View source for Baku

{{short description|Capital and largest city of Azerbaijan}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Bakı||Baki (disambiguation){{!}}Baki}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = 
| official_name           = Baku
| native_name             = {{nativename|az|Bakı}}
| settlement_type         = Capital city
| nickname                = [[City of Winds]]<br />({{lang|az|Küləklər şəhəri}}){{force singular}}
| image_skyline           = Baku Montage.jpg
| image_caption      = [[Palace of the Shirvanshahs|Shirvanshah's Palace]]; [[Old City (Baku)|Old City]]; [[Maiden Tower (Baku)|Maiden Tower]]; [[Palace of Happiness]]; evening in Baku; [[Ismailiyya Palace]]; [[Heydar Aliyev Center]]; [[National Art Museum of Azerbaijan]]; [[Azerbaijan Carpet Museum]]; [[Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall]]; [[Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater]]; [[Nizami Cinema Center]]; [[Ateshgah of Baku|Ateshgah]]; [[Church of the Saviour, Baku|Church of the Saviour]]; [[Heydar Mosque]]; view over city and Bay of Baku 
| image_shield            = Coat of arms of Baku.svg
| seal_size               = 80px
| flag_size               = 130px
| image_map               = Baku City in Azerbaijan.svg
| mapsize                 = 230px
| map_caption             = Location of Baku in the Republic of Azerbaijan
| pushpin_map             = Azerbaijan#Asia
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location of Baku in Azerbaijan##Location of Baku in Asia
| pushpin_relief          = 1
| coordinates             = {{coord|40|22|32|N|49|49|57|E|type:city_region:AZ-BA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{flagu|Azerbaijan}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[Economic regions of Azerbaijan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1       = '''[[Baku Economic Region|BIR]]'''
| established_title       = 
| established_date        = 
| parts_type              = Districts (raion)
| parts                   = 12 districts
| leader_title            = Mayor
| leader_name             = [[Eldar Azizov]]
| area_total_km2          = 2,140
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="DENSITY">{{Cite web |title=Administrative, density and territorial units and land size by economic regions of Azerbaijan Republic for January 1. 2007 |url=http://www.azstat.org/statinfo/demoqraphic/en/010.shtml#s11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124164655/http://www.azstat.org/statinfo/demoqraphic/en/010.shtml#s11 |archive-date=24 November 2007 |access-date=17 July 2009}}</ref>
| area_land_km2           = 
| area_water_km2          = 
| population_as_of        = [[Census in Azerbaijan|2024]]
| population_footnotes    = 
| population_total        = 2,344,900<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.az/source/demoqraphy/ap/az/population_2024.zip |title=Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət Statistika Komitəsi |first=Anar |last=Samadov (www.anarsamadov.net) |website=Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət Statistika Komitəsi}}</ref>
| population_urban        = 
| population_metro        = 3,725,000<ref name="citypopulation.de">{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |title=Major Agglomerations of the World |publisher=Citypopulation.de}}</ref>
| population_rank         = [[List of cities in Azerbaijan#Most populous Azerbaijani cities|1st]]
| population_density_km2  = 1096
| population_demonym      = Bakuvian<ref>{{Cite book |last=[[Thomas de Waal]] |title=The Caucasus: An Introduction |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-19-975043-6 |page=16}}</ref>
({{lang|az|Bakılı}})
| demographics_type2      = GDP {{Nobold|(nominal, 2023)}}<ref>{{citation |title=Socioeconomic Indicators of Baku |url=https://www.stat.gov.az/source/regions/az/001.xlsx |website=www.stat.gov.az}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1    = Capital city
| demographics2_info1     = [[Azerbaijani manat|AZN]] 91.2 billion<br />(US$ 53.7 billion)
| demographics2_title2    = per capita
| demographics2_info2     = AZN 38,912<br />(US$ 22,890)
| timezone                = [[Azerbaijan Time|AZT]]
| utc_offset              = +4
| elevation_m             = −28
| area_code               = +994 12
| postal_code_type        = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code             = AZ1000
| iso_code                = AZ-BA
| registration_plate      = 10, 90, 99, 77
| blank_info_sec1         = 0.830<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web |title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/AZE/?years=2022}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}}
| website                 = {{URL|www.baku-ih.gov.az}}
| footnotes               = {{designation list
| embed                   = yes
| designation1            = WHS
|designation1_offname     = Walled City of Baku with the [[Palace of the Shirvanshahs|Shirvanshah's Palace]] and [[Maiden Tower (Baku)|Maiden Tower]]
| designation1_date       = 2000 <small>(24th [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
| designation1_number     = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/958 958]
| designation1_criteria   = iv
| designation1_type       = Cultural
| designation1_free1name  = [[List of World Heritage in Danger|Endangered]]
| designation1_free1value = 2003–2009
| designation1_free2name  = Region
| designation1_free2value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Western Asia|Asia]], [[List of World Heritage Sites in Eastern Europe|Europe]]
 }}
}}

'''Baku''' ({{IPAc-en|US|b|ɑː|ˈ|k|uː|,_|ˈ|b|ɑː|k|uː}}, {{IPAc-en|UK|b|æ|ˈ|k|uː|,_|ˈ|b|æ|k|u:}};<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Baku}}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Baku |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205191002/https://www.lexico.com/definition/baku |archive-date=5 December 2020 |title=Baku |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{langx|az|Bakı}} {{IPA|az|bɑˈcɯ||Az-baku.ogg}}) is the [[Capital city|capital]] and [[List of cities in Azerbaijan|largest city]] of [[Azerbaijan]], as well as the largest city on the [[Caspian Sea]] and in the [[Caucasus]] region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven astounding facts about the city of Baku |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2KC0g2TGpjBXGp5x5rm4KKd/seven-astounding-facts-about-the-city-of-baku |access-date=6 September 2020 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930063703/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2KC0g2TGpjBXGp5x5rm4KKd/seven-astounding-facts-about-the-city-of-baku |url-status=live}}</ref> Baku is {{convert|28|m|ft}} below [[sea level]], which makes it the [[List of capital cities by elevation|lowest lying national capital in the world]] and also the largest city in the world below sea level. Baku lies on the southern shore of the [[Absheron Peninsula]], on the [[Bay of Baku]]. Baku's [[urban population]] was estimated at two million people as of 2009.<ref name="pop">{{Cite web |title=Population by economic and administrative regions, urban settlements at the beginning of the 2009 |url=http://www.azstat.org/statinfo/demoqraphic/en/2_2.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114093435/http://www.azstat.org/statinfo/demoqraphic/en/2_2.shtml |archive-date=14 November 2009 |access-date=21 November 2009}}</ref> Baku is the [[primate city]] of Azerbaijan—it is the sole metropolis in the country, and about 25% of all inhabitants of the country live in Baku's [[metropolitan area]].

Baku is divided into [[#Administrative divisions|twelve administrative raions]] and 48 townships. Among these are the townships on the islands of the [[Baku Archipelago]], as well as the industrial settlement of [[Neft Daşları]] built on oil rigs {{convert|60|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} away from Baku city in the Caspian Sea. The [[Old City (Baku)|Old City]], containing the [[Palace of the Shirvanshahs]] and the [[Maiden Tower (Baku)|Maiden Tower]], was designated as a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/958/ |title=Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower |website=UNESCO |access-date=11 April 2023}}</ref>

The city is the scientific, cultural, and industrial centre of Azerbaijan. Many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions have their headquarters there. In the 2010s, Baku became a venue for major international events. It hosted the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2012|57th Eurovision Song Contest]] in 2012, the [[2015 European Games]], 4th [[Islamic Solidarity Games]], the [[European Grand Prix]] in 2016, the [[Azerbaijan Grand Prix]] since 2017, the [[2019 UEFA Europa League Final|final]] of the [[2018–19 UEFA Europa League]], [[UEFA Euro 2020]] and [[2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=James |first1=William |title=Explainer: What is the point of a UN climate COP? |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/what-is-point-un-climate-cop-2024-11-09/ |access-date=11 November 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Yusuf |title=Welcome to Baku, a City Built on Oil Hosting the World's Climate Conference |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/welcome-to-baku-a-city-built-on-oil-hosting-the-worlds-climate-conference-ba3d7e58?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos1 |access-date=11 November 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> The [[Port of Baku|Baku International Sea Trade Port]] is capable of handling two million tonnes of general and dry bulk cargoes per year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Port of Baku |url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/AZE_Port_of_Baku_2192.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721064024/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/AZE_Port_of_Baku_2192.php |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=23 December 2010 |publisher=World Port Source}}</ref> Baku is renowned for its harsh winds, reflected in its nickname, the "City of Winds".

==Etymology==
Baku is long attested under the [[Perso-Arabic]] name باکو (''Bākū''). Early [[Arabic]] sources also refer to the city as ''Bākuh'' and ''Bākuya'',<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dunlop |first1=D.M. |url=http://nessia.org/files/original/7fb5287183e94fb6ea34e8c74d7f9de9.pdf |title=Historic Cities of the Islamic World |last2=Bennigsen |first2=A. |last3=Bosworth |first3=C.E. |publisher=Brill |year=2007 |editor-last=Bosworth |editor-first=C. Edmund |editor-link=Clifford Edmund Bosworth |location=Leiden & Boston |page=47 |author-link3=Clifford Edmund Bosworth |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920151802/http://nessia.org/files/original/7fb5287183e94fb6ea34e8c74d7f9de9.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2018}}</ref> all of which seem to come from a [[Persian language|Persian]] name.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} The further etymology is unclear.

A [[folk etymology|popular etymology]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bakucity.preslib.az/en/page/oj8veb7H6a |title=The origin and etymology :: Baku |website=bakucity.preslib.az |access-date=3 January 2021 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116062050/https://bakucity.preslib.az/en/page/oj8veb7H6a |url-status=live}}</ref> in the 19th century considered it to be derived from Persian بادکوبه (''Bâd-kube'', meaning "wind-pounded city", a compound of ''bād'', "wind", and ''kube'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Everett-Heath |first=John |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780191882913.001.0001/acref-9780191882913;jsessionid=89F701150F43668BCF55A677CA9C3AD3 |title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Place Names |date=24 October 2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-188291-3 |language=en-US |doi=10.1093/acref/9780191882913.001.0001}}</ref> which is rooted in the verb کوبیدن ''kubidan'', "to pound", thus referring to a place where wind would be strong and pounding,<ref name="Web.archive.org">{{Cite web |title=Culture & Religion on Podium: Politicizing Linguistics |url=http://iranchamber.com/podium/culture/020920_politicizing_linguistics.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013212555/http://iranchamber.com/podium/culture/020920_politicizing_linguistics.php |archive-date=13 October 2007 |access-date=25 July 2009}}</ref> as is the case of Baku, which is known to experience fierce winter snow storms and harsh winds). This popular name (''Badkubə'' in modern Azerbaijani script) gained currency as a nickname for the city by the 19th century (e.g., it is used in ''[[Akinchi]]'', volume 1, issue 1, p.&nbsp;1), and is also reflected in the city's modern nickname as the "City of Winds" ({{langx|az|Küləklər şəhəri|link=no}}). Another and even less probable folk etymology explains the name as deriving from ''Baghkuy'', meaning "God's town". ''Baga'' (now ''بغ'' ''bagh'') and ''kuy'' are the [[Old Persian language|Old Persian]] words for "god" and "town" respectively; the name ''Baghkuy'' may be compared with ''[[Baghdad|Baghdād]]'' ("God-given") in which ''dād'' is the Old Persian word for "give".

During [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|Soviet rule]], the city was spelled in Cyrillic as "Бакы" in Azerbaijani (while the Russian spelling was and still is "Баку", ''{{transliteration|ru|Baku}}''). The modern Azerbaijani spelling, which has been using the Latin alphabet since 1991, is {{lang|az|Bakı}}; the shift from the Perso-Arabic letter و (''ū'') to Cyrillic "ы" and, later, Latin "ı" may be compared to that in other Azerbaijani words (e.g. compare {{wikt-lang|az|قاپو}} ''qāpū'' in old Perso-Arabic spelling with modern Azerbaijani {{wikt-lang|az|qapı}}, "door") or in suffixes, as و was often used to transcribe the [[vowel harmony]] in Azerbaijani (which was also the practice in [[Ottoman Turkish language|Ottoman Turkish]]). (See also [[Azerbaijani alphabet]].)

==History==
{{Main|History of Baku|Timeline of Baku}}

===Antiquity===
[[File:Qobustan inscription.jpg|thumb|Roman stone inscription in [[Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve|Gobustan]] dating back to AD 84–96]]
Traces of human settlement in the region of present-day Baku date back to the [[Stone Age]]. [[Bronze Age]] rock carvings have been discovered near Bayil, and a bronze figure of a small fish in the territory of the Old City. These have led some to suggest the existence of a Bronze-Age settlement within the city's territory.<ref>[http://azerisite.narod.ru/2.html Город Баку...] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140319033931/http://azerisite.narod.ru/2.html |date= 19 March 2014 }} Retrieved on 24 June 2006</ref> Near [[Nardaran]], a place called Umid Gaya features a prehistoric observatory, where images of the sun and of various constellations are carved into rock together with a primitive astronomic table.<ref>Ancient Observatory of Absheron. ''Gobustan'', No 3 (1973)</ref> Further archeological excavations have revealed various prehistoric settlements, native temples, statues and other artifacts within the territory of the modern city and around it.

