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Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan) is a country in the Caucasus, in the crossroads of Europe and Southwest Asia, with an east coast on the Caspian Sea. It borders Russia on the north, Georgia and Armenia on the west, and Iran on the south. The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (an exclave of Azerbaijan) borders Armenia on the north, Iran on the south, and Turkey on the west.

The country is formally named the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Respublikası). Azerbaijan is a secular state, has been a member of the Council of Europe since 2001. The majority of the population are Muslim of Turkic descent. The country is formally an emerging democracy, however with strong authoritarian rule.

Azərbaycan Respublikası

Flag of Azerbaijan	File:Azeriarms2.PNG
(In Detail)	(Full size)

National motto: None

Official language

Azerbaijani

Capital

Baku

Capital's coordinates

40°22′N 49°53′E / 40.367°N 49.883°E

President

Ilham Aliyev

Prime Minister

Artur Rasizade

Area
– Total
– % water

Ranked 111th
86,600 km²
Negligible

Population
– Total
– Density

Ranked 89th
7,868,385 (July 2004 E)
90/km².

Independence
– Date

From Soviet Union
30 August 1991

Currency

Manat (AZM)

Time zone

UTC +4 (DST +5)

National anthem

National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Internet TLD

.az

Calling Code

994

Origin and history of the name

There are several hypotheses regarding the origins of the name "Azerbaijan." The most common theory is that it is derived from "Atropatan." Atropat was the satrap at the time of the Iranian Achaemenid dynasty and gained independence after Alexander the Great destroyed the Achaemenids. The region was known as Media Atropatia or Atropatene at the time.

There are also alternative opinions that the term is a slight Turkification of Azarbaijan, which is in turn an Arabicized version of the original Persian name Azarpayagan, made up of azar+payag+an (azar=fire; payag=base; an=suffix of location); that it traditionally means "the land of eternal flames" or "the land of fire." Some Azeri historians also contend that the name is made of four Azerbaijani components: az+er+bay+can, which means "the land of the brave Az people" or "an elevated place for the wealthy and exalted."

Historically, the territory of the present-day Azerbaijan Republic, also referred to as North Azerbaijan, was also called Arran, named after Arran, a legendary founder of Caucasian Albania. However, this naming changed its meaning from time to time, referring to lowland Karabakh plains situated between Kura and Araks rivers.

History

Main article: History of Azerbaijan

Historically Azerbaijan has been occupied by a variety of peoples, including Persians, Romans, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and Russians. The first state to emerge in the territory of present-day Republic of Azerbaijan was Caucasian Albania. It was established in 4th century BC and included approximately the territories of present-day Azerbaijan and southern parts of Dagestan. Islam spread in Azerbaijan following the Arab conquests in 7th–8th centuries. In 11th century the Seljuk Turks became the dominant force in Azerbaijan and laid the ethnic foundation of contemporary Azerbaijanis. In 13–14th centuries the country underwent Mongol-Tatar invasions.

Azerbaijan was part of the Safavid state in 15th–18th centuries. It also experienced a brief period of feudal fragmentation in mid-XVIII to early XIX cc. and consisted of independent khanates. In early 19th century, following the two subsequent wars between the Qajar dynasty of Iran and the Russian Empire, Azerbaijan was acquired by Russia through the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813, and the Treaty of Turkmenchay in 1828.

Following the collapse of the Russian Empire during World War I, Azerbaijan declared independence and established the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. This first Muslim republic in the world existed only two years in 1918–1920 before the Soviet Red Army invaded Azerbaijan. Subsequently, Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan re-established its independence with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a cease-fire, in place since 1994, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian-populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a presidential republic. The head of state and head of government are separate from the country's law-making body. The people elect the president for a five-year term of office. The president appoints all cabinet-level government administrators. A fifty-member national assembly makes the country's laws. The people of Azerbaijan elect the National Assembly. Azerbaijan has universal suffrage above the age of eighteen. However, the Azerbaijani government has been accused of widespread corruption (a kleptocracy, to some people).

