Azerbaijan

World Factbook as of October 2014: "Azerbaijan's high economic growth has been attributable to large and growing oil and gas exports, but some non-export sectors also featured double-digit growth, including construction, banking, and real estate. Oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, the Baku-Novorossiysk, and the Baku-Supsa pipelines remain the main economic driver, but efforts to boost Azerbaijan's gas production are underway.... Pervasive public and private sector corruption and structural economic inefficiencies remain a drag on long-term growth, particularly in non-energy sectors. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress, including the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector and the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe."

Estimated oil production for 2010: 1.041 million barrels per day (rates 22nd). For oil exports in 2009, Azerbaijan ranks 25th.

Exports partners
2010: Italy 26.8%, US 8.4%, Germany 7.1%, France 6.7%, Czech Republic 4.9%, Russia 4.4%

Income Distribution – GINI index
Ranks 98th among 141 countries (lower rank number is less equal).

People

Living in an urban area
2011: 53.6
2010: 52%

Net migration rate
2012: zero, more or less

Ethnic groups
1999 census: Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9%
note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region

Religions
Azerbaijan is a secular society, but predominately Shia Muslim. For 1995, the World Factbook estimate is: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8%. Religious affiliation is nominal. percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

Geography

South of Russia, north of Iran and east of Armenia.

Government

Azerbaijan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, former republics within the Soviet Union that today are closely associated with Russia economically, in defense and foreign policy.

Recent History

World Factbook: "A consortium of Western oil companies began pumping 1 million barrels a day from a large offshore field in early 2006, through a $4 billion pipeline it built from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan."