Leader: President Ilham Aliyev.

Economy: GNI per capita $5,180 (Armenia $3,090, Russia $9,910).

Monetary unit: Manat.

Main exports: Oil and gas, machinery, cotton.

Oil dominates the economy, but the country is trying hard to diversify and reduce its dependency, investing in other sectors - a move dogged by corruption and weak infrastructure.

People: 9.5 million. Population growth rate 1.0% pa. People per sq km 110 (UK 253).

Health: Infant mortality 39 per 1,000 live births (Armenia 18, Russia 9). HIV prevalence rate 0.1%. Lifetime risk of maternal death 1 in 1,200 (Russia 1 in 1,900). Healthcare is officially free, but informal fees are common.

Environment: Water, air and soil pollution are all problems partly inherited from the Soviet system with its poor management of natural resources. Azerbaijan's Absheron Peninsula and the Caspian Sea are among the most devastated territories. …