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is divided into:

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon – singular),
11 cities* (şəhərlər; şəhər – singular),
1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika);

Absheron Rayonu, Agjabedi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdash Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baku Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Jabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Dashkasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fizuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganja Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goychay Rayonu, Hajigabul Rayonu, Imishli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbajar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lachin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingechevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic**, Neftchala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Gabala Rayonu, Gakh Rayonu, Gazakh Rayonu, Gobustan Rayonu, Guba Rayonu, Gubadly Rayonu, Gusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Sheki Rayonu, Sheki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Shamakhy Rayonu, Shamkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Shusha Rayonu, Shusha Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ujar Rayonu, Khachmaz Rayonu, Khankendi Sahari*, Khanlar Rayonu, Khizi Rayonu, Khojaly Rayonu, Khojavend Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlakh Rayonu, Yevlakh Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zagatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has a temperate climate. Temperatures vary by season. In the southeast lowland, temperatures average forty degrees (Fahrenheit) in the winter and eighty degrees in the summer. In the northern and western mountain ranges, temperatures average fifty-five degrees in the summer and twenty degrees in the winter.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Azerbaijan

The economy is largely based on industry. Industries include machine building, oil and other mining, petroleum refining, textile production, and chemical processing. Agriculture accounts for one-third of Azerbaijan's economy. Most of the nation's farms are irrigated. In the lowlands, farmers grow such crops as cotton, fruit, grain, tea, tobacco, and many types of vegetables. Silkworms are raised for production of natural silk for the clothing industry. Azerbaijan's herders raise cattle, sheep and goats near the mountain ranges. Seafood and fish are caught in the nearby Caspian Sea. Azerbaijan is a highly dynamic economy, mainly because of oil, and has a GDP growth of up to 11% a year.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Azerbaijan

According to the CIA World Factbook, about eighty-nine percent of Azerbaijan's population is ethnic Azerbaijani. Other major ethnicities include local Talysh, Lezgi, Avar and Tat and numerous other minorities, as well as Russians. Some people argue that the number of Talysh minority is more than officially recorded as many of them are counted as Azerbaijanis. The country's large Armenian population mostly fled to Armenia and to other countries with the beginning of the Armenian-Azeri conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. During the same period, Azerbaijan also received a large influx of Azerbaijanis fleeing Armenia and later Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent provinces occupied by the Armenians.

Most Azerbaijanis are Shia Muslim. Other religions or philosophical beliefs that are followed by many in the country are the Sunni and Sufi sects of Islam, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, and various secular beliefs (much of which are left over from the Soviet era of less tolerance for spirituality).

Culture

Main article: Culture of Azerbaijan

The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, a member of the Oguz subdivision of the Turkic language family, and is spoken by around 95% of the republic's population, as well as about a quarter of the population of Iran. Its closest relatives are Turkish and Turkmen. As a result of the language policy of the Soviet Union, Russian is also commonly spoken as a second language among the urbane.

