Azerbaijan

Tourism is a significant component of Azerbaijan’s economy. In the 1980s, the country was a popular tourist destination. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union, as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh War in the 1990s, harmed the tourism sector and Azerbaijan’s reputation as a tourist destination.

The tourism sector did not begin to revive until the 2000s, and the nation has subsequently seen rapid increase in the number of visitor visits and overnight stays. Azerbaijan has also been a popular destination for religious, spa, and health care tourism in recent years. During the winter, the Shahdag Mountain Resort provides skiing with cutting-edge amenities.

The development of Azerbaijan as an elite tourism destination is a key goal for the Azerbaijani government. It is part of a national plan to make tourism a significant, if not the only, contributor to the Azerbaijani economy. These activities are governed by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Azerbaijan is located in Eurasia’s South Caucasus area, spanning Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is located between the latitudes of 38° and 42° N, and the longitudes of 44° and 51° E. The entire length of Azerbaijan’s land boundaries is 2,648 kilometres (1,645 mi), with Armenia accounting for 1007 kilometers, Iran accounting for 756 kilometers, Georgia accounting for 480 kilometers, Russia accounting for 390 kilometers, and Turkey accounting for 15 kilometers. The coastline extends for 800 kilometers (497 miles), while the width of the Azerbaijani portion of the Caspian Sea is 456 kilometers (283 mi). Azerbaijan’s area stretches 400 km (249 mi) north to south and 500 km (311 mi) west to east.

Azerbaijan is dominated by three geographical features: the Caspian Sea, whose coastline provides a natural border to the east; the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north; and the vast flatlands in the country’s middle. There are also three mountain ranges, the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, as well as the Talysh Mountains, which encompass about 40% of the nation. Mount Bazardüzü (4,466 m) is Azerbaijan’s highest point, while the Caspian Sea (28 m) is its lowest. Azerbaijan is home to almost half of all mud volcanoes on the planet; these volcanoes were also nominated for the New7Wonders of Nature.

Surface waterways are the primary water sources. However, only 24 of the 8,350 rivers are longer than 100 kilometers (62 miles). All of the rivers flow into the Caspian Sea in the country’s east. Sarysu (67 km2) is the biggest lake, while Kur (1,515 km) is the longest river, both of which are transboundary. The four major islands of Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea have an area of more than thirty square kilometers.

Since Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991, the Azerbaijani government has made significant efforts to protect the country’s ecology. However, national environmental protection began to really improve after 2001, when the state budget expanded owing to additional funds supplied by the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Protected areas more than quadrupled in four years and currently cover 8% of the country’s land area. Since 2001, the government has established seven major reserves and almost quadrupled the budgetary allocation for environmental preservation.

Landscape

Azerbaijan has a diverse range of landscapes. Over half of Azerbaijan’s land mass is made up of mountain ridges, crests, yailas, and plateaus that rise to hypsometric levels of 400–1000 meters (including the Middle and Lower lowlands), 100–120 meters in some places (Talis, Jeyranchol-Ajinohur, and Langabiz-Alat foreranges), and 0–50 meters in others (Qobustan, Absheron). The remainder of Azerbaijan’s topography is made up of plains and lowlands. Hypsometric markers in the Caucasus range from approximately 28 meters along the Caspian Sea coast to 4,466 meters (Bazardüzü mountain).

Azerbaijan’s climate is affected mostly by frigid arctic air masses of Scandinavian anticyclones, temperate Siberian anticyclones, and Central Asian anticyclones. The varied terrain of Azerbaijan influences how air masses approach the nation. The Greater Caucasus shields the nation from the direct effects of chilly air masses from the north. As a result, most of the country’s foothills and plains have a subtropical climate. Meanwhile, lowlands and slopes have high sun radiation rates.

Azerbaijan has nine of the world’s eleven climatic zones. Julfa and Ordubad both had absolute lowest temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius (27.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and absolute high temperatures of 46 degrees Celsius (114.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The highest yearly precipitation occurs in Lankaran (1,600-1,800 mm or 63-71 in) and the lowest in Absheron (200 to 350 mm or 7.9 to 13.8 in).

Rivers and lakes are the main components of Azerbaijan’s water systems; they developed over a vast geological time span and altered considerably throughout that time. This is especially evident in the remains of ancient rivers located all throughout the nation. The country’s water systems are constantly altering as a result of natural forces and human-initiated industrial activity. Azerbaijan’s water systems include artificial rivers (canals) and ponds. In terms of water availability, Azerbaijan falls short of the global average, with about 100,000 cubic metres (3,531,467 cubic feet) of water per square kilometer per year. Kur is the foundation for all large water reservoirs. Azerbaijan’s hydrography is mostly associated with the Caspian Sea basin.

Azerbaijan has about 8,350 rivers of varying lengths. Only 24 rivers are longer than 100 kilometers. The Kura and Aras rivers flow through the Kura-Aras Lowland and are the most popular rivers in Azerbaijan. Rivers that flow straight into the Caspian Sea originate mostly on the northwestern slopes of the Major Caucasus and Talysh Mountains and run through the Samur–Devechi and Lankaran plains.

Yanar Dag, which translates as “burning mountain,” is a natural gas fire that burns constantly on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea near Baku, known as the “land of fire.” Flames shoot into the air from a thin, permeable layer of sandstone. It is a tourist attraction for Baku tourists.

