AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC

Capital: Baku
The biggest city: Baku, Ganja
Official languages: Azeri
Form of government: Presidential Republic, President Ilham Aliev
Date of Independence: 18 Octover 1991 (from USSR)
Area: 86 600 sq. km
Water table %: 1, 6
Population: 9 165 000 (2011)
Currency: Manat (AZN)
Internet: .az
Country code: +994
Time zone: GMT +5

AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan is one of the most ancient sites of humankind. The humankind was present here at every stage of their historical development. There were living settlements
in Azerbaijan even at the earliest stages of humankind. Azerbaijan made its own contribution into the establishment of the current culture and civilization, progress and
dialectics.
The time kept a range of ancient archeological and architectural monuments for us. The ancient headstones, manuscripts and models of carpets, preserved to the
present times from the ancient ages, can provide much information to those who can and want to read them. If you wish to understand Azerbaijan and to know
everything about it, you need to look at this country and its people with a friend's eyes.
Azerbaijan is a country of ancient culture. The Oguz tribes which moved here and stayed for ages, have found a deeply rooted culture and in their turn enriched it with
Turkic national traditions. The talented and creative powers of our nation are personified in such epic monuments as "Kitabi-Dede Gorgud", "Oguzname" "Keroglu" and
many others. Azerbaijan has always been famous for its sources of eternal fires - the atashgehs. There is a place called Yanardag (blazing mountain) in Absheron and
thermal springs in some parts of Nakhichivan, Kelbejar, Masali, Lenkoran, Babadag.
In Surakhani, there is an eternal fire place. From the ancient times the fire worshippers from remote places and even the Indian priests were coming to Absheron in
search of fire and finding it here. They built their main temples here in Surakhani and Ateshgah.
*Photo from Ministry of Tourism and Sport

BAKU THE CAPITAL CITY

History of Baku traces its roots back to the antiquity, though exact date of its establishment is not known up to present. Territory of Absheron peninsula, where the city
is located, has very favourable geographic location, comfortable bay, warm dry climate, fruitful soil, natural resource, so the appearance of the ancient settlements here
is quite understandable.
Baku boundaries were limiting with Icheri Sheher - Inner city- then surrounded with the fortress walls, where nearly 300 houses and 3000 inhabitants were living. After
the Caucasian region was rule by governor in 1846, new administrative-territorial division of the land takes place, by which Baku district was included in newly
established Shamakhi province. In 1859, province center moved to Baku and the province renamed into Baku.
National Museum of History and Ethnography. The museum has s rich collection of ancient artifacts from Turkmenistan. More than 500,000 exhibits are displayed here.
It has 9 halls, each dedicated to a certain period or theme. The museum reveals the variety of Turkmenistan's landscape: its flora and fauna, fossils and rare geological
finds. The Hall of Independence, illustrating the modern development of the country, along with a range of costly presents given to Saparmurad Turkmenbashi, and
donated by him to the museum.

