Perched beside the oil-rich Caspian Sea, compact, hospitable Azerbaijan is astounding in its scenic variety. Snow-capped Caucasian peaks, semi-tropical forests, painted moonscape deserts and flower- filled grasslands all lie within a few hours’ drive of the cosmopolitan capital Baku. That’s an artistically vibrant city incorporating a kaleidoscopic range of images from the medieval walls of its Unesco-listed core to the mind-boggling 21st-century architecture of Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Centre. From fire temples to Formula 1 to forgotten mountain villages, there’s so much more to discover. New super-easy visas make access easier than ever before. And infrastructure funded by the recent oil boom means that roads, hotels, spas and ski-resorts are state of the art – yet incredible value. First published in 1999, this is the fifth edition of what has long been the definitive guide to Azerbaijan for visitors and residents alike.