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Baku - the vibrant heart of Azerbaijan

  • Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    2/46

    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Four Seasons Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan. Given the city's reputation as a tourist magnet in Central Asia, a number of major hotel chains have opened here.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Four Seasons Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan. Given the city's reputation as a tourist magnet in Central Asia, a number of major hotel chains have opened here.
    Getty Images
  • A general view of Shirvanshah's place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A general view of Shirvanshah's place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • A mosque in front of the new buildings 'Flame' in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A mosque in front of the new buildings 'Flame' in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Architectural ruins in Baku's Old City, Azerbaijan. The Inner City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Architectural ruins in Baku's Old City, Azerbaijan. The Inner City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Getty Images
  • Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. Islamic architecture coexists harmoniously with modern buildings and relics from the Soviet occupation on the city's skyline.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. Islamic architecture coexists harmoniously with modern buildings and relics from the Soviet occupation on the city's skyline.
    Getty Images
  • A general view of Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A general view of Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • A worker in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A worker in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • An old church is seen in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    An old church is seen in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • General view of market in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    General view of market in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • People sit in front of a fountain in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    People sit in front of a fountain in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Satellits are seen on an old house in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Satellits are seen on an old house in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • A carpet shop is seen in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A carpet shop is seen in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • A taxi in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A taxi in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    16/46

    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • A kebap shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A kebap shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • An old church in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    An old church in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • The qui qalazi tower in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    The qui qalazi tower in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • A mosque in front of the new building 'Flame" in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    20/46

    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A mosque in front of the new building 'Flame" in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • A restaurant in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A restaurant in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Traditional bread bakery in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Traditional bread bakery in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Streetlife in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
    23/46

    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Traditional tea and sweets are served at a restaurant in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    24/46

    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Traditional tea and sweets are served at a restaurant in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Traditional bread bakery in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Traditional bread bakery in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Azneft roundabout at the city center and new buildings 'Flame' (L) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Azneft roundabout at the city center and new buildings 'Flame' (L) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • General view of Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    General view of Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • View of Baku city.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    View of Baku city.
    Getty Images
  • Fashion stores in in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Fashion stores in in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • A tourist taks pictures of a souvenir shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    A tourist taks pictures of a souvenir shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Children playing around Aliaga Vahid statue at Shirvanshakhs place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Children playing around Aliaga Vahid statue at Shirvanshakhs place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • General view of Baku city.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    General view of Baku city.
    Getty Images
  • Souvenir shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Souvenir shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • View of Shirvanshakhs place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    View of Shirvanshakhs place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • Nard players in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Nard players in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • View of Shekhidler Khiyabani place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    View of Shekhidler Khiyabani place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
    Getty Images
  • View of Baku city.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    View of Baku city.
    Getty Images
  • Mosque in front of the new building 'Flame" in Baku city.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Mosque in front of the new building 'Flame" in Baku city.
    Getty Images
  • Yacht Club in Baku, Azerbaijan. Baku is among the top 10 party cities in the world, according to Lonely Planet magazine.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Yacht Club in Baku, Azerbaijan. Baku is among the top 10 party cities in the world, according to Lonely Planet magazine.
    Getty Images
  • General view of Baku city on the Caspian Sea.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    General view of Baku city on the Caspian Sea.
    Getty Images
  • Fashion stores in Baku. As globalization swept in following the disintegration of the USSR, Azeris have embraced global fashion with a passionate vengeance.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Fashion stores in Baku. As globalization swept in following the disintegration of the USSR, Azeris have embraced global fashion with a passionate vengeance.
    Getty Images
  • Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. The New York Times reported that in 2005, after the first oil from Azerbaijan's 7-billion-barrel reserves started flowing through the $4 billion Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to the West, Azerbaijan’s GDP mushroomed from $7 billion in 2000 to over $63 billion in 2011.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. The New York Times reported that in 2005, after the first oil from Azerbaijan's 7-billion-barrel reserves started flowing through the $4 billion Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to the West, Azerbaijan’s GDP mushroomed from $7 billion in 2000 to over $63 billion in 2011.
    Getty Images
  • Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. In a 2011 report on the country's fashion industry, The New York Times report: "Graft and corruption are the norm. Azerbaijan ranks 143 out of 182 countries on Transparency International’s perceived corruption index, with a score of 2.4 out of 10."
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. In a 2011 report on the country's fashion industry, The New York Times report: "Graft and corruption are the norm. Azerbaijan ranks 143 out of 182 countries on Transparency International’s perceived corruption index, with a score of 2.4 out of 10."
    Getty Images
  • Streetlife in Baku. Among the most vibrant cities of the world founded on a wealth of oil and natural gas, Baku has a reputation for serious partying.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku. Among the most vibrant cities of the world founded on a wealth of oil and natural gas, Baku has a reputation for serious partying.
    Getty Images
  • Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. Summers are best for buying fresh fruit and vegetables.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. Summers are best for buying fresh fruit and vegetables.
    Getty Images
  • Souvenir shop in Baku. Don't forget to try the caviar. Baku is located on the Caspian Sea, home of the finest and fast-disappearing sturgeon.
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    Travel Destinations Baku Azerbaijan

