Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, situated on the Caspian Sea’s coast. It is the lowest-lying national capital in the world, at 28 metres below sea level. The city is located on the Absheron Peninsula and has been a key settlement for centuries due to its strategic position. It has a population of over 2.3 million and serves as Azerbaijan’s political, economic, and cultural centre.

Baku is a city of contrasts, combining ancient heritage with modern development. The Walled City of Baku, along with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its medieval history. The city has expanded with modern skyscrapers, including the Flame Towers and SOCAR Tower. The Heydar Aliyev Centre, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, is a significant cultural landmark.

Baku is a major hub for the oil and gas industry, which has driven its economy for over a century. It was one of the world’s first oil-producing regions and remains a centre for energy exports. The city hosts international events, including the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Eurovision Song Contest (2012), and the Chess Olympiad (2016).

Baku has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and mild winters. It has a well-developed transport system, including the Baku Metro, an international airport, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway connecting Azerbaijan to Turkey and Europe. Baku Boulevard, one of the world’s longest waterfront promenades, is a popular public space.

The city is also an educational and cultural hub, home to universities such as Baku State University and ADA University. It has numerous museums, theatres, and cultural institutions, including the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum and the National Museum of History.

• The total land area of Baku is 820 square miles (2,140 square kilometres) and its population was 2,464,000 in 2024.
• Baku is one of only two capital cities that are officially below sea level and is located 92 ft below sea level
• Baku enjoys a temperate semi-arid climate with strong winds throughout the year, warm and dry summers, cool and wet winters, a large temperature variation and an average annual temperature of 15.1°C
• It has been an ancient trade route since Roman times where goods would be traded between Central Asia and the west
• Baku is the largest city in the Caucasus Region and the largest on the Caspian Sea
• Baku's Old City is its historic heart and dates back to at least the 12th century, with some scholars believing it to date back to the 7th century AD
   

The Office of the President of Azerbaijan is the executive administration of President of Azerbaijan. The office is in charge of fulfilling the constitutional responsibilities of the President. The Office of the President of Azerbaijan was established with the declaration of independence of Azerbaijan on October 18, 1991. The construction of the building, initiated by the First Secretary of Communist Party of Azerbaijan SSR Heydar Aliyev and supervised by project manager Fuad Orujov and architects Tahir Allahverdiyev and Madat Khalafov, was started in 1978 and completed in 1986.

It was then occupied by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan. After the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, the building was assigned to the President of Azerbaijan and his administration and it was renamed the Presidential Palace in 2003. The Office of the Head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan was headed by Ramiz Mehdiyev, and currently is headed by Samir Nuriyev. The Politics of Azerbaijan takes place in a framework of a semi-presidential republic, with the President of Azerbaijan as the head of state, and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan as head of government.

Executive power is exercised by the president and the government. The state system of Azerbaijan defines the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to the constitution, Azerbaijan is a democratic, secular, unitary republic. President is the head of the state and head of the executive branch.

The President appoints all cabinet-level government administrators and heads of local executive bodies. Since 2008, the Constitution of Azerbaijan was amended, abolishing any term limit for the office of President. Last Constitutional reform took place in September 2016 and introduced the institute of vice presidency. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state and has executive power.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan represents the country in internal and external affairs. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan ensures the independence, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, guarantees compliance with international treaties. The President in Azerbaijan is elected for a 7-year term on the basis of general suffrage. Any citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan has the right to vote, who has been living in Azerbaijani territory for more than 10 years, has a higher education and does not have dual citizenship and obligations to the other states, and also not convicted for a serious crime, can become a presidential candidate.

The decision to dismiss the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is put before the National Assembly on the initiative of the Constitutional Court on the basis of the Supreme Court's decision. The resolution on dismissal of the president is adopted by the majority of the votes of the deputies of the National Assembly and within 7 days is signed by the chairman of the Constitutional Court. The President has the right to immunity. The Vice-President of Azerbaijan is a group of posts following the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The President himself appoints and dismisses the first vice-president and vice-presidents. With the early resignation of the president, within 60 days, as long as new elections are organized, the president's powers are fulfilled by the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan. Any citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic with a higher education who has the right to vote and has no obligations to other states can become a vice-president of Azerbaijan. The National Assembly of Azerbaijan is the legislative branch of government in Azerbaijan.

