Alle Länder der Welt Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained
its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a
1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenien over
the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated).
Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000
refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict.
Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from
Azerbaijan 's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.
Geographie : Azerbaijan
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Location:
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Southwestern Asia,
bordering the Caspian Sea, between Der Iran and Rußland , with a small
European portion north of the Caucasus range |
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Geographic coordinates:
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40 30 N, 47 30 E |
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Area:
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total: 86,600 sq km
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
water: 500 sq km
land: 86,100 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Maine |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 2,013 km
border countries: Armenien (with Azerbaijan -proper) 566 km,
Armenien (with Azerbaijan -Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran
(with Azerbaijan -proper) 432 km, Der Iran (with Azerbaijan -Naxcivan exclave)
179 km, Rußland 284 km, Die Türkei 9 km |
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked); note -
Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800 km, est.) |
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Maritime claims:
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none (landlocked) |
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Climate:
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dry, semiarid steppe |
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Terrain:
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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 |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, natural gas,
iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina |
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Land use:
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arable land: 19.31%
permanent crops: 3.04%
other: 77.65% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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14,550 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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droughts |
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Environment - current issues:
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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, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution
results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from
toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to:
Biodiversity, Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping,
Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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both the main area of the
country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked
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More Geography
Bevölkerung : Azerbaijan
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Population:
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7,868,385 (July 2004 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 27% (male 1,081,579;
female 1,046,270)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 2,499,618; female 2,630,386)
65 years and over: 7.8% (male 242,253; female 368,279) (2004 est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 27.3 years
male: 25.9 years
female: 28.8 years (2004 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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0.52% (2004 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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19.81 births/1,000 |
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Death rate:
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9.76 deaths/1,000 |
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Net migration rate:
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-4.9 migrant(s)/1,000 |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 82.07 deaths/1,000 live
births
female: 80.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
male: 83.99 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 63.25 years
male: 59.09 years
female: 67.62 years (2004 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.39 children born/woman (2004 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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less than 0.1% (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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less than 1,400 (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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less than 100 (2001 est.) |
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Nationality:
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noun: Azerbaijani(s)
adjective: Azerbaijani |
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Ethnic groups:
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Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%,
Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.)
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region |
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Religions:
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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 |
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Languages:
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Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%,
Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96% (1989 est.)
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Regierung
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of
Azerbaijan
conventional short form: Azerbaijan
local short form: none
former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi |
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Government type:
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republic |
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Capital:
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Baku (Baki) |
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Administrative divisions:
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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 |
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Independence:
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30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) |
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National holiday:
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Founding of the Democratic Republic of
Azerbaidzhan, 28 May (1918) |
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Constitution:
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adopted 12 November 1995 |
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Legal system:
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based on civil law system |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Ilham
ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First
Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November 2003)
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 15 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008); prime minister and first deputy
prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly
election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV
76.8%, Isa GAMBAR 14% |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral National Assembly or Milli
Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2005)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NAP and allies
108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2, CPA 2, APF
"Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1
note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their
seats
note: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on the basis of single
mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based on proportional balloting; as a result
of a 24 August 2002 national referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of
the next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali
KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of
"Classic" faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic
Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz AHMADOV];
Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV,
chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat
HACIYEVA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP [vacant]; Party for
National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic
Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Zardust ALIZADE]
note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed
Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani
Forces (UPAF) |
Economy
Azerbaijan 's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan 's oil production declined
through 1997 but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of
production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far
committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield 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. One obstacle
to economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in the
non-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict with Armenia
over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Rußland and the other former
Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade is building with
Die Türkei and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil
prices, the location of new pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan 's ability
to manage its oil wealth.
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $26.34 billion
(2003 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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9.9% (2003 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2003
est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 14.1%
industry: 45.7%
services: 40.2% (2002 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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49% (2002 est.) |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 27.8% (1995) |
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Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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36 (1995) |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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2.9% (2003 est.) |
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Labor force:
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3.7 million (2001) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%,
services 52% (2001) |
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Unemployment rate:
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16% (official rate is 1.2%) (2003 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $786 million
expenditures: $807 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) |
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Industries:
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petroleum and natural gas, petroleum
products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals;
textiles |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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5% (2003 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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18.23 billion kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 89.7%
hydro: 10.3%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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16.65 billion kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - exports:
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700 million kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - imports:
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400 million kWh (2001) |
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Oil - production:
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307,200 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - proved reserves:
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589 million bbl (1 January 2002) |
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Natural gas - production:
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5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - consumption:
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6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - imports:
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1 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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62.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002) |
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Agriculture - products:
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cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit,
vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats |
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Exports:
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$2.605 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton,
foodstuffs |
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Exports - partners:
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Italien 30.1%, Deutschland 15.5%, Czech Republic
10.8%, Frankreich 8.8%, Georgia 7%, Rußland 4.9% (2002) |
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Imports:
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$2.498 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and equipment, oil products,
foodstuffs, metals, chemicals |
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Imports - partners:
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Rußland 16.8%, Die Türkei 13.5%, Deutschland 7.4%,
Kazakhstan 6.8%, Frankreich 6.5%, Ukraine 6.3%, China 5.7%, UK 5.1%, US 4.2% (2002) |
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Debt - external:
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$1.5 billion (2003) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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ODA, $140 million (2000 est.) |
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Currency:
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Azerbaijani manat (AZM) |
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Currency code:
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AZM |
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Exchange rates:
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Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,910.73
(2003), 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000), 4,120.17 (1999) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
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