As of July 2011, approximately 52 percent of the entire population of 9,165,000 people lived in cities, with the remaining 48 percent living in rural areas. Females made up 51% of the overall population. As a result, the sex ratio for the entire population that year was 0.97 men for every female.

The population growth rate in 2011 was 0.85 percent, compared to 1.09 percent globally. A high degree of migration is a major factor limiting population expansion. Azerbaijan had migration of 1.14 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2011.

The Azerbaijani diaspora is present in 42 countries, and there are numerous centers for ethnic minorities within Azerbaijan, such as the German cultural society “Karelhaus,” Slavic cultural center, Azerbaijani-Israeli community, Kurdish cultural center, International TalyshAssociation, Lezgin national center “Samur,” Azerbaijani-Tatar community, Crimean Tatarssociety, and so on.

According to the 2009 population census, the ethnic makeup of the population is as follows: 91.60 percent Azerbaijanis, 2.02 percent Lezgians, 1.35 percent Armenians (nearly all Armenians live in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh), 1.34 percent Russians, 1.26 percent Talysh, 0.56 percent Avars, 0.43 percent Turks, 0.29 percent Tatars, 0.28 percent Tats, 0.24 percent Ukrainians, 0.14 percent Tsakhurs, 0.11 percent Georgians,

Iranian Azerbaijanis are by far Iran’s biggest minority. Furthermore, the number of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran considerably outnumbers those in neighboring Azerbaijan. According to the CIA World Factbook, Iranian Azerbaijanis account for at least 16% of Iran’s population.

Muslims make up about 98 percent of the population. The Republic of Azerbaijan has the world’s second largest Shia population proportion, with 92 percent of Muslims being Shia and 8 percent Sunni. Other religions are practiced by different ethnic groups in the nation. Azerbaijan is a secular state that guarantees religious freedom, according to Article 48 of its Constitution. In a Gallup survey conducted between 2006 and 2008, just 21% of Azerbaijani respondents said that religion is an essential component of their everyday life.

Christians account for about 280,000 (3.1 percent) of the nation’s religious minorities, with the majority being Russian, Georgian Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic (almost all Armenians live in the break-away region of Nagorno-Karabakh). There were 250 Roman Catholics in 2003. Lutherans, Baptists, and Molokans were among the other Christian faiths in 2002.  In addition, there is a tiny Protestant community. Azerbaijan also boasts a 2,500-year-old Jewish community; Jewish groups estimate that 10,000–20,000 Jews exist in Azerbaijan. Members of the Bahá’, Hare Krishna, and Jehovah’s Witnesses groups, as well as followers of other religious communities, live in Azerbaijan. Unofficial restrictions on religious freedom have been imposed on certain religious groups. According to a State Department report on the subject, members of some Muslim and Christian organizations have been detained, and numerous groups are having difficulties registering with the SCWRA.

Azercell, Bakcell, Nar Mobile, and Azerfon-Vodafone are the three mobile carriers.

The numbers consist of a three-digit code (different for each operator) and a seven-digit number. For instance, (050)xxx xx xx, (051)xxx xx xx, (055)xxx xx xx, (070)xxx xx xx, or (077)xxx xx xx. Almost every shop sells cards for use with various operators.

Area Codes

Akchabedi 113, Agdash 193, Agsu 198, Agstafa 244, Astara 195, Babek 136, Baku 12, Balaken 119, Berde 110, Beylagan 152, Bilesuvar 159, Dashkesen 216, Devechi 115, Gandja 22, Gedebey 232, Goranboy 234, Goichay 167, Hajigabul 140, Horadiz 141, İmishli 154, İsmayilli 178, Jebrayil 118, Jelilabad 114, Julfa 36, Kurdemir 145, Lenkeran 171, Lerik 157, Masalli 151, Mereze 150, Mingechevir 147, Nabran 156, Naftalan 255, Nakhchivan 136, Neftchala 153, Oguz 111, Ordubad 136, Qakh 144, Qazakh 279, Qazi Memmed 140, Qebele 160, Qobustan 150, Quba 169, Qubadli 133, Qusar 138, Saatli 168, Sabirabad 143, Salyan 163, Samukh 265, Sederek 136, Shahbuz 136, Shemaki 176, Sheki 177, Shemkir 241, Sherur 136, Shirvan 197, Siyezen 190, Sumgait 18-64, Terter 246, Tovuz 231, Ujar 170, Khachmaz 172, Khanlar 230, Khizi 199, Khudat 172, Yardimli 175, Yevlakh 166, Zagatela 174, Zerdab 135.

Azerbaijan joined the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Asian Development Bank after achieving independence in 1991. Azerbaijan’s financial system is made up of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, commercial banks, and non-banking credit institutions. The National (now Central) Bank was established in 1992 on the basis of the Azerbaijan State Savings Bank, an affiliate of the former USSR State Savings Bank. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan is the country’s central bank, with the authority to issue the national currency, the Azerbaijani manat, as well as oversee all commercial banks. UniBank and the state-owned International Bank of Azerbaijan, led by Dr. Jahangir Hajiyev, are the two largest commercial banks in the country.

