Caucasus, western Caspian Sea region.

GMT + 4.

86,600 sq km (33,400 sq miles).

8.2 million (UN estimate 2008).

94.6 per sq km.

Baku. Population: 2 million (2008).

Azerbaijan is bordered by the Russian Federation, Georgia, Iran and Armenia. Much of Southwestern Azerbaijan in the ethnically Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh is occupied by Armenian forces following the Armenia-Azerbaijan war (1988-1994). Azerbaijan also includes the exclave of Nakhchivan, which is located between Turkey, Iran and Armenia.

Democratic Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

President Ilham Aliyev since 2003.

Prime Minister Artur Rasizada since 2003.

Ilham Aliyev, the son of long-term Azeri leader Heydar Aliyev, inherited his father's office in 2003, albeit through an election the international community widely believed to be unfair. Despite managing to unify and stabilise the country, Azerbaijan is still mired in corruption, and continues to be a dictatorship in all but name with widespread human rights abuses.

Azeri. Russian is widely spoken; English may be spoken in Baku and other main centres.

Mostly Shia Muslim although there are Russian Orthodox and Jewish communities.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Foreign women should dress modestly, especially in the rural areas, and cultivate a certain coolness of manner. Both men and women should avoid wearing shorts as this will attract unwelcome attention. Although mostly Muslim in population, Azerbaijan is a largely secular society that views religion as a private matter. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Business cards are invariably exchanged at any kind of official meeting, and not infrequently on first meeting socially as well. It's always a good idea to give gifts to people you meet, business contacts. Flowers, post-cards, picture books and alcohol make excellent presents.