Azerbaijan

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Azerbaijan, or the Republic of Azerbaijan, is the largest (in population and territory) country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. Azerbaijan, formerly a constituent republic of the USSR, is a member of the United Nations since 1992. Its capital is Baku.

Geography

Azerbaijan is located in Southwestern Asia, with a small part of it extending into Europe to the north of the Caucasus mountain range. The country borders Caspian Sea on the east, Russia in the north, Republic of Georgia in the north-west, Armenia and Turkey in the West, and Iran in the south. Its territory includes the exclave of Nakhchivan and the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, occupied by the Armenian armed forces since 1994. Four United Nations Security Council Resolutions (822, 853, 874, and 884) called for "the withdrawal of occupying forces from occupied areas of the Azerbaijani Republic" .

Population

As of July 2006, Azerbaijan's population was estimated at 7,961,619. Majority of the population is Muslim (93.4%), while Russian Orthodox (2.5%), Armenian Orthodox (2.3%), Jews (0.5%), and others are also present. Despite the majority Muslim population, Azerbaijan is a secular society and has generally been a country of religious tolerance.

Ethnically, over 90% of the population are Azerbaijani Turks . Among minority ethnic communities are Lezgis, Talysh, Russians, Georgians, Jews, and Armenians. The Armenian minority mostly resides in the occupied region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Background

Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on May 28th, 1918, as result of the break up of the Russian Empire, and became the first secular, democratic republic in the Muslim world. Its independence was crushed, however, 23 months later, when on April 27th, 1920, Bolshevik Red Army occupied the country. Azerbaijan was proclaimed a Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR), and in December 1922, became the part of the USSR.

Amidst the break up of the USSR in 1991, the parliament of Azerbaijan adopted the Constitutional Act on independence on October 18th, 1991. The Constitutional Act was approved by the national referendum held in December 1991, and during the same month Azerbaijan was recognized as an independent state by Turkey, Israel, Romania and Pakistan. In March 1992, Azerbaijan became a member of the United Nations.

Membership in international organizations

Azerbaijan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, GUAM, and the Council of Europe. It also joined the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT). The country has a Permanent Mission to the European Union and hosts a Special Envoy of the European Commission.

History

Azerbaijan is an ancient country with history dating back to the second century BC. The Arabs converted the Azerbaijanis to Islam at the sword,as was their custom, in the early eighth century. Over the next few centuries, the country saw many different rulers and frequent Mongol invasions. In the 18th century, Azerbaijan fell under Russian control and remained conquered until 1918-1920, when it had a brief period of independence. In 1920, the Soviets invaded and controlled the country until the state became independent once again at the USSR's collapse in 1991.

Culture

Azerbaijan is an ancient nation rich with culture. Some of the works of art discovered are over 4000 years old. Azerbaijanis have been noted for their carpet making ever since the first century BC. Folk music and dances are very important to the people and are still performed today. Literature flourished in the middle ages.

Government

The current president of Azerbaijan is Ilham Aliyev. He is the son of the former Soviet leader Heydar Aliyev. Both the current and former presidents have bad human rights records and corruption. The 2005 election was widely criticized in the West. The media is mostly under state control, and dissenting journalists are frequently intimidated or killed.

Religious Freedoms

To this day, religious freedoms are restricted in Azerbaijan. However, Christian Missionary activity continues in the country.