Baku, heres some links to get you started with your research
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baku
the references at the bottom of the page is usually helpfull
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan

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Baku (Baki)
Located on the southern shore of the Apsheron peninsula, Azerbaijan's capital was founded 1,500 years ago. The first written reference to Baku dates from 885, although archaeologists have found remains of a settlement predating by several centuries the birth of Christ. The city became important after an earthquake destroyed Shemakha and the of the 12th century and the Shirvanshah, Ahistan I, made Baku the new capital. There are a few theories about the origin of the name, the most widely known being that Baku comes from bad kube, meaning "city of winds".

The climate is sunny and arid, with gale-force winds that sweep through on occasion, caused by masses of polar air. Baku is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and is Azerbaijan's largest city, with wonderful beaches, spas and a striking setting on the salty Caspian Sea.

The basis of Baku's economy is petroleum. The existence of petroleum has been known since the 8th century. By the 15th century oil for lamps was obtained from surface wells. Commercial exploitation began in 1872, and by the beginning of the 20th century the Baku oil field was the largest in the world. Towards the end of the 20th century much of the land's petroleum had been exhausted, and drilling had extended into the sea. Baku ranks as one of the largest centres for the production of oil industry equipment. The World War II Battle of Stalingrad was fought to determine who would have control of the Baku oil fields. Fifty years before the battle, Baku supplied half of the world's oil production.

Today's Baku is really three cities rolled into one: the old town (icheri shekher), the boomtown and the Soviet-built town.

Photos here:
http://www.azerb.com/az-images.html
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baku

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Baku (Azerbaijani: Bakı), is the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan. Located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baku

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