Azerbaijan, officially Republic of Azerbaijan, republic in the Transcaucasia region of western Asia, bordered on the north by Russia, on the north-west by Georgia, on the east by the Caspian Sea, on the south by Iran, and on the west by Armenia. Formerly a republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the republic includes the regions known under the Soviets as the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR), which is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by a mountainous strip in Armenia. Azerbaijan, which covers an area of about 86,600 sq km (33,400 sq mi), is a land of high mountain ranges and low river valleys. Baku, a large port city on the Caspian Sea, is the capital and largest city.
POPULATION
Although it contains people of many different nationalities, the republic has become more ethnically homogeneous in recent years. The proportion of Azeris, who have traditionally comprised about four fifths of the population, has increased since the start of the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh in 1990. Large numbers of Azeri refugees have flowed over the border from Armenia, and large numbers of Russians, Armenians, and other nationalities have left the country. The Armenian community, which comprised 6 per cent of the population in 1989, is now confined almost exclusively to the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Other nationalities include Lezgins, Kurds, Talysh, Tatars, Georgians, Ukrainians, and Avars. Most ethnic groups have resided in the area of present-day Azerbaijan for centuries, although Slavs arrived in large numbers with the industrialization boom of the last century. Lezgins, Kurds, and Talysh, who are geographically concentrated in the north, east, and south of the republic, have agitated for increased autonomy in recent years.
LANGUAGE
The official language of Azerbaijan is North Azerbaijani, an Altaic language, spoken by most people. While the Cyrillic script is used widely in Azerbaijan, the Latin alphabet was made official in 2001 and now all newspapers are required to use this script. Thirteen other indigenous languages are spoken (mainly from the Indo-Iranian and North Caucasian language families), including Talysh, Lezgi, and Avar. Immigrant languages such as Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish are also heard.
Religion
The traditional religion of the Azeris is Shiite Islam, which has experienced a revival in recent years. Orthodox Christianity is practised to varying degrees among the Georgian, Armenian, and Slavic minorities.
POPULATION
Although it contains people of many different nationalities, the republic has become more ethnically homogeneous in recent years. The proportion of Azeris, who have traditionally comprised about four fifths of the population, has increased since the start of the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh in 1990. Large numbers of Azeri refugees have flowed over the border from Armenia, and large numbers of Russians, Armenians, and other nationalities have left the country. The Armenian community, which comprised 6 per cent of the population in 1989, is now confined almost exclusively to the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Other nationalities include Lezgins, Kurds, Talysh, Tatars, Georgians, Ukrainians, and Avars. Most ethnic groups have resided in the area of present-day Azerbaijan for centuries, although Slavs arrived in large numbers with the industrialization boom of the last century. Lezgins, Kurds, and Talysh, who are geographically concentrated in the north, east, and south of the republic, have agitated for increased autonomy in recent years.
LANGUAGE
The official language of Azerbaijan is North Azerbaijani, an Altaic language, spoken by most people. While the Cyrillic script is used widely in Azerbaijan, the Latin alphabet was made official in 2001 and now all newspapers are required to use this script. Thirteen other indigenous languages are spoken (mainly from the Indo-Iranian and North Caucasian language families), including Talysh, Lezgi, and Avar. Immigrant languages such as Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish are also heard.
Religion
The traditional religion of the Azeris is Shiite Islam, which has experienced a revival in recent years. Orthodox Christianity is practised to varying degrees among the Georgian, Armenian, and Slavic minorities.
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