AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan is a small country that was part of the former Soviet Union. It borders Georgia and Russia to the north, Iran to the south, Armenia to the west, and has coastlines along the Caspian Sea to the east. The Caucasus Mountains, which span Europe and Asia, make Azerbaijan's terrain very rugged. With just ten million inhabitants, the official language is Azeri, derived from the Turkish language. The capital is Baku, famous for its medieval walled Inner City.

For many years, Azerbaijan's territory was divided between two empires, with the north belonging to Russia and the southern part to Iran. In 1918, it achieved independence as the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, becoming the first secular republic in the Islamic world, a tradition it maintains today despite over 96% of its population being Muslim. This independence was very brief because in 1922, with the formation of the USSR, Azerbaijan was annexed. Decades later, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan finally became an independent state on August 30, 1991, a status it retains to this day. Like Armenia and other countries in the region, Azerbaijan is not an associate member of the European Union, but since 2004 it has been part of the European Neighborhood Policy, along with other South Caucasus countries, to establish commercial and cultural relations.

Discerning travelers will be enchanted by the natural wonders and monuments of Azerbaijan. For example, the beach in Baku and its seaside Primorsky Boulevard.

Other recommended places include the Maiden Tower (Giz Galasi), the shores of Absheron, the Ateshgah Fire Temple, and the Palace of the Khans in Shaki. Gobustan National Park with its rock art and mud volcanoes is also noteworthy.

Special mention should be made of Azerbaijani carpets and rugs, which are part of the ancestral culture and reflect deeply rooted traditions. They are a signature of the country and its most widespread local product. Thanks to the popularity of this applied art, there are several internationally recognized carpet weaving schools. The best exhibitions adorn collections and private rooms of famous museums worldwide. Speaking of museums, a great recommendation is to visit the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum in Baku, where the finest examples of this craftsmanship, which has become an art form, are displayed.

Casa Europa Mexico recommends...

The musical culture of Azerbaijan is so significant that its folk musical compositions, called mughams, are inscribed on UNESCO's Cultural Heritage list and are performed in concert halls and festivals around the world. The video we have below offers a taste of Azerbaijani mughams, and through it, you can delve into the world of this unique music and its songs by following the automatic suggestions on YouTube.

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Text adaptation: Rosalba Márquez and Homero Adame