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THE LAND OF FIRE - AZERBAIJAN
Today, we would like to talk about a miraculous country of Azerbaijan with its unlimited
natural resources, centuries-old culture, history and ancient people, whose lifestyle presents
a unique and harmonious combination of the traditions and ceremonies of different cultures and
civilizations.
Azerbaijan is a geographical name. On the one hand this name is linked with the population,
which lived in this region for thousand of years before our era, and who were mostly
fire-worshippers. Local population considered that fire was their God and so they worshipped
the fire. "Azer" means fire. The Turkic name "Azer" was used for this territory for a long
time. The word "Azer" consists of two parts - "az" and "er". In Turkic languages, "az" means a
good intention and a fate of success. Thus, the word "Azer" means "a brave man", "a brave boy",
"the fire keeper". The word "Azerbaijan" originates from the name of an ancient Turkish tribe,
who resided in those territories.
Azerbaijan is one of the most ancient sites of humankind. The humankind was present here at
every stage of their historical development. There were living settlements in Azerbaijan even
at the earliest stages of humankind. Azerbaijan made its own contribution into the
establishment of the current culture and civilization, progress and dialectics.
The time kept a range of ancient archeological and architectural monuments for us. The ancient
headstones, manuscripts and models of carpets, preserved to the present times from the ancient
ages, can provide much information to those who can and want to read them. If you wish to
understand Azerbaijan and to know everything about it, you need to look at this country and its
people with a friend's eyes.
Azerbaijan is a country of ancient culture. The Oguz tribes which moved here and stayed for
ages, have found a deeply rooted culture and in their turn enriched it with Turkic national
traditions. The talented and creative powers of our nation are personified in such epic
monuments as "Kitabi-Dede Gorgud", "Oguzname" "Keroglu" and many others.
This fertile, generous and friendly land was the home of many thinkers, philosophers,
scientists, poets, architects, musicians and artists. A legend tells that Zardusht was born in
this land. Azerbaijan also enriched the humankind with such geniuses as Nizami Ganjevi, Hagani
Shirvani, Bahmanyar, Nasimi, Fizuli, Nasreddin Tusi, Shah Ismail Xatai, Mullah Paneh Vagif, A.
Bakikhanov, M.F. Axudov, M.A. Sabir, J.Mamedguluzade, Huseyn Javid, J.Jabarli, Samed Vurgun,
Aliaga Vahid, Rasul Rza.
The country of Azerbaijan was immortalized by such talented painters as Sattar Bahlulzade,
Tahir Salahov, Togrul Narimanbeyov, Mikayil Abdullayev and many others.
Our national music - mugam - inspired such outstanding composers as Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Muslim
Magomayev, Gara Garayev, Fikret Amirov, Niyazi, Arif Melikov and others to create their
masterpieces, which are still known today throughout the world. It also gave the inspiration to
such wonderful vocalists as Bulbul and Rashid Behbudov.
It seems that the famous Azerbaijan carpets are the incarnation of all colors of nature and of
all signs of history. Today, these carpets magically pass the borders of time and space and
travel from Azerbaijan to foreign countries far away.
The models of the decorative art made by Azerbaijan craftsmen from the metal, ceramic, silk and
woods are kept in many museums of the world.
The science and the enlightenment in Azerbaijan have a centuries-old history. The Baku State
University was founded in 1919; the institutes of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan play an
exceptional role in scientific, educational and cultural development of Azerbaijan. Local
scientists are currently studying such important issues as the depths of the Caspian Sea, space
exploration and the secrets of human brain.
The existing educational system of Azerbaijan is made up of dozens of higher educational
institutions and technical schools, thousands of high schools, colleges and lyceums.
One of the most important problems which is currently solved by local scientists is
environmental protection of the Caspian Sea and different regions of Azerbaijan. Such natural
reserves as Gizilagach, Shirvan, Zagatala, Aggol, Girkan and others, were established due to
the efforts of Azerbaijani scientists.
Through the decades, the local industry was successfully represented by oil producing,
petrochemical and oil processing enterprises. The agricultural industry is famous for
cotton-growing, viticulture, vegetable-growing and cattle-breeding.
If one compares the economy of Azerbaijan with a living body, it becomes evident that oil flows
in the veins of Azerbaijan. The oil and gas resources of Azerbaijan have made this place famous
in every part of the world from the ancient times.
Azerbaijan has always been famous for its sources of eternal fires - the atashgehs. There is a
place called Yanardag (blazing mountain) in Absheron and thermal springs in some parts of
Nakhichivan, Kelbejar, Masali, Lenkoran, Babadag.
In Surakhani, there is an eternal fire place. From the ancient times the fire worshippers from
remote places and even the Indian priests were coming to Absheron in search of fire and finding
it here. They built their main temples here in Surakhani and Ateshgah.
The word Azerbaijan brings its main wealth - oil - before the eyes. Oil is not only the wealth,
but the fame as well. People were coming to Azerbaijan from distant places for this specific
taste and colored puddle under the ground. Throughout the centuries, camelcades carried
waterskins of oil in both eastern and western directions. The Azerbaijani oil is not used
exclusively for the electricity production, but also as a valuable medicine for a variety of
diseases. There has been an increasing demand for oil throughout the centuries.
From the beginning of the 20th century, the continuous industrial development around the world,
caused an unprecedented growth of the demand for oil. It was at this time oil turned from an
everyday mean into an industrial product. Oil become the most important problem in the world in
the 20th century - the century of science and technologies. Oil-producing countries have
acquired special oil policies and oil strategies in this connection.