Miscellaneous topics

External links and references

Template:Southwest Asia

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{otheruses}}
+{{TotallyDisputed}}
-'''Azerbaijan''' ([[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]: Az&#x259;rbaycan) is a country  in the [[Caucasus]], in the crossroads of [[Europe]] and [[Southwest Asia]], with an east coast on the [[Caspian Sea]]. It borders [[Russia]] on the north, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Armenia]] on the west, and [[Iran]] on the south. The [[Nakhichevan|Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic]] (an [[exclave]] of Azerbaijan) borders Armenia on the north, Iran on the south, and [[Turkey]] on the west.
-The country is formally named the '''Republic of Azerbaijan''' ([[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]: Az&#601;rbaycan Respublikas&#305;). Azerbaijan is a secular state, and has been a member of the [[Council of Europe]] since 2001. The majority of the population are [[Muslim]] of [[Turkic]] descent. The country is formally an emerging [[democracy]], however with strong [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] rule.
+'''Azerbaijan''' ([[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]: Az&#x259;rbaycan) is a country  in the [[Caucasus]], in the crossroads of [[Europe]] and [[Southwest Asia]], with an east coast on the [[Caspian Sea]]. It borders [[Russia]] on the north, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Armenia]] on the west, and [[Iran]] on the south. The [[Nakhichevan|Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic]] (an [[exclave]] of Azerbaijan) borders [[Armenia]] on the north, Iran on the south, and [[Turkey]] on the west.
+The country is formally named the '''Republic of Azerbaijan''' ([[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]: Az&#601;rbaycan Respublikas&#305;). Azerbaijan is a secular state, has been a member of the [[Council of Europe]] since 2001. The majority of the population are [[Muslim]] of [[Turkic]] descent. The country is formally an emerging [[democracy]], however with strong [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] rule.
 {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0.5em 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
@@ Line 53: / Line 57: @@
 == Origin and history of the name ==
-There are several hypotheses regarding the origins of the name "Azerbaijan." The most common theory is that it is derived from "Atropatan." [[Atropat]] was the [[satrap]] at the time of the Iranian [[Achaemenid dynasty|Achaemenid dynasty]], and gained independence after [[Alexander the Great]] destroyed the Achaemenids. The region was known as ''[[Medes|Media]] Atropatia'' or ''[[Atropatene]]'' at the time.
+There are several hypotheses regarding the origins of the name "Azerbaijan." The most common theory is that it is derived from "Atropatan." [[Atropat]] was the [[satrap]] at the time of the Iranian  [[Achaemenid dynasty|Achaemenid dynasty]] and gained independence after [[Alexander the Great]] destroyed the Achaemenids. The region was known as ''[[Medes|Media]] Atropatia'' or ''[[Atropatene]]'' at the time.
-There are also alternative opinions that the term is a slight Turkification of ''Azarbaijan'', in turn an Arabicized version of the original Persian name ''Azarpayagan'', made up of ''azar''+''payag''+''an'' (''azar''=fire; ''payag''=base; ''an''=suffix of location); that it traditionally means "the land of eternal flames" or "the land of fire." Some Azeri historians also contend that the name is made up of four [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]] components: ''az''+''er''+''bay''+''can'', which means "the land of the brave Az people" or "an elevated place for the wealthy and exalted."
+There are also alternative opinions that the term is a slight Turkification of ''Azarbaijan'', which is in turn an Arabicized version of the original Persian name ''Azarpayagan'', made up of ''azar''+''payag''+''an'' (''azar''=fire; ''payag''=base; ''an''=suffix of location); that it traditionally means "the land of eternal flames" or "the land of fire." Some Azeri historians also contend that the name is made of four [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]] components: ''az''+''er''+''bay''+''can'', which means "the land of the brave Az people" or "an elevated place for the wealthy and exalted."
-Historically, the territory of the present-day Azerbaijan Republic, also referred to as North Azerbaijan, has also been called [[Arran (Azerbaijan)|Arran]], named after Arran, a legendary founder of [[Caucasian Albania]]. However, the precise location identified by this name has shifted somewhat over time, currently referring to the lowland Karabakh plains situated between the [[Kura]] and [[Araks]] rivers.
+Historically, the territory of the present-day Azerbaijan Republic, also referred to as North Azerbaijan, was also called [[Arran (Azerbaijan)|Arran]], named after Arran, a legendary founder of [[Caucasian Albania]]. However, this naming changed its meaning from time to time, referring to lowland Karabakh plains situated between [[Kura]] and [[Araks]] rivers.
