Exploring Azerbaijan: A Land Of Surprises And Diversity

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a rich history and diverse culture. Baku, its capital and largest city, is often likened to Dubai for its modern architecture and appetite for gold. Azerbaijan has a population of approximately 10 million people, the majority of whom are Muslims. The country has a strong tea culture and is famous for its delicious cuisine, which includes dishes such as Piti, Lavanagi, and Dolma. Azerbaijan is also known for its mud volcanoes, with nearly half of the world's total found in the country. The country has a complicated border situation, with an ongoing conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but has a predominantly ethnic Armenian population.

Azerbaijan's borders

Azerbaijan also has a coastline of 713km (443mi) on the Caspian Sea, which is classified as a lake or closed sea. The Caspian Sea forms the eastern border of the country.

Additionally, Azerbaijan has an exclave named Nakhchivan, which is located southwest of the country and bordered by Armenia, Iran, and Turkey. Reciprocally, there is an Armenian enclave, a village called Artsvashen, in northwestern Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's maritime boundaries with Russia and Kazakhstan have been determined, but those with Iran and Turkmenistan are still disputed.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all land borders of Azerbaijan have been closed until at least July 1, 2024, with only cargo from neighbouring countries allowed to enter.

Religion and culture

Azerbaijan is a secular country with a majority Muslim population, but it is considered the most secular country in the Muslim world. Around 97% of the population are Muslims, with approximately 55-65% being Shia and 35-45% Sunni. The country has good relations with Israel, and the largest all-Jewish settlement outside of Israel is in Quba.

Azerbaijan's culture is a blend of historical, religious, and traditional influences that have evolved over centuries. The country has been influenced by its nomadic Turkic tribes, sedentary Persian lifestyles, Arab-Islamic ideology, and Russian and European cultures. The country's lively dances, delicate miniature paintings, exquisite handwoven carpets, and advanced theatrical and cinematic productions reflect its rich history.

Azerbaijani music and dance are expressive forms of local art, perfected over 4,000 years. Mugham, an improvisational musical form with alternating vocal and instrumental parts, is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. Female dances, such as the asma kasma wedding dance, are slower and noted for their seamless motions and exaggerated use of the head and hands. In contrast, men's performances, such as the martial arts-based gangi, rely on speed, jumps, and rapid leg movements.

Azerbaijani literature has been preserved through oral and written traditions. During the Soviet era, many authors were forced to propagate Soviet propaganda, but after Stalin's death, writers were free to explore new directions. Today, one of the most widely recognised pieces of Azerbaijani literature is 'Ali and Nino: A Love Story', published under the pseudonym Kurban Said in 1937.

Azerbaijani tea culture is a striking aspect of the country's traditions. Tea is considered sacred and is served in a pear-shaped glass called an armuda, accompanied by a cube of sugar. The sugar is bitten before sipping the tea, a tradition dating back to medieval times when rulers were afraid of being poisoned.

Azerbaijani hospitality is renowned, with hosts welcoming guests into their homes and offering endless cups of tea and snacks. This deep-rooted tradition dates back centuries, with former rulers providing the very best for visiting dignitaries.

Azerbaijani have a unique blend of personalities. While some embrace a more liberal, secular, and post-Soviet mindset, others retain the old Soviet mentality, especially those in higher positions who once liked to flaunt their power. Men are generally polite and respectful towards women, holding doors open, giving up their seats, and insisting on paying.

The country's relationship with oil is complex. While the industry has stimulated economic growth and funded Baku's elegant architecture, some Azerbaijanis criticise how the country's wealth has been distributed, prioritising Baku's opulence over rural development.

Fire is a significant symbol in Azerbaijan, from the Zoroastrian fire temples to Baku's Flame Towers. Scientifically, this is due to the vast quantities of subterranean gas, while culturally, fire holds mystical significance for the early inhabitants.

Azerbaijan's diverse landscapes feature 75% of the world's climatic zones, and its culture reflects this variety. Influences from Iran, Turkey, Russia, and the West blend with the country's Islamic, Orthodox Christian, and Jewish communities. Each region has its own traditions, food, and style of carpet weaving, creating a fascinating mosaic of cultures and traditions.

Food and drink

Azerbaijan's food and drink scene is heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries, including Iran, Turkey, and the Mediterranean, as well as its unique geographical location between Europe and Asia. Here is a guide to the food and drink of Azerbaijan:

Traditional Azerbaijani Food

Azerbaijani cuisine is rich in produce, milk products, and meat, including beef, mutton, fish, and game. The country's diverse agriculture and access to the Caspian Sea contribute to a varied diet. Here are some of the most popular traditional dishes:

