Nakhchivan Republic

The narrow strip of Armenia separates the Nakhchivan Republic from the main territory of Azerbaijan. In the south - west and in the south with the stream of Araz it borders on Iran and Turkey. The landmass of the Nakhchivan Republic is 5,500 sq. km. It has more than 3 million inhabitants, over 25 per cent of whom live in towns. The average density of the population is 37 people per 1sq. km.
The Nakhchivan Republic lies in the south - west of Azerbaijan, occupying the southern slopes of the Daralagez and the south-western slopes of the Zangezur mountains, the highest mountain chain in the Azerbaijan part of the Lesser Caucasus and the plains which stretch on the left bank of the Araz as well the highest point of the Zangezur chain is the Kaputjukh mountain (3904 m.). The chain of the volcanic domes stretches on the border with plains, and against them stand out the sub-lime Ilanlidagh mountains (2385 m.) Nakhchivan Republic is a land of mountains. Over 30% of its territory lies on the altitude of 600-1000 m, about 50% up to 2000 m. and 20% is above 2000 m. The frequent earthquakes at magnitude of eight are typical for Nakhchivan. The basic seismic center, fimed to the lines of the deep-breaks lie in the area of Ordubad, Julfa and in the northwards of Nakhchivan. The Republic is rich with its minerals. The deposits of the rock salt are exhausted in Nehram, Nakhchivan and Sustin. Nakhchivan possesses deposits of marble, lime and gypsum. There are a lot of mineral springs there such as Badamli, Sirab, Nagajir, Kiziljir where water contains arsenic.
The climate of the Nakhchivan Republic is continental with its varieties in temperature: from +43 in summer to - 30 in winter. Despite the considerable altitude above sea level, the humidity is very low in the territory. Particularly little precipitation (200 - 300 mm) fall in PreArazian Plain, where semi-desert prevails more. The lack of moisture is felt in the mountains as well. The slopes are covered with thorny thickets, and only separate parts of the Zangezur and Daralagez chains occupy the SubAlpine and Alpine meadows. In the plant life there are over 100 forms of medicinal, ether-oil, rubber-bearing, honey-bearing plants. The most widespread plants among them are thornapple, almond, black belena, yellow dannic, barberry, conifer, willow, mordovnic, worm wood The forests of the eastern oak, nuts, pistachio with a mixture of maple, ash, and wild pear occupy about 3000 hectares in all. They are found in a state of small groves in upper waters on the altitude of 1700-1800m. Bichenek Grove is the largest woodland area which occupies over 90% of all the forests in Nakhchivan Republic.
Besides Araz there are about 40 small rivers: Ordubadchay, Gilanchay, Alinjachay, Nakhchivanchay and Eastern Arpachay and these rivers are nourished by rain and slush waters.
The rotation of a long drought period with falling of the intensive rainfalls leads to the destructive floods. The rivers of the Nakhchivan Republic possess about 20% of floods in all. The river-flows in the territory of the Nakhchivan Republic are very uneven. Only the territory lying to the eastern part of Gilanchay possesses sufficient water, whereas the PriAraz plain is almost arid. Not far from the mineral springs there are a lot of small lakes lying in the area of the picturesque Alpine meadow. Among them on the altitude of 2424m. beautiful Ganligol and Batabat stand out against Bichanak pass.
The tombs of Khanagakh, Shikhbabali, the fortress Alinja, the ruins of the town Gilan, the coins with engraving "Nakhch" are evidences of ancient history of Nakhchivan. It is known that in the 4th century B.C. Alexander the Great marched to Nakhchivan and committed to the flames all the country. Then according to the peace treaty between Persia and Byzantine, Nakhchivan passed into the hands of Persia, in the 7th century - of Arabs, in the 9th century Nakhchivan was ruined by seljuks, and in the 12th century - by the Mongols. But despite the foreign invasions the people of Nakhchivan resisted their ouster and in the Middle of 18th century Nakhchivan Khanate was formed.
As a result of Russian-Persian war in 1804-1813 the Russian army occupied the territory of a number of Khanates including Nakhchivan, though according to the treaty signed in 1813, it continued to be a part of Iran. In 1828 according to the Gulistan treaty Nakhchivan Khanate passed into the domain of Russia.
The economy of Nakhchivan is specialized on multibranches of agriculture, mining and food industry. The plant-growing is of great importance. Nearly 70% of Nakhchivan lands are rocky slopes, deserts, therefore the area of the arable lands are limited here. The main cultivations like cotton and tobacco are cultivated in the PriAraz plain, in environs of Sharur and Nakhchivan. On 3/4 of grain crops, especially winter wheat is concentrated on irrigated lands of the Sharur plain and in the Nakhchivanchay basin. The vine-growing in Nakhchivan is one of the old branches of farming of Araz valley and foothills. Very hot summers and long warm autumn make it possible to grow here such highly saccharine sorts as bayan-shiraz, tebrizi, shirazi, in orchards they cultivate quince, alcha, pear, peach, apricot, fig, almonds, pomegranate. The stock-breeding is another traditional branch of Nakhchivan farming. Because of dry climate pastures of Nakhchivan are unproductive, therefore sheep-breeding prevails over other stock-breeding. Winter pastures stretch on the PriAraz plain, on the foothills and mountainsides to the altitude of 1200 m. But the summer pastures stretch on the high-mountain area (2300-3200 m.). The most widespread sheep-breed is balbas. The sheep of this breed are distinguished with their productivity and snow-white silky wool which is widely used in carpet manufacture. Horned and small cattle are bred everywhere, especially in environs of Sharur and Nakhchivan. The buffaloes are also bred here.
