The Russian portal "Vestnik Kavkaza" published an article entitled "Amazing facts that you did not know about Azerbaijan" about the nature, cuisine, culture of Azerbaijan, its national customs and traditions, modern buildings. offers readers this article, accompanied by interesting photographs.
After the Eurovision and the first European Games were held in Baku, perhaps no one in Europe had any doubts that Azerbaijan is a modern state that connects Europe and Asia. The oldest daily British newspaper The Daily Telegraph has devoted a material to Azerbaijan in the "Travel" section, where it reveals some features of Azerbaijani culture and mentality.
The country loves pancakes
Kutab - spring roll - a national dish of Azerbaijan. They are stuffed with pumpkin, vegetables, meat or simply fragrant herbs, then wrapped and fried in a pan. Forget Nutella, Azerbaijani pancakes are simply delicious.
Homeland of the ancient man
At the very bottom of the Azikh cave in the western part of Azerbaijan, archaeologists have found tools that were made 1.5 million years ago. There are a huge number of prehistoric remains in the six halls of the cave complex. It is believed that these caves have been inhabited for two million years.
Problems at the borders
In the west of Azerbaijan, one can cross the border and get into Nagorno-Karabakh, a self-proclaimed autonomous region. Nagorno-Karabakh is an internationally recognized region within Azerbaijan. It is famous for its incredibly beautiful mountain ranges, mulberry groves and vineyards that grow in the valleys of the region.
Azerbaijanis drink tea with jam
No social event is complete without tea, which is served with a variety of treats. The tea is usually drunk with jam and flavored with thyme, lemon, mint or rose water.
No sugar - no wedding
During matchmaking, tea is an indicator of further developments. If it is served without sugar, then this is a sign that the discussion needs to continue; if the tea is sweet, then, of course, the wedding will take place.
Horse Heroes
The Karabakh horse, known for its speed, intelligence and endurance, is considered the national symbol of Azerbaijan. This animal is endemic, one of the oldest breeds in the world.
Actually a small country.
The size of Azerbaijan is insignificant compared to Turkey, Iran and Russia bordering on it. However, Azerbaijan's area of 86,600 km² is about four times the size of Wales.
The country loves proverbs
Famous examples are “You can’t cook good soup from cheap meat”, “Politeness is not sold at the market”, “Not in the eyebrow, but in the eye”.
Azerbaijan has a city built on stilts
The village of Oil Rocks was originally represented by the only drilling rig in the Caspian Sea and several walking paths. Today it is a whole city on stilts with shops, cultural centers and hotels.
Huge gas reserves
The fiery mountain (Yanar Dag) erupts flames, the source of which are huge underground gas fields. The mountain, located not far from Baku, has attracted travelers and conquerors for many centuries. In the XIII century, the explorer Marco Polo wrote about the mysterious fires that blaze in those places. Natural gas is a serious source of income in Azerbaijan: 29 billion cubic meters of fuel were produced in 2013.
Huge number of vineyards
Despite the fact that the country receives a large profit from the sale of oil and gas, Azerbaijan also grows crops, grapes, cotton, and breeds farm animals.
The country's currency is similar to the euro
Azerbaijan's currency, the manat, is very similar to euro banknotes - the sizes, colors and fonts are similar. But each banknote represents a different aspect of national identity: the five-manat banknote features an excerpt from the national anthem, the 20-manat banknotes are adorned with a sword, shield and helmet.
Azerbaijanis are a strong nation
If you are in Baku, you can take part in an arm wrestling competition. Armwrestling Federation, which represents the country's professional league. This is a very serious occupation in the gyms and bars of Baku.
The smell of eggs? Blame volcanoes
There are more mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan than in any other country in the world - more than 400. When volcanoes erupt, the flame rises up to a kilometer. In a calm state, they bubble and emit harmful gases.