• Plov (or Pilaf): Azerbaijan's national dish, plov is a rice-based meal often cooked with saffron and accompanied by meat and vegetables. There are over 200 types of plov in Azerbaijani cuisine, and it is considered the staple food of the country.
• Kebabs: A symbol of Azerbaijani hospitality, kebabs are a popular choice and come in various types, including lyulya kebab (barbequed minced lamb on skewers) and lula kebab (made with minced meat).
• Dolma: A traditional dish made by stuffing meat, rice, onions, peas, and spices into grape leaves or vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, or sweet peppers.
• Piti: A hearty lamb and chickpea stew slow-cooked in a ceramic pot. It is a signature dish of the Sheki region and is often served in a traditional clay pot.
• Dushbara: Small dumplings filled with minced lamb and cooked in a broth. They are similar to tortellini and are particularly popular in Baku, the country's capital.
• Pakhlava (or Baklava): A sweet pastry stuffed with nuts and flooded with syrup. It is a traditional dessert, especially during the Iranian New Year celebrations in March.
• Dovga: A traditional yoghurt-based soup with rice, chickpeas, and herbs. It can be served warm or cold, depending on the season.
• Qutab: A type of savoury pancake filled with meat, cheese, or spinach, and eaten with a yoghurt sauce.
• Lavangi: A dish from southern Azerbaijan, especially Lankaran, where fish or chicken is stuffed with walnuts, dried fruit, onions, and spices, and then roasted.
• Kefli Becha (Drunk Chicken): A dish from Nakhchivan where chicken is cooked in wine.

Drinks in Azerbaijan

• Black Tea: Tea is an integral part of Azerbaijani culture and is typically served after meals and offered to guests as a gesture of welcome. It is often accompanied by fruit preserves or a slice of lemon.
• Sherbet: A refreshing drink made with boiled water, lemon, and sugar, served with ice. It can also be made with milk or fruit.
• Ayran: A savoury milk drink made by mixing water, yoghurt, and salt. It is often paired with barbequed dishes.
• Wine: Wine production has a long history in Azerbaijan, with archaeological evidence dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. Both grape wines (called sharab) and wines made from other fruits (called nabiz) are consumed.
• Beer: Lighter lagers are the typical style of beer in Azerbaijan, with Xirdalan being the most widely distributed domestic brand.

Language

Azerbaijan's sole official language is Azerbaijani, a Turkic language closely related to and partially mutually intelligible with Modern Turkish. It is spoken by 92.5% of the population, according to the 2009 census, and is the primary language of education in the country. Azerbaijani is also the official language in Dagestan, a federal subject of Russia, and is spoken to lesser degrees in Azerbaijani communities in Georgia and Turkey, as well as in diaspora communities in Europe and North America.

Azerbaijani evolved from the Eastern branch of Oghuz Turkic ("Western Turkic") and spread to the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and northern Iran during the medieval Turkic migrations. Persian and Arabic influenced the language, but Arabic words were mainly transmitted through literary Persian. Azerbaijani is mutually intelligible with Turkmen, Turkish, Gagauz, and Qashqai to varying degrees. Azerbaijani is written in the Latin script, though prior to independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Cyrillic script was used.

Several minority languages are also spoken in Azerbaijan, including Lezgian, Talysh, Avar, Russian, and Tat. Additionally, languages such as Tsakhur and Khinalug are spoken by a small percentage of the population. The use of English is steadily increasing in the country, and it is taught as a second or third language in schools.

History

Azerbaijan's history is closely intertwined with that of Iran. The territory of what is now Azerbaijan was ruled by Caucasian Albania and later various Persian empires until the 19th century, when it was ceded to the Russian Empire following the Russo-Persian wars of 1804–1813 and 1826–1828.

Caucasian Albania and Persian Rule

The territory of modern-day Azerbaijan was first ruled by Caucasian Albania, a vassal state of the Sasanian Empire. The Caucasian Albanian language, likely the predecessor of the endangered Udi language, was spoken by the founders of Caucasian Albania. Zoroastrianism, a dominant religion in the region, was introduced during the rule of the Achaemenid Empire.

From the time of the Medes and the Achaemenid Empire until the coming of the Russians in the 19th century, the territories of the republic of Azerbaijan and Iran usually shared the same history. Despite the Arab conquest of Iran and the conversion of the area's inhabitants to Islam, Azerbaijan retained its Iranian character.

Turkic Influence

Around the 11th century, Oghuz Turkic tribes under the Seljuq dynasty entered the area, and Azerbaijan gained a large number of Turkic inhabitants. Over time, as the original population intermingled with the immigrant Turkic nomads, the number of native Persian speakers gradually diminished, and a Turkic dialect now known as Azerbaijani (or Azeri Turkic) gained prominence.

Russian Rule

In the 19th century, the Russo-Persian wars of 1804–1813 and 1826–1828 forced Qajar Iran to cede its Caucasian territories to the Russian Empire. The region north of the Aras River, which was previously Iranian territory, was occupied by Russia during this period. The treaties of Gulistan in 1813 and Turkmenchay in 1828 defined the border between Czarist Russia and Qajar Iran.

Independence and Soviet Rule

In 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed its independence from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, becoming the first secular democratic Muslim-majority state. However, this independence was short-lived as the country was invaded by Soviet forces in 1920 and incorporated into the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan SSR.

Post-Soviet Independence

The modern Republic of Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on 30 August 1991, shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, its early years of independence were overshadowed by the First Nagorno-Karabakh War with the ethnic Armenian majority of Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in significant territorial losses.

Aliyev Family Rule

Since 1993, Azerbaijan has been ruled by the Aliyev political family, with Heydar Aliyev serving as president until his death in 2003 and his son, Ilham Aliyev, taking over the presidency. The Aliyev family has been criticised for authoritarianism, worsening the country's human rights record, and high levels of economic inequality and corruption.

Frequently asked questions