The 2007 Q1 inflation rate hit 16.6 percent, pushed up by rising expenditure and demand. Nominal income and monthly salaries increased by 29 percent and 25 percent, respectively, in comparison to this number, while price rises in the non-oil sector fueled inflation. Azerbaijan exhibits certain symptoms of the so-called “Dutch disease” due to its rapidly expanding energy industry, which generates inflation and raises the cost of non-energy exports.

Chronically high inflation was brought under control in the early 2000s. This resulted in the introduction of a new currency, the new Azerbaijani manat, on January 1, 2006, in order to solidify economic changes and eliminate the remnants of an unstable economy.

The World Bank’s Doing Business Report named Azerbaijan one of the top ten reformers in 2008.

Citizens of Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan do not need a visa for stays of 90 days or less.

Citizens of Bahrain, China, Israel (60 days), Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey (only at Heydar Aliyev International Airport), and the United Arab Emirates may get a 30-day visa on arrival.
Citizens of the United States may also get a visa on arrival, but only if they arrive on an Azerbaijan Airlines direct flight from New York City.

Only Iranian citizens may get a 15-day visa on arrival in Nakhchivan.

No matter whatever nation you are a citizen of, if you have an Armenian name, you will not be granted a visa.

Single-entry visas may be acquired in person or by mail from any Azerbaijani embassy that provides consular services. Visas can no longer be obtained at Baku’s Heydar Aliyev Airport. Outside of Azerbaijan, multiple visas are not usually granted. EU citizens typically pay 60 AZN, whereas US passport holders pay US$160 (depending on reciprocity) for any visa ranging from one to three months in duration.

A letter of invitation (LOI) from an Azerbaijani contact is needed.

The embassy of Azerbaijan in Washington, D.C. will grant visas without a letter of invitation if your stay in Azerbaijan is limited to a few days. Foreign citizens wishing to stay in Azerbaijan for more than 30 days must register with local police within three days of their arrival, according to Azerbaijani legislation. Foreign residents should go to the local district police office’s passport department and fill out an application form. The cost of registration is 9.90AZN. If you do not register within the first three days of your arrival, you will be fined 300AZN. If you are still inside the 30-day term and hold a double or multi-entry visa, you may go to Georgia and restart the 30-day period.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s website, it is also possible to apply for an e-visa online via designated travel companies.

Foreign visitors staying in Azerbaijan for more than ten days must register with the State Migration Service within ten working days of their arrival. Failure to register within this time period will result in a 300 AZN punishment (2015). Registration is free and may be done online by providing a copy of the passport and a completed application form, or in person at specially built State Migration Service offices (one of such offices will be opened eventually at the Train Station, however it was closed as of 2015). Hotels may provide this service to their customers, but visitors are strongly encouraged to double-check that the registration has been completed, since hotels often fail to do so.

Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku serves as the main international gateway, with other international airports (which mostly serve Moscow and Istanbul) located in Nakhchivan City, Ganja, and Lankaran.

The main carrier is the national airline AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines), which flies to Ganja, Nakhchivan, Tbilisi, Aktau, Tehran, Tel-Aviv, Ankara, Istanbul Atatürk, Istanbul Sahiha Gokchen, Antalya (seasonal), Bodrum (seasonal), Dubai, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kiev, Rostov-on-Don, Ürümqi, Mineralniye Vodi, Milan BMI flies to Baku seven days a week. Lufthansa also operates a handful of weekly flights to Baku (which continue onwards to Ashgabat). Turkish Airlines is another airline that connects Baku to and via Istanbul. There are also numerous Russian, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Iranian, and Austrian airlines that link Baku to places all over the globe. Qatar Airways will begin flying to Baku on February 1st, 2012, with two daily flights, one to Tbilisi and one to Doha, linking to their worldwide network.

Azerbaijan is linked by train to Georgia and Russia. Because the Russian border is restricted to non-CIS passport holders and no change is expected in the near future, the weekly trains to Moscow through Mahachkala are not a feasible alternative for most.

Tbilisi, Georgia, and Baku are connected by an overnight train. This costs 26AZN to leave Azerbaijan and leaves from Baku at 20:00 every night. The length of the journey is determined by how much time is spent at the border (longer when entering Azerbaijan). This section of track is being upgraded as part of a project funded in part by Azerbaijan that involves the building of a rail line between Akhalkalaki, Georgia, and Kars, Turkey. Originally slated to open in 2010, it is now expected to be completed in 2012, linking Azerbaijan’s railways with those of Turkey through Georgia. When the Baku-Istanbul service is finished, keep an eye out for it!

A domestic railway line runs from Astara on the Iranian border to Baku, and there are great expectations for the construction of a 300-kilometer connection line from Astara to Qazvin, Iran, to link the Azerbaijani and Iranian rail networks. Rail service to Iran, which used to run from Nakhchivan through southern Armenia, was discontinued when Armenia’s border was closed.

There are roads connecting all of Azerbaijan’s cities. They are not very broad, and the majority of them have just two lanes. Private vehicles to the borders may be arranged via local travel agencies. Exotour, a Georgian travel agency, can arrange collection in Baku and delivery in Tbilisi. Although it will be more costly than taking the bus or rail, it will be quicker and can be coupled with sightseeing along the route. Keep in mind that Azerbaijani customs will need you to pay a deposit of several thousand US dollars for your vehicle.

