Kalbajar-Lachin

Kalbajar-Lachin economic region – situates in the western mountainous (the Lesser Caucasus) part of Azerbaijan Republic. It shares borders with Armenia on the west. But since May 18, 1992, the region remains under the control of Armenian armed forces. (Before the war it shared a border with the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast to the east.)

Territory area of Kalbajar-Lachin economic region is 6.4 thousand km², the population is 236.4 thousand people (01.01.2013). There are 4 administrative regions within Kalbajar-Lachin economic region: Kalbajar (population number is 85.2 thousand people), Lachin (72.2 thousand people), Gubadli (37.7 thousand people), and Zangilan (41.3 thousand people).

Mountain ranges and plateaus, depressions between mountains, deep valleys, and plains are widespread in the territory of Kalbajar-Lachin region. Gamishdagh, the highest peak of the region (3724 m), is located on northern Murovdagh mountainous range. The climate of mountainous areas is cold whereas the climate of southern lowland part is warm, in summer months. The average annual temperature is between +4-10 °C. The temperature gradually increases towards the south whereas rainfall decreases on this direction (from 700–800 mm to 300–600 mm). Forests are widespread but have seen damage since Armenian occupation in 1992.

Kalbajar-Lachin region is rich in diverse mineral resources (perlite, obsidian, copal, gold, mercury, clay, pumice, volcanic ash, colourful decoration stones, agate, marble, limestone, crushed stone and other minerals). Most resources are found in the territory of Kalbajar and Lachin administrative regions. Tartar, Bargushad, Hakari, Okhchuchay and other lesser rivers takes origin in the territory of region and flows into Araz and Kura rivers. Okhchuchay River, the arm of Araz River begins from the territory of Armenia and is hardly polluted with mining wastes. There are many underground mineral and thermal water resources in Kalbajar-Lachin, where most famous ones are Istisu, Minkend, Gotursu, Tutgunchay etc.

The population number and density are less in Kalbajar-Lachin economic region compared to other regions of Azerbaijan. It accounts for 2.5% of the country's population. As refugees, they are temporarily located in other regions and cities of Azerbaijan. Out of the total population of the economic region, 36% of the population is dwellers of Kalbajar, 31% of Lachin, 17% of Zengilan and 16% of Gubadli administrative regions. Before the occupation, Kalbajar-Lachin had 442 rural settlements. The birth and natural rates are higher in the region compared to most of the other regions of Azerbaijan.

For a long time, Kalbajar-Lachin had been known as agrarian region with large arable lands and pasture areas (sheep- and cattle breeding, livestock products, wool, fodder crops, beekeeping, wine, tobacco, grain-growing, etc.). Kalbajar-Lachin region has great recreational potential due to its beautiful and attractive landscapes.

• Administrative divisions of Azerbaijan