Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a country from the Caucasus region. Located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia, it's bounded by the Caspian Sea towards East, Russia on the North, Georgia for the North-West, Armenia towards the west, and Iran for the South. The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (an exclave of Azerbaijan) borders Armenia on the North and East, Iran to the South and West, and Turkey to the North-West. The Nagorno-Karabakh country inside the country's South-West declared itself independent from Azerbaijan in 1991, but it's not identified by any nation. The Azerbaijani individuals are adherents of Shi'a Islam. The country is formally an emerging democracy, however with strong authoritarian rule. Capital - Baku. Population - 8,411,000.

Neither Europe nor Asia, Azerbaijan is an incredible tangle of contradictions and contrasts. It’s a intriguing nexus of ancient historical empires. Yet it’s also a brand new region finding its feet since it emerges from a war-torn post-Soviet chrysalis on a petroleum-funded gust of optimism. Surrounded by semi-desert on a oil-rich Caspian Sea, the nation’s cosmopolitan capital Baku is really a dynamic boomtown, where flashy limousines and mushrooming skyscrapers sweep around a picturesque Unesco-listed ancient core. Yet barely three hours’ drive away lies an completely several world: timeless villages clad in lush orchards from which shepherd tracks lead to the soaring high Caucasus mountains. Where Baku is multilingual and go-ahead, the provinces shuffle towards gently paced click of nard (backgammon) on tree-shaded teahouse terraces: women stay home, herds of cattle wander aimlessly across highways, and potbellied bureaucrats scratch their heads in confusion on finding that an outsider has wandered into their territory.

Visiting the country takes creativity and imagination, as the tourist industry is at greatest ‘nascent’. Even though you can find lots of rural ‘rest-zones’ for holidaying city folk, they cater mainly for locals who wish to unwind with hefty feasts and household chats, so rarely supply any activities. Very few folks outside Baku speak English, but the challenge is a excellent part from the appeal. So where to, then? Southern Azerbaijan is a single from the country's a lot more pleasant regions, each along the coast and inland: L?nk?ran is really a quaint seaside town famed for its flowers, even though Masalli & around makes a great access thing for exploring the Talysh mountains. Northern Azerbaijan is where you will discover the Caucasus Mountains and the incredible village of Xinaliq, with its jaw-dropping views and traditional mountain culture. And for a thing entirely various (in a country full of entirely a variety of travel experiences!), there is often the remote and useful enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.