Azerbaijan, also known as the Land of Fire, is a country of contrasts: high-tech cities meet quaint country villages, European influences clash with Western Asian tastes, and the landscape is equal parts dramatic (Caucasus Mountains) and subdued (smooth, glossy lakes).
Azerbaijan is an off-the-beaten path destination. Despite being surrounded by nations such as Georgia and Russia, Azerbaijan receives little tourist traffic.
Make Azerbaijan the next location on your itinerary if you want to have an experience unlike any other—whether you’re traveling alone or with pals.
If you’ve just started planning your vacation, these amusing facts about Azerbaijan will help you get a better understanding of the country and everything it has to offer.
Not convinced? Here are some intriguing facts to know.
Baku is 28 Meters Below Sea Level
Baku, the capital city, was formerly a thriving Silk Road hub. The greatest way to explore Baku is on foot: you may walk along the Caspian Sea promenade, but you’ll be 28 meters below sea level. This makes it the lowest-lying country capital in the world.
A man-made lagoon connects shops, restaurants, and other establishments in Baku’s Little Venice neighborhood. Take a gondola to get between them all!
Pancakes are Azerbaijan’s National Dish
Almost every restaurant in Azerbaijan serves kutabi (stuffed, savory pancakes). They frequently contain meat, vegetables, pumpkins, and herbs. They’re toasted on the griddle and incredibly wonderful.
Also, if you’re in the north of the country, make sure to eat the dumpling soup known as dushbara. Tandir, a traditional Azerbaijani bread, is another delicious treat.
Another fascinating fact: in Azerbaijan, people drink tea sweetened with jam rather than sugar. Azerbaijanis enjoy drinking anything sweet. Azerbaijanis can also produce jam from almost anything, including rose petals and watermelon.
Azerbaijan Has Nearly 400 Mud Volcanoes
Azerbaijan has the greatest concentration of mud volcanoes in the world: nearly 400 in total, and most are located near Baku. They make for an easy day trip if you’re on limited time. If you look at an Azerbaijan map the area known as Gobustan is the best place to go.
Mud volcanoes don’t cover a lot of ground (they’re usually no more than 10 kilometers in diameter), but seeing their broiling, bubbling, messy appearance makes for one of the most interesting experiences in the country.
Azerbaijan Has a Fire That Never Goes Out
Mud volcanoes are not responsible for Azerbaijan’s nickname “Land of Fire,” as they do not spew flames.
The country got its name from the burning slopes caused by gas seeping up through the earth, such as Yanar Dag, which has been burning for nearly 4,000 years in the Absheron Peninsula. That is a long time.
Flames of fire can be seen all around Azerbaijan, notably on the national flag and in the famed Temple of Fire.
Human History Here Dates Back 2 Million Years
Archaeologists discovered archaic tools and human remains in Western Azerbaijan’s Azikh Cave. There are actually six rooms in the cave where these artifacts were discovered, and experts believe the cave was populated around two million years ago.
The most fascinating find here was a jaw belonging to an archaic person (a Neanderthal), but specialists believe there are still many secrets to be discovered.
Baku is Bizarrely Futuristic
Were you aware that Baku’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Nonetheless, the area immediately around those antique alleyways is full of cutting-edge, new buildings.
It may seem unusual to you, but it’s all part of Baku’s appeal. The government has spent a significant amount of effort developing Baku. The Flame Towers, a glassy blue trio of skyscrapers, dominate the skyline, while other contemporary buildings, like as the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, add to the city’s individuality.
Nonetheless, despite being an oil town supported by the oil sector, Baku is reasonably priced for a major city. You can grab a reasonable supper in town for less than $10 (the manat is the currency in Azerbaijan).
There’s a City Built on Stilts
Azerbaijan has significant oil riches due to its reserves, and the country is a major crude oil producer. Despite its modest size, Azerbaijan is a major global crude oil producer.
Neft Daşlar was formerly an oil rig with elevated walkways erected into the Caspian Sea. Although it had been abandoned for some time, people swooped in around 1949 and constructed a whole city on top of it. Today, you may discover bakeries, motels, shops, hostels, and much more. It’s difficult to turn an oil rig into an appealing tourist destination, but Azerbaijan has succeeded. This is one of the most fascinating places and experiences in the country.
Azerbaijan is one of the Friendliest Countries in the Caucasus Region
Perhaps it’s because of its mix of East and West cultures, or because it’s a Muslim-majority country that has lost the coldness of the Soviet Union, but most people think that the residents are the warmest and most welcoming in the region. It’s part of what makes Azerbaijan unique.
Another interesting fact: this is the most secular Muslim country in the Muslim world. Azerbaijan was the first Muslim country to allow theaters.
There’s a Museum Shaped Like a Carpet
Azerbaijan’s Carpet Museum is located on Baku’s coastline and is shaped like a rolled-up rug. Although the façade is magnificent in its own right, the interior features amazing colorful carpets woven from the best threads from throughout the country.
Make sure to watch any carpet weaving demonstrations that are taking on. The skill level of the weavers must be seen to be believed.
Azerbaijan Has Many Different Climate Zones
The land and geography here are as diverse as Azerbaijan’s culture, with towering mountains, hot deserts, inner forests, and abundance of coastline on the Caspian Sea, which provides a natural boundary to the east.
Getting out of the city will be one of the most enjoyable experiences you’ll have here—there’s so much more to see beyond Baku, and you can cover a lot of distance in a short period of time. Whether you visit the Seven Beauties of Azerbaijan (a series of waterfalls) or explore abandoned castles, Azerbaijan will make an impression.