Azerbaijan

Official name: Azerbaijan Republic Political system: Presidential Republic Geographical location: in the South-Eastern part of Transcaucasia Area: 86,6 thousand sq. km Population: 7,85 million people (1998), Azerbaijani - 82,7% Capital: Baku - 1,85 million people (1998) Major cities: Gyandja - 278 thousand people, Sumgait - 235 thousand people (1998) Main languages: Azerbaijani (official), Russian, Turkish Religions: Sunnite Muslims, Shiite Muslims, Orthodox, Jews Climate: transitional from moderate to subtropical Average temperature: from -10C to -3C in January; from +5C in the mountains to +27C on the plain in July Monetary unit: manat Local time: standart time - GMT+4; summer time - GMT+5 National holidays: May, 28th - the Republic Day (1918); October, 18th - the Independence Dai (1991) Major tourist sights: Istysu and Naftalan resorts, 3 natural preserves, Gobustan Ancient Caver Museum; in Gyandja: Gey-Imam Cult Complex (14-17 centuries), Djuma Mosque (17 century); in Sheki: Shekins Shakhs Palace (7 century), Albanian Church (1 century); in Baku: Icheri-Sheher Historical and Architectural Preserve (9 century), Synyk-Kala Minaret (11 century), Shirvan Shakhs Palace Ensemble (17 century), Maiden Tower (9-11 centuries), Yanardag ("burning mountain")