LAND OF FIRE
Strategically located north of Iran, with 800 kilometres of coastline along the Caspian Sea, and south of the Caucasus Mountains where Europe, Asia and the Middle East meet, Azerbaijan is one of the fastest-emerging destinations in this complex and compelling region.
Once part of the Persian Empire, Azerbaijan was an independent nation from 1918 to 1920 before being incorporated into the Soviet Union; it declared independence again on 30 August 1991. Today the country has a population of nearly 10 million, 95 per cent of whom are Muslim. With its rich history, culture, traditions and unique political background, it has much to offer the intrepid traveller who invests the time and effort to get there.
On a two-week small group tour of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan is the first country I visit (followed by Georgia and Armenia) and is, perhaps, the least known and explored.
