Baku facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baku Bakı
Capital city
Shirvanshah's Palace; Old City; Maiden Tower; Palace of Happiness; evening in Baku; Ismailiyya Palace; Heydar Aliyev Center; National Art Museum of Azerbaijan; Azerbaijan Carpet Museum; Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall; Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre; Nizami Cinema Center; Ateshgah; Church of the Saviour; Heydar Mosque; view over city and Bay of Baku
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  City of Winds (Küləklər şəhəri)
Location of Baku in the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku Location in Azerbaijan Show map of Azerbaijan Baku Location in Caucasus mountains Show map of Caucasus mountains Baku Location in West and Central Asia Show map of West and Central Asia Baku Location in Europe Show map of Europe Baku Location in Afro-Eurasia Show map of Afro-Eurasia Baku Location in Eurasia Show map of Eurasia Baku Location in Asia Show map of Asia Baku Location in Earth Show map of Earth
Country	Azerbaijan
Region	BIR
Area
• Capital city	2,140 km2 (830 sq mi)
Elevation	−28 m (−91.9 ft)
Population  (2019)
• Capital city	2,616,948
• Density	1,214/km2 (3,140/sq mi)
• Metro	3,675,000
Demonym(s)	Bakuvian (Bakılı)
GDP
• Capital city	AZN 55.4 billion (US$32.2 billion) (2017)
• Per capita	AZN 20,700 (US$12,045) (2017)
Time zone	UTC+4 (AZT)
Postal code	AZ1000
Area code(s)	+994 12
Vehicle registration	10, 90, 99, 77
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name: Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower
Type:	Cultural
Criteria:	iv
Designated:	2000 (24th session)
Reference #:	958
Endangered:	2003–2009
Region:	Asia

Baku (pronounced Bah-KOO) is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan. It is also the biggest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is unique because it lies 28 meters (92 feet) below sea level. This makes it the lowest-lying national capital in the world. It is also the largest city globally that is below sea level.

Baku is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, right on the Bay of Baku. In 2009, about two million people lived in Baku's city area. It is Azerbaijan's main city. About 25% of the country's population lives in its wider metropolitan area.

The city is divided into twelve main areas and 48 smaller towns. Some of these towns are on the islands of the Baku Archipelago. There is even an industrial town called Neft Daşları built on oil rigs 60 kilometers (37 miles) away in the Caspian Sea. The Old City, which includes the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Baku is a major center for science, culture, and industry in Azerbaijan. Many important Azerbaijani organizations have their main offices here. In recent years, Baku has hosted many big international events. These include the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in 2012 and the 2015 European Games. It also hosted the European Grand Prix since 2016. The city hosted the final of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League and was a host city for UEFA Euro 2020. The Baku International Sea Trade Port can handle millions of tons of goods each year. Baku is famous for its strong winds, which is why it's called the "City of Winds."

What Does the Name Baku Mean?

The name Baku has been known for a long time as Bākū in Persian and Arabic. Early Arabic writings also called it Bākuh and Bākuya. All these names seem to come from a Persian word.

A popular idea in the 1800s was that the name came from the Persian words Bâd-kube. This means "wind-pounded city." This makes sense because bād means "wind" and kube means "to pound." Baku is known for its strong winds and fierce winter storms. This nickname, "City of Winds," is still used today. Another less likely idea is that the name comes from Baghkuy, meaning "God's town."

A Journey Through Time: The History of Baku

How Old is Baku? Early Settlements and Roman Visits

Roman stone inscription in Gobustan from AD 84–96.

People have lived in the Baku area since the Stone Age. Rock carvings from the Bronze Age have been found near Bayil. A small bronze fish figure was also found in the Old City. These findings suggest that an early settlement might have existed here. Near Nardaran, a place called Umid Gaya has an old observatory. It has carvings of the sun and stars, along with an early astronomy table.

In the 1st century AD, the Romans came to the area. Roman writings from AD 84 to 96 have been found near Baku. These are some of the earliest written records of a city here.

The Shirvanshahs and Safavid Rule

A painting showing the end of the Shirvanshahs' rule by the Safavids.

Baku was part of the Shirvanshahs' kingdom starting in the 8th century AD. The city was often attacked by groups like the Khazars and the Kievan Rus'. In 1170, Shirvanshah Akhsitan I built a navy in Baku. He stopped a Rus' attack. After a big earthquake hit Shamakhi, the capital of Shirvan, the Shirvanshahs moved their court to Baku in 1191.

