National Flag Square

National Flag Square (Azerbaijani: Dövlət Bayrağı Meydanı) is a large city square off Neftchiler Avenue in Bayil, Baku, Azerbaijan. A flag measuring 70 by 35 metres (230 by 115 feet) flew on a free–standing flagpole in the square, 162 m (531 ft) high. The flagpole was confirmed as the world's tallest flagpole by the Guinness Book of Records upon its inauguration in 2010, but was soon overtaken by the 165 m Dushanbe Flagpole in Tajikistan on 24 May 2011.[1][2] Both flagpoles were built by the same American affiliated company, Trident Support.[3] The flagpole in the square was the third tallest flagpole in the world.

National Flag Square
President Ilham Aliyev visiting the square in 2018
Location within Baku
Native name Dövlət Bayrağı Meydanı  (Azerbaijani)
Type Square
Maintained by Mayoralty of Baku
Area 60 hectares (150 acres)
Location Baku, Azerbaijan
Coordinates 40.3443°N 49.8449°E / 40.3443; 49.8449

National Flag Square covers 60 hectares (150 acres) overall. The area of the upper part is 3 hectares (7.4 acres). The square features the state symbols of Azerbaijan—the coat of arms and the anthem—and a map of the country.[4]

History

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation stone for National Flag Square near the naval base in Baku's Bayil settlement on 30 December 2007.[5] The project was developed by the US firm, Trident Support, and executed by Azerbaijan's Azenko company.[2] The site was formerly occupied by hundreds of houses, Human Rights Watch reported that many of the residents were forcefully evicted, and often given just several hours notice before their homes were demolished. [6]

National Flag Square was opened on 1 September 2010; president Aliyev attended the inauguration and raised the flag.[7][8] The following day the flag was ripped by strong winds and had to be taken down to be repaired. [9]

Baku Boulevard was extended to the National Flag Square in time for the opening of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.[10]

In 2017, after repeated incidents of flags being ripped by the wind, the flagpole was dismantled and removed. In February 2022 reports emerged of plans to erect a new, taller flagpole on the site. [11]

  • The national flag at the square in 2011
  • Closer view of the national flag at the square in 2011
  • President Ilham Aliyev visiting the square in 2013
  • The closed square and dismounted flagpole in 2017

See also

References
  1. Abbasov, Rafael (29 May 2010). "Tallest unsupported flagpole". Guinness World Record. Archived from the original on 19 December 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  2. "Azerbaijan: Baku welcomes the world's highest flag… and a strong wind". Globalvoicesonline. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  3. Interview with David Chambers on News.az
  4. Azerbaijani National Flag Square. Opening Ceremony.
  5. "Azerbaijani flag flies on world's tallest flagpole". news.az. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  6. ""Hər Şeyimi Əlimdən Aldılar"".
  7. "Azerbaijan celebrates National Flag Day". today.az. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  8. "Azerbaijan marks Day of National Flag for the first time". Ictimai TV. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  9. "Azerbaijan to erect – again – the world's tallest flagpole | Eurasianet".
  10. "National park to be extended until Eurovision song contest". news.az. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  11. "Azerbaijan to erect – again – the world's tallest flagpole | Eurasianet".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.