People of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is more populated than the other Transcaucasian states. Most of the people, however, stay in villages. The most densely populated area is the Abseron Peninsula in the east, where Azerbaijan's major cities are located.
Arts and Crafts
Azerbaijan has heavy influence of Persian and Turkish culture and has contributed several notable literary and scientific works during the medieval period. During the Soviet era in Azerbaijan, artists used their skills to express Azerbaijani nationalism. Music has always been important in an Azerbaijani life and the ancient Azerbaijani musical tradition is still kept alive by musicians known as ashugs, who improvise songs while playing a stringed instrument called a kobuz.