Relics found from the sunken Sabayil Castle.

The Shirvanshah era greatly shaped Baku. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, strong forts were built in and around Baku. Famous buildings like the Maiden Tower, Ramana Tower, and several castles date from this time. The city walls of Baku were also rebuilt and made stronger.

By the early 1500s, Baku's wealth attracted powerful neighbors. The Iranian Safavid dynasty, led by King Ismail I, captured Baku in 1501. The Shirvanshahs were allowed to stay in power but under Safavid control. Later, King Tahmasp I fully took over Baku, making it part of the Safavid Empire. Baku remained part of Iranian empires for centuries. It was given to the Russian Empire in 1813.

The Ateshgah of Baku temple, built by Indian traders before 1745. The inscription asks for help from Lord Shiva in Sanskrit.

During this time, Baku was a busy trading center for people from all over the world. Traders from India even built the Ateshgah of Baku temple in the 17th and 18th centuries. This temple was used for Hindu, Sikh, and Zoroastrian worship.

Russian Rule and the Oil Boom

A painting of Baku's shoreline in 1861 by Alexey Bogolyubov.

In the late 1700s, Russia became more interested in its southern neighbors. These were Iran and the Ottoman Empire. In 1796, Russian troops captured Baku without a fight. However, they left the city in 1797, and it became part of Iran again.

In 1813, after a war, Iran had to give Baku and other territories to Russia. After another war in 1828, Baku officially became part of the Russian Empire. At that time, most of Baku's 8,000 people were Tat.

Oil workers digging an oil well by hand at Bibi-Heybat.

The first oil-distilling factory in Baku was built by Russians in 1837. Digging for oil began in the 1840s. The first oil well was drilled in the Bibi-Heybat area of Baku in 1846. Large-scale oil exploration started in 1872. Soon, big investors like the Nobel Brothers and the Rothschild family came to Baku. An industrial area for oil refineries, known as Black Town, grew near Baku in the 1880s.

By the early 1900s, Baku produced half of the world's oil. This oil boom caused Baku to grow very quickly. Between 1856 and 1910, Baku's population grew faster than London, Paris, or New York.

World War I and the Soviet Era

Soldiers and officers of the army of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic shortly after the Battle of Baku.

During World War I and the Russian Revolution in 1917, Baku came under the control of the Baku Commune. In 1918, there was a conflict in Baku where many Azerbaijanis were killed. After this, on May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) declared its independence. This was the first democratic and secular republic in a Muslim-majority country.

Azerbaijani forces, with help from the Ottoman Empire, captured Baku in September 1918. After the Battle of Baku, there was a period of violence where many Armenians in Baku were killed. Baku then became the new capital of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. British troops arrived in Baku in November 1918 but left by the end of 1919.

Neftchiler Avenue in Baku, around 1920.

The independence of Azerbaijan was short-lived. On April 28, 1920, the Red Army invaded Baku. They brought back the Bolsheviks. Baku became the capital of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

Baku became a very important oil city for the Soviet Union. From 1922 to 1930, it hosted a major trade fair. This fair connected the Soviet Union with Iran and the Middle East.

World War II and Beyond

During World War II, Baku's oil fields were very important. The Axis powers wanted to capture them. The German army tried to reach Baku in 1942 but failed. Baku's oil was crucial for the Soviet war effort.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Baku began to change a lot. Many old Soviet buildings were removed to create green spaces and parks along the coast. The city has been working to improve its services and is growing quickly.

Where is Baku? The City's Geography

Satellite image of the Absheron Peninsula from September 6, 2010.

Baku is located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea. Around the city, you can find several mud volcanoes and salt lakes.

What is Baku's Climate Like? Winds and Weather

Baku has a cold semi-arid climate. This means it has hot and humid summers, cool and sometimes wet winters, and strong winds all year. Unlike many other cities with this climate, Baku doesn't have extremely hot summers. This is because it's on a peninsula by the Caspian Sea.

The Absheron Peninsula, where Baku is, is the driest part of Azerbaijan. It gets very little rain, usually less than 200 mm (7.9 in) a year. This is due to the rain shadow effect from the Caucasus Mountains.