Every day, buses go from Georgia, Turkey, Iran, and Russia to Azerbaijan.

A minibus departs from the Georgian border at Krazny Most (Red Bridge) for approximately 10 or 12 mannat (or 25 lari). It can be picked up on either side of the border (don’t panic if they want you to pay on the Georgian side – they will come and get you). However, insist on carrying your own luggage). The journey to Baku should take about 8 hours. Be warned: driving in Azerbaijan is a really terrifying experience. Almost all drivers show little respect for the laws of the road, and the quality of the roads itself is startlingly low. It is not for the faint of heart, so although the lengthy journey may test your energy, it will not test your nerves. Check out AZAL flights from Tbilisi to Baku well in advance for some good bargains.

Return to Tbilisi can be caught at the indescribably chaotic bus station, which also doubles as an eerily quiet shopping-centre (take bus 65 from outside Double Gate in the old town for the 20min trip, which leaves you with a 400m long dodgy stretch of road/highway with pestering taxi-drivers on which to walk: Cost 20q) or simply taxi it from the centre for approx. 15 mannat (worth it! ), which Buses and minibuses are accessible from this station to Tbilisi, with both costing about 12 mannat. Bus stop 26 is located at the far rear of the ground level. The bus is a few hours slower and there is no assurance that you will be picked up after you pass the Georgian border, so the minibus is preferred.

Every day, buses go from Georgia, Turkey, Iran, and Russia to Azerbaijan.

A minibus departs from the Georgian border at Krazny Most (Red Bridge) for approximately 10 or 12 mannat (or 25 lari). It can be picked up on either side of the border (don’t panic if they want you to pay on the Georgian side – they will come and get you). However, insist on carrying your own luggage). The journey to Baku should take about 8 hours. Be warned: driving in Azerbaijan is a really terrifying experience. Almost all drivers show little respect for the laws of the road, and the quality of the roads itself is startlingly low. It is not for the faint of heart, so although the lengthy journey may test your energy, it will not test your nerves. Check out AZAL flights from Tbilisi to Baku well in advance for some good bargains.

Return to Tbilisi can be caught at the indescribably chaotic bus station, which also doubles as an eerily quiet shopping-centre (take bus 65 from outside Double Gate in the old town for the 20min trip, which leaves you with a 400m long dodgy stretch of road/highway with pestering taxi-drivers on which to walk: Cost 20q) or simply taxi it from the centre for approx. 15 mannat (worth it! ), which Buses and minibuses are accessible from this station to Tbilisi, with both costing about 12 mannat. Bus stop 26 is located at the far rear of the ground level. The bus is a few hours slower and there is no assurance that you will be picked up after you pass the Georgian border, so the minibus is preferred.

Most cities are connected by buses, minibuses (marshrutka), and taxis. In these places, there is often a hub, such as a bus terminal near the bazaar. Bus and minibus fares are often displayed in both old and new manats (qupik). Taxis, on the other hand, require bargaining abilities, which generally necessitate a competence in the language that most non-Azeri/Russian/Turkish speakers lack.

• Baku Region
  Azerbaijan’s political, economic, and cultural hub. Since 1871, oil has been extracted here.
• Ganja Region
• Nakhchivan
  An exclave on Turkey’s western border.
• Northeastern Azerbaijan
  A multi-ethnic area in the Greater Caucasus highlands enveloped in beautiful green woods.
• Sheki Region
  A lovely green mountainous area bordering Georgia that has Azerbaijan’s most attractive cities.
• Southern Azerbaijan
• Talysh Region
• Nagorno-Karabakh
  Armenian ethnic area ruled by an unrecognized sovereign government. Only via Armenia is it possible to get there.

Azerbaijan has 71 urban communities having the official status of a city (Azerbaijani: şhr). Only three of them, however, have a population of more than 300,000 people — Baku, Sumqayit, and Ganja — and Sumgayit is now a de facto suburb of Baku. The following are the most significant places to visit in the country:

National Parks and Reserves

Towns and villages

Resorts

• The nation has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower, and the Rock Art Cultural Landscape of Gokustan.
• Neft Daşları—The Caspian Sea’s first operational offshore oil platform, City Above the Sea, is situated 55 kilometers from the closest coast.
• Mud volcanoes which erupt in over 300 sites throughout the country, account for more than half of the total worldwide, each with its unique personality.
• Near the Iranian border, Caspian Hyrcanian woods may be found.
• The Kyapaz Tears are a series of seven beautiful alpine lakes near Mount Kyapaz and Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Visit Maiden Tower for spectacular city views.
• Attend an Azerbaijani wedding if possible.
• Martyr’s Alley offers magnificent views of Flag Square, Baku Crystal Hall, and the Caspian Sea.
• Wander aimlessly around the Ancient Town, attempting to become lost and take in the ambiance of this beautiful old town.
• Visit the magnificent Shirvanshahs’ Palace (entry free 2 manat, extra for camera)
• Walk down the promenade like the locals.
• Contrary to popular belief, Azeri wine is more than palatable, and although not as flavorful as Georgian or Armenian wines, it is nevertheless a delightful treat! Find a nearby drinking establishment and pass the time!
• Purchase souvenirs and rugs from the locals. Don’t be thrown off by the persistent stallholders. Persevere, be prepared to negotiate, and you may get some fantastic deals!

