Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic - exclave of Azerbaijan

According to the Constitution, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic is considered an independent state within Azerbaijan, from its main territory it is separated by the occupied territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and the territory of Armenia.

Ancient history of the region

People have been living in Transcaucasia for a long time, which means that Nakhchivan has a rich history. The first mention of this region appears in Ptolemy's story about the city of Naxuan, known today as Nakhchivan and the capital of the autonomous republic.

For many generations, the life of the region has been inextricably linked to the biblical story of Noah and his ark.

The German philological tradition raises the name of the city to the ancient Armenian prefix "nah" and the word "Ijevan", which translates as "landing site". For many centuries, local residents showed travelers the remains of Noah's Ark. And although the existence of the ark does not find material evidence, the antiquity of the city is considered proven. According to archaeological data and on the basis of philological sources, it can be assumed that the history of the city of Nakhichevan totals about three and a half millennia.

The territory on which the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic is located was under the rule of many states, including Urartu, the Empire of Alexander the Great and the Achaemenid state. Also on this territory there were several Armenian states, such as the country of Tigran the Great and the Ani kingdom. Even the Mongols came to these places and left behind incredible destruction, documented by Europeans, among whom was the papal ambassador Rubruk, a Franciscan monk, who, at the insistence of King Louis X, visited the Mongol empire.

Azerbaijan: The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic

When Nakhichevan and the surrounding lands came under the control of the Russian Empire, active migration of Armenian families began in the region, which, they thought, returned to their historical homeland after their forcible transfer to the central part of Persia on the initiative of Shah Abbas, who conquered the country in the XVIII century.

For the first time, Griboyedov, who visited Nakhchivan on the road to Persia, became aware of the growing tension. Since then, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, whose population today consists of Azerbaijanis, has experienced many difficult years of conflict on religious and ethnic grounds.

Current state of affairs

The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, whose national composition has been changing for several centuries, came to the end of the twentieth century with disappointing results. Ethnic diversity has always been a distinctive feature of these regions, but as a result of the numerous conflicts that shook the region with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the composition of the population has changed beyond recognition and representatives of almost all nationalities living in the republic left it. By 2009, more than 99% of the population were Azerbaijanis and 0.3% Kurds, who traditionally lived in Transcaucasia.

The Azerbaijani authorities are trying in every way to erase the memory of the Armenian presence in this republic, not stopping even before the physical destruction of architectural monuments of Armenian culture. One of the most striking examples is the destruction of the Armenian cemetery in Julfa, which was destroyed, despite protests from the world community and UNESCO.

Administrative division and self-government

The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic is part of Azerbaijan as a self-governing territory, the status of which is determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

From the point of view of administration, the autonomous republic consists of seven districts and one city, the capital of Nakhchivan. In addition to historical, the autonomy of the republic finds grounds also in geographical isolation.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic became the arena of the struggle between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1992, when Armenian forces shelled the Azerbaijani military. The situation was so acute that Turkey had to open artillery fire on Armenian troops to prevent Nakhichevan from being taken by the Armenian army, while Iran began military exercises at the border with the Nakhichevan republic to warn Armenia of the unwillingness of a new offensive.

The region was deterred by a large war by Russian peacekeepers and Heydar Aliyev's desire to strengthen his political power through the conclusion of peace with Armenia.

Economic problems and development prospects

Due to numerous ethnic conflicts, the Transcaucasian region is practically impassable through the territory, divided by closed borders. This state of affairs can not but affect the economic life of countries. The Nakhichevan republic is experiencing a protracted economic crisis caused by the energy and economic blockade from Armenia, which, in turn, is blocked by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

The situation, however, is mitigated by the fact that Iran, which is rightfully considered one of the most powerful states in the region, occupies a neutral position in numerous disputes. This allows him to render economic and humanitarian assistance to both Armenia and the Nakhichevan republic.

The Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic managed to maintain its autonomy through active shuttle trade with neighboring Turkey.