Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, bordered by Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, Iran to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the east. The capital and largest city, Baku, is a major cultural and economic hub, as well as the lowest-lying national capital in the world, situated below sea level.

Azerbaijan has a rich history shaped by various empires, including the Persian, Roman, Arab, and Mongol empires. It was heavily influenced by Islam after the Arab conquest in the 7th century and later became part of the Safavid and Qajar dynasties of Persia. In the 19th century, the Russian Empire annexed the territory, and after the Russian Revolution, Azerbaijan briefly declared independence in 1918 as the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first secular democracy in the Muslim world. However, in 1920, it was incorporated into the Soviet Union.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan regained its independence but soon faced the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia over the disputed region, leading to war and displacement. After years of frozen tensions, Azerbaijan reclaimed much of the territory in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, reshaping the regional balance of power.

Azerbaijan is a presidential republic with a strong centralized government. Its economy is largely driven by oil and gas exports, making it one of the wealthiest countries in the South Caucasus. It has pursued a balanced foreign policy, maintaining relations with both Western nations and regional powers like Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Culturally, Azerbaijan is known for its blend of Turkic, Persian, and Russian influences, as well as its contributions to music, literature, and architecture. The country is famous for its traditional Mugham music, UNESCO-listed heritage sites, and modern landmarks like the Flame Towers in Baku.