WCO PICARD Conference

Azerbaijan and Baku

The Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Turkey to the southwest, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west and Iran to the south. Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR. 

Baku is the capital and the largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. The Inner City of Baku along with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The city is the scientific, cultural and industrial center of Azerbaijan. Many sizeable Azerbaijani institutions have their headquarters in Baku. Baku hosted the 57th Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 and will host the First European Games in 2015.