Carpet Museum. This museum has a large, impressive collection of antique carpets, carpet articles/ chuvals, khurjuns, torba etc./ and also two first biggest carpets,
made in Turkmenistan/ 18m by 11,5 m/total area 192 square m. and 20 m by 13 m/266 square m. The first biggest carpet weighs a little bit less than one tone and the
second biggest carpet weighs one tone. The art of carpet making goes back into antiquity. It has not been established yet what came first - painted ceramics or carpets.
During archeological excavations at Namazga-Depe/ 3d millenium BC/ painted ceramics was found. Some designs of this ceramics are very similar to the carpet
symbols.
The Bakharden Underground lake Kow Ata is an unusual natural site in the biggest cave of the Kopetdag mountains, located about 107 km south-west of Ashgabat.
The Turkmen name Kov-Ata means "father of caves". At a first glance, this underground area looks like a magnificent auditorium : the overall length of the cave is 230
m, its height goes up to 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. Daylight only enters the "ante chamber" of the cave.
Darvaza Oasis. The settlement is located in the Central part of the Kara-Kum desert/ 260 km from Ashgabat to the north west. On the way to Darvaza one can admire
the Kara-Kum desert, its moving sands, the saksayl trees and kandym. The population of Darvaza is 350 inhabitants. Most of them are Turkmens. Ho-wever there are 3
Russian families. The word Darvaza is of the Turkmen origin. It is translated "Gates". At the Darvaza settlement people still live in Yurt. Yurt/ AK Oy is a traditional
Turkmen dwelling.
The Karakum Desert occupies the area of about 35 million ha, or more than 80% of the whole territory of Turkmenistan. According to its geological and natural
conditions, the Karakum can be divided into three large parts: Northern or Zaunguz, Central or Lowland, and South-Eastern Karakum.
Meane Baba Mausoleum & Shrine. The Mausoleum of Abu Said Makneyi is situated in a small village in Kahka. It was built during the reign of Turkmen-Seljuks in the
11-th century. This mausoleum was constructed over the grave of famous followers of sufizm and the great philosophers in Eastern literature Abu Said Makneyi who
lived during the period of 968- 1049. The approximate time of the construction is estimated to be the middle of 11-th century. It has the double dome that is the main
characteristic features of time. In the 15-th century the building was partly renovated, but its constructive bases were not damaged. The inner part of the mausoleum is
decorated with inscriptions and the portal is laced with mosaics. The mosaics differ in motley colors like puce, white, green and others.

GANJA

This is Azerbaijan's second-largest city with a population of around 313,300. It was named Yelizavetpol in the Russian Empire period. The city regained its original name
- Ganja - from 19201935 during the first part of its incorporation into the Soviet Union. However, its name was changed again and called Kirovabad during the later
Soviet Union period from 1935 to 1991. Finally, the city regained the original name after Azerbaijan's independence in 1991.
According to the legend, the Arab governor had a dream where a voice told him that there was a treasure hidden less than one of the three hills around the area
where he camped. The voice told him to unearth it and use the money to found a city. He did so and informed the caliph about the money and the city. Caliph made
Mohammad the hereditary governor of the city on a condition that he would give the money he found to the caliph.
Foundation of the city by Arabs is confirmed by the medieval historian Movses Kagankatvatsi, who mentions that the city of Ganja was founded in 846-47 in the canton
of Arshakashen by the son of Khazr Patgos, a furious and merciless man.
Nizami Mausoleum, built in honor of Nizami Ganjavi, stands just outside the city of Ganja, Azerbaijan. It attracts nearly 35000 visitors per year
Juma (Shah Abbas) Mosque, the mosque was under construction in 1606 under the project of Sheikh Baahaddin Mahammad Amilin mosque and currently is biggest
mosque of the city.
The Armenian Church. Built in the 18th century and currently, it is in use of the Ganja State Philharmonic Chamber.
* Photos from Ministry of Tourism and sport archive

QUBA

The city of Quba is located 170 km to the north of Baku right on the picturesque hillsides. In the past it was the capital of Quba khanate which was founded in the mid 18th century. The unsurpassed beauty of the local mountains was praised by such famous people as Alexander Duma-father, the Russian writer Bestuzhev-Marlinsky,
the Norwegian traveller Tor Heerdal and others. The symbols of Quba are apple orchards and beautiful Quba carpets which are popular far outside Azerbaijan.
Khanalyg Village is located in Quba suburbs but tourists come here all the same to see the well-known local landmark - the ancient Zoroastrian Temple built in the 9th
century. This temple stands on the site of "eternal" fire. The villagers - khangali - themselves are historical and ethnic phenomenon. The thing is that they are
descendants of ancient Albanian nations. Only about 1,000 in number they have managed to preserve their original language, clothes, household, traditions and
ceremonials. This small state within Khanalyg state even has its own laws and regulations. For example it has its own original customs office. Khangali is a unique ethnic
group similar to no other living in the world.
Dzhuma Mosque. This mosque was erected in the 19th century. Its construction is typical only for the mosques of Quba province. It looks like a faceted cylinder i.e. has
the form of a regular octagon. Inside there is a big hall crowned with a huge 16 m diameter dome. After Dzhuma Mosque had been built in Quba the same
constructions began to appear in other areas of Azerbaijan.
Mausoleums of Agbil. The settlement of Agbil of Quba region is the place where three medieval mausoleums of the 16 century were found. Two of them are traditional
rectangular structures. The third mausoleum is completely different due to its original architecture. As a matter of fact this small square building from burnt bricks
placed in an octagonal stone pillar. From the outside the mausoleum looks like an octahedron with a high dome and wide portal entrance, and from the inside it is a
usual square room
*

