Azerbaijan

source : World Fact Book 2008 (October 2008)

SEE UPDATED INFORMATION HERE

   Introduction    Azerbaijan
Background:
Definition Field Listing Azerbaijan - a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Muslim population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it 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 Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 600,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the government has been accused of authoritarianism. Although the poverty rate has been reduced in recent years, the promise of widespread wealth from development of Azerbaijan's energy sector remains largely unfulfilled.
   Geography    Azerbaijan
Location:
Definition Field Listing Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing 40 30 N, 47 30 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing Asia
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 86,600 sq km
land: 86,100 sq km
water: 500 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
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing total: 2,013 km
border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing 0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km)
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing none (landlocked)
Climate:
Definition Field Listing dry, semiarid steppe
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing 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
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite
Land use:
Definition Field Listing arable land: 20.62%
permanent crops: 2.61%
other: 76.77% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing 14,550 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field Listing 30.3 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field Listing total: 17.25 cu km/yr (5%/28%/68%)
per capita: 2,051 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing droughts
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing 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 pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked
   People    Azerbaijan
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 8,177,717 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing 0-14 years: 24.6% (male 1,061,318/female 947,607)
15-64 years: 68.6% (male 2,753,277/female 2,855,406)
65 years and over: 6.8% (male 208,293/female 351,816) (2008 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing total: 27.9 years
male: 26.3 years
female: 29.7 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing 0.723% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 17.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 8.32 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order -1.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 56.43 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 62.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 49.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total population: 66.31 years
male: 62.2 years
female: 71 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 2.05 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 1,400 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order fewer than 100 (2001 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing noun: Azerbaijani(s)
adjective: Azerbaijani
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census)
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region
Religions:
Definition Field Listing 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
Languages:
Definition Field Listing Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1% (1999 census)
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.8%
male: 99.5%
female: 98.2% (1999 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Definition Field Listing total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 2.1% of GDP (2006)
   Government    Azerbaijan
Country name:
Definition Field Listing conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan
conventional short form: Azerbaijan
local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi
local short form: Azarbaycan
former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
Definition Field Listing republic
Capital:
Definition Field Listing name: Baku (Baki, Baky)
geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 52 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing 59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika)
rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu
cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari
autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi
Independence:
Definition Field Listing 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing adopted 12 November 1995
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing 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 Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006)
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 (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held in October 2008); prime minister and first deputy prime minister 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%
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, Motherland 2, other parties with single seats 9, independents 42, undetermined 4
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing Azadliq (Freedom) coalition (Popular Front Party, Liberal Party, Citizens' Development Party); Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Sardar JALALOGLU]; Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADRP) Youth Movement [Ramin HAJILI]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF, now split in two [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" APF party; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" APF party]; Azerbaijan Public Forum [Eldar NAMAZOV]; Citizens' Development Party [Ali ALIYEV]; Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Dalga Youth Movement [Vafa JAFAROVA]; Green Party [Mais GULALIYEV and Tarana MAMMADOVA]; Hope (Umid) Party [Iqbal AGAZADE]; Ireli Youth Movement [Jeyhun OSMANLI, Roya TALIBOVA, Farhad MAMMADOV, Elnara GARIBOVA, Elnur MAMMADOV, Ziya ALIYEV]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Magam Youth Movement [Emin HUSEYNOV]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; Musavat (Equality) [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Musavat Party Youth Movement [Elnur MAMMADLI]; National Democratic Party or Grey Wolves (Nationalist, Pan-Turkic) [Iskender HAMIDOV]; Open Society Party [Rasul GULIYEV, in exile in the US]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Ayaz RUSTAMOV]; Popular Front Party Youth Movement [Seymur KHAZIYEV]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV (in exile)]; Turkish Nationalist Party [Vugar BAYTURAN]; United Azerbaijan Party [Karrar ABILOV]; United Azerbaijan National Unity Party [Hajibaba AZIMOV]; United Party [Tahir KARIMLI]; Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party [President Ilham ALIYEV]; Yeni Azerbaijan Party Youth Movement [Ramil HASANOV]; Yox (No) Youth Movement [Ali ISMAYILOV]
note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties;
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (self-proclaimed); Karabakh Liberation Organization; Sadval, Lezgin movement; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces or UPAF
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing chief of mission: Ambassador Yashar ALIYEV
chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500
FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911
Consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing chief of mission: Ambassador Anne E. DERSE
embassy: 83 Azadliyg Prospecti, Baku AZ1007
mailing address: American Embassy Baku, US Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050
telephone: [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337
FAX: [994] (12) 4656-671
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band
   Economy    Azerbaijan
