The name Azerbaijan comes from he Persians who came to this Landover a millenium ago. It translates to “Land of Fire”. Oil and gas reserves are shallow and in places methane gas seeps out through the soil and burns, hence the name. Hence the trajectory of this remarkable country.
In 1846 oil was discovered a mere 22metres below the soil. Most oil deposits are around 200 metres down. Almost overnight wealthy Europeans flocked to Baku, a tiny backwater on the shores of the Caspian Sean. The notable names included Rothschild and Nobel (of Nobel prize fame). The result is wealth and a penchant for European style amenities.
The city grew modernised and prospered until 1918 and the aftermath of the Russian revolution brought the stagnation and impoverishment that characterised the USSR until its dissolution in 1991.
Powered by petrodollars this city has embarked on a crazy building campaign with impressive futuristic buildings reminiscent of Dubai and Astana but on a smaller scale. Having sid that the old and new sit side by side as counterpoints but beautifully preserved. Greenery and parks abound. Wide spacious public malls are lined with scores of restaurants. This city is a real surprise a relatively undiscovered gem!
