Azerbaij

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located in the South Caucasus region. It covers an area of approximately 86,600 square kilometers and has a population of around 10 million people. The country shares borders with Georgia and Armenia to the north, and Russia to the north and northeast. Azerbaijan's eastern borders are with Iran, while to the south it borders with Turkey.

The terrain of Azerbaijan is diverse, with a section in the far east known as the Land of Fire, due to the presence of numerous natural gas and oil deposits. Much of the country is mountainous, with several ranges including the Greater Caucasus, the Lesser Caucasus, and the Kura-Araks Lowland. The highest peak is Bazarduzu, which is 4,466 meters above sea level.

Azerbaijan has a long and complex history, with archaeological evidence pointing to human habitation as far back as the Paleolithic era. The modern nation gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Iran and the Soviet Union signed the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813, formally recognizing Azerbaijan as an independent state. However, subsequent treaties and power struggles led Azerbaijan under Russian, then Soviet control, before regaining independence in the late 20th century.

Azerbaijan has a rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in the numerous pre-Islamic fortresses, Arab monuments, and medieval towns found throughout the country. The capital city is Baku. Modern-day Azerbaijan is a secular state and a parliamentary republic, and has close relations with the non-aligned movement and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Its diverse population consists of ethnic Azerbaijanis, Turks, and various minorities. The country struggles with issues of indigent healthcare and limited infrastructure, and has fallen victim to pipeline security issues in the past.