Exploring Baku: Azerbaijan's Historic City By The Caspian Sea

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan. It 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. Baku is the country's primate city, with about 25% of Azerbaijan's population living in its metropolitan area. The city is divided into 11 or 12 administrative districts and 48 townships. Baku is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan, with many sizeable institutions headquartered there. Baku's economy is largely based on the petroleum industry, though it also has a thriving tourism sector, with its vibrant nightlife ranking among the world's top 10 according to Lonely Planet. The city is also known for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the City of Winds.

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan

Baku is divided into 11 or 12 administrative districts (raions) and 48 townships. The townships include those on the islands of the Baku Archipelago and the industrial settlement of Neft Daşları, built on oil rigs in the Caspian Sea. 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 Azerbaijan's scientific, cultural and industrial centre, and many sizeable institutions have their headquarters there. The city has hosted major international events, including the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, the 2015 European Games, and the European Grand Prix in 2016. Baku is known for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds".

Baku's economy is centred on the petroleum industry. The presence of oil has been known since ancient times, and the city's oil field was the largest in the world in the early 20th century. Today, much of the onshore petroleum has been exhausted, and drilling has extended into the sea. Baku also has shipbuilding, food processing, and electrical machinery industries, among others.

Baku is a major cultural hub, with museums, theatres, and educational institutions. It is home to Baku State University, Khazar University, and Azerbaijan Technical University. Baku has a diverse range of architectural styles, from the maze of alleys and ancient buildings in the Old City to modern developments such as the Heydar Aliyev Centre. The city also offers vibrant nightlife, with trendy cafes and nightclubs, and is known for its delicious cuisine.

It is located on the Absheron Peninsula, 28 metres below sea level

Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, 28 metres below sea level. This makes Baku the lowest-lying national capital in the world and the largest city in the world below sea level.

The Absheron Peninsula extends 60 kilometres eastward into the Caspian Sea and has a maximum width of 30 kilometres. The landscape is mildly hilly, ending in a long spit of sand dunes known as Shah Dili, which is now a national park. The name "Absheron" comes from the Persian "āb šuran", meaning "salty waters". The peninsula is the easternmost extension of the Caucasus Mountains, although the terrain is more of a gently undulating plain. The city of Baku lies on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, around the curving Bay of Baku. The bay, sheltered by the Baku Archipelago, provides an excellent natural harbour.

Baku's elevation is a result of its proximity to the sea. The city's location below sea level has contributed to its economic significance, particularly in the oil industry. Baku's oil fields have been exploited since the late 19th century, and the city has been a major hub for oil extraction and refining. Its position on the Caspian Sea has also made Baku an important trade centre, with shipping services operating across the sea to Turkmenistan and Iran.

In addition to its economic importance, Baku's location on the Absheron Peninsula has cultural and environmental implications. The city is known as the "'City of Winds'" due to the strong winds that characterise the peninsula's climate. The area is renowned for its horticulture, including flowers, mulberries, and figs. However, the peninsula also faces significant environmental challenges due to the presence of petrochemical industries, which have impacted the Caspian Sea shore and the sea itself.

Baku is divided into 11-12 administrative districts and 48 townships

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is divided into 11 or 12 administrative districts (called rayons or raionlar in Azerbaijani) and 48 townships. The townships include those on the islands of the Baku Archipelago, as well as Neft Daşları, an industrial settlement built on oil rigs in the Caspian Sea.

The 11 or 12 administrative districts of Baku are:

• Binagadi (Binəqədi) raion
• Garadagh (Qaradağ) raion
• Khatai (Xətai) raion
• Khazar (Xəzər) raion
• Narimanov (Nərimanov) raion
• Nasimi (Nəsimi) raion
• Pirallahi (Pirallahı) raion
• Sabail (Səbail) raion
• Sabunchu (Sabunçu) raion
• Surakhani (Suraxanı) raion

In addition to these, there is also a 12th district called the Baku Gradonachalstvo, which includes the city itself and is the main economic centre of Azerbaijan.

The townships of Baku include the Old City, which contains the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other townships include Oil Rocks, a town built on stilts in the Caspian Sea, and Neft Daşları, an industrial settlement built on oil rigs.

Baku is nicknamed the 'City of Winds' due to its strong winds

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a city renowned for its harsh winds. Its nickname, the "City of Winds", is reflected in its strong, gale-force winds all year round. The city's name is possibly a contraction of the Persian "bad kube", meaning "blown upon by mountain winds".

The winds in Baku are so strong that they can make walking in a straight line difficult. The cold northern wind, Khazri, and the warm southern wind, Gilavar, are typical in Baku in all seasons. The Khazri wind can reach speeds of up to 144 km/h (89 mph), causing damage to crops, trees and roof tiles.

The city's location on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and the southern side of the Absheron Peninsula shelters Baku from violent northerly winds. However, the bay, protected by the islands of the Baku Archipelago, provides the best harbour on the Caspian Sea.

Baku's winds are so famous that they are even mentioned in the Quran. The city is described as "the city which the wind blows through", referring to its strong and constant winds.

Baku's economy is centred on the petroleum industry

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan. It is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, in the southern part of the Absheron Peninsula, and is the largest city in the world below sea level. Baku is the country's primate city, with about 25% of all inhabitants of Azerbaijan living in its metropolitan area.

The oil economy of Baku is experiencing a resurgence, with the development of the massive Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field, the expansion of the Sangachal Terminal, and the construction of the BTC Pipeline. The city also has several refineries and drilling centres, with pipelines carrying oil products to Batumi on the Black Sea, or sent by tanker across the Caspian Sea and up the Volga River.

Apart from oil, Baku has other industries that contribute to its economy. These include metalworking, shipbuilding, the manufacture of electrical machinery, the production of chemicals and construction materials, and food processing.

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