Azerbaijan’s specialities include cabbage, grape leaves, and eggplant wrapped meat (kelem, yarpaq, badimjan – dolmasi), kabab (kebab), rice with various toppings (plov – it is claimed that plov is the king of Azerbaijani cuisine), gutabs, and meatballs (kufta).

Yarpaq dolmasi is often regarded as the national dish.

Bread is a foodstuff that the people of Azerbaijan hold in high regard.

Georgian cuisine, particularly kajpuri (a cheese-filled bread), as well as certain Russian staples (borsh, creps), have spread across Azerbaijan. Other cuisines available in Baku include Turkish, Italian, Asian, Western, and fast food, as well as Asian food.

Ayran (a yogurt drink produced from sour milk) and sherbet are two popular local beverages (made from rose petals or saffron). There are also a variety of reasonably priced wines made from local grapes, as well as a broad range of mineral waters derived from natural springs. Lemonades (limonat/dushes) prepared from pears or taragon are available in certain markets in Azerbaijan.

The “old” manat AZM was replaced by the “New Azerbaijani manat” on January 1, 2007, due to inflation, although the transition is still ongoing, and old manat may still be exchanged for new.

New banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 New Azerbaijani manat and metal coins in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 50 gapik (AZN0.5) are in circulation. Because the same designer worked on both sets, the banknotes have a consistent design that is evocative to euro banknotes.

The new Azerbaijani manat (AZN) symbol, Azeri manat symbol.svg, has been allocated to Unicode as U+20BC, although m. or man. are sometimes used as substitutes for the manat symbol on price tickets and in local publications.

Remember that the import and export of New Azerbaijani manat is absolutely prohibited. (Collectors may export modest amounts of old manat banknotes, but not coins, with relative impunity.)

Azerbaijanis are a quiet yet courteous and well-mannered people.

• Women in Azerbaijan have historically been treated with the greatest respect, as is the case across the CIS/former USSR region. Female travelers should not be surprised or indignant when their Azerbaijani male friends pay their bills at restaurants, open every door in front of them, offer their hand to help them climb down that small step, or assist them in carrying anything heavier than a handbag – this is not sexual harassment or condescension toward women. Male visitors should be aware that this is the kind of conduct that most Azerbaijani girls and women would anticipate from them as well.
• If you are welcomed into an Azerbaijani house, remember to bring a present. Flowers (be sure to buy an odd number of flowers, since an even number is linked with funerals) to chocolate (but not wine or other alcoholic drinks) and even anything characteristic of your nation are acceptable. The idea behind the present, rather than the money, is important in Azerbaijani culture. If you really desire their respect, thank them for the invitation and praise them. Don’t take advantage of the host’s hospitality.
• When you arrive at the home, remove your shoes either outside or directly inside the door, unless the owner expressly permits you to do so. Even so, it may be more courteous to take off your shoes. You may be given slippers to wear. Do not be concerned about your feet becoming filthy; the floors are as clean as the walls; Azerbaijanis are extremely tidy and clean people.
• Azerbaijanis respect elderly people, therefore if you are an old(er) person, a disabled person, a pregnant woman, or have children with you, young(er) people will always give you a seat on a bus, tram, metro, or other forms of public transportation.
• When meeting someone older or in a position of power, it is polite to bend somewhat (but not completely). Younger individuals usually greet older persons or those in positions of power first.
• As previously said, it is considered courteous to allow women to board and exit the bus, tram, metro, and other types of public transit first, as well as to enter and exit a room.
• If you are unfamiliar with the individual, use their first name followed by an appropriate honorific. Use “Xanm” – pronounced “hanm” – for ladies (“Mrs.”). Use “Cnab” – pronounced “jenab” – for males (“Mr”). If they can communicate in English, use their last name followed by the appropriate English honorific “Mr.” or “Mrs.” The English honorific “Ms.” does not exist in Azerbaijani since women are not differentiated (or discriminated against) based on married or unmarried status, therefore calling a young lady as “Ms.” would be regarded improper and insulting.

• At all costs, avoid insulting or disparaging President Ilham Aliyev, as well as his immediate predecessor, late President Haydar Aliyev, and the Aliyev family in general, who govern Azerbaijan. This entails a jail term, as well as the distant potential of expulsion from the nation if you are a foreign citizen. In late 2009, two young men were convicted to four years in jail for portraying President Ilham Aliyev as a donkey holding a press conference in a YouTube video.
• At all costs, avoid mentioning Armenia and the Armenians, as well as the long-running Nagorno-Karabakh war with neighboring Armenia, which holds the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. As a consequence of the war, Azerbaijan lost 14% of its land and has 800,000 refugees and internally displaced people. There is a lot of animosity and hate against Armenians.
• Avoid photographing railroads, metro stations, and other things that the government may consider to be “strategic.” Authorities are said to have arrested foreign train enthusiasts on suspicion of spying.

