Being the commercial and economical center of Azerbaijan, Baku with population over 2 million people is the largest and most cosmopolitan city of the South Caucasus region.

Overview

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, which is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea in the southern part of Apsheron peninsula. Baku faces south, towards the sea and surrounds Baku Bay like amphitheater which creates incredible beauty of history and charm of the Orient. Being the commercial and economic center of Azerbaijan, Baku with a population over 2 million people is the largest and most cosmopolitan city of the South Caucasus region. During independence years the city changed very quickly and nowhere else in the Caucasus do East and West blend so organically. The etymology of the city’s name is derived or comes from the Arabic language which means bad kube (Baku city of winds). Another version states that perhaps it comes from the ancient Caucasian word bak (sun, or god), hinting at the area’s ancient role as a center for fire worshippers millennia ago.

Climate of Baku

Baku has a moderate semi-arid climate which means warm summers with very little rainfall, cool and occasionally wet winters. On the weather conditions of the city located on the shore of the Caspian Sea and strong winds, all year long has great extent influence. That is why unlike many other cities with the same climate, Baku does not see extremely hot summers. The daily mean temperature in July and August averages 26.4 °C (79.5 °F). During summer the khazri sweeps through, bringing desired coolness and proving the city’s nickname the “City of Winds”. A temperature in Baku during winter is cool and occasionally wet on the coast and rarely drops below freezing. The daily mean temperature in January and February averaging 4.3 °C (39.7 °F).Winter snow storms are occasional; snow usually melts within a few days after each snowfall. Baku with its long hours of sunshine and a dry healthy climate is a vacation destination where tourists could enjoy beaches and relax.

Baku attractions

Baku is famed for its medieval walled old city, which contains the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a vast royal complex, and the iconic stone Maiden Tower. Modern architectural landmarks are Heydar Aliyev Center and the Flame Towers, 3 pointed skyscrapers covered with LED screens.  Also with time, new construction projects along with improved technology are coming together to provide a wonderful blend of contemporary services & entertainment and classic Azerbaijani culture & history.

The old town of Baku or Icheri Sheher

Baku’s soul is located in the city center of Baku is known as the “old city” or İçəri Şəhər, the Unesco-listed World Heritage status of the fascinating Old City. It contains the city’s most accessible sights and its quieter back alleys are atmospheric minor attractions in their own right, as are the tree-lined streets of ‘oil boom’ mansions just beyond. Two main attractions are here the Maiden’s Tower or Qiz Qalasi in Azerbaijani and the Shirvanshahs palace, which are considered the pearl of architecture in this country. Besides these two monuments, we can find medieval baths, mosques and of course, museums, showing fine arts, history, and literature. The picturesque streets of the old town are paved, irregularly shaped and small size and labyrinthine layout, very nice for the walk. The Walled City of Baku reveals evidence of many cultures such as Persian, Arabic, Ottoman, Russian, among others and it houses many of its walls and ramparts, so visitors can see the city almost in its entirety.

Apsheron peninsula

Baku is a low-lying city with coastline along the Caspian Sea below 28 meters from Sea level. Natural landscapes of Apsheron peninsula heavily modified. On the Apsheron peninsula at an altitude of up to 500 m, semi-deserts and up to 1000 m dry steppes and steppe-grass steppes are common. Gobustan-Absheron district occupies the eastern extremity of the southeast Caucasus. The area covers low mountains and foothills. The vast majority of mud volcanoes on the territory of Azerbaijan are in this region.