affiliate of the former State Savings Bank of the USSR. The National Bank serves as Azerbaijan's central bank, empowered to issue the national currency, the [[Azerbaijani manat]], and to supervise all commercial banks. Two major commercial banks are the state-owned [[International Bank of Azerbaijan]] and the [[United Universal Joint-Stock Bank]].
Pushed up by spending and demand growth, the 2007 [[First quarter of a calendar year|Q1]] [[inflation]] rate reached 16.6%.<ref name="INF">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan's Q1 inflation rate 16.6%, National Bank Chief says | work = | publisher = Today.az| date = | url = http://www.un-az.org/undp/bulnews48/e3.php| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref> Nominal incomes and monthly wages climbed 29% and 25% respectively against this figure, but price increases in non-oil industry encouraged inflation in the country.<ref name="INF"/> Azerbaijan shows some signs of the so-called "[[Dutch disease]]" because of the fast growing energy sector, which causes inflation.
Two thirds of Azerbaijan is rich in [[oil]] and [[natural gas]].<ref name="AZ">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - General Information | work = | publisher = Azerbaijan.az| date = | url = http://www.azerbaijan.az/_Geography/_GeneralInfo/_generalInfo_e.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-22}}</ref> The region of the Lesser Caucasus accounts for most of the country's [[gold]], [[silver]], [[iron]], [[copper]], [[titanium]], [[chromium]], [[manganese]], [[cobalt]], [[molybdenum]], complex [[ore]] and [[antimony]].<ref name="AZ"/> In September 1994, a 30-year contract was signed between the [[State Oil Company of Azerbaijan|State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)]] and 13 oil companies, among them [[Amoco]], [[BP]], [[Exxon]], [[LUKoil]], and [[StatoilHydro|Statoil]].<ref name="AZE"/> As Western oil companies are able to tap deepwater oilfields untouched by the Soviet exploitation, Azerbaijan is considered one of the most important spots in the world for oil exploration and development.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = GlobalEdge.msu.edu| date = | url = http://globaledge.msu.edu/countryInsights/economy.asp?countryID=11®ionID=3| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref> Meanwhile the [[State Oil Fund]] was established as an extra-budgetary fund to ensure the [[macroeconomy|macroeconomic]] stability, transparency in the management of oil revenue, and the safeguarding of resources for future generations.
At the beginning of 2007 there were 4,755,100 hectares of utilized agricultural area.<ref name="AG">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Natural resources | work = | publisher = The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan| date = | url = http://www.azstat.org/publications/azfigures/2007/en/003.shtml| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> In the same year the total wood resources counted 136 million [[Cubic metre|m³]].<ref name="AG"/> Azerbaijan's agricultural scientific research institutes are focused on the meadows and pastures, the [[horticulture]] and [[subtropical]] crops, the [[green vegetables]], the [[viticulture]] and [[wine-making]], the cotton growing and the [[medicinal plants]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan: Status of Database | work = | publisher = CAC-biodiversity.org| date = | url = http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/aze/aze_database.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-28}}</ref> In some lands it is profitable to grow grain, potatoes, [[sugar beet]], cotton and tobacco. The Caspian [[fishing industry]] is concentrated on the dwindling stocks of [[sturgeon]] and [[beluga]]. In 2002 the Azerbaijani [[merchant marine]] had 54 ships.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan Transportation | work = | publisher = NationsEncyclopedia.com| date = | url = http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Azerbaijan-TRANSPORTATION.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref>
Some part of most products before imported from abroad has begun to be produced locally (among them are Coca Cola by Coca Cola Bottlers LTD, beer by Baki-Kastel, parquet by Nehir and oil pipes by EUPEC Pipe Coating Azerbaijan).<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Industry | work = | publisher = Statistical Yearbook of Azerbaijan 2004| date = | url = http://www.azstat.org/publications/yearbook/SYA2004/Pdf/18en.pdf| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref>
Azerbaijan is also an important economic hub in terms of the raw materials transportation. The [[Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline]] (BTC) became operational in May 2006 and stretches over 1,774 kilometers through the territory of Azerbaijan (440 km), Georgia (260 km) and Turkey (1114 km). The BTC is designed to transport up to 50 million tons of crude oil annually and carries oil from the Caspian Sea oilfields to global markets. The [[South Caucasus Pipeline]], also stretching through the territory of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, became operational in the end of 2006 and offers additional gas supply to European market from the [[Shah Deniz gas field]]. It is expected to produce up to 296 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year. Azerbaijan also plays a major role in the EU-sponsored [[Silk Road]] Project.
