{{otheruses1|the country in Eurasia}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = ''Azərbaycan Respublikası''
|conventional_long_name = Republic of Azerbaijan
|common_name = Azerbaijan
|national_motto = none
|national_anthem = ''[[Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət Himni]]''<small><br/>(March of Azerbaijan)</small>
|image_flag = Flag of Azerbaijan.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Azerbaijan.svg
|image_map = LocationAzerbaijan.svg
|capital = [[Baku]]
|latd=40 |latm=22 |latNS=N |longd=49 |longm=53 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|official_languages = [[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]
|government_type = [[Presidential system|Presidential republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of Azerbaijan|President]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Azerbaijan|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name1 = [[Ilham Aliyev]]
|leader_name2 = [[Artur Rasizade]]
|sovereignty_type = [[Collapse of the Soviet Union|Independence]]
|sovereignty_note = from the [[Soviet Union]]
|established_event1 = Declared
|established_date1 = [[August 30]] [[1991]]
|established_event2 = Completed
|established_date2 = [[December 25]] [[1991]]
|area_km2 = 86600
|area_sq_mi = 33436 <!--Do not remove [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|area_rank = 114th
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|percent_water = 1.6%
|population_estimate = 8,587,000 [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html]
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_estimate_rank = 91st
|population_census = 8,256,000
|population_census_year = 2002
|population_density_km2 = 97
|population_density_sq_mi = 251 <!--Do not remove [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 100th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007
|GDP_PPP = $52.35 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 77th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $6.476
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 96th
|Gini = 36.5
|Gini_year = 2006
|Gini_rank = 58th
|HDI_year = 2004
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.736
|HDI_rank = 99th
|HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|currency = [[Manat (Azerbaijan)|Manat]]
|currency_code = AZN
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +4
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST = +5
|demonym = Azerbaijani
|cctld = [[.az]]
|calling_code = 994
|footnotes =
}}

'''Azerbaijan''' ({{IPAEng|ˌæzəbaɪˈʤɑːn}} (UK), {{IPA|/ˌɑzɚbaɪˈʤɑːn/}} (US); {{lang-az|Azərbaycan}}), officially the '''Republic of Azerbaijan''' ({{lang-az|Azərbaycan Respublikası}}), is the largest and most populous country in the South [[Caucasus]] region of [[Eurasia]]. Located at the crossroads of [[Eastern Europe]] and [[Southwest Asia|Western Asia]], it is bounded by the [[Caspian Sea]] to the east, [[Russia]] to the north, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] to the northwest, [[Armenia]] to the west, and [[Iran]] to the south. The Azerbaijani [[exclave]] of [[Nakhchivan]] is bordered by Armenia to the north and east, Iran to the south and west, and [[Turkey]] to the northwest. [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], along with 7 other districts in Azerbaijan's southwest have been controlled by Armenia since the end of the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] in 1994. Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 600,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict <ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html CIA World Factbook 2007. Online Edition]</ref>. Four [[United Nations Security Council]] Resolutions (822, 853, 874, and 884) called for "the withdrawal of occupying forces from occupied areas of the Azerbaijani Republic"<ref>[http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/or/13508.htm U.S. Department of State - 1993 UN Security Council Resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh]</ref> The country's territory also embraces several islands in the Caspian Sea.

Azerbaijan, a nation with an [[Azerbaijani people|ethnic Azeri]] and [[Shia Islam|Shi‘ite Muslim]] majority population, <ref name="state2007">[http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/a/26487.htm US State Department profile of Azerbaijan]</ref><ref name="cia2007">[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html CIA World Factbook Azerbaijan 2007]</ref> is a [[secularism|secular]] and [[unitarism|unitary]] republic. The country has been a co-founder of [[GUAM]] and the [[Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]], and has been a member of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] since September 1993.<ref>[http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/erc/economics/trade_reports/1993/Azerbaijan.html US State Department 1993 Country Reports on Economic Practice and Trade Reports: Azerbaijan]</ref> The country has a Permanent Mission to the [[European Union]], hosts a Special Envoy of the [[European Commission]] and is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[OSCE]], [[Council of Europe]], and the [[NATO]] Partnership for Peace (PfP) program.

== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Azerbaijan}}

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{main|Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan}}
Azerbaijan is divided into 59 [[raions|rayons]] (''rayonlar'', singular ''rayon''), 11 city districts (''şəhərlər'', singular ''şəhər''), and one [[autonomous republic]] (''muxtar respublika'') of [[Nakhchivan]],<ref name="cia2007" /> which subdivides into 7 rayons and a city. The [[President of Azerbaijan]] appoints the governors of these units, while the government of [[Nakhchivan]] is elected and approved by the parliament of [[Nakhchivan|Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic]]. The local governments of regions and cities under Armenian occupation, such as [[Khankendi]] or [[Shusha]], continue to function in exile.<ref name="llrx">[http://www.llrx.com/features/azerbaijan.htm LLRX.com - A Guide to the Republic of Azerbaijan Law Research]</ref>

