Azerbaijan The Mark Elliott guide

Perched beside the oil-rich Caspian Sea, compact, hospitable Azerbaijan is astounding in its scenic variety. Snow-capped Caucasian peaks, semi-tropical forests, painted moonscape deserts and flower- filled grasslands all lie within a few hours’ drive of the cosmopolitan capital Baku. That’s an artistically vibrant city incorporating a kaleidoscopic range of images from the medieval walls of its Unesco-listed core to the mind-boggling 21st-century architecture of Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Centre. From fire temples to Formula 1 to forgotten mountain villages, there’s so much more to discover. New super-easy visas make access easier than ever before. And infrastructure funded by the recent oil boom means that roads, hotels, spas and ski-resorts are state of the art – yet incredible value. First published in 1999, this is the fifth edition of what has long been the definitive guide to Azerbaijan for visitors and residents alike. The style is detailed and factual but with a personal twist and an evident appreciation of the country’s many loveable quirks.