Baku is known as a very windy city. This earned it the nickname "City of Winds." Strong winds, like the cold northern khazri and the warm southern gilavar, are common in all seasons. These winds can sometimes reach speeds of 144 km/h (89 mph).

In July and August, the average temperature is about 26.4 °C (79.5 °F). There is very little rain. The khazri wind brings a welcome coolness during summer. Winters are cool and sometimes wet. Average temperatures are around 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) in January and February. The khazri makes it feel very cold in winter. Snow storms happen sometimes, but the snow usually melts quickly.

How Baku is Organized: Administrative Divisions

Baku is divided into 12 rayonlar (administrative districts) and 5 city-type settlements.

Who Lives in Baku? People and Culture

Until 1988, Baku had many Russian, Armenian, and Jewish people. This mix of cultures brought different music, literature, and architecture to the city. However, during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War and events in 1990, many Armenians left the city. After the Soviet Union broke up, synagogues and a Jewish college were returned to the Jewish community.

Today, most of Baku's population are Azerbaijanis. There are also smaller groups like Talysh, Russians, and Lezgi. Baku's population grew very fast from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. It became the largest city in the Caucasus region.

Religions in Baku

The 13th-century Bibi-Heybat Mosque was built over the tomb of a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

The main religion in Baku is Islam. Most Muslims in Baku are Shia Muslims. Azerbaijan has the second-highest percentage of Shia Muslims in the world, after Iran. Important mosques in the city include Juma Mosque and Bibi-Heybat Mosque.

Azerbaijan is a secular state. This means it keeps government and religion separate. This ensures religious freedom for everyone. Other religions practiced in Baku include Russian Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Georgian Orthodox Christians, Lutherans, Ashkenazi Jews, and Sufi Muslims.

Zoroastrianism used to be practiced in Baku a long time ago, but it is not anymore. However, the Zoroastrian New Year is still a major holiday in Baku and Azerbaijan.

Baku's Economy: Oil and More

Flame Towers in Baku.

Baku's biggest industry is oil. Oil exports are a huge part of Azerbaijan's economy. People have known about oil in Baku since the 8th century. By the 15th century, people were digging for oil by hand to use in lamps.

Commercial oil drilling started in 1872. By the early 1900s, Baku's oil fields were the largest in the world. Later in the 20th century, much of the oil on land was used up. So, drilling moved offshore into the sea. Before World War II, Baku was a major center for making oil industry equipment. The Battle of Stalingrad in World War II was fought partly to control Baku's oil fields.

The Crescent Development project.

Baku's oil economy is growing again. New oil and gas fields are being developed. Pipelines like the BTC Pipeline are being built.

The Baku Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region. Many international companies have their main offices in Baku.

Skyscrapers in Baku

SOCAR Tower

SOFAZ Tower

Tourism and Shopping in Baku

Baku is a popular place for tourists in the Caucasus. Many big international hotel chains have hotels in the city. Baku has many fun places to visit, like Fountains Square, beaches, and Oil Rocks. Near Baku, you can find Yanar Dag, a place where natural gas burns all the time.

Azersu Tower.

Baku has several shopping malls, including Port Baku and Park Bulvar. These malls have many different shops. You can find everything from chain stores to fancy boutiques. Baku is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world. Its Nizami Street and Neftchilar Avenue are among the most expensive streets globally.

Baku's Culture: Arts, Music, and More

In 2007, the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, designed by famous architect Zaha Hadid, opened. Baku also has many museums. These include the Baku Museum of Modern Art and the Azerbaijan State Museum of History. These museums show historical items and art. In 2009, Baku was named an Islamic Culture Capital. Baku also hosted the Eurovision Dance Contest in 2010 and the first 2015 European Games in 2015.

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center.

Theatres in Baku

Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

Baku has many theaters where you can watch plays, operas, and ballets. Some of the main ones include:

• Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre
• Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theatre
• Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theatre
• Baku Puppet Theatre
• Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators
• Azerbaijan State Theatre of Musical Comedy
• Baku State Circus

The Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall is another important cultural place. The main movie theater is Azerbaijan Cinema. Baku also hosts many festivals, like the Baku International Film Festival and the Baku International Jazz Festival.