===Landscape===
{{see also|Extreme points of Azerbaijan}}
The total length of Azerbaijani [[List of land border lengths|land borders]] is 2,648 km, of which Armenia constitutes 1007, Iran 756, Georgia 480, Russia - 390 and Turkey - 15.<ref name="STA">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Geographical data | work = | publisher = The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan| date = | url = http://www.azstat.org/publications/azfigures/2007/en/001.shtml#t1_2| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> The [[coastline]] stretches for 800 km and the length of the widest area of the Azerbaijani section of Caspian Sea is 456 km.<ref name="STA"/> The territory of Azerbaijan extends 400 km from north to south, and 500 km from west to east. The three mountain ranges are the [[Greater Caucasus|Greater]] and [[Lesser Caucasus]], and the [[Talysh Mountains]], together covering approximately 40% of the country.<ref name="GEO">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan: Biodiversity| work = | publisher = CAC-Biodiversity.org| date = | url = http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/aze/aze_biodiversity.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> The highest peak of Azerbaijan is mount [[Bazardüzü]] (4,466 m), while the lowest point lies in the Caspian Sea (-28 m). Nearly half of all the [[mud volcano]]es on Earth are concentrated in Azerbaijan.
[[Image:Satellite image of Azerbaijan in March 2003.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[NASA]] satellite image of Azerbaijan, as of March, 2003.]]
The main water sources are the surface waters. However, only 24 of the 8,350 rivers are greater than 100 km in length.<ref name="GEO"/> All the rivers drain into the Caspian Sea in the east of the country.<ref name="GEO"/> The largest lake is [[Lake Sarısu|Sarısu]] (67 km²) and the longest river is [[Kura River|Kur]] (1,515 km), which is transboundary.

Azerbaijan's four main islands in the Caspian Sea have a combined area of over thirty [[square kilometer]]s.

===Climate===
{{main|Climate of Azerbaijan}}
The formation of climate in Azerbaijan is influenced particularly by cold [[arctic]] [[air masses]] of [[Scandinavia]]n [[anticyclone]], temperate of [[Siberia]]n anticyclone, and [[Central Asia]]n anticyclone.<ref name="CLIM">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - Climate| work = | publisher = Azerbaijan.az| date = | url = http://www.azerbaijan.az/_Geography/_Climate/_climate_e.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> Regarding landscape diversity, air masses have different ways to enter the country.<ref name="CLIM"/> The Greater Caucasus protects the country from direct influences of cold air masses, coming from the north. That leads to the formation of [[subtropical climate]] on most foothills and plains of the country. Meanwhile plains and foothills are characterized by high [[solar radiation]] rates.

Nine out of eleven existing [[climate zone]]s are present in Azerbaijan.<ref name="KL">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Climate| work = Water Resources of the Azerbaijan Republic| publisher = Institute of Hydrometeorology, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources | date = | url = http://www.azhydromet.com/SRIH/Water%20Resurs.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> Both the absolute minimum temperature (<span style="white-space:nowrap">-33&nbsp;°C&nbsp;(-27.4&nbsp;°F)</span>) and the absolute maximum temperature (<span style="white-space:nowrap">+46&nbsp;°C&nbsp;(114.8&nbsp;°F)</span>) were observed in [[Julfa (rayon)|Julfa]] and [[Ordubad (rayon)|Ordubad]].<ref name="KL"/> The maximum annual [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] falls in [[Lankaran]] (1,600 to 1,800 [[Millimetre|mm]]) and the minimum in Absheron (200 to 350 mm).<ref name="KL"/>

===Nature and ecology===
{{main|Nature of Azerbaijan}}
{{see|Fauna of Azerbaijan|Flora of Azerbaijan|State Reserves of Azerbaijan}}
From the [[water supply]] point, Azerbaijan is below the average in the world with approximately 100,000 m³/year of water per km².<ref name="KL"/> All big [[water reservoir]]s are built on Kur.

The main areas of plant diversity in Azerbaijan are the [[highland]]s of Nakhchivan (60% of the species occur here), the [[Kura-Araz plain]] (40%), the [[Davachi]]-[[Quba]] region east of the Greater Caucasus (38%), the centre of the Lesser Caucasus (29%), Gobustan (26.6%), the [[Lenkoran]] region in the Talysh Mountains (27%) and the Absheron region (22%).<ref name="GEO"/> Northern-eastern slopes of the Great Caucasus, the northern, northern-eastern, and eastern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus and Talysh Mountains are deemed to be vast forest areas of Azerbaijan.<ref name="LES">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Forestry| work = | publisher = CAC-Biodiversity.org| date = | url = http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/aze/aze_forestry.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref>

[[Endemism|Endemics]] include over 400 [[species]] of plants (of which around 16 species of Caspian [[algae]]), seven [[reptiles]] and [[perch]]es from fifteen species and six [[sub-species]] of ''[[Gobiidae]]''. Most of the endemic freshwater fish belongs to ''[[Cypriniformes]]''.<ref name="GEO"/> However there are no strictly endemic mammals.<ref name="GEO"/> The major cause of biodiversity loss in Azerbaijan is the decrease in natural environments.

== History ==
{{main|History of Azerbaijan}}

=== Etymology of the name===
{{see also|Caucasian Albania}}
{{main|History of the name Azerbaijan}}
Azerbaijan is believed to be named after ''[[Atropates]]'', a [[Medes|Median]] [[satrap]] (governor) who ruled in ''[[Atropatene]]'' (modern [[Azarbaijan (Iran)|Iranian Azarbaijan]]).<ref name="ISBN 2">''Historical Dictionary of Azerbaijan'' by Tadeusz Swietochowski and Brian C. Collins. The Scarecrow Press, Inc., Lanham, Maryland (1999), ISBN 0-8108-3550-9 (retrieved [[7 June]] [[2006]]).</ref> Atropates is derived from [[Old Persian]] roots meaning "protected by fire."<ref name="ISBN">''The Azerbaijani Turks: Power and Identity under Russian Rule'' by Audrey Altstadt. Hoover Institution Press (1992), ISBN 0-8179-9182-4 (retrieved [[7 June]] [[2006]]).</ref>

Azerbaijan has seen a host of inhabitants and invaders, including [[Caucasian Albania|Caucasians]], [[Medes]], [[Scythia]]ns, [[Persian Empire|Persians]], [[Armenians]], [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]], [[Roman Empire|Romans]], [[Khazars]], [[Caliph|Arabs]], [[Oghuz Turks|Oghuz]], [[Seljuk Turks|Seljuks]], [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]], and [[Russian Empire|Russians]].

