Absheron Peninsula

Azerbaijan is shaped like an eagle flying from west to east with the Absheron Peninsula forming the head of the eagle. "Fascinatingly ugly" is how the area has been described, however there are enough curiosities to make a trip to the area worthwhile.

Since early times Azerbaijan was known as the "land of the sacred fire" because of the natural gas and oil deposits erupting from the earth, and as a major centre of the Zoroastrian religion, it attracted fire worshippers from all over the world. One can visit a fire temple 'Ateshgah' at Sukharany, 20km north-east of Baku.

The present temple was built in the 18th century by Parsee merchants from India trading with Baku, althrough it stands on the site of a much earlier temple.

Dotted around the Absheron Peninsula are numerous medieval fortresses, which in the Middle Ages used to form part of an integral defence system of the area. Also of interest are the old mosques and the beaches of Absheron.