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Introduction
Azerbaijan (in Azeri, Azərbaycan; officially, Republic of Azerbaijan, Azərbaycan Respublikası) is a country in the Caucasus region, southeast of Europe. Azerbaijan, which was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, it borders Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Turkey and with him Caspian Sea.
Although geographically it is located in Asia, Azerbaijan is usually considered part of the European continent. Inhabited predominantly by ethnic Azeris, a group of Turkish origin, Azerbaijan has historically been on the path that connected European cultures and those of the Middle East and Persia. Located between the Caucasus and Caspian Mountains, Azerbaijan has experienced a succession of invasions and wars that continue to this day; the region of Nagorno Karabakh, in the south-west of the country and dominated by ethnic Armenians, continues to be separated from the rest of the country and the rivalries between Azerbaijan and Armenia are the source of permanent conflict.
The strong economic impulse that the country has experienced has made Baku, the capital, in a modern city that lives a boom of construction, and which has partly hidden the wonders of deep Azerbaijan. The petroglyphs of Qobustan or the valley of Khinalug They are destinations of great historical and cultural interest.
Regions
| Absheron | |
 | The political, economic and cultural center of Azerbaijan with the capital Baku. Here oil has been extracted since 1871:Baku Atashgah Qobustan Sumqayit |
| Ganja | |
| Gateway to Azerbaijan with one of the oldest cities in the Caucasus, Ganja, and the well-known oil spa and medical tourism center in Azerbaijan, Naftalan. Ganja Mingachevir Naphthalan | |
| Nakhichevan | |
 | An enclave that borders Turkey to the west.Nakhichevan |
| Northeast | |
 | A beautiful green mountainous region of the Caucasus bordering Georgia and containing the most beautiful city in Azerbaijan, Sheki. Khachmaz Khinalug Sheki |
| South | |
 | An ethnically diverse region in the Greater Caucasus Mountains covered in lush green forests and beautiful beaches and luxury resorts along the Caspian Sea. Lankaran Masalli |
| Nagorno Karabakh | |
 | Nagorno-Karabakh is covered in this guide separately from Azerbaijan; Although its government is not recognized by any member state of the UN, it has de facto control over the area. This is not political endorsement of the claim by either party to the dispute.Stepanakert Martuni Shusha Agdam |
Understand
About 95% of the population is ethnically Azeri (Muslim Shiites, speaking the Turkic branch of the Altaic family). This town is present in Iran, where there are two provinces with the same name.
Among the Caucasian states, Azerbaijan is the most industrially developed. The economy is strongly linked to the extraction of petroleum for export, and to the related industry, which includes the construction of machinery, the refining of petroleum, textiles and chemicals.
The main products are oil and natural gas. Oil multinationals have already taken positions in this market since 1997. The country's biggest handicap is successfully transitioning from a planned economy to a free market one. One of the biggest problems for economic development is the dispute over Upper Karabakh. Trade with the former Soviet socialist republics is declining in favor of countries like Turkey, Iran, UAE, and European countries. Future prospects will depend on the international price of oil.
History
Always at the crossroads between east and west, Azerbaijan has witnessed the comings and goings of several great empires.
Ancient
Some of the best attractions in the country are the Gobustan petroglyphs. These are the marks of the people who lived in the area 40,000 - 5,000 years ago. Scythians and Iranian Medes occupied the area around 900-700 BC. The Achaemenids made things interesting by introducing Zoroastrianism around 550 BC. Later, the area was left outside the empire of Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire.
Medieval
Christianity arrived in the 4th century, but disappeared when the area became part of the second Islamic caliphate (Umayyad) in the 7th century. Several local kingdoms emerged after the fall of the Umayyad Caliphate in AD 750, before the Mongols conquered Azerbaijan in the 11th century.
Early modern
After the withdrawal of several Mongol empires, the area fell to the Persians. Persian control was not strict and highly independent khanates controlled the region until the Russian Empire expanded south in the early 19th century. Oil was first extracted here in the late 19th century.
Soviet
The fall of the Russian Empire saw the brief rise of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918. However, Lenin realized that the oil from the region was vital to the Soviet army and, along with Georgia and Armenia, Azerbaijan joined the the USSR in the 1920s. Azerbaijani oil was once again vital to the Soviets in World War II, in which 250,000 of the country's 3.4 million people died at the front.
Post-soviet
When Soviet control weakened in 1991, the Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh ethnic region of Armenia fought for Azerbaijan's independence. Azerbaijan lost 14% of its territory and gained some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons. Despite the 1994 ceasefire, the state of Nagorno-Karabakh has not yet been fully resolved and, to this day, Armenia and Azerbaijan are in a state of war. Armenian troops continue to ensure that Karabakh remains out of Azerbaijan's control, and occasional minor skirmishes continue to break the ceasefire agreement.
Culture
The majority of the population (more than 92%) is composed of Azeris, who share a culture very similar to that of Turkey. Ethnic Azeris are also a significant part of Iran's population, although over time the influence of Russian and Persian culture produced some differences between the Azeris of Azerbaijan and the Azeris of Iran. In particular, nearly two centuries of Russian and Soviet rule have brought a very liberal attitude towards Islam among Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan, who nonetheless remain mostly Shiite Muslims.
After independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has enabled Western European companies to develop its extensive energy resources and its oil production has skyrocketed especially since the mid-2000s. Despite this and related investments, most some of the newly discovered wealth remains in the hands of a few people. While central Baku is thriving with new buildings and a growing middle class, much of the country's countryside remains poor and relatively underdeveloped. The government remains strongly authoritarian.
Celebrate
| Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar and lasts between 29 and 30 days. Muslims fast every day for its duration and most restaurants will be closed until the fast breaks in the evening. Nothing (including water and cigarettes) is supposed to pass the lips from sunrise to sunset. Non-Muslims are exempt from this, but should still refrain from eating or drinking in public as this is considered very rude. Working hours are also reduced in the business world. The exact dates of Ramadan depend on local astronomical observations and may vary somewhat from country to country. Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which can last several days, generally three in most countries.
If you plan to travel to Azerbaijan during Ramadan, consider reading Travel During Ramadan. |
These are the nationally recognized holidays for the people living in Azerbaijan.
- New Year (January 1-2)
- Women's Day (March 8)
- Victory Day (May 9)
- Republic Day (May 28)
- National Salvation Day of the Azerbaijani People (June 15)
- Day of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan (June 26)
- State Sovereignty Day (October 18)
- Constitution Day (November 12)
- National Renaissance Day (November 17)
- World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day (December 31)
- Novruz Bayram - 5 days
- Gurban Bayram (Day of Sacrifice) - 2 days
- Eid el Fitr (post-Ramadan celebration) 2 to 3 days
Weather
Azerbaijan is known to have nine of the 11 existing ecological zones. Much of the country is temperate throughout the year. Across the country, the average annual temperature is 14-15 ° C (57-59 ° F). The Caucasus Mountains protect the country from the Arctic air masses that affect Russia in winter, while the Caspian Sea protects it from the hot and dry air of Central Asia in summer. Temperatures in the winter are cool (0-10 ° C / 32-59 ° F) at lower altitudes and along the coast and drop moderately as you head inland and dramatically as you head towards the mountains ( -20 ° C / -4 ° F) is possible in the Caucasus Mountains). Summers range from warm to hot (20-40 ° C / 68-104 ° F) and humid in most parts of the country, although breezes from the Caspian provide some relief along the coast. Nakhchivan is quite different, tall and arid,
Snow is rare in Baku and along the coast in general, while it is common in the interior and abundant in the mountains, where many villages can be isolated during the winter. The southern forests are the wettest part of the country, with a lot of rain in late fall and early spring. The west central coast is quite dry. Lankaran receives the highest amount of annual precipitation (1600–1800 mm / 63–71 inches) while the region around Baku averages 200 mm (8 inches). Baku is very windy, as is Chicago or Wellington, most of the year.
Ground
Mud volcanoes in Gobustan. Much of the large, flat Kura-Araks lowlands ( Kur-Araz Ovaligi ) are below sea level with the Great Caucasus Mountains rising in the northern horizons. The Karabakh Highlands (Qarabag Yaylasi) lie to the west where Baku is located on the Apsheron Peninsula ( Yasaqligi abstained jutting into the Caspian Sea.
The lowest point is the Caspian Sea at -27 m (-89 ft) and the highest point is Bazarduzu Dagi at 4,466 m (14,652 ft)
Absheron Yasaqligi (including Baku and Sumgayit) and the Caspian Sea are ecological concerns due to contamination from oil spills dating back more than a century. Heavy car traffic in the capital also contributes to heavy pollution.
Economy
Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production decreased until 1997, but has increased every year since then. Negotiating production sharing agreements (PSAs) with foreign companies, which have so far committed $ 60 billion for oil field development, should generate the funds necessary to drive future industrial development.
Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in transitioning from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources enhance its long-term prospects.
The government has begun to advance economic reform and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to economic progress, including increased foreign investment in the non-energy sector, is the ongoing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is losing importance while trade with Turkey and the nations of Europe increases. 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.
Electricity
Electricity is supplied at 220 V 50 Hz. The plugs are the European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" or the compatible types, but not grounded, CEE-7/16 "Europlug". Generally speaking, American and Canadian travelers should pack an adapter for these plugs if they plan to use North American electrical equipment in Azerbaijan.
Also, some older buildings may still be equipped with sockets from the Soviet era. The Soviet standard GOST-7396 was very similar to the current European CEE-7/7 "Schuko plug", but the pins were 4.0mm in diameter, while the Schuko features 4.8mm pins. As such, the pins on a Schuko may be too large to fit in a Soviet-era outlet, although the smaller Europlug will still fit. Although Soviet-era plugs have been largely eliminated, travelers who are particularly concerned about having the ability to plug in at all times may also consider packing an adapter for Soviet-era plugs, just in case.