===Ancient History===

The earliest evidence of human settlement in the territory of Azerbaijan dates to the late [[Stone Age]] and is related to the [[Quruçay culture]] of [[Azykh|Azykh Cave]]. The [[Upper Paleolithic]] and particularly [[Mousterian]] cultures are attested to in the caves of [[Tağlar]], [[Damcili]], [[Zar]], [[Yataq-yeri]], etc. Jugs with the remnants of dry wine, revealed in the [[necropolis]]es of [[Leylatepe]] and [[Sarytepe]], testify to wine-making activity during the Late [[Bronze Age]].

[[Image:Azerbaigian-baku2.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Mausoleum of Shirvanshahs in the [[Inner City (Baku)]].]]
The entire South Caucasus was conquered by the [[Achaemenids]] around 550 B.C., which led to the spread of [[Zoroastrianism]] in this part of the [[Median Empire]]. After its overthrow by [[Alexander the Great]], the [[Seleucid]] Greeks, who inherited the Caucasus, were ultimately beset by pressures from [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], secessionist Greeks in [[Bactria]] and most adversely the [[Parthians]]. [[Caucasian Albania]]ns, the original inhabitants of the area now known as Azerbaijan, established a kingdom in the 4th century B.C. In 95-67 B.C. parts of [[Caucasian Albania]] may have been under the subjugation of neighboring Armenia, as a part of [[Tigranes the Great]]'s empire. According to [[Strabo]], as the Romans and Parthians began to expand their domains, Albania, unlike Iberia and Armenia, remained independent of Roman domination, signing a peace treaty (Strabo XI, 4, 5). The Roman inscription found in [[Gobustan]] testifies to the presence of [[Legio XII Fulminata]] in the time of [[Domitian]].

[[Caucasian Albania]] remained largely independent until the [[Sassanids]] turned it into a [[vassal state]] in 252 A.D. King Urnayr of [[Caucasian Albania]] officially adopted [[Christianity]] as the state religion in the 4th century A.D., and Albania remained a predominantly Christian state until the Islamic conquest of the 8th century A.D. Despite numerous conquests by the [[Sassanids]] and [[Byzantines]], [[Caucasian Albania]] remained an entity in the region until the 9th century A.D.

===Medieval History===

The Islamic [[Umayyad Caliphate]] defeated both the Sassanids and the Byzantines, making [[Caucasian Albania]] a vassal state after the Christian resistance, led by Prince [[Javanshir]], was suppressed in 667 A.D. After the decline of [[Abbasid Caliphate]], the territory of present-day Azerbaijan was under the sway of numerous dynasties such as the [[Salarids]], [[Sajids]], [[Shaddadids]], [[Rawadids]] and [[Buyids]]. At the beginning of the 11th century, the territory was gradually seized by waves of [[Turkic]] [[Oghuz]] tribes from Central Asia. The first of these dynasties were the [[Ghaznavids]], who took over part of the area now known as Azerbaijan by 1030.

Locally, the possessions of the subsequent [[Seljuk Empire]] were ruled by [[Atabegs of Azerbaijan|atabegs]], who were technically vassals of the Seljuk sultans, being sometimes de facto rulers themselves. Under the [[Seljuk Turks]], local poets such as [[Nizami Ganjavi]] and [[Khagani|Khagani Shirvani]] gave rise to a blossoming of [[Persian literature]] on the territory of present-day Azerbaijan. The next ruling state of the [[Jalayirids]] was short-lived and fell under the conquests of [[Tamerlan]]. The local dynasty of [[Shirvanshah]]s became a vassal state of Tamerlan's empire and assisted Tamerlan in his war with the ruler of the [[Golden Horde]] [[Tokhtamysh]]. Following Tamerlan's death two independent and rival states emerged: [[Kara Koyunlu]] and [[Ak Koyunlu]]. Until his death the Ak Koyunlu sultan [[Uzun Hasan]] ruled the whole territory now known as Azerbaijan. Thereafter the [[Shirvanshahs]] maintained a high degree of autonomy as local rulers and vassals from 861 until 1539. As the Shirvanshahs were persecuted by the [[Safavids]], the last dynasty imposed [[Shia Islam]] upon the formerly [[Sunni]] population, battling against the Sunni [[Ottoman Empire]].

Some time later, following the collapse of the Safavids, several independent [[khanate]]s emerged in the area now known as Azerbaijan. Engaged in constant warfare, the khanates were eventually incorporated to the [[Russian Empire]]. Under the [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]] the [[Persian Empire]] recognized Russian suzerainty over the [[Erivan khanate]], the [[Nakhchivan khanate]] and the remainder of the [[Talysh Khanate|Talysh khanate]].

=== First Independence and Soviet Azerbaijan ===

After the collapse of the [[Russian Empire]] during [[World War I]], Azerbaijan together with Armenia and Georgia became part of the short-lived [[Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic]]. When the republic dissolved in May 1918, Azerbaijan declared independence as the [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic|Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR)]]. The ADR was the first democratic [[parliamentary republic]] in the Muslim world, but lasted only 23 months until the [[Bolshevik]] XIth [[Red Army]] invaded in April 1920. Overthrowing the ADR government, [[Bolsheviks]] established [[Azerbaijan SSR]] in [[Baku]] on [[April 28]], [[1920]].

In 1922, Azerbaijan, along with Armenia and Georgia, became part of the [[Transcaucasian SFSR|Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic {TSFSR)]], which itself became a constituent member of the newly-established [[Soviet Union]]. In 1936, TSFSR was dissolved and [[Azerbaijan SSR]] became one of the 12 (by 1940 - 15) constituent member states of the [[Soviet Union]].

