Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinental country situated in the South Caucasus region, bridging Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, and by major powers including Russia (Dagestan) to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. The country's capital and largest city is Baku, which is renowned for its blend of historical architecture and modern development. Azerbaijan has historically been a crossroads of trade and culture, playing a significant role in the geopolitics of the Caspian basin.