    Souvenir shop in Baku. Don't forget to try the caviar. Baku is located on the Caspian Sea, home of the finest and fast-disappearing sturgeon.
    Getty Images
Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Four Seasons Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan. Given the city's reputation as a tourist magnet in Central Asia, a number of major hotel chains have opened here.
A general view of Shirvanshah's place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
A mosque in front of the new buildings 'Flame' in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Architectural ruins in Baku's Old City, Azerbaijan. The Inner City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. Islamic architecture coexists harmoniously with modern buildings and relics from the Soviet occupation on the city's skyline.
A general view of Baku, Azerbaijan.
A worker in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
An old church is seen in Baku, Azerbaijan.
General view of market in Baku, Azerbaijan.
People sit in front of a fountain in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Satellits are seen on an old house in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
A carpet shop is seen in Baku, Azerbaijan.
A taxi in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan.
A kebap shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
An old church in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The qui qalazi tower in Baku, Azerbaijan.
A mosque in front of the new building 'Flame" in Baku, Azerbaijan.
A restaurant in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Traditional bread bakery in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Streetlife in Baku, the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan.
Traditional tea and sweets are served at a restaurant in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Traditional bread bakery in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Azneft roundabout at the city center and new buildings 'Flame' (L) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
General view of Baku, Azerbaijan.
View of Baku city.
Fashion stores in in Baku, Azerbaijan.
A tourist taks pictures of a souvenir shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Children playing around Aliaga Vahid statue at Shirvanshakhs place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
General view of Baku city.
Souvenir shop in Baku, Azerbaijan.
View of Shirvanshakhs place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Nard players in Baku, Azerbaijan.
View of Shekhidler Khiyabani place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
View of Baku city.
Mosque in front of the new building 'Flame" in Baku city.
Yacht Club in Baku, Azerbaijan. Baku is among the top 10 party cities in the world, according to Lonely Planet magazine.
General view of Baku city on the Caspian Sea.
Fashion stores in Baku. As globalization swept in following the disintegration of the USSR, Azeris have embraced global fashion with a passionate vengeance.
Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. The New York Times reported that in 2005, after the first oil from Azerbaijan's 7-billion-barrel reserves started flowing through the $4 billion Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to the West, Azerbaijan’s GDP mushroomed from $7 billion in 2000 to over $63 billion in 2011.
Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. In a 2011 report on the country's fashion industry, The New York Times report: "Graft and corruption are the norm. Azerbaijan ranks 143 out of 182 countries on Transparency International’s perceived corruption index, with a score of 2.4 out of 10."
Streetlife in Baku. Among the most vibrant cities of the world founded on a wealth of oil and natural gas, Baku has a reputation for serious partying.
Streetlife in Baku, Azerbaijan. Summers are best for buying fresh fruit and vegetables.
Souvenir shop in Baku. Don't forget to try the caviar. Baku is located on the Caspian Sea, home of the finest and fast-disappearing sturgeon.

Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Caucasus. Big hotel chains have a presence in the capital of a nation by the Caspian Sea that thrives on its wealth of crude oil, natural gas and naphtha. In 2011, Baku ranked at 48 on the list of the world's most expensive cities. Baku's Inner City has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has been rated by Lonely Planet among the top ten cities for urban nightlife.

Take a look inside Baku.

Photos: Getty Images