Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is 28 metres (92 ft) below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and also the largest city in the world below sea level. Baku lies on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, on the Bay of Baku. Baku's urban population was estimated at two million people as of 2009. Baku is the primate city of Azerbaijan—it is the sole metropolis in the country, and about 25% of all inhabitants of the country live in Baku's metropolitan area.
The politics of Azerbaijan take place in an authoritarian system where elections are not free and fair, political opponents are repressed, civil rights are limited, human rights abuses are widespread, corruption is rampant, and power is concentrated in the hands of President Ilham Aliyev and his extended family.
Ganja is Azerbaijan's third largest city, with a population of around 335,600. The city has been a historic and cultural center throughout most of its existence. It was the capital of the Ganja Khanate until 1804; after Qajar Iran ceded it to the Russian Empire following the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813, it became part of the administrative divisions of the Georgia Governorate, Georgia-Imeretia Governorate, Tiflis Governorate, and Elizavetpol Governorate. Following the dissolution of the Russian Empire and the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic, it became a part of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, followed by Azerbaijan SSR, and, since 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Sumgait is a city in Azerbaijan, located near the Caspian Sea, on the Absheron Peninsula, about 31 kilometres away from the capital Baku. The city had a population of 422,600 at the 2019 Census, making it the second largest city in Azerbaijan after Baku.
Aghstafa District is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. Located in the northwest of the country, it belongs to the Gazakh-Tovuz Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Qazakh, Tovuz, as well as the Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions of Georgia. Its capital and largest city is Aghstafa. As of 2020, the district had a population of 88,500.
Qusar District is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the northeast of the country, in the Guba-Khachmaz Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Quba, Qabala, Khachmaz, and the Russian Republic of Dagestan. Its capital and largest city is Qusar. As of 2020, the district had a population of 99,000.
Goygol District is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the west of the country and belongs to the Ganja-Dashkasan Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Goranboy, Kalbajar, Dashkasan, Shamkir, Samukh, and the city of Ganja. Its capital and largest city is Goygol. As of 2020, the district had a population of 64,600.
Ismayilli is a city and the capital of the Ismayilli District of Azerbaijan. It has a population of 28,776 in 2021
The National Assembly, also transliterated as Milli Mejlis, is the legislative branch of government in Azerbaijan. The unicameral National Assembly has 125 deputies: previously 100 members were elected for five-year terms in single-seat constituencies and 25 were members elected by proportional representation; as of the latest election, however, all 125 deputies are returned from single-member constituencies.
Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox cathedral in Baku, Azerbaijan. The church is dedicated to the Holy Myrrhbearers, who are commemorated on the second Sunday after Pascha (Easter).
Nərimanov is a settlement and raion in Baku, Azerbaijan. The administrative territory of the Narimanov district, one of the central districts of Baku, is 24.5 km2, and its population is 170.300 in the official registration date of 01.01.2013.
The National Museum of History of Azerbaijan is the largest museum in Azerbaijan. It is located in Baku, in the former residential house of Azerbaijani oil magnate and philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. The museum was founded in 1920, following the Russian takeover of Baku, and opened to visitors in 1921.
The National museum of Azerbaijan literature, named after Nizami Ganjavi is a museum in Baku, established in 1939. It is located near the entrance of Icheri Sheher, not far from the Fountains Square. The museum is considered one of the greatest and richest treasuries of Azerbaijani culture.
The architecture of Baku is not characterized by any particular architectural style, having accumulated its buildings over a long period of time.
There is a long history of Poles in Azerbaijan. Although the current Polish population of the Republic of Azerbaijan is lower than in former times, the number of people with Polish descent in the capital city Baku is around 2,000 and several thousand self-identified Poles live in Azerbaijan. Poles as an ethnic group have lived in Azerbaijan for centuries. The Russian Empire included Azerbaijan and parts of Poland, thus it could deport members of opposition of Polish nationality there, which explains the presence of Poles in Azerbaijan.
Palace of Zeynalabdin Taghiyev – Baku, H.Z. Taghiyev Street 4, previously owned by Baku millionaire Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, and now the palace building houses the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan. The building was constructed in 1893–1902 by civil engineer Józef Gosławski. The palace was Taghiyev's gift for his wife Sona khanim. The building covers a whole quarter in the central part of the city and has an ancient planning structure. The main symmetrical facade has been built in the forms of Italian Renaissance. During the construction of the palace, Goslawski used classic order, but some elements of the composition and interiors of the halls were inspired by Azerbaijani architectural traditions. Various architectural styles were used during the construction of the palace.
The Museum Centre of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan is a building located in Baku, Azerbaijan near Boulevard. The classical and conceptual art exhibitions of modern Azerbaijan, anniversary and personal exhibitions of famous artists, debut creativity of new artists are demonstrated here.
The Building of Baku City Executive Power is an administrative building in Azerbaijan's capital Baku, at Istiglaliyyat Street, 4. The building was built in Baroque style in 1900–1904 on the basis of architect Józef Gosławski's project. The building is the last work of Gosławski. After his death in 1904, the project was initially led by Kazimierz Skórewicz, later by Józef Płoszko.
House of Sadykhov brothers — is a seven-floored historic building in Baku, at the intersection of Istiglaliyyat and Niyazi streets, opposite Philharmonic Garden. The building was registered as a monument of local significance by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated August 2, 2001, No. 132.
Relations between Turkic Council and Azerbaijan started from the year of 2009 until present. Taking into account of the establishment date of the organization, Azerbaijan continues relations as a member of the founding country.
