The tourism sector in Azerbaijan has great potential for development. The country’s stable socio-economic conditions, membership in the World Tourism Organization since 2001, participation in the transcontinental “Silk Road” toruism line organized by UNESCO, and the recently signed oil agreements provide an excellent framework for attracting intvestment to the tourism sector and increasing the flow of tourists to the country.

Azerbaijan has the major recourses of the industry of tourism: a natural landscape, monuments of material culture, modern tourist complexes. The nine climatic zones ensure that torust can travel to the country throughout the year. There is abundant flora and fauna in its seventeen nature reserves. Over four thousand plants and animals can be found in Qizilaqach, Zagatala, Kirgan and Shirvan preserves where 13 million year Tugai forests still flourish.

Azerbaijan is a treasure trove of cultural monuments. Over six thousand architectural and cultural objects are scattered throughout the country. The Chiraqqala, Didvan and Apsheron rocks are impressive natural monuments. There are rock paintings, primitive dwellings and rock tombs in Koyukdash, Kichikdash, Jinqirdash, Shonqardaq and Shixqaya mountains. The lasting vestiges of Caucasusu Albanian history may be viewed in the fortresses located in the village of Leki, Qum and Orta Zeyzit. The country features many architectural achievements of Azerbaijani builders and craftsmen including the 12^thcentury Gulustan palace near the village of Shmakhi, the 13^th century Qarabaqlar tombs near Karabakh, and the palaces of the Sheki kings near the village of Sheki.

Baky, the capital, also has impressive architectural and historical features such as the Old City, the 15^th century Karavansaray building, the 11^th century Siniq Qala, the 12^th century Bayil rocks, and one of Azerbaijan’s outstanding historical monuments the “Shirvan shahlar Sarayi”, a palace complex of the kings of Shirvan, which is on UNESCO’s list of historical monuments of the world. The Maiden Tower, created by the master craftsman Masud ibn Davud is the symbol of Baku. The city is a thriving cosmopolitan center with modern buildings, museums, theatres, hotels and restaurants offering traditional and international cuisine. It is particularly impressive during the Ramadan, Novruz and Qurban holidays.

Fine places for the rest are the Khudat-Yalama seacoast with the woods almost reaching the sea, the seashores of Absheron and Lankaran. In these places there are fine sandy beaches, and water temperature is steadily kept within five and more months in limits 22-26°C, that provides rather long swimming season. The most attractive areas for alpinism and winter sports are Shamakhi and Gusar. Many kinds of animals and birds are objects of license hunting, and in reserves they are very easy to see and to take photo. In Azerbaijan there are number of health-resorts with spas that give an opportunity for treating of many illnesses yielding to natural therapy. Most resorts with mineral spas are also the tourist centres. Nakhchivan is especially rich with mineral resources; the only deposit of medical oil in the world –Naftalan –is completely unique.