In the 1st century AD, the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] organised two Caucasian campaigns and reached what is today Baku. Near the city, in what is today [[Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve|Gobustan]], Roman inscriptions dating from AD 84 to 96 survive – some of the earliest written evidences for a city there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan – Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace... |url=http://worldheritage.heindorffhus.dk/frame-AzerbaijanBaku.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080102011734/http://worldheritage.heindorffhus.dk/frame-AzerbaijanBaku.htm |archive-date=2 January 2008 |access-date=14 October 2007}}</ref>

According to the 6th-century archbishop and historian St. Sophronius of Cyprus, in 71, St. [[Bartholomew the Apostle]] was preaching Christianity in the city of Albana or Albanopolis,<ref>The Works of Sophronius, Archbishop of Cyprus (1911). Tiflis. p.397.30</ref> associated with present-day Baku<ref>[http://allsaintsrothbury.org.uk/BARTHOLOMEW.pdf Bartholomew – Some Thoughts]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. The Parish of Upper Coquetdale.</ref> or [[Derbent]],<ref>[http://www.christianevidenceroom.com/TheResurrection.html Evidence of the Resurrection] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924203801/http://www.christianevidenceroom.com/TheResurrection.html |date=24 September 2008 }}. ''Christian Evidence Room''.</ref> both located by the [[Caspian Sea]]. St. Bartholomew managed to convert even members of the local royal family who had worshipped the idol [[Astaroth]], but was later martyred by being [[flaying|flayed]] alive and crucified head down on orders from the pagan king Astyages.<ref>[http://www.homecomers.org/mirror/martyrs012.htm Martyrs Mirror]. p. 88</ref> The remains of St. Bartholomew were secretly transferred to [[Mesopotamia]].<ref>[http://www.orthodox.cn/divenbog/AUGST/25-AUGST.DOC 25 August]. ''Orthodoxy in China''.</ref>

===Rise of the Shirvanshahs and the Safavid era===
{{See also|Shirvanshah}}
[[File:1541-Battle in the war between Shah Isma'il and the King of Shirvan-Shahnama-i-Isma'il.jpg|left|190px|thumb |A [[Miniature (illuminated manuscript)|miniature painting]] marking the downfall of the [[Shirvanshahs]] at the hands of the [[Safavids]]]]
Baku was the realm of the [[Shirvanshahs]] during the 8th century AD. The city frequently came under assault from the [[Khazars]] and (starting from the 10th century) from the [[Kievan Rus'|Rus']]. [[Akhsitan I]] built a navy in Baku and successfully repelled a Rus' assault in 1170. After a devastating earthquake struck [[Shamakhi]], the capital of [[Shirvan]], Shirvanshah's court moved to Baku in 1191.<ref>[http://www.kaspiy.az/rubrics.php?code=316 "Ичери Шехер": быть или не быть] Retrieved on 25 June 2006 {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080620120625/http://www.kaspiy.az/rubrics.php?code=316 |date= 20 June 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Sabayil relics.jpg|thumb|Relics from the sunken [[Sabayil Castle]] ]]
The Shirvan era greatly influenced Baku and the remainder of present-day Azerbaijan. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, massive fortifications were built in Baku and the surrounding towns. The [[Maiden Tower (Baku)|Maiden Tower]], the [[Ramana Tower]], the [[Nardaran Fortress]], the Shagan Castle, the [[Quadrangular castle (Mardakan)|Mardakan Castle]], the [[Round Castle (Mardakan)|Round Castle]] and also the [[Sabayil Castle]] on the island of the [[Bay of Baku]] date from this period. The [[Old City (Baku)|city walls of Baku]] were also rebuilt and strengthened.

By the early 16th century, Baku's wealth and strategic position attracted the attention of its larger neighbours; in the previous two centuries, it was under the rule of the Iran-centred [[Kara Koyunlu]] and [[Ak Koyunlu]]. The fall of the Ak Koyunlu brought the city immediately into the sphere of the newly formed Iranian [[Safavid dynasty]], led by king (''[[shah]]'') [[Ismail I]] ({{reign | 1501 | 1524}}). Ismail I laid siege to Baku in 1501 and captured it; he allowed the Shirvanshahs to remain in power, under Safavid suzerainty. His successor, king [[Tahmasp I]] ({{reign | 1524 | 1576}}), completely removed the Shirvanshahs from power and made Baku a part of the [[Safavid Shirvan|Shirvan]] province. Baku remained as an integral part of his empire and of successive Iranian dynasties for the next centuries, until ceded to the [[Russian Empire]] through the 1813 [[Treaty of Gulistan]]. The House of Shirvan, which had ruled Baku since the 9th century, was extinguished in the course of Safavid rule.

At this time, the city was enclosed within lines of strong walls, which were washed by the sea on one side and protected by a wide trench on land. The Ottomans briefly gained control over Baku as a result of the [[Ottoman–Safavid War (1578–1590)|Ottoman-Safavid War of 1578–1590]]; by 1607, it came under Iranian control again.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dumper |first1=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3SapTk5iGDkC&pg=PA65 |title=Cities of the Middle East and North Africa |last2=Stanley |first2=Bruce E |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-57607-919-5 |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528124515/https://books.google.com/books?id=3SapTk5iGDkC&pg=PA65 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1604 Shah [[Abbas I of Persia|Abbas I]] ({{reign | 1588 | 1629}}) destroyed Baku fortress.

[[File:Ateshgah temple inscription.png|upright|thumb|right| [[Ateshgah of Baku|Atashgah]] is a temple built by Indian traders before 1745, west of the Caspian Sea. The inscription invokes Lord [[Shiva]] in [[Sanskrit]] at the Atashgah.]]
Baku had a reputation as a focal point for traders from across the world during the [[Early modern period]]; commerce was active and the area prospered. Notably, traders from the [[Indian subcontinent]] established themselves in the region. These Indian traders built the [[Ateshgah of Baku]] during 17th–18th centuries; the temple was used as a [[Hindu]], [[Sikh]], and [[Zoroastrian]] place of worship.<ref name="Ziyadov2012">{{Cite book |last=Taleh Ziyadov |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=48CHpkjeCcEC&pg=PA94 |title=Azerbaijan as a Regional Hub in Central Eurasia: Strategic Assessment of Euro-Asian Trade and Transportation |publisher=Taleh Ziyadov |year=2012 |isbn=978-9952-34-801-9 |pages=94– |access-date=16 August 2018 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528124524/https://books.google.com/books?id=48CHpkjeCcEC&pg=PA94 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Downfall of the Safavids and the Khanate of Baku ===
The Safavids temporarily lost power in Iran in 1722; Emperor [[Peter the Great]] of Russia took advantage of the situation and invaded. As a result of the [[Russo-Persian War of 1722–1723]], the Safavids were forced to cede Baku to Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shukiurov Kerim |title=The Caucasus in the System of International Relations: The Turkmanchay Treaty was Signed 180 Years Ago |url=http://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/the-caucasus-in-the-system-of-international-relations-the-turkmanchay-treaty-was-signed-180-years-ago |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629192734/http://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/the-caucasus-in-the-system-of-international-relations-the-turkmanchay-treaty-was-signed-180-years-ago |archive-date=29 June 2015 |access-date=30 June 2015 |website=[[Cyberleninka]]}}</ref> By 1730 the situation had deteriorated for the Russians; the successes of [[Nader Shah]] ({{reign | 1736 | 1747}}) led them to sign the [[Treaty of Ganja]] near [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]] on 10 March 1735, ceding the city and all other conquered territories in the Caucasus back to Iran.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mikaberidze |first=Alexander |title=Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-59884-336-1 |editor-last=Mikaberidze, Alexander |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=329 |chapter=Treaty of Ganja (1735)}}</ref>

The eruption of instability following Nader Shah's death in 1747 gave rise to the various [[Khanates of the Caucasus|Caucasian khanates]]. The semi-autonomous Persian-ruled<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Azerbaijan – history – geography |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-129462/Azerbaijan |access-date=4 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118105319/https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-129462/Azerbaijan |archive-date=18 November 2008}}</ref><ref>Russia and Iran, 1780-1828By Muriel Atkin, Page 16-20</ref>

=== Russo-Persian Wars and Iran's cession ===
[[File:Баку. Набережная. 1861.jpg|left|270px|thumb|Painting of Baku's shoreline in 1861 by [[Alexey Bogolyubov]]]]

From the late 18th century, [[Imperial Russia]] switched to a more aggressive geopolitical stance towards its two neighbours and rivals to the south, namely Iran and the Ottoman Empire. In the spring of 1796, by [[Catherine the Great|Catherine the Great's]] order, General [[Valerian Zubov]]'s troops started [[Persian Expedition of 1796|a large campaign]] against [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar]] Persia.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Relations between Tehran and Moscow, 1797–2014 |url=https://www.academia.edu/9137125 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501122208/http://www.academia.edu/9137125/Relations_between_Tehran_and_Moscow_1979-2014 |archive-date=1 May 2015 |access-date=9 March 2015}}</ref> Zubov had sent 13,000 men to capture Baku, and it was overrun subsequently without any resistance. On 13 June 1796, a Russian flotilla entered Baku Bay, and a garrison of Russian troops was stationed inside the city. Later, however, Emperor [[Paul I of Russia|Paul I]] of Russia ordered the cessation of the campaign and the withdrawal of Russian forces following [[Catherine the Great|Catherine's]] death. In March 1797 the tsarist troops left Baku, and the city became part of [[Qajar Iran]] again.

In 1813, following the [[Russo-Persian War (1804–13)|Russo-Persian War of 1804–1813]], Qajar Iran had to sign the [[Treaty of Gulistan]] with Russia this provided for the cession of Baku and of most of Iran's territories in the [[North Caucasus]] and [[South Caucasus]] to Russia. During the next and final bout of hostilities between the two, the [[Russo-Persian War (1826–28)|Russo-Persian War of 1826–1828]], the Iranians briefly recaptured Baku. However, the militarily superior Russians ended this war with a victory as well, and the resulting [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]] (1828) made Baku's inclusion in the [[Russian Empire]] definite.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mojtahed-Zadeh, Pirouz |title=Boundary Politics and International Boundaries of Iran: A Study of the Origin, Evolution, and Implications of the Boundaries of Modern Iran with Its 15 Neighbours in the Middle East by a Number of Renowned Experts in the Field |publisher=Universal |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-58112-933-5 |page=372}}</ref> When Baku was occupied by the Russian troops during the [[Russo-Persian War (1804–13)|war of 1804–13]], nearly the entire population of some 8,000 people was ethnic [[Tat people (Caucasus)|Tat]].<ref name="books.google.nl">{{Cite book |last=James B. Minahan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oZCOAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA262 |title=Ethnic Groups of North, East, and Central Asia: An Encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-61069-018-8 |page=262 |access-date=24 August 2017 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528124526/https://books.google.com/books?id=oZCOAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA262 |url-status=live}}</ref> Baku within Russia was the administrative center of the [[Baku Uyezd]], [[Baku Governorate]], and the [[Baku Gradonachalstvo]].

=== Discovery of oil ===
{{Main| Petroleum industry in Azerbaijan}}
[[File:Baku, 1861.jpg|thumb|300px| Panoramic view of Baku bay in 1861]]
The Russians built the first [[oil refinery|oil-distilling factory]] in [[Balaxani]] in 1837. The first person to drill oil in Baku was an ethnic [[Armenians|Armenian]] [[Ivan Mirzoev]], who is also known as a 'founding father of Baku's oil industry.'<ref>{{Cite book |last=Daintith |first=Terence |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g1G52SwFjeQC&q=mirzoev+baku&pg=PA157 |title=Finders Keepers?: How the Law of Capture Shaped the World Oil Industry |date=2010 |publisher=Earthscan |isbn=978-1-936331-76-5 |language=en |access-date=13 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Altstadt |first=Audrey L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FgtZAAAAYAAJ |title=Economic Development and Political Reform in Baku: The Response of the Azerbaidzhani Bourgeoisie |date=1980 |publisher=Wilson Center, Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies |language=en |access-date=13 May 2021}}</ref> Drilling for oil began in the 1840s, with the first [[oil well]] drilled in the [[Bibiheybət|Bibi-Heybat]] suburb of Baku in 1846.<ref name="Smil">{{Cite book |last=Smil |first=Vaclav |title=Energy and Civilization: A History |date=2017 |publisher=The MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-03577-4 |location=Cambridge |page=246}}</ref> Large-scale [[oil exploration]] started in 1872 when the Russian imperial authorities auctioned parcels of oil-rich land around Baku to private investors. The pioneer of oil extracting from the bottom of the sea was the Polish geologist [[Witold Zglenicki]]. Soon after, investors appeared in Baku, including the [[Nobel Brothers]] in 1873 and the [[Rothschild family|Rothschilds]] in 1882. An industrial area of oil refineries, better known as [[Black City (Baku)|Black Town]] ({{langx |ru| Чёрный город}}), developed near Baku by the early 1880s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yergin |first=Daniel |title=The Prize, The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power |date=1991 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0-671-79932-8 |location=New York |pages=57–63}}</ref>
[[File:BibiEybat.jpg|thumb|270px|Oil workers digging an oil well by hand at Bibi-Heybat]]
Professor [[A. V. Williams Jackson]] of Columbia University wrote in his work ''From Constantinople to the Home of Omar Khayyam'' (1911):
{{blockquote|Baku is a city founded upon oil, for to its inexhaustible founts of naphtha it owes its very existence, its maintenance, its prosperity... At present Baku produces one-fifth of the oil that is used in the world, and the immense output in crude petroleum from this single city far surpasses that in any other district where oil is found. Verily, the words of the Scriptures find illustration here: 'the rock poured me out rivers of oil.

Oil is in the air one breathes, in one's nostrils, in one's eyes, in the water of the morning bath (though not in the drinking water, for that is brought in bottles from distant mineral springs), in one's starched linen – everywhere. This is the impression one carries away from Baku, and it is certainly true in the environs.<ref>Abraham Valentine Williams Jackson. {{Cite web |title=From Constantinople to the Home of Omar Khayyam |url=https://archive.org/stream/fromconstantino00jackgoog#page/n10/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318114642/http://www.archive.org/stream/fromconstantino00jackgoog#page/n10/mode/2up |archive-date=18 March 2012 |access-date=1 December 2011 |publisher=The Macmillan Company |year=1911 |page=25}}</ref>}}

By the beginning of the 20th century, half of the oil sold in international markets was extracted in Baku.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVABAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA16 |title=Troubled Waters: The Geopolitics of the Caspian Region |publisher=I.B. Tauris |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-85771-755-9 |page=16 |author=R. Hrair Dekmejian |author2=Hovann H. Simonian}}</ref> The [[oil boom]] contributed to the massive growth of Baku. Between 1856 and 1910 Baku's population grew at a faster rate than that of London, Paris, New York City, or Tokyo.

