News from Azerbaijan

News from Azerbaijan (in Russian)

CIA about Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan-IRS Azerbaijan-Irs is non-governmental publication, the main objectives of which are to spread information about the Republic of Azerbaijan, its cultural life, history, science, education, art, literature, theater, cinema, music, sport, environmental issues as well as local customs and traditions around Azerbaijan and throughout the world.

Azerbaijan International

Azerbaijan-Newspapers

Азербайджанское историко-родословное общество

"The great story of love from Azerbaijan - Ali and Nino(in Russian)

"Ali and Nino's passionate love is at the center of the book's events, yet this novel is more than a love story. When read with an open mind and without resorting to stereotypes, the story takes you on a fascinating and remarkably insightful journey to Baku, Tbilisi, the Karabakh, Tehran and the mountains of Dagestan. The book gives its reader a full picture: love and passion; war and revolution; honor and disgrace; mountains and deserts; cosmopolitan Baku, the streets of Tbilisi and ailing Tehran; Islam, Christianity, and newly born Bahaism; Europe and the Orient. Even the story of the Caucasus' greatest warrior, Imam Shamil, is there. Said knew, just as I know today, that no story of the Caucasus would be complete without mentioning Shamil." - To read more of Elin Suleymanov's "Ali and Nino" Book Review click the link below -

"Ali and Nino" Inside the Soul of a Caucasian - Book Review by Elin Suleymanov

Unfortunately there is no on-line English version of Ali and Nino, but you can buy it on-line: Ali and Nino(in English)

Quick Facts about AZERBAIJAN:

Form of Governance: Presidential Republic

Head of State: Ilham Aliyev

Total area: 86,600 sq km (about 20% of territories under occupation)

Population: 8,081,000 (January 1st 2001). 51% reside in urban areas, 49% in rural areas. About 13% of the population are refugees and IDPs.

Main Towns: Population (January 1st 2002): Baku (capital) - 1,807,000, Ganja - 301,000, Sumgait - 287,000

Currency: Azerbaijani manat was introduced as legal tender in 1993 to replace the rouble. The exchange rate as of April 2004 is: 1 USD = 4925 AZM

Language: The official language is Azerbaijani. Other languages Russian, Georgian, Armenian, Lezghi

Time: 4 hours ahead of GMT

Religion: Majority of the population is Muslim Other religions include Orthodox, Christianity, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Judaism.

Public holidays: Fixed: January 1st, (New Year), January 20th (Martyrs' Day), March 8th (Women's Day), March 20-21st (Novruz Bayram), May 9th (Veterans' Day), May 28th (Republic Day), June 15th (National Salvation Day), October 18th (National Independence Day), November 12th (Constitution Independence Day), November 17th (National Revival Day), December 31st (Worldwide Solidarity of Azerbaijanis Day). Movable: Ramazan Bayram/Id al-Fitr, Kurban Bayram/Id al-Adha

From United Nations Azerbaijan 2004