Republic of Azerbaijan

A Century of PainA Century of Pain

Geologic Features - Resources

Oil being the most Oil being the most important natural important natural resource followed by resource followed by iron ore, copper, lead, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, and saltzinc, and salt

Subtropical climate, Subtropical climate, relatively mild winters relatively mild winters and long hot summersand long hot summers

Baku- capital and Baku- capital and largest citylargest city

Area- 33,400 sq. miArea- 33,400 sq. mi Mt. Bazarduzu- Mt. Bazarduzu-

country’s highest peak country’s highest peak (14,652 ft)(14,652 ft)

The People

Official state language- Azeri, a Turkic Official state language- Azeri, a Turkic languagelanguage

Population estimate- 7,798,497 in 2002Population estimate- 7,798,497 in 2002 57% of pop. Live in urban areas57% of pop. Live in urban areas Ethnic groups- Armenians, Russians, Ethnic groups- Armenians, Russians,

Dagestanis, Kurds, GeorgiansDagestanis, Kurds, Georgians Originally used Arabic alphabetOriginally used Arabic alphabet

People (Continued)

1939 the Soviet regime 1939 the Soviet regime mandated use of Cyrillic mandated use of Cyrillic alphabetalphabet

After independence, After independence, adopted Turkish version adopted Turkish version of the Latin scriptof the Latin script

Azeris are Muslim; Islam Azeris are Muslim; Islam was introduced in the 7was introduced in the 7thth century A.D.century A.D.

70% Azeri Muslims are 70% Azeri Muslims are Shias, and 30% are SunnisShias, and 30% are Sunnis

Economy

GDP = $5.3 billionGDP = $5.3 billion Cotton is the leading cash crop followed by wine, Cotton is the leading cash crop followed by wine,

grapes, fruits, vegetables, and tobaccograpes, fruits, vegetables, and tobacco Petroleum is the country’s major mineral, the largest Petroleum is the country’s major mineral, the largest

oil field is about 60 mi from the coastoil field is about 60 mi from the coast Main trading partners remain the republics of the Main trading partners remain the republics of the

former Soviet Unionformer Soviet Union Leading exports are machinery, food products, and Leading exports are machinery, food products, and

metalsmetals Manat is the legal tender (4,474 manats=$1 U.S.)Manat is the legal tender (4,474 manats=$1 U.S.)

Government

Presidential Republic, Presidential Republic, governed under a governed under a constitution adopted in constitution adopted in 19951995

President is elected for 5 President is elected for 5 year termsyear terms

Legislative Power is the Legislative Power is the Milli Majlis or National Milli Majlis or National Assembly, composed of Assembly, composed of 125 members who serve 5 125 members who serve 5 year termsyear terms

Government (Continued)

Political Parties- New Political Parties- New Azerbaijan Party, Azerbaijan Party, Popular Front of Popular Front of Azerbaijan, National Azerbaijan, National Independence PartyIndependence Party

Judiciary- Supreme Judiciary- Supreme Court, country’s Court, country’s highest courthighest court

Began forming armed Began forming armed forces after gaining forces after gaining independenceindependence

Beginning at age 18, Beginning at age 18, military service is military service is compulsory for at least compulsory for at least 17 months for all 17 months for all malesmales

History Beginning of 7Beginning of 7thth century to 18 century to 18thth

century- mostly dominated by century- mostly dominated by different groups of Turkish different groups of Turkish MuslimsMuslims

Imperial Russia conquered the Imperial Russia conquered the region in early 18region in early 18thth century century

After oil was discovered in 19After oil was discovered in 19 thth century, an influx of Russians and century, an influx of Russians and Armenians resulted in highly Armenians resulted in highly segregated citiessegregated cities

1905 the beginning of violent 1905 the beginning of violent clashes between Azeris and clashes between Azeris and ArmeniansArmenians

1918 May Azeri nationalists 1918 May Azeri nationalists declared Azerbaijan’s declared Azerbaijan’s independenceindependence

                                                         

History (Continued)

1920 Bolshevik Red Army 1920 Bolshevik Red Army invaded establishing complete invaded establishing complete control of Transcaucasia regioncontrol of Transcaucasia region

1920-1930’s the Soviets 1920-1930’s the Soviets persecuted Azeri nationalists persecuted Azeri nationalists whom were considered threats whom were considered threats to communist ruleto communist rule

Orchestrated by Mir Jafar Orchestrated by Mir Jafar Baghirov, Azeris were deported Baghirov, Azeris were deported to gulags or executedto gulags or executed

1940 Stalinist purges killed 1940 Stalinist purges killed 120,000 Azeris120,000 Azeris

History (Continued)

Feb. 1988 conflict erupted in Nagorno KarabakhFeb. 1988 conflict erupted in Nagorno Karabakh October 1991 became an independent republic and October 1991 became an independent republic and

Mutalibov became presidentMutalibov became president 1992 May Popular Front of Azerbaijan seized 1992 May Popular Front of Azerbaijan seized

control of government and its leader Aliyev control of government and its leader Aliyev Elchibey was elected presidentElchibey was elected president

Aug 1993 Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh Aug 1993 Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh gained control of governmentgained control of government

Dec 1993 Azeris recaptured some areas while Dec 1993 Azeris recaptured some areas while suffering heavy casualtiessuffering heavy casualties

History (Continued)

1994 – 18,000 people had been killed and 1994 – 18,000 people had been killed and 25,000 wounded sine the conflict began in 25,000 wounded sine the conflict began in 19881988

May 1994 Both sides agreed to cease May 1994 Both sides agreed to cease hostilitieshostilities

A former communist official named Heydar A former communist official named Heydar Aliyev is currently presidentAliyev is currently president

Nagorno-Karabakn

The End