=== World War I ===
{{Main|Baku during World War I}}
[[File:Army of Azerbaijan in 1918.jpg|thumb| Soldiers and officers of the army of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic shortly after the [[Battle of Baku]] ]]
[[File:Neftchiler Avenue 1918-1920.jpg|thumb|[[Neftchiler Avenue]] in Baku, {{circa | 1920}}]]
In 1917, after the [[October Revolution]] and amidst the turmoil of [[World War I]] and the [[Russian Revolution]], Baku came under the control of the [[26 Baku Commissars|Baku Commune]], led by the veteran [[Bolsheviks|Bolshevik]] [[Stepan Shahumyan]]. Seeking to capitalize on the existing ethnic conflicts, by spring 1918, Bolsheviks inspired and condoned civil war in and around Baku. During the [[March Days]] of 1918, Bolsheviks and [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation|Dashnaks]], seeking to establish control over Baku streets, faced armed Azerbaijani groups. The Azerbaijanis suffered defeat from the united forces of the Baku Soviet and were massacred by Dashnak teams in what was called the [[March Days]]. An estimated 3,000–12,000 Azerbaijanis were killed in their own capital.<ref name="smithmusavat">{{Cite journal |last=Smith |first=Michael |date=April 2001 |title=Anatomy of Rumor: Murder Scandal, the Musavat Party and Narrative of the Russian Revolution in Baku, 1917–1920 |journal=Journal of Contemporary History |volume=36 |issue=2 |page=228 |doi=10.1177/002200940103600202 |quote=''The results of the March events were immediate and total for the Musavat. Several hundreds of its members were killed in the fighting; up to 12,000 Muslim civilians perished; thousands of others fled Baku in a mass exodus.'' |s2cid=159744435}}</ref><ref name="minahan">{{Cite book |last=Minahan |first=James B. |title=Miniature Empires: A Historical Dictionary of the Newly Independent States |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-313-30610-5 |page=22 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing |quote=''The tensions and fighting between the Azeris and the Armenians in the federation culminated in the massacre of some 12,000 Azeris in Baku by radical Armenians and Bolshevik troops in March 1918.''}}</ref> After the massacre, on 28 May 1918, the Azerbaijani faction of the [[Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic|Transcaucasian Sejm]] proclaimed the independence of the [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic]] (ADR) in [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]], thereby founding the first Muslim-majority [[democratic republic|democratic]] and secular republic.<ref>Tadeusz Swietochowski. ''Russia and Azerbaijan: A Borderland in Transition''. Columbia University Press, 1995. {{ISBN|978-0-231-07068-3}}, {{ISBN|978-0-231-07068-3}} and Reinhard Schulze. A Modern History of the Islamic World. I.B.Tauris, 2000. {{ISBN|978-1-86064-822-9}}, {{ISBN|978-1-86064-822-9}}.</ref> The newly independent Azerbaijani republic, being unable to defend the independence of the country on their own, asked the Ottoman Empire for military support in accordance with clause 4 of the treaty between the two countries. Shortly after, Azerbaijani forces, with support of the [[Ottoman Army of Islam]] led by [[Nuri Killigil|Nuru Pasha]], started their advance on Baku, eventually capturing the city from the loose coalition of [[Bolshevik]]s, [[Socialist-Revolutionary Party|SRs]], [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation|Dashnaks]], [[Menshevik]]s and British forces under the command of General [[Lionel Dunsterville]] on 15 September 1918.

After the [[Battle of Baku]] of August–September 1918, the Azerbaijani irregular troops, with the tacit support of the Turkish command, conducted four days of pillaging and killing 10,000–30,000<ref name="Gen">Andreopoulos, George (1997). ''Genocide: Conceptual and Historical Dimensions''. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, {{ISBN|978-0-8122-1616-5}}, p. 236.</ref> [[Armenians in Baku|Armenians of Baku]]. This [[pogrom]] became known as the "[[September Days]]". Shortly after this, Baku was proclaimed the new capital of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

The Ottoman Empire, recognising defeat in World War I by October 1918, signed the [[Armistice of Mudros]] with the British (30 October 1918); this meant the evacuation of Turkish forces from Baku. Headed by General [[William Montgomery Thomson|William Thomson]], some 5,000 British troops, including parts of the former [[Dunsterforce]], arrived in Baku on 17 November. Thomson declared himself military governor of Baku and implemented [[martial law]] in the city until "the civil power would be strong enough to release the forces from the responsibility to maintain the public order". British forces left before the end of 1919.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Behbudov |first=Tahir |title=British Police in Baku |url=http://www.visions.az/en/news/99/afcf2df0/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831184344/http://www.visions.az/en/news/99/afcf2df0/ |archive-date=31 August 2017 |access-date=31 August 2017 |website=Visions of Azerbaijan}}</ref>

=== Soviet period ===
The independence of the Azerbaijani republic was a significant but short-lived chapter in Baku's history. On 28 April 1920, the [[11th Army (RSFSR)|11th Red Army]] [[Red Army invasion of Azerbaijan|invaded]] Baku and reinstalled the Bolsheviks, making Baku the capital of the [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic]] within [[Soviet Union|Soviet Russia]].

The city underwent many major changes. As a result, Baku played a great role in many branches of Soviet life. Baku was the major oil city of the Soviet Union. From about 1921 the city was headed by the Baku City Executive Committee, commonly known in Russian as ''Bakgorispolkom''. Together with Baku Party Committee (known as the ''Baksovet''), it developed the economic significance of the Caspian metropolis. From 1922 to 1930 Baku became the venue for one of the major [[trade fair]]s of the Soviet Union, serving as a commercial bridgehead to Iran and the Middle East.<ref>Etienne Forestier-Peyrat, "[http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/ab_imperio/summary/v2013/2013.4.forestier-peyrat.html Red Passage to Iran: Baku Trade Fair and the Unmaking of the Azerbaijani Borderland, 1922–1930] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115115/http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/ab_imperio/summary/v2013/2013.4.forestier-peyrat.html |date= 4 March 2016 }}", ''Ab Imperio'', Vol 2013, Issue 4, pp. 79–112.</ref>

=== World War II ===
{{main|Baku during World War II}}
The major powers continued to note Baku's growing importance as a major energy hub. During [[World War II]] (1939–1945) and particularly during the [[Case Blue|1942 Nazi German invasion of the southwestern Soviet Union]], Baku became of vital strategic importance to the [[Axis powers]]. In fact, capturing the [[Petroleum industry in Azerbaijan#World War II|oil fields of Baku]] was a primary goal of the [[Wehrmacht]]'s [[Operation Edelweiss]], carried out between May and November 1942. However, the [[German Army (1935–1945)|German Army]] reached only a point some {{convert|530|km|0|abbr=off}} northwest of Baku in November 1942, falling far short of the city's capture before being driven back during the Soviet [[Operation Little Saturn]] in mid-December 1942.

=== Fall of the Soviet Union and later ===
After the 1991 [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], Baku embarked on a process of restructuring on a scale unseen in its history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Money from oil changes the face of Azerbaijan |url=http://news.az/articles/society/41029 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726173757/http://www.news.az/articles/society/41029 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |access-date=22 July 2011 |publisher=news.az}}</ref> Thousands of [[Khrushchevka|panel buildings]] from the Soviet period were demolished to make way for a green belt on its shores; parks and gardens were built on the land reclaimed by filling up the beaches of the [[Baku Bay]]. Improvements were made in general cleaning, maintenance, and garbage collection to bring these services up to Western European standards. The city is growing dynamically and developing at pace on an east–west axis along the shores of the [[Caspian Sea]]. Sustainability has become a key factor in future urban development.<ref>
{{Cite web |title=Baku White City – Sustainability |url=http://www.bakuwhitecity.com/en/page/4-sustainability |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060345/http://www.bakuwhitecity.com/en/page/4-sustainability |archive-date=26 April 2017 |access-date=25 April 2017 |website=bakuwhitecity.com}}
</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Baku, Azerbaijan, satellite image, LandSat-5, 2010-09-06.jpg|thumb|Absheron Peninsula satellite image, [[Landsat 5]], 6 September 2010]]
Baku is situated on the western coast of the [[Caspian Sea]]. In the vicinity of the city there are a number of [[mud volcano]]es (Keyraki, Bogkh-bogkha, [[Lokbatan]] and others) and [[salt lake]]s ([[Lake Boyukshor|Boyukshor]], Khodasan, etc.).

=== Climate ===
Baku has a [[cold semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''BSk'') with hot and humid summers, cool and occasionally wet winters, and strong winds all year long. However, unlike many other cities with such climate features, Baku does not see extremely hot summers and substantial sunshine hours. This is largely because of its northerly [[latitude]] and the fact that it is located on a peninsula on the shore of the Caspian Sea.

Baku, and the [[Absheron Peninsula]] on which it is situated, is the most arid part of Azerbaijan ([[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] here is around or less than {{cvt|200|mm|in|0}} a year). This is largely due to the [[rain shadow]] effect from the [[Caucasus Mountains]], with corresponding latitudes on the [[Black Sea]] on average receiving {{cvt|2300|mm|in|0}} or more.<!-- Batumi and Rize among others. --> The majority of the light annual precipitation occurs in seasons other than summer, but none of these seasons is particularly wet.

During Soviet times, Baku, with its long hours of sunshine and dry healthy climate, was a vacation destination where citizens could enjoy beaches or relax in now-dilapidated [[destination spa|spa]] complexes overlooking the Caspian Sea. The city's past as a Soviet industrial centre left it one of the most polluted cities in the world, {{As of|2008|lc=y}}.<ref name="ForbesPollution">{{Cite news |last=Tiffany M. Luck |date=26 February 2008 |title=The World's Dirtiest Cities |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/02/26/pollution-baku-oil-biz-logistics-cx_tl_0226dirtycities.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202072636/http://www.forbes.com/2008/02/26/pollution-baku-oil-biz-logistics-cx_tl_0226dirtycities.html |archive-date=2 December 2010}}</ref>

At the same time, Baku is noted as a very windy city throughout the year, hence the city's nickname the "[[City of Winds]]", and gale-force winds, the cold northern wind ''[[khazri]]'' and the warm southern wind ''[[gilavar]]'' are typical here in all seasons. Indeed, the city is renowned for its fierce winter snow storms and harsh winds.<ref name="Web.archive.org" />
The speed of the ''khazri'' sometimes reaches {{cvt|144|km/h|mph}}, which can cause damage to crops, trees and roof tiles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global ICT Conference: 25–28, November, 2004: Baku, Azerbaijan |url=http://www.global-ict.mincom.gov.az/aboutazerb.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719093010/http://www.global-ict.mincom.gov.az/aboutazerb.php |archive-date=19 July 2011 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Global-ict.mincom.gov.az}}</ref>

The daily mean temperature in July and August averages {{convert|26.4|°C|°F}}, and there is very little rainfall during that season. During summer, the ''khazri'' sweeps through, bringing desired coolness. Winter is cool and occasionally wet, with the daily mean temperature in January and February averaging {{convert|4.3|°C|°F}}. During winter, the ''khazri'' sweeps through, driven by polar [[air mass]]es; temperatures on the coast frequently drop below freezing and make it feel bitterly cold. Winter [[Winter storm|snow storms]] are occasional; snow usually melts within a few days after each snowfall.

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location=Baku ([[Maştağa]]) (1991–2020 normals)
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|Jan record high C = 20.4
|Feb record high C = 24.0
|Mar record high C = 27.8
|Apr record high C = 27.8
|May record high C = 35.0
|Jun record high C = 40.5
|Jul record high C = 42.7
|Aug record high C = 41.9
|Sep record high C = 39.4
|Oct record high C = 30.1
|Nov record high C = 25.0
|Dec record high C = 26.0
|Jan record low C = -13.7
|Feb record low C = -8.4
|Mar record low C = -7.0
|Apr record low C = -6.1
|May record low C = 0.2
|Jun record low C = 10.0
|Jul record low C = 11.2
|Aug record low C = 11.9
|Sep record low C = 9.1
|Oct record low C = 1.2
|Nov record low C = -2.8
|Dec record low C = -5.5
|Jan high C = 7.3
|Feb high C = 7.6
|Mar high C = 10.9
|Apr high C = 16.8
|May high C = 23.4
|Jun high C = 28.0
|Jul high C = 30.5
|Aug high C = 30.6
|Sep high C = 25.8
|Oct high C = 19.5
|Nov high C = 13.4
|Dec high C = 9.4
| year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 4.8
|Feb mean C = 4.7
|Mar mean C = 7.3
|Apr mean C = 11.9
|May mean C = 18.0
|Jun mean C = 23.2
|Jul mean C = 26.1
|Aug mean C = 26.5
|Sep mean C = 22.0
|Oct mean C = 16.7
|Nov mean C = 10.9
|Dec mean C = 6.6
| year mean C = 
|Jan low C = 2.9
|Feb low C = 2.7
|Mar low C = 4.6
|Apr low C = 8.9
|May low C = 14.6
|Jun low C = 19.7
|Jul low C = 22.9
|Aug low C = 22.5
|Sep low C = 18.7
|Oct low C = 13.2
|Nov low C = 8.4
|Dec low C = 4.7
| year low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 32.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 30.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 18.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 16.6
|May precipitation mm = 15.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 9.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 3.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 8.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 28.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 32.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 44.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 34.6
|year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 6
| Feb precipitation days = 6
| Mar precipitation days = 5
| Apr precipitation days = 4
| May precipitation days = 3
| Jun precipitation days = 2
| Jul precipitation days = 1
| Aug precipitation days = 2
| Sep precipitation days = 2
| Oct precipitation days = 6
| Nov precipitation days = 6
| Dec precipitation days = 6
| year precipitation days =
| Jan humidity = 79.2
| Feb humidity = 81.1
| Mar humidity = 83.8
| Apr humidity = 83.9
| May humidity = 83.4
| Jun humidity = 78.0
| Jul humidity = 75.3
| Aug humidity = 72.9
| Sep humidity = 72.8
| Oct humidity = 76.1
| Nov humidity = 77.5
| Dec humidity = 78.7
| year humidity = 
| Jan sun =79.3
| Feb sun =74.8
| Mar sun =116.5
| Apr sun =194.6
| May sun =281.1
| Jun sun =300.4
| Jul sun =311.6
| Aug sun =283.6
| Sep sun =214.5
| Oct sun =144.6
| Nov sun =92.3
| Dec sun =93.5
| year sun =
|Jan snow days = 4
|Feb snow days = 3
|Mar snow days = 0
|Apr snow days = 0
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 0
|Dec snow days = 3
|Jan uv = 1
|Feb uv = 2
|Mar uv = 4
|Apr uv = 6
|May uv = 8
|Jun uv = 9
|Jul uv = 9
|Aug uv = 8
|Sep uv = 6
|Oct uv = 3
|Nov uv = 1
|Dec uv = 1
|source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] (precipitation days and sun 1971–1990)<ref name = NOAA1>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/AJ/37860.TXT |title=Mastagi Climate Normals for 1971–1990(WMO station number: 37860) |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA|National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration]] |no-pp=y |type=TXT |archive-date=19 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219005400/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/AJ/37860.TXT |url-status=dead}}</ref> Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{cite web |url=http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/worldclimate/graphs.php?climate=allyears&code=37860 |title=MASHTAGA Climate: 1991–2020 |publisher=Starlings Roost Weather |access-date=25 December 2024 |archive-date=29 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229064312/http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/worldclimate/graphs.php?climate=allyears&code=37860 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|source 2 = Meoweather (Snowy days)<ref name="Snow">{{Cite web |title=Baku, Azerbaijan |url=http://www.meoweather.com/history/Azerbaijan/na/40.3952778/49.8822222/Baku.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816004725/http://www.meoweather.com/history/Azerbaijan/na/40.3952778/49.8822222/Baku.html |archive-date=16 August 2012 |access-date=25 February 2013 |publisher=Meoweather}}</ref> infoclimat.fr (extremes)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/1991-2020/baku-bine-airport/valeurs/37864.html |title=Normales et records pour la période 1991-2020 à Baku |publisher=infoclimat.fr |access-date=9 May 2022}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2022}}, Weather.Directory<ref name="Weather.Directory">
{{cite web |url=https://weather.directory/az/baku |title=Baku Weather & Climate Guide |access-date=7 September 2025 |website=Weather.Directory}}</ref>}}

