Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a country in the Caucasus region. It sits next to the Caspian Sea, which is the biggest lake in the world. The country has mountains, deserts, and busy cities. About 10 million people live there, and the capital is Baku.

The Land of Fire

Azerbaijan is called 'the Land of Fire' because natural gas comes out of the ground and burns on its own. One famous spot has flames that have been burning for hundreds of years. Long ago, people built temples around these fires. The country is also known for finding lots of oil under the ground. Oil has made Baku into a modern and busy city.

Culture and Food

People in Azerbaijan speak Azerbaijani. They love music, poetry, and playing a board game called nard. A favorite food is plov, which is a rice dish with meat and fruit. Tea is very important and is served in small glass cups shaped like pears. Families often gather for long meals with many tasty dishes.

Fun Facts

• Baku is the lowest capital city in the world, sitting below sea level.
• Azerbaijan has nine of the eleven climate zones found on Earth.
• The country has more mud volcanoes than any other place on the planet.

Did You Know?

A mountain in Azerbaijan called Yanar Dag has flames that have been burning non-stop for thousands of years.