Azerbaijan loves good carpets
The Carpet Museum in Azerbaijan was opened in 2014 on the waterfront of Baku, in a building designed in the form of a giant rolled carpet. Inside you can see carpets of all times, from all over the country. In addition, contemplation is accompanied by a demonstration of the carpet production process.
National game with musical accompaniment
Chovgan resembles polo: it is played on horseback with curved wooden sticks. But that's where the similarity ends. The game is accompanied by music, and all players are dressed in national costumes - embroidered tunics, hats, and pantaloons.
All children can crochet
Girls are taught to crochet from a very early age, in preparation for the traditional Seven Beauties tournament: girls have to knit socks against the clock, and whoever knits the best pair is declared the winner.
Baku people are very unusual
The capital of Azerbaijan is often compared to Dubai because of its outlandish architecture and love of gold. Architectural highlights include the magnificent Heydar Aliyev Center designed by Zaha Hadid; mirror skyscraper SOCAR; and the Flame Towers, which symbolize Azerbaijan's oil and gas reserves.
You can go boating in the capital
Baku has a "Little Venice", an artificial water channel, along the course of which there are restaurants and entertainment venues. Little Venice has islands connected by bridges and walkways - but the best way to see it is by gondola.
Long history of the Russian language
Azerbaijanis speak Azerbaijani, but Russian is the second language. Not many people speak English, so take a phrase book with you.
Bread is sacred
When bread gets stale, Azerbaijani chefs don't just throw it in the trash - they take it out in bags, separate from the rest of the garbage, as a sign of respect. If you dropped bread on the floor, then according to tradition, you must kiss it as an apology.
One of the last collective farms is located in the country
A relic of Soviet times, the Ivanovka collective farm is represented by a whole community. (The Nikitin collective farm for Azerbaijan is a truly unique phenomenon. In 1996, an agrarian reform took place in the country, the land was transferred to private ownership. But no one encroached on the Nikitin people. They lived on a collective farm - let them live further, it was decided in Baku. This exception was done for the sake of preserving this community, for the sake of preserving the compactness of the Russian population according to their wishes, - ed.)
Children are bathed in salt water
It is believed that if you bathe newborn children in salt water, they will be strong, honest and courageous.
The economic future of Azerbaijan is connected with the development of oil deposits, concentrated mainly within the Kura-Araks lowland.
In Azerbaijani, the word "bribe" and the word "respect" sound and are spelled the same. characterizes a lot. Here a person who does not take bribes is a little less common than never. Next to this phenomenon is the local service culture. Any services. If you, for example, went to the hospital, and you were told where the right doctor is, then they will expect from you at least a tiny, but a gift. Sometimes they will even demand to “show respect”. And so everywhere.
There is a movement of fundamentalists in Azerbaijan, mainly young people, who would like to turn Azerbaijan into an Islamic state on the model of the neighboring Iran.
Azerbaijan is considered the birthplace of such a religion as Zoroastrianism, whose communities have survived in Iran and India .
The Absheron Peninsula is heavily polluted, and this makes it one of the most environmentally unfavorable regions of the Earth.
“Baku” is translated as “the city of winds”, since the city is almost constantly blown by the winds from the Caspian Sea.
In the valley of the Araz River there is the oldest salt deposit in the world, the development of which began about 5,000 years ago.
There is a rather well-known expression, more precisely, a paleander, the author of which is Yuri Bershidsky: "Appreciate an office in the shade of a Baku citizen." If you read it backwards, the meaning will not change.
The Caspian Sea is the largest inland sea on Earth.
Not far from Baku is the salt lake Masazir, the water of which has a pink color. The reservoir has huge salt reserves suitable for industrial production.
The famous medieval poet Nizami (died approximately in 1202) was born on the territory of today's Azerbaijan. He is considered the founder of Azerbaijani literature.
Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Transcaucasus both in terms of territory and population.
For the construction of the Maiden Tower, the main attraction of the Old City of Baku, 2,900 cubic meters of stone were used.
