Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. Baku is 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. It is the sole metropolis in the country, with about 25% of the country's inhabitants living in Baku's metropolitan area. The city is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. Baku is also the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Capital | Baku |
Population | 10,210,000 (2024 est.) |
Area | 86,600 sq km |
Highest Point | Bazarduzu Dagi, 4,466 m |
Lowest Point | Caspian Sea, -28 m |
Ethnic Groups | Azerbaijani 91.6%, Lezghin 2%, Russian 1.3%, Armenian 1.3%, Talysh 1.3%, other 2.4% |
Religion | Muslim 97.3% (predominantly Shia), Christian 2.6%, other <0.1% |
Languages | Azerbaijani 92.5%, Russian 1.4%, Armenian 1.4%, other 4.7% |
Government | Presidential republic |
President | Ilham Aliyev |
What You'll Learn
- Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is the largest city on the Caspian Sea
- Baku is the lowest-lying capital city in the world, at 28m below sea level
- Baku is the sole metropolis in Azerbaijan, with around 25% of the country's population living in its metropolitan area
- Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan
- Baku is the administrative centre of the Baku Gradonachalstvo
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is the largest city on the Caspian Sea
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and the largest city on the Caspian Sea. It is also the largest city in the Caucasus region and the sole metropolis in the country, with about 25% of Azerbaijan's population living in Baku's metropolitan area. Baku is situated on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying capital in the world.
Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. It is the headquarters of many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions, and in the 2010s, it became a venue for major international events, such as the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2015 European Games, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Baku has a rich history, with traces of human settlement in the region dating back to the Stone Age. The city was the realm of the Shirvanshahs during the 8th century AD and was enclosed within strong walls by the early 16th century. Baku's wealth and strategic position attracted the attention of its larger neighbours, and it subsequently came under Iranian Safavid rule in the 16th century, followed by Russian rule in the 19th century.
Baku's major industry is petroleum, and its petroleum exports make it a large contributor to Azerbaijan's economy. The city's population has grown rapidly, and improvements have been made to bring its cleaning, maintenance, and garbage collection services up to Western European standards. Baku is a windy city, earning it the nickname the "City of Winds".
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Baku is the lowest-lying capital city in the world, at 28m below sea level
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is located 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying capital city in the world. It is also the largest city in the world located below sea level. Baku's elevation is so low that it is one of only two capital cities with an elevation officially below sea level, the other being Amsterdam.
Baku's unique position is due to its location on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, on the Bay of Baku. The city is renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds". Gale-force winds are common, with cold northern winds, known as "khazri", and warm southern winds, called "gilavar", blowing throughout the year. The speed of the khazri can sometimes reach 150 kph, causing damage to trees and roof tiles.
Baku is the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. It is Azerbaijan's primate city, serving as the country's scientific, cultural, and industrial centre. Baku is also the largest city in the world with an elevation below sea level, covering an area of around 2,140 square kilometres and with a population of over two million.
The city has a rich history, with traces of human settlement dating back to the Stone Age. Rock carvings and a small bronze figure of a fish discovered in Baku's Old City suggest a Bronze Age settlement within the city's current footprint. Baku was also a focal point for traders during the Early Modern period, with commerce and prosperity fuelled by the exploitation of oil, for which the region has long been known.
Today, Baku continues to be a thriving metropolis, hosting major international events and serving as a hub for tourism, culture, and sports in the region.
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Baku is the sole metropolis in Azerbaijan, with around 25% of the country's population living in its metropolitan area
Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is the sole metropolis in the country, with about 25% of the country's population living in its metropolitan area. The city is situated on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. Baku's urban population was estimated at two million people as of 2009, and the wider metropolitan area is home to around a quarter of Azerbaijan's total population.
Baku is divided into twelve administrative raions (districts) and 48 townships. The city is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan, and many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions have their headquarters there. Baku has long been known for its oil industry, and the city's major industries include petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, and nonferrous metals. The city is also a popular tourist destination, with hotels in Baku earning 7 million euros in 2009.
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Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and its largest city. It is also the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan.
Cultural Centre
Baku is a major cultural centre. It is home to many museums, including the State Art Museum, the Baku Museum of Modern Art, and the Azerbaijan State Museum of History. The city also has several theatres, including the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theatre, and the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators.
Baku is also a UNESCO Creative City of Design, recognised for its commitment to using design for sustainable development.
Scientific Centre
Baku is the scientific centre of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, based in Baku, comprises numerous scientific research establishments. The city is also home to several universities, including Baku State University, Khazar University, and Azerbaijan Technical University.
Industrial Centre
Baku is the industrial centre of Azerbaijan. The city's economy is based on its petroleum industry, which has been developed since the 15th century. Baku is also a large centre for the production of equipment for the oil industry. Other industries in Baku include metalworking, shipbuilding, electrical machinery manufacturing, chemical production, and food processing.
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Baku is the administrative centre of the Baku Gradonachalstvo
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is also the largest city in the country and on the Caspian Sea. It is the administrative centre of the Baku Gradonachalstvo, a municipal district formed in 1906 on the territory of the Baku Uyezd of the Baku Governorate. Baku is divided into 12 rayonlar (administrative districts) and 5 settlements of city type. It is the primate city of Azerbaijan, with about 25% of the country's population living in Baku's metropolitan area.
Baku is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. Many sizeable institutions have their headquarters there, and the city has hosted major international events, including the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2015 European Games, and the 2016 European Grand Prix. Baku is also a major hub for the oil industry, with the first oil well in the region drilled in the Bibi-Heybat suburb of Baku in 1846.
Baku is located on the Absheron Peninsula, on the Bay of Baku, and is 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level, making it the lowest-lying capital in the world. The city has a rich history, with traces of human settlement in the region dating back to the Stone Age. Baku was the realm of the Shirvanshahs during the 8th century AD, and the city's Old City was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Baku has a unique architectural style, with a mix of modern and ancient buildings. The city is known for its harsh winds, earning it the nickname the "City of Winds". It has a cold semi-arid climate, with hot and humid summers and cool winters.
Baku is the largest city in the Caucasus region, with a population of over two million people as of 2009. The vast majority of the population is made up of ethnic Azerbaijanis, and the city's notable mosques include the Juma Mosque, Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Muhammad Mosque, and Taza Pir Mosque.
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Frequently asked questions
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan.
Baku's population was estimated to be two million in 2009.
Azerbaijan's population is approximately 10 million people.
The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani.