Exploring Baku: Azerbaijan's Captivating Capital

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. Baku is the largest city in Azerbaijan, and the largest city on the Caspian Sea. It is located 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. Baku is the scientific, cultural and industrial centre of Azerbaijan, and is home to the headquarters of many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions, including SOCAR, one of the world's top 100 companies. The city is also known for its harsh winds, earning it the nickname, the City of Winds.

Baku's history

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has a long and rich history. While the first historical reference to Baku dates from 885 CE, archaeological evidence indicates that the area has been inhabited since the Paleolithic epoch, with traces of human settlement dating back to the Stone Age.

During the first millennium CE, Baku was a well-developed seaport under Roman sway. In the 11th century, Baku became the capital of the Shīrvān-Shāhs, who ruled over the Shirvan region. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Baku came under the control of the Mongols, and in 1723, it was captured by Peter the Great. However, it was returned to Persia in 1735.

Baku's wealth and strategic position made it a target for its larger neighbours. In the 16th century, it fell under the rule of the Safavid dynasty of Iran, led by Shah Ismail I. In the 18th century, Baku became a focal point in the Russo-Persian Wars, eventually falling under Russian control in 1806.

The discovery of oil in the region in the 19th century transformed Baku. Commercial exploitation of oil began in 1872, and by the beginning of the 20th century, Baku had become the largest oil field in the world. This oil boom contributed to massive growth in the city, with Baku's population increasing rapidly.

In 1918, Baku became the capital of the short-lived independent Azerbaijani Democratic Republic. However, this independence was short-lived, as the city was invaded by the Soviet Red Army in 1920, making Baku the capital of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

During World War II, Baku played a crucial role in the Soviet Union's strategic energy policy, supplying 80% of the oil used on the Eastern Front. In recent years, Baku has become a major venue for international events, hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, the European Games, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and the European Grand Prix, among others.

Baku's economy

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is the country's scientific, cultural, and industrial centre. It is the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region, and is located 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. Baku is the primate city of Azerbaijan, with a quarter of the country's inhabitants living in its metropolitan area.

Baku is a major international trade route junction, and its port can handle two million tons of cargo per year. The city is also a popular tourist destination, receiving 2.5 million visitors annually.

Baku's agricultural sector is based in the city's suburbs, where olives, pistachios, almonds, and saffron are grown.

Baku's culture

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is the country's scientific, cultural and industrial centre. Baku's culture is heavily influenced by its history, which has been shaped by Iranic, Turkic and Caucasian cultures.

Religion

Baku is a secular city, but the majority of its population are Muslim. The city's notable mosques include Juma Mosque, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Muhammad Mosque and Taza Pir Mosque. Baku also has a Jewish population, with seven of the original 11 synagogues remaining in the city.

Language

The official language of Baku is Azerbaijani, which belongs to the Turkic family of languages. However, the vast majority of residents also speak Russian as a second language.

Traditions

Baku has a rich history of traditions, including its tea-drinking rituals. Tea is considered sacred and is served in a pear-shaped glass called an armuda. Cubes of sugar are served alongside the tea, which are bitten before sipping. This tradition dates back to medieval times when rulers were afraid of being poisoned.

Architecture

Baku's architecture combines Eastern and Western elements. The city's most famous buildings include the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Baku also has a reputation for its Soviet-style architecture, with large, solid government buildings and residential complexes.

Arts

Baku is known for its music and dance, with traditional dances including Abayi, Agir Karadagi, Chichekler, Innaby, Gangi, Lezginka, Mirzayi, Uzundara and Meykhana.

Food

Baku's cuisine has been influenced by the foods of other cultures, including Russia, Iran and Turkey. Traditional dishes include Kufte bozbash, a popular dish of meat and potatoes in a thin sauce, and Pulov, a major dish at ritual celebrations.

Baku's climate

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has a cold semi-arid climate with hot and humid summers, cool and occasionally wet winters, and strong winds all year long. Baku is 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world.

The city is located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea and is the largest city on the sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku's northerly latitude and position on a peninsula in the Caspian Sea mean that, unlike other cities with similar climates, Baku does not experience extremely hot summers and substantial sunshine hours.

