Azerbaijan is a Eurasian country, dominated by ethnic Azeri and Shi‘ite Muslim population. Read on further and know some fun and interesting facts about Azerbaijan.

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Facts About Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, situated at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It stands bordered by Russia in the north, Georgia in the west and northwest, Armenia in the southwest and Iran in the south. The eastern border of the country is formed by Caspian Sea. The Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan is surrounded by Armenia in the north and east, Iran in the south and Turkey in the west and southwest. Apart from that, several islands in the Caspian Sea also come under the territory of Azerbaijan. A secular and unitary republic, the country is dominated by ethnic Azeri and Shi‘ite Muslim population. In the following lines, we will provide more information on Azerbaijan.
Image: teuchterlad@flickr
 
Fun & Interesting Facts about Azerbaijan 
  • The official name of Azerbaijan is the ‘Republic of Azerbaijan’.
  • The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani. The Azerbaijani language is spoken by about 95% of the population. The Azerbaijani language is divided into two varieties: North Azerbaijani and South Azerbaijani, and a large number of dialects. Apart from Azerbaijani 13 other languages are spoken natively in the country. English and Russian are major languages of education and communication in Azerbaijan. 
  • Majority of the population in Azerbaijan comprises of Azerbaijanis (90.6%). Other ethnic groups constitute Dagestanis (2.2%), Russians (1.8%), Armenians (1.5%), Taylish (1%), and Turks (0.6%).
  • The currency of Azerbaijan is Manat.
  • The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku.
  • Azerbaijan follows the system of Presidential Republic.
  • Azerbaijan is the largest and most populous country in the South Caucasus region.
  • Azerbaijan became part of the USSR at the end of 1922. It declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 30, 1991.
  • Nagorno-Karabakh, officially a part of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is under Armenian occupation since the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh War (1994), along with 7 other districts in Azerbaijan's southwest.
  • Azerbaijan is a co-founder of GUAM and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
  • Azerbaijan has been a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, since September 1993.
  • Azerbaijan has a Permanent Mission to the European Union and also hosts a Special Envoy of the European Commission.
  • Azerbaijan is a member of the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, and the NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) program.
  • Bazarduzu Dagi (4,485 m) is the highest point in Azerbaijan.
  • The Azykh cave of Azerbaijan is believed to be one of the earliest known caves inhabited by man.
  • Gobustan Nature Park is adorned with thousands of rock paintings, giving a glimpse into life of the area’s early inhabitants.
  • Azerbaijan is believed to be the birthplace of the founder of Zoroastrianism.
  • Azerbaijan was initially a Christian country, which was converted to Islam in the early eighth century.
  • Sheki, Nakhchivan and Ganja are amongst the oldest centers of trade in Azerbaijan.
  • Baku used to serve as one of the important commercial centers on the Silk Road, from Europe to China.
  • The first oil well world was drilled near Baku, somewhere around the end-19th century.
  • In 1924 the USSR created the Autonomous Province of Nagorno-Karabakh, mainly comprising of Armenian population, within Azerbaijan.
  • The thirteenth world chess champion - Garry Kasparov was born in Baku.
  • Soup, often made with meat and sheep fat, is considered to be a staple of Azerbaijani cuisine.

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