== Administrative divisions ==
Baku is divided into 12 ''rayonlar (sub-rayons)'' (administrative districts) and 5 settlements of city type.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2010 |title=Baku's History |url=http://www.bakupages.com/pages/baku/baku_en.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402040421/http://www.bakupages.com/pages/baku/baku_en.php |archive-date=2 April 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Bakupages.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Baku's History |url=http://www.kishmish.az/content/Baku_e.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706130825/https://www.kishmish.az/content/Baku_e.html |archive-date=6 July 2011 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Kishmish.az}}</ref>

{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Binəqədi raion|Binagadi (Binəqədi) raion]]
* [[Qaradağ raion|Garadagh (Qaradağ) raion]]
* [[Xətai raion|Khatai (Xətai) raion]]
* [[Khazar raion|Khazar (Xəzər) raion]]
* [[Nərimanov raion|Narimanov (Nərimanov) raion]]
* [[Nəsimi raion|Nasimi (Nəsimi) raion]]
* [[Nizami raion]]
* [[Pirallahı raion|Pirallahi (Pirallahı) raion]]
* [[Sabail raion|Sabail (Səbail) raion]]
* [[Sabunçu raion|Sabunchu (Sabunçu) raion]]
* [[Suraxanı raion|Surakhani (Suraxanı) raion]]
* [[Yasamal raion]]
{{colend}}

== Demographics ==
Until 1988, Baku had very large Russian, [[Armenian people|Armenian]], and Jewish populations which contributed to [[cultural diversity]] and added in various ways (music, literature, architecture and progressive outlook) to Baku's history. With the onset of the [[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]] and the [[Pogrom of Armenians in Baku|pogrom against Armenians]] starting in January 1990, the city's large Armenian population was expelled.<ref>Azerbaijan: The status of Armenians, Russians, Jews and other minorities, report, 1993, INS Resource Informacion Center, p.10</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Azerbaijan – The Soviet and post-Soviet periods |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-44300/Azerbaijan#481451.hook |access-date=17 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418173138/https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-44300/Azerbaijan#481451.hook |archive-date=18 April 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the [[collapse of the Soviet Union]], Azerbaijani President [[Heydar Aliyev]] returned several synagogues and a Jewish college, nationalised by the Soviets, to the Jewish community; he encouraged the restoration of these buildings. Seven of the original 11 synagogues, including the Gilah synagogue, built in 1896, and the large Kruei Synagogue, were renovated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2006 |title=JewishVirtualLibrary.org |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Azerbaijan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714014134/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Azerbaijan.html |archive-date=14 July 2011 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=JewishVirtualLibrary.org}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
! colspan="2" | Tatars{{efn|Later known as [[Azerbaijanis]].}}
! colspan="2" | Russians
! colspan="2" | Armenians
! colspan="2" | Jews
! colspan="2" | Others
! rowspan="2" | TOTAL
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
!1851<ref>{{in lang|ru}} ''Kavkazskii Kalendar na 1852&nbsp;g.'', pp. 305–307</ref>
|5,000+
|67.3
|
|
|405
|5.5
|
|
|
|
!7,431
|-
!1886<ref>{{in lang|ru}} Свод статистических данных о населении Закавказского края, извлечённых из посемейных списков 1886 года, г. Тифлис, 1893</ref>
|37,530
|43.3
|21,390
|24.7
|24,490
|28.3
|391
|0.5
|2,810
|3.2
!86,611
|-
!1897<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/emp_lan_97_uezd.php?reg=323 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119173918/http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/emp_lan_97_uezd.php?reg=323 |title=Демоскоп Weekly – Приложение. Справочник статистических показателей. |archive-date=19 January 2012 |website=demoscope.ru}}</ref>
|40,341
|36.0
|37,399
|33.4
|19,099
|17.1
|3,369
|3.0
|11,696
|10.5
!111,904
|-
!1903<ref name="The Azerbaijani Turks page 32">The Azerbaijani Turks: Power and Identity Under Russian Rule, Audrey L. Altstadt, page 32, Hoover Press, 1992, {{ISBN|978-0-8179-9183-8 }}</ref>
|44,257
|28.4
|59,955
|38.5
|26,151
|16.8
|
|
|28,513
|18.3
!155,876
|-
!1913<ref name="The Azerbaijani Turks page 32" />
|45,962
|21.4
|76,288
|35.5
|41,680
|19.4
|9,690
|4.5
|41,052
|19.1
!214,672
|-
!1916<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.prlib.ru/item/417322 |title=Кавказский календарь на 1917 год |publisher=Tipografiya kantselyarii Ye.I.V. na Kavkaze, kazenny dom |year=1917 |edition=72nd |publication-place=Tiflis |pages=182–185 |language=Russian |trans-title=Caucasian calendar for 1917 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104233151/https://www.prlib.ru/item/417322 |archive-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
|69,366{{Efn|This is the number of Shia Muslims within the [[Baku Gradonachalstvo]].}}
|26.4
|79,702
|30.4
|62,357
|23.8
|6,412
|2.4
|44,585
|17.0
!262,422
|-
|}

{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable" style="float:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
! colspan="2" | Turks{{efn|Later known as [[Azerbaijanis]].}}
! colspan="2" | Russians
! colspan="2" | Armenians
! colspan="2" | Jews
! colspan="2" | Others
! rowspan="2" | TOTAL
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
!1917<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Smith |first=Michael G. |date=18 May 2014 |title=The March Events and Baku Commune of 1918 |url=https://brill.com/view/journals/ruhi/41/2/article-p197_6.xml |journal=Russian History |language=ru |volume=41 |issue=2 |pages=199 |doi=10.1163/18763316-04102006 |s2cid=144029589 |issn=1876-3316 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>{{Efn|Described as a "rough" census organised in October 1917.}}
|67,190
|28.2
|77,123
|32.4
|52,184
|21.9
|12,427
|5.2
|29,244{{Efn|11,904 or 5.0% were [[Persians]].}}
|12.3
!238,168
|-
!1926<ref>{{in lang|ru}} Всесоюзная перепись населения 1926 года, т. 14, Закавказская СФСР, г. Москва, 1929</ref>
|118,737
|26.2
|167,373
|36.9
|76,656
|16.9
|19,589
|4.3
|70,978
|15.7
!453,333
|-
|}

{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable" style="float:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
! colspan="2" | Azerbaijanis
! colspan="2" | Russians
! colspan="2" | Armenians
! colspan="2" | Jews
! colspan="2" | Others
! rowspan="2" | TOTAL
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
!1939<ref>Soviet 1939 census</ref>
|215,482
|27.4
|343,064
|43.6
|118,650
|15.1
|31,050
|3.9
|79,377
|10.1
!787,623
|-
!1959<ref>Soviet 1959 census</ref>
|211,372
|32.9
|223,242
|34.7
|137,111
|21.3
|24,057
|3.7
|56,725
|8.7
!652,507
|-
!1970<ref>Soviet 1970 census</ref>
|586,052
|46.3
|351,090
|27.7
|207,464
|16.4
|29,716
|2.3
|88,193
|6.9
!1,262,515
|-
!1979<ref>Soviet 1979 census</ref>
|530,556
|52.4
|229,873
|22.7
|167,226
|16.5
|22,916
|2.3
|62,865
|6.2
!1,013,436
|-
| colspan="12" |'''January 1990: [[Baku pogrom]]. Massacre and expulsion of Armenian population'''
|-
!1999<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ethnic composition of Azerbaijan 1999 |url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/azerbaijan-ethnic1999.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729015208/http://pop-stat.mashke.org/azerbaijan-ethnic1999.htm |archive-date=29 July 2013 |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref>
|1,574,252
|88.0
|119,371
|6.7
|378
|0.0
|5,164
|0.3
|89,689
|5.0
!1,788,854
|-
!2009<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ethnic composition of Azerbaijan 2009 |url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/azerbaijan-ethnic2009.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207161726/http://pop-stat.mashke.org/azerbaijan-ethnic2009.htm |archive-date=7 February 2012 |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref>
|1,848,107
|90.3
|108,525
|5.3
|104
|0.0
|6,056
|0.3
|83,023
|4.1
!2,045,815
|-
!2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ethnic composition of Azerbaijan 2019 |url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/azerbaijan-ethnic2019.htm |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=pop-stat.mashke.org}}</ref>
|2,208,486
|94.8
|65,418
|2.8
|74
|0.0
|2,277
|0.1
|54,170
|2.3
!2,330,425
|}

=== Ethnic groups ===
[[File:Christmas in Baku on January 6, 1904 and Armenian church.jpg|thumb|The Armenian [[Saint Gregory the Illuminator's Church, Baku]]]]
Today, the vast majority of Baku's population is made up of ethnic [[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijanis]], and the rest are [[Talysh people|Talysh]], [[Russians]], [[Lezgins|Lezgi]] and others. The intensive growth of the population started in the middle of the 19th century when Baku was a small town with a population of about 7,000 people. The population increased again from about 13,000 in the 1860s to 112,000 in 1897 and 215,000 in 1913, making Baku the largest city in the Caucasus region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Country-data.com |url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-946.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706060044/http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-946.html |archive-date=6 July 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Country-data.com}}</ref>

Baku has been a cosmopolitan city at certain times during its history, meaning ethnic Azerbaijanis did not constitute the majority of population.<ref>Audrey Altstadt, Conflict, Cleavage and Change in Central Asia and the Caucasus, [[Cambridge University Press]], 1997, p. 112, table 4.1, Ethnic composition of Baku, 1897, 1903,1913</ref> It was only in the 1970s that ethnic Azerbaijanis achieved demographic dominance in Baku.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Goff |first1=Krista A. |title=Nested Nationalism: Making and Unmaking Nations in the Soviet Caucasus |date=2021 |publisher=Cornell University Press |page=28 |isbn=978-1501753299}}</ref> In 2003 Baku additionally had 153,400 [[internally displaced person]]s and 93,400 refugees.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ru:Баку |url=http://www.baku-online.com/ru/baku.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701132551/http://www.baku-online.com/ru/baku.htm |archive-date=1 July 2007 |access-date=15 July 2007 |language=ru |title=Baku Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Герейханов |first1=Гаджи Пирмурадович |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=360iAQAAIAAJ |title=Угрозы национальной безопасности России на Северном Кавказе: этноконфессиональный аспект |last2=Лукьянов |first2=Алексей Григорьевич |last3=Моренов |first3=Игорь Сергеевич |publisher=Граница |year=2004 |isbn=978-5-94691-100-9 |access-date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=17 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017135432/https://books.google.com/books?id=360iAQAAIAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
[[File:Северная сторона мечети.jpg|thumb|The 13th-century [[Bibi-Heybat Mosque]] was built over the tomb of a descendant of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]].<ref name="Bibi">{{Cite web |last=Sharifov |first=Azad |title=Legend of the Bibi-Heybat Mosque |url=http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/63_folder/63_articles/63_bibiheybat.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605015723/http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/63_folder/63_articles/63_bibiheybat.html |archive-date=5 June 2011 |access-date=11 July 2010 |publisher=Azerbaijan International Magazine}}</ref>]]
The religion with the largest community of followers is Islam. The majority of the Muslims are [[Shia Islam|Shia Muslims]], and the Republic of Azerbaijan has the second-highest Shia population percentage in the world, after Iran.<ref>Juan Eduardo Campo, ''Encyclopedia of Islam'', p.625</ref> The city's notable mosques include [[Juma Mosque (Baku)|Juma Mosque]], [[Bibi-Heybat Mosque]], [[Muhammad Mosque (Baku)|Muhammad Mosque]] and [[Taza Pir Mosque]].

There are some other faiths practised among the different ethnic groups within the country. By article 48 of its [[Constitution of Azerbaijan|Constitution]], Azerbaijan is a [[secular state]] and ensures religious freedom. Religious minorities include [[Russian Orthodox Christians]], [[Levantines (Latin Christians)|Catholic Levantines]], [[Georgian Orthodox Church|Georgian Orthodox Christians]], [[Church of Caucasian Albania|Albanian-Udi Apostolic Christians]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Azerbaijani Jews|Ashkenazi]] Jews, [[Molokans]], and [[Sufi]] Muslims. Baku is the seat of the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[Apostolic Prefecture of Azerbaijan]].

[[Zoroastrianism]], although extinct in the city as well as in the rest of the country by the present time, had a long [[Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan|history in Azerbaijan]] and the [[Nowruz|Zoroastrian New Year]] (Nowruz) continues to be the main holiday in the city as well as in the rest of Azerbaijan.