Museums in Baku

• 

  National Museum of History

• 

  Nizami Museum of Literature

• 

  National Art Museum

• 

  Villa Petrolea

• 

  Baku Museum of Modern Art

• The Museum Centre
• Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography
• Azerbaijan State Carpet Museum
• Azerbaijan Museum of Geology

Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies

The Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies opened in 1983. It was renovated in 2015. The museum has about 3000 items, with 1800 on display. These exhibits show the history, geography, nature, and culture of the Absheron region.

Libraries in Baku

• National Library of Azerbaijan
• ANAS Central Library of Science
• Presidential Library

Architecture: Old and New Buildings

Maiden Tower in Old Baku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 11th–12th century. It is a symbol of the city.

Baku has many different kinds of buildings. These range from the very old Old City to modern skyscrapers. Many famous buildings were built in the early 1900s. They mix European styles in a unique way. Baku's special look has earned it the nickname "Paris of the East." In 2019, Baku became a UNESCO Design City.

Traditional Baths (Hamams)

There are several old hamams (traditional Islamic baths) in Baku. Some date back to the 12th century. They are an important part of Baku's architecture.

• Teze Bey Hamam: This is the most popular hamam in Baku. It was built in 1886 and fully restored in 2003. It has modern features and is inspired by different bath styles.
• Gum Hamam: This hamam was found during archaeological digs under the sand. It was built between the 12th and 14th centuries.
• Bairamali Hamam: Originally called "Bey Hamam," it was built between the 12th and 14th centuries and rebuilt in 1881.
• Agha Mikayil Hamam: Built in the 18th century in the Old City, this hamam still operates today. It has separate hours for women and men.

Modern Buildings in Baku

New, modern buildings started appearing in Baku in the early 2000s. Old buildings were sometimes replaced with new ones. Buildings with glass exteriors are now common. Some famous examples include the International Mugham Center, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, Flame Towers, Baku Crystal Hall, and SOCAR Tower. These projects have even been featured on TV shows like Discovery Channel's Extreme Engineering.

The Old City of Baku is also known as the Walled City. Most of its old walls and towers are still standing. It's a beautiful area with narrow streets and ancient buildings. You can see the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, old inns (caravansaries), and the Juma Mosque. The Old City also has many small mosques.

In 2003, UNESCO put the Inner City on its list of World Heritage in Danger. This was because of damage from an earthquake in 2000 and concerns about its care. However, in 2009, it was removed from the danger list.

Music and Media in Baku

Baku Crystal Hall during the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.

Baku has a rich music history. It is known for traditional Azerbaijani music styles like meykhana and mugham.

Recently, Azerbaijani singers have gained international attention through the Eurovision Song Contest. After Azerbaijan won in 2011, Baku hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.

Baku is also home to famous jazz musicians. The city hosts the annual Baku International Jazz Festival. The International Centre of Mugham is a major place for traditional music performances.

Most of Azerbaijan's media companies are based in Baku. This includes TV, newspapers, and radio stations. Movies like The World Is Not Enough and The Diamond Arm are set in Baku. The video game Battlefield 4 also features the city.

Nightlife and Food

Baku has many clubs that stay open late. Some clubs offer Azerbaijani food and local music. Western-style clubs are popular with younger people. Most pubs and bars are near Fountains Square.

Baku has restaurants for every taste and occasion. You can find everything from fancy and expensive to simple and affordable.

Parks and Gardens in Baku

Philarmony garden .

Baku has many green areas, including parks and gardens. However, the city is growing fast. More housing projects are being built in the suburbs.

Baku Boulevard is a popular walking area along Baku's seafront. It has an amusement park, a yacht club, and musical fountains. It's a great place for walking and relaxing.

Other parks include Heydar Aliyev Park and Fountains Square. The Martyrs' Lane is a special place dedicated to those who died in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and on Black January.

Sports in Baku

2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Chelsea playing against Arsenal at Baku Olympic Stadium during the 2019 UEFA Europa League Final.

Baku hosts a Formula One race on the Baku City Circuit. The first race was the 2016 European Grand Prix. The track goes around the old city and is 6.003 kilometers (3.730 miles) long.

The city also hosted football matches for UEFA Euro 2020. Since 2002, Baku has hosted many major sports events. It hosted the 2015 European Games and the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games.

Baku is also a top center for chess. Many famous chess players, like Teimour Radjabov and Garry Kasparov, are from Baku. The city hosts international chess tournaments every year.

Baku has excellent sports facilities. These include the Palace of Hand Games and Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex. These venues have hosted events like the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and various gymnastics and wrestling championships.