During the 1940s, the Azerbaijan SSR supplied much of the Soviet Union's oil on the [[Eastern Front of World War II]]. Close to 600,000 Azerbaijanis fought on this front against [[Nazi Germany]]. [[Operation Edelweiss]] was launched by [[Adolf Hitler]] to occupy the Caucasian oilfields and capture [[Baku]], but all the offensives were pushed back. The Germans made largely fruitless efforts to enlist the cooperation of emigre political figures, such as [[Mammed Amin Rasulzade]], who came to Berlin and found opportunities to meet captured [[Soviet Azerbaijan]]i [[POW]]s.<ref>Swietochowski, Tadeusz(1995) ''Russia and Azerbaijan: A Borderland in Transition, Columbia University'', p. 133</ref>

[[Image:Transheya.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A painting by Enver Aliyev depicting Azerbaijani citizens digging entrenchments and antitank obstacles near Baku to prevent a possible [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] invasion.]]

===Newly Independent Azerbaijan===

Following the politics of ''[[glasnost]]'', initiated by the last [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]], [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], civil unrest and ethnic strife grew in various regions of the [[Soviet Union]], including [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], a region of the [[Azerbaijan SSR]]. The disturbances in Azerbaijan, in response to Moscow's indifference to already heated conflict, resulted in calls for independence and secession from the [[USSR]], which subsequently culminated in the events of [[Black January]] in [[Baku]]. At this time, [[Ayaz Mutallibov]] was appointed as the First Secretary of the [[Azerbaijan Communist Party]].

Later in 1990, the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR dropped the words "Soviet Socialist" from the title; adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Azerbaijan Republic, a constituent member of Soviet Union; and restored the modified flag of the [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic]] as a state flag. In early 1991, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan established the office of the presidency. [[Ayaz Mutallibov]] was subsquently elected as the first president by the Council. On [[September 8]], [[1991]], [[Ayaz Mutallibov]] was elected as president in nationwide elections in which he was the only candidate running.

On [[October 18]], [[1991]], Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopted a Declaration of Independence which was affirmed by a nationwide referendum in December, 1991, when the [[Soviet Union]] was officially dissolved. The early years of independence were overshadowed by the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] with neighboring [[Armenia]]. By the end of hostilities in 1994, Azerbaijan lost control of up to 16% of its internationally recognized territory, including [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] itself.<ref name="DeWaal">Thomas De Waal. ''Black Garden: Armenia And Azerbaijan Through Peace and War''. New York: New York University Press, p. 286. ISBN 0-8147-1945-7</ref><ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/aj.html#Issues CIA — The World Factbook. Azerbaijan.]</ref> In 1993, democratically elected president [[Abulfaz Elchibey]] was overthrown by a military insurrection led by Colonel Suret Huseynov, which resulted in the rise to power of the former leader of [[Soviet Azerbaijan]], [[Heydar Aliyev]]. In 1994, Suret Huseynov, by that time a prime minister, attempted another military coup against [[Heydar Aliyev]] but failed, was arrested and was charged with treason. In 1995, another coup attempt against [[Heydar Aliyev|Aliyev]], by the commander of the [[military police]], Rovshan Javadov, was averted, resulting in the killing of the latter and disbanding of Azerbaijan's military police.

Although during his presidency, Aliyev managed to reduce the country's unemployment, reined in criminal groups, established the fundamental institutions of independent statehood, and brought stability, peace and major foreign investment, the country was tainted by rampant corruption in the governing bureaucracy. In October 1998, Aliyev was reelected for a second term. Despite the much improved economy, particularly with the exploitations of [[Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli|Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field]] and [[Shah Deniz gas field]], Aliyev's presidency became unpopular due to vote fraud, wide-spread corruption and objection to his [[autocratic]] regime. The same harsh criticism followed the elections of former [[Prime Minister of Azerbaijan|Prime Minister]] [[Ilham Aliyev]], the second leader of [[New Azerbaijan Party]] after the death of his father Heydar.

== Government and politics ==
[[Image:Aliyev April06.jpg|right|160px|thumb|[[Ilham Aliyev]], the current president of Azerbaijan.]]
{{main|Politics of Azerbaijan}}
{{see also|Elections in Azerbaijan|Human rights in Azerbaijan}}

The structural formation of Azerbaijan's political system was completed by the acceptance of the new [[Constitution of Azerbaijan|Constitution]] on [[November 12]], [[1995]]. The [[National symbol|state symbol]]s of the Azerbaijan Republic are, according to the Article 23 of Constitution, the flag, the coat of arms and the national anthem. The state power in Azerbaijan is limited only by law for internal issues, but for international affairs is additionally limited by the provisions of international agreements.

The government of Azerbaijan is based on the [[separation of power]]s among the [[legislative power|legislative]], [[executive power|executive]] and [[judicial power|judicial]] branches. The legislative power is held by the [[unicameral]] [[National Assembly of Azerbaijan|National Assembly]] and the Supreme National Assembly in the Nakhchevan Autonomous Republic. Parliamentary elections are held every five years, on the first Sunday of November.<ref name="LEX"/> The accuracy of the election results are checked and confirmed by the Constitutional Court.<ref name="LEX"/> The laws enacted by the National Assembly, unless specified otherwise come into effect from the day of their publication.<ref name="LEX"/> The executive power is carried out by the [[president of Azerbaijan|president]], who is elected for a 5 year term by [[direct election]]s. The president is authorized to form the [[Cabinet of Ministers]], an inferior executive body, subordinated to him. The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan consists primarily of the [[Prime Minister of Azerbaijan|Prime Minister]], his Deputies and Ministers. The president does not have the right to dissolve the National Assembly, but has the right to [[veto]] its decisions.<ref name="LEX"/> To override the presidential veto, the parliament must have a majority of 95 votes.<ref name="LEX"/> The judicial power is vested in the Constitutional Court, [[Supreme Court of Azerbaijan|Supreme Court]] and the [[Economic Court of Azerbaijan|Economic Court]].<ref name="LEX"/> The President nominates the judges in these courts.<ref name="LEX"/>

The Security Council is the deliberative body under the president and he organizes it according to the Constitution. It was established on [[April 10]], [[1997]]. The administrative department is not a part of the president's office, but manages the financial, technical and pecuniary ensuring of activity of both the president and his office.