Mining, salt, radio-engineering, farm ginning, preserving, silk-veiling, meat and dairy bottling of mineral waters, clothing, furniture are the principal branches of Nakhchivan's industry. Such wines as "Nakhchivan" "Shahbuz", "Abrakunis", "Aznaburk" are of high quality and very popular.
Nakhchivan is the capital of Nakhchivan Republic, is one of the largest and ancient towns of Azerbaijan. It is spread over the foothills of Zangezur chain, on the right bank of the Nakhchivanchay on the altitude of nearly 1000 m. above the sea level. Some historians of the Near East consider that the foundation of the capital-city belongs to 1539 before the beginning of the Christian chronology. The Ancient Greek and Roman called it Nacksuana.
During the centuries old history of Nakhchivan was destroyed by invaders more than once, but each time was restored again. In the middle of the century Nakhchivan became one of the largest trading and craft centers in the Near East. In the 10th century it was the capital of Atabeck Eldegiz state.
To 1828, till the conclusion of a peace treaty between Russia and Iran, Nakhchivan was the center of the Nakhchivan Khanlig. Then it was a town of Russian Empire and in February 1924 it became the capital of the Nakhchivan Republic. From the beginning of the ancient times, Nakhchivan was one of the largest cultural centers of Azerbaijan. The well-known scientists and poets such as Amirraddin Masud, Mahammad Nakhchivani, Ibrahim Ordubadi, Nejmedin Ahmed, Mammad Said Ordubadi were born in Nakhchivan. Ajemi Abubakr-oglu Nakhchivani, the most distinguished architect of the Near East lived in Nakhchivan, too. The distinguished architect created magnificent mausoleum of Momina-khatun, which is one of the most valuable architectural monuments of the 12th century. In Nakhchivan was founded a perfect school of architecture, which exercised influence on development of Azerbaijan architecture in the 12th-14th centuries. Nakhchivan is an important center of the transit trade between Russia and Iran.
Today the capital city is a large industrial center. There are plants of butter, cheese, wine, brick and asphalt-concrete, tannery, marble quarries, factories of marble products, furniture and clothing.
To the west from the city there are the richest deposits of rock - salat. These deposits are of great importance not only as food - product, but also raw materials for chemical industry. Ordubad is the second important town of the Nakhchivan Republic. It lies on Ordubardchay, on the foothills of the Zangezur chain, on the altitude of 850 m. above the sea level. The architectural monuments of the 17th and 18th centuries. were preserved in Ordubad: Juma-mosque built from rubble stone faced with brick divided into a number of sections inside with arch inches on the facade; two story madrasa; Dilbar-mosque (18th century). Ordubad is a motherland of a prominent figure, prose-writer Mammad Said Ordubadi and distinguished scientist in the field of oil-chemistry Academician Yusif Mamedaliyev. The town is famous for its rich orchards. Ordubad peaches, apricots, pears, grapes are popular for their juiciness and saccharine. Ordubad is the oldest center of the silkworm breeding; there is a big silkworm breeding manufacture.
Julfa, another important town of the Nakhchivan Republic, lies on the bank of the Araz river in the south-eastern part of the country, bounded by Iran. It was situated on the caravan way to Georgia, Shirvan, Daghistan, Iran and became a large commercial and cultural center. In the 17th-19th centuries. for exporting silk goods it competed with Shemakha. The first railway in the territory of Nakhchivan "Armenia-Nakhchivan-Julfa" was built in 1906. In 1924 there was built another railway to the stations Mingevan and Julfa, which locked the main line Baku-Armenia. Today Julfa is a large transport and commercial center. The railway bridge and high way connect the town with Iran. To the northeast from Julfa, on the south slopes of Daridag, not far from the arsenic deposit there are situated Daridag spring, which contain arsenic, iodine and different mineral salts, yielding about 500,000 liters water a day. There are over 40 springs here, throwing water up to 15 m. In 60 km. to the north of Nakhchivan, on the altitude of 1200 m, on the bank of the Nakhchivanchay there is a village of Shahbuz. It cultivates wheat, grapes and has butter-cheese making and alcoholic plants. There is a deposit of sulphur in the north-eastern part from Shahbuz, on the bank of the Nakhchivanchay river. Not far from Shahbuz at the eastern slopes of Daragez chain, on the altitude of 1400 m on the picturesque site there is situated a health resort "Badamli". The climate of the health - resort is distinguished for its dry and hot summer and moderately mild winter, There is a big bottling plant on the spring base of the medical - mineral water.

