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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (Azerbaijan's single shortwave station transmits its programs to the Middle East in eight languages)

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

Azerbaijani telecommunications fall under the Ministry of Communications; Azerbaijan's telephone system is a combination of old Soviet era technology used by Azerbaijani citizens and small- to medium-size commercial establishments, and modern cellular phones used by an increasing middle class, large commercial ventures, international companies, and most government officials; the average citizen waits on a 200,000-person list for telephone service; Internet and E-mail service are available in Baku domestic: local--the majority of telephones are in Baku or other industrial centers; intercity--about 700 villages still do not have public phone service; all long distance service must use Azertel's (Ministry of Communications) lines; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its separated enclave to Nakhichevan international: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite service between Baku and Turkey provides access to 200 countries; additional satellite providers supply services between Baku and specific countries; Azerbaijan is a signator of the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line (TAE); their lines are not laid but the Turkish satellite and a microwave between Azerbaijan and Iran can provide Azerbaijan worldwide access through this system

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

1.414 million (1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2; note--the Ministry of Communications is the monopoly broadcaster and rebroadcaster of television in Azerbaijan; Azerbaijani, Russian, Armenian, Iranian, British broadcasting companies, Voice of America, and other European channels are available via satellite; television is broadcast to Nakhichevan by satellite

Televisions [time series]

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats

Budget [time series]

revenues: $565 million expenditures: $682 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

manat=100 gopiks

Debt - external (Debt--external) [time series]

$100 million (of which $75 million to Russia)

Economic aid (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

ODA, $113 million (1996)

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

Azerbaijan is less developed industrially than either Armenia or Georgia, the other Caucasian states. It resembles the Central Asian states in its majority Muslim population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of living. The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and natural gas. Production from the Caspian oil field declined through 1997 but registered an increase in 1998. Negotiation of more than a dozen production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $30 billion to oil field development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. A major short-term obstacle to economic progress, including stepped up foreign investment, is the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building up with Turkey, Iran, the UAE, and the nations of Europe. A serious long-term challenge is the maintenance of the competitiveness of non-oil exports in world markets.

Electricity - consumption (Electricity--consumption) [time series]

16.8 billion kWh (1997)

Electricity - exports (Electricity--exports) [time series]

600 million kWh (1996)

Electricity - imports (Electricity--imports) [time series]

745 million kWh (1996)

Electricity - production (Electricity--production) [time series]

16.035 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production by source (Electricity--production by source) [time series]

fossil fuel: 90.55% hydro: 9.45% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

manats per US$1--3,865.00 (November 1998), 3,985.38 (1997), 4,301.26 (1996), 4,413.54 (1995), 1,570.23 (1994)

Exports [time series]

$781 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles, cotton

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

CIS, European countries, Turkey

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity--$12.9 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP--composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1997 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP--per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity?$1,640 (1998 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP--real growth rate) [time series]

10% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$794 million (c.i.f., 1997 est.)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

CIS, European countries, Turkey

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-7.6% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.9 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and construction 15%, services 53% (1997)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

20% (1996 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 86,600 sq km land: 86,100 sq km water: 500 sq km note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991

Area - comparative (Area--comparative) [time series]

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate [time series]

dry, semiarid steppe

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked) note: Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m

Environment - current issues (Environment--current issues) [time series]

local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton

International environmental agreements (Environment--international agreements) [time series]

party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity

Geographic coordinates [time series]

40 30 N, 47 30 E

Geography - note (Geography--note) [time series]

landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

10,000 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,013 km border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 18% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 11% other: 41% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia

Map references [time series]

Commonwealth of Independent States

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising levels of the Caspian Sea

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina

Terrain [time series]

large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon--singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar--singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika); Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Ali Bayramli Sahari*, Astara Rayonu, Baki Sahari*, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Ganca Sahari*, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lankaran Sahari*, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Mingacevir Sahari*, Naftalan Sahari*, Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi**, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Saki Sahari*, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Sumqayit Sahari*, Susa Rayonu, Susa Sahari*, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xankandi Sahari*, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Yevlax Sahari*, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu

Capital [time series]

Baku (Baki)

Constitution [time series]

adopted 12 November 1995

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Azerbaijani Republic conventional short form: Azerbaijan local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi local short form: none former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO embassy: Azadliq Prospekt 83, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7050

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV chancery: (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 or P. O. Box 28790, Washington, DC 20038-8790

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Heydar ALIYEV (since 18 June 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 26 November 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; election last held 11 October 1998 (next to be held October 2003); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Heydar ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote--Heydar ALIYEV 76%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 and 26 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--NAP and allies 115, APF 4, PNIA 3, Musavat Party 1, vacant 2

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 28 May

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

New Azerbaijan Party or NAP ELCHIBEY, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Sadval, Lezgin movement

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

In 1806, Azerbaijan, a region of Turkic Muslim people, was conquered by the Russians. In 1918, Azerbaijan declared independence from Russia, but was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920. It again declared its independence in 1991, following the collapse of the USSR. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region is still unresolved after 10 years and Baku has yet to settle disputes with its neighbors over oil rights in the Caspian Sea. During the war, Karabakh Armenians declared independence and seized almost 20% of the country's territory, creating some 750,000 Azerbaijani refugees in the process. Both sides have generally observed a Russian-mediated cease-fire in place since May 1994.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures--dollar figure) [time series]

$121 million (1999)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures--percent of GDP) [time series]

2.6% (1999)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower--availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,041,863 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower--fit for military service) [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,639,144 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower--military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower--reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 73,486 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 32% (male 1,292,018; female 1,240,745) 15-64 years: 61% (male 2,361,792; female 2,496,721) 65 years and over: 7% (male 202,755; female 314,193) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

21.58 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.5 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region

Infant mortality rate [time series]

82.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 63.08 years male: 58.76 years female: 67.63 years (1999 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

7,908,224 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.63% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.67 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes--international) [time series]

Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan

Illicit drugs [time series]

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; transshipment point for opiates via Iran, Central Asia, and Russia to Western Europe

Transportation

Airports [time series]

69 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports--with paved runways) [time series]

total: 29 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports--with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 33 (1996 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 57,770 km paved: 54,188 km unpaved: 3,582 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 251,404 GRT/ 306,264 DWT ships by type: cargo 12, oil tanker 42, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas 1,240 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Baku (Baki)

Railways [time series]

total: 2,125 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 2,125 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (1993)