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing Azerbaijan's high economic growth in 2006 and 2007 is attributable to large and growing oil exports. 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 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. A consortium of Western oil companies began pumping 1 million barrels a day from a large offshore field in early 2006, through a $4 billion pipeline it built from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. By 2010 revenues from this project will double the country's current GDP. 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. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress: the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, pervasive corruption, and elevated inflation. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new oil and gas pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its energy wealth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $64.66 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing $31.32 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 23.4% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $8,000 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 63.3%
services: 30.5% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 5.243 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing agriculture: 41%
industry: 7%
services: 52% (2001)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 1% official rate (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing 24% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 29.5% (2001)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing 36.5 (2001)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 16.7% (2007 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 20% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing revenues: $6.755 billion
expenditures: $8.572 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 6.7% of GDP (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats
Industries:
Definition Field Listing petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 25% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 23.8 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 27.5 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing 880 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing 2.082 billion kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 934,700 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 160,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 795,600 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 3,924 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 7 billion bbl (17 April 2007 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 6.3 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 9.8 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 4.373 billion cu m (2005)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 849.5 billion cu m (17 April 2007 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $9.019 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $21.27 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing Italy 25.2%, France 15.4%, US 13.1%, Germany 10.2%, Czech Republic 6.9%, UK 4.2% (2007)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $6.045 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing Russia 17.7%, Turkey 14.7%, Germany 8.5%, UK 6.7%, China 6.7%, Turkmenistan 5.8%, Ukraine 5% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing ODA, $223.4 million (2005 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $4.273 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $2.439 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $7.829 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $4.912 billion (2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $NA
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing Azerbaijani manat (AZN)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 0.8581 (2007), 0.8934 (2006), 4,727.1 (2005), 4,913.48 (2004), 4,910.73 (2003)
note: on 1 January 2006 Azerbaijan revalued its currency, with 5,000 old manats equal to 1 new manat
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing calendar year
   Communications    Azerbaijan
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 1.254 million (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 4.3 million (2007)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 15 main lines per 100 persons is low; mobile-cellular penetration is increasing and is currently about 50 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: fixed-line telephony and a broad range of other telecom services are controlled by a state-owned telecommunications monopoly and growth has been stagnant; more competition exists in the mobile-cellular market with three providers in 2006; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan
international: country code - 994; the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations - 2 (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing 2 (1997)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing .az
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 3,067 (2007)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 1.036 million (2007)
   Transportation    Azerbaijan
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 35 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing total: 27
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing total: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 7 (2007)
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing 1 (2007)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing gas 3,857 km; oil 2,436 km (2007)
Railways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 2,122 km
broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2006)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 59,141 km
paved: 29,210 km
unpaved: 29,931 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 87 ships (1000 GRT or over) 429,608 GRT/466,953 DWT
by type: cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 45, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 3
registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing Baku (Baki)
   Military    Azerbaijan
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; length of military service is 18 months and 12 months for university graduates (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing males age 16-49: 2,278,888
females age 16-49: 2,291,770 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing males age 16-49: 1,696,167
females age 16-49: 1,923,556 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field Listing male: 94,402
female: 89,686 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 2.6% of GDP (2005 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Azerbaijan
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Definition Field Listing refugees (country of origin): 2,400 (Russia)
IDPs: 580,000-690,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
Definition Field Listing current situation: Azerbaijan is primarily a source and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and some children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for the purpose of sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked to Russia for the purpose of forced labor; Azerbaijan serves as a transit country for victims from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Moldova trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Azerbaijan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly efforts to investigate, prosecute, and punish traffickers; to address complicity among law enforcement personnel; and to adequately identify and protect victims in Azerbaijan; the government has yet to develop a much-needed mechanism to identify potential trafficking victims and refer them to safety and care; poor treatment of trafficking victims in courtrooms continues to be a problem (2008)
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe



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Source : CIA's World Fact Book 2008

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