Capital |
Baku (population
over 2 million) |
Main
Cities |
Ganja, Sumgait,
Naxcivan, Khankendi, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Ali-Bayramli, Sheki, Shusha, Quba,
Lenkaran, Qabala. |
Area |
86,600 sq. km (approx. the
size of the State of Maine) |
Climate |
Azerbaijan has 9 of the world's 13 climatic zones, from Alpine
meadows to subtropics. The climate in Baku is dry and subtropical, of a
Mediterranean type. The average annual rainfall is between 110 and 250 mm, and
falls mainly in the early spring and late autumn. The temperature in winter is
3-5 degrees C and in Summer reaches 30 degrees C or more and occasionally as
high as 40-45 degrees C. |
Economy
For more detailed statistics, visit the website of the Ministry of Economic Development and news agency AzerTAj. |
National
currency |
Manat (AZM) (1
USD ~= 4,600 AZM). From January 1, 2006, the New Azerbaijani Manat (NAZM) was redenominated by a factor of 5,000. In other words, all that used to cost 10,000 old manats, will be now 2 NAZM. |
GDP, current prices, U.S. dollars |
$12.1 billions (2005 IMF estimate). About USD 36
billion if PPP adjusted. Nominal GDP per capita: $1,435. GDP growth: 19%. |
People |
Population |
8.5 million (2006
est), of which are Internet users: 400,000 |
|
Political System |
Statehood
type |
Republic |
National
day |
May 28, 1918 (Democratic
Republic of Azerbaijan) |
Independence
act |
October 18, 1991 (Republic
of Azerbaijan from USSR) |
Fundamental
law |
Constitution of the
Republic of Azerbaijan |
Executive
branch |
President, Prime Minister,
Cabinet of Ministers |
Legislative
branch |
Unicameral National
Assembly (Milli Majlis) |
Judicial
branch |
Supreme and Constitutional
Court |
The first independent republic of
Azerbaijan was proclaimed on May 28, 1918, and two years later fell to Russian
Bolsheviks. Subsequently Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was established on
April 28, 1920, which joined the USSR upon its inception in December 1922.
Republic of Azerbaijan seceeded from the USSR on August 30, 1991, and the
parliament of Azerbaijan adopted the official Declaration of Independence on
October 18, 1991. Azerbaijan is a constitutional republic with broad
presidential powers. President is elected by popular vote for a 5-year term, and
any one person can be elected only twice. President appoints the Prime Minister
to head the Cabinet of Ministers. Both PM and the Cabinet are approved by the
parliament. Milli Majlis, the parliament of Azerbaijan, is a 125-seat unicameral
legislative body, whose members are elected by popular vote for a 5-year term. |
Facts for the
Traveler |
Visas: Visas are
required. US, Canada and EU citizens can get it in the airport. Single-entry
tourist visa for one month is $40 USD. Time: GMT/UTC + 4 hours. Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz. Weights
& measures: Metric |
|