Country Information on Azerbaijan

Terrain The high mountain ranges in the country's interior contrast sharply with the lowlands on the Caspian Sea. In the north the Greater Caucasus forms the border with Russia. The highest point in Azerbaijan, Mt. Bazardüzü (4,465 m), is part of this mountain range. In the south-west the country occupies part of the Lesser Caucasus. In-between is the Transcaucasian Basin with the Kura-Aras lowlands. Climate In the low-lying areas and in the Naxçivan Basin a climate ranging between desert-like and steppe-like prevails, with little annual precipitation. In the Länkäran Basin in the extreme south-east the climate has a subtropical character. In the area adjacent to the Caspian Sea temperatures are pleasantly temperate. Fauna/Flora There are over 4,000 plant species in Azerbaijan, including 200 indigenous varieties. Oaks, beeches, and chestnut trees predominate, especially in the lower-lying mountainous areas. Wildlife in these forests includes bears, red deer, lynxes, and wild boars. In the arid and semi-arid basins numerous reptile species thrive. Azerbaijan has over 12,000 animal species, including the 200 bird species, which can be found in the Kizilagadj Reserve alone. On the coastal plains occasionally gazelles and tigers are found. Those parts of the Caspian Sea that are not polluted by industrial sewage yet, teem with sturgeons. Four-fifths of the world's sturgeon catch are found here, along with herring, salmon, and pike. History/Politics The 9th century BC marked the formation of the Manna state in the area of present-day Azerbaijan. Ancient Caucasian Albania's (Azerbaijan) fate was closely linked to the history of Armenia and Persia, particularly after its conquest (4th century AD) by Shapur II. Overrun later by Mongols, it was divided after the fall (15th century AD) of Timur into several principalities. The struggle for the territory of present-day Azerbaijan between Russia, Turkey and Persia ended in 1813, when Russia and Persia divided Azerbaijan along the Aras River. The southern part remained Persian and is today the Persian province of Azerbaijan, the area of present-day Azerbaijan went to Russia. In 1918, after the Russian revolution, a nationalist, Islamic movement proclaimed the independent republic of Azerbaijan. In 1920 the Soviet Army occupied Azerbaijan and proclaimed the Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, which was subsequently united with Armenia and Georgia to become the Transcaucasian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic (SFSR). In 1924, the USSR created the autonomous province of Nagorno-Karabakh on Azerbaijani territory, where a major part of the Armenian minority had been in possession of land for a long time. The province, however, was put under Azerbaijani legislature. The Soviets dissolved the Transcaucasian SFSR in 1936 and Azerbaijan was made part of the USSR. After the end of the Soviet Union in 1991 Azerbaijan became independent. In December of the same year the country joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and in 1992 it became a member of the United Nations. Political unrest characterized the first years of Azerbaijani independence. The conflict between the Christian Armenians who inhabited the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Muslim Azerbaijanis erupted in 1988. In 1991 the struggle escalated to a war. By 1993, the conflict had created thousands of casualties and over 1 million refugees. In July 1997 Russia, Azerbaijan, and Chechnya came to an agreement on the transport of petroleum from Baku to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. Economy Azerbaijan's economy is less developed than the economy of the other Caucasian states, such as Armenia or Georgia. There is a high unemployment rate and a very low standard of living. Major exports are petroleum, cotton, and natural gas. The crude oil reserves of Azerbaijan are among the largest in the world. On low-lying slopes grain, fruit (above all grapes), and vegetables are grown. Tea, citrus fruits, rice, tobacco, and olives are major crops in the subtropical Länkäran lowlands in the south-east. In the 1990s production rapidly decreased owing to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Culture Singers, who set verse to music and thus hand down the country's history, folk tales, and fairy tales from generation to generation, preserve the country's musical traditions. Another popular form of music is mugam, which is improvised by vocals and wind and stringed instruments. The country has a thriving literary life, much of which derives from an oral tradition of countless ancient epics and folk tales. Mirza Fath Ali Akhundzada was a literary light in the 19th century, mainly helping to develop a modern literature. Azerbaijan is also famous for its embroidered textiles. Artists use colourful threads (sometimes made of gold or silver) to create special geometric patterns. Birds and other animals also feature in designs.