country name, of unknown origin, perhaps from Old Persian Aturpatakan, from Greek Atropatene, from the Persian satrap Atropates, who ruled there in the time of Alexander the Great; or from local azer "fire" + baydjan (Iranian baykan) "guardian," in reference to fire-worship.
Republic in southwestern Asia, bordered to the north by Georgia and Russia, to the east by the Caspian Sea, to the south by Iran, and to the west by Armenia. Its capital and largest city is Baku.
Note: This former member of the Soviet Union declared its independence in 1991.
Note: Predominantly Muslim, Azerbaijan has been involved in an often violent dispute with Armenia, its predominantly Christian neighbor, over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mainly Armenian region of Azerbaijan.
Note: The country possesses valuable oil reserves.