Republic of Azerbaijan

General Information:

Common Name: Azerbaijan
Capital: Baku (Baki, Baky)
Official Languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1%
Government: Republic
Independence: 30 August 1991
President:
Prime Minister:
Religion: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8%

Population: 8,238,672 (July 2009)
Area: 86,600 sq km (Slightly smaller than Maine)
Terrain: Large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea
Climate: Dry, semiarid steppe
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite

Visa Required for Americans: No

Public Holidays:

1 Jan New Year's Day
20 Jan Day of the Martyrs
8 Mar Women's Day
22 Mar Novruz Bayramy (Persian New Year)
2 Apr Good Friday
5 Apr Easter Monday
9 May Victory Day
28 May Republic Day
15 Jun Day of National Salvation
26 Jun Army and Navy Day
11 Sep End of Ramadan
18 Oct Day of Independence
12 Nov Constitution Day
17 Nov Day of National Revival
17 Nov Feast of Sacrifice
31 Dec Day of Azeri Solidarity

Food and beverage:

National specialties:

Lyulya kebab (spiced, minced lamb pressed onto skewers)
Dograma (a milky potato, cucumber and onion soup served cold)
Piti is (a mutton and chickpea soup)
Kutab (pancakes stuffed with spinach, herbs or pumpkin)
Badimjan Dolmasi (mutton served with aubergine, tomatoes, basil and sour cream)

National drinks:

Wines and brandies are produced locally
Sherbets are popular soft drinks made of sugar, lemon, saffron, seeds of mint and basilt
Tea served accompanied by various jams such as quince, fig, apricot, white cherry and plum. Sometimes dried leaves or flowers of savory, clove, cardamom and other spices are added to tea
Tea with darchin (cinnamon), ginger and, occasionally, rosewater.