Are Turks and Azerbaijanis the same people?

No, Turks and Azerbaijanis are not the same people. While both groups share some cultural and linguistic similarities, they are distinct ethnic groups.

The Turks are an ethnic group native to Central Asia, primarily inhabiting modern-day Turkey, parts of the Caucasus, and Central Asia. They are the largest ethnic group in Turkey, making up over half of the population. The Turks are predominantly Sunni Muslims and speak Turkish, a Turkic language.

The Azerbaijanis are an ethnic group native to the Caucasus region, primarily inhabiting modern-day Azerbaijan and parts of Iran. They are the largest ethnic group in Azerbaijan, making up over 90% of the population. The Azerbaijanis are predominantly Shia Muslims and speak Azerbaijani, a Turkic language.

The Turks and Azerbaijanis share some cultural similarities, such as their Turkic language and Islamic faith. However, there are also significant differences between the two groups. The Turks are largely Sunni Muslims, while the Azerbaijanis are largely Shia Muslims. Additionally, the Turks are mainly concentrated in Turkey and Central Asia, while the Azerbaijanis are mainly concentrated in Azerbaijan and Iran. Furthermore, the two groups have distinct histories and traditions.

Overall, Turks and Azerbaijanis are distinct ethnic groups, even though they share some cultural and linguistic similarities.