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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

2 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.az

Internet users [time series]

25,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low (2002) domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and other industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than Turkey (1997)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

865,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

800,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $786 million expenditures: $807 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Azerbaijani manat (AZM)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

AZM

Debt - external [time series]

$1.4 billion (2002)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

36 (1995)

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

ODA, $140 million (2000 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield 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. One obstacle to economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector. A second obstacle 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 with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil wealth.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

16.65 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

700 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

400 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

18.23 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 89.7% hydro: 10.3% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000), 4,120.17 (1999), 3,869 (1998)

Exports [time series]

$2 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities [time series]

oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs

Exports - partners [time series]

Italy 28.7%, Germany 17.7%, Israel 10.6%, France 8.4%, Georgia 6.7%, Russia 4.7% (2002)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $28.61 billion (2002 est.)

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

agriculture: 20% industry: 33% services: 47% (2001 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2002 est.)

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

10.6% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (1995)

Imports [time series]

$1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Russia 17.8%, Turkey 11.9%, Germany 10.7%, France 7%, Kazakhstan 6.3%, China 6%, UK 5.5%, US 4.5% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

6% (2002 est.)

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]

2.6% (2002 est.)

Labor force [time series]

3.7 million (2001)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52% (2001)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

62.3 billion cu m (37257)

Oil - consumption [time series]

140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

307,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

589 million bbl (37257)

Population below poverty line [time series]

49% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

16% (official rate is 1.2%) (2003 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 86,600 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 water: 500 sq km land: 86,100 sq km

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 [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, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton

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

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

40 30 N, 47 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

14,550 sq km (1998 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: 19.31% permanent crops: 3.04% other: 77.65% (1998 est.)

Location [time series]

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range

Map references [time series]

Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

droughts

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Ross L. WILSON embassy: 83 Azadliq Prospekt, Baku 370007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37 FAX: [9] (9412) 90-66-71

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November 2003) 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 15 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAROV 14%

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]

AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, 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 elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2, CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1 note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their seats note: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on the basis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based on proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 national referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of the next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies

National holiday [time series]

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918)

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

Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shvkat HACIYEVA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [Heydar ALIYEV, chairman]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardust ALIZADE] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties

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

Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

Military

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

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$121 million (FY99)

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

2.6% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,159,450 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,727,340 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 82,925 (2003 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 27.7% (male 1,101,320; female 1,064,214) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,468,772; female 2,601,312) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 236,683; female 358,463) (2003 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

19.28 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

less than 1,400 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 82.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 84.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 63.16 years male: 58.95 years female: 67.58 years (2003 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 27.1 years male: 25.7 years female: 28.6 years (2002)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population [time series]

7,830,764 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.44% (2003 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: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.34 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies about one-sixth of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; ICJ decision expected to resolve dispute with Turkmenistan over sovereignty of certain Caspian oilfields

Illicit drugs [time series]

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe

Transportation

Airports [time series]

71 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 27 over 3.047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 27 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 24,981 km paved: 23,057 km unpaved: 1,924 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 251,004 GRT/313,193 DWT ships by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 40, roll on/roll off 2 (2002 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 5,001 km; oil 1,631 km (2003)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Baku (Baki)

Railways [time series]

total: 2,122 km broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2002)

Waterways [time series]

none