Photos from Ministry of Tourism and sport archive

NAKHICHEVAN

The city of Nakhichevan is located very close to the border with Iran on the river Nahichivanchai.
It is the most ancient city of Azerbaijan. It emerged in the 6th century BC as one of the cities of Caucasian Albania. In the 11th century it became the capital of Seljuk
state. In the 12th 13th centuries it was the capital of Ildigizid state. From 1828 to 1923 it belonged to Russian Empire, after that it became a part of Azerbaijan.
The monuments of medieval architecture are considered as the major tourist attraction of the city: the mausoleums of Yusuf ibn Kuseiyr (11th century) and Momine
Khatun (12th century .) , Gyaur-Kala fortress ( Shahtahty , 2,000 BC) as well as unique Khudaferin bridges across the Araks river.
Nakhichevan has a university, a scientific center of A zerbaijan Academy of Sciences, theatres, literature and historical museums, and a picture gallery. Not far from
Nakhichevan there is Alindzha-Kala fortress (11 th 13 th centuries).
*Photos from Azerbaijan Embassy in Uzbekistan

SHEKI
Sheki is located 380 km to the west of Baku close to Georgian border. Sheki is set in a picturesque mountain area rich in narrow gorges and green valleys, springs,
purest rivers, water falls and mineral water springs framed by dense woods and alpine meadows. Not far from Sheki in one of the most beautiful and picturesque places
of the country is the Markhal Resort.
Archeological data testify that the city can be considered one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus ; many finds on its territory are dated as old as 2,500 years.
The city can boast many historical and architectural places of interest , but its pride is the ancient majestic royal palace of Shekin khans erected in the 18 th century
without a single nail (!) with magnificent wall paintings and tracery windows in the stone citadel. Very attractive are Gemsen-Geresen fortress (8-9 th centuries) ,
numerous caravanserais, house of Sheki Khans, Djuma Mosque (18th century), the Gileilin Mosque minaret (18th century), and medieval baths. Sheki is a major center
of crafts.
Djuma Mosque ( Khan's mosque) was constructed in 1745-1750, near the market square. Directly in front of the mosque is a small cemetery. Gadzhi C he lebi , the ruler
of Shek y (18th century) and h is confidants were buried there. T hese tombs are topped by domes and gravestones with cut out lette ring in Ar abian language. The
mosque, its minaret and the ancient cemetery today are protected by the state as important historical monuments.
Gileili Minaret is a monument of the 16th - 17th centuries. It used to be a part of Gileili Mosque very well known in the city. But unfortunately, the mosque disappeared.
Only the minaret, protected by the state, reminds of its existence. Gileili Minaret (built from burnt brick ) can be seen in K yu le k hlin makhal of the cit y. It is the first and
the highest minaret in Zakataly - a Sheki district.
Medieval bath. Sheki has a very well preserved bath of the19th century. It was constructed in the style of traditional baths : it co nsists of two bigger halls - one for
undress ing (Chol or Bayir) and the other - for bathing with a warmed up floor.
Sheki khan Gadzhi Chelebi (1743-1755) during his reign constructed a fortress in the northeast for defense p urposes. The overall l ength of the fortification is about
1300 meters , its southern height is about 8 m, the northern - 4 m . Thickness of the wall is over 2 meters . 21 towers were located along its length.