==Foreign relations==
{{main|Foreign relations of Azerbaijan}}
The short-lived Azerbaijan Democratic Republic succeeded in establishing diplomatic relations with six countries, sending diplomatic representatives to [[Germany]] and [[Finland]].<ref name="CSUS">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - Foreign Relations | work = | publisher = CountryStudies.us| date = | url = http://countrystudies.us/azerbaijan/36.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-31}}</ref> The process of international recognition of Azerbaijan's independence from the collapsing Soviet Union lasted roughly one year. The last country, [[Bahrain]] recognized Azerbaijan on [[November 6]], [[1996]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Bilateral relations | work = | publisher = Ministry of Foreign Affairs| date = | url = http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/bilat.shtml| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> Full diplomatic relations, including mutual exchanges of missions, were first established with [[Turkey]], the [[United States]] and Iran.<ref name="CSUS"/>

Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 158 countries so far<ref name="POL"/> and holds membership in 38 international organizations.<ref name="FCO">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =AUK Foreign Office - Country Profiles: Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = FCO.gov.uk| date = | url = http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029394365&a=KCountryProfile&aid=1019233781986| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> An observer status is held in the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and [[World Trade Organization]] and the correspondent one at the [[International Telecommunication Union]].<ref name="FCO"/> The Azerbaijani [[diaspora]] is represented in 36 countries,<ref>{{az icon}}{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Xaricdəki təşkilatlar | work = | publisher =Diaspora.az| date = | url = http://www.diaspora.gov.az/teze/teskilatlar/teskilatlar.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> dozens of ethnic minorities centers in turn are functioning inside the country (German cultural society "Karelhaus", [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] cultural center, Azerbaijani-[[Israel]]i community, [[Kurdish people|Kurdish]] cultural center, International [[Talysh people|Talysh]] Association, [[Lezgins|Lezgin]] national center "Samur", Azerbaijani-[[Tatarstan|Tatar]] community, [[Crimean Tatars]] society etc.).<ref name="MIN">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Ethnic minorities | work = | publisher =Ministry of Foreign Affairs| date = | url = http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/inter_affairs/human/ethnic.shtml| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> On [[May 9]], [[2006]] Azerbaijan was elected as one the members of the newly established [[Human Rights Council]] by the [[United Nations General Assembly]]. The term of office begun on [[June 19]], [[2006]].<ref>http://www.un.org/ga/60/elect/hrc/</ref>

Foreign policy priorities of Azerbaijan include: first of all, the restoration of the territorial integrity, elimination of the consequences of the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other regions of Azerbaijan, development of good-neighbourly and mutually advantageous relations with neighbouring countries; promotion of security and stability in the region; integration into European and Transatlantic security and cooperation structures, promotion of transregional economic, energy and transportation projects.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/foreign_policy.shtml MFA Foreign Policy Priorities]</ref> (For more information about Azerbaijan's official foreign policy, see [http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/international_affairs.shtml]) The Azeri Government, in late 2007, stated that if a comprehensive peace treaty is not signed with Armenia in 2008, then Azerbaijan will adopt military solutions to the conflict involving the Karabakh enclave.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} The Government is in the process of increasing its military budget as its oil and gas revenues bring a torrent of cash into its coffers. Furthermore, economic sanctions imposed by Iran along the south, Turkey along the west, and by Azerbaijan itself along the east, have all combined to greatly erode Armenia's economy, leading to steep prices for basic commodities and a great decline in the Armenian state revenues.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}

Azerbaijan is an active member of international coalitions fighting international terrorism. The country is contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Azerbaijan is an active member of NATO's “Partnership for Peace” program.

==Military==
[[Image:Azerbaijan Army 4.jpg|thumb|250px|Azerbaijani interior guard troops on training.]]
{{main|Military of Azerbaijan}}

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan were created according to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan of 09 October 1991. The equipment and facilities of the Soviet Fourth Army were provided the main material source in first period. The Armed Forces have three branches: Land Forces, Air Force and Air Defence Force (a united branch) and the Navy. Besides the Armed Forces there are some additional forces, which are militarily organised and can be involved in state defence when needed. Those are the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and forces of the State Border Service, which includes Coastal Guard as well.
<ref> [http://https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html CIA World factbook Azerbaijan]</ref>

