Republic of Azerbaijan Azərbaycan Respublikası (Azerbaijani) | |
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Anthem:
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![]() Location of Azerbaijan (green) | |
Capital and largest city | Baku 40°23′43″N 49°52′56″E / 40.39528°N 49.88222°E |
Official languages | Azerbaijani[1] |
Minority languages | See full list |
Ethnic groups (2009[2]) | |
Religion |
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Demonym(s) | |
Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic[4] |
Ilham Aliyev | |
Mehriban Aliyeva | |
Ali Asadov | |
Sahiba Gafarova | |
Legislature | National Assembly |
Formation | |
28 May 1918 | |
28 April 1920 | |
• Independence from Soviet Union |
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21 December 1991 | |
2 March 1992 | |
• Constitution adopted | 12 November 1995 |
Area | |
• Total | 86,600 km2 (33,400 sq mi) (112th) |
• Water (%) | 1.6 |
Population | |
• April 2021 estimate | 10,130,100[5] (90th) |
• Density | 115/km2 (297.8/sq mi) (99th) |
GDP (PPP) | 2019 estimate |
• Total | $189.050 billion[6] |
• Per capita | $18,793[6] |
GDP (nominal) | 2019 estimate |
• Total | $45.284 billion[6] |
• Per capita | $4,498[6] |
Gini (2008) | ![]() medium |
HDI (2019) | ![]() high · 88th |
Currency | Manat (₼) (AZN) |
Time zone | UTC+4 (AZT) |
Date format | dd.mm.yyyy (CE) |
Driving side | right |
Calling code | +994 |
ISO 3166 code | AZ |
Internet TLD | .az |
Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan; officially called the Republic of Azerbaijan) is a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. It is next to Russia in the north, Georgia, Armenia in the west, Iran in the south, and Caspian Sea on the east. Its capital city is Baku.
Azerbaijan also includes the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an enclave, which is next to Armenia to the north and east, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest.
Azerbaijan's land is both in Asia and Europe. This means it is a Eurasian country. Because Azerbaijan is close to Europe and its history is related to Europe, Azerbaijan is a member of a number of European groups, including the Council of Europe since 2001. Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 158 countries. They have membership in 38 international organizations.[9] On May 9, 2006 Azerbaijan was elected to membership in the newly made Human Rights Council by the United Nations General Assembly.[10]
More than 90% of the people are ethnic Azerbaijanis. Minorities include Russians, Georgians and other minorities. The Constitution of Azerbaijan does not say there is an official religion. But, Shia Islam, is by far the largest religion in the country, followed by Sunni Islam. There are also a small number of Christians (mainly Eastern Orthodox), Jews (mainly Ashkenazi), agnostics and atheists.
I. The official language of the Republic of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani Language. The Republic of Azerbaijan guarantees the development of Azerbaijani Language.
LaPorte examines the dynamics of semi-presidentialism in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's regime is a curious hybrid, in which semi-presidential institutions operate in the larger context of authoritarianism. The author compares formal Constitutional provisions with the practice of politics in the country, suggesting that formal and informal sources of authority come together to enhance the effective powers of the presidency. In addition to the considerable formal powers laid out in the Constitution, Azerbaijan's president also benefits from the support of the ruling party and informal family and patronage networks. LaPorte concludes by discussing the theoretical implications of this symbiosis between formal and informal institutions in Azerbaijan's semi-presidential regime.