How Much Of Azerbaijan Is Geographically In Europe?

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located in South-Eastern Europe and South-West Asia. The country is bordered by Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and Turkey, with the Caspian Sea to its east. Azerbaijan's total area is 33,400 square miles, with around 2,687.27 square miles lying in Europe. The country's terrain is highly mountainous, and it experiences 9 out of the 11 existing climates. Azerbaijan has a population of over 10 million, with the majority of its people living in urban areas. The country's official language is Azerbaijani, with Russian and Armenian also spoken by smaller percentages of the population.

Azerbaijan's relations with Europe

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country, with a small portion of its land mass in Europe and the majority in Asia. It is a member of the Council of Europe but not the European Union (EU).

Azerbaijan's Relationship with Europe

Azerbaijan has strong ties with Europe and is a member of several European organisations. However, during its time as a member of the Soviet Union, it did not have strong relations with the continent.

The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and joined the United Nations in 1992. In 1996, formal relations with the EU began with the signature of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). This agreement entered into force in 1999 and aimed to enhance trade, investment, the economy, legislation, and culture within the framework of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation.

Azerbaijan is the EU's first trading partner, representing 48.6% of Azerbaijan's total trade. The EU is Azerbaijan's biggest export and import market, with a 60.7% and 31.8% share in Azerbaijan's total exports and imports, respectively. The EU is also a key foreign investor in Azerbaijan, with its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country worth €4.7 billion in 2013.

In 2004, Azerbaijan joined the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), which seeks to bring together the countries in the East and South of the EU territory in Europe. The countries in the policy could be allowed to join the EU in the future. The EU and Azerbaijan have also worked together on various energy projects, including the building of a pipeline to connect the Caspian oil and gas supply to Europe.

In 2016, a Protocol on Azerbaijan's participation in EU Programmes and Agencies was adopted, which included investment in Azerbaijan's infrastructure, partial integration of the Azerbaijani economy into Europe's, and partnerships with Azerbaijan on extracting oil from the Azerbaijani-controlled part of the Caspian Sea.

On September 1, 2014, the EU and Azerbaijan signed an agreement making it easy for Azerbaijani citizens to travel to EU member states. The EU has also set up a European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) office in Baku to advise Azerbaijan's government and ensure that human rights are protected.

Future of EU-Azerbaijan Relations

Discussions on updating the legal basis for relations between the EU and Azerbaijan have been ongoing since 2018. Negotiations on a new and upgraded framework agreement are at an advanced stage. The new agreement will reflect the enhanced and mutually beneficial EU-Azerbaijan cooperation in a wide range of areas, strengthen policy dialogue in key sectors, and boost trade.

The country's population

The population of Azerbaijan is approximately 10 million people, with the capital city of Baku being the largest city. The country's population is made up of various ethnic groups, with 91.6% identifying as Azerbaijani, and the remaining 8.4% consisting of Lezgins, Russians, Talysh, Armenians, Avars, Turks, Tats, Ukrainians, Tsakhurs, Georgians, Jews, Kurds, and others. Azerbaijani is the national language, with Russian and Armenian also being spoken by a smaller percentage of the population. The country has a high level of religious diversity, with the vast majority (97%) being nominally Muslim, and the remaining population being Christian, Jewish, and Baháʼí, among other faiths.

Azerbaijan has a relatively high literacy rate, with 99.5% of the population being literate. Education is compulsory for the first nine grades, with many children continuing their education beyond that. Azerbaijan has a strong national identity, with the emergence of an Azerbaijani identity in the late 19th century, and the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The country has a high degree of urbanisation, with 58.3% of the population living in urban areas, and 47.1% in rural areas. The median age in Azerbaijan is 33.1 years, and the sex ratio is 0.99 males per female.

Azerbaijan's geography

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located in South-Eastern Europe and South-Western 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 north-west, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. Azerbaijan's total area is 33,400 square miles, with around 2,687.27 square miles lying in Europe. The country's terrain is highly mountainous as it lies in the Caucasus ranges. Azerbaijan has a landlocked exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Three physical features dominate Azerbaijan: the Caspian Sea, whose shoreline forms a natural boundary to the east; the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north; and the extensive flatlands at the country's centre. There are three mountain ranges: the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, and the Talysh Mountains, together covering approximately 40% of the country. The highest peak is Mount Bazardüzü at 4,466 m (14,652 ft), while the lowest point lies in the Caspian Sea at −28 m (−92 ft). Nearly half of all the mud volcanoes on Earth are concentrated in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has a diverse landscape that affects the ways air masses enter the country. The Greater Caucasus protects the country from direct influences of cold air masses coming from the north, leading to the formation of a subtropical climate on most foothills and plains. Meanwhile, plains and foothills are characterised by high solar radiation rates. Nine out of the 11 existing climate zones are present in Azerbaijan. The Kura and Aras are the major rivers in Azerbaijan, running through the Kura-Aras lowland.

Azerbaijan is home to a wide variety of landscapes. Over half of the land consists of mountain ridges, crests, highlands, and plateaus. The rest of the terrain consists of plains and lowlands. Elevations within the Caucasus region vary from about −28 meters at the Caspian Sea shoreline up to 4,466 meters (Bazardüzü peak).

