The map of Azerbaijan reflects more than borders. It’s position has long stood at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. From the ancient Silk Road to today’s Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the region has connected civilizations through trade, migration, and cultural exchange. Over centuries, merchants, armies, religions, and ideas passed through the Caucasus, shaping the diverse identity of modern Azerbaijan.
Under the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan underwent major political and economic transformation, with Baku becoming one of the world’s most important oil-producing cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Soviet-era territorial arrangements, including the creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan, contributed to tensions that later developed into a prolonged and devastating conflict after the collapse of the USSR.
Today, as new alliances and transport corridors reshape the region, Azerbaijan continues to play a significant role in the South Caucasus as a bridge between Europe and Asia.
Where Is Azerbaijan Located?
Azerbaijan is located in the South Caucasus, at the crossroads between Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Its borders reflect the region’s unique position between two continents, with mainland Azerbaijan sharing borders with Russia’s Republic of Dagestan to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to the south. To the east, Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea, giving the country an important connection to maritime trade routes.
Azerbaijan also includes the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an exclave separated from the mainland by Armenia. Nakhchivan shares borders with Armenia to the north and east, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest (refer to the map of Nakhchivan).
Understanding Azerbaijan Administrative Regions
Azerbaijan is divided into 14 economic regions, which reflect the country’s geography, economy, and patterns of regional development. These regions are used for planning, investment, and administrative purposes rather than local government.
Administratively, Azerbaijan consists of 67 districts (rayons) and 11 cities (şəhər) that are directly subordinate to the central government. Of these, seven districts and one city are located within the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
At the local level, districts and cities are further divided into municipalities (bələdiyyə), which oversee community-level administration and public services.
Map of Azerbaijan Economic Regions
Map of Azerbaijan Administrative Divisions
Major Cities in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s major cities include Baku, Ganja, Sheki, Qabala, Quba, Lankaran, and Nakhchivan. Each city offers a different perspective on the country’s history, culture, landscape and hidden gems.
Baku (Bakı)
Baku is Azerbaijan’s largest city and economic centre, is a modern metropolis on the Caspian Sea. Despite its rapid development, the city’s historic Old City (Icherisheher) remains preserved, while hidden Soviet-era mosaics, architecture, and cultural landmarks reveal another layer of its past.
Ganja (Gəncə)
Ganja is the country’s second-largest city, is one of Azerbaijan’s oldest settlements and an important cultural centre. It is known for its historic mosques, traditional architecture, and connection to the famous poet Nizami Ganjavi.
Sheki (Şəki)
Sheki is a historic Silk Road city famous for the magnificent Sheki Khan’s Palace, traditional crafts, colourful architecture, and its historic caravanserais that once welcomed travelling merchants.
Qabala (Qəbələ)
Qabala is a popular mountain destination surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains, offering scenic landscapes, hiking trails, ski resorts, and outdoor activities throughout the year.
Quba
Quba is known for its mountain scenery, apple orchards, carpet-making traditions, and its proximity to Khinalug, one of the highest and most remote villages in the Caucasus.
Lankaran (Lənkəran)
Lankaran offers a different side of Azerbaijan with its subtropical climate, tea plantations, historic buildings, and access to the rich biodiversity of Hirkan National Park.
Nakhchivan (Naxçıvan) City
Nakhchivan City, the capital of Azerbaijan’s autonomous exclave, has a history stretching back thousands of years. Located at the crossroads of ancient civilizations, the city is known for its historic monuments, unique architecture, and cultural heritage.
Major Cities on the Map of Azerbaijan
How Azerbaijan’s Borders Have Changed
Following the First and Second Nagorno-Karabakh Wars, as well as the 2023 conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan re-established control over territories that are internationally recognized as part of the country, including the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region. These developments allowed Azerbaijan to begin reintegrating the region into its administrative framework, significantly reshaping the infrastructure, political, and geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus.
Azerbaijan has also proposed the Zangezur Corridor, a transport route intended to connect mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, creating a direct link to Turkey and strengthening trade connections across the South Caucasus and the wider Caspian region. While Azerbaijan presents the corridor as an opportunity for regional connectivity and economic growth, Armenia has raised concerns regarding sovereignty, security, and control over transport routes, making the proposal one of the most sensitive geopolitical issues in the region.
The map of Azerbaijan also features on the currency of Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh region, reinforcing themes of national identity, history, and territorial representation through the depiction of the country’s geography.
How to Explore Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan has become an increasingly popular destination, with its capital city Baku attracting travellers from around the world. Beyond the typical tourist routes, we offer unique experiences exploring Soviet mosaics, hidden architectural gems, and lesser-visited regions such as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Karabakh. These journeys can also be combined with our Soviet Caucasus Tour, providing a deeper look into the region’s history, culture, and changing landscapes.
See all of our Privet Tours and explore the destinations we travel to along the way.
