100 incredibly interesting facts about Azerbaijan (Part 2)

Part 1 is here.

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1. Azerbaijan sacrificed more than 300,000 of its citizens during the World War 2, over 10% of its entire population.

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2. Several Azerbaijani cities and towns (Göygöl, Tovuz, Shamkir) were founded or heavily influenced by German settlers, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries when the Russian Empire encouraged Germans to settle in various regions of Azerbaijan.

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3. The region of Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic of Azerbaijan, holds significant historical and religious importance, particularly due to its connection to the biblical figure Noah.

According to local tradition, Noah and his followers are believed to have settled in the region after the Great Flood, and the mausoleum is said to be the final resting place of Noah himself.

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4. Several Polish architects such as Józef Płoszko and Józef Gosławski, have made notable contributions to the design and architecture in Baku, especially during the 20th century when the city underwent significant urban development and modernization.

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5. In Azerbaijan, the founder of the Safavid Dynasty, Ismail I is regarded as a foundational figure in the formation of the modern Azerbaijani state and culture. During his reign, Azerbaijani language was used widely in the courts, administration, and among the elites of the Safavid Empire, particularly in the early days of the dynasty.

He was known to appreciate Azerbaijani literature and poetry. His reign helped elevate the Azerbaijani language as a medium of artistic and intellectual expression in the broader Persian-speaking world.

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6. Two of the prominent ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan are the Lezgins and the Talysh, both of whom have distinct languages, cultures, and traditions.

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7. Iran has the largest number of Azerbaijani people outside of Azerbaijan.

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8. In the 7th century, Arab forces invaded Azerbaijan as part of the Arab Caliphate's expansion following the death of the Prophet Muhammad.

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9. A crater on Mars is named in honour of Azerbaijani astronomer Nadir Ibrahimov.

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10. While Azerbaijan is a secular state, Islam still plays a significant cultural and social role in the lives of many Azerbaijanis. For instance, many people observe Islamic practices such as Ramadan (the fasting month) and Eid al-Fitr (the festival marking the end of Ramadan).

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11. The Voyager Golden Record, which was launched aboard the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecrafts in 1977, contains a selection of sounds and music meant to represent the diversity of life and culture on Earth. One of the pieces included on this record is a traditional Azerbaijani music performance.

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12. The Azerbaijani football club Qarabağ FK is the only team from Azerbaijan to have reached the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

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13. Parsley (cəfəri) is an essential herb in Azerbaijani cuisine, used both as a garnish and as a key ingredient in many traditional dishes.

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14. Several famous people of Jewish origin were born in Baku, including Lev Landau, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Garry Kasparov.

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15. While attitudes toward public displays of affection are becoming more liberal in urban areas, kissing and hugging in public is generally seen as inappropriate, especially in rural areas. It's best to keep affection reserved for private settings.

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16. Politics, especially regarding issues related to Azerbaijan's neighbours or historical conflicts, can be a sensitive subject. Avoiding political discussions, particularly in casual settings, is often advisable unless you know the person well.

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17. Azerbaijan is home to several species of sturgeon, such as the Beluga, Ossetra, and Sevruga sturgeon, all of which are prized for their caviar. Unfortunately, overfishing in the Caspian Sea has led to a decline in sturgeon populations, so Azerbaijan has placed increasing importance on sustainable caviar production, with aquaculture practices being introduced to preserve sturgeon species and ensure a steady supply of caviar.

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18. The dagger was an essential part of the traditional Azerbaijani warrior's arsenal. It was used not only for self-defense but also as a tool in battle and hunting. The blade is typically made of high-quality steel, and the handle is often intricately designed using materials like bone, wood, and precious metals.

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19. In Azerbaijan, the use of crude oil in baths or for therapeutic purposes is a traditional practice. This is especially popular in the Naftalan region, famous for its therapeutic oil baths.

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20. Martyrs' Day is commemorated on January 20 each year. It honors the memory of those who lost their lives during the Black January massacre on January 20, 1990. It is a solemn and significant day in Azerbaijani history, marking both a tragic loss and a turning point in the country’s path to sovereignty.

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21. Muslim Magomayev (1942–2012) was an iconic Azerbaijani baritone singer, renowned for his powerful voice and impeccable musical talent. He became one of the most beloved figures in the Soviet Union and was known for his performances in classical music, opera, and popular songs. His impressive vocal range and the emotive quality of his voice earned him the title of "The Soviet Frank Sinatra".

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22. Russian general Pavel Tsitsianov, who played a prominent role in the Russian conquest of the South Caucasus, was assassinated in Baku. The Khan of Baku had agreed to meet Tsitsianov to accept his demands for submission.

As the general was about to receive the keys to the city from the Khan, the Khan's men unexpectedly shot him. Tsitsianov's head and both hands were severed and, according to some accounts, sent to Fath-Ali Shah in Tehran.

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23. In Azerbaijan, some people often drive like they’re in a race, and traffic rules are sometimes treated as suggestions rather than laws. Road casualties in Azerbaijan have been a significant concern for the country in recent years.

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24. Shusha is often referred to as the "cultural capital" of Azerbaijan due to its historical significance in the country's art, music, and literature.