Also, be sure to bring your own automatic voltage adapter because electricity in Azerbaijan has many short circuits and "jumps" and many items can be damaged if you do not bring the adapter.
To get
Visa requirements
In 2016, Azerbaijan introduced a new single entry electronic visa for citizens of the following countries:
- All member states of the European Union, as well as Andorra, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Vatican City.
- Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates , United States of America and Vietnam
The eVisa costs US $ 20, plus a $ 4 administration fee, is valid for 30 days within the next three months after application, and can be purchased at evisa.gov.az; A photocopy of your passport and the address of your stay must be provided. Caution : there is a fake official website: check .com. az - also provides visas but requires you to buy an expensive tour or expensive hotel.
No visa is required for stays of 90 days or less for citizens of Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
It can be obtaineda visa from 30 dayson arrival only when they arrive by air citizens of Bahrain, China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea. , Turkey (60 days) and United Arab Emirates.
Citizens of the United States can also obtain a visa upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, but only if they arrive on a direct Azerbaijan Airlines flight from New York City.
Citizens of Iran can get a 15-day visa on arrival for Nakhchivan only.
If you have an Armenian name, you will not be issued a visa, no matter which country you have citizenship in.
For citizens of all other countries, visas can be obtained by mail or in person at any Azerbaijani embassy that offers consular services. A letter of invitation (LOI) from a contact in Azerbaijan is required.
Foreigners staying in Azerbaijan for more than 15 daysmust register with the State Migration Service within 15 business days of arrival. If you do not register within this period, you will be fined 300 manat (2019). Registration is free and can be done online by sending a copy of the passport and filling out the application form or in person at the specially designed offices of the State Migration Service (one of those offices will eventually open at the train station, however , it closed as of 2015). Hotels can provide this service to their guests, but travelers are strongly advised to ensure that registration is complete as hotels often skip it.
By plane
The main international gateway is the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku (GYDIATA), with additional international airports (whose international routes are basically just Moscow and Istanbul) that are located in the city of Nakhchivan (NAJIATA), Ganja (KVDIATA) and Lankaran (LLKIATA).
The national airline AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines) is the main airline flying to Ganja, Nakhchivan, Tbilisi, Aktau, Tehran, Tel-Aviv, Ankara, Istanbul IST, Istanbul Sahiha Gokchen, Antalya (seasonal), Bodrum (seasonal), Dubai , Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kiev, Rostov-on-Don, Ürümqi, Mineralniye Vodi, Milan, London (daily) and Paris, Prague, Rome. Lufthansa also has a couple of flights a week to Baku (continuing to Ashgabat). Turkish Airlines is another airline that connects Baku to and through Istanbul. In addition, there are several Russian, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Iranian and Austrian airlines that connect Baku with various cities around the world.
Qatar Airways operates 2 flights a day, one to Tbilisi and the other to Doha, which connect to its global network.
- Baku taxi services ,✉ [[1]]. Pick up and drop off at the airport .. 33 manat for Baku - Airport or Airport - Baku. Up to 3 passengers. Local and reliable rates to other locations. English is spoken.
Boat
There is no ferry or cruise service to any other Caspian Sea country.Note that the much-talked about "ferries" on the Caspian are simply cargo ships with some extra space to carry passengers. Traveling on one of these "ferries" is not an easy task. You must first find the notoriously hard-to-find ticket office, which basically keeps track of departing ships. If you can find the ticket office and get a reservation, you still have little idea when the ship will leave. Give them a phone number to contact you and be prepared, they can call you an hour or two before departure ... two days after the first departure the office gave you and the day before the second departure date! output that they gave him! This is just the first of your problems. After paying for your place on the ship (between US $ 50-100), the captain and perhaps other crew members will wait an additional amount for a bed and shower. You are expected to bring your own food. The crossing will only last 1 day (Turkmenistan) or 2-3 days (Kazakhstan). Most ships go to Turkmenistan where ships have to wait for an open berth ... so you can wait 2-5 days on the ship waiting for a place to dock! Unless you are in aa budget very You are small or have a bicycle and especially if you have a short schedule, you have to pay double (~ US $ 200–250) for a one-way air ticket to Kazakhstan, Russia, or Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
By car
There are roads to all cities in Azerbaijan. They are not really wide and most of them have only two lanes. Local travel agents can organize private cars for borders. Some Georgia travel agents, such as Exotour, can arrange pickup in Baku for drop-off in Tbilisi. Although it is more expensive than the bus or the train, it will be faster and can be combined with sightseeing tours along the way. Azerbaijani customs used to request payment of a deposit of several thousand US dollars For foreign cars, however, as of 2020, restrictive customs rules on importing older cars and the requirement for large deposits are a thing of the past.
By bus
There are buses running daily from Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Russia to Azerbaijan.