About 12% of the Nobel Prize Fund consists of funds raised by Alfred Nobel from operations with Baku oil. And at the beginning of the 20th century, Baku had its own Nobel Prize, established by Alfred Nobel's nephew Emmanuel. This award was presented for achievements in the field of oil production and related sciences.
The average annual temperature of Baku and the planet Earth as a whole are completely identical - 14.2°C.
Football is the favorite sport in Azerbaijan.
About 50% of the territory of Azerbaijan is occupied by mountains.
The world's first modern oil well was drilled near the capital of Azerbaijan - Baku. And in 1930, a new drilling method was developed in Baku, which is used throughout the planet. According to it, wells are made not vertical, but inclined. And the oldest oil platform at sea, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records, is the Oil Rocks platform. Now "Oil Rocks" is a whole village on stilts with shops, houses and cultural centers.
It was in the capital of Azerbaijan that the first electric train in the USSR started. It happened in 1926.
The Karabakh horse is the national symbol of Azerbaijan. This incredibly fast, hardy and smart 
the breed of horses is one of the oldest in the world, and it is found only in this territory.
The Baku circus was the first in the USSR.
From Baku, the Soviet army was regularly supplied with oil products and fuel. 9 out of 10 Soviet tanks were filled with Baku fuel.
Azerbaijan is located in 9 climatic zones (11 in total)!
Azerbaijan is called the "Land of Fire".
In the Azerbaijani city of Ganja there is a house made of bottles.
Banknotes of the Azerbaijani currency (it is called the manat) look very similar to the euro.
The largest number of mud volcanoes in the world is located on the territory of Azerbaijan. Of the 800 known today, at least 350 are located on the territory of Azerbaijan. When volcanoes erupt, the flames rise up to a kilometer. In a calm state, they bubble and emit harmful gases. On September 15, 2004, the largest mud volcano in the world, located on the territory of Azerbaijan, was included in the Guinness Book of Records.
For 60 years, the population of Azerbaijan has increased by more than 30 times.
In Surakhani there is an unusual Ateshgah temple, which translates as “House of Fire”. This unique building was built on the site of "eternal fires" - it is natural gas that comes out of the ground. There is also a whole mountain in Azerbaijan, constantly spewing fire - Yanar Dag, which is located not far from Baku, and feeds the flames of the gas field located under it. In the XIII century, the explorer Marco Polo wrote about the mysterious fires that blaze in those places. Natural gas is a serious source of income in Azerbaijan.
The metro in Baku was launched in 1967, and one of the stations was called "April 28" - in honor of the day when Soviet power was established in Azerbaijan. After the republic's secession from the USSR, the station was "upgraded" for exactly a month. Now it is called "May 28" - in honor of the public holiday of Republic Day.
Baku has a "Little Venice" - an artificial water channel, along the course of which there are restaurants and entertainment venues. Little Venice has islands connected by bridges and walkways - but the best way to see it is by gondola.
During matchmaking in Azerbaijan, tea is an indicator of further developments. If it is served without sugar, then this is a sign that the discussion needs to continue; if the tea is sweet, then, of course, the wedding will take place.
Azerbaijan became the first Muslim country in the world to adopt a democratic form of government and provide women with the same opportunities as men.
Tours to Azerbaijan - special offers of the day
Azerbaijani customs and traditions have come a long way before they formed into the species that are familiar to us now. Many centuries were needed for their formation, and many events, both positive and negative, became the cause of their occurrence. Azerbaijani traditions also reflect various religious worldviews of people, the peculiarity of their mentality, and the influence of other cultures. In the 20th century, the centralized (Soviet) government of the republic tried to eradicate many of the traditions, but no one will ever be able to destroy what is part of a person in a person. That is why many ancient traditions are still alive today.
