Did you know that about 350 out of the 800 mud volcanoes known in the World are located in Azerbaijan? Most of them are situated in the Gobustan region. Some of the volcanoes are considered natural monuments and natural national resources of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has been historically known as the Land of Fire because of its rich oil and gas resources, and the natural fires that blazed for millenia on the Absheron Peninsula greatly influenced the beliefs and traditions of the local people. You can still see an example of this natural phenomenon 25 kilometres from Baku, at a place known as Yanardagh (which translates as 'Burning Mountain'), located in the village of Mahammadli. The natural subterranean gas that seeps up to the surface is constantly ablaze, giving this mountain its famous burning look. To protect Yanardagh and attract tourists here, this area was declared a historical, cultural and natural reserve in 2007.

The Ateshgah fire-worshipping temple, located on the Absheron Peninsula on the outskirts of Surakhani village, 30 km from the centre of Baku, was a shrine at different times for Zoroastrians, Hindus and Sikhs. The current buildings at the temple complex date back to the 17th century and consist of a pentagonal complex with an open courtyard in the middle of which is a temple altar that served as a place of pilgrimage for Indian fire-worshippers. Currently the complex functions as a well-designed museum and is often combined with a trip to nearby Yanardagh, the Burning Mountain, to discover more of Azerbaijan's fire legacy.

We will have Photo stop at Heydar Aliyev Center. The Museum of Heydar Aliyev was built in 2005, and underwent major restoration work in 2010, and after which it continued as Heydar Aliyev Center. Materials about the life and activities of the national leader are kept here. It also houses "the Young Friends" and "Skillful hands" clubs, as well as English language and fine arts courses.