Every year, Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan holds two regular, spring and autumn, sessions. Extraordinary sessions of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan will be summoned by the Chairman of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan at request of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan or 42 deputies of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. An assembly of the session of the Milli Majlis may be closed to the public upon the claim of 83 members of parliament or the proposal by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a constituent part of Azerbaijan with its own elected parliament consisting of 45 deputies.

Judicial power is administered by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the courts of appeal, ordinary and specialised courts. The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan is a supreme judicial body on civil, criminal and other cases related to the execution of general and specialized courts. The Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan is the supreme body of constitutional justice on the matters attributed to its jurisdiction by the Constitution, with authority to interpret and apply the Constitution of Azerbaijan. The Constitutional Court consists of nine judges appointed for a non-renewable 15-year term.

Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan are appointed by Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan on recommendation by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The 2003 Law on the Constitutional Court defines the Court's activities, as well as the status and duties of its judges. The courts in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are part of the court system. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Supreme Court serves as the appeal instance and its rulings are considered in classification by the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.

Judges possess Constitutional immunity and may be called to criminal responsibility only in accordance with law. Local self-government in Azerbaijan is governed by municipalities. Elections to municipalities and the status of municipalities are established by the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Within the framework of the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan, municipalities are independent in exercising their powers. Every citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who has the right to participate in elections and who permanently resides in the respective constituencies, may be elected as a member of the municipality.

Baku is the economic centre of Azerbaijan and one of the most important cities in the Caspian region. The city’s economy is driven by oil and gas, industry, trade, tourism, and transportation. It contributes significantly to Azerbaijan’s GDP and plays a key role in regional and global markets.

Baku has been a major oil-producing centre since the 19th century. It was one of the first cities in the world where commercial oil drilling began. The city remains a hub for energy exports, with companies such as SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic) leading the sector. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline transports oil from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, while the Southern Gas Corridor connects Azerbaijan’s natural gas to Europe.

Beyond oil and gas, Baku has a growing non-energy sector, including construction, finance, and information technology. The government has invested in infrastructure projects such as the Baku International Sea Trade Port, which strengthens the city’s position as a regional trade hub. The Alat Free Economic Zone is designed to attract foreign investment and promote industrial development.

Baku is a centre for manufacturing, with industries producing machinery, chemicals, textiles, and food products. The city also has a strong banking sector, with the Central Bank of Azerbaijan overseeing financial policies.

Tourism is an expanding part of Baku’s economy, with visitors attracted to historical sites, modern landmarks, and international events such as the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Baku has developed a network of hotels, shopping centres, and entertainment facilities to support the tourism industry.

Transportation plays a crucial role in Baku’s economy. The city is a major transit point, with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway connecting it to Turkey and Europe. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport serves as Azerbaijan’s main aviation hub.

Baku has a well-developed infrastructure that supports its role as Azerbaijan’s capital and economic centre. The city has undergone significant modernisation, with investments in transport, energy, utilities, and public services.

Transport:
Baku has an extensive transportation network, including roads, railways, metro, air, and sea routes. The Baku Metro, operational since 1967, has multiple lines connecting key areas of the city. The city also has a network of buses and taxis, with an increasing number of electric buses introduced for sustainable transport.

Baku is a major railway hub. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway connects Azerbaijan with Turkey and Europe, facilitating trade and passenger travel. The city’s main railway station links domestic and international routes.

The Heydar Aliyev International Airport is the largest airport in Azerbaijan, handling both passenger and cargo flights. It serves as a regional hub for international airlines and connects Baku to major global cities.

Baku is also a key maritime centre. The Baku International Sea Trade Port, located in Alat, is the largest port in the Caspian region, handling cargo transport between Europe and Central Asia. The city has ferry terminals that facilitate travel and freight movement across the Caspian Sea.

Energy and Utilities:
Baku is a major energy producer, with power plants supplying electricity to the city and surrounding regions. The city has a mix of thermal, hydro, and renewable energy sources. Water supply and sanitation infrastructure have improved through modern filtration and distribution systems.

Urban Development:
Baku has undergone rapid urbanisation, with modern buildings, highways, and public spaces. Major projects include the Flame Towers, Baku Boulevard, and the Heydar Aliyev Centre. The city has expanded its housing and commercial districts, with smart city initiatives being implemented for sustainable development.