Baku, capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, on the Abseron Peninsula in the southeastern part of the country. A port on the western coast of the Caspian Sea, the city is close to major petroleum fields near the border with Iran, and oil refining is its chief industry. Pipelines carry oil products to Bat'umi, Georgia, on the Black Sea. Baku also has shipyards and factories producing metal cable and cotton, leather, and food products.
The old quarter (9th century) of Baku contains the large fortress of Icheri-Shekher (with narrow streets, mosques, and a minaret dating from 1078) and the khan's palace (17th century, now a museum). A subway system was opened in the city in 1967. Baku is the site of Baku State University (1919), an opera house, and several theaters and museums.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Baku Information info
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