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The Scotsman, UK
March 29 2005
Ten Things You Didn't Know About Azerbaijan
"PA"
1. Azerbaijan had a hand in England's most famous triumph when
`Russian linesman' Tofi Bakhramov allowed Geoff Hurst's goal to stand
in the World Cup Final win over West Germany in 1966. In fact
Bakhramov was not Russian but an Azeri - Azerbaijan was then part of
the Soviet Union. The national stadium in the capital, Baku, is named
after him - with a statue of Bakhramov outside.
2. The country regained its independence in 1991, after the collapse
of the Soviet Union.
3. Former world chess champion Gary Kasparov, who has just retired,
hails from Azerbaijan and is known as the `Beast of Baku'. In his new
political career he has vowed to campaign against Russian president
Vladimir Putin. Probably not an omen for Wednesday but Kasparov once
beat English challenger Nigel Short in a World Championship final.
4. Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea, the world's largest lake. As
well as its oil resources, the sea also provides another source of
income - caviar. You can take caviar tours if you visit the country,
which was also on the silk route between Europe and Asia.
5. The world's first oil well was drilled near Baku, at the end of
the 19th century.
6. Azerbaijan was one of the settings for 1999 Bond film `The World
is Not Enough'.
7. The population is 93.4% Muslim with Russian Orthodox and Armenian
Orthodox Christian minorities. In 2002 it was visited by Pope John
Paul II even though there are only 120 Catholics in the country - one
of the smallest Catholic communities.
8. It has borders with Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia and Iran.
9. The country's population is around eight million - similar to
London.
10. The Azeri unit of currency is the manat.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
March 29 2005
Ten Things You Didn't Know About Azerbaijan
"PA"
1. Azerbaijan had a hand in England's most famous triumph when
`Russian linesman' Tofi Bakhramov allowed Geoff Hurst's goal to stand
in the World Cup Final win over West Germany in 1966. In fact
Bakhramov was not Russian but an Azeri - Azerbaijan was then part of
the Soviet Union. The national stadium in the capital, Baku, is named
after him - with a statue of Bakhramov outside.
2. The country regained its independence in 1991, after the collapse
of the Soviet Union.
3. Former world chess champion Gary Kasparov, who has just retired,
hails from Azerbaijan and is known as the `Beast of Baku'. In his new
political career he has vowed to campaign against Russian president
Vladimir Putin. Probably not an omen for Wednesday but Kasparov once
beat English challenger Nigel Short in a World Championship final.
4. Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea, the world's largest lake. As
well as its oil resources, the sea also provides another source of
income - caviar. You can take caviar tours if you visit the country,
which was also on the silk route between Europe and Asia.
5. The world's first oil well was drilled near Baku, at the end of
the 19th century.
6. Azerbaijan was one of the settings for 1999 Bond film `The World
is Not Enough'.
7. The population is 93.4% Muslim with Russian Orthodox and Armenian
Orthodox Christian minorities. In 2002 it was visited by Pope John
Paul II even though there are only 120 Catholics in the country - one
of the smallest Catholic communities.
8. It has borders with Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia and Iran.
9. The country's population is around eight million - similar to
London.
10. The Azeri unit of currency is the manat.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress