CITY IN BRIEF

Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest commercial, cultural and scientific center in the Caucasus region, and the largest port on the Caspian Sea. Baku is located in the South of Absheron peninsula, on the coast of the Caspian Sea, on the 40 ° parallel. Baku is one of the biggest cities in the East with its antiquity, territory and population, which now covers 150 sq.km and goes out along the sea bay with approximately 20 km. The capital's population is about 3 million.

Baku's plethora of attractions could keep you busy for days. Even if you have only an hour or two between meetings there are a whole series of inspirational places to snap the perfect photograph. Medieval alleyways and caravanserais beckon. Alluring cafes, exotic tea caverns, suave restaurants, great jazz clubs, carpet peddlers, fine museums, cutting edge galleries and sweet little curio shops are all a short stroll away. If you have a little longer there's a hop-on, hop-off city bus tour. Or a series of intriguing excursions to mud volcanoes, petroglyphs, castles, archaeology sites and even a still-burning fire temple. See two or three of those in an afternoon. If you've got all day you could see them all. Or head off into rural Azerbaijan and discover just how beautiful the countryside can be - deserts and mountains, canyons and beaches, forests and ski resorts - any accessible in under four hours.

Few cities in the world are as safe as Baku. Petty crime is minimal. Locals with bulging wallets sticking out of a rear pocket seem blissfully unconcerned getting onto a packed full public bus. Local women generally feel suitably secure to walk home alone even at night, or at least to jump in a taxi though it is often considered a sensible precaution to use a familiar taxi company or driver.