AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan takes up the territory on the south-east of Caucasus on the shore of the Caspian Sea. As the Caucasian mountains are divided by two continents, the country is situated between Europe and Asia.

Azerbaijan can be called a show-room of Nature's Beauty. In this country of fires each season of the year - blooming spring, gloomy winter, warm summer and fragile autumn show themselves in their best appearance. God has blessed this land which possesses 9 of the existing 11 climatic zones. Out of 6000 plants growing in the Caucasus 4000 fall to the share of Azerbaijan. Each region of the country represents a world differing from that of the neighboring one, even by fragrance of flowers or color of the sky. Each grain of sand in this country can tell you about the history of mankind. Owing to these qualities and natural potentialities Azerbaijan is one of the first places of settling of Man on the Earth. The age of some historical monuments is calculated by milleniums. This cradle of civilizations is a motherland of brave military leaders, great scientists, outstanding poets, writers, artists and composers known all over the world.

CLIMATE

The atmospheric circulation over Azerbaijan has its own particular qualities typical for a sub tropic zone. Not very cloudy hot weather is mainly observed here during a frost-free season. Summer is the most prolonged season in Azerbaijan. In autumn the weather is usually warm and dry and due to this fact autumn in Azerbaijan is considered the "velvet" season. Generally winter in Azerbaijan is notable for its mildness.

HOLIDAYS

The Independence Day is celebrated on May, 28. On this very day in 1918 Azerbaijan was proclaimed the first Democratic Republic of the East. Other holidays like 31 December, Day of Solidarity of all Azeris and Novruz - Spring Holiday are also celebrated.

THE NATIONAL CURRENCY

The monetary unit is Azerbaijani manat.

The capital - BAKU

The city aged over 1500 years is situated on the Absheron peninsula. It got the status of the capital after a powerful earthquake in 12th century in Shemakha which had destroyed this city which was then the capital of Shirvanshakhs. There are several theories of origin of this name. But the most popular is the one that proves that the word "Baku" is derived from Badu-Kube which means City of Winds. The Old city was surrounded by fortress walls and is now called Icheri Shekher which means Internal City. But the real Baku is a modern, big and beautiful city where East and West are combined. Baku is also called Paris of East.