Territorial and administrative units

General Information

An autonomous state within the Republic of Azerbaijan, known as Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic since 1990, has been titled Nakhchivan Soviet Sosialistic Republic in the years of 1920-1923, Nakhchivan Autonomous Region in the years of 1923-1924 and Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialistic Republic in the years of 1924-1990.
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Nakhchivan AR) is bordered with the Republic of Armenia in the north and east (246 km), with the Republic of Turkey (11 km), and the Islamic Republic of Iran (204 km) in the west and south. The natural borderline of Nakhchivan AR with Armenia mainly consists of the watersheds of Zangezur and Daralayaz chains, and the Araz River with Turkey and Iran. Its territory extends from the north-west towards the south-east at a distance of 158 km. The remotest points of the autonomous republic are the Komurlu mountain on the Saraybulag chain in Sharur region (2064 m) in the north and the Zarani railway station on the left bank of the Araz River at the height of 600 m in the south. The longest distance from the north to the south is 75 km. The strip of land at a distance of 44-45 km of width extending towards the Araz River separated the Nakhchivan AR from the rest of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a result of the illegal allot of Zangazur district, the ancient Azerbaijan land, to Armenia in 1920 by the Soviet leadership.

In 1924 there were organized 3 ueyzds and 12 okrugs, in 1925 the ueyzds were abolished and number of okrugs was reduced to 8: Bash Norashen, Givrag, Tumbul, Abragunus, Narimanov, Julfa, Paraga and Ordubad. In the first half of 1930, by adding Shahbuz region, Sharur, Nakchivan, Julfa and Ordubad regions were created. In 1948 as Abragunus region was annexed to Julfa region, Nakhchivan ASSR was divided into five administrative districts – Nakhchivan (Babek since 1978), Sharur, Shahbuz, Julfa and Ordubad. In order to enhance and reinforce social-economic development of the region bordering Turkey, as well as taking into account the geostrategical position of the territory, on August 28, 1990 by the decree of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR there was established Sederek district based on Sederek village and adjoining territories.
Kengerli district has been created in accordance with the law issued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on March 19, 2004.
At present Nakhchivan is divided into 7 administrative districts – Babek, Julfa, Ordubad, Sederek, Shahbuz, Sherur and Kengerli. It has 5 towns (Nakhchivan, Ordubad, Julfa, Shahbuz, Sherur), 8 settlements and 205 villages.

CITIES AND DISTRICTS OF NAKHCHIVAN