Baku Port, known internationally as BAKU, stands as more than just the primary harbor of the Caspian Sea. This crucial junction where oil meets culture serves as Azerbaijan's economic nerve center, bearing witness to historical transformations while shaping the modern nation.
Located in Azerbaijan's capital along the Caspian's western shore, Baku occupies the southern Absheron Peninsula. As the largest city in the South Caucasus, it spans 2,200 square kilometers with a population nearing 1.7 million. The city represents Azerbaijan's "black gold" (oil) and "white gold" (cotton) heritage—so significant that both oil derricks and cotton bolls adorn the national emblem.
Baku's maritime connections typically involve transit through Georgia's POTI port, with Maersk providing major shipping services from China. But its strategic importance extends far beyond logistics.
The city's history stretches back to the 5th century, achieving prominence as the capital of the Baku Khanate in the 18th century. After Russian annexation in 1806, it became the Soviet-era capital of Azerbaijan in 1920. Though initially underdeveloped with poor agricultural yields, Baku transformed dramatically following the Russian Revolution when Caspian oil exploitation triggered rapid modernization.
By 1940, Baku's oilfields produced 71.5% of the Soviet Union's petroleum. Even as production declined post-war, it maintained 39.2% of Soviet output in 1950. However, dwindling reserves caused sharp drops—15% by 1955, 5% by 1970, and below 2% in the 1980s—diminishing Baku's economic stature.
As Azerbaijan's capital, Baku serves as the political, cultural, and economic heart. Its oil legacy began remarkably early, with documented extraction since the 10th century. The Absheron Peninsula and surrounding waters became world-renowned oilfields, hosting industrial-scale production since 1877 (following Azerbaijan's first drilled well in 1873).
At its 20th-century peak, Baku's fields yielded half the world's oil (1901), cementing its status as the South Caucasus' industrial powerhouse and earning its "Oil City" moniker.
Today, Baku transcends its energy roots, emerging as a cultural magnet that bridges East and West. Its unique geography, resource wealth, and layered history continue to showcase Azerbaijan's untapped potential on the global stage.
