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www.dervishtravel.az If one looks at the map of Azerbaijan, it looks like an eagle with wings widely spread out in flight. This association with this majestic inhabitant of mountains is symbolic - more than a half of the territory, surrounding Azerbaijan from three sides, are mountains. On north – these are Greater Caucasus with highest top Bazar-duzu (4466m); on southwest – Trans-Caucasus plateau going to Armenia and Georgia, surrounded by Smaller Caucasus from the territory of Azerbaijan; on the south Talish mountains join this chain; on the west, beyond the territory of the country Greater and Smaller Caucasus unite by means of bridge – Likh (Suram) mountain ridge. The entire area between those two is occupied by Kur-Araz valley – the biggest in Azerbaijan.
The area of the country is 86.6 thousand square km. With population of more than 8 million people, although this data is approximate on because of a big number of refugees and IDPs, who had to leave their own land due Armenian occupation in Garabakh. Azerbaijan borders with Russia on north (total length of border is 179 km), Armenia on west (785 km), Georgia on north-west (322 km), Turkey on south-west (11 km) and Iran on south (618 km).
Being at the point of intersection of Europe and Asia the republic has a unique geo-political location. The ancient Great Silk Route used to pass here and nowadays our country is actively involved in to the project on rehabilitation of historical trans-continental routs under TRACECA program.
Azerbaijan is one of the most ancient centers of civilization with ancient history and rich cultural heritage. Discovery of Azikh cave, one of the oldest sites of human on the earth, proves Azerbaijan to be located on the anthropogenesis area, which is pro-motherland of a mankind – first groups of human appeared here 1.5 million years ago. The modern name of the country is attributed by the majority of scientists to the ancient state of Atropatena used to exist on this territory.
To make sure of the antiquity of Azerbaijan, it is enough to see rock-paintings in historical-cultural reserve «Gobustan», 65 km away of Baku. This is sort of a gallery of the country where all the cultural-historical ages of the country are reflected.
Azerbaijan is also called the land of fire and is considered to be the home of the founder of Zoroastrian religion - Zaratustra. Ancient Azerbaijanis were fire-worshipers before Islam. The reason for Zoroastrian religion to appear here was, seems like, the phenomena that capture the imagination of a human – tongues of fire coming out of the land right under your feet. Actually, these were oil and gas sources burning on their own. Exactly the oil and gas fate has played the main role in the history of the country.
Throughout the history of Azerbaijan a lot foreign countries fought for the right to manage «black gold» of Azerbaijan, but in 1991 Azerbaijan had rehabilitated its sovereignty and today it keeps strengthening own democratic achievements on the world arena growing fast in all the spheres.
Great perspectives of further development of Azerbaijan had opened after signing the Contract of the Century that attracted a lot of oil companies and inflow of foreign investments. The inflow of business people resulted in development of not only the business, but tourism, intensive construction of hotels, sanatoriums, entertainment centers and resorts.
After all, Azerbaijan had unique opportunities for tourist and recreation development. Out of 11 climatic zones 9 are represented in Azerbaijan. Damp climate of sub-tropic areas is available in Lankaran, alpine valleys are in the mountains of Garabakh, Sheki, Zagatala and Gakh, Wide valleys of Shirvan, fragrant orchards of Shamakhi and Ordubac, foothills of Guba and Gusar – these all are available in Azerbaijan!
Fresh air and coolness of shady forests, sun, sea, warmth, raging waterfalls, mud volcanoes, mineral springs, eastern exotic and excursion to ancient time, leisure and excursions to cities – in one world – there is a plenty of options here for you!!! | 
