1. Republic of Azerbaijan A Century of Pain

3. Geologic Features - Resources Oil being the most important natural resource followed by iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, and salt Oil being the most important natural resource followed by iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, and salt Subtropical climate, relatively mild winters and long hot summers Subtropical climate, relatively mild winters and long hot summers Baku- capital and largest city Area- 33,400 sq. mi Mt. Bazarduzu- country’s highest peak (14,652 ft)

4. The People Official state language- Azeri, a Turkic language Official state language- Azeri, a Turkic language Population estimate- 7,798,497 in 2002 Population estimate- 7,798,497 in 2002 57% of pop. Live in urban areas 57% of pop. Live in urban areas Ethnic groups- Armenians, Russians, Dagestanis, Kurds, Georgians Ethnic groups- Armenians, Russians, Dagestanis, Kurds, Georgians Originally used Arabic alphabet Originally used Arabic alphabet

5. People (Continued) 1939 the Soviet regime mandated use of Cyrillic alphabet After independence, adopted Turkish version of the Latin script Azeris are Muslim; Islam was introduced in the 7 th century A.D. 70% Azeri Muslims are Shias, and 30% are Sunnis

6. Economy GDP = $5.3 billion GDP = $5.3 billion Cotton is the leading cash crop followed by wine, grapes, fruits, vegetables, and tobacco Cotton is the leading cash crop followed by wine, grapes, fruits, vegetables, and tobacco Petroleum is the country’s major mineral, the largest oil field is about 60 mi from the coast Petroleum is the country’s major mineral, the largest oil field is about 60 mi from the coast Main trading partners remain the republics of the former Soviet Union Main trading partners remain the republics of the former Soviet Union Leading exports are machinery, food products, and metals Leading exports are machinery, food products, and metals Manat is the legal tender (4,474 manats=$1 U.S.) Manat is the legal tender (4,474 manats=$1 U.S.)

8. Government Presidential Republic, governed under a constitution adopted in 1995 Presidential Republic, governed under a constitution adopted in 1995 President is elected for 5 year terms President is elected for 5 year terms Legislative Power is the Milli Majlis or National Assembly, composed of 125 members who serve 5 year terms Legislative Power is the Milli Majlis or National Assembly, composed of 125 members who serve 5 year terms

9. Government (Continued) Political Parties- New Azerbaijan Party, Popular Front of Azerbaijan, National Independence Party Political Parties- New Azerbaijan Party, Popular Front of Azerbaijan, National Independence Party Judiciary- Supreme Court, country’s highest court Judiciary- Supreme Court, country’s highest court Began forming armed forces after gaining independence Beginning at age 18, military service is compulsory for at least 17 months for all males

10. History Beginning of 7 th century to 18 th century- mostly dominated by different groups of Turkish Muslims Beginning of 7 th century to 18 th century- mostly dominated by different groups of Turkish Muslims Imperial Russia conquered the region in early 18 th century Imperial Russia conquered the region in early 18 th century After oil was discovered in 19 th century, an influx of Russians and Armenians resulted in highly segregated cities After oil was discovered in 19 th century, an influx of Russians and Armenians resulted in highly segregated cities 1905 the beginning of violent clashes between Azeris and Armenians 1905 the beginning of violent clashes between Azeris and Armenians 1918 May Azeri nationalists declared Azerbaijan’s independence 1918 May Azeri nationalists declared Azerbaijan’s independence

11. History (Continued) 1920 Bolshevik Red Army invaded establishing complete control of Transcaucasia region 1920 Bolshevik Red Army invaded establishing complete control of Transcaucasia region 1920-1930’s the Soviets persecuted Azeri nationalists whom were considered threats to communist rule 1920-1930’s the Soviets persecuted Azeri nationalists whom were considered threats to communist rule Orchestrated by Mir Jafar Baghirov, Azeris were deported to gulags or executed Orchestrated by Mir Jafar Baghirov, Azeris were deported to gulags or executed 1940 Stalinist purges killed 120,000 Azeris 1940 Stalinist purges killed 120,000 Azeris

12. History (Continued) Feb. 1988 conflict erupted in Nagorno Karabakh Feb. 1988 conflict erupted in Nagorno Karabakh October 1991 became an independent republic and Mutalibov became president October 1991 became an independent republic and Mutalibov became president 1992 May Popular Front of Azerbaijan seized control of government and its leader Aliyev Elchibey was elected president 1992 May Popular Front of Azerbaijan seized control of government and its leader Aliyev Elchibey was elected president Aug 1993 Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh gained control of government Aug 1993 Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh gained control of government Dec 1993 Azeris recaptured some areas while suffering heavy casualties Dec 1993 Azeris recaptured some areas while suffering heavy casualties

13. History (Continued) 1994 – 18,000 people had been killed and 25,000 wounded sine the conflict began in 1988 1994 – 18,000 people had been killed and 25,000 wounded sine the conflict began in 1988 May 1994 Both sides agreed to cease hostilities May 1994 Both sides agreed to cease hostilities A former communist official named Heydar Aliyev is currently president A former communist official named Heydar Aliyev is currently president

14. Nagorno-Karabakn

18. The End