The capital of Azerbaijan on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. Frequently under Persian rule, the city was annexed by Russia in 1806. It has been a center of oil production since the 1870s. In 1990 it was the scene of fierce fighting between Soviet forces and secessionist rebels.
User Defined Definitions
"a port city on the Caspian Sea that is the capital of Azerbaijan and an important center for oil production"