Azerbaijan

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Official name: Area: Government: Official languages: Monetary unit: Cities:

DEMOGRAPHY Population: 8,4 million Population density: ECONOMY GDP (PPP): per person: </small>

LIFE & LIBERTY HDI

unless otherwise indicated, all statistics as at 2005

Contents 1 Geography 1.1 Location 1.2 Climate 1.3 Natural Resources 2 Demographics 2.1 Peoples 2.2 Provinces 3 Life 4 Economy 5 Government 6 Religion 6.1 Islam 6.2 Buddhism 7 Christianity 7.1 History 7.2 Churches 7.3 Church and State Relations 7.4 Mission 7.4.1 Broadcasting 7.5 Councils and Networks 8 Future Trends 9 For More Reading

[edit] Geography

[edit] Location

• Azerbaijan is located in Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range. In 1991, Azerbaijan was the first Soviet republic to declare its independence. The Azeris have been oppressed throughout history by the Arabs, Persians, Turks and Russians. Recently Azerbaijan's tensions with Armenia led to a full-scale war, fighting over who should own the Nagorno-Karabakh region. War and corruption have had a massive impact on the whole country and almost half of the population live in poverty. Local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil and water pollution.

• The famous Silk Road passed through this country on its way from China to Turkey.

[edit] Climate

[edit] Natural Resources

[edit] Demographics

[edit] Peoples

Azerbaijani, North

Azerbaijani, South

[edit] Provinces

• The Provinces of Azerbaijan

• The Cities of Azerbaijan

Baku, capital

[edit] Life

• Life is hard for the Azeris, a people whose homeland is pinched between Russia on the north and Iran to the south. They have two powerful neighbors to control their destiny. To make matters worse, the Azeris lost a war with Armenia 20 years ago, which drove many of them west.

[edit] Economy

[edit] Government

• Azerbaijan’s political situation is complex and potentially dangerous. The unresolved conflict with Armenia and the growing international confrontation between Armenia, Russia and Iran on one side and Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and NATO countries on the other over the exploitation and transport of oil could lead to war. Pray for peace with a just resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict — a legacy of Stalin’s border re-alignments.

• About 20,000 people attended a protest in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, a week after a parliamentary election they say was rigged. Pray for the church in the midst of this unrest that it might be strong and have an effective witness to non-Christians.

[edit] Religion

• Approximately 83.7% of the population is Muslim, Non-Religious 11.3%, Christianity 4.6%, Other 0.4%. Azerbaijan is a secular country, in article 48 of its constitution ensures the liberty of worship to everyone. Everyone has a right to choose any faith, to adopt any religion or to not practice any religion, to express one's view on the religion and to spread it. Officially there has been “religious freedom” since then, but in reality Christianity is negatively associated with Russians and Armenians. Unfortunately most people think of Christianity as the religion of the Russians or Armenians who have invaded Azerbaijan in its past. Pray that God will break down these barriers and prejudice so people can open their hearts and minds to Jesus.

[edit] Islam

[edit] Buddhism

[edit] Christianity

[edit] History

[edit] Churches

• Azerbaijani believers continue to increase in number. Many are in Baku where there are several congregations with a majority of Azerbaijanis. Pray for the maturing of upcoming Azerbaijani leaders, their growth in ministry and for good fellowship among them.

[edit] Church and State Relations

[edit] Mission

• People can hear a short Gospel message through the phone. In response to people leaving their names on an answer machine, those interested in hearing more about Jesus are contacted.

• The Internet is being used as a means of connecting with those who want to know more about Jesus. There is a web site with the Bible and Christian literature in the Azerbaijani, North language. Pray for wisdom and safety for the people meeting with those who have responded to Christian websites. They seek to share their testimony, offer the New Testament, CDs, and Christian booklets and, where appropriate, guide seekers to churches in their vicinity. Pray for seekers to come to know the Lord.

• Most towns and villages have never heard about Jesus and foreign missionaries aren't allowed to evangelise. Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan would be able to reach people who don't know God.

[edit] Broadcasting

[edit] Councils and Networks

[edit] Future Trends

[edit] For More Reading

• Wikipedia
• Joshua Project
• GRN