A minibus also leaves from the Georgian border at Krazny Most (Red Bridge) and should cost around 10 or 12 manat (or 25 lari). It can be picked up from either side of the border (don't worry if they ask you to pay on the Georgian side; they come to pick you up. However, insist on bringing your own bags). The trip to Baku should take about 8 hours. Driving in Azerbaijan is an experience really scary . Virtually all drivers have little respect for the rules of the road and the standard of the roads themselves is surprisingly poor. Emphatically, it's not for the faint-hearted, so while the long train may challenge your stamina, not your nerves. Check AZAL flights from Tbilis-Baku in advance for some reasonable deals.
The return to Tbilisi can be taken at the indescribably chaotic bus station, which also doubles as an eerily quiet shopping mall (take bus 65 from outside Double Gate in Old Town for the 20-minute journey, which leaves you with a length of 400 m dubious stretch of road / motorway with taxi drivers annoying to walk: costs 0.20 manat) or just taxi from the center for approx. 15 manat (worth it!), Which saves hassle. Both buses and minibuses are available from this station directly to Tbilisi, around 12 manat for both. Bus counter 26 at the rear of the ground floor. The bus is a few hours slower and it is not guaranteed to pick you up once you cross the Georgia border, so the minibus is preferable.
By train
Direct trains connect Azerbaijan with Georgia (Tbilisi), Russia (Moscow and Rostov) and Ukraine (Kharkov) via Russia. The schedules are here https://ady.az/az/tables/index/52/44 Click on the land for international times. The Russian border used to be closed to non-CIS passport holders, but is now open to all who hold respective visas.
There is a night train that connects Tbilisi, Georgia and Baku. Leaving Azerbaijan, it costs 26 manat. This route is being modernized as part of a project, funded in part by Azerbaijan, which includes the construction of a rail segment from Akhalkalaki, Georgia to Kars, Turkey. This delayed rail connection from Georgia to Turkey opened on October 30, 2017, initially for cargo only. The start date and schedule for the passenger trains have yet to be announced.
There is a national train line running from Astara on the Iranian border to Baku and a 300 km connecting line is being built from Astara to Qazvin, Iran, to connect the rail networks of Azerbaijan and Iran.
For those planning to visit the Nakhchivan enclave, there is a train service to Mashad in Iran.
Travel
By thumb
As a man, hitchhiking is generally possible and easy. However, sometimes people often expect a little money to take it down the road, almost like in Iran. A woman alone, on the other hand, will cause confusion and potentially unexpected behavior and therefore should not be performed.
Azerbaijan is an excellent place for hiking and trekking, offering many interesting trails. The Caucasus, Göygöl National Park, Quba or Khinalug, just to name a few destinations. However, due to the often remote nature of these trails, it is important that you are well prepared and have a suitable and reliable map with you. In addition, the use of GPS adds an additional layer of security, both in cities and in the countryside. For reliable (offline) maps and full trails and map information, see OpenStreetMap, which is also used by this travel guide, and by many mobile applications such as OsmAnd (complex with many plugins) and MAPS.ME (easy but limited).
In taxi
Taxis require some negotiation skills. But using a calculator (smartphone!) To agree on a price works.
Most taxi drivers simply double the price for tourists. So cutting it in half while trading and doing the pullout trick should reveal the true price. (Doubling a price is apparently much easier than tripling it.) Otherwise, simply use Bolt (a taxi application for your mobile phone and widely used in cities around Azerbaijan) as an indicator and / and negotiator, or simply book through it.
General prices are ⅓ - ½ manat per km. It gets cheaper (per km) the longer the trip is.
With Bolt (or others), you can even book a taxi for trips away from the big cities where it is offered, as long as you start from where it is offered, for example from Ganja to Tbilisi for 70 manat, or from Baku to Shamakhi. for 40 manat, that is, even crossing the border. But make sure the taxi driver really understands what you are willing to do there. However, trips outside of larger cities can be time efficient as you don't have to head to multiple bus stations etc. before finally getting the long distance ride. In this way, you take a taxi to the road frequented by long-distance options and simply take you continuing the trip there.
By car
Summary of highway kilometers:
- total: 36,700 km
- paved: 31,800 km (includes some gravel-surfaced all-weather roads)
- unpaved: 1,900 km (These roads are made of unstabilized dirt and are difficult to navigate in wet weather).
Note that Baku and Azerbaijan in general have many radars automatic, and it is not uncommon to get a ticket, which will be sent by SMS directly to the owner of the car. So, don't be surprised when you have to pay a bit more when returning the car. Locals say that 60 manats for a weekend trip is not uncommon.
By bus
Buses and marshrutkas (also known as minibus, also known as converted delivery van) connect most cities. There is often a center like a bus station near the bazaar in these cities.
The marshrutkas are quite crowded on the routes within the city of Azerbaijan. It's common for 15 people to crowd into a 10-person marshrutka, and don't feel shy about doing it. It is normal, if you are standing, for someone to take your bag and hold it until you or they disembark. Men generally ride in the back of buses and marshrutkas, while women sit in the front, and it is customary for men to yield their seat to a lady entering the bus. Finally, Azerbaijan is not a queuing society, and this especially applies to buses and marshrutkas.
A common rule of thumb for bus fares in Azerbaijan seems to be 1 manat per hour of travel or per 40-50 km; everything else is a tourist surcharge, defend your position and enlist the help of other passengers.
