Azerbaijan is located in South-west Asia. It is bordered by Armenia in the West and South-west, Iran and Turkey in the South, Russia in the North and Georgia in the North-west. The Great Caucasus Mountains form a natural northern border. Almost half of the country consists of low lands, some of which are below sea level. The two main rivers are the Kura, which flows from the North-west to the Caspian Sea, and its tributary Araks, which flows along Azerbaijan’s border with Iran. Much of the farmland is irrigated. The capital Baku lies on the Aspheson Peninsula that juts into the Caspian Sea. As a result of its drainage patterns, climatic differences and sharply defined latitudinal zoning of vegetation, Azerbaijan is characterised by a wide variety of landscapes. Central and Eastern Azerbaijan has a dry, sub tropical climate with mild winters and long hot summers.

The economy is based mainly on petroleum resources with large oil reserves located in the Caspian Sea. The emphasis on heavy industry caused a considerable expansion of the two traditional industries, petroleum and natural gas. The Baku oilfields constitute one of the oldest centres of heavy industry in the world. Nevertheless, engineering, light industry and food productions have also been growing in importance. Iron ore, non-ferrous metals, bromine, gypsum, marble, bitumen, zinc, molybdenum, alunite, rock salt and alumina should be mentioned among the natural resources of the country. Richness of raw resources in Azerbaijan stimulated the development of handicraft industry, mainly pottery, copperware, carpet weaving, stone carving and silk. Grain, cotton, potato, and melon, and fruit cultivation holds an important place for households. In the field of animal husbandry cattle breeding and sheep breeding are widespread.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	8280.59 million US$ (2004)
Per Capita GDP:	955.14 US$ (2004)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	13.14% Agriculture, 55.0% Industry, 33.0% Services, (2003)
Total Exports:	2864.38 million US$ (2003)
Total Imports:	- million US$ (2004)
Major Exports Items:	Oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textile and cotton
Major Imports Items:	Machinery and parts, foodstuffs, textiles, non-precious metals used in transportation sector
Major Trading Partners:	Italy, Russia, France, Turkey, UK and Germany

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Finance

Ministry of Economic Development

Ministry of Internal Affairs

Ministry of Education

State Statistical Committee

National Bank of Azerbaijan