After tea drinking, second courses, greens and fresh vegetables are served, and then - sweets or dovga. It is not customary to take food with the left hand. Rice is taken with a pinch, some dishes are also considered not shameful to take with your hand or a piece of bread. In urban settings, a meal is usually held according to European standards, with the presence of cutlery and individual portions. In rural areas, especially when it comes to some kind of community holiday, the rules of behavior at the table are more free and informal.
One of the main features of Azerbaijani cuisine, like any oriental one, is the unique aroma and spicy taste of dishes. A variety of spices give such an amazing effect to Azerbaijani food. Particular attention should be paid to saffron and sumac (powdered barberry). The first has become an integral component of numerous pilafs. And sumac is served with meat dishes. By the way, another distinctive feature of Azerbaijani cuisine is the use of lamb. Dolma is prepared from it, which is very similar to cabbage rolls.
Dishes such as kyufta bozbash (broth with meatballs, potatoes and peas), dovga (sour milk soup) and, of course, kebab are widely known. Various regions of Azerbaijan also boast special ways of cooking. For example, in the north-west of the country, the Khingal dish is popular, which is very similar to dumplings. Its filling is made from meat, kurut (dried cottage cheese) and fried onions. Lenkoraniya is famous for chickens stuffed with nuts, marmalade and onions. Confectionery products can be divided into two groups: cookies (shaker-luku, unlanan, kurabye) and pies with nut filling, which are famous as baklava. The most common national drink is sherbet. It is made with lemon, saffron, sugar, basil and mint seeds, and various fruits.
Do not be surprised if the first dish served to the table is tea. For Azerbaijanis, tea drinking has long turned into a cultural and aesthetic heritage, which has its own methods and rules. After tea is over, main courses, fresh vegetables and herbs are served, and at the end - dovga or sweets. Many dishes need to be eaten with the help of hands, for example, it is customary to take rice with a pinch. Azerbaijani lunch can last about three hours. However, in urban settings, the meal is often held according to European standards familiar to foreigners.
Teahouse
Another tradition associated with the tea ceremony. Unlike the standard Central Asian teahouse, where you can drink tea and have a hearty lunch, the Azerbaijani teahouse serves only tea. Only sweets and sweets can be offered to him, but not food. In the modern understanding of a foreign person, a teahouse can be safely called a club, and exclusively for men. Here they discuss news, business, make plans, remember the past, and most importantly, maintain relationships. In a sense, this is an institution designed to maintain stability in society. Neighbors who quarreled during the day meet in the tea house in the evening. And here, in the circle of neighbors, friends, over a glass of tea, they can calmly discuss their problems and find a mutually beneficial way out of the current situation.
Holidays
Of the holidays that are celebrated by Azerbaijanis, Kurban Bayram (holiday of sacrifice), orujluk (holiday of fasting) are widely celebrated. Novruz Bayram is celebrated most widely. This ancient folk holiday of the new year and spring. It is celebrated on March 21 - the day of the spring equinox. They have been preparing for it since the end of winter: they repair apartments, sew new clothes, but most importantly, they grow wheat on plates, then boil it in a special way. In the evening on the day of the holiday, a table is laid with rich dishes so that the year is rich and fertile. Small bonfires are kindled in the yards, over which older children jump under the supervision of older children. Novruz celebration is one of the interesting folk traditions of Azerbaijan. Novruz is a holiday of spring, the beginning of a new year. Before the celebration of Novruz, Azerbaijanis celebrate a number of previous days, which are holidays on the occasion of the end of the Old and the onset of the New Year. We are talking about four pre-holiday Wednesdays: Su Chershenbe (Wednesday on the water), Odlu Chershenbe (Wednesday on the fire), Torpag Chershenbe (Wednesday on the ground) and Akhir Chershenbe (the last Wednesday). According to popular beliefs, on the first Wednesday, water was renewed, stagnant waters began to move. In the second - fire, in the third - earth. On the fourth Wednesday, the wind opened the buds of the trees, and according to folk signs, spring came.