==Transportation and communications==
{{main|Transportation in Azerbaijan|Communications in Azerbaijan}}
In 2002 Azerbaijan led the way in per capita [[mobile phone]] use within the CIS.<ref name="COM">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - Communications | work = | publisher = Travel-Images.com| date = | url = http://www.travel-images.com/az-comm.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> Public pay phones are available for local calls and require a purchase token from the telephone exchange or some shops and kiosks. Tokens allow a call of indefinite duration. As of 2005, there were 1,091,400 main [[telephone line]]s and 408,000 internet users.<ref name="INT">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =World Guide - Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = Intute| date = | url = http://www.intute.ac.uk/sciences/worldguide/html/819_transport.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> There are two [[GSM]] [[mobile network operator]]s and four [[CDMA]].
[[Broad gauge railway]]s in 2005 stretched for 2,957 km and [[electrified railway]]s numbered 1,278 km.<ref name="INT"/> The number of airports in 2006 reached thirty six, there was also one [[heliport]].<ref name="INT"/>
== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Azerbaijan}}
{{see also|Ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan}}
[[Image:Eldar gardash.JPG|thumb|250px|A man and his child from the village of [[Khinalyg]] in northeast Azerbaijan.]]
From the total population as of April, 2006 there were 4,380,000 (nearly 51%) city dwellers and a rural population of 4,060,000 (49%).<ref name="SEX">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Population | work = | publisher = Azerbaijan Gender Information Center| date = | url = http://www.gender-az.org/shablon_en.shtml?doc/en/about/country| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> 51% of the total population were female.<ref name="SEX"/> The [[gender ratio]] for total population in that year was therefore 0.94 males per female.<ref name="DEM">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Population and Demographics | work = | publisher = Intute| date = | url = http://www.intute.ac.uk/sciences/worldguide/html/819_people.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref>
2006 [[population growth rate]] was 0.66%, compared to 1.14% worldwide.<ref name="DEM"/> A significant factor restricting the population growth is rather a high level of [[Human migration|migration]]. In 2005 for instance 1,342 men and 1,564 women left the country due to labour migration.<ref name="SEX"/> In 2006 Azerbaijan saw migration of -4.38/1,000 persons.<ref name="DEM"/>
The highest morbidity in 2005 was among [[respiratory disease]]s (806.9 diseases per 10,000 of total population).<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Population morbidity by main diseases groups | work = | publisher = The Ministry of Health | date = | url = http://www.mednet.az/index1en.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> The highest 2005 morbidity for [[infectious disease|infectious]] and [[parasitic diseases]] was noted among [[influenza]] and [[acute respiratory infection]]s (4168,2 per 100,000 population).<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Morbidity of population by various infectious and parasitic diseases | work = | publisher = The Ministry of Health | date = | url = http://www.mednet.az/index1en.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> 2007 estimate for total [[life expectancy]] is 66 years, 70.7 years for women and 61.9 for men.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan Facts and Figures | work = | publisher = MSN Encarta | date = | url = http://encarta.msn.com/fact_631504718/Azerbaijan_Facts_and_Figures.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref>
==Language==
{{bar box
| width=300px
| title=Azerbaijan</small>
| titlebar=#ddd
| bars=
{{bar percent|Azerbaijani|red|92.5}}
{{bar percent|Russian|orange|3.5}}
{{bar percent|Lezgin|purple|1.9}}
{{bar percent|Talysh|purple|1.8}}
{{bar percent|Other|red|0.3}}
}}
Azerbaijani is a Turkic language which belongs to the Altaic family, and is mutually intelligible with Turkish.