 == History ==
 ''Main article: [[History of Azerbaijan]]''
-Historically Azerbaijan has been occupied by a variety of peoples, including [[Persians]], [[Roman Empire|Romans]], [[Arabs]], [[Turks]], [[Mongols]] and [[Russians]]. The first state to emerge in the territory of present-day Republic of Azerbaijan was [[Caucasian Albania]]. It was established in the [[4th century BC]] and included the approximate territories of present-day Azerbaijan and southern parts of [[Dagestan]]. [[Islam]] spread in Azerbaijan following the Arab conquests in the [[7th century|7th]]&#8211;[[8th century|8th centuries]]. In the [[11th century]], the [[Seljuk Turks]] became the dominant force in Azerbaijan and laid the ethnic foundation of contemporary [[Azerbaijanis]]. In the [[13th century|13]]&#8211;[[14th century|14th centuries]], the country experienced [[Mongol]]-[[Tatar]] invasions.
+Historically Azerbaijan has been occupied by a variety of peoples, including [[Persians]], [[Roman Empire|Romans]], [[Arabs]], [[Turks]], [[Mongols]] and [[Russians]]. The first state to emerge in the territory of present-day Republic of Azerbaijan was [[Caucasian Albania]]. It was established in [[4th century BC]] and included approximately the territories of present-day Azerbaijan and southern parts of [[Dagestan]]. [[Islam]] spread in Azerbaijan following the Arab conquests in [[7th century|7th]]–[[8th century|8th centuries]]. In [[11th century]] the [[Seljuk Turks]] became the dominant force in Azerbaijan and laid the ethnic foundation of contemporary [[Azerbaijanis]]. In [[13th century|13]]–[[14th century|14th centuries]] the country underwent [[Mongol]]-[[Tatar]] invasions.
-Azerbaijan was part of the [[Safavids|Safavid state]] in [[15th century|15th]]&#8211;[[18th century|18th centuries]]. It also underwent a brief period of feudal fragmentation in the mid-18th to early 19th centuries, and consisted of independent khanates. Following the two wars between the [[Qajars|Qajar dynasty]] of [[Iran]] and the [[Russian Empire]], Azerbaijan was acquired by Russia through the [[Treaty of Gulistan]] in [[1813]], and the [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]] in [[1828]].
+Azerbaijan was part of the [[Safavids|Safavid state]] in [[15th century|15th]]–[[18th century|18th centuries]]. It also experienced a brief period of feudal fragmentation in mid-XVIII to early XIX cc. and consisted of independent khanates. In early [[19th century]], following the two subsequent wars between the [[Qajars|Qajar dynasty]] of [[Iran]] and the [[Russian Empire]], Azerbaijan was acquired by Russia through the [[Treaty of Gulistan]] in [[1813]], and the [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]] in [[1828]].
-After the collapse of the Russian Empire during [[World War I]], Azerbaijan declared independence and established the [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic]]. This first Muslim republic in the world existed only two years in [[1918]]&#8211;[[1920]] before the [[Soviet]] [[Red Army]] invaded Azerbaijan. Subsequently, Azerbaijan became part of the [[Soviet Union]].
+Following the collapse of the Russian Empire during [[World War I]], Azerbaijan declared independence and established the [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic]]. This first Muslim republic in the world existed only two years in [[1918]]–[[1920]] before the [[Soviet]] [[Red Army]] invaded Azerbaijan. Subsequently, Azerbaijan became part of the [[Soviet Union]].
-Azerbaijan re-established its independence upon the collapse of the Soviet Union in [[1991]]. Despite a [[cease-fire]], in place since [[1994]], Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with [[Armenia]] over the Azerbaijani [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] enclave (largely Armenian-populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 [[refugee]]s and internally [[displaced person]]s as a result of the conflict.
+Azerbaijan re-established its independence with the collapse of the Soviet Union in [[1991]]. Despite a [[cease-fire]], in place since [[1994]], Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with [[Armenia]] over the Azerbaijani [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] enclave (largely Armenian-populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 [[refugee]]s and internally [[displaced person]]s as a result of the conflict.
 == Politics ==
@@ Line 89: / Line 93: @@
 ''Main article: [[Geography of Azerbaijan]]''
-Azerbaijan has a [[arid]] [[climate]], except in the southeast near [[Gilan]]. Temperatures vary by season. In the southeast [[lowland]], temperatures average 6&deg;C (43&deg;F) in the winter and 26&deg;C (80&deg;F) in the summer - though daily maxima typically reach 32&deg;C (89&deg;F). In the northern and western [[mountain range]]s, temperatures average 12&deg;C (55&deg;F) in the summer and -9&deg;C (20&deg;F) in the winter.
