Azerbaijan
is situated on the Caspian Sea and is surrounded by
Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Iran and Turkey. Azeri is the
official language similar to Turkish, although English
is spoken in the larger towns such as Baku, its capital.
Azerbaijan is a country of dramatic contrasts, from its
cosmopolitan bustling capital with skyscrapers, situated
on the desert land facing the Caspian Sea, to its
ageless villages at the foot of the Caucasus mountains
surrounded by luxuriant orchards.
The south of Azerbaijan is one of the country's most
beautiful regions offering coastal and inland sites to
visit such as Lankeran, a picturesque seaside town
renowned for its flowers. One may also explore the
Talysh mountains from the town of Masalli, although
outdoor activities are rare and rarer still are people
who speak English, so at times it can be a challenge to
get around.
To the north lies the amazing town of Xinaliq that
offers breathtaking views and traditional mountain
culture, while there is an intriguing experience to be
had at the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The winter can be mild near the Caspian Sea, although it
can get extremely cold inland with a lot of snowfall in
the mountainous regions. The best time to visit is from
April to June where the vegetation is in bloom and the
humidity not too high in the area of Baku. July is also
ideal for trekking in the mountains, although it still
gets rather chilly at night.
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