By train
With a few exceptions, the trains in Azerbaijan are night trains that connect Baku with distant regions of the country. There is also a daily fast train to Ganja, a daily slow train to Shirvan and a frequent suburban train to Sumqavit. Hours here: https://ady.az/az/tables/index/52/44 The Nakhichivan - Mashad international train can be used to travel within the Nakhichivan enclave: https://ady.az/az/news/read/312 / 43
Talk
The official language of Azerbaijan is Azeri language, a language of the southwestern branch (of the Turkic family of languages, of the great family of Altaic languages, closely related to the Turkish), which is spoken by 95% of the population, as well as by about a quarter of the population of Iran. As a result of the Soviet Union's policy on languages, Russian is also widely spoken, being the second language in cities. However, English is spoken in places frequented by foreign tourists and expats, especially Baku, where Russian is now slowly declining but much more is still being spoken. Outside of Baku, it is advisable to bring an Azeri phrasebook and / or brush up on your Azeri / Turkish / Russian before arriving. About 80% of the population at least understands Russian, and about half of those under 35 will speak at least a little English. English is well served in most of Baku's mid-range and high-end shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels as a result of more than 15 years of oil industry expats. It can be difficult to speak to people in English in remote areas or even outside of Baku. However, they will often meet someone who knows English.
To buy
Money
| New Azerbaijani manat exchange rates As of January 2020:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available at XE.com |
The country's currency is new azerbaijani manat (yeni manat), denoted by the symbol "", or sometimes by m. or men. (ISO currency code: AZN ). It is divided into 100 gapiz. Wikivoyage will use manat in its articles to denote the coin.
The "old" manat (AZM), was replaced by "New Azerbaijani manat" on January 1, 2007, so please do not accept the old manat.
New bills of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 manat and metallic coins of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 manat and 50 gapik (0.5 manat) circulate. The banknotes have a uniform design that is somewhat reminiscent of euro banknotes, as the same designer worked on both sets.
Manat can be converted to Georgian lari, and vice versa, in cities near the border and in Georgia.
Shopping
Las tiendas suelen abrir a las 10 a.m. y los bazares (mercados) suelen abrir entre las 8 a.m. y las 2 p.m.
Para poder poner los precios locales en relación: En el verano de 2019 se aumentó el salario mínimo legal a 250 manats por mes y la pensión mínima a 200 manats. El ingreso neto mensual promedio en Bakú es de 460 manats.
Caviar
En las tiendas que venden caviar de pesquerías autorizadas, el precio ronda un tercio de lo que se demanda en Europa Central.
Los huevos de esturión de animales de pesca negra son mucho más baratos en las lonjas, pero su calidad u origen no está controlado.
To eat
La cocina azerí ( azərbaycan mətbəxi ) puede no parecer diversa para los europeos occidentales, pero vale la pena probarla. La mayoría de los platos contienen mucha carne (incluida la grasa) y verduras. El pan es un alimento básico y es muy venerado por la gente de Azerbaiyán.
Piti es un plato nacional. Se elabora con cordero y verduras (tomates, patatas, garbanzos), infundido con agua de azafrán para darle sabor y color, todo cubierto por un trozo de grasa y cocido en una olla sellada. Vale la pena probar la versión Şəki de este plato (se usan castañas hervidas en lugar de papa), si estás allí.
Col, hojas de parra y carne envuelta en berenjena (kelem, yarpaq, badimjan - dolmasi), kabab (kebab), arroz con diferentes tipos de aderezos (plov - Se dice que plov es el rey de la cocina azerbaiyana), gutab sy albóndigas (kufta) son algunas de las diversas especialidades de Azerbaiyán. Yarpaq dolmasi a menudo se considera el plato nacional.
La comida georgiana, en particular el khachapuri (un pan relleno de queso), junto con algunos alimentos básicos rusos (borsh, crepes / bliny) se han vuelto comunes en todo Azerbaiyán. Otras cocinas, como la comida rápida turca, italiana, asiática y estadounidense, se pueden encontrar en las ciudades más grandes.
Hay varias sopas que quizás quieras probar: bozbash, buglama, ashgara (cordero con castañas). Pruebe Çoban qovurma (estofado de cordero con verduras).
Los restaurantes suelen abrir a las 11 a.m. y los cafés a las 9 a.m. Los menús son raros, especialmente fuera de Bakú. Incluso si están allí, no es seguro que todos los platos estén disponibles.
La cocina nacional muestra influencias persas y turcas, por ejemplo , Dolma or pastırması. Los panes son en su mayoría panes planos ( lavash ) horneados en un horno de barro . Cordero o cordero, en su mayoría a la parrilla, a menudo como kebab / kebab de ajedrez, está disponible en casi todas partes. Balıq es "pez en el palo ", principalmente esturión. El plato de arroz Plov se diferencia en sus ingredientes de la variante habitual en Uzbekistán . Hay alrededor de cuarenta variaciones según los ingredientes principales.
