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Like its neighbour Armenia,
Azerbaijan is an ancient settlement with the earliest
examples of man’s habitation at Azykh and Gobustan.
Again dominated by Greeks, Romans, Persians, Russians
and Turks, it gained independence in 1991 and has been
in on/off conflict with Armenia ever since.
The capital Baku, is said to mean ‘God’s
City’ and visitors are greeted by a mix of Oriental
and European architecture and varied cultural influences.
It is now becoming quite a cosmopolitan city with gardens
and fountains, and an elegant seaside promenade.
In a bid to develop its economy, Azerbaijan’s
main preoccupation now is to fully exploit and
benefit from its huge gas and oil reserves.
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