The city is known for its harsh winds, earning it the nickname the "City of Winds". The cold northern wind, Khazri, and the warm southern wind, Gilavar, are typical all year round. Khazri can reach speeds of up to 144 km/h, causing damage to crops, trees and roof tiles.

The average daily temperature in Baku ranges from 36°F to 89°F, rarely falling below 29°F or rising above 97°F. The hot season lasts for 3.3 months, from June 3 to September 12, with an average daily high above 80°F. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 88°F and a low of 72°F. The cool season lasts for 4 months, from November 25 to March 24, with an average daily high below 53°F. The coldest month is January, with an average low of 36°F and a high of 45°F.

Baku is the most arid part of Azerbaijan, with precipitation of around or less than 200mm per year. This is due to the rain shadow effect of the Caucasus Mountains. The majority of the light annual precipitation occurs outside of summer, but none of these seasons are particularly wet. October is the wettest month, with an average of 1.40" of precipitation.

Baku's long hours of sunshine and dry, healthy climate made it a popular vacation destination during Soviet times. However, its past as a Soviet industrial centre has left it as one of the most polluted cities in the world, as of 2008.

Baku's architecture

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a city with a diverse architectural landscape, ranging from the medieval Old City to modern buildings and spacious layouts along the Caspian Sea coast. Here is an overview of Baku's architecture:

Medieval Architecture:

• Maiden Tower: This enigmatic 97-foot-tall tower, believed to date back to the 12th century, is a key symbol of Baku and features on Azerbaijan's currency.
• Palace of the Shirvanshahs: A 15th-century masterpiece of Azerbaijani architecture, located near the Maiden Tower in the Old City.
• Sabayil Castle: A medieval castle on an artificial island in the Bay of Baku, designed by Masud Ibn Davud.
• Ramana Tower, Nardaran Fortress, Shagan Castle, Mardakan Castle, and Round Castle: These fortifications, along with the city walls of Baku, were built between the 12th and 14th centuries to protect the city.

Imperial Russian and Early Soviet Era:

During the 19th-century oil boom, Baku witnessed an influx of foreign influences, resulting in eclectic architecture that fused Eastern and Western styles. The city expanded rapidly, with the development of industrial districts like the Black City and the White City. Notable buildings from this period include:

• Ajdarbey Mosque: Built in 1912-1913 in the outskirts of the city.
• Baku City Duma: Constructed between 1900-1904 in an Italianate Renaissance style by Polish-Russian architect Józef Gosławski.
• Taghiyev Residence: Designed by Józef Gosławski in the Italianate Renaissance style, featuring a gilded main gallery and intricate Art Nouveau ornamentation.
• Murtuza Mukhtarov Residence: A French Gothic-style palace built between 1911-1912 by Polish architect I. K. Ploshko.
• Fountains Square: A public square with fountains and surrounded by eclectic architectural styles.

Late Modern and Postmodern Architecture:

In the early 2000s, Baku witnessed the emergence of late modern and postmodern architecture, with economic development leading to the demolition of older buildings and the construction of new landmarks. Notable examples include:

• Flame Towers: A trio of skyscrapers designed by HOK that dominate the city's skyline. The towers represent Azerbaijan's natural gas reserves and feature LED lights that create a fire-inspired display at night.
• SOCAR Tower: A two-tower complex that curves around each other, reaching a height of 209 meters. The towers are resistant to high wind speeds and earthquakes.
• Heydar Aliyev Center: Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, this ultramodern building with sweeping curves houses a conference hall, gallery, and museum.
• Baku Crystal Hall: A multifaceted concert hall and sports stadium designed by GMP Architekten, featuring LED lights that create unique visual effects.
• Azerbaijan Carpet Museum: Designed by Austrian architect Franz Janz, this museum dedicated to carpet artist Latif Karimov resembles a rolled-up carpet and features curved interiors.
• Port Baku Towers: A group of high-rise towers with a glass exterior, surrounded by American-style residential communities.
• Baku White City: A large-scale development project that aims to transform the city's skyline with modern architecture.

Frequently asked questions