Azerbaijan is one of the ancient countries in the world. Primitive men had inhabited in Azerbaijan since the existence of initial periods of humanity. Primitive man is considered to live 1,5 million years ago. Azikh cave is considered to be the third settlement of man for its antiquity.
    Ancient people living in Azerbaijan during the Middle Paleolithic Age had spread out wide territories. During the Upper Paleolithic Age, primitive men had lived in caves in different districts of Azerbaijan and protected themselves from natural diseases and attacks of wild animals. Before the Christ (B.C.) since 12th millennium, a new period had began in the development of tribal community in Azerbaijan territory. Arrows and bows had been invented during the Mesolite Age. Cattle breeding and tillage fields - farming had been created during the Neolith Age. During the Early Bronze Age (from the second half of fourth millennium to the end of the third millennium B.C.) the number of Azerbaijan population had increased, and there had been created kins of united tribes. Tribes and kins living in Azerbaijan territory during the Middle Bronze Age, united in the level of great kin unions. During The Last Bronze Age and the First Iron Age, study of art and pottery took a special place in Azerbaijan. The first signs of civilized society in Azerbaijan are considered to emerge in the third millennium. State structures like Aratta, Lullubi, and Kuti had been founded in the southern area of Azerbaijan during these periods. In the beginning of first millenium B.C., the state of Manna had been established in the South Azerbaijan. People of Manna believed in natural phenomenon, the sun and the moon. In the year of 321 B.C., Midia had become an independent state. At the beginning of sixth millennium B.C., Manna had been conquered by the state of Midia. From the beginning of the 8th century B.C. kimmer, skif and sack kins made marches to ancient lands of Azerbaijan, Front Asia. At the end of the 8th century, Azerbaijan was the part of the Empires of Midia and Ahamani.
      In the 4th century B.C., the state of Atropatena in the South of Azerbaijan the majority of people of which mainly consisted of Turkish ethnos and the state of Albania in the North of Azerbaijan had been created. After creation of these states, the process of creating a single public had begun in whole Azerbaijan. In the middle of three and seventh centuries, Azerbaijan was the part of the Sasani Empire. During the power of Sasani Zoroastrianism had become a Ruling Religion. The Power of Mehranis’ dynasty had began to rule in Albania at the beginning of the seventh century. This dynasty had been created in Girdiman province of Albania. The governor of Albania Javanshir (636-681 years) had become the governer of whole Albania. In 651 Arab Caliphate put an end to Sasani state. Islam religion created in Azerbaijan. In the year of 816 Babek began to rule Khurram movement, and in August 26, 837 after the last fights for Bezz castle Khurram movement was defeated. After the slavery continued until 600 years in Azerbaijan, the local states of Shirvanshahs, Sajis, Salaris, Revvads, Shaddadis’ had been created. Since the end of nineth century predatory marches of Slavs to Caspian lateral provinces has begun. In 914 Slavic armed workers detachments were destroyed by Turkish Moslem troops.
Between the period from the middle of eleventh century and the beginning of thirteenth century Azerbaijan was the part of the Great Seljuk Empire. In the middle of eleventh century the Great Seljuk Empire that covered the territory from Central Asia to Mediterranean Sea and from crossing Derbend to the gulf of Iran had been created. The Seljuk state with the capital of which is Nishapur city had been founded in 1038. On September 18, 1048 of Seljuk-Azerbaijan Turkic armies destroyed Byzantine and united forces of Armenian and Georgian feudal lords. At the beginning of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Great Seljuk Empire became weaker and the state of Shirvanshahs stronger.
     In 1192 due to the hard earthquake in Shamakhi, the capital of the state of Shirvanshahs was transfered to Baku. In 1136, the state of Atabeks was founded in Azerbaijan. In 1160, Shamsaddin Eldaniz (Eldagiz) named himself as “Beyuk Atabek”. In 1175, Mahammad Jahan Pahlavan moved the capital of the state of Eldaniz from Nakhchivan to Hamadan.
At the beginning of thirteenth century during 1220-1222 years, The Mongolian state having powerful military forces in Central Asia made marches to neighbor countries. In 1225 Khorezm Shah Mahammad’s son Jalalladin occupied Azerbaijan and destroyed the state of Atabeks. In 1231, there was the second march to Azerbaijan by Mongols. In 1239, Mongols completed the occupation of the whole territory of Azerbaijan. In 1256, there was the third march to Azerbaijan by Mongols. During 1263-1298, conflicts between the Golden Horde and Hulagits begun on the lands of Azerbaijan. During 1297-1298, revolution had been arosen under the leadership of Tayju oglu against the population of Hulagits in the North Azerbaijan. In 1318, The Golden Horde troops invented to Azerbaijan, were defeated by Amir Choban, and had been driven from the country. In 1335, the khan of The Golden Horde, Ozbek made marches to Azerbaijan.
     In September of 1359, the lands of Azerbaijan was part of the state of Jalairis. In 1385, Tokhtamish occupied Azerbaijan. In 1386, 1392 and 1399 Amir Teymur attacked Azerbaijan.
