The facts about Azerbaijan (written by Doug Parks)*
1. Some say that historically, Azerbaijan was the setting for the Garden of Eden. But sure doesn’t look like any Garden of Eden now! Rarely visited Azerbaijan offers the gritty reality of Caspian seashore oil rigs, unpleasant odors, and a callous disregard for the environment.
2. Located at the Southern end of the Caucasus Mountains with its Eastern shores facing the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan marks the transition from Central Asia towards Europe. It feels considerably more European than “the Stans,” in Central Asia.
3. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed its independence in 1918 and became the first Muslim-majority democratic and secular republic. It was also the first Muslim-majority country to have operas, theaters and modern universities. The country was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920 as the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on 30 August 1991, before the official dissolution of the USSR.
4. This Eur-Asian country has a population of 9.6 million Azeris with four million living in its stately capital Baku.
5. With the Caspian Sea to the East, its other borders are Iran to the South, Turkey and Armenia to the West, Georgia to the Northwest and Russia on the Northern border. The fabric of the country is an incongruous mixture of Russian, Persian and Turkic influences.
6. The Capital, Baku, is a fascinating city with oil baron mansions on its seaside, both Stalinist and neoclassical Russian buildings, Islamic architecture, a huge city square with modern restaurants and night life and a medieval walled portion of the city.
7. The contemporary Azeris are a hospitable and passionate group who are well versed in Persian poetry and Turkic legends. Religiously, most of the locals are Muslim of the Shiite branch of Islam. Backgammon is a major game played outside the cafes while sipping on a glass of cay (tea).
8. The economy of Azerbaijan is largely based on their rich supply of oil and gas. It is considered one of the most important spots in the world for oil exploration and development. If you drive by the downtown center of Baku, you will pass many Gucci type shops. This city feels more like Europe then central Asia.
9. Baku is home to the world’s largest carpet museum, which is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea. It is believed that the Azeri and the Persians make the best carpets in the world! This museum was recognized by UNESCO in 2012.
10. Baku is quite a hilly town. On the top of the city, there is a mass memorial to Azeris who were killed by the Russians in 1990 before the USSR collapsed.
11. Thirty miles outside Baku to the southwest lies the city of Oobustan where there are ancient Bronze-Age petroglyphs and an impressive museum.
12. You can also visit a Zoroastrian Center established in 1000 B.C. and that remained a religious center involving Hindus and Zoroastrians right up until the Russians arrived in the 1880’s.
13. Azerbaijan has no relations with Armenia. So if you want to head up through the Caucasus, you must fly to Tbilisi, in the Republic of Georgia. The Azeris have a fine brand new airport and planes that can get you there in just one hour.
* Doug Parks is a serious traveler, teacher and adventurer who has journeyed to 170 countries over the course of his life to this point, including trips to Europe, South America and Middle Asia with Pablo.