Azerbaijan
AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan is a Caucasian country that is the intersection point of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Azerbaijan, whose capital is Baku, also has 59 states and 75 cities. 11 of these cities are metropolitan and they are well advanced in development. We can say that Azerbaijan, which has great wealth in terms of culture, is Azerbaijani Turkish, which is very similar to our native language, but almost a quarter of the population of the country speaks Russian. For this reason, two languages are mainly spoken in the country. Apart from its capital, Azerbaijan, which has four major cities and an autonomous region, has the largest surface area of the South Caucasus.
Its autonomous region is Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic and neighbors with Armenia in the north east and Iran in the south west. Declaring its independence in 1918, the country remained bound to the Soviet Russian Union between 1920-1991 with the invasion of Soviet Russia. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, it regains its independence and the country continues to develop day by day. May 28 is the Republic Day of the country and June 15 is the day of National Liberation.
Education
Azerbaijan, as an education system, operates a system similar to our country. Children start school at the age of 6 and receive education in three stages: primary education, secondary education and full education. English is also taught as a foreign language. In addition, Azerbaijan is a country known for the value it attaches to art and artists. Throughout the country, children are directed to the relevant schools to receive education according to their abilities and the art they can perform.
Entertainment, Arts and Festival
Azerbaijan has determined its center as Baku for concerts, festivals and entertainment to be held in the country, and the people have adopted Baku as an entertainment and art center. Across the country, the oldest and known art building is the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. The building featured world-class ballet and opera scenes. This building, which has an acoustics that fascinates artists and enthusiasts with its architectural structure and internal history, is located in the capital Baku.
Apart from the national and religious holidays, there are five music festivals that promote and symbolize Azerbaijan.
Mstislav Rastropoviç Festival, Üzeyir Hacıbeyov Festival, Silk Road International Music Festival
Mugham World International Music Festival, Gebele Music Festival
Apart from these festivals, the Pomegranate Festival is held in the city of Göyçay, which is famous for the country's pomegranate fruit. The people of the country are very knowledgeable about entertaining and keeping their history alive in their festivals. Colorful, fun and music-filled festivals reflect the spirit of the country.
Climate
Since the country has a temperate climate, the best time for your trip is spring. The country is very suitable for traveling in spring and autumn. Because the heat of summer is quite overwhelming. In the higher parts of the country, winters are very long and hard and rainy.
What to Buy from Azerbaijan?
Your loved ones will expect gifts from you on the return of your trip, and of course, you will want to buy and keep a few things in memory of your trip. The country's devotion to art and crafts is seen here as well. Famous hand-woven rugs and pitchers and pots made of copper work almost reflect the history and culture of the country. We recommend that you do not complete your trip without buying a hand-woven rug or a copper pot and pitcher for your loved ones and yourself.
Country Official Name: Republic of Azerbaijan
Country Location: Eastern Europe / West Asia / Caucasus
Capital: Baku
Neighbors: Azerbaijan neighbors Russia in the north, Caspian Sea in the east, Georgia in the northwest, Armenia in the west, Iran in the south. Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Turkey, neighboring with Iran and Armenia.
Governing Type: Unitary constitutional republic
Area: 86.600 km²
Phone code: +994
Currency: Azerbaijani manat
Population: 9.8 million (2018)
Official languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri Turkish)
Religion: 88 percent is Muslim (70 percent Shiite-Jafari, 30 percent Sunni), the majority of the remaining population is Christian, 0.3 percent Jewish.
Alphabet: Latin alphabet
Local Time: Azerbaijan time zone GMT +4. an hour later from Turkey.
Traffic flow: Left
Popular cities: Baku, Ganja, Shirvan, Lankaran, Sumqayıt
Climate / Weather: The climate of Azerbaijan displays a very diverse view due to its geographical location. Due to the influence of landforms, different climates and weather events are observed throughout the year. In the middle and east of the country where there are many sunny days, the subtropical climate is observed. Southern regions are under the influence of abundant rainy weather.
