a republic in NW Asia: the region was acquired by Russia from Persia in the early 19th century; became the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic in 1936 and gained independence in 1991; consists of dry subtropical steppes around the Aras and Kura rivers, surrounded by the Caucasus; contains the extensive Baku oilfields. Language: Azerbaijani (or Azeri). Religion: Shiite Muslim. Currency: manat. Capital: Baku. Pop: 9 827 589 (2017 est). Area: 86 600 sq km (33 430 sq miles)
2.
a mountainous region of NW Iran, separated from the republic of Azerbaijan by the River Aras: divided administrativelyinto Eastern Azerbaijan and Western Azerbaijan. Capitals: Tabriz and Orumiyeh. Pop: 2 119 524 (2002 est)
Azerbaijan in American English
(ˌɑzərbaɪˈdʒɑn; ˌ æzərbaɪˈdʒɑn)
1.
region of NW Iran
2.
Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
3.
country in W Asia, south of the Caucasus Mountains: became independent upon the breakup of the U.S.S.R. (1991): 33,430 sq mi (86,583 sq km); pop. 7,021,000; cap. Baku