Exploring Baki Azerbaijan: A Cultural And Historical Journey

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, a country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. Baku is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and is the largest city in the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus region. Baku is divided into 11 or 12 administrative districts and 48 townships, with a population of over 2 million people. Baku is the scientific, cultural and industrial centre of Azerbaijan, with many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions headquartered there. Baku is also renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the City of Winds.

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is located on the Caspian Sea

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, a country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is the largest city in the country and the largest city on the Caspian Sea. Baku is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. The city lies on the southern side of the Absheron Peninsula, on the Bay of Baku. Baku's urban population was estimated to be two million in 2009, with about 25% of Azerbaijan's population living in Baku's metropolitan area.

Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. It is the headquarters of many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions and has hosted several major international events, including the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2015 European Games, and the 2016 Grand Prix. Baku is also renowned for its harsh winds, earning it the nickname the "City of Winds".

Baku's history dates back to the Stone Age, with traces of human settlement in the region found in the form of rock carvings and a bronze figure of a small fish. The first historical reference to Baku was in 885 CE, and by the 11th century, it was in the possession of the Shīrvān-Shāhs, who made it their capital in the 12th century. Baku became the capital of the Azerbaijan republic in 1920 and has since undergone significant development, with improvements in infrastructure and the demolition of Soviet-era buildings to make way for a green belt on the city's shores.

Baku's economy is centred around the petroleum industry, with the presence of oil in the region known since antiquity. Commercial exploitation of oil began in 1872, and by the early 20th century, Baku was the largest oil field in the world. Today, Baku remains a vital energy hub, with the development of the massive Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field and the Shah Deniz gas field contributing to the resurgence of the city's oil economy.

Baku is a major tourist destination in the Caucasus, known for its sandy beaches, water sports, and vibrant nightlife. The city has several shopping malls and is home to many world hotel chains. Baku's cultural sites include the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Maiden Tower, and the Ateshgah of Baku, a 17th-18th century temple used as a Hindu, Sikh, and Zoroastrian place of worship. Baku was designated an Islamic Culture Capital in 2009 and hosted the 2015 European Games, becoming the first city to do so.

Baku is the largest city in Azerbaijan

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, situated on the western coast of the Caspian Sea. It is also the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. The city has a population of around two million people and is the primate city of Azerbaijan, with around 25% of the country's inhabitants living in Baku's metropolitan area.

Baku is divided into twelve administrative raions and 48 townships. The city is renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds". Baku's economy is largely based on the petroleum industry, with the presence of oil in the region known since the 8th century. Baku has also developed as a major cultural and educational centre, with several universities and museums.

The core of Baku is the old town, or fortress, of Icheri-Shekher. The old town features a maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, which are now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Baku has a vibrant arts and cultural scene and is known for its eclectic architecture, earning it a reputation as the "Paris of the East".

Baku is the largest city on the Caspian Sea

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, on the Bay of Baku. Baku's urban population was estimated at two million people as of 2009, and about 25% of all inhabitants of the country live in Baku's metropolitan area.

Baku is divided into twelve administrative raions and 48 townships. Among these are the townships on the islands of the Baku Archipelago, as well as the industrial settlement of Neft Daslari, built on oil rigs 60 kilometres away from Baku in the Caspian Sea. The city is renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds".

Baku's economy is based on its petroleum industry. The presence of oil has been known since antiquity, and by the 15th century, oil for lamps was obtained from surface wells. Modern commercial exploitation began in 1872. The Baku oil field was the largest in the world at the beginning of the 20th century, and it remained the largest in the Soviet Union until the 1940s.

Baku is also a major cultural and educational centre. It is the site of Baku State University, Khazar University, and Azerbaijan Technical University, as well as several other institutions of higher education. Baku is also home to many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions, including SOCAR, one of the world's top 100 companies.

The core of present-day Baku is the old town, or fortress, of Icheri-Shekher. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive, as does the 90-foot tower of Kyz-Kalasy (Maiden's Tower), which dates back to the 12th century. The old town is highly picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings. These include the Palace of the Shirvanshahs (now a museum), the Synyk-Kala Minaret and Mosque, the law court (Divan-Khan), the Dzhuma-Mechet Minaret, and the mausoleum of the astronomer Seida Bakuvi. The walled city, along with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden's Tower, were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Baku is the scientific, cultural and industrial centre of Azerbaijan

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and its largest city, situated on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. Baku is a scientific, cultural and industrial centre, with many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions headquartered there. It is also a major educational centre, with several institutions of higher education, including Baku State University, Khazar University, and Azerbaijan Technical University.

Baku has a rich history, with archaeological evidence of a settlement there several centuries before Christ. Baku was in the possession of the Shīrvān-Shāhs in the 11th century, who made it their capital in the 12th century. The city was then under the sway of the Mongols in the 13th and 14th centuries, before being captured by Peter the Great in 1723. It was returned to Persia in 1735, but finally ceded to Russia in 1806. In 1920, Baku became the capital of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

Baku is perhaps best known for its oil industry, with the presence of oil known since antiquity. By the 15th century, oil for lamps was being obtained from surface wells, and by the 19th century, Baku was the largest oil field in the world. Baku's economy is still largely based on petroleum, with many derricks standing in the gulf facing the city.

Baku is also a cultural centre, with many museums, theatres, and ancient historical sites, including the Palace of the Shīrvān-Shāhs and the Maiden's Tower, which are collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Baku is home to many large Azerbaijani institutions, including SOCAR

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is home to many large Azerbaijani institutions, including SOCAR. SOCAR, or the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic, is a large oil and gas company that was established in 1992. The company has expanded its activities abroad and is one of the world's major oil companies.

Baku is also home to the Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS), a state higher education institution within the structure of SOCAR. BHOS was established by a decree from President Ilham Aliyev in 2011 and has since become a leader among Azerbaijani universities for the number of students awarded Presidential Scholarships. The school offers a range of bachelor's and master's programmes, including degrees in oil and gas engineering, chemical engineering, and business administration.

In addition to SOCAR and BHOS, Baku is the site of many other important institutions. The city is a major cultural and educational centre, hosting Baku State University, Khazar University, and Azerbaijan Technical University, as well as several other institutions of higher education. Baku is also home to the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, which comprises numerous scientific research establishments.

The city is also a hub for the media, with many of Azerbaijan's media companies, including television, newspaper, and radio stations, headquartered there. Notable radio stations include Ictimai Radio, Radio Antenn, and Lider FM Jazz, while popular newspapers include the daily Azadliq and the English-language Baku Today.

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