2004 Edition

Background

Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

Area

Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991

land

86,100 sq km

note

includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the

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, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton

Environment - international agreements

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

40 30 N, 47 30 E

Geography - note

both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked

Irrigated land

14,550 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

(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

border countries

Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia

total

2,013 km

Land use

arable land

19.63%

other

77.66% (2001)

permanent crops

2.71%

Location

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range

Map references

Asia

Natural hazards

droughts

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: 27% (male 1,081,579; female 1,046,270) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 2,499,618; female 2,630,386) 65 years and over: 7.8% (male 242,253; female 368,279) (2004 est.)

Birth rate

19.81 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate

9.76 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

region

note

almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,400 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

80.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

male

83.99 deaths/1,000 live births

total

82.07 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

67.62 years (2004 est.)

male

59.09 years

total population

63.25 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96% (1989 est.)

male

99%

total population

97%

Median age

female

28.8 years (2004 est.)

male

25.9 years

total

27.3 years

Nationality

adjective

Azerbaijani

noun

Azerbaijani(s)

Net migration rate

-4.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population

7,868,385 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate

0.52% (2004 est.)

Religions

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

percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

note

religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan;

Sex ratio

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.39 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Baku (Baki)

Constitution

adopted 12 November 1995

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Azerbaijan

conventional short form

Azerbaijan

former

Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Azarbaycan Respublikasi

local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050

FAX: [9] (9412) 656-671

chief of mission

Ambassador Reno L. HARNISH III

embassy

83 Azadlyg Prospecti, Baku AZ1007

mailing address

American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050

telephone

[9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37

Diplomatic representation in the US

FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911

chancery

2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV

telephone

[1] (202) 337-3500

Executive branch

confirmed by the National Assembly

Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAR 14%

election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly

2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November 2003)

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president and

chief of state

President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003)

election results

Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote -

elections

president elected by popular vote to a five-year term;

head of government

Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November

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

AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, 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)

NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2, CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1

2005)

basis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based on proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 national referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of the next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies

seats

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -

elections

last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November

note

100 members of the current parliament were elected on the

note

PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their

National holiday

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918)

Political parties and leaders

Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [vacant]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV]

note

opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

(2003)

expenditures

$2.202 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

revenues

$2.063 billion

Currency

Azerbaijani manat (AZM)

Currency code

AZM

Current account balance

$-2.021 billion (2003)

Debt - external

$1.575 billion (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36 (1995)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $140 million (2000 est.)

Economy - overview

Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield 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. One obstacle to economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector. A second obstacle 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 with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth.

Electricity - consumption

16.65 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

700 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

400 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

18.23 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates

Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,910.73 (2003), 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000), 4,120.17 (1999)

Exports

$2.605 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Italy 34.1%, Czech Republic 11.4%, Germany 10.5%, France 8.2%, Turkey 5.9%, Georgia 4.5%, Russia 4.5% (2003)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $26.65 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

14.1%

industry

45.7%

services

40.2% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

11.2% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

27.8% (1995)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Imports

$2.498 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals

Imports - partners

Russia 15.5%, Turkey 12%, UK 8.7%, Germany 8.1%, China 7.8%, Ukraine 5.4%, Italy 4.6%, US 4.6%, Kazakhstan 4.3% (2003) Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: $820.9 million (2003)

Industrial production growth rate

6.1% (2003 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

50.4% of GDP (2003)

Labor force

4.99 million (2003)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52% (2001)

Natural gas - consumption

6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

62.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption

140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

307,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

589 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line

49% (2002 est.)

Public debt

16.3% of GDP (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

1.1% (official rate is 1.2%) (2003 est.)

Internet country code

.az

Internet hosts

586 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

2 (2000)

Internet users

300,000 (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

175,000 (1997)

Telephone system

modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low (2002)

industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan

and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than Turkey (1997)

domestic

the majority of telephones are in Baku and other

general assessment

inadequate; requires considerable expansion and

international

country code - 994; the old Soviet system of cable

Telephones - main lines in use

923,800 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

870,000 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

2 (1997)

Televisions

170,000 (1997)

Airports

67 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 15

over 3,047 m

2

total

27

under 914 m

1 (2003 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 6

total

40

under 914 m

32 (2003 est.)

Heliports

2 (2003 est.)

Highways

paved

23,057 km

total

24,981 km

unpaved

1,924 km (2000)

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 14, petroleum tanker 40, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned

Russia 1 (2004 est.)

total

56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 253,004 GRT/318,922 DWT

Pipelines

gas 4,451 km; oil 1,518 km (2004)

Ports and harbors

Baku (Baki)

Railways

broad gauge

2,957 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2003)

total

2,957 km

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$121 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.6% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

2,187,847 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

1,748,567 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; law passed December 2001 raises maximum conscription age from 28 to 35 (December 2001)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

83,131 (2004 est.)

Disputes - international

Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies about one-sixth of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; talks resume with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed in 2004 as both sides await an ICJ decision on contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan protests Georgian constructions at the Red Bridge crossing and several other small segments of boundary, which remain unresolved until delimitation

Illicit drugs

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 @Bahamas, The

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 571,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2004)