Baku tried to host the 2016 Summer Olympics and 2020 Summer Olympics but was not chosen.

The largest sports venue in the city is the Baku Olympic Stadium. It can seat 69,870 people. It was finished in 2015. The 2019 UEFA Europa League final was played there. Baku's main football club is Neftchi Baku PFK, which has won many titles.

Getting Around: Transport in Baku

Baku black cab, introduced in 2011.

Baku Metro.

In the past, Baku used horse-drawn trams and electric trams. Today, Baku has modern transportation. In 2011, black cabs, similar to London taxis, were introduced.

Local transport includes the Baku Funicular and the Baku Metro. The Metro is a subway system known for its art and beautiful stations. It opened in 1967 and has 3 lines and 25 stations. Over 170 million people used the Metro in the last five years. There are plans to build many new stations in the future. In 2019, the Baku suburban railway also opened.

BakuCard is a special card you can use to pay for all city transport. This includes buses and the Metro.

Baku Railway Station is the main train station for national and international routes. The Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway, which connects Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, opened in 2017.

Baku Funicular.

Sea transport is very important for Baku because it's on the Caspian Sea. Shipping services connect Baku to Turkmenistan and Iran across the Caspian Sea. Ferries also connect the city to the Absheron peninsula.

Baku Port, founded in 1902, is the largest port on the Caspian Sea. It can handle millions of tons of goods each year. The port was rebuilt starting in 2010.

The main roads connecting Europe and Azerbaijan are the State Road M-1 and the European route E60. The road network around Baku is well-developed and always being improved.

The Heydar Aliyev International Airport is Baku's only commercial airport. A new cargo terminal opened in 2005. This made it a major cargo hub in the region. There are also smaller military airbases near Baku for private planes and helicopters.

Learning in Baku: Education

• Baku Oxford School, an international school

Secondary Schools

• Elite Gymnasium

Famous People from Baku

• 

  Lotfi A. Zadeh, a researcher in artificial intelligence and fuzzy logic.

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  Physicist Lev Landau, a Nobel Prize winner.

• 

  Kerim Kerimov, a founder of the Soviet space program.

• 

  Garry Kasparov, a chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion.

• 

  Mikayil Mushfig, a poet from Baku.

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  Tofiq Bahramov, a Soviet football referee.

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  Vagit Alekperov, president of the Russian oil company LUKOIL.

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  Muslim Magomayev, a famous singer.

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  Mstislav Rostropovich, a Grammy Award-winning cellist.

• 

  Yuli Gusman, a film director and actor.

• 

  Natallia Arsiennieva, a Belarusian playwright and poet.

• 

  Vladimir Menshov, a Soviet and Russian actor and film director.

• 

  Alakbar Mammadov, a Soviet footballer.

• 

  Matvey Skobelev, a Russian revolutionary.

Baku Around the World: International Connections

Twin Towns and Sister Cities

Baku is twinned with these cities:

Country	City	State / Province / Region / Governorate	Date
Senegal	Dakar	Dakar Region	1967
Italy	Naples	Campania	1972
Iraq	Basra	Basra Governorate	1972
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Sarajevo	Sarajevo Canton	1975
United States	Christiansted	Virgin Islands	1976
United States	Houston	Texas	1976
France	Bordeaux	Aquitaine	1979
Iran	Tabriz	East Azerbaijan Province	1980
Turkey	İzmir	İzmir Province	1985
Vietnam	Vũng Tàu	Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province	1985
Russia	Moscow	Moscow City
Russia	Saint Petersburg	Saint Petersburg City
United States	Honolulu County	Hawaii	1998
Turkey	Sivas	Sivas Province	2000
Brazil	Rio de Janeiro	State of Rio de Janeiro	2013
Ukraine	Kyiv	Kyiv City
Israel	Haifa	Haifa District
South Africa	Johannesburg	Johannesburg City
South Africa	Pretoria	Pretoria City
Turkey	Ankara	Ankara City
Saudi Arabia	Jeddah	Jeddah City

Partner Cities

• Mainz, Germany
• Paris, France
• Vienna, Austria
• Tbilisi, Georgia
• Astana, Kazakhstan
• Minsk, Belarus
• Moscow, Russia
• Volgograd, Russia
• Kizlyar, Russia
• Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Chengdu, China

See also

In Spanish: Bakú para niños