     The Garagoyunlu state was created in 1410 of the 15th century and existed until 1468. In 80 years of the fourteeth century, the union of Aghgounlu Kin was known as a great power.
     The Mush fight between the Aghgounlus and the Garagoyunlus begun in November 11, 1467. In 1468, the Garagoyunlu state was included to the Aghgoyunlus state.
     In autumn of 1501, Ismayil entered Tebriz with triumph and named himself as Shah. The Safavis state had been founded in Azerbaijan with the capital of Tebriz. Shah Ismayil the I was in power during 1501-1524. In 1524, the son of Shah Ismayil, I Tahmasib came to the throne. In 1534, 1535, 1548 and 1554, I Sultan Suleyman made marches to Azerbaijan. The uniting of Azerbaijanian lands in the single state was completed in 1551.
      In May 29, 1555, the Amasia peace contract was concluded between Safavis and Osmans and the capital of the Safavis state was moved from Tebriz to Gezvin. In 1587, The Golden Heads proclaimed 16 years old Abbas as Shah. During 1603-1612, the first stage of the war of Safavis and Osmans was ended with the final victory of Safavis.
In 90 years of the sixteenth century, the movement of Jalalis began in the South Anadolu. At the beginning of the seventeenth century, this movement was spread out to Azerbaijan and neighbor states. The most famous of Jalali leaders came from different kins was Koroghlu.
     At the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Osmanli Empire fell into decay and revival of the Safavivs state began. At the end of the seventeenth century and at the beginning of the eighteenth century, Caspian latteral provinces were occupied by Russia. After victory over Sweden in 1721, Peter the First organized one powerful force and began a march to Astrakhan on July 18, 1722. On June 15, 1722 “Manifest” was printed in Azerbaijani language, was sent to Shirvan and Caspian latteral provinces. In September 12, 1723, Caspian latteral provinces were included to Russia by force. On the basis of the contract signed between Russia and Iran, the Russian forces completely left provinces of Caspian shore near Ganja in March 10, 1735. In March of 1736 Nadir using the possibilities of the death of Shah Abbas the Third, named himself as Shah of Iran. On June 20, 1747 because of conspiracy, Nadir was killed and his state had fallen completely.
    At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the North Azerbaijan had been occupied by Russia. In 1813, based on the Gulustan peace contract between Iran and Russia khanate of Talish, Shirvan, Guba, Baku, Ganja, Garabagh, and Sheki became the part of the Russian Empire, the single Azerbaijan was divided into two parts. In 1828 based on the Turkmenchay peace contract Czar took out Russian forces from the south lands of Azerbaijan, and the khanates of Yerevan and Nakhchivan became the part of Russia. After that, the lands of Azerbaijan had fallen into independent khanates. There were khanates of Garadagh, Maragha, Maku, Serab, Tebriz, Urmia, Khoy in the South Azerbaijan, and the khanates of Baku, Garabagh, Guba, Ganja, Javad, Derbend, Yerevan, Nakhchivan, Salyan, Talish, Shamakha, and Sheki in the North Azerbaijan.
     During 60-70 years of the nineteenth century there were bourgeois reforms in Azerbaijan. Moreover, movement of Class began in Azerbaijan in 70-80 years. At the end of 1900, the movement of social democrats expanded to Azerbaijan.
     After the Russian revolution of 1917, there were many changes in both parts of Azerbaijan. The first democratic republic - Azerbaijan People’s Republic was created in the south of the north Azerbaijan in May 28, 1918. Since May 28, 1918 until April 28, 1920, Azerbaijan People’s Republic existed on the territory of Azerbaijan. However, in 1920, Soviet Russia occupied Azerbaijan and the country became a part of Soviet Empire again. The Eleventh Russian Army came to Baku, Azerbaijan had been the part of the USSR as a republic having state attributes in December of 1922.
     Due to the fight for national freedom after long years, Azerbaijan got back its independence again in 1991. On February 5, 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR changed the name of Azerbaijan SSR and accepted a decision to rename it Azerbaijan Republic.
     The independence of the state of Azerbaijan Republic was proclaimed in October 18, 1991. After breakdown of USSR in 1991 there was held a nation-wide election and more than 95 % of electorates supported the independence of the Azerbaijan Republic. This independence was the result of 70 years fight of Azerbaijani people against Soviet occupation. Azerbaijani people became free.
     Today Azerbaijan is known as an independent state and has a spesific reputation. After getting its independence, our state became the member of the United Nations Organization, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, European Council, Organization of Islamic Conference, Commonwealth of Independent States, Turkish States Union, Organization of Economical Cooperation of Black Sea Countries, International Currency Fund, World Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Islam Development Bank and established mutual relations with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, European Union, European Parliament, NATO and other organizations. 
    Azerbaijani people gave mighty persons to world history: like Javanshir, Babek, Shamsaddin Eldeniz, Mahammad Jahan Pehlevan, Golden Arslan, Uzun Hasan, Shah Ismayil Khatai, Nadir Shah.