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Baku}}
[[File:Heydər Əliyev prospekti 2022-ci ildə.jpg|thumb|Heydar Aliyev Avenue, home to the headquarters of multiple [[Public company|publicly]] owned companies and enterprises in Azerbaijan. Along with the [[Bay of Baku]], it hosts the majority of the country's [[List of tallest buildings in Azerbaijan|skyscrapers]]]]
[[File:Iss069e091732.jpg|left|thumb|236x236px|Satellite image of Baku at night]]
Baku is the economic hub of Azerbaijan, hosting many of the [[List of companies of Azerbaijan|country's major companies]] and serving as the center for key industries such as oil and gas, finance, trade, and technology. The city is home to major financial institutions, multinational corporations, and various businesses that contribute to the country's economy. Baku accounts for approximately 65% of Azerbaijan's total GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BTI 2024 Azerbaijan Country Report |url=https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/AZE |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=BTI 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Azerbaijani [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerates]] such as [[PASHA Holding]] which is headquartered in Baku, and [[AF Holding]], operate in the city. Baku also attracts a significant portion of the country's [[workforce]], with many people relocating for job opportunities and business prospects. As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, 52% of hired workers in Azerbaijan were employed in Baku.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehralızadə |first=Farid Mehralizadeh Fərid |date=18 September 2023 |title=Internal Migration in Azerbaijan: Causes, Consequences and Main Trends |url=https://bakuresearchinstitute.org/en/internal-migration-in-azerbaijan-causes-consequences-and-main-trends/ |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=Baku Research Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition to its role as the economic hub, Baku is home to the largest port in the [[Caspian Sea]], the [[Port of Baku|Baku International Sea Trade Port]], more commonly known as Port of Baku.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bakı Limanı |url=https://portofbaku.com/en/page/bizim-liman/tarix |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=portofbaku.com}}</ref> It handles a wide range of cargo, including [[container]]s, [[Bulk cargo|bulk goods]], and liquid cargo, with an annual capacity of 15 million tons of cargo. The port also plays an essential role in the [[Trans-Caspian International Transport Route]], facilitating trade between East Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and the [[Caucasus]] through integrated sea, rail, and road transport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bakı Limanı |url=https://portofbaku.com/en/page/bizim-liman/liman-haqqinda |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=portofbaku.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Sets New Record in 2024 |url=https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/trans-caspian-international-transport-route-sets-new-record-in-2024-2024-12-18-27/ |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=caspiannews.com |language=en |archive-date=10 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210101254/https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/trans-caspian-international-transport-route-sets-new-record-in-2024-2024-12-18-27/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Port Baku Towers.jpg|left|thumb|[[Port Baku Towers]], high-rise office buildings located on [[Neftchilar Avenue|Neftchiler Avenue]]]]
Baku's largest industry is petroleum, and its petroleum exports make it a large contributor to Azerbaijan's [[balance of payments]]. The existence of petroleum has been known since the 8th century. In the 10th century, the Arabian traveler, Marudee, reported that both white and black oil were being extracted naturally from Baku.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of Oil in Azerbaijan by Natig Aliyev |url=http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/22_folder/22_articles/22_historyofoil.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424163308/http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/22_folder/22_articles/22_historyofoil.html |archive-date=24 April 2009 |access-date=22 May 2009 |publisher=Azer.com}}</ref> By the 15th century, oil for lamps was obtained from hand-dug surface wells. Commercial exploitation began in 1872, and by the beginning of the 20th century the [[Petroleum industry in Azerbaijan|Baku oil fields]] were the largest in the world. Towards the end of the 20th century, much of the onshore petroleum had been exhausted, and drilling had extended into the sea offshore. By the end of the 19th century [[skilled worker]]s and specialists flocked to Baku. By 1900 the city had more than 3,000 oil wells, of which 2,000 were producing oil at industrial levels. Baku ranked as one of the largest centres for the production of [[Petroleum industry|oil industry]] equipment before World War II. The World War II [[Battle of Stalingrad]] was fought to determine who would have control of Baku oil fields. Fifty years before the battle, Baku produced half of the world's oil supply.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aghazade |first=Emil |date=4 July 2005 |title=Азербайджан: сто лет надежд |publisher=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/business/newsid_4649000/4649873.stm |url-status=live |access-date=12 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406161830/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/business/newsid_4649000/4649873.stm |archive-date=6 April 2012}}</ref>[[File:Panorama of Baku 2022.jpg|thumb|[[The Crescent Development project]]]]

The oil economy of Baku is undergoing a resurgence, with the development of the massive [[Azeri–Chirag–Guneshli|Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli]] field (Shallow water Gunashli by [[State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic|SOCAR]], deeper areas by a consortium led by [[BP]]), development of the [[Shah Deniz gas field]], the expansion of the [[Sangachal Terminal]] and the construction of the [[Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline|BTC Pipeline]]. The [[South Caucasus Pipeline]] (SCP), also known as the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum Pipeline, transports natural gas from Azerbaijan's [[Shah Deniz gas field]] to Turkey, with further connections to Europe. Spanning over 690 kilometers, the pipeline has been operational since 2007 and plays a central role in the [[Southern Gas Corridor]], which aims to diversify Europe's energy sources with an annual export capacity of up to 25 billion cubic metres of gas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bp.com/en_ge/georgia/home/who-we-are/scp.html |title=South Caucasus Pipeline &#124; Who we are &#124; Home |website=Georgia}}</ref>

The [[Baku Stock Exchange]] is Azerbaijan's largest [[stock exchange]], and largest in the [[Caucasus|Caucasian]] region by [[market capitalization]]. A relatively large number of transnational companies are headquartered in Baku. One of the more prominent institutions headquartered in Baku is the [[International Bank of Azerbaijan]], which employs over 1,000 people. International banks with branches in Baku include [[HSBC]], [[Société Générale]] and [[Credit Suisse]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdullayev |first=Rovshan |title=Which foreign banks has Azerbaijan capital been trusted in? |url=http://www.nhmt-az.org/ts_general/eng/news/n-6.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518140408/http://www.nhmt-az.org/ts_general/eng/news/n-6.htm |archive-date=18 May 2011 |access-date=6 December 2010}}</ref>

=== Tourism and shopping ===
[[File:Baku 15 10 08 466000.jpeg|left|thumb|Deniz Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in Baku and [[South Caucasus|South Cacuasus]]]]
[[File:New Baku Flagpole Sept 2024.jpg|thumb|227x227px|[[National Flag Square]] of Baku is home to the largest flag ever raised, towering over the skyline of the capital city]]
{{Multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Opening of Crescent Mall 03.jpg
| image2 = Opening of Crescent Mall 02.jpg
| caption1 = Crescent Mall, part of the [[The Crescent Development project|Crescent Development project]]
| total_width = 237
}}

Baku is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Caucasus, with hotels in the city earning 7&nbsp;million euros in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hotels in Baku earned 6,8&nbsp;million euros last year |url=http://azerbaijan24.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/224-hotels-in-baku.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917135847/http://azerbaijan24.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/224-hotels-in-baku.html |archive-date=17 September 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Azerbaijan24.com}}</ref> Many sizable world [[hotel chain]]s have a presence in the city. Baku has many popular [[List of tourist attractions in Baku|tourist and entertainment spots]], such as the downtown [[Fountains Square, Baku|Fountains Square]], the One and Thousand Nights Beach, [[Shikhov Beach]] and [[Oil Rocks]]. Baku's vicinities feature [[Yanar Dag]], an ever-blazing spot of natural gas. On 2 September 2010 with the inauguration of [[National Flag Square]], Baku set the [[Guinness Book of Records|world record]] for tallest [[flagpole]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijani flag flies on world's tallest flagpole |url=http://news.az/articles/22041 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904092905/http://www.news.az/articles/22041 |archive-date=4 September 2010 |access-date=2 September 2010 |publisher=news.az}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=İşte dünyanın en yüksek bayrak direği |url=http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/25128411/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100904080023/http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/25128411/ |archive-date=4 September 2010 |access-date=2 September 2010 |publisher=ntvmsnbc.com |language=tr}}</ref> on 24 May 2011, the city of [[Dushanbe]] in Tajikistan set a new record with a {{convert|3|m|abbr=off}}-higher flagpole.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guinness World Records |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-1/tallest-unsupported-flagpole |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227105920/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-1/tallest-unsupported-flagpole/ |archive-date=27 February 2014 |access-date=6 June 2014 |website=guinnessworldrecords.com}}</ref> A few years later, the Flag Pole was dismantled and the National Flag Square was closed off with fences. It was opened once again after years of repair on 8 November 2024, to commemorate the [[Victory Day (Azerbaijan)|Victory Day]] over Armenia's forces in Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The National Flag Square features a museum, with a collection of about 400 items, along with flags of Khanates and Empires that have been prevalent in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ilham Aliyev visited National Flag Square in Baku to raise Azerbaijan's tricolor flag » Official web-site of President of Azerbaijan Republic |url=https://president.az/en/articles/view/67249 |access-date=29 January 2025 |website=president.az |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Opening of Crescent Mall 01.jpg|left|thumb|Back area of the Crescent Mall]]
Baku has several shopping malls, including Ganjlik Mall, Deniz Mall, Crescent Mall, Port Baku Mall, 28 Mall, [[Park Bulvar]], City Park and Metro Park. The retail areas contain shops from chain stores up to high-end boutiques. Ganjlik Mall particularly stands out, as it is the largest mall in the city of Baku.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mwenda |first=Kenneth |date=12 October 2014 |title=Ganjlik Mall is the largest shopping centre in Azerbaijan |url=https://constructionreviewonline.com/2014/10/bakus-largest-cutting-edge-shopping-mall |access-date=29 January 2025 |website=Constructionreview |language=en-US}}</ref> Crescent Mall is the newest shopping center in Baku, opening on 28 May 2024. It adds to the city's growing collection of malls, bringing a variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options to the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The official opening ceremony of the Crescent Mall has taken place! |url=https://www.pashamalls.az/news/crescent-mall-opening-ceremony |access-date=29 January 2025 |website=www.pashamalls.az |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Tağıyev qardaşlarının evi.jpg|thumb|228x228px|[[Nizami Street]] is considered to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in Baku]]
The city is listed 48th in the 2011 [[List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees|list]] of the most expensive cities in the world conducted by the [[Mercer Human Resource Consulting]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2011 |title=Bakı dünyanın ən bahalı 48-ci şəhəridir, 13 July 2011, Azadlıq Radiosu. Retrieved 13 July 2011 |newspaper=Azadlıq Radiosu |url=http://www.azadliq.org/content/article/24264196.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928223823/http://www.azadliq.org/content/article/24264196.html |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=17 December 2011 |publisher=Azadliq.org}}</ref> [[Nizami Street]], also known as Targovaya, and the [[Neftchilar Avenue]], a street known for being home to many luxury and high fashion shops such as [[Gucci]], [[Dolce & Gabbana]], [[Tom Ford]], [[Burberry]], [[Celine (brand)|Celine]], are among the most expensive streets in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Print Preview |url=https://press.fourseasons.com/content/fourseasons_pressroom/printView.html?pageToPrint=/content/fourseasons_pressroom/en/trending_now/baku/baku_shopping_guide&utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=press.fourseasons.com}}</ref> Monthly expenses for a single person in Baku are estimated to be around 945 manat without rent (US$555), which is significantly lower in comparison to other countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cost of Living in Baku |url=https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Baku |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=www.numbeo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> For example, average cost of living for a person in Los Angeles, California, is about US$1308,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cost of Living in Los Angeles |url=https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Los-Angeles |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=www.numbeo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> while in [[Seoul]], South Korea, its US$1074.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cost of Living in Seoul |url=https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Seoul |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=www.numbeo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Living costs in Baku per person are below average when comparing to other developed countries, however, average reported salary of a Bakuvian sits at 997 manat, or about US$586.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Average salary in Baku up by 7.2% |url=https://xalqqazeti.az/en/iqtisadiyyat/200738-average-salary-in-baku-up-by-72 |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=Xalqqazeti.az |language=en}}</ref>

== Culture ==
[[File:Baku 15 16 31 090000.jpeg|left|thumb|250x250px|[[Old City (Baku)|Inner City of Baku]] is the oldest area of the capital]]
Baku, often referred to as the "[[Paris of the East]]," is a city where [[Eastern world|Eastern]] and Western cultural traditions coexist. The city's core is the historic center, known as [[Old City (Baku)|Icheri Sheher]] or the Inner City, commonly referred to as the Old City, which contains various landmarks dating back to at least the 12th century. Among these are the [[Maiden Tower (Baku)|Maiden Tower]] and the [[Palace of the Shirvanshahs|Shirvanshahs' Palace]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/958 |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=whc.unesco.org}}</ref> These buildings reflect the city's history and the [[History of Asian art|Asian architectural styles]] that have influenced Baku's development. The city's skyline showcases a blend of traditional and [[contemporary architecture]], with places like [[Baku Boulevard]] and [[Fountains Square, Baku|Fountains Square]] presenting a harmonious mix of historic and modern design elements. The urban landscape of Baku is characterized by a diverse range of buildings that combine the charm of the past with the innovation of the present.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Azerbaijan's capital Baku built on its heritage to become a beacon of modern architecture |url=https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/azerbaijan-the-opportunity-awaits/architecture |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |archive-date=23 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223190740/https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/azerbaijan-the-opportunity-awaits/architecture |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2022 |title=Baku: An Eclectic Blend of Old and New |url=https://www.xyzasia.com/home/baku-eclectic-blend-of-old-and-new |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=xyzAsia |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Koen |date=2 May 2020 |title=Destination Baku: An Intriguing Mix Between Old and New |url=https://paliparan.com/2020/05/02/destination-trip-report-baku-a-perfect-mix-between-old-and-new/ |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=Paliparan |language=en-GB}}</ref> Baku also has a variety of museums and galleries, including the [[National Art Museum of Azerbaijan]] and the [[National Museum of History of Azerbaijan]], which display both [[Azerbaijani art|traditional Azerbaijani and contemporary art]]. The city maintains certain traditional crafts such as [[Knotted-pile carpet|carpet-weaving]] and pottery, of which majority are displayed in [[Azerbaijan Carpet Museum|Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum]], with older techniques still practiced. Baku's theater scene includes institutions like the [[Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater]] and the [[Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre]], which host both local and international performances. Music is an important part of Baku's cultural landscape, with mugham being a traditional genre of music that has been recognized by [[UNESCO]] as part of the [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]], which was proclaimed to be a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."<ref>{{Cite journal |title=List of the 90 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity proclaimed by UNESCO |url=https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/00264-EN.pdf |journal=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |pages=1}}</ref> The city also has a diverse music scene, with genres such as [[Azerbaijani pop music|pop]], [[Azerbaijani rock|rock]], and [[Azerbaijani jazz|jazz]] being represented. Additionally, Baku hosts events like the [[Baku International Jazz Festival]] and the Baku International Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=15th Baku International Film Festival |url=https://filmfestival.az/en/ |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=filmfestival.az |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HOME |url=https://www.bakujazzfestival.com/ |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=bakujazzfestival |language=en}}</ref>

In 2007, the [[Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre]], designed by [[Pritzker Prize]]-winning architect [[Zaha Hadid]], was opened.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heydər Əliyev Mərkəzi |url=http://heydaraliyevcenter.az/#1_AboutUs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224031726/http://heydaraliyevcenter.az/#1_AboutUs |archive-date=24 February 2018 |access-date=30 November 2018 |website=heydaraliyevcenter.az}}</ref> Baku also has many museums such as [[Baku Museum of Modern Art]] and [[National Museum of History of Azerbaijan|National Museum of History]], most notably featuring historical artifacts and art. Many of the city's cultural sites were celebrated in 2009 when Baku was designated an Islamic Culture Capital.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Azerbaijan Business Center |title=Closing ceremony of Cultural Year "Baku- Islamic Culture Capital-2009" conducted in Azerbaijan |url=http://abc.az/eng/news/41154.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811020803/https://abc.az/eng/news/41154.html |archive-date=11 August 2011 |access-date=5 February 2010}}</ref> Baku was chosen to host the [[Eurovision Dance Contest]] 2010. It has also become the first city to host the first [[European Games]] in [[2015 European Games|2015]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baku 2015 European Games |url=http://www.baku2015.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512145118/http://www.baku2015.com/ |archive-date=12 May 2015 |access-date=30 November 2018 |website=Baku 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center.jpg|thumb|right|[[Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center]]]]

=== Theatres ===
[[File:Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre main façade, 2015.jpg|thumb|right|[[Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater]]]]

* [[Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater]]
* [[Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre]]
* [[Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theatre]] named after Samad Vurgun
* [[Baku Puppet Theatre]] (formally Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre named after Abdulla Shaig)
* [[Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators]]
* [[Azerbaijan State Theatre of Musical Comedy]]
* [[Baku State Circus]]
* "Oda" Theatre
* [[The Baku Marionette Theatre|Baku Marionette Theatre]]
* Baku Municipal Theatre
* [[Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theatre]]
* Mugham Azerbaijan National Music Theatre
* Azerbaijan State Theatre of Song named after Rashid Behbudov
* "UNS" Theatre
* "Yugh" Theatre

Among Baku's cultural venues are [[Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall]], [[Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre]]. The main movie theater is Azerbaijan Cinema. Festivals include Baku International Film Festival, [[Baku International Jazz Festival]], Novruz Festival, ''Gül Bayramı'' (Flower Festival) and the National Theater Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.news.bakililar.az/news_v_azerbayjane_otmechayut_35946.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524071617/http://www.news.bakililar.az/news_v_azerbayjane_otmechayut_35946.html |title=В Азербайджане отмечают праздник цветов. |archive-date=24 May 2013}}</ref><ref>[http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=982418&title=azerbaycanda-gul-bayrami-ve-aliyevin-dogum-gunu-kutlaniyor Azerbaycan'da Gül Bayramı ve Aliyev'in doğum günü kutlanıyor] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124185225/http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=982418&title=azerbaycanda-gul-bayrami-ve-aliyevin-dogum-gunu-kutlaniyor |date=24 January 2012 }} {{in lang|tr }}</ref> International and local exhibitions are presented at the [[Baku Expo Centre]].

