AFP photographer Giuseppe Cacace visited the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, this month to record some of the developments that are changing the face of the city, which is experiencing an often controversial construction boom fueled by an oil-rich economy. The places he visited included the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, the Government House, the so-called Flame Towers, and an "Olympic village," which will house athletes for the inaugural European Games in 2015. (12 PHOTOS)
Baku's Changing Face
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The Government House in central Baku
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Fountains outside Baku's Government House
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A panoramic view of Baku with the Flame Towers in the center of the picture
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Baku at night
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The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center
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A visitor walks inside the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center.
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The $175 million center houses a library, museum, concert halls, and a large shopping complex.
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The Flame Towers (left) and the mosque in Baku's Dagustu Park
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A panoramic daytime view of Baku and the Flame Towers
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The "Olympic village" in Baku, which will host the first European Games, a multisport event, in June 2015.
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Some of the other buildings in the "Olympic village"
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Some sumptuous accommodation has been prepared for participants in the European Games.