Dovga es una sopa a base de yogur con varias hierbas. Kufta bozbash es una sopa de guisantes con carne y bolas de arroz. Lo mismo ocurre con una especie de yogur (también en Georgia,matsoni) a base de Ovdukh con carne, huevo duro y hierbas, la variante sin carne se llama Dogramach; con leche agria haces bolva. Sulu khingal una sopa de fideos con carne, generalmente cordero.
Los postres suelen ser piezas extremadamente dulces del modelo turco, baklava or halva.
Drink and go out
To drink
Algunas bebidas locales incluyen ayran (una bebida de yogur a base de leche agria) y sorbete (hecho de pétalos de rosa o azafrán). También hay diferentes tipos de vinos bastante decentes producidos a partir de uvas locales y una amplia gama de aguas minerales de manantiales naturales.
En algunas áreas de Azerbaiyán, los mercados ofrecen limonadas (limonat / dushes) hechas de peras o estragón.
Visitar casas de té ( çay xanalar ) es y seguirá siendo un asunto de hombres en el país. En Bakú (occidental) las mujeres son toleradas incluso si deben consumir alcohol.
El vino se cultiva principalmente en las regiones de Ganja-Qazakh y Shirvan . En este país predominantemente musulmán, no se acerca a la calidad de la vecina Georgia. Las cervezas son más de la variedad fina, de las principales marcas: Xirdalan (pertenece al Grupo Baltika Ruso), Novxanı (fabricante: Bakı-Praqa) y NZS, que solo se vende como cerveza de barril.
El té solo se ha cultivado en el país desde 1912, especialmente en el sur de las montañas alrededor de Lenkeran-Astara, la calidad es promedio. La preparación tradicional se lleva a cabo en el samovar en los pequeños vasos con forma de pera conocidos en Turquía.
Nota : En general, está prohibido que las mujeres entren en las casas de té y establecimientos de bebidas. Beber en general también es un tabú para las mujeres en las zonas rurales de Azerbaiyán. No es un problema en Bakú.
Go out
En el sentido occidental solo en Bakú.
Sleep
Hay una buena selección de hoteles en Bakú , incluidas muchas cadenas de Europa occidental, pero las opciones en otras partes del país son limitadas pero, sin embargo, están creciendo. Los precios de los hoteles comienzan desde US $ 60. Los apartamentos de alquiler pueden ser una buena opción, ya que son más baratos que los hoteles y, a veces, incluso más cómodos.
Dado que muchos lugares tipo albergue y casas de huéspedes están apareciendo rápida y aleatoriamente en todo el país (como en Sheki y Ganja ), a menudo están mal señalizados y, desde el exterior, un gran albergue puede parecer un apartamento normal. Por lo tanto, asegúrese de obtener una descripción detallada (incluido el GPS) de dónde encontrar el lugar y en qué apartamento llamar. De lo contrario, es posible que se pierda para siempre e incluso los lugareños no sabrán dónde está este lugar recién aparecido.
Learn
Puede obtener la información que necesita sobre Azerbaiyán en los hoteles donde se hospedará. Tienen diferentes guías para Azerbaiyán. También en algunas nuevas estaciones de autobuses de Bakú hay mapas de la capital.
Work
Hay mucho trabajo por hacer en Azerbaiyán, desde la enseñanza y el trabajo de las ONG hasta el trabajo en los sectores del petróleo y el turismo. La desventaja del trabajo es el idioma. La comunicación solo es posible en azerí, turco o ruso. Rara vez se entiende el inglés.
Security
Robar y hurtar en la capital Bakú, especialmente en áreas pobres y escasamente pobladas, es posible pero raro y es más alto en la capital por la noche. El sentido común es útil como en todos los demás países. También mire sus cosas en el transporte público.
La corrupción está muy extendida. Pero como extranjero, tienes una posición bastante fuerte al negarte a pagar "hörmet" (soborno). Nunca dé ningún soborno. A menudo, los azeríes se avergüenzan tanto de su economía corrupta que es posible que te lo oculten de todos modos.
Consejos de seguridad
- Cuando esté fuera de la ciudad, trate de viajar durante el día, a menos que tome un tren nocturno. Las carreteras pueden ser peligrosas por la noche debido a los baches invisibles y los coches con poca luz.
Números de contacto de emergencia
- Ambulancia: 103
- Fuego: 101
- Emergencia de gas: 104
- Reloj parlante: 106
- Policía: 102
Debe hablar en azerí, turco o ruso para comunicar sus necesidades. Sería una buena idea memorizar frases clave antes de venir a Azerbaiyán; consulte la sección Charlas para ver los libros de frases.
Health
Asegúrese de que sus vacunas contra la difteria, el tétanos y la hepatitis A y B estén actualizadas. La malaria es un riesgo en las tierras bajas de Azerbaiyán, particularmente alrededor de la frontera con Irán . La lucha contra la malaria no es una necesidad para Bakú , pero el riesgo está presente en las áreas rurales no lejos de la ciudad.