    Moreover, in the XX century Azerbaijani people formed a new genius person - Heydar Aliyev.
Heydar Aliyev personality took a worthy place in the ranks of such world’s rare historical personalities like Ataturk, Washington, De Goll. Being born in a simple, laborious Azerbaijani family and having passed through many barriers, difficulties, working in the system of State Safety for long years, were advancing on a level from the leadership of a giant state like the USSR Heydar Aliyev entered into Azerbaijan history like the Winner of Salvation Fight. Heydar Aliyev is the savior and unexampled fanatic of Azerbaijan people. In 1969 under the condition of regress dominated in all fields of the life in Azerbaijan SSR Heydar Aliyev was elected the first Secretary of Central Committee of Azerbaijan Communist Party. Heydar Aliyev began to implement the expended reforms program in all fields of life to change Azerbaijan into the most progressive republic of Soviet Union during totalitarian regime governing under complicated historical condition. As the result, the period of 1970-1985 was entered in the history of the Soviet Azerbaijan as a brightest building stage. This was considered as the first period of the leadership of Azerbaijan by Heydar Aliyev. Azerbaijan rose to the advanced position in all USSR in the fields of use of scientific-technical progress achievements to the production of progressive technologies. The sequent step of the historical development confirmed that Heydar Aliyev started to form today’s new independent Azerbaijan from that time.
     The second period of government of Azerbaijan by Heydar Aliyev covered 1993-2003 years. In the summer of 1990, Heydar Aliyev returned from the Kremlin to the motherland in order to save people. On demand of people, he was elected as the chairperson of Supreme Assembly in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and as a deputy of Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan Republic. This was the return of Heydar Aliyev to the power again.
     The intention of Dashnaks to create “Great Armenia” was prepared in the capital of neighbor-countries of our historical enemies and the plans to wipe Azerbaijan off the political map of the Caucasus were due to be implemented. In 1988-1994 years Nagorny Karabakh being the part of Azerbaijan (Shusha, Khankendi, Khojali, Asgeran, Khojavebd, Aghdere, Hadrud) and its surrounding regions - Lachin, Kelbejer, Aghdam, Jabrayil, Fizuli, Gubadli, Zengilan were occupied by Armenian aggressors, and today 20% of its territory is still occupied by Armenia.
      On June 1993 with Heydar Aliyev`s return to power there was a decisive change in the salvation of Azerbaijan. Wise politician eliminated the danger of civil war, and the plan of breaking Azerbaijan into pieces by foreign and local enemies were broken. Due to the state of Azerbaijan and resolution of Heydar Aliyev during attempts of October, 1994 and March, 1995 the country passed through hard experiments successfully. The president Heydar Aliyev rescued people from national moral shattering and bankrupting. Therefore, he increased the authority and reputation of independent Azerbaijan in international arena. Azerbaijan Republic got democratic, legitimate, worldwide reputation in whole world. Establishing its foreign policy on the principles of equal and mutual interests Azerbaijan Republic became an open country for all the world. Independent Azerbaijan increased its influence in the Islamic community.
     By the initiative of H.Aliyev on May 12, 1994 ceasefire was declared and a foundation for resolving of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peace way in the frame of Minsk group was created.
     In 1996 during the meeting of OSCE in Lisbon, the position of Azerbaijan was known by 53 state of the world except Armenia by the farsight and wisdom of the President Heydar Aliyev. The president Heydar Aliyev hold more than 130 meetings with the guidance of OSCE and regulators of Minsk group, with presidents of 68 countries, 485 meetings with the state heads, and 10 meetings with the head of UNO in 1992-2000 in order to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorny-Karabakh conflict. He made speech for three times on summit meetings in the United Nations.
    The worthy successor of Heydar Aliyev’s political course, in the field of social-economical reforms implemented by him, increasing the reputation of Azerbaijan in foreign policy, Ilham Aliyev was elected as a President in October 15, 2003. Today the head of Azerbaijani state Ilham Aliyev implements the intensive, principle advisable works to the justice voice of Azerbaijan to the world. Ilham Aliyev is the politician known in the world. Before getting power, the president Ilham Aliyev was a deputy, the vise-president of State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, the chairperson of Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee, the deputy chairperson of Parliament Assembly of European Council and a member of Bureau. Ilham Aliyev increased the reputation of Azerbaijan in international organizations and put seriously the problem of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan before European Council, and claimed to recognize Armenia as aggressor state and to set unconditionally free the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Ilham Aliyev explained the main problems of Azerbaijan, especially the resolving of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He presented Armenia as aggressor state in reliable organizations like European Council.
     Since the first days of his presidency, Ilham Aliyev has been trying to resolve the Karabakh problem based on peace. He follows the way of Heydar Aliyev. Eventually the Azerbaijanian people will provide its territory integrity and protect its independence. In this problem the Azerbaijan state and people is unanimous.