clothing
As for the traditions in clothing, the national costumes of Azerbaijanis are very beautiful and original. Women's dresses have an elegant silhouette and cut, emphasizing the flexible countries of Azerbaijani beauties. They are decorated with intricate embroidery and trimmed with beautiful "golden" braid. Men's clothing is also very distinctive. She emphasizes their masculinity, does not constrain their rapid movements. Women's clothes were sewn mainly from silk and velvet, and men's clothes from cloth and homemade cashmere fabric. A notable element of the Azerbaijani costume is the underwear. She (both women's and men's) was sewn from canvas and cotton fabric. The rich beauties are made of silk. Women's clothing was distinguished by the brightness of colors. A short, fitted caftan with a pleated hem was worn over the shirt, and in winter, an additional quilted sleeveless jacket was worn. The woman's hair was put in a narrow straight cover, and a low hat with a scarf was put on her head. Leaving the yard, especially in the city, a shawl or a special long cape - a veil - was thrown over the scarf. Shoes for men were leather poles, soft boots and shoes with upturned toes. Women wore their own knitted socks at home, sometimes with hemmed leather soles, and when leaving the house they put on mules with a small heel and sharp, turned-up toes. In conditions of sharp social inequality, large differences were observed in the clothes of different social groups of the population. Wealthy men wore clothes made of expensive materials - fine cloth, silk; The Circassian coat was decorated with breast pockets, which in the past served as bandoliers, gazyrs, and girded with a thin leather belt trimmed with inlaid silver jewelry. Rich women also sewed clothes from expensive fabrics - silk, brocade, velvet; they wore a wide leather or velvet belt with t fancy silver buckles and hanging coins. Their costume was complemented by numerous jewelry - bracelets, monisto, bells, rings. At present, both men and women wear clothes of the common European type. Separate elements of the national costume (papakhas for men, and wide skirts for women, shawls, scarves) can only be found in rural areas, mainly among older people.
Wedding
The richest national rituals and ceremonies were and remain wedding ceremonies. They start with an announcement...
The groom's relatives send a close relative to the girl's house. He must say about the intention to come to the matchmaking. It happens that in the house the girls do not give consent to this. In this case, the most respected of the groom's family tries to get the consent of the girl's parents.
Tea in the Azerbaijani tradition is an indispensable attribute of matchmaking. It is not customary for the people of this country to speak directly: they say, marry your daughter to our son. The fact that matchmakers will come to the house is reported in advance, and without much publicity. In the course of the matchmaking itself, the conversation is carried on only in hints and half-hints. And the answer is also given ambiguously, and a non-Azerbaijani would not understand such an answer. In general, it is given through tea: if sugar is put in the tea offered to the matchmakers, then you need to prepare for the wedding. If sugar was served separately from tea, then this means a refusal.
Particularly interesting wedding traditions Azerbaijan . There are many different pre-wedding customs in this country. One of the very first is Khabar gendarma or matchmaking notification. If the girl's family does not agree to matchmaking, the boy's relatives ask for help from respected people to help them get consent. There is also a custom of small matchmaking, according to which the bride is wooed by the young man's mother and another close relative.
Azerbaijanis have Small and Big betrothal. There is no groom at the first betrothal, but the boyfriend's relatives give the bride an engagement ring, a scarf and sweets. A few months later comes the main engagement. For this betrothal, the girl is presented with many gifts, with the exception of shoes. The most interesting traditional gift is the “shah”. It is a wedding decoration made of a tree branch, on which candles, a mirror, brocade, fruits and sweets are attached. The bride's dowry is brought to the groom's house a few days before the wedding.
Religious legalization of marriage takes place before the wedding. The ceremony is performed by Molla (representative of the Muslim mosque), who is thanked with money and a lump of sugar. In this ceremony, only the closest relatives are present. The actual wedding (“Toi”) can last up to three days. All guests say kind words to the newlyweds and dance. To the left and right of the groom are his closest friends (young). The mother of the groom must prepare gifts for them. The main thing is that the bride and groom dance a lot.
