The Republic of Azerbaijan has to be on the top of your list this season to visit. The country presents a great history and an interesting list of facts for all groups visiting.

Located in the South Caucasus region at the crossroads of South East Asia and Southeastern Europe, it is bound by the Caspian Sea to the East.The earliest evidence of human settlement in the territory of Azerbaijan dates back to the Guruchay culture of Azokh Cave.

Here are some of the facts about Azerbaijan, that you might want to know.

  1. Azerbaijan is a Home to Ancient Man

In the lowest reaches of Azokh Cave in western Azerbaijan, archeologists have found tools and remains dating back 1.5 million years. The six chambers of the cave complex hold a bounty of prehistoric remains, and it’s thought that the caverns were occupied for nearly two million years.

  1. Azerbaijan is First in the East

Azerbaijan had the 1st opera and theatre in the East. Leyli and Majnun was first performed on 12 January 1908 (25 January in the modern calendar)

  1. Azerbaijan has a city built on stilts

The settlement of Neft Daslari started life as an oil rig and a couple of elevated walkways in the Caspian Sea Today, it’s an entire stilted city. It was built in 1949, and communities have cropped up around bakeries, shops, cultural areas, hostels and hotels.

  1. Azerbaijan’s gas is plentiful

Fire mountain (Yanar Dag) does exactly what it says on the tin: it blazes continuously, with a natural flame that feeds off the huge underground gas deposits. The mountain, not far from Baku, has entranced travelers and conquerors for centuries. In the 13th century, explorer Marco Polo wrote of the mysterious fires that burned all over on the peninsula. Natural gas is a big earner for Azerbaijan producing 29 billion cubic meters in 2013.

  1. Azerbaijan is known for its grapes

Although Azerbaijan makes most money from oil and gas, Azerbaijan also exploits grains, grapes, cotton and livestock.

  1. Azerbaijan treats horses as heroes

The karabakh horse – renowned for its effortless speed, intelligence and endurance – is the national animal of Azerbaijan. They are endemic to the country, and one of the oldest breeds in the world. Horsemeat was once widely eaten in Azerbaijan, but now it has fallen out of favor; you’ll have lamb and beef on the menu instead.

  1. Azerbaijan’s currency is modelled on Euros

Azerbaijan’s currency – known as Manat – looks a lot like Euro banknotes, with similar sizes, colors and fonts. But each note is themed with different aspects of national identity. On 5 Manat notes, you’ll find an excerpt from the national anthem, while 20 Manat bills are decorated with a sword, shield and helmet to signify power.

  1. Azerbaijan is Strong

If you find yourself in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, you might want to limber up for an arm wrestling match. The city is home to the Arm-Wrestling Federation, who host the country’s professional league. Be warned that this is serious business in Baku’s gyms and bars.

  1. Azerbaijani Women

This is one of the 1st countries in the world to grant women equal political rights with men. For comparison women in Azerbaijan got right to vote in 1918 while in USA this right to vote by women was established in 1920.

  1. Azerbaijan is home to over 40% of the world’s mud volcanoes

Azerbaijan has more mud volcanoes than any other country on Earth – more than 400, while there are 1000 or so of them in the world. When its volcanoes erupt, the flames shoot up to a kilometer in the air, and when dormant they bubble and pop with toxic gases.

  1. Azerbaijan has the first industrial production of oil

Drilling of the first oil well in history was done in the Bibi-Eibat area of the Apsheron Peninsula in 1848. There was a time when 75% of the world’s oil was produced in Baku. Nobel brothers had lived and worked in Azerbaijan for a long time. Their house in Baku is a popular place to visit among tourists.

  1. Azerbaijan is rich in oil

During World War II, Hitler was trying to conquer the Soviet Union, intending to use Azerbaijan’s oil to fuel the German war machine and the overall economy. Azerbaijan has so much oil that tourists can bathe in it. Literally! The town of Naftalan is famous for its crude oil.

  1. Azerbaijanis love good carpet

Carpet is a wealth. It is a beauty. It is a passion! Azerbaijan’s Carpet Museum opened in 2014, on Baku’s seafront, in a building that’s shaped like a giant rolled-up carpet. Inside, you can browse carpets from different eras and from all over the country – a spectacle only trumped by carpet weaving demonstrations.

  1. Azerbaijan believes bread is sacred

When bread goes stale, Azerbaijani cooks don’t just chuck it in the bin: they hang it up in bags, separate from the rest of the rubbish, to signify their respect. If you drop bread on the floor, it’s custom to kiss it as an apology.

  1. In Azerbaijan, you can float through the capital

Baku is also home to Little Venice, a man-made waterway that flows between shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. It has a number of islands, connected by bridges and walkways – but the best way to get around is by a gondola.

  1. Azerbaijan’s Burning Mountain

The Burning Mountain is a rare natural wonder in the Absheron Peninsula. It burns all year round due to natural gas escaping from the ground.

  1. Azerbaijan claims to be the landing page of Noah’s ark

The alleged site of Noah’s final resting place is claimed to be in the town of Nakhchivan. This is in the form of an oddly-shaped mountain bulging randomly out of the ground, with a dent at the top, which is allegedly the site where Noah first landed after the flood. The city and region even derive their names from the legend, as Nakhchivan means “Noah’s town.”

Have a great trip to Azerbaijan and fill us in on more facts you’ve learned on your trip!