Baku is the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is a large scientific, cultural and industrial center. Ancient foundations, a large area and population all make Baku one of the oldest and largest cities in the East.
Baku is situated on the shore of the Caspian Sea in the south of the
Absheron peninsula. It covers an area of 2,200 square km and has a
population of 3 millions.
Baku was first mentioned in the Book of
the Dead by the Egyptian Pharaoh Minesan in 3,500 BC. The ancient age
of Baku is also evidenced by stone carvings dating back to 12,000 years
ago and archeological excavations. Another important piece of evidence
is a stone carving by August Guy Octavio, who reflected the stationing
of a military camp under the rule of the Roman emperors Pompey and
Lucius near Baku (40 km to the south) for the purposes of seizing the
southern Caucasus in the 1st century BC. This means that Baku is nearly
5,500 years old.
Baku was one of the main cities in the Shirvanshakhs State in the 12th
century, in the Sefevids State in the 14th century, in the Ottoman
Empire in the 16th century, and became the capital of the Baku khanate
in the 17th century.
In the middle of 19 century Baku became also a capital of oil industry, as it was in the Baku side of Caspian Sea that the first offshore wells were developed.
Our Gallery presents beautiful collection of pictures of Baku today, Baku in the end of 19- beginning of 20 century, and the wonderful looks at the city in the night.
