TerrainClimateFauna/FloraHistory/PoliticsEconomyCulture
Terrain
The high mountain ranges in the country's interior contrast sharply with the lowlands near the Caspian Sea. The two largest mountain ranges are the Greater Caucasus in the north, which forms the border with Russia, and the Lesser Caucasus in the south west. Mt. Bazardüzü (4,465 m), which is the highest peak in Azerbaijan, is situated in the Greater Caucasus. The rivers Kura and Araks flow through the Kura-Aras valley, situated between the two mountain ranges.
Climate
In general, the climate is dry and arid across almost all of the country, with little rain and a maximum temperature of 26° in the summer. In the Länkäran Basin in the extreme south, the climate has more of a subtropical character. In the area by the Caspian Sea, the temperature is moderate.
Fauna/Flora
There are over 4,000 species of plants in Azerbaijan, including 200 endemic varieties. The most common types of tree are oak, beech and chestnut, which are mainly found in the lower-lying mountainous areas. Some of the animals that are found in these forests are bears, deer, lynxes and wild boars. Reptiles thrive in the desert plains and steppes. Gazelles and tigers are sometimes found in isolated areas on the coastal plains. Those parts of the Caspian Sea that have not been polluted by industrial sewage are rich in sturgeon. The Caspian Sea contains nearly all of the world's sturgeon population.
History/Politics
In former times, the land of present-day Azerbaijan was used by different nomads as a pass, but it was also used as a battlefield. From the 9th century BC to the 1st century BC, its land was occupied by the Medes, the Persians, the Macedonians and the Romans. After the fall of the Roman Empire and in the 5th century AD, the region was again ruled by the Persians and changed hands over the course of the centuries that followed among the Arabs (VII-XI), who introduced Islam, the Turks (XI-XIII), and the Mongols, under whom Azerbaijan was turned into an independent state.
In the 16th century the Persians regained control of Azerbaijan and from the 18th century onwards the Persians, Turks and Russians fought over the land. The conflicts between these countries lasted until the 19th century, when two peace treaties were signed (in 1813 and 1828). Northern Azerbaijan fell into the hands of the Russians, while southern Azerbaijan remained Persian.
Around the beginning of the 20th century, a nationalist movement developed in the country; for a decade people fought for the independence of Azerbaijan, which was gained in 1918. In 1922, the Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan became part of the Transcaucasian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic(TSFSR). In 1936, the TSFSR fell apart and Azerbaijan became part of the USSR.
Over the decades that followed, the Soviet government imposed Russian culture, which gave rise to nationalist feelings. In 1960, claims to Nagorno-Karabakh led to violent confrontations. Over the two decades that followed, popular unrest became an issue that led in 1988, during Gorbachov's reforms, to the Armenians in Azerbaijan deciding to join Armenia in a plebiscite.
The Soviet government prevented this with force. In 1989, Azerbaijan proclaimed itself to be a sovereign state within the Soviet Union, which made ethnic conflicts with Armenia worse. In 1991, the Soviet Union recognized the new state and Ayaz Mutalibov, the former Communist party leader, won the presidential elections that same year.
At the end of 1991, Armenians who lived in Nagorno-Karabakh declared their independence. A war between Armenia and Azerbaijan ensued, which forced the president to step down the following year. In 1994, there was a ceasefire, but a solution still has not been found, despite peace talks.
Economy
From the 19th century until 1970, Azerbaijan's economy was exclusively based on the use of natural resources. From 1970 a move to diversify the economy was made, which led to the development of the agricultural, chemical, electronic and light industry sectors, amongst others.
Between 1991 and 1994, this process was affected by the war with Armenia, which made it impossible to implement any form of economic reform. From 1995, a new fiscal and monetary policy was introduced which enabled the economy to recover. The rate of inflation was 3% in 2003 and the unemployment rate was of 10%.
Culture
Singers, who put words to music, preserve the country's musical traditions. In this way, the country's history, folk tales and fairy tales are passed on from generation to generation. Another popular form of music is the "Mugam," in which the singer improvises and is accompanied by a string instrument.
The country also has a thriving literary scene, which originates from many different epic poems and folk tales. Mirza Fath Ali Akhundzada is a well-known author who dedicated himself to developing modern literature during the 19th century. Azerbaijan is also famous for its craftwork, particularly its embroidery. Artists use colourful threads (usually golden or silver) to create special geometric patterns. Birds and animals also feature in the designs.