Middle East

Azerbaijan

Location

South-western Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range.

Travel should be avoided. Robberies against foreigners have been violent. Local militia groups, weapons (various), vehicle security, personal security, kidnappings, bandits/corruption, gunfire, checkpoints, armed robberies, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building/office security, climate injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation/sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, cultures/customs, communications, emergency shelters. Internal flights should not be used, bad safety record. Be vigilant at all times.

Use bottled water only.

Large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea.

Dry, semi-arid steppe.

Droughts.

Avian influenza, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, diphtheria, hepatitis A, malaria in certain areas of country, polio, rabies, typhoid.
Hospital: Semashko Clinical Hospital No.1, 1M Kasimova Street, Baku. Tel: 12-95 4904

Local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton.

Care should be taken if driving at night. Many roads are badly lit and of poor quality. Driving conditions are stressful and confusing. Many cars are poorly maintained and standards of driving are erratic.

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