Despite the fact that 95 percent of the population is nominally Shiite Muslim, Azerbaijan is a completely secular state that is mostly agnostic and non-religious. This is true not just in big cities, but also in small towns and rural regions. Don’t assume that anybody you don’t know believes in God or has a strong interest in Islam or other religions. Investigations into people’s religion are generally unwanted, and demonstrations of faith should be kept private outside of places of worship. Saying grace, for example, is likely to elicit confusion and quiet. While Muslim headscarves, Kippahs, and even T-shirts with religious inscriptions are allowed, they make many Azerbaijanis uneasy. Long beards may raise the suspicions of the authorities. Respect it, and you will be respected in return.

• Even if you do it quietly, don’t blow your nose during meals. This is seen as very impolite.
• Even if you do it quietly, don’t pick your teeth during meals. This is seen as very impolite.
• Avoid putting your feet up when sitting and avoid showing the bottoms of your feet to anybody. This is regarded very impolite.
• Do not, even subtly, point your finger at someone. This is considered impolite.
• Don’t chew gum during a discussion or in public places. This is seen as very impolite.
• Don’t touch someone without their consent. This is seen as very impolite.
• Don’t bear hug or back slap someone, particularly in formal settings or with someone you’ve just met or don’t know well enough. This is regarded very impolite.
• Don’t yell or raise your voice in public, particularly on public transit. This is seen as very impolite.
• In public or among friends, do not use curse words during conversation or while talking to oneself. This is seen as very impolite.

• Don’t smile at an Azerbaijani on the street since they will most likely not react in kind, and they will consider you as strange or mentally impaired. Smiling in public is frowned upon in Azerbaijan and is considered impolite. Smiling is usually reserved for family and friends; smiling at a stranger is deemed insulting since they would believe you are mocking them and that something is wrong with their clothing or hair. Furthermore, a “Western grin” is generally viewed as fake, as in “You don’t really mean it.” Smiling is still uncommon in customer service since salespeople, public officials, and others are expected to seem serious and businesslike. On television, news anchors, weather forecasters, and even entertainment hosts seldom grin. As a result, a frequent misunderstanding about Azerbaijanis is that they are a frigid people who never smile; they do, however, once they get to know you, and become extremely friendly and courteous.
• Open expressions of love are allowed in major towns and tourist destinations, although they may attract unwanted attention from the general public. It is frowned upon and should be avoided in more remote places. Outward displays of love should be avoided by gay and lesbian travelers, since they will undoubtedly draw unwanted attention from the general population. Overt shows of affection, regardless of sexual orientation, are considered improper.
• You’ll note that Azerbaijanis prefer to keep their voices low in public. In a discussion, do not raise your voice. A good quiet discussion is the Azerbaijani style of conducting business, and it will be much appreciated. Talking on a cell phone while on public transit or in restaurants is deemed acceptable, unless the discussion is excessively loud and too “private.”
• Littering is deemed impolite and may result in a fine. On the sidewalks and around most shops, there are many waste bins and garbage cans.

Although homosexuality is no longer illegal in Azerbaijan, the negative stigma associated with it persists. The government does not recognize same-sex partnerships, and revealing your sexual orientation in public is likely to attract glances and murmurs. The few gay-friendly places are virtually primarily (if not entirely) in Baku and are largely subterranean. Azerbaijan is not the most welcoming country in the world for LGBT travelers; be careful if you are a LGBT traveler.

Azerbaijan’s culture has evolved as a consequence of a variety of factors. Despite Western influences, such as globalized commercial culture, native traditions are largely maintained in the country today. Music, literature, traditional dances and art, food, architecture, cinematography, and Novruz Bayram are all important aspects of Azerbaijani culture. The latter is taken from the ancient Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism’s traditional New Year festival. Novruz is a festival celebrated by families.

Azerbaijani folk comprises of Azerbaijanis, who make up the majority of the population, as well as countries and ethnic groups who live in close proximity in different parts of the country. Chokha and Papakhi are Azerbaijani national and traditional garments. The state funds radio transmissions in Russian, Armenian, Georgian, Kurdish, Lezgian, and Talysh languages. Avar and Tat broadcasts are organized by a few local radio stations in Balakan and Khachmaz. Several newspapers in Russian, Kurdish (Dengi Kurd), Lezgian (Samur), and Talysh are published in Baku. The newspaper Aziz is published by the Jewish organization “Sokhnut.”

Azerbaijan’s music is based on almost a thousand-year-old folk traditions. Azerbaijani music has developed under the banner of monody for centuries, resulting in rhythmically varied tunes. The branchy mode system in Azerbaijani music emphasizes the chromatization of major and minor scales. There are 14 string instruments, eight percussion instruments, and six wind instruments among the national musical instruments. “In terms of race, culture, and religion, the Azerbaijanis are musically far closer to Iran than Turkey,” according to The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

Azerbaijan’s musical traditions include mugham, meykhana, and ashiq art. Mugham is often a poetry-based composition with musical interludes. The vocalists must channel their emotions into singing and melody while performing mugham. Azerbaijani mugham is more free-form and less strict than the mugham traditions of Central Asian nations; it is frequently likened to the improvisational realm of jazz. On November 7, 2003, UNESCO designated the Azerbaijani mugham tradition as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Meykhana is a kind of unaccompanied traditional Azerbaijani folk song, typically sung by many individuals improvising on a certain topic.

