LOCATED AT THE CROSSROADS
OF EUROPE AND SOUTHWEST ASIA IS

THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

 
OUR STORY IS A RICH TALE OF HERITAGE AND INNOVATION
 
Centrally located within the Caucasus, bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia on the northwest, Armenia on the west, and Iran to the South, Azerbaijan has a population of approximately 9.3 million with an additional further 3 million working abroad. It has a notably young population, with an average age of 31. The major concentration of the population is in the capital of Baku with approximately 3.5 million people living within the greater metropolitan area. Other significant centres of population include Ganja and Sumqayit.

Our nation is built on our people

A hospitable and
welcoming nation

The people of Azerbaijan have long been known for the hospitality and respect that they show to guests.  Over the past 10 years they have taken great pride in welcoming international visitors for a variety of high profile events.

The Republic of Azerbaijan has a tradition of hosting international sport competitions and Baku has been the venue for the 1st European Games in 2015, the Rhythmic Gymnastics European championships in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2014 as well as the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and many other major sporting events.

Azerbaijan also achieved a great popular success, as venue for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, which was organized to the highest professional standards and televised to an audience of approximately 100 million.

Furthermore after successfully hosting GT3 in 2013 and the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe in 2016, it has been announced that Baku will be the venue for the 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Discover more about Baku.

BAKU

a prosperous capital

STEEPED IN HERITAGE

Located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea, Baku is both the political and the cultural capital of Azerbaijan.  With 40% of the country’s population in the greater urban area it is, by far, the largest city in the country and has prospered greatly from the renewed development of oil and gas deposits over the past decade.

Baku is an attractive city, famed for its oil industry since the turn of the last century – when it provided over half of the world’s total production.  It was here that the Nobel family made their fortune – which later funded the eponymous prize – and the historic Battle of Stalingrad was fought, in large part, to prevent the capture of the Baku oilfields.

The ‘Inner City’ dating from the 5^th century has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO whilst the ‘Boomtown’ built in the late 19th century has a wealth of attractive ‘’beaux-arts’’ architecture, including the opulent mansions of the pre-revolution oil barons that now house a wealth of museums and art galleries.

At present, the government has allocated significant funds to the Baku authorities for infrastructure improvements and the upgrade of utilities and services.  Specific budgets and grants have been dedicated for renovation of the city’s historical and cultural heritage, whilst along the waterfront many large scale developments are underway, focusing on an innovative modern architecture that reflects the international nature of the city.

Azerbaijan is Moving Forward