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Updated: March 2009

Azerbaijan

Overview | World Vision's history in Azerbaijan | World Vision in Azerbaijan today

Overview

The Republic of Azerbaijan, the most populated country in the South Caucasus region of Eastern Europe, is bordered by Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and the Caspian Sea. The landlocked exclave of Nakhchivan is separated from Azerbaijan by a narrow strip of Armenia. The terrain is comprised of the Caucasus Mountains, the Caspian shoreline, and extensive flatlands in the center of the country. The climate ranges from cold in the highlands to hot and humid along the sea. Natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, and bauxite.

The majority of the population is ethnic Azerbaijani. Other groups include the Lezgins, Russians, Armenians, Turks, Ukrainians, and Tatars. Nearly all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. The primary language of the country is Azeri and is spoken by nearly everyone. Each ethnic group also speaks its own language.

Present-day Azerbaijan became part of the Russian empire in 1828. After two years of freedom, the country was taken over by the Soviet Union in the early 1920s. More than 70 years of communist rule ended in 1991 when independence was declared. Azerbaijan then began a three-year war with Armenians for the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, located in the center of Azerbaijan. A cease-fire was signed in 1994, leaving Armenians still in control of the area. Outbreaks of violence from both sides occurred in early 2008, leaving several dead in the region.



 
Country statistics 
Population8.4 million
Land mass33,436 square miles
People per square mile251
Life expectancy66.3 years
Literacy rate99%
Under age 5 mortality rate 88/1,000
Access to safe water77%
Average annual income (GNI per capita)US$1,850
Religion
Muslim 93.4%
Christian4.8%
Other1.8%
In 1994, the government of Azerbaijan signed an oil contract with a Western consortium worth $7.4 billion. Twelve years later, a pipeline opened connecting the country with Turkey, and resulting in double-digit economic growth. Despite the country’s natural resources, poverty continues to affect 29 percent of the population—mostly those living in provincial towns and rural areas. Azerbaijan’s primary humanitarian concern today is its nearly 700,000 internally displaced Armenians—300,000 of whom rely on food aid and health care assistance.

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World Vision's history in Azerbaijan

World Vision’s work in Azerbaijan began in 1994 when it assisted more than 140,000 Azerbaijanis displaced by fighting. Supplementary food, clean drinking water, and sewing kits were provided to vulnerable families. Today, World Vision continues to help internally displaced people and children with special needs in Azerbaijan through activities such as economic development, education, health care, and vocational training.

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World Vision in Azerbaijan today

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Azerbaijan to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. World Vision operates approximately 20 development programs, most of which are supported by donors in Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Canada. Activities include programs in child health care, children with disabilities, youth leadership development, and education. Currently, World Vision United States does not fund any programs in Azerbaijan.

For more information on World Vision’s work in Azerbaijan, please contact the United States office.

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