Ashiq is a traditional performance art that blends poetry, narrative, dance, and vocal and instrumental music into an emblem of Azerbaijani culture. The saz is sung and played by a mystic troubadour or wandering bard. The origins of this practice may be traced back to ancient Turkic peoples’ Shamanistic beliefs. The songs of Ashiqs are semi-improvised and based on similar themes. On September 30, 2009, UNESCO included Azerbaijan’s ashiq art on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Since the mid-1960s, Western-influenced Azerbaijani pop music has grown in popularity in different forms in Azerbaijan, while alternative music genres such as rock and hip hop have been promoted. With the worldwide success of artists like as Alim Qasimov, Rashid Behbudov, Vagif Mustafazadeh, Muslim Magomayev, Shovkat Alakbarova, and Rubaba Muradova, Azerbaijani pop and folk music flourished. Azerbaijan takes part in the Eurovision Song Contest with zeal. Azerbaijan competed in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2008. In 2009, the country’s submission was ranked third, then sixth the following year. With the song “Running Scared,” Ell and Nikki took first place in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, earning Azerbaijan the right to host the contest in Baku in 2012. They have never failed to appear in a Grand Final.

Azerbaijani traditional dances number in the hundreds. They are performed at ceremonial occasions, and the dancers dress in traditional national attire such as the Chokha, which is well-preserved in national dances. The majority of dances have a fast-paced beat. The national dance depicts the Azerbaijani nation’s qualities.

Nizami, known as Ganjavi after his birthplace of Ganja, was a Persian poet and philosopher who wrote the Khamseh (“The Quintuplet”), a collection of five love poems including “The Treasure of Mysteries,” “Khosrow and Shrn,” and “Leyli and Mejnn.”

Izzeddin Hasanoglu, who wrote a divan of Persian and Turkic ghazals, is the first known character in Azerbaijani literature. He wrote Persian ghazals under the pen name Hasanoghlu, and Turkic ghazals under his real name Hasanoghlu.

Classical Azerbaijani literature emerged in the 14th century, based on the different languages of Tabriz and Shirvan from the Early Middle Ages. Gazi Burhanaddin, Haqiqi (pen-name of Jahan-shah Qara Qoyunlu), and Habibi were among the poets of the time. Imadaddin Nesimi, one of the finest Turkic Hurufi mystical poets of the late 14th and early 15th centuries and one of the most important early divan masters in Turkic literary history, began his literary career towards the end of the 14th century. He also wrote poetry in Persian and Arabic. Poets Qasim al-Anvar, Fuzuli, and Khatai further refined the divan and ghazal genres (pen-name of Safavid Shah Ismail I).

The Book of Dede Korkut, which was copied in the 16th century from two manuscripts, was not written before the 15th century. It’s a compilation of 12 tales based on the Oghuz nomads’ oral tradition. Muhammed Fuzuli, a 16th-century poet, wrote timeless philosophical and lyrical Qazals in Arabic, Persian, and Azerbaijani. Fizuli was destined to become the main literary figure of his society, benefiting greatly from the rich literary traditions of his surroundings and building upon the heritage of his forefathers. The Divan of Ghazals and The Qasidas are two of his most famous compositions. With the emergence of the Ashik (Azerbaijani: Aşq) poetry genre of bards in the same century, Azerbaijani literature thrived even more. During this time, I composed around 1400 poems in Azerbaijani under the pen name Khat (Arabic: meaning sinner) Shah Ismail, which were subsequently published as his Divan. During this time, Shah Ismail and his son and successor, Shah Tahmasp I, established and developed a distinct literary style known as qoshma (Azerbaijani: qoşma meaning improvization).

Fizuli’s distinctive genres, as well as Ashik poetry, were taken up by renowned poets and authors such as Qovsi of Tabriz, Shah Abbas Sani, Agha Mesih Shirvani, Nishat, Molla Vali Vidadi, Molla Panah Vagif, Amani, Zafar, and others in the 17th and 18th century. Azerbaijanis, like Turks, Turkmens, and Uzbeks, commemorate the mythical folk hero Koroglu (from Azerbaijani: kor olu for blind man’s son). The Institute for Manuscripts of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan has many recorded versions of the Koroglu epic.

In Azerbaijan, modern literature is mostly based on the Shirvani dialect, while in Iran, it is primarily based on the Tabrizi dialect. Akinchi, the first Azerbaijani newspaper, was first published in 1875. It was taught at Baku, Ganja, Shaki, Tbilisi, and Yerevan schools in the mid-nineteenth century. It has also been taught at Russia’s University of Saint Petersburg from 1845.

Azerbaijanis have a rich and unique culture, with ornamental and applied art playing a significant role. Chasing, jeweler, metal engraving, wood, stone, and bone carving, carpet-making, lasing, pattern weaving and printing, knitting, and embroidery are only a few examples of this kind of art. Each of these kinds of ornamental art, which are proof of the Azerbaijan nation’s and endowments, is extremely popular in this country. Several merchants, tourists, and diplomats who visited these locations at various periods recorded many fascinating details about the development of arts and crafts in Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani carpet is a traditional handmade textile of different sizes with a thick texture and a pile or pile-less surface, with designs unique to Azerbaijan’s numerous carpet-making areas. UNESCO designated the Azerbaijani carpet as a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage in November 2010.