Historical Outline

Azerbaijan is one of the oldest spots of civilization, a country with a rich and ancient history. A rich cultural heritage has been created on its territory over the span of many millenniums, contributing to the treasure-house of World culture.
The discovery of Azykh cave, the earliest habitation of man to be found in the world, and a number of habitations of the ancient stone age prove that Azerbaijan enters the zone of anthropoids to reveal the birthplace of mankind. The main traces of civilization are viewed in Azerbaijan. In the 3rd millennium B.C. the process of tribe formation was going on here and by the 1st millennium B.C. the first political formations had emerged. Azerbaijan State system was being formed in the 9th century B.C.: Manna state with high economic and cultural level had emerged. The pantheons of divinities were created. Manna believed in natural phenomena; the Sun, the Moon.
In the first part of the 6th century B.C. Manna was conquered by Media. The official religion w as Zoroastrism, the spread of wich was connected with selfkindled resources of oil and gas.
A great part was played by the Atropatena and Caucasian Albania in the process of the formation of separate state structure on the territory of Azerbaijan in antiquity. The name of the country is connected with the name of the Atropatena ruler - Atropat which was later transformed into Aze rbaijan. It is in Atropatena that the process of formati on of Azerbaijan nationality began.
In the 3rd-5th centuries the Azerbaijan state system was strengthening. Christianity was penetrating into Azerbaijan. In Transcaucasus one of the first apostolic Christian churches appeared spiritual and secular life was progressing. At the beginning of the 5th century the Albanic alphabet was introduced and promoted the development of education. The unique monuments of culture and literature, architectural traditions of that period have been preserved to the present.
Azerbaijan was conquered by Arabs at the beginning of the 8th century and made part of the Arab Khalifat as the vilayet Arran. Islam became the leading religion in Azerbaijan, creating new traditions and culture. Azerbaijanis, like all other nations that accepted Islam, were called "Moslems" and participated in the development of Moslem culture. Azerbaijan enriched the world culture, gave the world a brilliant gallery of scientists, poets and architects.
In the medieval centuries there was a succession of states: Gara-goyunly, Ag-gounly, Sefevids states were in power in a successive way.
A rivalry between states to involve Azerbaijan into the sphere of their interests resulted in striking inner destabilization in 18th century A number of independent state formations - Khanates appeared. The contradictions between Russia, Turkey and Iran deepened in the 18th-19th century. Wars were waged over Azerbaijan. The Turkmanchay Treaty of 1828 between Russia and Iran separated Azerbaijan and its people: the northern part of Azerbaijan was conquered by Russia, its southern part became a part of the Iranian state. The 20th century entered the history of the Azerbaijan people as the period of radical changes in socio-economic, political and cultural life. A range of upstream and downstream industrial branches were intensively developing in Azerbaijan. Baku turned into the world center of oil extraction and refinery yielding more than half of the world's and 95% of Russia's oil extraction totals.
The cultural life enlivened. Various branches of science were developing, newspapers and magazines started to be published. Formation of political societies, organizations and parties for dissemination of progressive, democratic ideas contributed to the process of becoming and developing a national identity and fueled the growth of the liberation movement of the people.
February, 1917: The fall of the tsarist monarchy in Russia created favorable conditions for the development of national movements in its border lands.
May 28, 1918: Azerbaijan rehabilitated its state structure - the Independent Azerbaijan Republic was established. Having existed for 23 months, it collapsed. T roops of the 11th Red Army came to Baku. In December, 1922 Azerbaijan became a part of the USSR and a socialist republic was formed with the attributes of state - Constitution, flag, national anthem, state emblem.
When the Transcaucasus was incorpo rated into the Soviet Empire in 1920-21, the borders between the republics of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia were not determined immediately. Drawing the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan, notably the question of the status of the regions of Nagorno-Karabakh and Nakhichevan caused modt of the delay. The political struggle for Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan characterized this period within the Soviet Union, Which took the soviet leadership three years to settle. Initiallyb the pendulum seemed to swing in favor of Armenia, As the revolutionary committee of soviet Azerbaijan in December 1920 (under Soviet pressure) issued a statement that Karabakh, Zangezur and Nakhichevan were all transferred to armenian control. Stalin (then commissar for nationalities) made the decision public on December 2, but the Azerbaijani leader Narimanov later denied the transfer.Four months later, the pendulum swung back.On March 16th 1921, a treaty between Turkey and the soviet Union determined that both regions were to be under the authority of the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic(Zangezur was left within Armenia). In 1924, Nakhichevan obtained the status of an autonomous republic(the NASSR) whereas Nagorno-Karabakh had been granted the status of an Autonomous Oblast only(the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast). It seems as if this development was a concession on the part of Stalin to the newly founded Turkish republic; the Bolsheviks were initially positively inclined to Kemal Atatürk, whom at the time they saw as a potential ally. Both movements had certain common points; both were revolts against the ancién regime of their respective countries, and were involved in wars with the western powers, notably Britain.
In 1991 state independence of Azerbaijan was restored, the Constitutional Act of State Independence was adopted. The Constitution of independent Azerbaijan Republic was adopted on November 12, 1995. This event marked a new stage in the history of Azerbaijan people - the epoch of democracy and progress.

