In the early 20th century anti-Russian nationalists exhorted the Azerbaijanis to "Turkify, Islamicize, and Europeanize," and the 1917 flag was associated with Turkey and Islam. In 1918 the crescent and star (also symbols of Turkic peoples) were introduced. Suppressed under Soviet rule, the flag was readopted on Feb. 5, 1991.

Azerbaijan Official name: Azärbayean Respublikasi (Azerbaijani Republic). Form of government: federal multiparty republic with a single legislative body (National Assembly [125]). Head of state and government: President assisted by Prime Minister. Population (1998): 7,650,000. Population projection: (2000) 7,749,000; (2010) 8,202,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 10.4 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (at current market prices; 1996): U.S.$3,642,000,000 (U.S.$480 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 11.0%; pasture 25.4%; agriculture 48.5%; other 15.1%.

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