El agua no debe consumirse a menos que sea de una botella sellada. Los refrescos embotellados o las bebidas hervidas, como el té o el café, también reducen los riesgos.
Respect
Los azerbaiyanos son un pueblo muy reservado pero muy educado y educado.
- Cuando te inviten a una casa azerbaiyana, asegúrate de llevarles un regalo. Cualquier cosa está bien, desde flores (asegúrese de obtener un número impar de flores, ya que un número par está asociado con los funerales), hasta chocolate (pero no vino y otras bebidas alcohólicas) y, de hecho, algo representativo de su país. En la cultura azerbaiyana, lo que importa es el pensamiento detrás del regalo, más que el precio.
- Cuando llegue a la casa, quítese los zapatos justo afuera o inmediatamente dentro de la puerta, a menos que el propietario le permita explícitamente que se los deje puestos. Incluso entonces, sería más cortés quitarse los zapatos. Es posible que le ofrezcan zapatillas para que se las ponga.
- Los azerbaiyanos respetan a las personas mayores , por lo que en un autobús, tranvía, metro y en otros medios de transporte público, los jóvenes (más) siempre le ofrecerán un lugar para sentarse si es una persona mayor, una persona discapacitada o un mujer embarazada o tiene hijos con usted. Se considera de buena educación permitir que las mujeres suban y bajen primero del autobús, tranvía, metro y en otras formas de transporte público o que entren y salgan de una habitación.
- Es respetuoso inclinarse ligeramente (no una reverencia completa) al saludar a alguien mayor o en una posición de autoridad. Los más jóvenes siempre inician el saludo con las personas mayores o con quienes se encuentran en una posición de autoridad.
- Si no conoce bien a la persona, use su primer nombre seguido de un honorífico apropiado. Para las mujeres, use " Xanım ", que se pronuncia " hanm " ("Sra."). Para los hombres, use " Cənab ", que se pronuncia " jenab " ("Mr"). Si hablan inglés, utilice su apellido precedido por el correspondiente "Sr." honorífico en inglés. o "Sra.". El honorífico inglés "Ms." no existe en el idioma azerbaiyano.
Cosas para evitar
Politics
- A toda costa, no insulte ni hable mal del presidente Ilham Aliyev o de su predecesor directo y padre, el difunto presidente Haydar Aliyev, y de la familia Aliyev en general, que gobierna Azerbaiyán. Esto conlleva una pena de prisión, o si eres un ciudadano extranjero, la remota posibilidad de deportación del país. A finales de 2009, dos jóvenes fueron condenados a 4 años de prisión por representar al presidente Ilham Aliyev como un burro dando una conferencia de prensa en un video que se subió a YouTube.
- A toda costa, no mencione a Armenia y los armenios y el muy amargo conflicto de Nagorno-Karabaj que ha estado en curso con la vecina Armenia, que controla el enclave separatista de Nagorno-Karabaj. Azerbaiyán perdió el 14% de su territorio y tiene unos 800.000 refugiados y desplazados internos como resultado del conflicto. La amargura y el odio contra los armenios son muy altos.
- Evite fotografiar ferrocarriles, estaciones de metro y otros objetos que las autoridades puedan considerar de importancia "estratégica". Según los informes, las autoridades han detenido a aficionados a los ferrocarriles extranjeros bajo sospecha de espionaje.
Religion
A pesar de que el 95% de la población es musulmana chiíta, Azerbaiyán es un estado estrictamente laico y, en general, es una nación agnóstica y no religiosa. Esto es cierto en las grandes ciudades e incluso en pueblos y zonas rurales. A pesar de verse a sí mismos como musulmanes, los hombres azeríes a menudo beben bebidas alcohólicas, y esto es ampliamente aceptado, probablemente debido al legado ruso y soviético (aunque cabe mencionar que beber es raro entre las mujeres y casi nunca ocurre entre hombres y mujeres en áreas rurales o familias socialmente conservadoras). Los disturbios en Irán, Irak y Siria en el siglo XXI han hecho que el gobierno sea muy estricto con respecto a la ropa y los símbolos religiosos y ha provocado una mayor secularización y un control más estricto de las fronteras del sur. Cualquier letrero religioso, bandera, lema en público y proselitismo (actividad misionera) de cualquier religión está prohibido por la ley. Cualquier violación resultará en multas, encarcelamiento y, en el caso de extranjeros, deportación del país. Don' Asuma que alguien que usted no conoce cree en Dios o tiene pasión por el Islam o por otras religiones. Las investigaciones sobre la fe de las personas no son bienvenidas, y fuera de los lugares de culto, las demostraciones de su fe deben mantenerse en privado. Decir gracias, por ejemplo, probablemente se encontrará con desconcierto y silencio. La vestimenta religiosa, como los pañuelos musulmanes en la cabeza, las kipá o incluso las camisetas con eslóganes religiosos, también hará que muchos azerbaiyanos se sientan incómodos, aunque se toleren. Sin embargo, es aceptable usar pequeños collares con símbolos religiosos. Aquellos con barbas largas pueden despertar la sospecha de las autoridades. Es probable que se encuentre con desconcierto y silencio. La vestimenta religiosa, como los pañuelos musulmanes en la cabeza, las kipá o incluso las camisetas con eslóganes religiosos, también hará que muchos azerbaiyanos se sientan incómodos, aunque se toleren. Sin embargo, es aceptable usar pequeños collares con símbolos religiosos. Aquellos con barbas largas pueden despertar la sospecha de las autoridades. Es probable que se encuentre con desconcierto y silencio. La vestimenta religiosa, como los pañuelos musulmanes en la cabeza, las kipá o incluso las camisetas con eslóganes religiosos, también hará que muchos azerbaiyanos se sientan incómodos, aunque se toleren. Sin embargo, es aceptable usar pequeños collares con símbolos religiosos. Aquellos con barbas largas pueden despertar la sospecha de las autoridades.
