Azerbaijan

An overview of the history, culture, peoples, religion, government, and geography of Azerbaijan.

The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict for control of the mountainous territory of Nagorny Karabakh is the longest-running dispute in post-Soviet Eurasia. Laurence Broers shows how more than 20 years of dynamic territorial politics, shifting power relations, international diffusion and unsuccessful mediation efforts have contributed to the resilience of this stubbornly unresolved dispute. Looking beyond tabloid tropes of 'frozen conflict' or 'Russian land-grab', Broers unpacks the unresolved territorial issues of the 1990s and the strategic rivalry that has built up around them since.

First book length treatment of Muslim Soviet Women Cross disciplinary - gender and women's studies, anthropology, Central Asia and Caucasus Suitable for both undergraduate and postgraduate level Offers a new dimension for specialists on gender relations in Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union, where previous work has mostly had a Russian perspective For Middle East specialists, provides insights into a region closed to researchers and its non-soviet neighbours for much of the 20th century

This book traces the development of Azerbaijani art music from its origins in the Eastern, modal, improvisational tradition known as mugham through its fusion with Western classical, jazz, and world art music. Aida Huseynova places the fascinating and little-known history of music in Azerbaijan against the vivid backdrop of cultural life under Soviet influence, which paradoxically both encouraged and repressed the evolution of national musics and post-Soviet independence. Inspired by their neighbors to the East and West, Azerbaijani musicians enjoyed a period of remarkable creativity, composing and performing the first opera and the first ballet in the Muslim East, establishing the region's first Opera and Ballet Theater and Conservatory of Music, and discovering ways to merge the modal lyricism of mugham with the rhythmic dynamics of jazz. Drawing on previously unstudied archives, letters, and documents as well as her experience as an Azerbaijani musician and educator, Huseynova shows how Azerbaijani musical development was not a product of Soviet cultural policies but rather grew from and reflected deep and complex cultural processes.

A cultural history of a people split in two by the forces of imperialism, this study examines the long-standing Russian-Iranian division of the land west of the Caspian Sea. The author explores the diplomatic history of Azerbaijan and the strength of ethnic identity which remains.

Azerbaijan’s agriculture sector is vital to the economy and hazelnuts represent a valuable product. In recent years, the hazelnut sector has shown a significant increase in production areas, but the dominating traditional, low-mechanized practices have hindered the increase in production yields and volumes. Another issue is the risk of aflatoxin contamination, which reduces the quality of hazelnuts and poses serious health risks. Governmental programmes are currently aiming to promote intensified production, support the mechanization of the sector, and provide solutions to the aflatoxin problem. The hazelnut value chain can also be a source of bioenergy, by utilizing the shells, husks, and pruning residues generated along the chain. To promote the development of sustainable pathways for the utilization of these residues, it is vital to assess their availability, as well as the viability of their conversion for specific energy needs. The report aims to evaluate the potential to produce sustainable bioenergy from the residues generated along the hazelnut value chain in Azerbaijan. A techno-economic assessment of the possible bioenergy pathways considered viable in the country’s context was conducted, based on the available volumes of hazelnut residues that can be mobilized. Moreover, the potential of using renewable energy interventions to tackle aflatoxin contamination along the value chain was assessed. Estimates of the level of investment required to scale up the identified technologies are also provided, as are the potential greenhouse gas emissions reductions that might be achieved by deploying the identified technologies.

Azerbaijan is a country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, Iran to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the east. Azerbaijan has a rich history and has been inhabited by various peoples and empires throughout its history. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since undergone significant political and economic reforms. Azerbaijan is known for its oil and natural gas reserves, which have helped fuel its economic growth. The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku, a city famous for its oil industry and the iconic Flame Towers. Other major cities include Ganja, Sumgait, and Mingachevir. The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, although Russian and English are also widely spoken. The majority of the population is Muslim, but the country is known for its religious tolerance and the coexistence of various religious communities. Azerbaijan is a member of several international organizations, including the UN, the Council of Europe, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Completing a puzzle, even the simplest of puzzles sets a single goal to achieve. This process involves problem-solving, reasoning skills, and developing solutions that one can later be transferred into his personal life. Puzzles are a fun way for one to develop and refine your fine motor skills. When engaged in playing with puzzles, one is required to pick up, pinch and grasp pieces and move them around, manipulating them into slots, sorting them, and fitting them into the correct places. The accomplishment of achieving a goal brings so much satisfaction to a player. Overcoming the challenges involved in solving a puzzle gives you a sense of achievement and pride within. It provides a boost to your self-confidence and self-esteem as it prepares you for other challenges in future life.