Azerbaijan, Transcontinental nation in Caucasus region, Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan is a transcaucasian state between the Caspian Sea and the Greater Caucasus, with territory extending from the mountain range in the north to the coastline in the east. The center is occupied by lowland steppes, through which the Kura River flows west to east across agricultural plains.
Following centuries under Persian and Ottoman rule, the territory was divided between the Russian Empire and Qajar Persia in the early 19th century. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established in 1918 and introduced women's suffrage before Soviet incorporation in 1920, with independence regained in 1991.
The Azerbaijani language connects the population to the broader Turkic cultural sphere, while Persian and Russian elements have shaped literary traditions, music forms, and artistic practices over centuries. Carpet weaving represents a major artistic tradition with distinct regional patterns from different provinces.
Visa requirements vary by nationality, with electronic visas available for citizens of many countries through an online application system. The capital serves as the main transport hub, connecting European and Central Asian air routes through Heydar Aliyev International Airport, while rail links extend to Georgia and Iran.
Natural gas seeps create spontaneous flames emerging from the ground at various locations, giving rise to the Persian name meaning Land of Fire. Yanar Dag near the capital has burned continuously for millennia, attracting Zoroastrian pilgrims in ancient times.
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