Azerbaijan (population ~10.1M) is located at the border between Europe and Asia, making it one of the few trans-continental countries in the world. Although it borders the Caspian Sea to the east, the country is a landlocked nation, since the Caspian is itself a landlocked body of water. To Azerbaijan’s north are the countries of Georgia and Russia, as well as the Caucasus mountain range, straddling the border with Russia. To the west are the countries of Armenia and Iraq, and to the south is Iran. Azerbaijan also shares a tiny 16-kilometer border with Turkey along the Aras River. The country consists of two parts – the mainland, which contains the capital and largest city of the country, Baku, and the exclave of Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic situated between Turkey, Iran, and Armenia. There is also a breakaway republic in the mainland called the Republic of Artsakh, also known as the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Long story short, the republic, officially recognized by Azerbaijan, is a breakaway state that has fought multiple wars, the most recent of which took place in 2020.
With a population of 2.29 million, the capital city of Baku is the most populated city in the country. It dates back to the 9th century CE, and has been part of various empires, including the Mongol Empire. Located on the Abşeron Peninsula, the city lies 28 meters below sea level, the lowest of any capital city. Baku’s main economic source is oil, and derricks can be seen lining the Caspian Sea’s shoreline near the city. The city has various cultural centers and historical sites, including the Old Town, which contains many architectural projects dating back to the Shīrvān-Shāhs dynasty, who occupied the city for the majority of the 11th and 12th centuries. These structures include the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Synyk-Kala Minaret and Mosque. The largest airport, Heydar Aliyev International Airport, is located close to the capital city. Baku is also a Formula 1 hotspot, with the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix having taken place there not long ago. Other major Azerbaijani cities include Sumqayit, Ganja, Lankaran, Shirvan, Nakhchivan, Shaki, and Mingachevir.
Azerbaijan is home to a variety of diverse landscapes and climate zones, from tall mountains and tundra in the north, to steppes and mountains in Nakhchivan, to flat plains in the south. Farmers in the south cultivate a variety of crops such as wheat, barley, tomatoes, potatoes, and apples, in addition to owning large amounts of livestock. Many of these farms are scattered along the Kur and Aras Rivers, the two main artery rivers of the country. The largest natural lake in the country, Lake Sarisu, is also close to these rivers. To the north are the rugged and grand Caucasus Mountains, which are home to the tallest peak in the country, Mount Bazardüzü. The area around Baku is a cold desert that lies on the Abşeron Peninsula along the Caspian Sea. Oil and natural gas, the country’s two main natural resources, are plentiful in that area. The Nakhchivan Exclave is home to generally dry steppes and deserts to the west, with most agriculture being centered around the Aras Dam lake and the Aras River.
What is now Azerbaijan was likely first settled around 3000 years ago. As history progressed, the region saw itself being controlled by many groups, including the Christian Armenians and the Mongols. As mentioned previously, the region also briefly belonged to the Mongol Empire, mainly in the 12th century. Following the fall of the Mongols, the region was heavily influenced by Persian (Safavid dynasty) culture, with the majority of the region converting to Shia Islam (the same branch of Islam as Iran). In the 19th century, Russia occupied the majority of Azerbaijan, including Baku and the oil-rich Abşeron Peninsula. This domination led to clashes between the different ethnic groups who were living in the same area, which were sometimes deadly. Following the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the end of WWI in 1918, the Azerbaijanis were successfully able to take over Baku and declare themselves independent. But soon after, in the early 1920s, Azerbaijan was taken over again by the USSR, and it remained a part of the Soviet Union for ~71 years until 1991, when the Soviet Union was overthrown. Azerbaijan later declared its independence in early 1992. Similar to the USA, Azerbaijan currently has a 3-branch government. The president, Ilham Aliyev, has been in office since 2003.
Since the region has been occupied by many different groups, the influence of these other cultures can be felt in Azeri culture. Over 93 percent of Azeris identify as Muslims, with around 70 percent of those Muslims being Shia (as is the majority of Persia, reflecting the Persian influence on religion), although most Azeris are generally more “culturally Muslim” than “observant Muslim”. Ethnically, the majority of the country’s people are Turkic.
Most of the country celebrates the Novruz festiva, which is the most popular and biggest holiday in Azerbaijan. It is a four-week celebration that marks the start of spring as well as the Persian New Year. One of the four elements (earth, fire, water, and air) is celebrated each week (Avatar, anyone?). Each Tuesday, numerous festivities are hosted, including planting trees or baking sweets.
Art in Azerbaijan encompasses a vast variety of styles. The area’s folk art generally involves creating intricate designs especially on cloth and carpets. These patterns usually reflect the ethnic origin of the country, with heavy influences from the Persians and Turks. Tahir Salakhov and Rasim Babayev, two of the most well-known contemporary Azeri artists, reflect on the Soviet history of the country through their artwork.
Azeri music nowadays is a hybrid of the historical cultural roots and modern music. Music is an important part of life in Azerbaijan, with many Azeris participating in it in one way or another. Some traditional instruments of the nation include the balaban, saz, and nagara. Mugam is essentially the classical music of Azerbaijan, and it is played all around the country. Mugam music is also sometimes accompanied by traditional folk dance, such as Yuz bir. Aside from that, western ballet is also popular.
In terms of its culture, Azerbaijan is essentially a western society. Compared to many other majority-Islamic countries, Azerbaijani women have nearly all the same rights as males. They participate in politics, can technically marry who they want, can wear what they want (cough Iran cough) and are not dependent on a husband. However, it is socially similar to most other societies, with men expected to support the family financially and women expected to support the home. Segregation between the sexes also exists in public spaces. Aside from that, Azeri society is similar to many other societies in that it values respect for elders and has basic etiquette for behavior in public.
Who talks about a country without talking about its food? Azeri cuisine encompasses a variety of dishes, thanks to the variety of crops that can be cultivated there. The cuisine mainly takes influences from Middle Eastern (Persian) food as well as Turkic and Eastern European food. Plov, also known as Pilau, is the most popular dish in the country. Its main ingredient is rice, coupled with some spices, meats, and/or vegetables, depending on the type of Plov. Other Azeri dishes include Lavangi, which is basically a chicken or fish stuffed with vegetables, nuts, and spices, and Piti, which is a soup prepared with mutton and vegetables. Shekerbura is a popular dessert that consists of a doughy exterior and a sweet filling inside consisting of either almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts.