Azerbaijan is a miraculous country with its richnatural resources, ancient culture, history and people, whose lifestyle presents a unique and harmonious combination of the traditions and ceremonies of different cultures and civilizations.
Azerbaijan is a geographical name of the country. On the one hand this name is linked with the population, which lived in this region thousands of years ago and who were mostly fire-worshippers. The local people believed that fire was their God and so they worshipped the fire. “Azer” means fire. The Turkic name “Azer” was used for this territory for a long time. The word “Azerbaijan” originates from the name of an ancient Turkish tribe that resided in those territories.
Azerbaijan is one of the world’s most ancient sites, and people have lived here during every stage of the country’s historical development. There were living settlements in Azerbaijan even at the earliest stages of humankind.
Ancient headstones, manuscripts and models of carpets, preserved from the ancient ages, can provide rich information to those interested in learning more. If you wish to understand Azerbaijan, you need to look at this country and its people with a friend’s eyes.
The open-door policy carried out by the Azerbaijan government as well as the social and economic reformation and democratization of the society realized in the Republic allowed citizens of independent Azerbaijan to expand the scope of their ideas about the world and gain opportunities to visit foreign countries. The number of foreign tourists to Azerbaijan also continues to grow from day to day.
With ancient cities, palaces, fortresses, mausoleums, mosques and more, Azerbaijan is a treasure for tourists. The country is also famous for its sources of eternal fires – the atashgehs. There is a place called Yanardag (blazing mountain) in Absheron and thermal springs in some parts of Nakhichivan, Kelbejar, Masali, Lenkoran, Babadag that are both beautiful and fascinating. From the ancient times, the fire worshippers from remote places and the Indian priests came to Absheron in search of fire and finding it here. They built their main temples here in Surakhani and Ateshgah where you can still see eternal fire.
There are more than 6,000 historical monuments of architecture in the territory of Azerbaijan. The natural climatic conditions of Azerbaijan are also unique: Interestingly, nine climatic zones out of 11 exist in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan also boasts picturesque natural landscapes, monuments of culture and modern tourist complexes . The Khudat-Yalama seacoast with the woods as well as the seashores of Absheron and Lankaran offer a fine place for rest. In these places there are fine sandy beaches with balmy waters that provide a long swimming season. The most attractive areas for winter sports are Shamakhi and Gusar.
In addition, you can view and photograph many kinds of animals and birds . In particular, the Gizilagach reserve, which is home to 200 different kinds of birds of passage in the winter months, is ideal for bird-watching.
In Azerbaijan there a number of health resorts with spas to give you a boost. Most resorts with mineral spas are also the tourist centers. Nakhchivan is especially rich with mineral sources; the only deposit of medical oil in the world – Naftalan – is completely unique.
Finally, Baku and Absheron peninsula, Nakhchivan, Guba-Khachmaz, Sheki-Zagatala, Lankaran-Astara regions, historical areas of Shirvan and Ganjabasar are the most popular for tourists in Azerbaijan. The lovely nature of these places, numerous ancient relics, wonderful ethnographical variety and local crafts will leave an unforgettable impression of Azerbaijan on its guests.