Azerbaijan is one of the tourist countries of West Asia and has a rich culture and various tourist attractions. In the following, you will read about this country and its sights.
Where is Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan is located south of the Caucasus Mountains and west of the Caspian Sea. Russia borders this country to the north, Iran to the south, Armenia to the west, and Georgia to the northwest. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which borders Iran, Armenia, and Turkey, is located southwest of Azerbaijan.
The capital of Azerbaijan is the ancient city of Bakust, where the best part of the Caspian Sea is located.
In addition to geographical attractions in Azerbaijan, you can see the combination of traditional customs and modern life. Today, more than half of the people of Azerbaijan live in cities where life has been affected by the contemporary world. However, the people who live in the remote areas of this country still maintain their traditional customs.
Where is the Karabakh region?
Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous region in Azerbaijan where most of the people are Armenians. Since 1988, this region has been the center of intense conflicts between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
History of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan was an independent country from 1918 to 1920, but then it came under the control of the Soviet Union. This country became one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union in 1936. Azerbaijan declared its sovereignty on September 23, 1989, and its independence on August 30, 1991.
The language of Azerbaijan
Almost 90% of the people of Azerbaijan speak Turkish and are Azeri. The rest of Azerbaijan’s population consists of several small minorities, including the Lezgi, who speak a Caucasian language, Russians, and Armenians.
Most of the people of Azerbaijan are Muslims. More than 60% of the people of this country are Shia, nearly 30% are Sunni, and the rest are members of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Tourist attractions of Azerbaijan
This country has a collection of traditional and modern attractions. Whatever your taste, you will find an interest that matches your taste.
1. Baku
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is located along the Caspian Sea. This city has a fantastic combination of the historical town of Icherishahr and modern skyscrapers. Among all these historical and contemporary attractions, visit the Flame Towers. These three towers were made like flames, shining like bronze at night.
Another tourist attraction in Baku is the Museum of Contemporary Art. In this museum, more than 900 works of art are displayed, the creators of which are not only Baku artists. Visiting this museum will be an exciting experience for those interested in modern culture. You can also go to Tashebazar and buy local products there. This market is famous for its cheeses and spices.
You can find restaurants and delicatessens in different areas of this city that offer kebabs and local dishes.
2. Ichrishahr
Icheri city is the historical fabric or citadel of Baku, located in the center of this city, and its name is registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can see unique works and architectural masterpieces everywhere in this protected neighborhood.
“Girl’s Castle,” belongs to the 12th century, and Sharvan Shahan Palace, built in the 13th century, are two examples of the most attractive historical monuments of Icheri Shahr. Of course, you should not be satisfied only with visiting historical attractions. Handicrafts such as ceramics, carpets, and native and traditional clothes of Azerbaijani people are also fascinating. If you want to see the city’s historical context and buy souvenirs, there are many shops in Icheri Shahr.
3. Abshouran National Park
Abshouran National Park is located in the Azizbyf district of Baku, and its area is 783 hectares. This national park is protected; you can see the Azerbaijan plant and animal species. Many animal species that are part of Azerbaijan’s wildlife live in this national park, such as deer, jackal, badger, Caspian jackal, and all kinds of birds.
Most of the area of this park is dry steppe, and dunes and reeds are part of the attractions of this area. The waters of this area are known for their clarity and wildlife. Sometimes water snakes are also seen in these waters. If you want to see the Caspian jaws, you should travel to Azerbaijan after September.
4. Garasso’s geyser
Fountains are one of the natural attractions of Azerbaijan. It is interesting to know that Azerbaijan has the most significant number of flower fountains in the world, that is, 350 flower fountains, the most famous of which is the Garasso flower fountain. This geyser is renowned for throwing mud up to 1000 meters into the air. Volcanoes are formed due to the accumulation of subsurface gases, and throwing mud from their mouths releases these gases. Most of those who have visited the Garasso crater describe the area as the moon’s surface.
5. Qobustan
Qobustan can be considered the Azerbaijani example of Britain’s Stonehenge. In both of them, stone structures belonging to the prehistoric era can be seen, which are of the stone-laying type.