===Museums===
<gallery class="center" perrow="5" widths="180" heights="120">
File:National Museum of History of Azerbaijan 10.JPG|[[National Museum of History of Azerbaijan|National Museum of History]]
File:Nizami Museum of Azerbaijan Literature, Baku, 2015.jpg|[[Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature|Nizami Museum of Literature]]
File:National Art Museum of Azerbaijan (de Burs House) edited.jpg|[[National Art Museum of Azerbaijan|National Art Museum]]
File:Villa Petrolea front.jpg|[[Villa Petrolea]]
File:Baku Museum of Modern Art entrance.jpg|[[Baku Museum of Modern Art]]
File:“From Waste to Art” Museum.jpg|[[“From Waste to Art” Museum]]
</gallery>
* [[The Museum Centre (Baku)|The Museum Centre]]
* [[Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography]]
* [[Azerbaijan Carpet Museum|Azerbaijan State Carpet Museum]]
* [[Azerbaijan Museum of Geology]]
* [[“From Waste to Art” Museum]]

====Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies====
The '''Absheron Museum of History and Local Studies'''({{Langx|az|Abşeron Tarix-Diyarşünaslıq Muzeyi}}) started its activities on 21 November 1983. The area of the museum, which was thoroughly renovated in 2015, is 296 square meters and consists of 5 halls. Currently, about 3000 exhibits are preserved in the museum and 1800 items are displayed in the exposition. Exhibits reflecting the history, geography, nature, everyday life and culture of Absheron region are preserved in the museum.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://heydaraliyev-centers.az/absheron/nearest-cultural-objects |title=Abşeron Tarix-Diyarşünaslıq Muzeyi |website=heydaraliyev-centers.az |access-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423132044/https://heydaraliyev-centers.az/absheron/nearest-cultural-objects |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://museum.az/az/museum/107 |title=Azərbaycan muzeyləri |website=museum.az |access-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831133850/https://museum.az/az/museum/107 |archive-date=31 August 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The museum consists of 4 halls, 1 fund room and 1 room for employees. The exhibition area is 250 square meters, the manager's room is 1 square meter, the fund room is 10 square meters, and the staff room is 25 square meters. In 2018, the number of visitors to the museum was 1,932.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kataloq.cmap.az/az/org/museums/951f747cd56611e0ad4900226424597d |title=Kataloq |website=cmap.az |access-date=26 November 2020}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Libraries===
* [[National Library of Azerbaijan]]
* [[ANAS Central Library of Science]]
* Presidential Library (former [[Armenian Philanthropic Society of Baku|Library of the Armenian Philanthropic Society]])

=== Architecture ===
{{Main|Architecture in Baku}}
[[File:Maiden Tower in Baku 2015.jpg|thumb|[[Maiden Tower (Baku)|Maiden Tower]] in [[Old City (Baku)|Old Baku]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] built in the 11th–12th century, recognised as the symbol of the city.]]
[[File:Baku, Azerbaiyán, 2016-09-26, DD 207-209 PAN.jpg|thumb|[[Multani Caravanserai]], Baku]]
Baku has wildly varying architecture, ranging from the [[Old City (Baku)|Old City]] core to modern buildings and the spacious layout of Baku port. Many of the city's landmarks were built during the early 20th century, when architectural elements of the European styles were combined in [[eclecticism|eclectic]] style.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baku's Architecture:A Fusion of East and West |url=http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/24_folder/24_articles/24_architecture.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116060241/http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/24_folder/24_articles/24_architecture.html |archive-date=16 November 2011 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Azer.com}}</ref> Baku has an original and unique appearance, earning it a reputation as the ''Paris of the East''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.window2baku.com/006development.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515072252/http://www.window2baku.com/006development.htm |title=Общие сведения |archive-date=15 May 2010 |website=window2baku.com}}</ref> Baku joined [[UNESCO]]'s [[Creative Cities Network|Network of Creative Cities]] as a Design City on 31 October 2019 on the occasion of World Cities' Day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2019 |title=UNESCO celebrates World Cities Day designating 66 new Creative Cities |url=https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-celebrates-world-cities-day-designating-66-new-creative-cities |access-date=5 November 2019 |website=UNESCO |language=en |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031145734/https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-celebrates-world-cities-day-designating-66-new-creative-cities |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Hamams ====

There are a number of ancient [[Hammam|hamams]] in Baku dating back to the 12th, 14th and 18th centuries. Hamams play a very important role in the architectural appearance of Baku.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gadimova |first=Nazrin |date=8 January 2014 |title=Traditional hamams in all its glory in Baku |url=https://www.azernews.az/travel/62986.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123131702/https://www.azernews.az/travel/62986.html |archive-date=23 January 2018 |access-date=19 May 2017 |website=AzerNews.az |language=en}}</ref>

===== Teze Bey Hamam =====
Teze Bey is the most popular hamam (traditional Islamic bath) in Baku. It was built in 1886 in the centre of Baku, and in 2003 it was fully restored and modernised. Along with its modern amenities, Teze Bey features a swimming pool and architectural details inspired by Oriental, Russian and Finnish baths.

===== Gum Hamam =====
Gum Hamam was discovered during archaeological excavations underneath the sand; hence the name: Gum hamam (sand bath). It was built sometime during the 12th–14th centuries.

===== Bairamali hamam =====
In ancient times, Bairamali Hamam was called "Bey Hamam". The original structure was built sometime during the 12th–14th centuries and was reconstructed in 1881.

===== Agha Mikayil Hamam =====
Agha Mikayil Hamam was constructed in the 18th century by Haji Agha Mikayil on Kichik Gala Street in the Old City (Icherisheher). It is still operating in its ancient setting. The Hamam is open to women on Mondays and Fridays and to men on the other days of the week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=- Icherisheher |url=https://icherisheher.gov.az/en/monument/1 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=icherisheher.gov.az}}</ref>

==== Modern architecture ====
Late modern and postmodern architecture began to appear in the early 2000s. With economic development, old buildings such as Atlant House were razed to make way for new ones. Buildings with all-glass shells have appeared around the city, the most prominent examples being the International Mugham Center, [[Azerbaijan Tower]], [[Heydar Aliyev Centre|Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre]], [[Flame Towers]], [[Baku Crystal Hall]], [[Baku White City]], [[SOCAR Tower]] and [[DENIZ Mall]]. These projects also caught the attention of international media as notable programmes such as [[Discovery Channel]]'s [[Extreme Engineering]] did pieces focusing in on changes to the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre And Flame Towers |url=http://science.discovery.com/tv/build-bigger/projects/azerbaijan/heydar-aliyev-cultural-centre.html |access-date=25 April 2011 |publisher=Discovery Communications}}{{dead link|date=September 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic }}</ref>

The Old City of Baku, also known as the Walled City of Baku, refers to the ancient Baku settlement. Most of the walls and towers, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survived. This section is picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings: the cobbled streets past the [[Palace of the Shirvanshahs]], two [[Caravanserai|caravansaries]], the baths and the [[Juma Mosque (Baku)|Juma Mosque]] (which used to house the [[Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum|Azerbaijan National Carpet and Arts Museum]] but is now a mosque again). The old town core also has dozens of small mosques, often without any particular sign to distinguish them as such.

In 2003, UNESCO placed the Inner City on the [[List of World Heritage in Danger]], citing damage from a [[2000 Baku earthquake|November 2000 earthquake]], poor conservation as well as "dubious" restoration efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower – UNESCO World Heritage Centre |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/958 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302171720/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/958 |archive-date=2 March 2012 |access-date=22 May 2009 |publisher=Whc.unesco.org}}</ref> In 2009 the Inner City was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/958 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173754/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/958 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |access-date=22 September 2018 |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en}}</ref>

=== Visual arts ===
{{See also|List of statues in Baku}}
The three main institutions for exhibiting [[Modern art|modern]] and [[contemporary art]] in Baku are:
* [[Baku Museum of Modern Art]]
* [[Heydar Aliyev Center|Heydar Aliyev Centre]]
* [[Yarat Contemporary Art Space]] ({{langx|az|Yarat Müasir İncəsənət Mərkəzi}})<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cascone |first=Sarah |date=12 November 2014 |title=Azerbaijan Will Open New Contemporary Art Center in 2015 |url=https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/azerbaijan-new-contemporary-art-center-to-open-in-2015-165827 |access-date=12 December 2020 |website=artnet News |language=en |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528124526/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/new-london-museum-exhibits-celebrity-feces-and-preserved-butts-164416 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Music and media ===
[[File:Pht-Vugar Ibadov eurovision (31).jpg|thumb|[[Baku Crystal Hall]] during the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2012]]]]
{{Further|topic= (1916 to 1920) |The Hajibeyli Brothers' Opera-Operetta Artists' Troupe}}
The music scene in Baku can be traced back to ancient times and villages of Baku, generally revered as the fountainhead of [[meykhana]] and [[mugham]] in the Azerbaijan.<ref>[http://www.baki-xeber.com/new/2009/06/22/get=29330 "Meyxana", ya "bədihə" sözü aləmi bir-birinə qatıb] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707205524/http://www.baki-xeber.com/new/2009/06/22/get%3D29330 |date=7 July 2011 }} {{in lang|az }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://e-library.musigi-dunya.az/sonoteka/son_garabah_text_az3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706130826/http://e-library.musigi-dunya.az/sonoteka/son_garabah_text_az3.html |title=E-library |archive-date=6 July 2011 |website=e-library.musigi-dunya.az}}</ref>

Recently, the success of Azerbaijani performers such as [[Aysel Teymurzadeh|AySel]], [[Farid Mammadov]], [[Sabina Babayeva]], [[Safura Alizadeh|Safura]] and [[Elnur Hüseynov]] in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] has boosted the profile of Baku's music scene, prompting international attention. Following the victory of Azerbaijan's representative [[Eldar & Nigar]] at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2011]], Baku hosted the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2012]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cadwalladr |first=Carole |date=15 May 2011 |title=Azerbaijan win Eurovision as Blue and Jedward finish mid-table |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/may/15/azerbaijan-win-eurovision-blue-jedward |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623130139/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/may/15/azerbaijan-win-eurovision-blue-jedward |archive-date=23 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Azerbaijan win Eurovision contest with Running Scared |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-13402732 |url-status=live |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214075907/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13402732 |archive-date=14 February 2013}}</ref>

2005 was a landmark in the development of [[Azerbaijani jazz]] in the city. It has been home to legendary jazz musicians like [[Vagif Mustafazadeh]], [[Aziza Mustafa Zadeh]], Rafig Babayev and Rain Sultanov.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Emergence of Jazz in Azerbaijan |url=http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/54_folder/54_articles/54_vmustafazade.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413214226/http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/54_folder/54_articles/54_vmustafazade.html |archive-date=13 April 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Azer.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=MediaDesignTech |title=History of Jazz in Azerbaijan |url=http://jazz.az/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218131412/http://www.jazz.az/ |archive-date=18 February 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Jazz.az}}</ref> Among Baku's prominent annual fairs and festivals is [[Baku International Jazz Festival]], which features some of the world's most identifiable jazz names.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baku International Jazz Festival has been opened in Azerbaijan |url=http://azerbaijan24.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/241-baku-jazz-festival-azerbaijan-news-2009.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511051246/http://azerbaijan24.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/241-baku-jazz-festival-azerbaijan-news-2009.html |archive-date=11 May 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Azerbaijan24.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Baku International Jazz Festival Official Site |url=http://festival.jazz.az/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328060626/http://festival.jazz.az/ |archive-date=28 March 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Festival.jazz.az}}</ref>

Baku also has a thriving [[Mugham|International Centre of Mugham]], which is located in [[Baku Boulevard]], [[Gulustan Palace]] and [[Buta Palace]], one of the principal [[performing arts centre]]s and [[music venue]]s in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Director-General hails the importance of living traditions at the Mugham Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan |url=http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=44910&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111193812/http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D44910%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html |archive-date=11 November 2009 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Portal.unesco.org}}</ref>

The majority of Azerbaijan's media companies (including television, newspaper and radio, such as, [[Azad Azerbaijan TV]], [[Ictimai TV]], [[Lider TV]] and [[Region TV]]) are headquartered in Baku. The films ''[[The World Is Not Enough]]'' and ''[[The Diamond Arm]]'', among [[List of films shot in Baku|others]], are set in the city, while ''[[Amphibian Man (film)|Amphibian Man]]'' includes several scenes filmed in [[Old City (Baku)|Old City]].

The city's radio stations include: ''Ictimai Radio'', ''Radio Antenn'', ''Burc FM'', ''Avto FM'', [[ASANRadio|''ASAN Radio'']] and ''Lider FM Jazz''

Some of Baku's newspapers include the daily ''[[Azadliq (newspaper)|Azadliq]]'', ''Zaman'' (The Time), ''Bakinskiy Rabochiy'' (Baku Worker), ''[[Echo (Azerbaijani newspaper)|Echo]]'' and the English-language ''Baku Today''.