Name choice
The choice of names for newborns can also be distinguished as a custom. The choice of a name is usually associated with certain difficulties. Representatives of the dominant people are more free when choosing a name for a child. The choice may be on a name that rhymes with the name of the previous child, Without much attention to the meaning, the name of the former representative of the genus, or simply at the discretion of the parent or other relative.
The family and family life are the bearers of the rich traditional culture of the ethnic group. The family life of Azerbaijanis was distinguished by a large number of patriarchal relations. The man - the head of the family - was the sovereign manager of movable and immovable property, excluding his wife's dowry. Children were brought up in strict obedience to their father and older men. The wife was in unquestioning submission to her husband, as well as mother-in-law and other older women in her husband's house. In creating a family, giving birth and raising children, living and emotional communication, organizing leisure and recreation, housekeeping, caring for elderly parents and many other aspects of family life, various elements of the traditional way of life appear and function.
Dancing
The national dances of Azerbaijan, as well as real street performances, are called an integral component of the culture of this country. Dancers dressed in national costumes circled passers-by and gathered crowds of curious onlookers around them. One of the most popular is the “kosa-kossa” ritual - dances about the arrival of spring. Young people gathered in small groups and arranged cheerful improvisations right on the street, receiving various sweets as a reward from grateful spectators. The difference between men's and women's dances is striking. Azerbaijani dancers reproduce the dance, to a greater extent, with the upper part of the body: head, arms, body. Girls bewitch the audience with smooth movements of the hands, the curve of the waist, a mischievous smile and head turns.
A modest, but mysterious and proud country with the beautiful name of Azerbaijan is neatly located on the Caspian Sea. Not lagging behind the progressive society, the Azerbaijani people, building gigantic complexes in the capital and other densely populated cities, developing office projects, modernizing oil rigs, continue to respect the spiritual richness of the heritage of their descendants. In Azerbaijan, both old and young strictly observe national traditions. Here, every person from infancy is immersed in a unique atmosphere of originality.
Childbearing traditions
In order to prevent the birth of a sick child, pregnant Azerbaijani women try to be always friendly and courteous. It is especially useful, according to ancient customs, to linger on beautiful flowers, water or sky. After the birth of the baby, they immediately bathed in salt water so that the child would be honest and courageous. But at the first bath, the mother should not be with the child. When the first teeth appeared in the baby, a special ceremony was performed, during which a dish of 7 types of grain was prepared. P After the child was 1 year old, they began to cut his nails and cut his hair. It is customary to keep the first cut hair and nails.
The listed traditions of Azerbaijan are far from a complete list of the amazing traditions of this country. By visiting it, you will be able to feel for yourself all the diversity of the people living in this territory. In any case, acquaintance with the ancient traditions of Azerbaijanis will be not only informative, but also useful, and sometimes instructive.
- Azerbaijan - first Muslim democratic state. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was proclaimed on May 28, 1918 after the cessation of the existence of the Transcaucasian Federation.
- Near 60% of the territory Azerbaijan are the mountains. The highest point of the republic is Mount Bazarduzu with a height of 4466 m.
- Despite the modest areag - 86,600 km², present in Azerbaijan immediately 9 out of 11 existing climate zones. The average temperature in July in the country ranges from -1 °С in the highlands to +28 °С in the lowlands, and in January - from -22 °С and +5 °С, respectively.
- Winemaking is one of the main industries in the country. In 2016, Azerbaijan exported wines worth $3.5 million.
Express info by country
Azerbaijan(Republic of Azerbaijan) - a state in the South Caucasus, located in Western Asia.