Pavements are large stones placed vertically in the ground so that a small part of them is buried under the soil. Of course, these stone structures are not the only ancient relics of Qobustan because Qobustan is an old site with an area of more than 537 hectares, located in the south of Baku, and contains more than 6,000 petroglyphs. If you want to know ancient civilizations better and more, visiting Qobustan will be an excellent opportunity.
According to the findings of archaeologists in Qobustan, the history of settlement in this area goes back to the Stone Age. The evidence that supports this theory is:
- petroglyphs;
- cave paintings;
- tombstones;
- Remains of the settlements.
6. Shirvan National Park
Shirvan National Park, which in the past included only a tiny part of the Caspian Sea, has an area of more than 54 thousand hectares. This national park was named a protected area in 2003.
In places of Shirvan National Park, you can see amazing landscapes for the semi-arid climate; Mounds of quicksand that deer use to hide. Also, wildlife enthusiasts can see different species of animals in this area, such as turtles, hedgehogs, forest cats, and jackals.
Watching swans and even flamingos in Shirvan National Park is very attractive for those more interested in bird life. Flamingos tend to congregate around the aptly named Flamingo Lake!
Other natural attractions of Shirvan National Park are geysers, the most famous of which is located on Bandovan Mountain. For visitors who prefer to devote more time to observing the natural attractions of this park, accommodations in the form of bungalows have been considered. Of course, visitors who want to be more adventurous can camp on the park’s north shore, but they must obtain a permit.
7. area of doubt
This area, located in the west of Baku, is one of the oldest settlements in the entire Caucasus, and it is said that the history of settlement in it goes back to 2500 years ago. Sheki city was one of the stops on the silk road and was famous for its exquisite silks and other textiles.
Sheki people still weave textiles in the same traditional ways, and tourists can buy embroidered clothes and other handicrafts from the shops. In addition to handicrafts, the city of Sheki has many historical monuments, from ancient baths, castles, and mosques to the Khanan Palace of Sheki, which dates back to the 18th century.
8. Baku beach park
One of the tourist attractions in the capital of Azerbaijan is the beach park or Baku Boulevard, where anyone with any taste can find their favorite entertainment. You can go to traditional teahouses and coffeehouses, enjoy treats like conventional ice cream, or dine at a beach restaurant.
This boulevard continues for more than 5 kilometers along the coastline from National Flag Square to Baku International Port and is a great place to visit the coastal attractions of Azerbaijan. In this beach park, there are recreation and entertainment centers so that all members of the family can have happy moments.
This complex also has several museums, including the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. If you are interested in the history of the textile industry in Azerbaijan, we recommend not missing visiting this museum. Another tourist attraction in Baku Beach Park is the Baku Crystal Stadium, famous for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012. This stadium is a place for concerts, music programs, and art exhibitions.
9. Baku fire station
Azerbaijan has long been known as the land of fire because oil and natural gas fields are everywhere, and fire comes out of their vents. They even say these natural phenomena inspired the fire worshipers who founded the Zoroastrian religion.
In ancient times, there was a belief that the fires that came out of the earth were signs of God’s existence and had a divine origin, and for this reason, ancient temples were built in these places.
One of these temples, known as Atashgah, is located near the city of Baku, in the suburbs of the Surkhani region, and belongs to the 17th century. This temple is a complex built in the shape of a hexagon, with a fire altar in the center. Of course, today, there is no news about the natural gas reserve under this temple, which was the reason for its construction, and the gas is piped from Baku to this place to light the fire.
Frequently asked questions about Azerbaijan.
1. What is the religion of the Azerbaijani people?
Most people in Azerbaijan are Muslim, but this country does not have an official religion.
2. In which continent is Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan is located in Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
3. What does Azerbaijan mean?
According to some narrations, Azar in this word means fire, and Baijan is changed to “Badgan” or “Baygan,” meaning keeper. So, in general, the name of this country means guardian of fire.
4. What is the population of Azerbaijan?
The population of Azerbaijan is more than 10 million people.
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