Azerbaijan adheres to the [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe]]. On [[January 13]], [[1993]] Azerbaijan signed the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]] on the 47th [[United Nations General Assembly]] in [[Paris]]. In 1999 the country signed particularly the Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.az/eng/foreign_policy/inter_affairs/arms.shtml|title= Arms control and non-proliferation|author= |accessdate=2007-05-24}}</ref> Azerbaijan has been also a member of the [[Partnership for Peace|NATO's Partnership for Peace]] since 1994 and the [[Individual Partnership Action Plan|NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan]] since 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/pfp/azerbaijan/homepage.htm|title= Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to NATO|author= Khasiyev, Kamil|accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref> Azerbaijan is also a party to the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] and has an additional protocol with the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azeri Military Statistics | work = | publisher = NationMaster.com| date = | url = http://www.nationmaster.com/country/aj-azerbaijan/mil-military| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> The armed forces supported the American [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] by providing one peacekeeping infantry [[platoon]] and [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] with one peacekeeping infantry [[Company (military unit)|company]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/Coalition%20Fighting%20Terror/CoalitionPages/Azerbaijan/Azerbaijan.htm|title= Azerbaijan| publisher = Centcom.mil |accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> 2007 military expenditures reached 871 [[Million|mln]] [[USD]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Azerbaijan will end possible military reforms by 2015 to coincide with NATO standards |url= http://www.today.az/news/politics/40864.html| |publisher= Today.az |first= |last= |date=May 15, 2007 |accessdate= 2007-05-27}}</ref>

== Economy ==
[[Image:Azeri Square.JPG|right|200px|thumb|The National Bank.]]
{{main|Economy of Azerbaijan}}

After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan became a member of the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[World Bank]], the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]], the [[Islamic Development Bank]] and the [[Asian Development Bank]].<ref name="AZE">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - General Information | work = | publisher = Azerbaijan.az| date = | url = http://www.azerbaijan.az/_Economy/_GeneralInfo/_generalInfo_e.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-22}}</ref> Banking system of Azerbaijan consists of the [[National Bank of Azerbaijan]], [[commercial bank]]s and non-banking credit organizations. The National Bank was created in 1992 on the basis of Azerbaijan State Savings Bank, an affiliate of the former State Savings Bank of USSR. The National Bank serves as Azerbaijan's central bank, empowered to emit the national currency, [[Azerbaijani manat]], and supervise all commercial banks. Two major commercial banks are state-owned [[International Bank of Azerbaijan]] and [[United Universal Joint-Stock Bank]].

Pushed up by spending and demand growth, 2007 [[Q1]] [[inflation]] rate reached 16.6%.<ref name="INF">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan's Q1 inflation rate 16.6%, National Bank Chief says | work = | publisher = Today.az| date = | url = http://www.un-az.org/undp/bulnews48/e3.php| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref> The nominal incomes and monthly wages climbed 29% and 25% respectively against this figure but prices increase in non-oil industry encouraged inflation in the country.<ref name="INF"/> Azerbaijan shows some signs of the [[Dutch disease]] because of the fast growing energy sector, which causes inflation, the rise of national currency and prices.

2/3 of Azerbaijan is rich in [[oil]] and [[natural gas]].<ref name="AZ">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - General Information | work = | publisher = Azerbaijan.az| date = | url = http://www.azerbaijan.az/_Geography/_GeneralInfo/_generalInfo_e.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-22}}</ref> The region of Lesser Caucasus accounts for most part of [[gold]], [[silver]], [[iron]], [[copper]], [[titanium]], [[chromium]], [[manganese]], [[cobalt]], [[molybdenum]], complex [[ore]] and [[antimony]].<ref name="AZ"/> In September 1994, a 30-year contract was signed between the [[State Oil Company of Azerbaijan|State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)]] and 13 oil companies, among them [[Amoco]], [[BP]], [[Exxon]], [[LUKoil]], and [[StatoilHydro|Statoil]].<ref name="AZE"/> As Western oil companies are able to tap deepwater oilfields untouched by the Soviet exploitation, Azerbaijan is considered one of the most important spots in the world for oil exploration and development.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = GlobalEdge.msu.edu| date = | url = http://globaledge.msu.edu/countryInsights/economy.asp?countryID=11&regionID=3| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref> Meanwhile the [[State Oil Fund]] was established as an extra-budgetary fund to ensure the [[macroeconomy|macroeconomic]] stability, transparency in the management of oil revenue, and the safeguarding of resources for future generations.

At the beginning of 2007 there were 4755100 hectares of utilized agricultural area.<ref name="AG">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Natural resources | work = | publisher = The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan| date = | url = http://www.azstat.org/publications/azfigures/2007/en/003.shtml| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> In the same year the total wood resources counted 136 million [[Cubic metre|m³]].<ref name="AG"/> Azerbaijan's agricultural scientific research institutes are focused on the meadows and pastures, the [[horticulture]] and [[subtropical]] crops, the [[green vegetables]], the [[viticulture]] and [[wine-making]], the cotton growing and the [[medicinal plants]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan: Status of Database | work = | publisher = CAC-biodiversity.org| date = | url = http://www.cac-biodiversity.org/aze/aze_database.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-28}}</ref> In some lands it is profitable to grow grain, potatoes, [[sugar beet]], cotton and tobacco. The Caspian [[fishing industry]] is concentrated on the dwindling stocks of [[sturgeon]] and [[beluga]]. In 2002 the Azerbaijani [[merchant marine]] had 54 ships.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan Transportation | work = | publisher = NationsEncyclopedia.com| date = | url = http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Azerbaijan-TRANSPORTATION.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref>

Some part of most products before imported from abroad has begun to be produced locally (among them are Coca Cola by Coca Cola Bottlers LTD, beer by Baki-Kastel, parquet by Nehir and oil pipes by EUPEC Pipe Coating Azerbaijan).<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Industry | work = | publisher = Statistical Yearbook of Azerbaijan 2004| date = | url = http://www.azstat.org/publications/yearbook/SYA2004/Pdf/18en.pdf| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref>

Azerbaijan is also an important economic hub in terms of the raw materials transportation. The [[Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline]] (BTC) became operational in May 2006 and stretches over 1,774 kilometers through the territory of Azerbaijan (440 km), Georgia (260 km) and Turkey (1114 km). The BTC is designed to transport up to 50 million tons of crude oil annually and carries oil from the Caspian Sea oilfields to global markets. The [[South Caucasus Pipeline]], also stretching through the territory of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, became operational in the end of 2006 and offers additional gas supply to European market from the [[Shah Deniz gas field]]. It is expected to produce up to 296 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year. Azerbaijan also plays a major role in the EU-sponsored [[Silk Road]] Project.

