Azerbaijan Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Land of Fire?

Oil is the backbone of Azerbaijan’s economy. The country has been an oil producer since the 19th century. Offshore fields in the Caspian Sea and pipelines such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) allow Azerbaijan to export oil globally.

The Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) is the official currency. The term "manat" comes from the Russian word "монета" (moneta), meaning coin. The manat was reintroduced in 2006 after a currency reform to reduce inflation and stabilize the economy.

Baku is known not only as the capital but also as a center for oil production and mud volcanoes. Azerbaijan is home to nearly half of the world’s mud volcanoes, many of which are located near Baku, contributing to its unique geology.

The majority of Azerbaijanis identify as Muslim, with Islam being the dominant religion. About 85–95% of the population are Muslims, most of whom are Shia (roughly 65%), with the rest being Sunni. Despite its Islamic majority, Azerbaijan is constitutionally secular and known for religious tolerance.

Azerbaijan shares a northern border with Russia, specifically with the Republic of Dagestan. Other neighboring countries include Georgia (northwest), Armenia (west), Iran (south), and a short border with Turkey via the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Germany and India do not share borders with Azerbaijan.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region has been a focal point of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan since the early 1990s. Although internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, it was under Armenian control for decades until recent Azerbaijani advances in 2020 and 2023 regained substantial territory.

Iran borders Azerbaijan to the south. The two countries share a long history and cultural connections, especially due to a large Azerbaijani population living in northwestern Iran.

Plov (pilaf) is Azerbaijan’s national dish, made with rice, lamb or beef, dried fruits, nuts, and spices. It has many regional varieties and is served during festivals, weddings, and holidays.

The Balaban is a traditional wind instrument, widely used in Azerbaijani folk music and classical Mugham performances. Made from apricot wood, it produces a rich, melancholic tone and is considered a symbol of Azerbaijani musical heritage.

Yanar Dag, meaning “Burning Mountain,” is a natural gas fire that blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula near Baku. Flames can shoot up to 3 meters high due to natural gas seeping through porous sandstone. It is a major tourist attraction and symbolizes Azerbaijan’s nickname, “The Land of Fire.”

Azerbaijani, also called Azeri, is the official language of Azerbaijan. It is a Turkic language written in a Latin-based alphabet. While Russian and Turkish are also spoken due to historical and regional ties, Azerbaijani is used in government, media, and education.

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, situated on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. It is a crucial cultural, industrial, and political hub of the country. The city is famous for its unique blend of modern architecture (like the Flame Towers) and historic landmarks (such as the Old City or Icherisheher, a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It also serves as Azerbaijan’s primary port and center of the country’s oil industry.

Nakhchivan is an autonomous exclave of Azerbaijan bordered by Armenia, Iran, and Turkey. Although separated geographically from mainland Azerbaijan, it functions under Azerbaijani sovereignty with its own parliament and government structures.

Azerbaijan won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 with the song "Running Scared" performed by Ell & Nikki. The victory brought international attention to the country and allowed Azerbaijan to host the contest in 2012 in Baku, showcasing its cultural development.

The Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape features more than 6,000 petroglyphs dating back over 40,000 years. It also contains ancient settlements and evidence of early human life. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 for its archaeological significance.

The Milli Majlis is the unicameral national parliament of Azerbaijan. It consists of 125 members elected every five years. The parliament is responsible for passing legislation, approving the budget, and overseeing the executive.

Ethnic Azerbaijanis make up approximately 91% of the population. They are a Turkic people with cultural and linguistic ties to Turkey and Central Asia. Other ethnic groups include Lezgins, Russians, Armenians, and Talysh.

The Greater Caucasus mountain range forms the northern border of Azerbaijan. This region includes some of the country's highest peaks and acts as a natural climate barrier. It is important for both its biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Azerbaijan hosts the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on a street circuit that winds through the old and modern parts of the city. The event has become a highlight in the F1 calendar since its debut in 2016, boosting tourism and international recognition.

As of 2025, Azerbaijan’s population is estimated at around 10.5 million. The majority reside in urban areas, especially in and around Baku, which is home to over 2 million people.

Azerbaijan joined the United Nations on March 2, 1992. It is not a member of NATO, the European Union, or the Commonwealth. Within the UN, Azerbaijan actively participates in peacekeeping and development programs.

The Caspian Sea, the largest enclosed inland body of water in the world, lies to the east of Azerbaijan. It has immense geopolitical and economic importance due to rich oil and gas reserves beneath its seabed. Azerbaijan’s economy heavily relies on the Caspian for energy export via pipelines and maritime trade.

The Azerbaijani flag consists of three horizontal stripes: blue (Turkic heritage), red (progress), and green (Islam). In the center is a white crescent and eight-pointed star. Yellow does not appear on the flag.

Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 30, 1991, following the USSR’s collapse. It had previously been a Soviet Socialist Republic since 1920. Independence allowed Azerbaijan to establish a democratic government and control over its natural resources.

Azerbaijan has a diverse climate, but much of the country, especially central and eastern regions, experiences a semi-arid and continental climate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters can be cold, especially in the interior and mountainous areas.