Capital– Baku
Largest cities: Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, Mingachevir, Khirdalan, Lankaran, Nakhichevan, Shirvan
Form of government- Presidential republic
Territory- 86,600 km 2 (110th in the world)
Population– 9.69 million people (91st in the world)
Official language– Azerbaijani
Religion– Islam
HDI- 0.751 (78th in the world)
GDP– $75.19 billion (68th in the world)
Currency– Azerbaijani manat
Borders with: Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran
5. Azerbaijan occupies second place in the world(after Iran) according to the number of Shiites. This direction of Islam is practiced by 85% of the population, the remaining 15% are Sunnis.
6. In the valley of the Araz River is the oldest in the world salt deposit. Its development began 5 thousand years ago.
7. In June of this year, the first Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Formula 1. The 6,003 km long track is laid right along the central streets of the city with a stop in the historical district.
8. Nobel Prize Foundation about 12% consists of funds raised by Alfred Nobel from operations with Baku oil.
9. Average annual temperature in Baku about the same as on the whole planet - 14.2 °С.
10. National currency of Azerbaijan, manat, very similar to euro. Local banknotes have similar sizes, colors and fonts. A distinctive feature is images on national themes.
11. On the territory of Azerbaijan more mud volcanoes than any other country in the world, - more than 400. When they erupt, the flame reaches up to a kilometer in height, and in a dormant state they bubble and emit harmful gases.
12. In 2014, a Azerbaijan Carpet Museum(was founded in 1967). Its building is shaped like a giant rolled carpet, inside which you can see examples of different periods and techniques. Total in the collection approx. 14 thousand products.
13. In Azerbaijani the words "bribe" and "respect" are spelled and pronounced the same. This largely characterizes the local mentality: it is customary to thank for any service.
14. At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries, an unprecedented population growth was recorded in the country. For 60 years the number of inhabitants increased by more than 30 times. Today there are almost 10 million people in Azerbaijan.
15. Not far from Baku there is Mount Yanardag, the name of which is translated from Azerbaijani as "Burning Mountain". One of its crests is actually on fire due to natural gas coming out of the ground in this place.
86.6 thousand km 2 (12% forest, 1.7% water basin, 54.9% arable land, including 31.1% meadows and pastures, 31.4% other land). The country is located between 44° and 52° east longitude, 38° and 42° north latitude, Baku is located at 40° parallel. State borders: in the south with Iran 765 km and with Turkey 15 km, in the north with Russia 390 km, in the northeast the border with Georgia is 480 km, in the west with Armenia 1007 km.
The first libraries appeared on the territory of Azerbaijan during the period of existence of the earliest state formations. The first libraries were created in the 5th century. In 7, libraries appeared at mosques and madrasahs. In the Middle Ages, the following types of libraries existed in Azerbaijan: palace, special scientific and personal. Among the palace libraries, the library of the Palace of the Shirvanshahs (12th century), the Tabriz libraries (13th century) should be noted.
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) was established on May 28, 1918. This historic day entered the life of the Azerbaijani people as a major event. This is the first republic in the East that provided all citizens, regardless of nationality, political and religious affiliation, gender, with equal rights and created a solid foundation for the future independence of Azerbaijan.
During World War II, Baku was the main source of oil for the front. With a total population of 3.4 million people from the Azerbaijan USSR, 681 thousand people were called up to the front, including 10 thousand women. 300 thousand Azerbaijanis died on the battlefields. For military prowess and feats committed during the Second World War, 128 natives of Azerbaijan received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. General Azi Aslanov received this title twice.
The independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the country's economic development, Azerbaijan's participation in world-scale projects, the peaceful negotiation process of the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict - all this is associated with the name of the national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev.
