Page 6 - Expat Living Winter 2017

The richest farmland lies mainly on the southeastern
coast, where tea leaves, oranges, and lemons are grown.
Less than 20 per cent of the country is arable.
Baku, the capital city, is situated on the Apsheron
Peninsula, which is shaped like a bird’s beak jutting out
into the Caspian Sea.
History
Azerbaijan is an ancient land with a long and complex
history. The country has undergone numerous changes
in its borders and ruling people. For most of its history,
power struggles and tensions were the norm.
Originally inhabited around 3000 B.C. by various tribes,
Azerbaijan became part of the Persian Empire around
500 B.C. The country name originates from the Persian
word ‘azer’ - meaning ‘fire’.
Romans soon invaded the region. They were eventually
driven out - by about 100 A.D. - but not before
influencing the local culture with their architecture and
religion, the latter by introducing Christianity.
As a result of subsequent Arab invasions, Islam was
firmly entrenched in the area by the middle of the
600s A.D. Shia Islam was imposed - in many cases with
violence - in favour of Sunni Islam.
Not until nearly 1750 was Persia’s grip on Azerbaijan
relaxed. Independent territories established themselves,
and soon became targets for Russian invasion.
Beginning in the late 1700s, Russia struggled with Persia
for sovereignty over parts of the Caucasus region.
The borders recognised today were set down in 1828,
after a decisive Russian victory. During the period of
Russian rule over Azerbaijan, oil was exported but little
was invested in the area or its people. Still, Baku thrived
as an oil centre, and Azeris tried their best to resist
Russian control.
Following further conflicts among different groups and a
brief period of independence, Azerbaijan fell under the rule undergone years of Soviet rule during which Islam
of the Soviet Union in 1922, and remained so until 1991.
Russian tanks descended on Baku in January 1990,
ostensibly to protect the city from Armenians, but in
reality causing a hundred Azeri deaths. Referred to as
‘Black January’, this event turned popular sentiment
firmly against the Russians.
When the U.S.S.R. collapsed in 1991, Azerbaijan gained
its independence, though it was mired in conflict with
Armenia over disputed territory to the southwest.
Armenians drove an attack through a strip of land, a
move that would sever the Nakhichevan region from the
rest of Azerbaijan.
Membership to the United Nations came in 1992,
while conflict with Armenia continued. Heydar Aliyev
took over the presidency in 1993, then was elected to
a second term in 1998. Early in his tenure - 1994 - a
US$7.4 billion investment deal was signed with three
oil companies. A 1994 cease-fire with Armenia has been
honoured for the most part, although that conflict has
not been fully resolved.
06 EXPATLIVING
Ilham Aliyev, Heydar’s son, was elected president -
despite rumblings of unfair election practices - in 2003
with his father’s death.
With foreign investment pouring in, and certain reforms
taking root, Azerbaijan looks toward a promising future
as an oil-producer.
Azerbaijanis - or Azeris as they are also called - are an
ancient people dating back to 3000 B.C. It is a very
homogeneous society: about 90 percent of the country’s
population is ethnic Azeri. The remaining 10 per cent
is comprised of Russians, Armenians, Turks, Kurds
and other nationalities. Armenians live chiefly in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, land fought over by Azeris
and Armenians. Population growth is just under 0.3 per
cent. The average family has 2.2 children. About 55 per
cent of the population is between the ages of 16 and 54.
Twenty-eight per cent of the population is under age 15,
10 per cent is between 55 and 65, and seven per cent is
over 65.
Culture & Religion
Residents of Azerbaijan speak Azeri, the national
language, which is similar to Turkish. Many also speak
Russian. The written language underwent changes both
during Soviet rule and after. The alphabet was changed
from Arabic to Roman when the Soviets took control
in the 1920s. In the 1930s it was changed from Roman
to Cyrillic. Now Roman script is being phased back into
use. You may see the language written in the Roman
or Cyrillic alphabet. Government publications are still
printed in both Russian and Azeri.
The country enjoys a high literacy rate - 97 per cent - a
commendable rate, considering the country’s large rural
population of agricultural workers.
Islam is the dominant religion in the country, although
citizens are free to follow whatever religion they wish.
Russian Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox churches also
have followings, and there is a small Jewish population.
On the whole, Azeris are not overly religious, having
was discouraged. More and more Azeris are practicing
Muslims since independence, as they are free to revisit
their religious roots and restore traditional family values.
About 70 per cent of Azeri Muslims are Shi’ites; 30 per
cent are Sunni Muslims.
Azerbaijan is known for its beautiful carpets. Baku has
a carpet museum, where newcomers can learn the
intricacies of this traditional art form. A prayer rug,
for example - or namazlig - typically has a small arrow
embedded in the design; the arrow should face Mecca as
the owner kneels on the rug to pray.
During the long period of Soviet rule, two full
generations of Azeris lost touch somewhat with their
national traditions. Certain traits have prevailed,
however. A strong sense of national pride, love of
local culture and language and a deep commitment
to family are values shared by many Azeris. Azeris
are very hospitable to each other and newcomers.