TRAVEL: 192-PART GUIDE TO THE WORLD - PART 11: AZERBAIJAN
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.OFFICIAL NAME
Azerbaijani Republic
POPULATION
7.5 million
SIZE
33,000 square miles. About three times larger than Belgium.
ENVIRONMENT
Almost everything. In the north are the eternal snowfields of the high Caucasus. The border areas with Armenia and Iran are lush and hilly. The Caspian Sea coast is the beginning of the arid desert and steppe of Central Asia.
BEST MONUMENT
The beautiful but semi-ruinous Shirvanshah Palace in the old city of Baku - with its towers, minarets and baths - is the local equivalent to Granada's Al-Hambra. Reconstruction and restoration work is currently taking place.
MOST FAMOUS CITIZEN
Chess champion Gary Kasparov may be half Jewish and half Armenian, but he was born in Azerbaijan.
NATIONAL DISH
Plov comprises fragrant and spicy piles of rice with vegetables, pine nuts, dried fruit and mutton. Chicken and chestnuts are optional extras. The national drink by the way is tea.
BEST MOMENT IN HISTORY
At the beginning of this century, Baku became one of the great boom cities of the world as oil magnates from around the world rushed to exploit the mineral deposits of the Caspian Sea. For a few years it was on the way to becoming the Manhattan of Transcaucasia. The architectural legacy of that period - grand buildings in Baku - remains surprisingly intact.
WORST MOMENT IN HISTORY
In 1828 the Treaty of Turkmenchai saw the country divided between Russia and Persia, a division that remained essentially in place until the collapse of the Soviet Union (one province of northern Iran is still considered by Azeris to be an integral part of their country). Talking of the Soviet Union, the years from1920 to 1991, when Baku was occupied by the red army, were not exactly a bundle of laughs either.
ESSENTIAL ACCESSORY
Strong gloves, overalls, a hard hat and if at all possible, a licence to drill for oil.
HOW NOT TO BEHAVE
Do not make too much of a fuss when the border police ask you for bribes, and do not attempt to enter the country if you have an Armenian surname. Otherwise you may have to spend a few nights sleeping on railway sidings at the border.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments