Azerbaijan
General Information for Azerbaijan
Geo-political:
Capital City: Baku.
Nationality: (noun) Azerbaijani, (adjective) Azerbaijani.
Population: 8,238,672.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 994.
Number of Internal Airports: 27.
Major Languages Spoken: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified
1% (1999 census).
Economy:
Currency: 1 Azerbaijan Manat (AZN) of 100 qapik.
Main Industries: Petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment, steel, iron ore,
cement, chemicals and petrochemicals and textiles.
Environment:
Coastline Extent: 713 km.
Climate: Dry, semiarid steppe.
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals and bauxite.
Natural Hazards: Droughts.
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.
MEDICAL:
Medical facilities outside Baku are very limited. You should carry a comprehensive
first aid kit for any trips out of Baku. Even in Baku serious illness or injury may
require evacuation to Turkey or Western Europe. Make sure your insurance covers this.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your stay, dial 103 and ask for an
ambulance.
REGULATIONS:
National legislation is available to view at the State Maritime Agency website.
www.ardda.gov.az/en
HOLIDAYS:
1 and 2 January (New Year's Day); 8 March (Womens's Day); 9 May (Day of Victory over
fascism); 28 May (Republic Day); 15 June (Day of National Salvation of the Azerbaijan
people); 26 June (Armed Forces Day); 18 October (National Independence Day); 9 November
(National Flag Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan); 12 November (Constitution Day);
17 November (National Revival Day); 31 December (World Azerbaijans Solidarity Day).
Novrus - five days; Eid al-Adha (Gurban) - two days; Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan) - two days.
WEATHER/TIDES:
Natural Disasters:
The Caucasus is an area of regular seismic activity, although there have been no recent
serious earthquakes in Azerbaijan.
BANKS:
All goods and services are paid in local currency (Manats). Sterling (GBP), US dollars
and Euros are easily exchanged. Major hotels, supermarkets and restaurants in Baku
usually accept credit cards. There are ATMs in most major towns and cities. You may
wish to advise your bank/credit card provider that you are travelling to Azerbaijan.
SHORE LEAVE:
Most of the population of Azerbaijan is Muslim. Azerbaijan is a largely secular society,
and religion is usually considered a private matter. Respect local traditions, customs,
laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they don’t
offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan
or if you intend to visit religious areas. It is illegal to proselytise.
In Baku local and foreign women usually dress in western-style clothing. It is now
more acceptable for men in Baku to wear shorts in the summer months but outside of
Baku it can be frowned upon and attract unwelcome attention.
Crime levels in Baku are generally low, but muggings do occur from time to time after
dark in the centre of town around the western bars and clubs and near dimly lit entrances
of private apartments. Take sensible precautions: be vigilant, avoid carrying large
sums of money and don’t walk alone at night. Try to arrange to be picked up or dropped
off by a private/company driver, or a known taxi firm.
You can report a crime at any local police station or by telephoning the police on
102. English speaking staff are available on the telephone, but when reporting a crime
at a police station take someone with you who can interpret. Don’t sign any documents
you don’t understand.
Corruption is an everyday aspect of life in Azerbaijan. You should avoid paying bribes.
The Baku Metro is reasonably maintained and has basic safety equipment and procedures.
Signs are in Azerbaijani and English. There are police at each station and security
checks of bags and belongings.
You need an export certificate to take antiques or art like carpets, samovars, copperware
or paintings out of Azerbaijan. These are available from the Carpet Museum or through
the seller. Catalogue and declare to Customs any carpets or anything antique looking
– even if clearly from a different part of the world - that you bring to Azerbaijan
with you.
Military bases, equipment and installations in whatever condition are considered sensitive
areas, and visitors have been detained and questioned while attempting to visit or
photograph them. Be aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing mosques, churches
and other religious sites. If in doubt, seek permission.
While homosexuality is not illegal, LGBT people in Azerbaijan tend to keep a low profile
as it is not acceptable to a large part of society. This is particularly true outside
Baku and among the older generation. Public displays of affection are frowned upon,
especially outside of Baku. Physical contact between men (holding hands, embracing
etc) is usually a sign of friendship.
Possession or use of illegal drugs of any kind carries stiff penalties, including
fines and long prison terms. The usual penalty for smuggling drugs is a prison term
of between 3 to 7 years and/or a heavy fine.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
Police sometimes carry out checks of identity documents. When away from vessel, you
should carry your passport at all times. Keep it secure and leave a photocopy of the
details page separately in a safe place.
