Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located 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 located below sea level. Baku lies on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, alongside 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.
Absheron District is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the east of the country and belongs to the Absheron-Khizi Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Khizi, Gobustan, Baku, Hajigabul, Salyan, and the city of Sumgait. Its capital and largest city is Khyrdalan. As of 2020, the district had a population of 214,100. Although the district shares the same name as the Absheron Peninsula, the area covered by the district is not conterminous, being further west and mostly inland.
Shaki is a city in northwestern Azerbaijan, surrounded by the district of the same name. It is located on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, 240 km (150 mi) from Baku. As of 2020, it has a population of 68,400. The center of the city and the Palace of Shaki Khans were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 because of its unique architecture and its history as an important trading center along the Silk Road.
The Maiden Tower is a 12th-century monument in the Old City, Baku, Azerbaijan. Along with the Shirvanshahs' Palace, dated to the 15th century, it forms a group of historic monuments listed in 2001 under the UNESCO World Heritage List of Historical Monuments as cultural property, Category III. It is one of Azerbaijan's most distinctive national emblems, and is thus featured on Azerbaijani currency notes and official letterheads.
Hajigabul District is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the east of the country and belongs to the Shirvan-Salyan Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Kurdamir, Agsu, Shamakhi, Gobustan, Absheron, Baku, Salyan, Sabirabad and the city of Shirvan. Its capital and largest city is Hajigabul. As of 2020, the district had a population of 76,600.
Mərdəkan (Mardakan) is a settlement and municipality in Khazar raion of Baku, Azerbaijan with a population of 25,232. It's located on the eastern Absheron Peninsula only 30 km away from capital city Baku, bounded by the Caspian Sea to the north, Shuvalan to the east, Qala to the south, and Shagan to the west. Mardakan received the status of a settlement in 1936. In 1933, Shagan village was included in the Mardakan village council, although it was separated in 1945, it was reunited in 1948, and in 1990, Shagan re-separated and received the status of a settlement.
Tourism in Azerbaijan has been an important sector of the Azerbaijani economy since the 1990s. According to Azerbaijan's Center for Economic and Social Development, the country is in 39th place among 148 countries in tourism competitiveness indicators. The World Travel and Tourism Council reported that Azerbaijan is among the top ten countries with the greatest increase in visitor exports from 2010 to 2016. The country had the world's fastest-developing travel and tourism economy in 2017. To promote tourism, Azerbaijan sponsored Atlético Madrid jerseys reading "Azerbaijan – Land of Fire". In 2018, a new tourism brand and a slogan "take another look" were introduced.
The Quadrangular Mardakan Fortress or the Great Mardakan Castle is a historical and architectural monument located in the Mardakan settlement of the Khazar district in Baku. It is included by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan in the list of monuments of world importance. In 2001, along with other objects of the coastal defence of the Caspian Sea, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Reserve List.
The Round Mardakan Fortress or the Small Mardakan Castle is a historical and architectural monument located in the Mardakan settlement of the Khazar district in Baku. By the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it was included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of world importance. In 2001, together with other coastal defence facilities of the Caspian Sea, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Reserve List.
The Tuba-Shahi Mosque is a historical and architectural monument of the 15th century located in the Mardakan village of the Khazar district in Baku (Azerbaijan). The mosque is included in the list of the historical and architectural monuments of local importance approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It was built not far from the Quadrangular Mardakan Castle dating back to the era of the Shirvanshahs.
Sabayil Castle is a submerged medieval fortress on the coast of the Caspian Sea near Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Mardakan arboretum is located in the Mardakan township on the semi-arid Absheron peninsula, 40 km away from Baku.It was a personal garden of Murtuza Mukhtarov, a tycoon and oil millionaire of his time around 1895-1920s. Currently, an area of the Arboretum is 24 hectares. The Arboretum is listed among the world's richest collections for the number and age of flora species. About 1,800 species including 1,540 plant types and breeds both from Azerbaijan and many other countries are being introduced to visitors.
Nardaran Fortress was built in 1301 by architect Mahmud ibn Sa'd in the northern part of Absheron Peninsula. Nardaran Fortress is located 25 km north of Baku in the village of Nardaran near the town of Mashtaga. Shirvanshahs used the fortress for both observation and defense. Nardaran Mosque or Rahimakhanim sanctuary which was built in 1663 is located about 200 m from the fortress.
Ramana Tower – is a tower in Ramana village of Baku and dated back to the 12th century. The height of the tower is 15 metres (49 ft). Exact construction date of the tower, which is built of white stone, is not known. It is considered that the tower was built for the purpose of defense and used as a castle during the Shirvanshahs’ reign.
Azerbaijan has the most mud volcanoes of any country, spread broadly across the country. 350 of the 700 volcanoes of the world are in the Azerbaijani Republic. Local people call them “yanardagh”, “pilpila” (terrace), “gaynacha” and “bozdag” alongside its geographical name – mud volcanoes.
Baku Fortress is a medieval building in Baku, Azerbaijan, the largest of Absheron fortresses. The fortress consists of the Icheri Sheher and the walls and towers surrounding it and it was included by UNESCO into the World Cultural Heritage List in 2000. It was built in about 1138–1139 on the order of the Shirvanshah Manuchohr III (1120–1149).
Ganja Fortress, is a fortress in Ganja, Azerbaijan. The remains of walls of the fortress can be seen in the territory of the oldest park of the city, Khan's Garden and in the entrance to the city, along the Ganja River.
The Mongol invasions and conquests of the territory that now comprises the Republic of Azerbaijan took place during the 13th and 14th centuries and involved large-scale raids. The Mongol invasions of Azerbaijan resulted in the incorporation of the territories of what now comprises Azerbaijan into the newly established Hulagu state.
The Sangachal caravanserai is a medieval caravanserai located near the Sangachal village in the Garadagh district of Baku, Azerbaijan, 45 km far from Baku, on the old caravan route Baku - Salyan. Since the 19th century, the indicated caravan route has lost its commercial significance and in this regard, the caravanserai has ceased to be used.
Zindan Fortress or the Round Fortress is a part of the Lankaran Fortress built in the 18th century. This one, as well as the second fortress similar to it, currently used as a lighthouse, were the southern and northern strongholds of the Lankaran Fortress’ system. After the occupation by the Russian troops, the Lankaran Fortress was destroyed, consequently the strongholds were divided. In 1869, a lantern was installed on the roof of the fortress known as the northern stronghold, and the building began to be used as a lighthouse. Currently, the lighthouse is under the jurisdiction of the Caspian Shipping Company. The Zindan Fortress was used as a prison from 1869 to 1959. According to some reports, at the beginning of the 20th century, Joseph Stalin served his sentence here. By the Decree No. 132 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated with 2 August 2001, the fortress is protected by the state and is included in the list of the architectural monuments.
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