Baku is also featured in the video game ''[[Battlefield 4]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Battlefield 4 a sneaky screen from Baku |url=http://www.xboxplayers.com/video/battlefield-4-a-sneaky-screen-from-baku/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513002241/http://www.xboxplayers.com/video/battlefield-4-a-sneaky-screen-from-baku/ |archive-date=13 May 2013 |access-date=19 May 2013 |website=xboxplayers.com}}</ref>

=== Nightlife ===
Many clubs that are open until dawn can be found throughout the city. Clubs with an eastern flavour provide special treats from the [[cuisine of Azerbaijan]] along with local music. Western-style clubs target younger, more energetic crowds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Baku and Azerbaijan |url=http://thelandmarkhotel.az/site/?sec=mdata&mid=49&lang=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012034133/http://thelandmarkhotel.az/site/?sec=mdata&mid=49&lang=2 |archive-date=12 October 2009 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Thelandmarkhotel.az}}</ref> Most of the [[Pub|public houses]] and bars are located near [[Fountains Square, Baku|Fountains Square]] and are usually open until the early hours of the morning.

=== Parks and gardens ===
[[File:Panoramabild Baku Filarmonia Park.JPG|upright=1.6|thumb|{{center|Philarmony garden}}]]
Baku has large sections of greenery, either preserved by the National Government or designated as green zones. The city, however, continues to lack a green belt development as economic activity pours into the capital, resulting in massive housing projects along the suburbs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.all-pages.com/city_info/3/45/426/4667.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515123423/http://www.all-pages.com/city_info/3/45/426/4667.html |title=Экология и охрана окружающей среды в Азербайджане / Экология / Природа / Баку - крепости, парки, скверы, дворцы, памятники, лучшие достопримечательности, праздники Азербайджана, фонтаны в Баку, культура, традиции |archive-date=15 May 2010 |website=www.all-pages.com}}</ref>

[[Baku Boulevard]] is a pedestrian promenade that runs parallel to Baku's seafront. The boulevard contains an amusement park, [[yacht club]], [[musical fountain]], statues and monuments. The park is popular with dog-walkers and joggers and is convenient for tourists. It is adjacent to the newly built [[International Mugam Centre of Azerbaijan|International Centre of Mugham]] and the musical fountain.

Other parks and gardens include Heydar Aliyev Park, Samad Vurgun Park, Narimanov Park, [[Alley of Honor]] and the [[Fountains Square, Baku|Fountains Square]]. The [[Martyrs' Lane]], formerly the Kirov Park, is dedicated to the memory of those who died during the [[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]] and also to the 137 people killed on [[Black January]].

== Sports ==
[[File:Ilham Aliyev watched the opening ceremony of the 2018 Formula-1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix and final race 32.jpg|thumb|[[2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix]]]]
[[File:Chelsea won UEFA Europa League final at Olympic Stadium and President Ilham Aliyev watched the final match 15.jpg|thumb|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] playing against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] at [[Baku Olympic Stadium]] during the [[2019 UEFA Europa League Final]]]]

Baku hosts a [[Formula One]] race on the [[Baku City Circuit]]. The first was the [[2016 European Grand Prix]], with the track going around the old city. The track measures {{cvt|6.003|km|mi}}, and it has been on the Formula One calendar since its 2016 debut.

The city also hosted three group games and one quarter-final of the [[UEFA Euro 2020]] European Football Championship.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Euro 2020: England might have to play games at Hampden Park |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/euro-2020-england-might-have-to-play-games-at-hampden-park-9745363.html |url-status=live |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925212633/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/euro-2020-england-might-have-to-play-games-at-hampden-park-9745363.html |archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref>

Since 2002, Baku has hosted 36 major sporting events and selected to host the [[2015 European Games]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan is a country known for its love of sport and sportsmanship. |url=http://www.baku2015.com/en/azerbaijan/sport.aspx |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926191539/http://www.baku2015.com/en/azerbaijan/sport.aspx |archive-date=26 September 2013 |access-date=27 January 2014 |website=baku2015.com}}</ref> Baku is also to host the [[2017 Islamic Solidarity Games|fourth edition]] of the [[Islamic Solidarity Games]] in 2017.

Baku is also one of world's leading chess centres, having produced [[Grandmaster (chess)|grandmasters]] like [[Teimour Radjabov]], [[Vugar Gashimov]], [[Garry Kasparov]], [[Shahriyar Mammadyarov]] and [[Rauf Mammadov]], as well as the arbiter [[Faik Hasanov]]. The city also annually hosts the international tournaments such as Baku Chess Grand Prix, President's Cup, Baku Open and bidding to host [[42nd Chess Olympiad]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan bids to host Chess Olympiad |url=http://news.az/articles/14716 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505160713/http://www.news.az/articles/14716 |archive-date=5 May 2010 |access-date=16 August 2010 |publisher=news.az}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chess players from 11 countries to join "Baku Open 2010" |url=http://www.today.az/news/sports/72148.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817160928/http://www.today.az/news/sports/72148.html |archive-date=17 August 2010 |access-date=16 August 2010 |publisher=today.az}}</ref>

First class sporting facilities were built for the indoor games, including the Palace of Hand Games and [[Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex]]. It hosted many sporting events, including [[FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup]], [[Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships]] in [[2007 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|2007]] and [[2009 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|2009]], [[2005 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships]], [[2007 FILA Wrestling World Championships]] and [[2010 European Wrestling Championships]], [[2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships]], [[Women's Challenge Cup (volleyball)|2009 Women's Challenge Cup]] and [[European Taekwondo Championships]] in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.volleyball.it/redazione/index.php?action=viewArticle&articleId=53144 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722070329/http://www.volleyball.it/redazione/index.php?action=viewArticle&articleId=53144 |title=Cev Cup: Final Four femminile a Baku |archive-date=22 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azerisport.com/volleyball/20100303120451115.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728160959/http://azerisport.com/volleyball/20100303120451115.html |title=Уралочка, Ямамай и ЦЗ. Добро пожаловать в бакинский ад! |archive-date=28 July 2011 |website=azerisport.com}}</ref> Since 2011 the city annually hosts [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] tennis event called [[Baku Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 WTA Tournament Calendar |url=http://www.wtatour.com/page/Calendar/0,,12781,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110011431/http://www.wtatour.com/page/Calendar/0%2C%2C12781%2C00.html |archive-date=10 November 2010 |access-date=26 November 2010 |publisher=WTA}}</ref>

The [[Synergy Baku Cycling Project]] participates in the [[Tour d'Azerbaïdjan]] a 2.2 multi-stage bicycle race on the UCI Europe Tour.

Baku made a bid to host the [[Baku bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Summer Olympics]] and [[Baku bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Summer Olympics]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2011 |title=Azerbaijan bids for 2020 Olympics in Baku – Olympics – ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=6915971 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111104501/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=6915971 |archive-date=11 January 2012 |access-date=15 September 2011 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> but failed to become a Candidate City both times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympic News – Official Source of Olympic News – Olympic.org |url=http://www.olympic.org/news?articleid=160523&articlenewsgroup=-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430030307/http://www.olympic.org/news?articleid=160523&articlenewsgroup=-1 |archive-date=30 April 2015 |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref>

The largest sports hub in the city is [[Baku Olympic Stadium]] with 69,870 seating capacity, whose construction was completed in 2015. [[2019 UEFA Europa League final|UEFA Europa League Final 2019]] was played at the [[Baku Olympic Stadium|Olympic Stadium]] in Baku on 29 May 2019 between [[The Football Association|English]] sides [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chelsea win the 2019 UEFA Europa League |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0251-0e9ce2d466b4-6403225af104-1000--chelsea-win-the-2019-uefa-europa-league/ |access-date=31 May 2019 |publisher=UEFA |date=29 May 2019 |language=en |archive-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215024306/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2604835.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The city's main football clubs is [[Neftchi Baku PFK|Neftçi Baku]] of who first has nine Premier League titles, making Neftchi the most successful Azerbaijani football club. Baku also has several football clubs in the premier and regional leagues, including [[AZAL PFK|AZAL]] and [[Ravan Baku FK|Ravan]] in [[Azerbaijan Premier League|Premier League]]. The city's second-largest stadium, [[Tofiq Bahramov Stadium]] hosts a number of domestic and international competitions and was the main sports centre of the city for a long period until the construction of Baku Olympic Stadium.

In the [[Azerbaijan Women's Volleyball Super League]], Baku is represented by [[Rabita Baku]], [[Azerrail Baku]], [[Lokomotiv Baku]] and [[Azeryol Baku]].

== Transport ==
[[File:Bakutaxi.jpg|thumb|Baku black cab, introduced in 2011]]
[[File:Avtovağzal stansiyası 1.jpg|thumb|Baku Metro]]
Throughout history, the transport system of Baku used the now-defunct [[horsecar]]s, trams and [[narrow gauge railways]]. {{As of|2011}}, 1,000 [[Hackney carriage|black cabs]] are ordered by Baku Taxi Company, and as part of a programme originally announced by the Transport Ministry of Azerbaijan, there is a plan to introduce London cabs into Baku.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meidment |first=Neil |date=3 March 2011 |title=Manganese Bronze seals biggest London taxi order |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-manganese-bronze-idUSTRE7225WO20110303 |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619074110/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/03/us-manganese-bronze-idUSTRE7225WO20110303 |archive-date=19 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaglom |first=Ben |title=Manganese takes black cab to Azerbaijan |url=http://www.growthcompany.co.uk/news/1607588/manganese-takes-black-cab-to-azerbaijan.thtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307042107/http://www.growthcompany.co.uk/news/1607588/manganese-takes-black-cab-to-azerbaijan.thtml |archive-date=7 March 2011 |access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref> The move was part of £16&nbsp;million agreement between [[Manganese Bronze]] subsidiary [[London Taxis International|LTI Limited]] and Baku Taxi Company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1,000 London taxis for Azerbaijan |url=http://business.scotsman.com/business/1000-London-taxis-for-Azerbaijan.6728118.jp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629145409/http://business.scotsman.com/business/1000-London-taxis-for-Azerbaijan.6728118.jp |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=British firm wins £16m Azerbaijan order for its Chinese built taxis |url=http://www.worksmanagement.co.uk/article/31946/British-firm-wins-16m-Azerbaijan-order-for-its-Chinese-built-taxis.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505132109/http://www.worksmanagement.co.uk/article/31946/British-firm-wins-16m-Azerbaijan-order-for-its-Chinese-built-taxis.aspx |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref>

Local rail transport includes the [[Baku Funicular]] and the [[Baku Metro]], a rapid-transit system notable for its art, murals, mosaics and ornate chandeliers. Baku Metro was opened in November 1967 and includes 3 lines and 25 stations at present; 170&nbsp;million people used Baku Metro over the past five years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baku Metro Chief: "Baku-Sumgait metro line is not planned" |url=http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=86101 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120005727/http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=86101 |archive-date=20 January 2012 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=En.apa.az}}</ref> In 2008, the Chief of Baku Metro, Taghi Ahmadov, announced plans to construct 41 new stations over the next 17 years. These will serve the new [[Baku International Bus Terminal|bus complex]] as well as the international airport.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 October 2008 |title=41 new underground stations to be constructed in Azerbaijani capital in the next 17 years |work=Today.az |url=http://www.today.az/news/business/48132.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909102201/http://www.today.az/news/business/48132.html |archive-date=9 September 2009}}</ref> In 2019, the [[Baku suburban railway]] opened.

[[BakuCard]] is a single Smart Card for payment on all types of city transport. The intercity buses and metro use this type of card-based fare-payment system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to pay your fare-Bakı Metropoliteni |url=http://www.metro.gov.az/en/howtouse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509051621/http://www.metro.gov.az/en/howtouse |archive-date=9 May 2017 |access-date=2 April 2017 |website=metro.gov.az |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BakuBus.az |url=https://www.bakubus.az/en/menus/3/ticket_and_prices |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403013411/https://www.bakubus.az/en/menus/3/ticket_and_prices |archive-date=3 April 2017 |access-date=2 April 2017 |website=bakubus.az |language=en}}</ref>

[[Baku Railway Station]] is the terminus for national and international rail links to the city. The [[Kars–Tbilisi–Baku railway]], which directly connects Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, began to be constructed in 2007 and opened in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijani FM: Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad to be built in 2012 |date=15 October 2010 |url=http://en.trend.az/capital/business/1767013.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018053243/http://en.trend.az/capital/business/1767013.html |archive-date=18 October 2010 |access-date=26 January 2011 |publisher=trend.az}}</ref> The completed branch will connect Baku with [[Tbilisi]] in Georgia, and from there trains will continue to [[Akhalkalaki]], and [[Kars]] in Turkey.<ref>[[Railway Gazette International]] February 2009 p54 with map</ref>

[[File:Baku Funicular station.jpg|thumb|right|[[Baku Funicular]]]]
Sea transport is vital for Baku, as the city is practically surrounded by the [[Caspian Sea]] to the east. Shipping services operate regularly from Baku across the Caspian Sea to [[Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan|Turkmenbashi]] (formerly Krasnovodsk) in Turkmenistan and to [[Bandar-e Anzali|Bandar Anzali]] and [[Nowshahr|Bandar Nowshar]] in Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 February 2010 |title=Baku Sea Port expects for passenger trip Anzali-Baku |url=http://en.trend.az/capital/transport/1641349.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219235222/http://en.trend.az/capital/transport/1641349.html |archive-date=19 February 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=En.trend.az}}</ref> The commuter ferries, along with the high-speed catamaran ''Seabus'' (''Deniz Avtobusu''), also form the main connection between the city and the [[Absheron peninsula]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ferry Service across Caspian sea |url=http://azerbaijan24.com/transport/38-transport-azerbaijan/60-ferryservicebaku.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329212348/http://azerbaijan24.com/transport/38-transport-azerbaijan/60-ferryservicebaku.html |archive-date=29 March 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Azerbaijan24.com}}</ref>

Baku Port was founded in 1902 and claims to be the largest Caspian Sea port. It has six facilities: the main cargo terminal, the container terminal, the ferry terminal, the oil terminal, the passenger terminal and the port fleet terminal. The port's throughput capacity reaches 15&nbsp;million [[tonnes]] of liquid bulk and up to 10&nbsp;million tons of dry cargoes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baku Sea Port |url=http://www.bakuseaport.az/eng.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416011348/http://www.bakuseaport.az/eng.html |archive-date=16 April 2008 |access-date=7 March 2008 |publisher=Bakuseaport.az}}</ref> In 2010, the [[Baku International Sea Trade Port]] began to be reconstructed. The construction was planned to take place in three stages and to be completed by 2016. The estimated costs were US$400&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan, Baku |url=http://m-hesse.com/Aserbaidschan_Reisebericht.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115070748/http://www.m-hesse.com/Aserbaidschan_Reisebericht.html |archive-date=15 January 2011 |access-date=1 February 2011 |publisher=m-hesse.com}}</ref> From April to November, Baku Port is accessible to ships loading cargoes for direct voyages from Western European and Mediterranean ports. The State Road M-1 and the [[European route E60]] are the two main motorway connections between Europe and Azerbaijan. The motorway network around Baku is well-developed and is constantly being extended.