==Transportation and communications==
{{main|Transportation in Azerbaijan|Communications in Azerbaijan}}
In 2002 Azerbaijan led the way in per capita [[mobile phone]] use within the CIS.<ref name="COM">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan - Communications | work = | publisher = Travel-Images.com| date = | url = http://www.travel-images.com/az-comm.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> Public pay phones are available for local calls and require a purchase token from the telephone exchange or some shops and kiosks. Tokens allow a call of indefinite duration. As of 2005, there were 1,091,400 main [[telephone line]]s and 408,000 internet users.<ref name="INT">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =World Guide - Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = Intute| date = | url = http://www.intute.ac.uk/sciences/worldguide/html/819_transport.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-26}}</ref> There are two [[GSM]] [[mobile network operator]]s and four [[CDMA]].

[[Broad gauge railway]]s in 2005 stretched for 2,957 km and [[electrified railway]]s numbered 1,278 km.<ref name="INT"/> The number of airports in 2006 reached thirty six, there was also one [[heliport]].<ref name="INT"/>

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Azerbaijan}}

[[Image:Eldar gardash.JPG|thumb|250px|A man and his child from the village of [[Khinalyg]] in northeast Azerbaijan.]]
The latest census of [[minority group]]s in 2007 displayed the following proportion: [[Azeris]] - 93.3%,[[Lezgins]] 2% [[Russians]] - 1.6%, [[Armenians]] - 1.5%, [[Talysh people|Talysh]] - 1%, [[Caucasian Avars|Avars]] - 0.6%, [[Tatars]] - 0.4%, [[Meskhetian Turks|Turks]] - 0.5%, [[Ukrainians]] - 0.4%, [[Kurdish people|Kurds]] - 0.2%, [[Georgians]] - 0.2%, [[Tsakhur people|Tsakhurs]] - 0.2%, [[Tats]] - 0.13%, [[Jews]] - 0.1%, [[Udi people|Udis]] - 0.05% and the others - 0.12%. The languages distribution in that census roughly corresponds with the minority groups percentage.

From the total population as of April, 2006 there were 4,380,000 (nearly 51%) city dwellers and a rural population of 4,060,000 (49%).<ref name="SEX">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Population | work = | publisher = Azerbaijan Gender Information Center| date = | url = http://www.gender-az.org/shablon_en.shtml?doc/en/about/country| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> 51% of the total population were female.<ref name="SEX"/> The [[gender ratio]] for total population in that year was therefore 0.94 males per female.<ref name="DEM">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Population and Demographics | work = | publisher = Intute| date = | url = http://www.intute.ac.uk/sciences/worldguide/html/819_people.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref>

2006 [[population growth rate]] was 0.66%, compared to 1.14% worldwide.<ref name="DEM"/> A significant factor restricting the population growth is rather a high level of [[Human migration|migration]]. In 2005 for instance 1,342 men and 1,564 women left the country due to labour migration.<ref name="SEX"/> In 2006 Azerbaijan saw migration of -4.38/1,000 persons.<ref name="DEM"/>
The highest morbidity in 2005 was among [[respiratory disease]]s (806.9 diseases per 10,000 of total population).<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Population morbidity by main diseases groups | work = | publisher = The Ministry of Health | date = | url = http://www.mednet.az/index1en.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> The highest 2005 morbidity for [[infectious disease|infectious]] and [[parasitic diseases]] was noted among [[influenza]] and [[acute respiratory infection]]s (4168,2 per 100,000 population).<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Morbidity of population by various infectious and parasitic diseases | work = | publisher = The Ministry of Health | date = | url = http://www.mednet.az/index1en.htm| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> 2007 estimate for total [[life expectancy]] is 66 years, 70.7 years for women and 61.9 for men.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan Facts and Figures | work = | publisher = MSN Encarta | date = | url = http://encarta.msn.com/fact_631504718/Azerbaijan_Facts_and_Figures.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref>

===Religion===
{{see|Religion in Azerbaijan}}
According to official figures approximately 93.4% to 96% of the population is [[Muslim]], of which 70% are [[Shia]] and 30% [[Sunni]]. The vast majority of [[Christians]] are [[Russian Orthodox]] and [[Armenian Orthodox]].<ref> [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html CIA the World Factbook]</ref> In 2003 there were 250 [[Roman Catholic]]s.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Catholic Church in Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = Catholic-hierarchy.org| date = | url = http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/az.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> Other Christian denominations as of 2002 include [[Lutheran]]s, [[Baptist]]s and [[Molokans]].<ref name="AZR">{{cite web | last = Corley | first = Felix| authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Azerbaijan: 125 religious groups re-registered | work = | publisher = Keston News Service | date = April 9 2002| url = http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/azerbaijan/hypermail/200204/0018.shtml| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref> There are also [[Judaism|Jewish]], [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]], [[Hare Krishna#The .22Hare Krishna.22 movement|Hare Krishna]] and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] communities. Some of adherents are within the so-called [[Nehemiah Church]], [[Star in the East Church]] and the [[Cathedral of Praise Church]].<ref name="AZR"/>

