Exploring Azerbaijan's Complex Cultural Identity: Europe Or Asia?

Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a part of the South Caucasus region, which spans both continents. The country is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south.

Azerbaijan is divided partially between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, with its territory north of the Aras River being Iranian until it was conquered by Russia in the 19th century.

The country has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, largely due to progress in economic reforms since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan's economy relies heavily on oil and natural gas production, with other industries including cotton and agricultural products.

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is part of the South Caucasus region, which spans Asia and Europe. Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. The country's capital, Baku, is its largest city and has the largest and best harbour on the Caspian Sea.

The territory of what is now Azerbaijan was historically ruled by Caucasian Albania and various Persian empires. It remained part of Qajar Iran until the early 19th century, when it was conquered by Russia. In 1918, Azerbaijan gained independence from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic and became the first secular democratic Muslim-majority state. However, in 1920, the country was incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan SSR. Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991, shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan's landscape is characterised by lowlands, highlands, and mountainous regions. The Greater Caucasus mountain range forms its northern boundary, while the Caspian Sea forms its eastern shoreline. The country's highest peak, Mount Bazardüzü, rises to 4,466 metres above sea level in the Greater Caucasus range. Azerbaijan has a diverse climate, ranging from subtropical and humid in the southeast to subtropical and dry in central and eastern regions.

In terms of culture and religion, Azerbaijan is a secular state with a Muslim-majority population and strong traditions of religious tolerance. The country's official language is Azerbaijani, a Turkic language spoken by around 92% of the population as their mother tongue. Russian and Armenian are also widely spoken.

Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains, which span Asia and Europe

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. The Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, which span Asia and Europe, are defining features of the country's geography.

The Caspian Sea forms a natural boundary along Azerbaijan's eastern coastline. The sea is the world's largest landlocked body of water, with Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, situated on its shores. Baku has long been a centre of the country's oil industry and boasts the Caspian region's largest and best harbour.

The Caucasus Mountains, which span both continents, include the Greater Caucasus range to the north of Azerbaijan and the Lesser Caucasus range to the west, bordering Armenia. The highest peak in Azerbaijan is Mount Bazardüzü in the Greater Caucasus range, rising to 4,466 metres (14,652 feet) above sea level.

Azerbaijan's location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has influenced its history, culture, and demographics. It has a Muslim-majority population while also being a secular state with strong traditions of religious tolerance. The country has a diverse landscape, offering a blend of traditions and modern development, with its people retaining distinctive folk traditions in the remoter areas.

Azerbaijan is a secular state with a Muslim-majority population

Azerbaijan's constitution ensures the freedom of religion and the right of individuals to express their religious beliefs and to practice religious rituals, provided these do not violate public order or public morality. The constitution also stipulates the separation of religion and state and the equality of all religions and all individuals regardless of belief.

The role of Islam in politics and in everyday life in Azerbaijan remains relatively small. While the vast majority of Azerbaijanis identify as Muslims, a 1998 poll estimated that only 20% were ardent believers. A 2010 survey found that only half of Azerbaijanis considered religion an important part of their daily life.

Azerbaijan has been a secular country since the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first secular democratic Muslim-majority state, proclaimed its independence in 1918. The modern Republic of Azerbaijan similarly declared its independence in 1991, shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The country is characterised by lowlands, highlands and mountainous regions

Azerbaijan is characterised by a wide variety of landscapes. The country's terrain can be split into three main physical features: the Caspian Sea to the east, the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north, and extensive flatlands at the country's centre.

Azerbaijan's landscape varies from lowland to highland to mountainous. Over half of its territory is considered mountainous, with about half the country lying at 400 to 1,500 metres above sea level. The highest peaks are in the Greater Caucasus range, which forms the country's northern border with Russia. The highest peak is Mount Bazarduzu, which rises to 4,466 metres (14,652 feet) above sea level. Mount Bazarduzu is also the highest point in Azerbaijan and is situated on the border with Russia.

The Greater Caucasus range is not crossed by any river valleys and is therefore also called the Watershed Ridge. Most of the ridge's elevation is over 3,000 metres (9,842 feet) high, and only in its central part does it exceed 4,000 metres (13,123 feet). The Greater Caucasus is located in a region characterised by a high degree of seismic activity.

The Lesser Caucasus range forms the country's border with Armenia to the west, while the Talysh Mountains form part of the border with Iran to the southeast. The Lesser Caucasus is less high than the Greater Caucasus and has a folded-boulder structure caused by the presence of abyssal fractures. The highest peak of the Lesser Caucasus is Mount Kaputjukh, which rises to 3,904 metres (12,808 feet) above sea level.

Nearly half of Azerbaijan is made up of lowlands, with the Kura-Aras Lowland being the most significant. The lowland is named for the main river, the Kura, and its tributary, the Aras. The lowland includes the Shirvan, Milskaya, and Mugan plains, which have similar soils and a dry, subtropical climate. The Kura-Aras Lowland features a well-developed network of canals, making it possible to irrigate a large part of the area.

The country's flatlands include the gently undulating hills of the subtropical southeastern coast, which are covered with tea plantations and orange and lemon groves. Azerbaijan also has several mud volcanoes and mineral springs in the ravines of Kobustan Mountain, near Baku.

Azerbaijan has a Caspian shoreline and is bordered by Russia, Georgia, Iran, Armenia and Turkey

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. The exclave of Naxçıvan (Nakhichevan) is located southwest of Azerbaijan proper, bordered by Armenia, Iran, and Turkey.

The Caspian Sea forms a natural boundary to the east of Azerbaijan. The Caspian shoreline is characterised by coastal terrain that lies as much as 28 metres below sea level. The Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north of Azerbaijan forms part of the country's natural boundary with Russia. The Lesser Caucasus mountain range to the west forms the natural boundary with Armenia. To the extreme southeast, the Talysh Mountains form part of the border with Iran.

Azerbaijan's neighbours have changed over time. Until the 19th century, the territory now known as Azerbaijan was part of Qajar Iran. However, the Russo-Persian wars of 1804–1813 and 1826–1828 forced the Qajar Empire to cede its Caucasian territories to the Russian Empire. The modern Republic of Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on 30 August 1991, shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, is an ancient city with the largest and best harbour on the Caspian Sea. It has long been the centre of the republic's oil industry.

Frequently asked questions