15 facts about Azerbaijan

1. Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is one of the six independent Turkic states in the Caucasus region of Eurasia.
2. The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani.
3. Majority of the population in Azerbaijan comprises of Muslims.
4. Azerbaijan was the first successful attempt to establish a democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world.
5. The Treaty of Turkmanchai, in 1828, divided Azerbaijan's territory between Persia (now Iran) and Russia.
6. Around the middle of the nineteenth century the world's first oil well was drilled near Baku.
7. Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 158 countries so far and holds membership in 38 international organizations. 
8. The currency of Azerbaijan is Manat.
9. The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku.
10. Azerbaijan became part of the USSR at the end of 1922. It declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 30, 1991.
11. The highest point in Azerbaijan is Bazarduzu Dagi (4,485 m).
12. Azerbaijan is believed to be the birthplace of the founder of Zoroastrianism.
13. Zoroaster taught the existence of a single god, Ahura Mazda. His Holy Spirit was represented by fire.
14. Azerbaijan was initially a Christian country, which was converted to Islam in the early eighth century.
15. The former world chess champion - Gary Kasparov was born in Baku.