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25. In 1858, the renowned French writer Alexandre Dumas encountered Khurshidbanu Natavan, a prominent Azerbaijani poetess and philanthropist, during his journey through the Caucasus, which left a lasting impression on Dumas. Dumas was impressed by Natavan's intelligence and character, and he presented her with a bust of Napoleon Bonaparte after losing to her at chess.

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26. Chess is extremely popular in Azerbaijan, and the country is considered one of the world’s chess powerhouses.

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27. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) opened its first restaurant in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2012. The most famous KFC location in Baku is in the historic Sabunchu Railway Station, which was renovated and transformed into one of the largest KFC restaurants in the world at the time of its opening.

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28. With the increasing trend of urbanization, many rural areas in Azerbaijan are witnessing rapid depopulation (exception - Karabakh) as younger generations move to Baku or other cities for better education, career opportunities, and lifestyle.

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29. Azerbaijan won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 with the song "Running Scared" by Eldar and Nigar, making it the first country from the South Caucasus to win the prestigious event.

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30. In Azerbaijan, the Russian and English languages are widely understood, but their usage varies by age group and region.

Around 38-40% of Azerbaijan's population speaks Russian to some degree. Russian is widely spoken in Baku and other urban areas, especially among older generations and those who were educated during the Soviet era.

Around 15-20% of Azerbaijanis speak English, mainly among younger generations and professionals. English is becoming more popular due to globalization, business, and tourism.

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31. In 2011, Azerbaijani authorities removed the statue of ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak from "Azerbaijan-Egyptian Friendship Park" near the capital, Baku, and replaced it with a seemingly generic "Egyptian" figure.

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32. When Boris Akunin, a Russian writer, arrived in Baku to collect materials for his next detective novel, he wrote a heartfelt ode to Baku summarizing his visit, in which he noted, among others, that Baku was certainly a city of cats rather than dogs.

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33. Despite his leading role in shaping the Soviet space programme over several decades, Azerbaijani engineer Kerim Kerimov was a mysterious, shadowy figure whose identity remained a secret for most of his career. Working alongside such legendary figures as Sergei Korolev and Valentin Glushko, Kerimov was one of the architects of the string of Soviet successes that stunned the world in the early 1960s.

The Communist Party newspaper Pravda mentioned his name for the first time only in 1987, during Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev's campaign of glasnost, or openness.

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34. As global fitness trends influence Azerbaijan, more people are becoming health-conscious. Fitness centers, yoga, and pilates classes are gaining popularity, especially in Baku.

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35. In 1992, Le Figaro called Azerbaijani writer Banine as "one of those personages of La vie romanesque who traverse a century, attracting like a lodestone all the singular figures of their times."

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36. Molla Nasreddin was not just a magazine, but a cultural and intellectual movement that made significant contributions to Azerbaijani society, advocating for social change, progressivism, and freedom of expression. Its legacy is still celebrated today, and it remains a powerful symbol of Azerbaijani satirical journalism.

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37. Despite Azerbaijan's rich history of traditional handicrafts, like carpets and pottery, the demand for handcrafted goods is declining due to mass-produced goods.

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38. Azerbaijan has won the most Olympic medals in wrestling.

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39. In 2002, an Iraqi man with ties to the Chechen rebel forces had planned the assassination of Vladimir Putin in Baku, but the Azerbaijani police caught him and later sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

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40. Azerbaijan’s fashion scene is slowly gaining recognition internationally, with local designers and boutiques becoming more popular both within the country and abroad. Watch out especially for kalaghayi (silk scarves).

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41. Azerbaijan’s traditional food is evolving, with fusion cuisine becoming increasingly popular. This involves mixing Azerbaijani flavors with international dishes, such as sushi with local ingredients or Azerbaijani-style pizzas.

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42. Azerbaijani football referee Tofiq Bahramov is most famous for his role as the linesman during the 1966 World Cup final between England and West Germany. His offside decision in the 101st minute of the match, which led to England's third goal (a controversial one that some thought didn't cross the line), is considered one of the most famous moments in football history.

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43. Lotfi Zadeh, one of the most famous Azerbaijani-American scientists, is best known for developing the fuzzy logic concept, which has had a profound impact on computing, control systems, and artificial intelligence.

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44. Azerbaijan is home to several important wetland ecosystems, including Lankaran and Caspian Sea coastal regions, where flamingos can be found. These areas provide the ideal environment for flamingos due to the shallow waters and abundant food supply.

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45. The Caspian seal population in Azerbaijan has drastically declined due to pollution in the Caspian Sea, hunting, and habitat degradation. Although the species still exists in other parts of the Caspian Sea, the population in Azerbaijan is considered functionally extinct.

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46. The first country to recognize Azerbaijan's independence was Turkey.

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47. During the First Karabakh war, around 1 million Azerbaijanis were displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.

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48. Lavish, extravagant weddings have long been a significant part of Azerbaijani culture. However, in recent years, the trend has started to shift toward smaller, more intimate gatherings due to economic factors and changing social attitudes.

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49. The Candy Cane Mountains are a unique and visually stunning natural wonder in Azerbaijan, known for their striped red and white patterns that resemble a candy cane.

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50. Russian poet Sergei Yesenin had a soft spot for Baku. He even wrote a great poem named "Goodbye Baku! I won't see you again."