Azerbaijan

Lying at the crossroads of East and West, Azerbaijan's capital reveals its Zoroastrian, Islamic and Soviet past – and it's oil-rich present – through its unique design.

This under-the-radar city once produced some of the finest silks in the world. Now, it's considered Azerbaijan's cultural and culinary capital.

To understand Azerbaijan, one must understand the nation's sacred relationship with fire stemming from its ancient Zoroastrian roots.