Since ancient times, Azerbaijan has been recognized as a hub for a wide range of crafts. Archeological digs on Azerbaijan’s land reveal well-developed agriculture, cattle rearing, metalworking, pottery, ceramics, and carpet weaving dating back to the 2nd century BC. Archeological sites discovered as part of the BTC pipeline at Dashbulaq, Hasansu, Zayamchai, and Tovuzchai have yielded early Iron Age items.

Azerbaijani carpets are divided into many major categories and several subdivisions. The name of Latif Kerimov, a renowned scientist and artist, is linked to scientific study on the Azerbaijani carpet. Guba-Shirvan, Ganja-Kazakh, Karabakh, and Tabriz were the four major groupings of carpets that he classified with the four geographical zones of Azerbaijan, Guba-Shirvan, Ganja-Kazakh, Karabakh, and Tabriz.

The quantity of vegetables and greens utilized seasonally in traditional cuisine is well-known. Mint, cilantro (coriander), dill, basil, parsley, tarragon, leeks, chives, thyme, marjoram, green onion, and watercress are all popular fresh herbs that are often served with main courses. The national cuisine reflect the land’s climatic variety and fertility, including seafood from the Caspian Sea, local meat (mostly sheep and cattle), and a plethora of seasonal vegetables and greens. In Azerbaijan, saffron-rice plov is the national dish, while black tea is the national drink. Because of their strong tea culture, Azerbaijanis often utilize traditional armudu (pear-shaped) glass. Bozbash (a lamb broth with various vegetables added to it), qutab (a fried turnover with a filling of greens or minced meat), and dushbara are some of the most popular traditional meals (sort of dumplings of dough filled with ground meat and flavor).

Azerbaijani architecture often incorporates aspects from both the East and the West. In contemporary Azerbaijan, several historic architectural masterpieces such as the Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku’s Walled City still exist. The Ateshgah of Baku, Momine Khatun Mausoleum, Hirkan National Park, Binegadi National Park, Lökbatan Mud Volcano, Baku Stage Mountain, Caspian Shore Defensive Constructions, Shusha National Reserve, Ordubad National Reserve, and the Palace of Shaki Khans are among the entries on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.

Quadrangular Castle in Mardakan, Parigala in Yukhary Chardaglar, a number of bridges crossing the Aras River, and numerous mausoleums are among the architectural gems. Little monumental architecture was produced in the 19th and early 20th centuries, although unique homes were erected in Baku and elsewhere. The Baku subways, which are among the city’s newest architectural landmarks, are known for their extravagant décor.

Contemporary Azerbaijani architecture faces a variety of challenges, including the application of modern aesthetics, the quest for an architect’s own creative style, and the integration of the existing historico-cultural context. Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, Flame Towers, Baku Crystal Hall, Baku White City, and SOCAR Tower are only a few of the major projects that have changed the country’s skyline and promoted its modern character.

Azerbaijani art contains one of the world’s earliest art artifacts, the Gamigaya Petroglyphs, which were found in the area of Ordubad Rayon and date from the 1st to 4th century BC. On basalt rocks, about 1500 dislodged and carved rock paintings with pictures of deer, goats, bulls, dogs, snakes, birds, strange creatures, as well as humans, carriages, and other symbols were discovered. Thor Heyerdahl, a Norwegian ethnographer and explorer, believed that inhabitants from the region moved to Scandinavia about 100 AD and brought their boat-building abilities with them, transforming them into the Viking boats of Northern Europe.

Azerbaijani art has seen numerous stylistic variations throughout the ages. Traditional Azerbaijani painting is defined by a warm use of color and light, as seen in the works of Azim Azimzade and Bahruz Kangarli, as well as a focus on religious figures and cultural themes. For hundreds of years, Azerbaijani art dominated the Caucasus, from the Romanesque and Ottoman eras through the Soviet and Baroque periods, the latter two of which found culmination in Azerbaijan. Sattar Bahlulzade, Togrul Narimanbekov, Tahir Salahov, Alakbar Rezaguliyev, Mirza Gadim Iravani, Mikayil Abdullayev, and Boyukagha Mirzazade are some of the other famous artists from these eras.

Robbing and pickpocketing are conceivable but uncommon in Baku’s city, particularly in impoverished and poorly inhabited regions, and is more prevalent at night. As in all other nations, common sense is beneficial. In public transportation, keep an eye on your belongings as well.

Corruption is rampant. However, as a foreigner, you have a strong negotiating position when it comes to refusing to pay “hörmet” (bribe). Never accept a bribe. Azeris are often so embarrassed of their crooked economy that they would try to conceal it from you.

Unless you’re using a night train, try to go outside of the city during the day. Nighttime driving may be hazardous owing to invisible potholes and poorly illuminated vehicles.

Emergency contact numbers

To convey your requirements, you must speak Azeri, Turkish, or Russian. Before traveling to Azerbaijan, it is a good idea to learn essential words.

Check the status of your diphtheria, tetanus, and Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. Malaria is a concern in lowland Azerbaijan, especially near the Iranian border. Anti-malarial medications are not required in Baku, although the danger exists in rural regions not distant from the city.

Water should not be drunk unless it is in a well sealed bottle. Bottled soft drinks or boiling beverages, such as tea or coffee, decrease hazards as well.