HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY

Already 1,5 million years ago first groups of people appeared in Azerbaijan.
First arch-state in the territory of Azerbaijan was MANNA kingdom that
established in IX century B.C. At the beginning of VI century B.C. one of the
strongest states of antiquity - Midia - replaced Manna. The official religion of
Midia kingdom was zoroastrism - fire-worship, one of the most ancient
religions which appeared in the territory of Azerbaijan. The founder of this
religion was Zoroastr or Zardusht. He was preaching three main principles -
kind thought, kind word, kind deed. The fire was a symbol of purity of the
thoughts and mental intentions. In the old language "azer" means fire and no
other name seems more suitable to this land. Even nowadays, the fire is a
part of country symbols. An ancient fire-worship temple, Atashgah, has been
maintained near Baku.
After destroying the Persian Empire, the southern part of Midia stood for the
independent state of ATROPATENA. The Arabs renamed "Atropatena" in
the middle centuries to "Azerbaijan", so the current name of the country had
appeared. Religion in Atropatena was zoroastrism with the head temple in the
city of Gazaka. The state of CAUCASIAN ALBANIA appeared in the
north, the official religion of which had become Christianity in V century. An
alphabet consisting of 52 letters appeared at the beginning of V century.
Atropatena and Albania were playing an important role in unification of the
tribes living in the territory of Azerbaijan. To all appearances, the common
language was the one which had become known as Azeri. Then, Alban tribes
and other ethnic groups entered the forming nationality in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan was exposed to the invasion by foreign occupants. The Sasanids
seized its part in the middle of III century that became a strong state in Iran.
The territory of Azerbaijan had become an arena of the devastating wars
between the Roma Empire and what would become known as Iran in IV
century.
In the middle of VII century, Azerbaijan was exposed to the invasion of the
Arabic caliphate. The arabic caliphate conquered Azerbaijan at the beginning
of VIII century. The province of ARRAN was founded in the territory of
Azerbaijan. Islam had Become the leading religion in Azerbaijan creating new
traditions and culture. The same as other nations, the Azerbaijanis adopted
Islam and took part in the development of Muslim culture under the common
name of "Muslims". Azerbaijan enriched the world culture, having given a
brilliant gallery of scientists, poets and architects.
As in other Caucasian countries, Azerbaijan had become free from the
caliphate ruling by late IX and early X century and was living through the
period of the economic prosperity. Agriculture, handcrafts and trade were
developing and the cities were growing. A number of local states had formed.
The most considerable was the state of SHIRVANSHAHS with the capital
in the city of Shamakhi. In the mid Xl century invasion of the Seljuks had
started against the cities of Azerbaijan. Dynasty of lldegizids had established
in the south of Azerbaijan. Its founder was lldegiz, who was one of the
deputies of the Seljuk sultans, who turned regions ruled by governor into
heritage property and expanded it having adjoined neighboring lands. In
XI-XII centuries with the process of the establishment of Turkic language in
Azerbaijan, the formation of an Azeri nationality started. At the same time,
grand material and spiritual treasures were being established by the creative
genius of the nation. Eminent scientists Makki ibn Ahmad, Bahmanyar, poets
- thinkers Khatib Tabriz, Khagani, Nizami Ganjavi, poetess Mahsati Ganjavi
etc contributed largely to development of Azeri and world culture.
This period of economic and cultural development of Azerbaijan was
terminated in the early part of the XIII century by Mongolian invasion.
Prosperous cities were turned into ruins. Azerbaijan had become an object of
the seizing campaigns of Timur since late in the XIV century. In early XVI
century the state of the SEFEVIDS made its capital in the city of Tabriz. This
united all Azeri lands in one state for the first time in the history of Azerbaijan,
which by then had become a powerful empire founded on huge territory from
Sirdarya to Yevfrat. Its founder was shah Ismayil I (reigned in the years of
1502-24). Unification of the country promoted the development of
agricultural and cultural life and ignited up the fight of the nation against
foreign seizures.
In the middle of XVIII century, independent states - khanates were
established in the territory of Azerbaijan. Baku, Sheki, Nakhchivan,
Garabag, Ganja, Shamakhi, Cuba, Urmiya, Irevan, Tabriz, Maraga and other
khanates were established.
Historical conditions of XVII-XVIII century found their reflection in the
culture of Azerbaijan as well. An eminent monument to the national artwork
is the heroic epos "Kor-oglu". After seizure of the northern part of Azerbaijan
by Russia and conclusion of the Gulustan (the year of 1813) and
Turkmenchay (the year of 1828) agreements between Russia and Iran,
Azerbaijan was divided: Northern Azerbaijan was adjoined to the tsarist
Russia and Southern Azerbaijan - to Iran. Therefore, the Azeri nation was
divided into two parts. After that, the displacement policy of tsarism tended
to strengthen itself in Caucasus and Asia Minor basing on Armenian
population.
In spite of the colonial policy of tsarism, Azerbaijan was spared the
destroying invasions from outside, domestic feudal intestine wars and
fragmentations. The first large industrial enterprises appeared. In 1872, all the
conditions were established for the rapid development of the oil industry in
Baku.
After the dethronement of the tsarist regime in 1917, the political situation in
Azerbaijan changed. Northern Azerbaijan reestablished its sovereignty on
May 28, 1918; the state with the republic mode was established for the first
time among the Muslim countries.
Soviet Russia breached state sovereignty of Azerbaijan in April 1920 and
sent the 11th Red Army to Azerbaijan. On April 28, 1920, Soviet power
was announced in Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet
Union.
The independence of Azerbaijan was reestablished in 1991. A new stage in
the history of Azerbaijan started after Heydar Aliyev returned to the republic
government. The domestic situation in the country stabilized; growth in all
fields of the national life started. Azerbaijan continues to develop stably and
has potential to become one of the most interesting centers of tourism for
foreign guests and travelers in near future, keeping the best traditions of
Caucasian hospitality and good-nature. Azerbaijan has all opportunities for it:
historical traditions, architectural-art legacy of various epochs, soft climate,
and magnificent nature.