Some rural Azeri retain pre-Islamic [[animism|animist]] beliefs, such as the sanctity of certain sites and the veneration of certain trees and rocks.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Religion in Azerbaijan | work = | publisher = Travel-Images.com| date = | url = http://www.travel-images.com/az-reli.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-22}}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of Azerbaijan}}
{{see also|Ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan}}
[[Image:Azeri 7.jpg|thumb|225px|Traditional Azeri musicians]]
Azerbaijan folk consists of Azerbaijanis, the representative part of society, as well as of nations and ethnic groups, compactly living in various areas of the country. There are radio broadcasts in [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]], [[Lezgin language|Lezgin]], [[Talysh language|Talysh]], [[Georgian language|Georgian]], [[Russian language|Russian]] and [[Armenian language|Armenian]] languages, which are financed from the state budget.<ref name="MIN"/> The local radio station in [[Balakan]] organizes broadcasts in the [[Avar language]] and in [[Khachmaz]] also in [[Tat language|Tat]].<ref name="MIN"/> In Baku several newspapers are published in Russian, Kurdish (''Dengi Kurd''), Lezgin (''Samur'') and Talysh languages.<ref name="MIN"/> Jewish society "Sokhnut" publishes the newspaper ''Aziz''.<ref name="MIN"/>

Among national musical instruments there are fourteen [[string instruments]], eight [[percussion instruments]] and six [[wind instruments]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =The Azerbaijan musical instruments | work = | publisher = Atlas.musigi-dunya.az| date = | url = http://atlas.musigi-dunya.az/atlas/en/instruments.html| format =| doi = | accessdate = 2007-05-27}}</ref>

Azerbaijan will make its debut appearance at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2008]], an event that has previously been used to showcase other former Soviet and Eastern Bloc states.

Entries, submitted on the [[UNESCO World Heritage]] tentative list include the [[Gobustan State Reserve]], the [[Fire Temple of Baku]], the [[Momine Khatun Mausoleum]] and the [[Khan Palace]] in [[Sheki]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links==
{{portal|Azerbaijan|Flag of Azerbaijan.svg}}
<div class="infobox sisterproject">
<div style="float: left;">[[Image:Wikipedia-logo.png|45px|none|Wikipedia]]</div>
<div style="margin-right:60px;">'''''[http://www.az.wikipedia.org Azerbaijani language edition]''''' of [[Wikipedia]]</div>
</div>
{{sisterlinks|Azerbaijan}}
*{{wikitravel|Azerbaijan}}
===General references===
* [http://www.un-az.org United Nations Office in Azerbaijan]
* [http://www.azstat.org/indexen.php State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan]
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aj.html The World Factbook entry]
* [http://www.azlink.info Azerbaijan Links]

===Portals===
* [http://www.vetennamine.com Free Political Journal]
* [http://www.azerbaijan.az Azerbaijan.az]
* [http://www.azeri.net/azerbaijan Azeri.net - All About Azerbaijan]
* [http://www.azer.com Azer.com]
* [http://www.azerb.com/ Azerb.com]
* [http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/amed/azerbaijan/azerbaijan.html Library of Congress Portals to the World: Azerbaijan directory]
* [http://www.travelbaku.com Travel Information]
* [http://www.kataloq.net Kataloq.net Directory: Websites, People, Companies, Baku Maps]
* [http://www.vetennamine.com Vetennamine.com Independent Political Journal]

===Miscellaneous===
* [http://numismondo.com/pm/aze/ Azerbaijan Paper Money]

{{Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan}}

{{Template group
|title = [[Image:Nuvola apps package network.png|25lpx]]&nbsp;Geographic locale
|list =
{{Countries of Asia}}
{{Countries of Europe}}
{{Countries of Southwest Asia}}
{{Countries and regions of the Caucasus}}
{{Turkic States}}
}}
{{Azerbaijantie}}

{{Countries bordering the Caspian Sea}}

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[[Category:Azerbaijan| ]]
[[Category:Republics]]
[[Category:Eastern Europe]]
[[Category:Russian-speaking countries and territories]]

[[af:Azerbeidjan]]
[[ang:Azerbaijan]]
[[ar:أذربيجان]]
[[an:Azerbayán]]
[[arc:ܐܕܪܒܝܓܢ]]
[[frp:Azèrbayidj·an]]
[[ast:Azerbaiyán]]
[[av:Азарбижан]]
[[az:Azərbaycan Respublikası]]
[[bn:আজারবাইজান]]
[[zh-min-nan:Azerbaijan]]
[[be:Азербайджан]]
[[be-x-old:Азэрбайджан]]
[[bs:Azerbejdžan]]
[[br:Azerbaidjan]]
[[bg:Азербайджан]]
[[ca:Azerbaidjan]]
[[cv:Азербайджан]]
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[[cs:Ázerbájdžán]]
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[[da:Aserbajdsjan]]
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[[dv:އަޒަރުބައިޖާން]]
[[et:Aserbaidžaan]]
[[el:Αζερμπαϊτζάν]]
[[es:Azerbaiyán]]
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[[eu:Azerbaijan]]
[[fa:جمهوری آذربایجان]]
[[fr:Azerbaïdjan]]
[[fy:Azerbeidzjan]]
[[ga:An Asarbaiseáin (tír)]]
[[gl:Acerbaixán - Azərbaycan]]
[[ko:아제르바이잔]]
[[hy:Ադրբեջան]]
[[hi:आज़र्बैजान]]
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[[kn:ಅಜೆರ್ಬೈಜಾನ್]]
[[ka:აზერბაიჯანი]]
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[[kk:Әзірбайжан]]
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[[ug:ئەزەربەيجان]]
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[[scn:Azzirbaiggian]]
[[simple:Azerbaijan]]
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[[cu:Азѣрбаичанъ]]
[[sr:Азербејџан]]
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[[tt:Äzärbaycan]]
[[te:అజర్‌బైజాన్]]
[[tet:Azerbaijaun]]
[[th:ประเทศอาเซอร์ไบจาน]]
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[[zh:阿塞拜疆]]