Wikijunior:Europe/Azerbaijan
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Azerbaijan is a medium-sized country in the South Caucasus region of Europe. Until 1991, Azerbaijan was a part of the Soviet Union (USSR). The capital city is Baku and the country shares borders with Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran and Turkey.
[edit] Azerbaijan's History
The area of present-day Azerbaijan was settled beginning in about the 8th century BC by the Medes, an ancient Aryan tribe. It became part of the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC. Between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, the Romans conquered the area of present-day Azerbaijan. Christianity began to spread there in the 3rd century. In 1920 the Azerbaijani were taken over by the Soviet Union or the USSR. In 1991 Azerbaijan became independent from the Soviet Union.
[edit] Azerbaijan's Geography
Azerbaijan covers an area of about 86,600 sq km (about 33,400 sq mi). That's about the size of Portugal or the state of Maine in the United States. Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea to the east, Georgia and Russia to the north, Iran to the south, and Armenia to the southwest and west. The capital of Azerbaijan is the ancient city of Baku, which has the largest and best harbor on the Caspian Sea.
[edit] Azerbaijan's People
The population of Azerbaijan is around 18,120,000. Azerbaijani, Russian, Lezgin,and Talysh are the languages that are spoken by the people who live in the country. The national language is Azerbaijani or Azeri and almost 93 percent of the population speak it.
People from Azerbaijan are called Azerbaijani or Azeris, Dagestanis and Russians are the largest minority groups in Azerbaijan, followed by Armenians. The majority of people in the country are Muslim but there are also small numbers of Orthodox Christians.
Most adults in Azerbaijan can read and write. Education is required for the first eight years, but many children continue their education.