==Religion==
{{see|Religion in Azerbaijan}}
[[Image:Shakh Abbas Mosque view.jpg|thumb|355px|Shakh Abbas Mosque in Ganja]]
According to official figures, between 93.4% and 96% of the population is [[Muslim]], of which 75% are [[Shia]] and 25% [[Sunni]]. Christians compose of 3 to 4% of the population, of which most are [[Russian Orthodox|Russian]] and [[Armenian Orthodox|Armenian]] [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox]].<ref> [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html CIA the World Factbook]</ref> In 2003 there were 250 [[Roman Catholic]]s.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Catholic Church in Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = Catholic-hierarchy.org| date = | url = http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/az.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> Other Christian denominations as of 2002 include [[Lutheran]]s, [[Baptist]]s and [[Molokans]].<ref name="AZR">{{cite web | last = Corley | first = Felix| authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan: 125 religious groups re-registered | work = | publisher = Keston News Service | date = 2002-04-09| url = http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/azerbaijan/hypermail/200204/0018.shtml| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> There are also [[Judaism|Jewish]], [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]], [[Hare Krishna#The .22Hare Krishna.22 movement|Hare Krishna]] and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] communities, as well as adherents of the [[Nehemiah Church]], [[Star in the East Church]] and the [[Cathedral of Praise Church]].<ref name="AZR"/> [[Hinduism]] and [[Zoroastrianism]] had a long history in Azerbaijan, evident in sites such as
the [[Fire Temple of Baku]], and along with [[Manichean]] but none are followed as such in the country anymore.
{{bar box
| width=300px
| title=Azerbaijan <small></small> in 2002
| titlebar=#ddd
| bars=
{{bar percent|Islam|brown|96}}
{{bar percent|Orthodox Christianity|orange|3.2}}
{{bar percent|Judaism|black|0.24}}
{{bar percent|Protestantism|purple|0.006}}
{{bar percent|Catholicism|blue|0.002}}
{{bar percent|Other|red|0.55}}
}}
== Culture ==
[[Image:Azeri 7.jpg|thumb|225px|Traditional Azeri musicians]]
{{main|Culture of Azerbaijan}}
{{see also|Ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan}}
Azerbaijan folk consists of Azerbaijanis, the representative part of society, as well as of nations and ethnic groups, compactly living in various areas of the country. There are radio broadcasts in [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]], [[Lezgin language|Lezgin]], [[Talysh language|Talysh]], [[Georgian language|Georgian]], [[Russian language|Russian]] and [[Armenian language|Armenian]] languages, which are financed from the state budget.<ref name="MIN"/> The local radio station in [[Balakan]] organizes broadcasts in the [[Avar language]] and in [[Khachmaz]] also in [[Tat language|Tat]].<ref name="MIN"/> In Baku several newspapers are published in Russian, Kurdish (''Dengi Kurd''), Lezgin (''Samur'') and Talysh languages.<ref name="MIN"/> Jewish society "Sokhnut" publishes the newspaper ''Aziz''.<ref name="MIN"/>
Among national musical instruments there are fourteen [[string instruments]], eight [[percussion instruments]] and six [[wind instruments]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =The Azerbaijan musical instruments | work = | publisher = Atlas.musigi-dunya.az| date = | url = http://atlas.musigi-dunya.az/atlas/en/instruments.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref>
Azerbaijan national and traditional dress, are the [[Chokha]] and [[Papakhi]].
Azerbaijan made its debut appearance at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2008]], and placed 8th among 43 contestants.
Entries, submitted on the [[UNESCO World Heritage]] tentative list include the [[Gobustan State Reserve]], the [[Fire Temple of Baku]], the [[Momine Khatun Mausoleum]] and the [[Khan Palace]] in [[Sheki]].