Nagorno-Karabakh: date of occupation - 1988-1993, area - 4400 sq. km. (Shusha, Khankendi, Khojaly, Askeran, Khojavend, Agdere, Hadrut); Lachin region: date of occupation - May 18, 1992, square km; Kalbajar region: date of occupation - April 2, 1993, area sq. km. Aghdam region: date of occupation - July 23, 1993, square km; Jabrayil region: date of occupation - August 23, 1993, square km; Fuzuli region: date of occupation - August 23, 1993, square km; Gubadly region: date of occupation - August 31, 1993, square km; Zengilan region: date of occupation - October 30, 1993, area sq. km.
In the occupied territories, 600 schools, 250 kindergartens, 65 vocational institutions, 2 higher educational institutions were destroyed. As a result of the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Armenian armed forces destroyed and destroyed houses of culture, 15 city and 503 rural houses of culture and clubs, 8 district, 32 city, 10 children's and 683 rural libraries, 6 culture and recreation parks, 47 children's music schools, 3 theaters, 3 galleries, 464 historical monuments, about 40 thousand historical items and 4.6 million books. As a result of the capture of Shushi, our spirituality was dealt a very heavy blow. Only in the city of Shusha were ravaged and destroyed 8 museums, 31 libraries, 17 clubs, 8 houses of culture.
The Khojaly genocide entered the history of Azerbaijan as one of the most terrible and tragic pages. 613 people were killed, including 63 children; women - 106, elderly - 70 people. 8 families were completely destroyed 25 children lost both parents, 130 children lost one parent A person was injured, of which 76 children; People who were held hostage by a person A person is missing
Ilham Aliyev was elected President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 15. Having become president, Ilham Aliyev actively took up the development of domestic production, the oil sector. The task of further liberalizing the economy and stimulating domestic investment was set at the forefront of internal development.
I believe in the happy future of Azerbaijan. I am confident that our country will continue to develop and strengthen. Democracy in Azerbaijan will be further developed, political pluralism and freedom of speech will be ensured. Our country will become a modern state.
Since ancient times, Azerbaijan has become famous not only for the works of fine art, but also for the works of architecture, which is one of the branches of folk art. Maiden Tower and the complex of the Shirvanshahs' Palace in Baku; the mausoleums of Momine Khatun and Yusif ibn Kuseir, created by the famous architect Ajami, are rare pearls of architectural art.
On the implementation of mass publications in the Azerbaijani language with Latin script On the approval of the list of works, the publication of which is planned in the Azerbaijani language with Latin script in years On the improvement of the activities of libraries in Azerbaijan On the publication of works of outstanding classics of world literature in the Azerbaijani language information sphere in the Republic of Azerbaijan for years”
Today there are libraries in the library-information network of Azerbaijan. Since 1996, the Azerbaijani government has issued the Law "On the situation of library work and measures to improve the work of libraries in the Republic of Azerbaijan". In the same year, the Law "On library work" was adopted in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The library has regular readers. The readership is years of age. The library is also popular among subscribers of other age groups.
Department of Acquisition and Electronic Catalog. Information and bibliographic department. Scientific and methodological department. Department of International Communications and Interlibrary Loan. Library Information Department. Subscription department. Sector of military patriotism and public affairs. Art department.
The book fund of the library consists of books, including publications in Azerbaijani, Russian, 162 in English. The library has a department of art, consisting of 1721 records, 1946 musical scores, including works of Azerbaijani and world musical heritage.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Abulfas Karayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Azerbaijan Vasily Istratov, Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan Elmira Suleymanova, Director of the Presidential Library Mail Ahmadov and other officials.
Employees of city and district libraries belonging to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism have the opportunity to take refresher courses on a regular basis. One of these trainings was devoted to Web design and the IRBIS-64 program (Automation of library and information systems).
The site of the library named after J. Jabbarly (created in 2009 is of great interest to young people and is constantly updated.
At the moment, the electronic catalog IRBIS-64 has 3068 titles in the Azerbaijani language, there are also 5491 newspaper articles in Russian. There are 758 retro books in Azerbaijani, 787 in Russian, 22 retro books in various languages in the electronic file cabinet.
