Statistical information Azerbaijan 1999

Azerbaijan in the World
top of pageBackground: In 1806, Azerbaijan, a region of Turkic Muslim people, was conquered by the Russians. In 1918, Azerbaijan declared independence from Russia, but was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920. It again declared its independence in 1991, following the collapse of the USSR. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region is still unresolved after 10 years and Baku has yet to settle disputes with its neighbors over oil rights in the Caspian Sea. During the war, Karabakh Armenians declared independence and seized almost 20% of the country's territory, creating some 750,000 Azerbaijani refugees in the process. Both sides have generally observed a Russian-mediated cease-fire in place since May 1994.
top of pageLocation: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 40 30 N, 47 30 E
Map reference:
Commonwealth of Independent StatesAreaTotal: 86,600 km²
Land: 86,100 km²
Water: 500 km²
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
Comparative: slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundariesTotal: 2,013 km
Border countries: (6) 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 kmCoastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Note: Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain: 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
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
Extremes highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina
Land useArable land: 18%
Permanent crops: 5%
Permanent pastures: 25%
Forests and woodland: 11%
Other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10,000 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: droughts; some lowland areas threatened by rising levels of the Caspian Sea
GeographyNote: landlocked
top of pagePopulation: 7,908,224 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 0.63% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%
NationalityNoun: Azerbaijani(s)
Adjective: Azerbaijani
Ethnic groups: Azeri 90%, Dagestani Peoples 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.)
Note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region
Languages: Azeri 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Religions: 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
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 32% (male 1,292,018; female 1,240,745)
15-64 years: 61% (male 2,361,792; female 2,496,721)
65 years and over: 7% (male 202,755; female 314,193) (1999 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 0.63% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 21.58 births/1000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.5 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -5.76 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: 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, water, and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton
International agreements party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection
International agreements signed but not ratified: Biodiversity
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 82.52 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 63.08 years
Male: 58.76 years
Female: 67.63 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.67 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 97%
Male: 99%
Female: 96% (1989 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Azerbaijani Republic
Conventional short form: Azerbaijan
Local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
Local short form: none
Former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type: republic
Capital: Baku (Baki)
Administrative divisions: 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
Dependent areasIndependence: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 May
Constitution: adopted 12 November 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Heydar ALIYEV (since 18 June 1993)
Head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 26 November 1996)
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 11 October 1998 (next to be held October 2003); prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly
Election results: Heydar ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote_Heydar ALIYEV 76%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held 12 and 26 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)
Election results: percent of vote by party_NA; seats by party_NAP and allies 115, APF 4, PNIA 3, Musavat Party 1, vacant 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz Mir Jalal PASHAYEV
In the us chancery: (temporary) Suite 700, 927 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20,005 or P. O. Box 28,790, Washington, DC 20,038-8,790
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 842-0001
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 842-0004
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO
From the us embassy: Azadliq Prospekt 83, Baku 370,007
From the us mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, Washington, DC 20,521-7,050
From the us telephone: [9] (9,412) 98-03-35, 36, 37
From the us FAX: [9] (9,412) 90-66-71
Flag description
: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Azerbaijan is less developed industrially than either Armenia or Georgia, the other Caucasian states. It resembles the Central Asian states in its majority Muslim population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of living. The economy's most prominent products are oil, cotton, and natural gas. Production from the Caspian oil field declined through 1997 but registered an increase in 1998. Negotiation of more than a dozen production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $30 billion to oil field 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. A major short-term obstacle to economic progress, including stepped up foreign investment, 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 up with Turkey, Iran, the UAE, and the nations of Europe. A serious long-term challenge is the maintenance of the competitiveness of non-oil exports in world markets.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 10% (1998 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $1,640 (1998 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 22%
Industry: 18%
Services: 60% (1997 est.)
Agriculture products: cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: 2.9 million (1997)
By occupation agriculture and forestry: 32%
By occupation industry and construction: 15%
By occupation services: 53% (1997)
Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: NA%
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $565 million
Expenditures: $682 million, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1996 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $781 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Commodities: oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles, cotton
Partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey
Imports: $794 million (c.i.f., 1997 est.)
Commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs, textiles
Partners: CIS, European countries, Turkey
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $100 million (of which $75 million to Russia)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: manats per US$1_3,865.00 (November 1998), 3,985.38 (1997), 4,301.26 (1996), 4,413.54 (1995), 1,570.23 (1994)
top of pageElectricityProduction: 16.035 billion kWh (1996)
Production by source fossil fuel: 90.55%
Production by source hydro: 9.45%
Production by source nuclear: 0%
Production by source other: 0% (1996)
Consumption: 16.8 billion kWh (1997)
Exports: 600 million kWh (1996)
Imports: 745 million kWh (1996)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 1.414 million (1998)
Telephone system: Azerbaijani telecommunications fall under the Ministry of Communications; Azerbaijan's telephone system is a combination of old Soviet era technology used by Azerbaijani citizens and small- to medium-size commercial establishments, and modern cellular phones used by an increasing middle class, large commercial ventures, international companies, and most government officials; the average citizen waits on a 200,000-person list for telephone service; Internet and E-mail service are available in Baku
Domestic: local_the majority of telephones are in Baku or other industrial centers; intercity_about 700 villages still do not have public phone service; all long distance service must use Azertel's (Ministry of Communications) lines; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its separated enclave to Nakhichevan
International: the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite service between Baku and Turkey provides access to 200 countries; additional satellite providers supply services between Baku and specific countries; Azerbaijan is a signator of the Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber-Optic Line (TAE); their lines are not laid but the Turkish satellite and a microwave between Azerbaijan and Iran can provide Azerbaijan worldwide access through this system
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $121 million (1999)
Percent of gdp: 2.6% (1999)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 69 (1996 est.)
With paved runways total: 29
With paved runways over 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 6
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 17
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 3
With paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 40
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 7
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 33 (1996 est.)
HeliportsPipelines: crude oil 1,130 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas 1,240 km
RailwaysTotal: 2,125 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines
Broad gauge: 2,125 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (1993)
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marineTotal: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 251,404 GRT/ 306,264 DWT
Ships by type: cargo 12, oil tanker 42, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.)
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; transshipment point for opiates via Iran, Central Asia, and Russia to Western Europe