‘‘Google Maps’’ presents ripped flag of Azerbaijan to world
The world search engine 'Google' had prepared an unpleasant surprise to spring on Azerbaijan once more. The state symbol of the National Flag Square in Baku is featured torn in 'Google Maps' 3D-model, reports APA Azerbaijani news agency.
'The Winter Boulevard,' the luxurious opening of which took place in downtown Baku on May 10th, was named 'Zone of illegal demolition’ in 'Google Maps.' Similarly, screenshots of 'Google Maps,’ which were spread all over the Internet last year, pictured streets of Baku named in Armenian. For instance, the Neftyanikov Avenue was renamed 'Free Artsakh,' other streets were renamed 'Freedom to Nagorno Karabakh' and 'Recognize the Armenian Genocide.'
The inauguration of the National Flag Square, where the flag of Azerbaijan was raised, took place in Baku on September 1, 2010. The flagpole of the mentioned Square used to be the highest one in the world during the time period starting from its construction till May of 2011, when another 165-meters high flagpole was set in Dushanbe. On September 3, 2010, only two days after the setting, the flag was replaced, as it was torn by a storm. The incident was repeated in April 2011, the flag of Azerbaijan was ripped off.
The foundation stone of the National Flag Square of Baku was laid on December 30, 2007. The project was prepared by the American company 'Trient Support' and implemented by Azerbaijani company 'Azenko.' A day after the inauguration of the square on September 1, 2010 the 350kg-weighing flag, which was ripped by a strong wind, was taken down. The same incident was recorded twice.
Furthermore, at night of February 2, 2011 the flagpole started to swing because of a wind, and the flag was taken down for awhile. Moreover, the residents of the nearby 9-storeyed building were evacuated because of the danger of a falling flagpole, weighing 220 ton. The flag was taken down again on April 9, 2011. According to one of the explanations, the flag was ripped again by the wind, another one suggests that the problem was in the material the flag was made of.
$ 35 million from the state budget of Azerbaijan was spent over the construction of the National Flag Square.