The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

As part of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Nakhichevan Republic is located in South Asia, west of Azerbaijan proper and separated from this main territory by the narrow strip of Armenia. The landmass of Nakhichevan is 5,500 square kilometers, occupying the southern slopes of the Darlagez range and the southwestern slopes of the Zangezur Mountains. The Araz river valley extends between these two ranges. Almost 75 percent of the territory is located at an elevation of 1,000 meters. Gapydjik, located in the Zangezur range, is the highest peak in the region at 3,904 meters. The region is also known for its volcanic domes and its frequent, severe earthquakes.

The republic is rich in mineral deposits including marble, gypsum, lime, and sulfur. There are abundant mineral springs including Badamli, Sirab, Nagajir, and Kiziljir.

Nakhichevan's climate is continental, its temperature ranging from 26 degrees Celsius in summer months to -6 degrees Celsius in winter. The pre-Arazian plains region can be described as semiarid. The higher elevations of the mountainous areas are characterized as tundra, typically cold and dry. Precipitation is considerably light throughout the region, with 200 to 300 millimeters annually recorded in the plains region. Periodic flash flooding occurs due to topography and sparse vegetation. Aside from the Araz, there are about forty smaller rivers in the country fed by rain and the mountain runoff of melting snows.

According to legend, Noah's ark is said to have first touched land along the submerged peaks of the Zangezur Mountains before reaching Mount Ararat. The Republic's name is derived from this legend, as "Nakhichevan" is a corruption of Nukkhtchikhan, the colony of Noah. Like the surrounding region, Nakhichevan sits at a strategic crossroads and has been subject to military intervention throughout much of its history. In the mid-eighteenth century, after successive battles for supremacy between Iran and Russia, Nakhichevan came under Russian control, in accordance with the treaty of Turkmanchai in 1828. In 1924 Josef Stalin designated Nakhichevan an autonomous republic, a status it maintains today within Azerbaijan.

The economy, based on agriculture, food processing, and mining, has suffered substantially since 1988 with loss of markets and imports due to the Karabakh conflict. While trade corridors are being restored to neighboring Iran and Turkey, economic recovery is slow. Since 2000 almost three-quarters of the state budget has been provided by the central government in Baku.

Notable Nakhchivians:

Political leaders

Heydar Aliyev, former President of Azerbaijan (1993–2003) and father of the current President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev (2003–present).
Abulfaz Elchibey, former President of Azerbaijan (1992–1993)
Rasul Guliyev, former speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan (1993–1996) and opposition leader
Christapor Mikaelian, founding member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Stepan Sapah-Gulian, leader of the Armenian Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (19th-20th century)
Jafar Kuli Khan Nakhchivanski, the founder of the short-lived Republic of Aras
Ibrahim Abilov, first and only ambassador of Azerbaijan SSR to Turkey
Garegin Nzhdeh, famous Armenian revolutionary, military leader and political thinker

Religious leaders

Alexander Jughaetsi (Alexander I of Jugha), Catholicos of All Armenians (1706–1714)
Hakob Jughaetsi (Jacob IV of Jugha), Armenian Catholicos (1655–1680)
Azaria I Jughaetsi, Armenian Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia (1584–1601)

Military leaders

Abdurahman Fatalibeyli, Soviet army major who defected to the German forces during World War II
Ehsan Khan Nakhchivanski, Russian military general
Huseyn Khan Nakhchivanski, Russian cavalry general and the only Muslim to serve as General-Adjutant of the Russian Tsar
Ismail Khan Nakhchivanski, Russian military general
Kelbali Khan Nakhchivanski, Russian military general
Jamshid Khan Nakhchivanski, Soviet and Azerbaijani military general

Writers and poets

M.S. Gulubekov, writer
Huseyn Javid, poet
Jalil Mammadguluzadeh, writer and satirist
Ekmouladdin Nakhchivani, medieval literary figure
Hindushah Nakhchivani, medieval literary figure
Abdurrakhman en-Neshevi, medieval literary figure
Mammed Said Ordubadi, writer
Heyran Khanum, late medieval poet
Elşen Hudiyev, contemporary poet and writer
Mammad Araz, poet

Others

Vladimir Makogonov, chess International Master and Grandmaster
Ajami Nakhchivani, architect and founder of the Nakhchivan school of architecture
Gaik Ovakimian, Soviet Armenian spy
Rza Tahmasib, Azerbaijani film director

A draft law on the approval of amendments to the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was tabled at today’s meeting of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (parliament).


Ali Huseynli, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on legal policy and state building gave information about the draft law, APA reports.


The results of the referendum recently held in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic were approved during the repeated voting.

That's you all right up to speed with your wonderful Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic news, I'm off to the beach to to walk the fenton and bung some stones at the sea. Have a wonderful day and don't tread on any lego. Peace and Love.

Posted By: Tombs, Apr 27, 12:39:20