Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. It has a population of about 10.44 million people and covers an area of 86,600 square kilometers. The capital city is Baku, which is also the largest city. Azerbaijani is the official language, and the currency is the Manat (AZN). Azerbaijan is bordered by Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Iran, and has a coastline along the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water.
Known as the “Land of Fire,” Azerbaijan has natural gas reserves that cause flames to spontaneously ignite on the surface, such as at Yanar Dag. The country is rich in history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Paleolithic age. Azerbaijan was the first Muslim-majority country to have operas and theater plays.
The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is also home to the world’s first oil well, drilled in 1848 near Baku. The historic Silk Road passed through Azerbaijan, making it a significant trade route in ancient times.
Source: SomeWonderfulFacts.Com
