Tourism in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is situated on the western coast of the Caspian Sea, in the eastern part of the South Caucasus. The northern frontier of the country with Russia (Dagestan) stretches from the coast of the Caspian Sea to the Greater Caucasus Mountains; the northwestern boundary with Georgia is formed by complicated configuration of mountains; the boundary with the Islamic Republic of Iran to south runs alongside the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the river Araz to the Caspian coast with its humid subtropical climate. Azerbaijan is bordered by Turkey to the southwest and by Armenia to the west.
are included in the Red Book database.
National Culture
Culture of Azerbaijan roots in ancient times, as documented by petroglyphs on the rocks of Gobustan, Gamigaya in Nakhchivan, on the mountain Dalidag in Kalbajar; archaic ceramics of neolith and epoch of bronze, bronze ornaments and utensils, products from gold and silver found in numerous barrows, burials and settlements.
In Azerbaijan the following holidays and significant dates are marked at present:
January 1 - New Year
January 20 - Memorial Day of Victims of the totalitarian regime killed in the result of the aggression of soviet millitary forces
March 8 - International Women's Day
March 21-22 - Novruz Bayrami
The Great Silk Road & Azerbaijan
"Great silk road" (GSR)-is a general name of a caravan road, which has been the main two-way trading bridge of East and West since III century BC up to now, living its flourishing period in the XV century. It facilitated exchange of cultural, scientific, educational and religious values by missioners and pilgrimages. GSR starts in Japan and China stretches up to Europe cutting through India, Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, Caucasus, Asia Minor, Northern Africa including/connecting Indian Ocean, Chinese sea, Japanese sea, Red sea, Caspian sea, Black sea, Azov sea and Mediterranean sea. Parallel to this road, there was another road called Spicery Road, through which perfumes, black pepper, carnation and other eastern spicery were carried to west. However GSR was named after the main trade item-silk, which until VI century of our era was manufactured only in China. The whole length of the main high way is more than 7 thousand kilometers. Azerbaijan has played an important role in the whole GSR route for centuries.
Cities of Azerbaijan on the Great Silk Road
Since the ancient times cities of Azerbaijan were known as centers of trade, culture, various crafts, science and education. Their production was used both in domestic and foreign markets and through the Great Silk Road. The Caucasus part of the Great Silk Road included cities of Sheki, Shamakhi, Baku, Gabala, Basgal and Lagich that were capital cities of the country in different periods of time.
Tourism in Azerbaijan
The Contract of the Century signed between Azerbaijan and the Consortium of the leading oil companies of the USA, England, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Russia, Japan, Turkey and Italy considerably increased the interest towards Azerbaijan.
The policy of "Open Doors" carried out by the Azerbaijan government as well as the social and economic reformation and democratization of the society realized in the Republic allowed much more citizens of independent Azerbaijan to expand the scope of their ideas about the world and to get opportunities to visit foreign countries. In 1994 the number of Azerbaijani tourists sent abroad was 35786. In 1995 104439 tourists visited foreign countries. In 1996 the number of tourists visiting foreign states was 74045. For the first quarter of 1997 this number was 31470.
The visits of foreign tourists to Azerbaijan has also increased. The number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan was 43551 in 1994 and 44934 - in 1995. In 1996 the number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan decreased a little. That year 16350 tourists visited Azerbaijan. For the first quarter of 1997 this number was 6767.
From 1994 to the first quarter of 1997 the income of the state from foreign tourism was $181 million. A more complete and mutually related system of tourism statistics has been started. This will help the Azerbaijan Government to take important decisions on making a program on the development of tourism in Azerbaijan by explaining its economic significance.
This process will be fostered by the "Law on Tourism" prepared with the consideration of international standards, Hague declaration on tourism, recommendations of the International Tourism Organization and the world experience on the development of tourism industry. The Law together with other acts on tourism will ensure the development of this field in Azerbaijan, create a complete national model of tourism industry integrated in the world tourism infrastructure and capable to provide high standard services.
Agreements on cooperation in the field of tourism have been signed with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Greece, China, France, Islamic Republic of Iran, Romania, Turkey and CIS countries. The agreements provide for coordination of the cooperation between administrative bodies in the field, working out joint projects directed in the creation of new kinds of services, training of personnel, exchange of representatives, expert groups as well as a literature, organization of exhibitions, congresses, conferences and cultural events, a realization of measures reducing formality regarding tourist exchanges. In this respect a work on preparing a package of documents with representatives of a number of states is being carried out.
Since 1994 the direct contacts have been set up with the foreign tourist companies: 41 agreements and contracts on tourist exchange have been signed. Azerbaijan is a member of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation and International tourist organization "Eurasia".
Azerbaijan has a great potential for developing the tourism industry - ancient cities, fortresses, palaces, mausoleums, mosques, towers "Garavanserais" (ancient oases). There is the unique museum-reservation "Gobustan", the fire worshipper's temple "Ateshgah", the Palace of Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower. There are more than 6 thousand historical monuments of architecture preserved in the territory of Azerbaijan.
The natural climatic conditions of Azerbaijan are also unique. As it is well known, out of 11 climatic zones 9 exist in Azerbaijan. There are also the mineral resources, rich fauna and flora. And finally, there are national traditions and an exquisite national cuisine.
