Baku: Azerbaijan's beautiful capital

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The largest city in the South Caucasus region is a controversial place. On one side there is a huge contrast with the rest of the country in terms of education and living standards. While Baku received huge investments and has a relatively high standard of living, the provinces seem forgotten. On the other side its abundant architectural heritage is selectively evaluated and reconstructed. Neoclassical Fin de Siècle buildings and most of the medieval Old Town are luxuriously refurbished, while typical Caucasian residential buildings with wooden balconies and small vineyards are left to decay.

Urbanism

Located on the Absheron Peninsula, Baku is surrounded by the Caspian sea to the south, a series of lakes to the north, and hills both east and west. The city center is a compact urban settlement with an orthogonal street grid with streets either parallel or perpendicular to the sea. Several wide roads connect the center with numerous dispersedly built rural type suburbs. In the south west corner of the city the round shaped Old Town still has a bit of a medieval atmosphere. The Fountain Square next to it marks the beginning of the wide elegant pedestrian zone.

You may view the whole text here: http://happyfrogtravels.com/the-main-city-on-the-hill-baku-azerbaijan/

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Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

Children of the world
Great photo

[happyfrogtravels]

Thanks!
It was easy, seeing how happy they were!

[Hoween]

Wow!
I didn't exect this place is sooo beautiful and modern!

[happyfrogtravels]

A unique place
It is beautiful and quite unique. The new highrises are a result of the booming oil extracting industry. I guess I prefer the old Baku.