 |
| At a Glance... |
| Land
Area: 86,600 sq. km. |
| Lowest
Point: -28 meters (Caspian Sea) |
| Area
(comp.): Slightly smaller than Maine |
| Highest
Point: 4,485 meters (Bazarduzu Dagi Mountain) |
| Border
Countries: Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran |
| Climate: 9 of 11 climatic zones, mostly semi-arid steppe |
| Population: 7,771,092 (July 2001 est.) |
| Life
Expectancy: 63 years |
| Ethnic
Groups: Azeri (90%), Dagestani (3.2%), Russian (2.5%), Armenian (2.0%), other (2.3%) |
| Religions: Muslim (93.4%), Russian Orthodox (2.5%), Armenian Orthodox (2.3%), other (1.8%) |
| Languages: Azeri (89%), Russian (3%), Armenian (2%), other 6%) |
| Currency: Manat (4670 = $1 U.S.) |
| Literacy: 97% |
| GDP;
growth rate: $23.5 billion (2000 est.); 11.4 % |
| GDP
per capita: $3,000 (2000 est.) |
|
S One
of the innovations that is a source
of particular pride to S.I. Travel director
Suad Fataliyev is the creation of a
luxury train, known as the “Silk
Road Express” which travels from
Baku through the Caucasus Mountains
to Georgia. The train service was launched
in July 2000 as a joint project between
SI Travel and Azerbaijan State Railways.
“We started with one sleeping coach, then added a restaurant car.” The company began offering the service three days a week, but now due to popular demand, the service is available up to five days a week and may soon go to daily service. The accommodations are indeed luxurious, the coaches fully comply with fire and safety regulations, and passengers are automatically insured.
|
ilk
Road Express: Luxury Train through the
Caucasus