Its history

Azerbaijan's history is closely intertwined with that of Iran, with which it shared a similar historical trajectory until the 19th century. Here is a detailed overview of Azerbaijan's history:

Ancient Times to the 19th Century

• The territory of present-day Azerbaijan was first ruled by Caucasian Albania, with the Caucasian Albanian language likely being a predecessor of the Udi language spoken by the Udi people.
• From the time of the Medes and the Achaemenid Empire until the 19th century, Azerbaijan and Iran usually shared a common history.
• Zoroastrianism spread in the region during the Achaemenid period, and many Caucasian Albanians became known as fire worshippers.
• After the Arab conquest of Iran, the region's inhabitants converted to Islam, but Azerbaijan retained its Iranian character.
• In the 11th century, Oghuz Turkic tribes under the Seljuq dynasty entered the area, leading to a significant increase in Turkic inhabitants. Over time, the original population intermingled with the Turkic nomads, and a Turkic dialect now known as Azerbaijani or Azeri Turkic gained prominence.
• During this period, various regional dynasties emerged, including the Shirvanshahs, who played a pivotal role in the region's history.

The 19th Century

• The Russo-Persian Wars of 1804-1813 and 1826-1828 forced Qajar Iran to cede its Caucasian territories, including what is now Azerbaijan, to the Russian Empire.
• The treaties of Gulistan (1813) and Turkmenchay (1828) defined the border between Czarist Russia and Qajar Iran.
• As a result of the Russian conquest, an Azerbaijani national identity began to emerge in the late 19th century.

The 20th Century

• After the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, the short-lived Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic was formed, comprising present-day Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. However, it quickly dissolved, and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) was proclaimed in 1918 by the Musavat Party.
• The ADR was the first secular democratic Muslim-majority state and the first modern parliamentary republic in the Muslim world. It granted women equal political rights and established Baku State University, the first modern university in the Muslim East.
• In 1920, the Soviet Red Army invaded Azerbaijan, establishing the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (Azerbaijan SSR).
• During the early Soviet period, the Azerbaijani national identity was forged, and the country remained under Soviet rule until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
• During World War II, Azerbaijan played a crucial role in the Soviet Union's strategic energy policy, supplying 80% of the oil for the Eastern Front.

Contemporary History

• On August 30, 1991, the modern Republic of Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• The early years of independence were marked by the First Nagorno-Karabakh War with the ethnic Armenian majority of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, resulting in significant territorial losses and over a million displaced people.
• Heydar Aliyev, the former leader of Soviet Azerbaijan, rose to power in 1993 through a military insurrection. He established an authoritarian regime, and his family has ruled the country since then.
• Heydar Aliyev's son, Ilham Aliyev, became president in 2003 and has maintained his grip on power through controversial elections and increasing restrictions on civil liberties.
• In 2020, Azerbaijan launched an offensive against the breakaway Republic of Artsakh in Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in its dissolution and the return of the region to Azerbaijani control.

The country's sights

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country with a small part in Europe and the rest in Asia. The country has a rich history and diverse landscapes, from mountain ranges to Caspian Sea coastlines. Here are some of the must-see sights in Azerbaijan:

Baku's Old City

Kickstart your day in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, by indulging in a traditional Azerbaijani breakfast in the cobbled streets of Baku's Old City. Don't miss out on pomidor chigirtma, a delicious fusion of scrambled eggs and cooked tomatoes, paired with tandoor-baked bread, honey, and an assortment of cheeses and creams. Baku's Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the Walled City of Baku, the Shirvanshahs' Palace, and the Maiden Tower. The Maiden Tower, a 12th-century landmark, is one of the public symbols of the country and is featured on currency notes and official letterheads.

Sheki's Old Town

Sheki, a city nestled in the northwestern region of Azerbaijan, boasts a newly designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Sheki's Old Town is surrounded by lush Caucasian countryside and showcases the city's past as a major trade and crafts hub. Explore the Silk Road-inspired streets, admire the gabled-roof architecture and intricate brickwork, and sample the unique baklava of this region.

Ancient Churches

Long before the Arab conquest brought Islam to Azerbaijan, Christianity was widespread. Even today, the village of Nij is home to an ancient Christian community called the Udis, who gather every Sunday at a restored 17th-century church. Visiting the ancient churches scattered across the countryside is a great way to discover Azerbaijan's rich history and religious heritage.

Naftalan

About an hour's drive from Ganja lies Naftalan, a resort town renowned for its healing oil. For centuries, the crude oil found in this region has been used to cure various ailments. A typical treatment involves daily baths of crude oil for at least a week at one of the town's wellness centres.

Mountain Villages

The Caucasus Mountains, shrouded in myth and legend, have attracted intrepid explorers for centuries. Azerbaijan is blessed with a glorious mountainous stretch spanning the entire north of the country, dotted with timeless mountain villages linked by an emerging network of hiking trails. These villages are populated by a diverse mix of multicultural peoples.

Baku's Modern Wonders

Over the last decade, Baku's skyline has been transformed by spectacular modern architectural masterpieces. The crown jewel is the futuristic Heydar Aliyev Centre, but other innovative structures include the Flame Towers and the Carpet Museum.

Caspian Sea Coastline

Azerbaijan boasts over 500 kilometres of Caspian Sea coastline. Scenic views, luxury resorts, local fish restaurants, and sun-soaked beaches can be found just a 30-minute drive from Baku. Each summer, the golden sands of the Absheron Peninsula come alive, offering a vibrant beach experience.

National Parks

Azerbaijan is home to nine national parks that protect rare fauna and flora in important wilderness zones. These parks showcase the country's natural diversity, with nine out of the world's eleven climate zones represented. A visit to these parks offers a unique opportunity to experience Azerbaijan's stunning natural environment.

Wineries

Azerbaijan's wine industry is undergoing a major revival, with stunning flavours being produced from foreign and native grapes. A growing number of wineries in diverse corners of the country, along with chic wine bars in the capital, are elevating the Azerbaijani wine experience to new heights.

Tea Culture

Tea is synonymous with hospitality in Azerbaijan. The traditional tea ceremony, with its own rites and rituals, dictates that a guest must be offered tea before leaving a host's home. This experience can be enjoyed anywhere in the country, from upmarket hotels to quiet village teahouses.

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