Official name: Republic of Azerbaijan
Geography/ Climate / Administrative division
Territory: 86.600 sq. km (1)
Location: South Caucasus; bordered by Russia to the north, the Caspian Sea to the east, Iran to the south, and Georgia and Armenia to the west. Azerbaijan also bordered by Turkey through Nakhchivan (2).
Terrain: Caucasus Mountains to the north, lowland in the central area through which the Kura River flows.
Climate: Dry, subtropical with hot summers and mild winters; forests, meadows, and alpine tundra in the mountains.
Capital: Baku (4)
Other big cities: Ali Bayramli, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Saki, Sumqayit, Susa, Xankandi, Yevlax.
Administrative division: one autonomous republic, 65 districts, 69 cities, 13 city districts, 235 urban type settlements, 4270 villages (3).
AZERBAIJAN FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO THE ADVENT OF ISLAM
Azerbaijan is surrounded by the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the north, by Alagoz ranges in the west including Gokche Lake and Eastern Anatolia as well, Caspian Sea in the east and Sultaniye-Zenjan-Hamadan frontiers in the south. Azerbaijan is one of the oldest spots of civilization, a country with a rich and ancient history. A rich cultural heritage has been created on its territory over the span of many millenniums, contributing to the treasure-house of World culture. The people of Azerbaijan, who at present constitute the second most prominent Turkic group of the world after the Turks of Anatolia, have developed a distinctive and unique culture in this land and thereby rich traditions of statecraft and governance.
