Nakhchivan: A Proud Land of Azerbaijan, Unique Destination of Ancient Civilizations
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On February 9, Azerbaijanis celebrates 98th anniversary of establishment of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.
Autonomous status of the region has been determined with the Treaties of Moscow (March 16, 1921) and Kars (October 13, 1921). Last year also marked 100th anniversary of Kars Treaty. In this regard, Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Mr. Vasif Talibov signed an order on marking the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Kars on February 8. The treaties made possible the reintegration and reunification of Nakhchivan with Azerbaijan: Nakhchivan remained as an autonomous region under the administrative jurisdiction of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Herewith the treaties guaranteed the autonomy of Nakhchivan province under the patronage of the Government of Azerbaijan, and officially on February 09, 1924 Nakhchivan turned to be an Autonomous Republic.
The Treaty of Kars played a vital role in protecting the region from the Armenian aggression during very complicated political situation and in the preserving this ancient land as an integral part of Azerbaijan, finalizing the autonomy status of Nakhchivan beside Karabakh. The Armenians has never given up their claims on Nakhchivan which has no connection to the mainland of Azerbaijan. Nakhchivan was deliberately separated from the mainland of Azerbaijan due to political and strategic reasons of Kremlin and territorial claims of Armenia when a small strip of land was transferred to Armenia by Stalin. It shares borders with Armenia, Turkey and Iran.
The path to Azerbaijan’s independence began in Nakhchivan in the early 1990s. Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is indebted to Heydar Aliyev, national leader of the Azerbaijani people during those hard times. On September 3, 1991 in the extraordinary session of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Heydar Aliyev took the responsibility to be Chairman of the Supreme Assembly. It’s worth to mention that on the initiative of Heydar Aliyev, the national state symbols of Azerbaijan were first time accepted in Nakhchivan, the “Soviet Socialist” phrase was extracted from the name of the Autonomous Republic, the work of local agencies of the communist party was ceased, the referendum for the continuation of USSR was refused, and the decision was taken to name the Supreme Soviet as the Supreme Assembly of the Autonomous Republic. Furthermore, Soviet troops were taken out from the region, Azerbaijan’s 3-colour flag was raised in border points while Azerbaijan was still a part of USSR.
Over the years, Nakhchivan has passed a complicated and difficult way of development. The Armenians using the political situation during the last years of the Soviet Union resumed their activities to realize their occupation plans. Hence, the Republic of Azerbaijan again confronted with the Armenian terrorism and the armed attacks were launched onto Karabakh and Nakhchivan. In the wake of aggressive policy pursued by Armenia, the existing railway line and motor-way joining Nakhchivan with the other regions of Azerbaijan were closed, and Nakhchivan being isolated was constrained to subsist under the blockade conditions.
As a result, Nakhchivan’s blockaded residents developed an unwavering sense of self-sufficiency born from necessity. Today Nakhchivan AR economically has become one of the most developed regions of Azerbaijan. Over the recent years, significant steps have been taken in the development of Nakhchivan, strengthening its status of autonomy and improving the welfare of its population.
With its ancient history, rich culture and centuries-old national heritage, Nakhchivan is one of the cradles of human civilization and a popular trade, art, science and cultural center of the East: the written sources, the archaeological materials discovered in the area of Nakhchivan, the famous Gamigaya petrography and other monuments in the territory once again prove that the age of Nakhichevan is around 5 thousand years.
Being involved in empires, sultanate, and khanate the name of Nakhchivan was altered many times. Some of these names are: Nakshi jahan (“The Beauty of the World”), Nuh chikhan (the place where Prophet Noah landed), and etc. The word Nakhchivan was differently presented in early sources: Naksuana in Greek, Nakhch in Pehlevi, Nakhchuan in Arabic. Despite of so many ideas were put forward by different researchers about the name of Nakhchivan the name of area is closely associated with Prophet Noah and Legend of World Flooding. Prophet Noah’s grave is also found in Nakhchivan city and a Complex is restored to this honor.
The Tourism potential of Nakhchivan is very high offering cultural heritage, historical, botanical, bird watching, ecological, health, and resort etc opportunities to many local and International travelers throughout the year.
Nakhchivan offers rich architectural heritage to the world as the Mausoleum of Momine Khatun (12th century), the tomb of Yusuf Kuseyir (13th century), Garabaglar mausoleum with 2 minarets (13th century), Alinja Khanegah (12-13th centuries), Asabu Kahf (as stated in Holy Koran), Aza Bridge (16th century), Gulustan Tomb (13th century), Imamzade Complex (16th century), Alinja castle, the ruins of the city of Gilan etc.
Nakhchivan is also famous for religious holy places and sanctuaries such as Ashabi-Kahf, which was mentioned Islam’s holy book, the Qur’an.
Nakhchivan is unique destination for health tourism as well. Being one of the symbols of Nakhchivan and having natural reserves of salt, numbering 90 million tons, Duzdag (Salt Mountain) is unique in the world specialized in treatment of asthma and bronchial system illnesses.
The Autonomous Republic has always drawn attention with its climate and natural resources. The climate is strongly dry and continental. Temperature varies from +43C in summer to -30C in winter.
The Autonomous Republic features rich deposits of arsenic, copper, gold, sulphur, polymetal, travertine, dolomite, rock salt, marbled limestone, plaster stone and unique mineral waters – Sirab, Badamli, Vaikhir, Nagadzhir and Gizildzhir.
Today this ancient land of Azerbaijan has entered a new stage of development. Nakhchivan’s strategic significance increases in terms of opening communication corridors and transportation routes in the region aftermath of II Karabakh War. The establishment of Zangezur corridor linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave, according to the recent trilateral agreement signed by Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation and Armenia on November 10, 2020, has the potential to propel not only economic but also positive political developments in the region.
From the perspective of Eurasian connectivity, the Zangezur corridor could become part of both north-south and east-west transport corridors that get through the South Caucasus. Zangezur corridor will contribute to the development and prosperity of the entire region, including of Armenia.