When to go to Azerbaijan?
The best time to visit Azerbaijan is May, June, September and October. While it is not extremely hot during these periods, the absence of rain offers an atmosphere suitable for walking.
Azerbaijani flag
The flag of Azerbaijan, the official flag of the country since 1991, was determined for the first time by the government of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan at a meeting held in 1918. The flag, which consists of blue sky, red and green horizontal stripes, has a white right-facing crescent and an eight-pointed star on the red stripe.
The Most Beautiful Azerbaijan Cities
Ganja
Places to see in Ganja: Han Bağı, one of the oldest places, Haydar Aliyev Park, one of the five biggest parks in the world, Cavadhan Street, Göygöl, Maralgöl, Nizami Tomb, two-storey 'Butulka House, all made of 50.000 glass bottles and sea stones. '(Bottle House), Shah Abbas Caravanserai etc. For those who like to take pictures of landscapes, I especially recommend that they go to Göygöl and Maralgöl, which are 30 km from the city.
If you go to Ganja, delicious food and desserts will be waiting for you. I especially recommend you to eat Gence baklava.
Lankaran
Lankaran, which is 282 km away from Baku, is a city in the south of Azerbaijan, on the Iranian border. At the same time, this region, which is bordered by the Talis Mountains and the Caspian Sea, is one of the favorite cities of Azerbaijan. It is possible to reach here from Baku by bus or train.
Places to visit and see in this region: For those who like to take landscape photographs, the Talis Mountains, Xanbulan Water Anbarı, Vleş Stream settled in Masallı region, Istisu for treatment purposes, Masallı waterfall, Yanardağ, which is constantly burning due to methane gas coming out of the ground, Yanarbulak settled in Astara region, etc.
Lenkeran is preferred more than other regions with its unique cuisine and fish dishes. If you go to Lankaran, I say don't return without eating fish leveng. This dish, which consists of walnuts and onions, is very tasty. Lankaran is also famous for its citrus fruits. I recommend you to try the citrus fruits, especially the feyhoi.
Most of the Lankaran people, who are famous worldwide for their tea, earn their living from tea production. As a gift from Lankaran, you can take tea here to your loved ones.
Sheki
Founded in the 18th century, Sheki is one of the most ancient cities of Azerbaijan. The city, 300 km from Baku, is located in the north of Azerbaijan. With its historical structure and nature, it is one of the most preferred cities by local and foreign tourists. Sheki is like a city built in a forest.
Compared with Turkey, with its own dialect of the population, in terms of being their own sense of humor and a different paragraph, I compare the people of Sheki to the Black Sea.
Places you need to see when you go to Sheki: Sheki Castle (Narınqala), the summer palace of Sheki khans, 'Han Palace, Lower and Upper Caravanserais, Khan Mosque, Ömer Efendi Mosque, Cuma Mosque,' Kish Village 'where Albania's historical architectures are located. If you come-see it 'castle etc.
If you say what to eat in Sheki, I would say 'Piti' without thinking. Piti cooked in casserole is one of the most famous dishes of Sheki. Piti, a meal with meat, chickpeas and vegetables, takes about 5-6 hours to cook. And of course, I recommend you to eat Sheki's special baklava on top of this dish. This baklava, prepared from rice flour, is considered one of the most popular desserts in Azerbaijan.
Qusar
Qusar, 182 km from Baku, is one of the most beautiful and ancient cities in Azerbaijan. Qusar, which can be visited both in winter and summer, draws attention with its historical places and magnificent nature.
One of the first places that come to mind when talking about Qusar is Şahdağ and Şahdağ Tourism Center with a height of 4243 meters. In the summer, it attracts the attention of local and foreign tourists with its magnificent view, many pleasant and entertaining facilities, and a ski resort.
