The document provides an overview of the city of Baku, Azerbaijan. It describes Baku as a city with contradictions, mixing both ultra-modern architecture and centuries-old historical sites. While Baku has a history of boom and bust cycles due to its oil wealth, it is currently experiencing a period of stability and prosperity through investments in infrastructure and efforts to host international sporting events. However, challenges remain, as critics point to Azerbaijan's authoritarian government and unresolved ethnic conflicts in the region.