Azerbaijan's flagFor my first post, I decided some Azerbaijan related trivia was in order. Judging from the many blank stares I receive after naming the country, it would appear that not many people know about this small but dynamic republic along the Caspian Sea. So, whenever I refer to any geopolitical hullabaloo, you can always consult this post as a handy dandy guide. Or just go to the BBC News Country pages or the CIA Factbook, which is precisely what I just did.
Background: In Persian language, Azerbaijan means "Land of Fire" due to its natural oil and gas wealth. In the 19th century this part of the Russian empire experienced an unprecedented oil boom which attracted international investment. By the beginning of the 20th century Azerbaijan was supplying almost half of the world's oil. In 1991 Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union, and began developing its oil industry. Despite rapid economic growth, the economy as a whole has not benefited as much as it might have done. Caspian oil is now flowing through a pipeline running from Baku through Georgia to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, providing western countries with ready access to a vast new source of supply.
Population: 8.5 million (Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9%)
Capital: Baku
- Area: 86,600 sq km (About the size of Maine)
- Major language: Azeri, Russian
- Major religion: Islam
- Life expectancy: 64 years (men), 71 years (women)
- Monetary unit: 1 manat = 100 qapik (US $1 = .81 manat)
- GNI per capita: US $1,240
- International dialling code: +994
