Azerbaijan

SAFETY: adequate
The border areas with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh are at risk. The situation is good in the rest of the country, where petty crime is at entirely normal levels.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: adequate

Roads are not in ideal condition, but traffic flows fairly freely, even if journeys are not comfortable.

Connections are provided by coaches, which also serve international destinations (Istanbul and Ankara). The rail network is fair. Domestic flights are fair, while international connections are fairly frequent from London, Frankfurt, Vienna, Istanbul and Moscow.

Main airports: Baku

Main ports: Baku

ACCOMMODATION: adequate

Considerable capital is flowing into the country and enriching the hotel offering, which to date remains concentrated in the capital and the more economically developed centres.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Azerbaijan – Location: Asia, Caucasus. Borders: Russia to the north, Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north-west, Armenia to the south, the Caspian Sea to the east – Time zone: UTC+4, 3 hours ahead of Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 87,000 sq km – Capital: Baku – Population: 8,120,000 – Religion: 93.4% Muslim, 4.8% Orthodox, 1.8% other – Languages: Azerbaijani, Russian also understood – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Azerbaijani manat (AZN). There are no restrictions on importing or exporting currency, but for large sums it is advisable to check with the Italian Embassy in Baku – Credit cards: the major cards are accepted in international establishments – Exchange: the most widely accepted foreign currencies are the US dollar and the euro.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V 50 Hz (as in Italy)– Sockets: types C and F (bring an adaptor).

DOCUMENTS: passport and visa, to be requested from the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Rome or on arrival at the airport – Driving: international driving permit – Car: Ingosstrakh policy to be taken out at the border.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00994 – Code for calling Italy: 81039 - GSM: coverage across much of the country: GSM 900/1800 (as in Italy). Local operators: Azercell Telecom, Azerfon and Bakcell – Internet: available in the capital and the main urban centres – Web domain: .az – Emergency numbers: police 102, Mediclub 124970911.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: drug offences, sexual abuse and violence against minors are severely punished. Homosexuality is legal.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required. Local health facilities are inadequate, with the exception of the central hospital in Baku. Medicines are available in the capital, but take care, as counterfeit products are widespread.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; 20 January, Martyrs’ Day; 8 March, Women’s Day; 21 March, Novruz Bayramy (Spring Festival); 9 May, Victory Day; 28 May, Republic Day; 15 June, National Salvation Day; 26 June, Armed Forces Day; 18 October, Independence Day; 12 November, Constitution Day; 17 November, National Revival Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 9.30-17.30 – Banks: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00.

CLIMATE: continental, with very cold winters and heavy precipitation, and scorching summers. Along the Caspian Sea coast temperatures are slightly higher.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY 

Embassy of Azerbaijan
Viale Regina Margherita 1 - 00198 Rome - Tel.: 06/8554300 - E-mail: rome_consul@mfa.gov.az

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN AZERBAIJAN

Italian Embassy
Kichic Gala Kuchesi, 44 – 370004 Baku – Tel. 00994/12/4975133 – Fax 00994/12/4975202
Web: ambbaku.esteri.it – E-mail:ambasciata.baku@esteri.it