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
== External links==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Azerbaijan-article.ogg|2008-06-23}}
{{portal|Azerbaijan|Flag of Azerbaijan.svg}}
<div class="infobox sisterproject">
<div style="float: left;">[[Image:Wikipedia-logo.png|45px|none|Wikipedia]]</div>
<div style="margin-right:60px;">'''''[http://www.az.wikipedia.org Azerbaijani language edition]''''' of [[Wikipedia]]</div>
</div>
{{sisterlinks|Azerbaijan|s=Wikisource:Azerbaijan}}
*{{wikitravel|Azerbaijan}}
===General references===
* [http://www.un-az.org United Nations Office in Azerbaijan]
* [http://www.azstat.org/indexen.php State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan]
* {{CIA World Factbook link|aj|Azerbaijan}}
* [http://www.azlink.info Azerbaijan Links]
* [http://www.azer.com/ Azerbaijan International Magazine]
===Portals===
* [http://www.azerbaijan.az Azerbaijan.az]
* [http://www.azer.com Azer.com]
* [http://www.azerb.com/ Azerb.com]
* [http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/amed/azerbaijan/azerbaijan.html Library of Congress Portals to the World: Azerbaijan directory]
* [http://www.azerbaijan24.com Azerbaijan Travel Information]
* [http://www.traveller.az Azerbaijan Hotels]
* [http://www.travelbaku.com Travel Information]
* [http://www.kataloq.net Kataloq. net Directory of Azeri web-resources]
===Miscellaneous===
* [http://numismondo.com/pm/aze/ Azerbaijan Paper Money]
* [http://www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=2886 Independence of Kosovo and the Nagorno-Karabakh Issue]
{{Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan}}
{{Template group
|title = [[Image:Nuvola filesystems www.png|23px]] Geographic locale
|list =
{{Countries of Asia}}
{{Countries of Europe}}
{{Countries of Southwest Asia}}
{{Countries and regions of the Caucasus}}
{{Modern Turkic states}}
{{Turkic States}}
{{Turkic topics}}
}}
{{Azerbaijantie}}
{{Economic Cooperation Organization}}
{{GUAM countries}}
{{Countries bordering the Caspian Sea}}
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[[Category:Republics]]
[[Category:Eastern Europe]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
[[Category:Russian-speaking countries and territories]]
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[[no:Aserbajdsjan]]
[[nn:Aserbajdsjan]]
[[nov:Aserbaijan]]
[[oc:Azerbaitjan]]
[[ug:ئەزەربەيجان]]
[[uz:Ozarbayjon]]
[[ps:آذربايجان]]
[[pms:Azerbaigian]]
[[nds:Aserbaidschan]]
[[pl:Azerbejdżan]]
[[pt:Azerbaijão]]
[[crh:Azerbaycan]]
[[ro:Azerbaidjan]]
[[qu:Asarsuyu]]
[[ru:Азербайджан]]
[[se:Aserbaižan]]
[[sa:अजर्बैजान]]
[[sco:Azerbaijan]]
[[sq:Azerbajxhani]]
[[scn:Azzirbaiggian]]
[[simple:Azerbaijan]]
[[sk:Azerbajdžan]]
[[cu:Азѣрбаичанъ]]
[[sl:Azerbajdžan]]
[[sr:Азербејџан]]
[[sh:Azerbejdžan]]
[[fi:Azerbaidžan]]
[[sv:Azerbajdzjan]]
[[tl:Azerbaijan]]
[[ta:அசர்பைஜான்]]
[[tt:Әзәрбайҗан]]
[[te:అజర్బైజాన్]]
[[tet:Azerbaijaun]]
[[th:ประเทศอาเซอร์ไบจาน]]
[[vi:Azerbaijan]]
[[tg:Озарбойҷон]]
[[tr:Azerbaycan]]
[[tk:Äzerbeýjan]]
[[udm:Азербайджан]]
[[uk:Азербайджан]]
[[ur:آذربائیجان]]
[[vo:Lasärbäcän]]
[[war:Aserbaiyan]]
[[wo:Aserbayjaan]]
[[yi:אזערביידזשאן]]
[[yo:Azerbaijan]]
[[zh-yue:阿塞拜疆]]
[[diq:Azerbaycan]]
[[bat-smg:Azėrbaidžians]]
[[zh:阿塞拜疆]]