Exploring Baku, Azerbaijan: Unveiling The Az 1066 Mystery

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, situated on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. It is the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region, and the lowest-lying national capital in the world at 28 metres (92 feet) below sea level. Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan, and is home to around 25% of the country's population. The city's economy is largely based on its petroleum industry, which has been developed since the 15th century. Baku's Old City, containing the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan

Baku is the cultural, scientific, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan, and many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions have their headquarters there. It is the country's primate city, and around 25% of the country's population live in Baku's metropolitan area.

The city is known for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds". Baku's economy is centred on the petroleum industry, and the presence of oil has been known since ancient times. Baku's old town, or fortress, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city has hosted several major international events, including the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and the 2015 European Games.

Baku is a cultural, scientific and industrial hub

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a hub of culture, science, and industry. The city is home to many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions, including the International Bank of Azerbaijan, which employs over 1,000 people. Baku has hosted several major international events, including the Eurovision Song Contest, the European Games, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and the European Grand Prix. The city is also a major oil producer and is known for its harsh winds, earning it the nickname the "City of Winds".

Baku's cultural significance is evident in its architecture, ranging from the ancient Old City to modern buildings such as the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid. The city's music scene is renowned, with traditional meykhana and mugham music, as well as successful Azerbaijani performers in the Eurovision Song Contest. Baku also boasts several museums, including the Baku Museum of Modern Art and the Azerbaijan State Museum of History.

As a scientific hub, Baku has produced notable scientists and intellectuals such as artificial intelligence researcher Lotfi A. Zadeh and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Lev Landau. The city is home to several universities, including Baku State University and ADA University.

In terms of industry, Baku is known for its oil production, with a history dating back to the 8th century. The Baku Shipyard is a key contributor to the country's industrial growth and national development, with a focus on technological advancement and sustainability. The city is also a major transportation hub, with the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

Baku is the largest city in the world below sea level

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 28 metres below sea level, making it the lowest-lying national capital in the world and the largest city in the world below sea level. Baku lies 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, with about 25% of all inhabitants of Azerbaijan living in Baku's metropolitan area. Baku is divided into twelve administrative raions and 48 townships. The city is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan, with many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions headquartered there.

Baku's economy is largely based on its oil industry. The presence of oil has been known since the 8th century, and by the 15th century, oil for lamps was obtained from surface wells. Modern commercial exploitation of oil began in 1872, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the Baku oil fields were the largest in the world.

Baku is also a major cultural and educational centre, with several institutions of higher education, including Baku State University, Khazar University, and Azerbaijan Technical University. The city is also home to the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, which comprises numerous scientific research establishments.

Baku is renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds".

Baku is home to many historic buildings and World Heritage Sites

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is home to many historic buildings and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city's architecture is a diverse mix of styles, reflecting its long history and the many cultural influences that have shaped it over the centuries.

The Walled City of Baku, also known as the Old City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features a maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs (now a museum) and the Maiden Tower, which dates back to the 12th century. The defensive walls of the city were strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806 and still stand today.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Baku is the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, which features over 6,000 rock carvings that depict human figures, plants, animals, and hunting and fishing scenes. These carvings date back 40,000 years and provide a fascinating glimpse into the area's ancient history.

In addition to these World Heritage Sites, Baku also boasts a rich collection of historic buildings that showcase its architectural diversity. The city has Islamic architecture, such as the Ajdarbey Mosque and the Mahammad Mosque, as well as buildings from the Russian Imperial era, including educational institutions and the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall. The city also has classical late Russian Empire-era buildings, such as the Palace of Seyid Mirbabayev and the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

The oil boom of the 19th century brought about rapid development and the construction of many new buildings in Baku. This period saw the creation of two industrial districts: the Black City and the White City. The Black City, a planned industrial area, was characterised by its dirty appearance due to the smoke from oil refineries, while the White City housed cleaner refineries and some workers' housing. The influx of wealth and foreign influences during this time led to the construction of grand civic buildings, wide boulevards, and a seaside esplanade.

Baku's architectural landscape continues to evolve, with modern developments such as the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Flame Towers, and the Port Baku Towers adding a postmodern touch to the city.

Baku has a temperate semi-arid climate

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has a temperate semi-arid climate. This means that the city experiences warm, dry summers and cool winters. Baku is located in the most arid part of Azerbaijan, with precipitation levels below 200 mm (8 in) a year.

The city's climate is influenced by its proximity to the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. The sea moderates Baku's temperatures, preventing extremely hot summers, while the mountains create a rain shadow effect, resulting in low precipitation.

Summers in Baku are typically hot, humid, arid, and clear, with average high temperatures reaching 87°F (31°C). The Khazri winds provide a cooling effect during this season. Winters, on the other hand, are long, very cold, dry, and partly cloudy, with average temperatures dropping to around 39°F (4°C). The Khazri winds also sweep through during winter, bringing cold polar air masses that can cause temperatures on the coast to dip below freezing.

Baku experiences strong winds throughout the year, earning it the nickname "The City of Winds." These winds can reach speeds of up to 144 km/h (89 mph) and are known to cause fierce winter snowstorms.

The city's temperate semi-arid climate supports vegetation typical of such environments, including short, thorny shrubs and grasses. Baku's unique climate conditions are a result of its geographical location and the surrounding natural features, making it distinct from other semi-arid regions worldwide.

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