Hitting the international radar as one of the world’s most ambitious and exuberant cities, Baku is the capital of the small, oil-rich country of Azerbaijan—located on the Caspian Sea, just north of the Middle East and bordering both Europe and Asia. Baku’s depth of history comes to life in the 12th-century Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But today this cosmopolitan city of 2 million feels dynamic and youthful. Half the population is under 30, which may account for Baku’s frequent listing as one of the world’s hottest spots for nightlife. The waterfront promenade thrives with European designer shopping, as Baku becomes a pivotal centre for the international oil industry.