Askeran
Encyclopedia
Askeran is one of the eight provinces of the unrecognised Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR), coterminous with the Azerbaijan
i rayon of Khojali. It is in the center of the NKR, surrounding its capital city of Stepanakert
.
of Azerbaijan on the east. Hadrut
and Shushi
in the south, Martuni
in the south east and Kashatagh on the west. Stepanakert, the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, is located in the south-west of the province.
the left side of the Askeran province was part of Principality of Khachen and the right side Varanda
the center of which was Avetaranots, located in the south of the region.
Following the formation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast
a rayon was formed, center of which was the capital Stepanakert. In 1978, Askeran became the center of the rayon, and the rayon was renamed to Askeran. Total of 52 settlements were registered in 1979.
As the Karabakh conflict started, the Azerbaijani government began to implement a plan to create a new district center. From 1988 to 1990 the population of the village Khojaly
was increased from 2135 to 6000 residents, which mostly consisted of immigrants from Central Asia (more than 2000 Meskhetian Turks) and Armenia (about 2000). In April 1990, Khojaly received a city status, becoming a regional center. Newly created Khojaly district included Askeran District and part of Martuni.
Currently part of the Agdam rayon of Azerbaijan that is controlled by the NKR is included in the Askeran province. Also located here are the ruins of Tigranakert (Artsakh)
.
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic , or Artsakh Republic is a de facto independent republic located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia...
(NKR), coterminous with the Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
i rayon of Khojali. It is in the center of the NKR, surrounding its capital city of Stepanakert
Stepanakert
Stepanakert is the largest city and capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a de facto independent republic, though is internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan...
.
Geography
Askeran adjoins the Mardakert on the north, AgdamAgdam (rayon)
Agdam is a rayon in southwestern Azerbaijan. Its capital is the city of Agdam, which is currently a ghost town. It is a disputed region, with the western half controlled by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic....
of Azerbaijan on the east. Hadrut
Hadrut
Hadrut is a province of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It forms the southern border of Nagorno-Karabakh, and one of the most mountainous parts. Villages are primarily found along two river valleys and scattered in lower elevations on the very southern fringe...
and Shushi
Shushi (province)
Shushi is an administrative region of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.- Sites of interest :* Shushi, its largest town.* "The rock" of Shushi, below which is the village of Karin Tak...
in the south, Martuni
Martuni
Martuni is a province of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It consists of the branch of Nagorno-Karabakh which juts out farthest to the east, almost reaches Stepanakert on the west, and goes a little past Karmir Shuka on the south...
in the south east and Kashatagh on the west. Stepanakert, the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, is located in the south-west of the province.
History
During the middle agesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
the left side of the Askeran province was part of Principality of Khachen and the right side Varanda
Varanda
Varanda may refer to:* Fizuli Rayon, Azerbaijan* Qaradağlı, Khojavend, Azerbaijan...
the center of which was Avetaranots, located in the south of the region.
Following the formation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast
Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast
The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast was an autonomous oblast within the borders of the Azerbaijan SSR, mostly inhabited by ethnic Armenians and created on July 7, 1923. According to Karl R. DeRouen it was created as an enclave so that a narrow strip of land would separate it from Armenia proper....
a rayon was formed, center of which was the capital Stepanakert. In 1978, Askeran became the center of the rayon, and the rayon was renamed to Askeran. Total of 52 settlements were registered in 1979.
As the Karabakh conflict started, the Azerbaijani government began to implement a plan to create a new district center. From 1988 to 1990 the population of the village Khojaly
Khojali (city)
Khojali or Ivanyan , also, Ay-Khodzhaly, Khodgalou, Khodzhalv, Khodzhaly, Khojalu, and Khozhali, is a town in Nagorno Karabakh, located some 10 km northeast of its capital Stepanakert...
was increased from 2135 to 6000 residents, which mostly consisted of immigrants from Central Asia (more than 2000 Meskhetian Turks) and Armenia (about 2000). In April 1990, Khojaly received a city status, becoming a regional center. Newly created Khojaly district included Askeran District and part of Martuni.
Currently part of the Agdam rayon of Azerbaijan that is controlled by the NKR is included in the Askeran province. Also located here are the ruins of Tigranakert (Artsakh)
Tigranakert (Artsakh)
Tigranakert is a former Armenian city dating back to the Hellenistic period. It is one of several former cities in the Armenian plateau with the same name, named in honor of the Armenian king Tigranes the Great Tigranakert is a former Armenian city dating back to the Hellenistic period. It is one...
.