*Photos from Azerbaijan Embassy in Uzbekistan

AZERBAIJAN CUISINE

Azerbaijani cuisine is one of the most interesting one in the world in general and the Orient in particular. It is somewhat similar to traditions of Caucasian and Central
Asian people but has its distinctive features. It is remarkable by abundance of the every possible meat, fish and vegetable dishes dressed by fragrant greens and spices.
The most experienced gourmets coming to Azerbaijan have become connoisseurs of its cuisine. The dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine are original and unique. It is not
surprising that purely Azerbaijani dolma , bozbash , bozartma , chykhyrtma , khashil , shashlyk, piti , pilau, govurma are included in national menus of neighboring
Caucasian nations.
The majority of national food is cooked from mutton, beef and poultry. Azerbaijanis as well as other Moslems do not eat pork. Dishes from chopped meat and,
certainly, fishes are widely spread there. He preferred fishes are stellate sturgeon and sturgeon. Azerbaijani cuisine is famous for abundance of vegetables, first of all
greens, eggplants, sweet peppers, cabbage, spinach, sorrel, beet, radishes , onions, cucumbers, green string bean, etc.
Vegetable salads are special in Azerbaijani cuisine. Vegetables are very thinly sliced. Salads are eaten as side dishes. Starters and appetizers are very popular too. The
most often served are various pickles and marinades. From ancient times Azerbaijani dishes have been cooked in copper ware. Even today villagers observe this
tradition believing that a meal prepared in such a way is much more delicious.
Azerbaijan cuisine is not only is tasty but also good for your health the evidence to this is a lot of long-livers and centenarians in the Republic.
Tea is served first according to the tradition. Azerbaijanis always drink tea, mainly black, before dinner. As soon as guests arrive tea is the first thing to serve. The
advantage of this tradition is that tea drinking with many guests around the table is makes conversation flow smoother. Tea in Azerbaijan is a symbol of hospitality.

USEFUL INFORMATION
HOW TO GET TO AZERBAIJAN
Flying to Azerbaijan
The national airline is Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) (website: www.azal.az), which
operates regular flights to Ankara, London (via Istanbul), Paris, Milan, Moscow,
Kiev, Dubai, Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Travel by rail
Azerbaijan is connected with Tbilisi in Georgia and Makhachkala in Dagestan
(Russia), as well as Moscow and other major cities in the CIS.
Getting to Azerbaijan by boat
Main ports Baku offers a range of shipping services across the Caspian Sea,
including regular trips to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan and to Bandar Anzali
and Bandar Nowshar in Iran.
WHEN TO GO
Nine out of eleven existing climate zones are present in Azerbaijan. However,
the country is generally very warm, but low temperatures can occur, particularly
in the mountains and valleys. The Greater Caucasus protects the country from
direct influences of cold air masses which come from the north. This leads to
the formation of subtropical climate on most foothills and plains of the country.
Most of the rainfall takes place in the west of the country.
The best time to visit lowland Azerbaijan is April to June, when skies are clear
and the land is green and full of flowers. October is also lovely in Baku, with
warm days and crisp nights, though much of the countryside is parched brown.

Summer is unpleasantly hot in low-lying areas, with Baku unpleasantly humid.

However, in the higher mountains July is the ideal trekking season, although
you might still need a decent jacket at night.
CURRENCY

On 1 January 2006, a new manat (ISO 4217 code AZN, also called the "manat
(national currency)" was introduced at a value of 5,000 old manat. Since 1
October 2005, prices have been indicated both in new manats and in old
manats to ease transition. Coins denominated in qpik, which had not been
used from 1993 onwards due to inflation, have been reintroduced with the
redenomination.
Coins in circulation are 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 50 qpik (the latter being bimetallic,
similar to the 2 coin, and the lower denominations closely resembling the size
and shape of various euro cent coins).
Foreign currency and travelers cheques can be exchanged for Azeri Manat in all
banks. In addition, currency can be exchanged at all official exchange points,
which can be found everywhere. It is necessary to keep receipts of all exchanges
until departure from the country. Those who change currency with
unauthorized individuals take the risk of becoming a victim of scams and fraud,
and carry full responsibility for possible abuses.
Credit cards
As a rule, it is possible to pay by credit card in most hotels. However, we
recommended confirming in advance the acceptance of credit cards. Cash
machines (ATM) are located in the most important business centers, shopping
malls, and underground stations.

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