Republic of Azerbaijan
A Century of Pain
Geologic Features - Resources
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Baku- capital and
largest city
Area- 33,400 sq. mi
Mt. Bazarduzucountry’s highest peak
(14,652 ft)
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Oil being the most
important natural
resource followed by
iron ore, copper, lead,
zinc, and salt
Subtropical climate,
relatively mild winters
and long hot summers
The People
Official state language- Azeri, a Turkic
language
 Population estimate- 7,798,497 in 2002
 57% of pop. Live in urban areas
 Ethnic groups- Armenians, Russians,
Dagestanis, Kurds, Georgians
 Originally used Arabic alphabet
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People (Continued)
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1939 the Soviet regime
mandated use of Cyrillic
alphabet
After independence,
adopted Turkish version of
the Latin script
Azeris are Muslim; Islam
was introduced in the 7th
century A.D.
70% Azeri Muslims are
Shias, and 30% are Sunnis
Economy
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GDP = $5.3 billion
Cotton is the leading cash crop followed by wine,
grapes, fruits, vegetables, and tobacco
Petroleum is the country’s major mineral, the
largest oil field is about 60 mi from the coast
Main trading partners remain the republics of the
former Soviet Union
Leading exports are machinery, food products, and
metals
Manat is the legal tender (4,474 manats=$1 U.S.)
Government
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Presidential Republic,
governed under a
constitution adopted in
1995
President is elected for 5
year terms
Legislative Power is the
Milli Majlis or National
Assembly, composed of
125 members who serve 5
year terms
Government (Continued)
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Political Parties- New
Azerbaijan Party,
Popular Front of
Azerbaijan, National
Independence Party
Judiciary- Supreme
Court, country’s
highest court
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Began forming armed
forces after gaining
independence
Beginning at age 18,
military service is
compulsory for at least
17 months for all
males
History
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Beginning of 7th century to 18th
century- mostly dominated by
different groups of Turkish
Muslims
Imperial Russia conquered the
region in early 18th century
After oil was discovered in 19th
century, an influx of Russians
and Armenians resulted in
highly segregated cities
1905 the beginning of violent
clashes between Azeris and
Armenians
1918 May Azeri nationalists
declared Azerbaijan’s
independence
History (Continued)
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1920 Bolshevik Red Army
invaded establishing complete
control of Transcaucasia region
1920-1930’s the Soviets
persecuted Azeri nationalists
whom were considered threats
to communist rule
Orchestrated by Mir Jafar
Baghirov, Azeris were deported
to gulags or executed
1940 Stalinist purges killed
120,000 Azeris
History (Continued)
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Feb. 1988 conflict erupted in Nagorno Karabakh
October 1991 became an independent republic and
Mutalibov became president
1992 May Popular Front of Azerbaijan seized
control of government and its leader Aliyev
Elchibey was elected president
Aug 1993 Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh
gained control of government
Dec 1993 Azeris recaptured some areas while
suffering heavy casualties
History (Continued)
1994 – 18,000 people had been killed and
25,000 wounded sine the conflict began in
1988
 May 1994 Both sides agreed to cease
hostilities
 A former communist official named Heydar
Aliyev is currently president
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Nagorno-Karabakn
The End