Islamic countries

Islamic countries

REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
AZARBAYCAN RESPUBLIKASI

General Information

Total Land Area:	86,600 km²
Land boundaries:	2,013 km
Coastline:	0 km (Landlocked)
Capital:	Baku
Other Large Cities:	Ghandzha, Sumgait, Mingechaur
Official Language:	Azerbaijani (Azeri)
National Currency Unit:	Azerbaijani Manat (AZM)
National Day:	May 28

Location and Geography

Azerbaijan is located in South-west Asia. It is bordered by Armenia in the West and South-west, Iran and Turkey in the South, Russia in the North and Georgia in the North-west. The Great Caucasus Mountains form a natural northern border. Almost half of the country consists of low lands, some of which are below sea level. The two main rivers are the Kura, which flows from the North-west to the Caspian Sea, and its tributary Araks, which flows along Azerbaijan’s border with Iran. Much of the farmland is irrigated. The capital Baku lies on the Aspheson Peninsula that juts into the Caspian Sea. As a result of its drainage patterns, climatic differences and sharply defined latitudinal zoning of vegetation, Azerbaijan is characterised by a wide variety of landscapes. Central and Eastern Azerbaijan has a dry, sub tropical climate with mild winters and long hot summers.

Demography

Population:	8.17 million (2002)
Crude Birth Rate:	16 per thousand people (2002)
Crude Death Rate:	7 per thousand people (2002)
Infant Mortality Rate:	13 per thousand (2002)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 69 years, Female: 75 years (2002)
Urban Population:	52.0 percent (2002)
Adult Literacy:	97.00 percent (2001)

Economy

The economy is based mainly on petroleum resources with large oil reserves located in the Caspian Sea. The emphasis on heavy industry caused a considerable expansion of the two traditional industries, petroleum and natural gas. The Baku oilfields constitute one of the oldest centres of heavy industry in the world. Nevertheless, engineering, light industry and food productions have also been growing in importance. Iron ore, non-ferrous metals, bromine, gypsum, marble, bitumen, zinc, molybdenum, alunite, rock salt and alumina should be mentioned among the natural resources of the country. Richness of raw resources in Azerbaijan stimulated the development of handicraft industry, mainly pottery, copperware, carpet weaving, stone carving and silk. Grain, cotton, potato, and melon, and fruit cultivation holds an important place for households. In the field of animal husbandry cattle breeding and sheep breeding are widespread.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	6090 million US$ (2002)
Per Capita GDP:	745 US$ (2002)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	14.0% Agriculture, 35.0% Industry, 51.0% Services, (2002)
Total Exports:	1677 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	1712 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textile and cotton
Major Imports Items:	Machinery and parts, foodstuffs, textiles, non-precious metals used in transportation sector
Major Trading Partners:	Italy, Russia, France, Turkey, UK and Germany