The [[Heydar Aliyev International Airport]] is the only commercial airport serving Baku. The new [[Baku Cargo Terminal]] was officially opened in March 2005. It was constructed to be a major cargo hub in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]] countries, and is actually now one of the biggest and most technically advanced in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heydar Aliyev International Airport (BAK/UBBB), Baku, Azerbaijan |url=http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/baku/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312085043/http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/baku/ |archive-date=12 March 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Airport-technology.com}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}} There are also several smaller [[military airbase]]s near Baku, such as [[Baku Kala Air Base]], intended for private aircraft, [[helicopter]]s and charters.<ref>[http://az.apa.az/print.php?id=146672 Fevralın 14-ü Azərbaycan Hərbi Hava Qüvvələrinin (HHQ) yaranma günüdür] {{in lang|az}} {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706131439/http://az.apa.az/print.php?id=146672 |date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>

== Education ==
{{See also|List of universities in Baku}}
* [[Baku Oxford School]], international school

=== Secondary schools ===
* Elite Gymnasium

== Health care ==
According to the Ministry of Healthcare, healthcare facilities in Baku are "highly developed compared with the regions and doctors are waiting to work there. The regions, meanwhile, lack both doctors and clinics providing specialized medical treatment." Resulting in citizens travelling for many hours to Baku to receive adequate medical treatment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan: Energy-Rich, Healthcare-Poor |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav073008af.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131055011/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav073008af.shtml |archive-date=31 January 2012 |access-date=25 April 2011 |publisher=Eurasianet.org}}</ref>

== Notable residents ==
{{Main|List of people from Baku}}
{{further|:Category:People from Baku}}<gallery class="center" widths="160px" heights="160px">
File:Landau.jpg|Physicist [[Lev Landau]], [[Baku State University]] student, winner of the [[Nobel Prize in Physics]] in 1962
File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2007-813.jpg|[[Kerim Kerimov]], one of the founders of the [[Soviet space program]]
File:Kasparov-34.jpg|[[Garry Kasparov]], chess [[International Grandmaster|grandmaster]], former [[World Chess Champion]]
File:Mikayil Mushfig.jpg|[[Mikayil Mushfig]], Bakuvian poet and victim of the [[Great Purge|Stalinist purges]]
File:Tofiq Bahramov.jpg|[[Tofiq Bahramov]], a Soviet footballer and [[Referee (association football)|football referee]] from Azerbaijan
File:Вагит Алекперов.jpg|[[Vagit Alekperov]], President of the leading Russian [[oil company]] [[LUKOIL]]
File:Muslim Magomaev.jpg|[[Muslim Magomayev (musician)|Muslim Magomayev]], singer
File:RIAN archive 438589 Mstislav Rostropovich.jpg|[[Mstislav Rostropovich]], [[Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance|Grammy Award]]–winning cellist
File:Gusman Yliy.jpg|[[Yuli Gusman]], film director and actor, founder and CEO of the [[Nika Award]]
File:Natalla Arsieńnieva1927.jpg|[[Natallia Arsiennieva]], Belarusian playwright, poet and translator
File:Владимир Меньшов 2018 (cropped) (cropped).jpg|[[Vladimir Menshov]], Soviet and Russian actor and film director
File:Ələkbər Məmmədov.jpg|[[Alakbar Mammadov]], Soviet footballer, four-time champion player in the [[Soviet Top League]]
File:Matvej Skobelev.jpg|[[Matvey Skobelev]], Russian revolutionary and politician
<!-- Deleted image removed: File:Salatyn and Son.JPG|[[Salatyn Asgarova]], Azerbaijani journalist, National Hero of Azerbaijan -->
</gallery>

== International relations ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Asia#Azerbaijan|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Azerbaijan}}

=== Twin towns and sister cities ===
Baku is [[twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref name="Azerbaijan twinnings">{{Cite web |title=Twin-cities of Azerbaijan |url=http://www.azerbaijans.com/content_1719_en.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809115218/http://www.azerbaijans.com/content_1719_en.html |archive-date=9 August 2013 |access-date=9 August 2013 |website=Azerbaijans.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The main directions of foreign relations of the executive authorities of Baku |url=http://www.bakucity.az/main/index_en.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714191259/http://www.bakucity.az/main/index_en.html |archive-date=14 July 2007 |access-date=15 July 2007}}</ref><sup>[in [[chronology|chronological]] order]</sup>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Country
!City
!State / Province / Region / Governorate
!Date
|-
|Senegal
|{{flagicon|SEN}} [[Dakar]]
|''[[Dakar Region]]''
|1967<ref name="ANL">{{Cite web |last=Musa Gasymly |year=2005 |title=АЗЕРБАЙДЖАН В МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫХ КУЛЬТУРНЫХ СВЯЗЯХ(1946–1990 гг.) |trans-title=Azerbaijan's cultural affairs (1946–1990) |url=http://www.anl.az/el/m/ks.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404085053/http://www.anl.az/el/m/ks.htm |archive-date=4 April 2010 |access-date=4 February 2010 |publisher=Artanuchi |location=Tbilisi}}</ref><ref name="Azeuro">{{Cite news |date=25 July 2008 |title=ВСЕ ОСТАЕТСЯ ЛЮДЯМ |trans-title=Everything remains for people |volume=29 |publisher=Vyshka |issue=19725 |url=http://vyshka.azeurotel.com/arxiv/2008/29/2.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707202527/http://vyshka.azeurotel.com/arxiv/2008/29/2.html |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Dakartwinmon">{{Cite web |year=2014 |title=Monument in Dakar, on which "City Baku" was written in Russian and "City Dakar" in French |url=https://duesseldorfdakarcycling.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/finally-dakar-28-07-2014/ |website=duesseldorfdakarcycling.wordpress.com |access-date=26 December 2019 |archive-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226123623/https://duesseldorfdakarcycling.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/finally-dakar-28-07-2014/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Italy
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Naples]]
|''[[Campania]]''
|1972<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flexibe Solutions |date=26 October 2007 |title=Embassy of Azerbaijan Republic in Italy |url=http://www.azembassy.it/browse.php?lang=eng&page=010201 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523084602/http://www.azembassy.it/browse.php?lang=eng&page=010201 |archive-date=23 May 2011 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Azembassy.it}}</ref>
|-
|Iraq
|{{flagicon|IRQ}} [[Basra]]
|''[[Basra Governorate]]''
|1972<ref name=ANL/>
|-
|Bosnia and Herzegovina
|{{flagicon|BIH}} [[Sarajevo]]
|''[[Sarajevo Canton]]''
|1975<ref name=ANL/><ref name=Azeuro/>
|-
|United States
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Christiansted]]
|''[[Virgin Islands]]''
|1976<ref name="Azerbaijan International" />
|-
|United States
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Houston]]
|''Texas''
|1976<ref name="Azerbaijan International">{{Cite journal |last=Maud Beck |date=Winter 2006 |title=Sister Cities: Baku and Houston. Celebrating 30 Years as Sister Cities |url=http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai144_folder/144_articles/144_sister_cities.html |url-status=live |journal=[[Azerbaijan International]] |pages=68–71 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202044849/http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai144_folder/144_articles/144_sister_cities.html |archive-date=2 February 2010 |access-date=4 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 October 1976 |title=Baku, Houston Now Sister Cities |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/03/archives/baku-houston-now-sister-cities.html |work=New York Times}}</ref>
|-
|France
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Bordeaux]]
|''[[Aquitaine]]''
|1979<ref name=ANL/><ref name="Bordeaux twinnings 2">{{Cite web |title=Bordeaux-Atlas français de la coopération décentralisée et des autres actions extérieures |url=http://www.cncd.fr/frontoffice/bdd-recherche-resultat.asp?searchField=bordeaux&x=36&y=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207152951/http://www.cncd.fr/frontoffice/bdd-recherche-resultat.asp?searchField=bordeaux&x=36&y=14 |archive-date=7 February 2013 |access-date=29 July 2013 |website=Délégation pour l'Action Extérieure des Collectivités Territoriales (Ministère des Affaires étrangères) |language=fr}}</ref>
|-
|Iran
|{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Tabriz]]
|''[[East Azerbaijan province]]''
|1980<ref name=Azeuro/>
|-
|Turkey
|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[İzmir]]
|''[[İzmir Province]]''
|1985<ref>{{Cite web |title=İzmir Metropolitan Municipality |url=http://www.izmir.bel.tr/en/StandartPages.asp?menuID=1476&MenuName= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719141205/http://www.izmir.bel.tr/en/StandartPages.asp?menuID=1476&MenuName= |archive-date=19 July 2011 |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=Izmir.bel.tr}}</ref>

|-
|Vietnam
|{{flagicon|VIE}} [[Vũng Tàu]]
|''[[Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province]]''
|1985<ref name=ANL/>
|-
|Russia
|{{flagicon|RUS}} Moscow
|''Moscow City''
|-
|Russia
|{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Saint Petersburg]]
|''[[Saint Petersburg]] City''
|-
|United States
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Honolulu County]]
|''Hawaii''
|1998<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Relations |url=http://www1.honolulu.gov/ecodev/internationalrelations.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628103551/http://www1.honolulu.gov/ecodev/internationalrelations.htm |archive-date=28 June 2012 |access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>
|-
|Turkey
|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Sivas]]
|''[[Sivas Province]]''
|2000<ref name="Sivas twinnings">{{Cite web |url=http://www.yeniulke.net/3044/uzaklar_yakinlasti |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227151859/http://www.yeniulke.net/3044/uzaklar_yakinlasti |title=Uzaklar Yakinlaşti – Sivas Twin Towns |archive-date=27 December 2013}}</ref>
|-
|Brazil
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Rio de Janeiro]]
|''[[States of Brazil|State of]] [[Rio de Janeiro (state)|Rio de Janeiro]]''
|2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2013 |title=Баку и Рио-де-Жанейро стали городами-побратимами – 1NEWS.AZ |url=http://www.1news.az:80/politics/20131205120515968.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207022044/http://www.1news.az/politics/20131205120515968.html |archive-date=7 December 2013}}</ref>
|-
|Ukraine
|{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Kyiv]]
|''[[Kyiv]] City''
|2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2025 |title=Interregional cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan |url=https://azerbaijan.mfa.gov.ua/en/partnership/323-torgovelyno-jekonomichne-spivrobitnictvo-mizh-ukrajinoju-ta-azerbajdzhanom/interregional-cooperation-between-ukraine-and-republic-azerbaijan |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref>
|-
|Israel
|{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Haifa]]<ref name="algemeiner.com">{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijani US Ambassador: Israel Is a Pragmatic Partner and Good Friend, We Want it to Be Normal for Muslims and Jews to Be Allies |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2017/03/29/azerbaijani-us-ambassador-israel-is-a-pragmatic-partner-and-good-friend-we-want-it-to-be-normal-for-muslims-and-jews-to-be-allies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213814/https://www.algemeiner.com/2017/03/29/azerbaijani-us-ambassador-israel-is-a-pragmatic-partner-and-good-friend-we-want-it-to-be-normal-for-muslims-and-jews-to-be-allies/ |archive-date=10 April 2017 |access-date=10 April 2017 |website=Algemeiner.com}}</ref>
|''[[Haifa District]]''
|-
|South Africa
|{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Johannesburg]]
|''[[Johannesburg]] City''
|-
|South Africa
|{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Pretoria]]
|''[[Pretoria]] City''
|-
|Turkey
|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Ankara]]
|''[[Ankara]] City''
|2016<ref>{{cite news |date=11 May 2016 |title=Ankara, Baku to become sister cities |work=Azernews |url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/96427.html |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref>
|-
|Saudi Arabia
|{{flagicon|KSA}} [[Jeddah]]
|''[[Jeddah]] City''
|
|-
|Kyrgyzstan
|{{flagicon|KGZ}} [[Bishkek]]
|''[[Bishkek]] City''
|2022<ref>{{cite news |date=11 October 2022 |title=Baku and Bishkek became twin cities |url=https://apa.az/en/social/baku-and-bishkek-became-twin-cities-386862 |work=APA |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 October 2022 |title=Bakı və Bişkek qardaşlaşıb |url=https://www.xezerxeber.az/news/gundem/387122/baki-ve-biskek-qardaslasib |work=Xəzər Xəbər |access-date=20 September 2025 |language=az}}</ref>
|-
|Tajikistan
|{{flagicon|TJK}} [[Dushanbe]]
|''[[Dushanbe]] City''
| 2022<ref>{{cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Baku and Dushanbe become sister cities |url=https://en.vestikavkaza.ru/news/Baku-and-Dushanbe-become-sister-cities.html |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref>

|}

=== Partner cities ===
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], Germany (1984)<ref name="ANL" />
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Paris]], France
* {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Vienna]], Austria
* {{flagicon|GEO}} [[Tbilisi]], Georgia
* {{flagicon|KAZ}} [[Astana]], Kazakhstan
* {{flagicon|BLR}} [[Minsk]], Belarus (2024)<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2024 |title=Six cities of Azerbaijan and Belarus become sister cities |url=https://en.vestikavkaza.ru/news/Six-cities-of-Azerbaijan-and-Belarus-become-sister-cities.html |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Moscow]], Russia
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Volgograd]], Russia
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Kizlyar]], Russia
* {{flagicon|UZB}} [[Tashkent]], Uzbekistan
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Chengdu]], China

== See also ==
{{portal|Azerbaijan}}
* [[Baku Gradonachalstvo]]
* [[Congress of the Peoples of the East|1920 Baku Congress]]
* [[Alexander III visit to Baku]]
* [[Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan]]
* [[List of cities in Azerbaijan]]
* [[Mingachevir]]
* [[Nakhchivan (city)|Nakhchivan]]
* [[Sumqayit|Sumgait]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{subject bar|auto=y|d=y|Azerbaijan}}
* {{Cite news |last=UNESCO/ICOMOS |date=29 April 2003 |title=Joint UNESCO-ICOMOS Mission to the Walled City of Baku |work=[[UNESCO]]/[[International Council on Monuments and Sites|ICOMOS]] |url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001305/130571e.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001305/130571e.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100424091230/http://www.ovpm.org/en/azerbaijan/baku Baku's profile at the Organization of World Heritage Cities website]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/958 UNESCO World Heritage Site listing Walled City of Baku]
* {{cite EB1911 |wstitle = Baku (town) |volume= 3 |last= Kropotkin |first= Peter Alexeivitch |author-link= Peter Kropotkin| pages = 230&ndash;231 |short=1}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t1-5dbtsik Absheron's Museum of History and Country Studies sheds light on the past] on YouTube (in Azerbaijani)

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[[Category:Baku| ]]<!--leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
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