Incumplimientos de las costumbres sociales y la etiqueta
- No se suene la nariz durante las comidas, ni siquiera discretamente.
- No se hurgue los dientes durante las comidas, ni siquiera discretamente.
- No levante los pies mientras está sentado y trate de no mostrar la planta de sus pies a alguien.
- No apunte con el dedo a alguien.
- No mastique chicle mientras tiene una conversación y en ocasiones públicas.
- Mejor no tocar a alguien sin permiso.
- No soportes abrazar o dar palmadas en la espalda a alguien, especialmente en situaciones y ocasiones formales y con alguien que acabas de conocer y/o no conoces lo suficientemente bien.
- No levante la voz ni grite en público, especialmente en el transporte público.
- No use malas palabras durante una conversación o mientras habla consigo mismo en público y también entre amigos.
Otras cosas a tener en cuenta
- Se toleran las demostraciones públicas de afecto en las grandes ciudades y centros turísticos, pero pueden provocar miradas innecesarias del público. En las zonas más rurales está mal visto y debe evitarse. Los viajeros gays y lesbianas deben evitar cualquier signo externo de afecto.
- Notará cómo los azerbaiyanos tienden a mantener la voz baja en lugares públicos. No levante la voz en una conversación. Una conversación en silencio decente es la forma de hacer negocios de Azerbaiyán y será muy apreciada. Hablar por teléfono móvil en el transporte público y en los restaurantes se considera normal, a menos que la conversación sea ruidosa y demasiado "privada".
- Tirar basura se considera de muy mala educación y puede ser multado. Hay muchos contenedores de basura y botes de basura en las aceras y cerca de la mayoría de las tiendas.
Gay and lesbian travelers
La homosexualidad ya no está criminalizada en Azerbaiyán, pero el estigma negativo sigue siendo fuerte en todo el país. Las relaciones entre personas del mismo sexo no son reconocidas por el gobierno ni aceptadas por la sociedad, y mostrar su orientación sexual abiertamente es muy probable que atraiga miradas y susurros. Los pocos establecimientos orientados a los homosexuales están casi (si no exclusivamente) en Bakú y son en su mayoría clandestinos. Azerbaiyán no es el lugar más feliz del mundo para los viajeros LGBT; Tenga mucho cuidado cuando viaje como viajero LGBT.
Keep in touch
Para los números dados en la forma (0cc) xxx xx xx, el "0" es el prefijo de troncal y cc el código de área. Para llamar desde el extranjero, marque 994ccxxxxxxx. Para llamar en el país, marque 0ccxxxxxxx o desde los teléfonos fijos locales xxxxxxx.
Hay tres operadores móviles: Azercell, Bakcell, Nar Mobile, Azerfon-Vodafone.
- Azercell es el más grande. Para marcar un número de Azercell, debe marcar (050) o (051) y luego el número. Solo con Azercell puedes hablar en el metro (metro) en Bakú.
- Nar Mobile es bastante barato pero no funciona en algunas regiones. Para marcar números de Nar Mobile, debe marcar (070) y luego el número.
- Azerfon-Vodafone es el nuevo operador que tiene 3G. Para marcar números de Azerfon-Vodafone, debe marcar (077) y luego el número.
- Bakcell está bien. Funciona en casi todas partes y es más económico que Azercell. Para marcar un número de Bakcell, debe marcar (055) y luego el número.
Los números tienen un "0" código de 2 dígitos (diferente para cada operador) número de 7 dígitos. Por ejemplo (050) xxx xx xx, (051) xxx xx xx, o (055) xxx xx xx, o (070) xxx xx xx, o (077) xxx xx xx. Elimine el cero cuando utilice el prefijo 994.
Puede comprar tarjetas para usar con diferentes operadores en casi todas las tiendas.
Códigos de área
Los códigos de área se cambiaron a dos cifras en 2011. Bakú, Sumqayit y la República Autónoma de Nakhchivan mantuvieron sus códigos de área (12, 18 y 36, respectivamente), otras áreas tienen códigos de área en el rango 20-26.
Surroundings
external links
Wikipedia has an article on Azerbaijan.w:Azerbaiyán
Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about Azerbaijan. Commons