Other places you need to see in Qusar: Laza village, famous for its Koşa Waterfall, Eniğ Village located at the foot of Şahdağ, Hezre Village famous for its wrestlers, Sudur Village, Qusar, which is so named because it resembles the Taç Mahal in India. The Crown District of Istanbul, the Seyk Cüneyt Tomb, considered one of the most important historical monuments, the Bazardüzü Mountain with a height of 4466 m.
Quba
Quba, 168 km from Baku, is located on the north-eastern slopes of Shahdag in the Greater Caucasus, on the shore of the Qudyal stream. Famous for its apples, Quba is also famous for its carpet center.
Places to see in Quba: Hınalık Village, which is one of the highest settlements in the world, at an altitude of 2350 meters above sea level, Afurca Waterfall with a height of 60 meters, Natural Minaret, which is split as a result of Qudyalçay's piercing stone rocks, Çenlibel Lake, Qeçreş Village, Tengealtı settled between two mountains and so on.
Qebele
Qebele, one of the oldest cities of Azerbaijan, 218 km from Baku, is one of the places that tourists want to see the most.
The places you should see in Qebele: Vendam, Qemervan, Yengice, Nohurqışlaq, Bum, Hemzeli, Durca, Bunut, Nic villages; Demiraparançay, Türyançay, Tikanlıçay, Bumçay, Vendamçay; Mucuk and Yedi Beautiful Waterfalls, Nohur lake with a magnificent view of 700 m above sea level, Tufan mountain, Summer-Winter touristic center etc.
Shamaxı
Shamaxi (Shamakhi), which is 123 km away from Baku, is one of the oldest and historical cities of Azerbaijan. The city, which is 749 meters above sea level, is located on the south-eastern side of the Caucasus Mountains. Shamaxi people in Azerbaijan are also known for their hospitality.
One of the places to visit in Shamaxı is the village of Pirqulu with its magnificent nature. In Pirqulu, it is possible to ski in winter and horse riding in summer. The place you should especially see here is the "Shamaxi Astrophysical Observatory" named after the well-known mathematician, physicist, astronomer Nesreddin Tusi in Azerbaijan. The 85-ton telescope, located in 5 countries around the world, was also installed here.
Other historical places you should see here are the Friday Mosque of the 9th and 10th centuries, the Pirmerdekan Tomb of the 13th and 14th centuries, the Şahhendan Tomb of the 14th century, the Seven Gümbez Complex, which consists of 7 shrines, and the Safari Park.
Inner City, Baku
With its historical baths, religious buildings, Maiden's Castle, Shirvan Shahlar Palace and Miniature Book Museum, the Icheri City (Old City) in the capital Baku is one of the most popular places to visit in the country. The Inner City, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000, has been one of the most important settlements in the country since the Bronze Age. If you want to explore the historical background and architectural texture of the country, don't forget to add it to your Inner City sightseeing route.
Gobustan National Park, Gobustan
Located in the city of Gobustan (Qobustan), about 64 kilometers from the capital, Gobustan National Park is among the country's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In this region, also known as Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, you can learn interesting information about the prehistoric and medieval life of this geography by examining archaeological paintings (Petroglyphs), caves and various historical ruins dating from the 10th millennium BC to the present day.
Goy-Gol National Park, Ganja
Goy-Gol National Park, which reveals the natural beauty of Azerbaijan, is located on the borders of Ganja, the second largest city in the country. There is also a lake with a depth of 100 meters in Goy-Gol National Park, which is one of the favorite addresses of those who want to take nature walks and bike tours with its green trees, clean air and peaceful atmosphere. Located in a valley near the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, this national park is among the country's most popular destinations.
State Flag Square, Baku
The State Flag Square, one of the most famous places in Baku, is home to the world's second highest flagpole, with a 162-meter-high flagpole. This square, 70 meters long and 35 meters wide with an Azerbaijani flag waving on the flagpole, was opened in 2007 by Ilham Aliyev. This square, which hosts official ceremonies and celebrations in the country today, is known as the main square of the city.