Source: UNDP

Azerbaijan is a country of ancient history and culture, which is witnessed by numerous relics of the past. The first data about the existence of mankind dates to the Neolithic Age. There are signs that very ancient human settlements were in this region, the more visible of them being the rocky region Gobustan. Photographs made of Gobustan rock drawings attract the attention of scientists from various countries.

Several states existed on the territory of present-day Azerbaijan in ancient times. A large state in the central part called Albania was established in the 1st millennium B.C. and existed until the 9th century A.D. In the 7- 6 centuries B.C. the Medean state was established in the southwest which existed for 8 centuries. Northern regions were populated with Scythian tribes and eastern regions with Khazar tribes. The name "Azerbaijan" descends from the Atropathena state which appeared in the 5th century B.C. in the southern part of Azerbaijan after the collapse of Alexander the Great's empire. In the 3rd century B.C. the territory of historical Azerbaijan was under the dominion of the

Sassanide dynasty of Persian empire. In 642 A. D. this region was conquered by Arabian forces who introduced Islam. In 816 A.D. people in western Azerbaijan, headed by Babek, rose in arms against conquerors. This revolt was cruelly suppressed in 837. After the collapse of the Arabian empire in the 11th century (Abbasides dynasty) tribes of the Turks-Seldjuks took control over the region. This period was marked by mass migrations of Turks to Azerbaijan. In1236-1242 Trans-Caucasus were invaded by Mongolian troops headed by Tamerlane the Great.

In the Middle Ages Azerbaijan was divided into separate khanates. Several attempts were made too unite them. The most successful was Shah Ismail, founder of Safevid dynasty, statesman, general and poet who lived in the 15th - beginning of 16th century. Beginning from 16th century, Azerbaijan, due to its advantageous territorial position, again became the cause of cruel fighting between Persian, Ottoman and Russian empires. In the 17th century Azerbaijan again passed too Persia but soon, as a result of Russian-Iranian wars, the northern territories of Azerbaijan were given to Russia, according to the Gulistan (1813) and Turkmenchai (1828) Treaties. More than 2/3 of the territory of historical Azerbaijan remained within the Persian state.

In the beginning of the 20th century the national liberation movement in Azerbaijan became stronger. Changes in the world after the end of the First World War, and the collapse of the Russian empire created favourable conditions for the establishment of an independent state. On the 28th of May, 1918 independence of Azebaijan was declared. At the first meeting of the National Council, the cat of independence was accepted; according to this act Azerbaijan became a completely sovereign state, and democratic republic would be the form of state system.

External forces which would not reconcile with the independence of Azerbaijan tried to suppress it. Russian communists tried to impose their regime throughout the territory of the former Russian empire. Pressure from outside together with inner disagreements (5 governments replaced no another in less than two years) gradually led to a collapse in the government. In April, 1920 the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic ceased to exist and troops of Soviet Russia came to Azerbaijan.

In 1922 Azerbaijan, together with Georgia and Armenia formed the Transcaucasian Federation off Soviet republics. Then in 1936 Azerbaijan, as an independent republic, joined the USSR.

After 70 years of Communist regime the people of Azerbaijan, although they lost their independence, did not completely lose their statehood. During this long historical period substantial economic, social and cultural-intellectual potential was developed. However, craving for complete independence and national liberation never left the Azerbaijani people. The crisis of the totalitarian system in the USSR and other changes in the world from the end of 1980's furthered the growth of the national movement in Azerbaijan.