Azeri
Genocide
ASA Handout Briefs
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| Capital |
Baku (population approximately 2
million) |
| Main Cities |
Ganja, Sumgait, Nakhchivan, Khankendi,
Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Ali Bayramli, Sheki, Shusha, Quba, Lenkaran |
| Area |
86,600 sq. km (approx. the
size of the State of Maine) |
Land boundaries |
Armenia (787 km), Iran (611 km), Republic of Georgia (322 km), Russian Federation (284 km), Turkey (9 km)
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Maritime boundaries |
Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran
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| Climate |
Falls within 9 climatic zones out of 11
possible |
| Terrain |
Large, flat Kura-Araks Lowland with Great
Caucasus Mountains to the north and Karabakh Upland in the west. Baku lies on the Apsheron
Peninsula. 50% of the country is mountaneous. |
| Irrigated Land |
1 million hectares |
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People
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| Population |
8.3 million (2003 est) |
| Ethnic Composition |
Azeri (Turkic) 90%, Daghestani 3.2%, Russian
2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% |
| Religions |
Islam (Shi'a 70%, Sunni 30%), Russian
Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Georgian Orthodox, Albanian Orthodox, Jewish, other |
| Languages |
Azerbaijani (90%), Russian (3%),
Armenian (2%), others (6%) |
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Political System
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| 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 Aseembly
(Milli Majlis) |
| Judicial branch |
Supreme and Constitutional Court |
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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.
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Economy
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| National currency |
Manat(AZM) = 100 qapik (1 USD ~= 4,900 AZM)
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| Real GDP (2001) |
USD 5.7 billion |
| Real GDP per Capita |
USD 7,054 |
| Real GDP Growth (YoY Percent Change,
2001) |
9.9% |
| Consumer Price Index (YoY Percent Change,
2000) |
1.8% |
| Structure of GDP by Main Sectors
(2000) |
Industry 33%, agriculture 18%, transport and
communications 14%, trade 6%, construction 4%, other 25% |
| Major Industrial Products |
Oil and natural gas, petroleum products,
oilfield equipment, steel, iron ore, cement, chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles |
| Major Agricultural
Products |
Cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit,
vegetables, tea, tobacco, livestock, wine |
| Private Sector Contribution to GDP
(2000) |
68% |
| Exports (2001) |
USD 2,314.3 million |
| Major Export Products |
Oil and oil products, food products,
machinery and equipment, textiles, chemicals, metals and plastics |
| Major Export Partners by Region
(2000) |
EU 60%, CIS 14%, other 26% |
| Imports (2001) |
USD 1,430.9 million |
| Major Import Products |
Machinery and equipment, transport
facilities, mineral products, metals, chemicals, plastics, food products |
| Major Import Partners by Region
(2000) |
CIS 32%, EU 19%, other 49% |
| FDI Inflow (1999) |
USD 691 million |
| Highest Sources of FDI as a Percent of
Total (1994-1999) |
USA 28%, UK 15%, Turkey 15%, Russia 6%,
Norway
6%, Japan 3%, Germany 3%, Iran 2%, France 2%, Italy 1%, Switzerland 1%, Saudi Arabia 1%, UAE 1%, Others 16% |
| Facts for the Traveler |
Visas: Visas are required.
Time: GMT/UTC + 4 hours
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
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When to Go |
The best time to visit Azerbaijan is between April and October. It's warm and dry in much of the
country, though in July and August it can be scorching (up to 38°C/100°F). It's much cooler and wetter in the
winter, though it rains in the foothills from spring through early fall. |
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Public Holidays |
1 January - New Year's Day
20 January - Memorial Day (for the victims of the Soviet invasion of Baku in 1990)
8 March - International Women's Day
21-22 March - Novruz Bayrami (Spring Equinox Holiday)
9 May - WWII Victory Day
28 May - Republic (National) Day
15 June - Day of National Salvation
16 June - Army and Navy Day
9 October - Armed Forces Day
18 October - Independence Day
12 November - Constitution Day
17 November - National Revival Day
31 December - World Azeri Solidarity Day |
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The Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), established in 1956 in New Jersey, USA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing knowledge about Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani people, their culture and history, as well as promoting ties in economic, cultural, and scientific spheres between the United States and Republic of Azerbaijan. ASA works with various organizations, associations and religious groups to enhance intercultural understanding and to promote peace and stability in the Caucasus region.
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© 1998 - 2007 Azerbaijan Society
of America (ASA).
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U.S.-AZERBAIJAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (USACC)
ASSEMBLY OF TURKISH AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS (ATAA)
FEDERATION OF TURKISH AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS (FTAA)
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