What is the capital of Azerbaijan?
Baku lies on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, on the Absheron Peninsula, about 28 metres below sea level, which makes it the lowest-lying national capital in the world.
Baku is the capital and seat of government of Azerbaijan, a role it has held since 1918. Azerbaijan itself has an estimated population of 10,246,996 (2025).
Baku is also the largest city in Azerbaijan, which is the usual arrangement, though it is far from universal: see the countries where capital and largest city differ.
Baku at a glance
| City population | 2,344,900 (2024 census) |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan area | 3,725,000 (2024) |
| Country | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan |
| Capital since | 1918 |
| Largest city in Azerbaijan | Baku |
| Time zone | UTC+04:00 (AZT) |
| Currency | Azerbaijani manat (AZN) |
About Baku
Baku has been the capital of Azerbaijan since 1918, when it became the capital of the newly independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic; it remained the capital through the Soviet era and after independence in 1991.
Baku is Azerbaijan's largest city and the largest on the Caspian Sea.
Its economy has long been built on the oil fields of the surrounding Absheron Peninsula.
The medieval walled Old City, the Icherisheher, with its Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Baku.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Azerbaijan?
Is Baku the largest city in Azerbaijan?
What is the population of Baku?
Where is Baku located?
When did Baku become the capital of Azerbaijan?
What time zone is Baku in?
What currency is used in Baku?
Capitals of neighbouring countries
See the full profile of Azerbaijan on its country page, or browse every capital city.
Capital and country data from open datasets; city and metropolitan populations are hand-curated per city and cited where they are shown. Populations of countries come from the World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL). Full sources and vintage on the data page. Last updated . Report a correction.