2000 Edition

Background

Azerbaijan - a nation of Turkic Muslims - has been an independent republic since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a cease-fire, in place since 1994, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost almost 20% of its territory and must support some 750,000 refugees as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

Area

land

86,100 sq km

note

includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991

total

86,600 sq km

water

500 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

dry, semiarid steppe

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

note

Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m

lowest point

Caspian Sea -28 m

Environment - current issues

local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton

Environment - international agreements

party to

Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity

Geographic coordinates

40 30 N, 47 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked

Irrigated land

10,000 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km

total

2,013 km

Land use

arable land

18%

forests and woodland

11%

other

41% (1993 est.)

permanent crops

5%

permanent pastures

25%

Location

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia

Map references

Commonwealth of Independent States

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising levels of the Caspian Sea

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 30% (male 1,172,944; female 1,127,624) 15-64 years: 63% (male 2,388,737; female 2,525,797) 65 years and over: 7% (male 210,774; female 322,287) (2000 est.)

Birth rate

18.08 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

9.47 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups

Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.)

note

almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region

Infant mortality rate

83.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages

Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

67.45 years (2000 est.)

male

58.51 years

total population

62.87 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96% (1989 est.)

male

99%

total population

97%

Nationality

adjective

Azerbaijani

noun

Azerbaijani(s)

Net migration rate

-5.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population

7,748,163 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

0.27% (2000 est.)

Religions

Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)

note

religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.19 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Administrative divisions

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu

Capital

Baku (Baki)

Constitution

adopted 12 November 1995

Country name

conventional long form

Azerbaijani Republic

conventional short form

Azerbaijan

former

Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Azarbaycan Respublikasi

local short form

none

Data code

AJ

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO

embassy

Azadliq Prospekt 83, Baku 370007

mailing address

American Embassy Baku, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7050

telephone

(9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

(temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 or P. O. Box 28790, Washington, DC 20038-8790

chief of mission

Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV

telephone

(202) 842-0001

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly

chief of state

President Heydar ALIYEV (since 18 June 1993)

election results

Heydar ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Heydar ALIYEV 76%

elections

president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 11 October 1998 (next to be held October 2003); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 26 November 1996)

FAX

(202) 842-0004

(9412) 90-66-71

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band

Government type

republic

Independence

30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation

BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

based on civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NAP and allies 115, APF 4, PNIA 3, Musavat Party 1, vacant 2

elections

last held 12 and 26 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 May (1918)

Political parties and leaders

Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP ; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Abulfaz ELCHIBEY, chairman]; Civic Solidarity ; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA-2 ; Democratic Party of Independence of Azerbaijan ; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan ; Motherland Party ; Musavat Party ; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [Heydar ALIYEV, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA ; People's Democratic Party of Azerbaijan ; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP ; Vahdat Party [Leyla YUNUSOV, Jabrayil ALIZADE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats

Budget

expenditures

$682 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

revenues

$565 million

Currency

1 manat = 100 gopiks

Debt - external

$684 million (1998)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $113 million (1996)

Economy - overview

Azerbaijan is less developed industrially than either Armenia or Georgia, the other Caucasian states. It resembles the Central Asian states in its majority Muslim population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of living. The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and natural gas. Production from the Caspian oil field declined through 1997 but registered an increase in 1998-99. Negotiation of 19 production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to oil field development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. An obstacle to economic progress, including stepped up foreign investment, is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building up with Turkey, Iran, UAE, and the nations of Europe. Growth in 2000 should match growth in 1999. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices and the location of new pipelines in the region.

Electricity - consumption

15.508 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports

1 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports

1.2 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production

18.062 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

90.98%

hydro

9.02%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (1998)

Exchange rates

manats per US$1 - 4,342 (October 1999), 4,373 (1999), 3,869 (1998), 3,985.38 (1997), 4,301.26 (1996), 4,413.54 (1995)

Exports

$885 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and gas 70%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Italy, Iran

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $14 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

22%

industry

18%

services

60% (1997 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,770 (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$1.62 billion (c.i.f., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals

Imports - partners

Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, UAE, Iran

Industrial production growth rate

3% (1999 est.)

Industries

petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-6.8% (1999 est.)

Labor force

2.9 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and construction 15%, services 53% (1997)

Population below poverty line

60% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate

20% (1999 est.)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

2 (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

175,000 (1997)

Telephone system

Azerbaijan's telephone system is a combination of old Soviet era technology used by Azerbaijani citizens and small- to medium-size commercial establishments, and modern cellular telephones used by an increasing middle class, large commercial ventures, international companies, and most government officials; the average citizen waits on a 200,000-person list for telephone service; Internet and e-mail service are available in Baku

domestic

local - the majority of telephones are in Baku or other industrial centers - about 700 villages still do not have public telephone service; intercity; all long distance service must use Azertel's (Ministry of Communications) lines; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its separated enclave of Naxcivan

international

the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite service between Baku and Turkey provides access to 200 countries; additional satellite providers supply services between Baku and specific countries; Azerbaijan is a signator of the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line (TAE); their lines are not laid but a Turkish satellite and a microwave link between Azerbaijan and Iran could provide Azerbaijan worldwide access

Telephones - main lines in use

640,000 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6,000 (1995)

Television broadcast stations

2 (1997)

Televisions

170,000 (1997)

Airports

69 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

29 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

40 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 33 (1996 est.)

Highways

paved

23,057 km

total

24,981 km

unpaved

1,924 km (1998 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

cargo 12, petroleum tanker 40, roll-on/roll-off 2, short-sea passenger 1 (1999 est.)

total

55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 248,155 GRT/304,215 DWT

Pipelines

crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas 1,240 km

Ports and harbors

Baku (Baki)

Railways

broad gauge

2,125 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (1993)

total

2,125 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$121 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.6% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 2,073,067 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 1,662,435 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

74,496 (2000 est.)

Disputes - international

Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan

Illicit drugs

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; transshipment point for opiates via Iran, Central Asia, and Russia to Western Europe

BAHAMAS

BAHRAIN