Geography
Location: South Caucasus; bordered by Russia to the north, the Caspian
Sea to the east, Iran to the south, and Georgia and Armenia to the
west.
Area: 33,774 sq. mi. (includes Nakhchivan and Nagorno-Karabakh);
slightly smaller than Maine.
Cities: Capital--Baku.
Terrain: Caucasus Mountains to the north, lowland in the central area
through which the Kura River flows.
Climate: Dry, subtropical with hot summers and mild winters; forests,
meadows, and alpine tundra in the mountains.
People (2000)
Nationality: Noun--Azerbaijani(s), Azeri. Adjective--Azerbaijani,
Azeri.
Population (Dec. 2000 est.): 8,082,000.
Population growth rate: 0.27%.
Net migration rate: -5.92/1,000.
Ethnic groups (1998 est.): Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian
2.5%, Armenians 2%, and other 2.3%.
Christian singles note-Religion: Muslim 93.4% (majority Shi'a), Russian
Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox Church 2.3%, and other 1.8%.
Languages: Azerbaijani 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, and other 6%.
Education: Literacy--97%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--83.41/1,000 live births (2000
est.). Life expectancy--62.87 years.
Work force (3 million): Agriculture and forestry--42.3%; industry--6.9%;
construction--4.2%; other--46.6%.