General Information

Geographic location

Azerbaijan is located in the South Caucasus, on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. The republic borders with Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Turkey and Russia, on the sea — with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan’s total area is 86 600 square meters. km and a population — more than 9 million people.

Climate

The country is situated at the junction of moderate and subtropical zones, so the climate is varied. The average temperature in January varies from 3 to 10 degrees and reaches in July-August to +26-35 degrees. The number of sunny hours reaches 2900 per year. Little precipitation.

Language

Official language is Azerbaijani language, in addition, the vast majority of the population speaks Russian, many understand and speak Turkish, Persian, Georgian, and other languages. In the hotels, bars and offices English is used widely.

Alcoholic drinks

All restaurants and bars serve alcohol. In addition, anyone can buy them without restrictions in many stores.

Working hours

Weekends are usually Saturday and Sunday (mainly for public offices), but most of the shops and supermarkets are open daily. The beginning of the working day — 8-9 hours, trading facilities are closed at 21-23 o’clock, restaurants and bars — much later.

Communications

Telephone communication is no problem. Hotels have international direct reference code and the accompanying devices: faxes, telexes, computers, the Internet and other online services are provided by numerous private agencies. Tokens to use public telephones are sold at the undergrounds  and newsstands.

Media

In addition to the Azerbaijani newspapers and magazines, periodicals, commercially available in English and Russian languages, including many Russian publications.

Electricity

The voltage in the grid 220/240 V 50 Hz.

Water

Avoid drinking raw tap water. In hotels and restaurants mainly use spring water in plastic bottles, or boiled.

Health

Emergency medical care is usually provided free of charge. Ask for an ambulance can be twenty-four-hour at (012) 103. There are also private clinics and paid medical services, which doctors speak foreign languages. In chemists’ shop, many of which are open around the clock, there is a large selection of medical supplies.

National Holidays

New Year — January 1-2
International Women’s Day — March 8
Novruz  Bayrami — March 20-24
Victory Day — May 9
Republic Day — May 28
National Salvation Day — June 15th
National Army Day — June 26
Constitution Day — November 12
National Revival Day — November 17
Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis of the World — December 31

Currency exchange

Usually when paying for goods or services it is used national currency — Azerbaijani manat. Accordingly, when entering the country you should keep in your pocket for cash payment national currency, and in non-cash payments, the currency will be converted. It is recommended to change the currency only in the expected costs and only in exchange offices of banks or in the banks, but not in the street. The exchange rate in the banks and exchange offices which are located throughout the capital and other major cities as well as at airports, differs slightly. Some hotels and shops have their own exchange points. In Baku, banks are open from 9.00-9.30 to 17.30 (some banks continue their work until late at night, but many exchange offices — around the clock), at the periphery, opening hours are usually from 9.30 to 17.00-17.30 (some banks only work with clients to lunch). Credit cards are practically accepted for payment in all largest or smallest metropolitan stores, hotels and banks. The use of credit cards in the province is also gaining ground. Many large shops and tourist sites in the regions are equipped with POS-terminals and take “cash free.”

Safety

Azerbaijan — the most stable and secure country in the region. Crime is almost non-existent, cleanliness and order prevail in the streets.  Azerbaijanis are very law-abiding and friendly people, with respect for other people’s traditions and customs. Probably for this reason, the tourists feel in our country at home and come back here again.

Internet

Internet is also developing rapidly. Providers SuperOnline, AdaNet, AzEuroTel, Bakinternet and others provide the whole network of internet cafes. At present, there are more than 30 ISPs. Access prices range from 0.4 to 0.8 euros per hour, depending on location, and have a tendency to decrease. Internet cafe is in a lot of common, not only in Baku, but in all more or less major cities and towns of Azerbaijan. These facilities are especially popular among young people playing computer games, so there can be noisy and smoky.

Celullar communications

Cellular communication GSM 900 is developing very rapidly across the country. In Azerbaijan there are three mobile operators — Azercell, Bakcell and Azerfon (Nar Mobile). Roaming is available to subscribers of 300 operators around the world. Mobile communication network covers almost the entire country (except for the occupied territories). To exit from a fixed unit to the cellular network the  code (0) 50 (0) 51 {Azercell, GSM-code 40001, the seven-digit number} (0) 55 (Bakcell, GSM-code 40002, the seven-digit number), (0) 70 and (0) 77 (Azerfon, seven-digit number) is dialed. 3G services are provided not only at all the stations of the Baku metropolitan, but in the tunnels. To use 3G network Azerfon, which is the first of three operating in Azerbaijan mobile operators has been licensed for this service, launched in December 2009. But progress does not stand still and mobile operator Azercell since May 2012 has launched its high-speed 4G network based on technology LTE.

Phone

Telephone system of Azerbaijan is based on modern equipment. In the capital, a sufficiently large number of payphones. Most of them work on several types of telephone cards and accept coins (available at post offices, offices, telephone companies, at the railway station of the capital and in other public places.) All phones will provide intracity communications, but also have direct access to long distance and international services. International country code — 994. Baku-code 12. For a call to Azerbaijan, dial — 994 + area code + phone number.