+Azerbaijan has a [[temperate]] [[climate]]. Temperatures vary by season. In the southeast [[lowland]], temperatures average forty degrees ([[Fahrenheit]]) in the winter and eighty degrees in the summer. In the northern and western [[mountain range]]s, temperatures average fifty-five degrees in the summer and twenty degrees in the winter.
-Annual rainfall over most of the country varies from 200 to 400mm (8 to 16 inches) and is generally lowest in the northeast. In the far southeast, however, the climate is much moister and annual rainfall can be as high as 1300mm (51 inches). For most of the country, the wettest periods are in spring and autumn, with summers being the driest.
 == Economy ==
 ''Main article: [[Economy of Azerbaijan]]''
-The economy is largely based on [[industry]]. Industries include machine building, [[oil]] and other [[mining]], petroleum [[refining]], [[textiles|textile]] production, and chemical processing. [[Agriculture]] accounts for one-third of Azerbaijan's economy. Most of the nation's farms are [[irrigation|irrigated]]. In the lowlands, farmers grow such crops as [[cotton]], [[fruit]], [[cereal|grain]], [[tea]], [[tobacco]], and many types of [[vegetable]]s. [[Silkworm]]s are raised for the production of natural [[silk]] for the clothing industry. Azerbaijan's herders raise [[cattle]], [[sheep]] and [[goat]]s near the mountain ranges. [[Seafood]] and [[fish]] are caught in the nearby [[Caspian Sea]]. Azerbaijan has a highly dynamic economy, mainly because of oil, and has a GDP growth of up to 11% a year.
+The economy is largely based on [[industry]]. Industries include machine building, [[oil]] and other [[mining]], petroleum [[refining]], [[textiles|textile]] production, and chemical processing. [[Agriculture]] accounts for one-third of Azerbaijan's economy. Most of the nation's farms are [[irrigation|irrigated]]. In the lowlands, farmers grow such crops as [[cotton]], [[fruit]], [[cereal|grain]], [[tea]], [[tobacco]], and many types of [[vegetable]]s. [[Silkworm]]s are raised for production of natural [[silk]] for the clothing industry. Azerbaijan's herders raise [[cattle]], [[sheep]] and [[goat]]s near the mountain ranges. [[Seafood]] and [[fish]] are caught in the nearby [[Caspian Sea]]. Azerbaijan is a highly dynamic economy, mainly because of oil, and has a GDP growth of up to 11% a year.
 == Demographics ==
 ''Main article: [[Demographics of Azerbaijan]]''
-According to the [[CIA World Factbook]], about eighty-nine percent of Azerbaijan's population is ethnic [[Azerbaijanis|Azerbaijani]]. Other major ethnicities include local [[Talysh]], [[Lezgi]], [[Avar]] and [[Tat]] and numerous other minorities, as well as [[Russians]]. Some people argue that the number of [[Talysh]] is more than officially recorded as many of them are counted as Azerbaijanis. The country's large Armenian population mostly fled to [[Armenia]] and to other countries with the beginning of the Armenian-Azeri conflict over [[Nagorno-Karabakh]]. During the same period, Azerbaijan also received a large influx of Azerbaijanis fleeing Armenia and later [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] and adjacent provinces occupied by the Armenians.
+According to the [[CIA World Factbook]], about eighty-nine percent of Azerbaijan's population is ethnic [[Azerbaijanis|Azerbaijani]]. Other major ethnicities include local [[Talysh]], [[Lezgi]], [[Avar]] and [[Tat]] and numerous other minorities, as well as [[Russian|Russians]]. Some people argue that the number of [[Talysh]] minority is more than officially recorded as many of them are counted as Azerbaijanis. The country's large Armenian population mostly fled to [[Armenia]] and to other countries with the beginning of the Armenian-Azeri conflict over [[Nagorno-Karabakh]]. During the same period, Azerbaijan also received a large influx of Azerbaijanis fleeing Armenia and later [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] and adjacent provinces occupied by the Armenians.
-Most Azerbaijanis are [[Shia]] [[Islam|Muslim]]. Other [[religion]]s or [[philosophy|philosophical]] beliefs that are followed by many in the country are the [[Sunni]] and [[Sufi]] sects of Islam, the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], and various secular beliefs (many of these are left over from the [[Soviet]] era of less tolerance for [[spirituality]]).
+Most Azerbaijanis are [[Shia]] [[Islam|Muslim]]. Other [[religion]]s or [[philosophy|philosophical]] beliefs that are followed by many in the country are the [[Sunni]] and [[Sufi]] sects of Islam, the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], and various secular beliefs (much of which are left over from the [[Soviet]] era of less tolerance for [[spirituality]]).
 == Culture ==
@@ Line 154: / Line 156: @@
 [[fa:&#1580;&#1605;&#1607;&#1608;&#1585;&#1740; &#1570;&#1584;&#1585;&#1576;&#1575;&#1740;&#1580;&#1575;&#1606;]]
 [[fr:Azerbaïdjan]]
-[[fy:Azerbeidzjan]]
 [[gl:Acerbaix&#225;n - Az&#601;rbaycan]]
 [[ko:&#50500;&#51228;&#47476;&#48148;&#51060;&#51092;]]
@@ Line 181: / Line 182: @@
 [[fi:Azerbaid&#382;an]]
 [[sv:Azerbajdzjan]]
-[[tl:Azerbaijan]]
 [[tt:Äzärbaycan]]
 [[th:&#3611;&#3619;&#3632;&#3648;&#3607;&#3624;&#3629;&#3634;&#3648;&#3595;&#3629;&#3619;&#3660;&#3652;&#3610;&#3592;&#3634;&#3609;]]