History of Nakhichevan

The city of Nakhichevan was mentioned firstly in Ptolemaios's "Geography" as Naksuana and said to be established in 4400 A.D.When we translate Naksuana from old greek language it means the land of sweet water.Being involved in empires, sultanate, and khanate the name of Nakhichevan was altered many times.Some of these names are: Nakshi jahan (the of the world), Nuh chikhan(the place where Noah landed), Nesheva and etc.Throughout history Nakhichevan land brought up famous persons such as Hindushah ibn Naxchivani, Abdurrakhman en Neshevi, Ekmouluddin Naxchivani, Ecemi Naxcivani, General Ehsan, Kelbali, Huseyinqulu khan Naxchivanskie's.

This wonderfully atmospheric semi-desert region is separated from the main portion of Azerbaijan by Armenia. Facilities are very basic and heating fuel is hard to find in the winter, but the arid mountains bordering Armenia and Iran are magnificent. As an autonomous republic within Azerbaijan, Naxcivan has its own parliament (President Aliyev is the former parliamentary speaker) and tourists need special permission to visit. The main city, also called Naxcivan, was an ancient trading center. According to Armenian legend, the city was founded by Noah.

Azeri-US exploration of Caspian Nakhichevan oil field.

Feb. 13, 1998 Azeri and US companies have begun a seismic probe in the Caspian shelf 80 km south of Baku, an initial stage of an agreement on exploring oil reserves and subsequent development of a promising Nakhichevan field. The agreement between Azerbaijan's State Oil Company and Exxon was signed on August 1, 1997, during Azeri President Geidar Aliyev's visit to the US. It was ratified by the Azeri parliament on November 14. Each partner has a 50 % stake in the $ 2.5 billion project. The seismic probe in the Nakhichevan field whose area is 280 sq km, is being conducted by the joint venture Caspian Geophysical. The research which normally proceeds exploratory drilling will last some 4 months. On the whole, exploration of Nakhichevan will take 4 years. Survey teams will make a 3-D seismological survey of the area under contract and drill at least 2 exploratory wells to confirm the estimated oil reserves, so far put at 100 million tonnes. Azeri geologists found the Nakhichevan depositin 1960. The depth of the Caspian Sea in the area ranges between 400 and 600 meters. Productive oil strata are found at an average depth of 5,000 meters.