azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is one of the
oldest spots of civilization, a country with a rich and ancient
history. A rich cultural heritage has been created on its
territory over the span of many millenniums, contributing to the
treasure-house of World culture. The discovery of Azykh cave,
the earliest habitation of man to be found in the world, and a
number of habitations of the ancient Stone Age prove that
Azerbaijan enters the zone of anthropoids to reveal the
birthplace of mankind. The main traces of civilization are
viewed in Azerbaijan. In the 3rd millennium B.C. the process of
tribe formation was going on here and by the 1st millennium B.C.
the first political formations had emerged. Azerbaijan State
system was being formed in the 9th century B.C.: Manna state
with high economic and cultural level had emerged.
Islam became the leading religion in Azerbaijan, creating mew traditions and culture. Azerbaijanis, like all other nations that accepted Islam, were called «Moslems» and participated in the development of Moslem culture, gave the world a brilliant gallery of scientists, poets and architects. In the medieval centuries there was a succession of states: Garagoyunly, Ag-gounly, Sefevids states were in power in a successive way. Azerbaijani people distinguish among other peoples with its specific image in the world culture. Cultural and literary specimen of this people created for centuries are tanned with love of life, feelings of freedom and independence. Grand works of art of our people such as «Kitabi Dada-Gorgud», «Koroghly», coryphaeus who have left indelible traces in the history of world civilization such as NizamyGanjavy, AfsalladdinKhagany, KhatibTabrizy, ImadaddinNasimy, GatranTabrizy, MouhammadFouzuly whose creative activities were devoted to praising world ideas of truth and justice, served to establish human ideals. Art lovers are still admired by the works of SafiyaddinOurmavy, AjamyNakhchivaany, SultanMouhammadTabrizy who gave pearls to the treasure of world culture. Our people have full right to be proud of the contribution given to world science. The name of our thinkers NasraddinTuisy, AboulhassanBahmanyar, MirzaFatalyAkhundov, Abashouly Aga Bakikhanov and others are well-known to world science. Heroism of such popular leaders as Javanshir and Babach has been turned into a school of patriotism, embodiment of courage and unification of people. Life and activity of MouhammadJahanPahlavan, GyzilArslan, Ouzun Hassan, Shah Ismail Khatai and other statesmen developed love of Motherland and statehood in people, and have been turned to one of the major goals of our life. A rivalry between states to involve Azerbaijan into the sphere of their interests resulted in striking inner destabilization in 18th century. A number of independent state formations - Khanates appeared. The contradictions between Russia, Turkey and Iran deepened in the 18th-19th century. Wars were waged over Azerbaijan. The Turkmanchay Treaty of 1828 between Russia and Iran separated Azerbaijan and its people: the northern part of Azerbaijan was conquered by Russia, its southern part became a part of the Iranian state.
The 20th century entered the history of the Azerbaijan people as the period of radical changes in socio-economic, political and cultural life. A range of upstream and downstream industrial branches were intensively developing in Azerbaijan. Baku turned into the world centre of oil extraction and refinery yielding more than half of the worlds and 95 % of Russia’s oil extraction totals. The cultural life enlivened.