Nagorno Karabakh

Capital - Stepanakert
Territory - 4.400 sq. km
Government - Unrecognized
Official language - Armenian
Population - 138 thousands
Currency - Dram (Armenian) AMD
Calling code - +3741 97 (Karabakh Telecom GSM)
Major city - Stepanakert, Shushi

Nagorno-Karabakh is a de facto independent republic located in the South Caucasus, officially part of the Republic of Azerbaijan, about 270 kilometers (170 miles) west of the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, but very close to the border with Armenia.

The predominantly Armenian region became a source of dispute between the republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan when both countries gained independence from the Russian Empire in 1918. After the Soviet Union expanded into the South Caucasus, it established the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) within the Azerbaijan SSR in 1923. On December 10, 1991, as the Soviet Union was collapsing, a referendum held in the NKAO and the neighboring district of Shahumian resulted in a declaration of independence from Azerbaijan as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), which remains unrecognized by any international organization or country, including Armenia. 

In the final years before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the region was again a source of dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, culminating in the Nagorno-Karabakh War. Since the end of the war in 1994, most of Nagorno-Karabakh and several regions of Azerbaijan around it remain under joint Armenian and NKR Defense Forces control. The parties have been holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group ever since.

Stepanakert. Stepanakert is the capital city of Artsakh. It bears the name of great revolutioner Stepan Shaumyan. Stepanakert is constructed by the project of Alexander Tamanyan. The clean, cozy city has many nice buildings and parks. Here one can see the famous sculptural work "We and our mountains", known in the nation as "Grandma and Grandpa".

Gandzasar. Among the monuments of Artsakh Gandzasar has its significant and special place. It is considered one of the pearls of Armenian medieval architecture. It consists of a church, monk cells and other economical buildings. The dome of the cupola of the main church is of great artistic value due to its delicate bas-reliefs. The monastery is built on the highest peak of Gandzasar Mountain (mountain of treasures).

Shoushi. Shoushi, the former capital city of Artsakh, is ten km far from Stepanakert. Shoushi is considered one of the oldest cultural and religious centers of Caucasus. The city is famous for its impregnable fortress and different historical sites. There is also a mosque of 18th century and St. Ghazanchetsots church restored in 1991-1994.

Askeran fortress. The fortress of Askeran is in the village of the same name, 4 km far from Stepanakert. It has been an important strategical fort since the 18th century. The formidable ramparts and watchtowers make the fortress almost inaccessible.