RUSSIA GEORGIA TURKEY IRAN ARMENIA AZERBAIJAN human rights organizations Azerbaijan claims to be a peaceful nation yet it’s in a constant state of discord with its neighbor Armenia These are just some of the conflicting characteristics of this land Azerbaijan is one of three independent nations in Transcaucasia the other two are Georgia and Armenia Transcaucasia named for the Caucasus Mountains is an expanse of land that lies between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea Azerbaijan is on the eastern side bordering the Caspian a great inland sea with no outlet to the earth’s oceans which makes Azerbaijan technically landlocked The country’s most densely populated region is a small peninsular hook of land that extends into this sea Beneath the land and the sea lie treasure the oil and natural gas that fuel the country’s economy as well as the strange fire phenomena that give Azerbaijan its name Azerbaijan is made up of a number of pieces that fit together like a puzzle This puzzle has two pieces or perhaps three The main piece of the nation This map shows the Caucasus region with Azerbaijan and its neighbors as well as the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea 6 Azerbaijan
is separated from its western exclave the Naxcivan Autonomous Republic sometimes spelled Nakhichevan by a stretch of Armenian land Adding to the confusion is yet another autonomous region Nagorno-Karabakh This puzzle piece is claimed by Azerbaijan but it is also the self-proclaimed nation of Artsakh made up of ethnic Armenians This disputed territory is a very sore spot for Azerbaijan an open wound that won’t heal Despite a 1994 ceasefire and numerous international attempts at a peace settlement violence still flares up on its borders Since it first became an independent nation in 1991 Azerbaijan’s status in the world has risen It has redefined itself as a major regional energy supplier which has increased its wealth and influence Pipelines crisscross the country delivering gas and oil to energy-hungry Europe The profits have helped develop the country’s infrastructure as the economy has grown Note The Stepanakert is the capital of the Republic of Artsakh or the largest city in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno Karabakh region depending on one’s perspective The city lies on the Karabakh Plateau at an average altitude of 2,667 feet 813 meters Azerbaijan Today 7
economic information in this book does not reflect the effects of the 2020 global coronavirus pandemic which at this writing remain to be determined All that good news is dampened however by international concerns about corruption The government is accused of growing authoritarianism The country’s leadership has remained in the Aliyev family since Heydar Aliyev became president in 1993 and was succeeded by his son Ilham in 2003 As president Ilham Aliyev is behaving more and more like a dictator He has managed to have the constitution changed to his benefit several times allowing him to rule indefinitely and with ever-increasing power In particular he has quashed political opposition and clamped down on civil liberties Journalists are especially restricted Many have been detained or imprisoned on fabricated charges while others face travel bans Despite that menacing shadow Azerbaijan is a land of striking beauty and variety Its many regions include the snowcapped peaks of the Greater A multitude of rigs drill for oil in a large flat field in Azerbaijan 8 Azerbaijan
Caucasus Mountains fertile river valleys interlaced with irrigation canals subtropical forests and tea plantations in the south In contrast arid patches of semi-desert are found near the Caspian Sea In places Azerbaijan looks like a country forgotten by time Ancient churches and mosques rise above medieval villages or the walled old town areas of cities In other places definite signs of the 21st century emerge in the glass-and-steel office buildings of modern urban centers Each year more tourists flock to the country to discover its wonders a trend that also helps to grow the economy What lies ahead for paradoxical Azerbaijan Like the country itself the answer is a mystery The Philharmonic Fountain Park is located near the ancient walls of the Old City in Baku Azerbaijan Today 9
