Omari Gates
The topic of which countries border Armenia and Azerbaijan is a complex one, given the history of conflict between the two nations and the involvement of other regional powers. Armenia and Azerbaijan share a border that is estimated to be between 996 km and 1,007.1 km in length. This border has been a site of tension and conflict, with both countries having fought over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory but has been under the control of Armenian forces since the end of the first Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has resulted in thousands of casualties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the two countries have not officially demarcated their mutual borders, and the issue of border demarcation remains a challenge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Armenia's bordering countries | Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhchivan |
| Azerbaijan's bordering countries | Russia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, and the Caspian Sea |
| Armenia-Azerbaijan border length | 996–1,007.1 km (619–625.8 mi) |
| Armenia-Azerbaijan border status | Closed since 1991 |
What You'll Learn
Armenia's neighbours
The Armenia-Azerbaijan border is an international border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The border's length is estimated to be between 996 km (619 mi) and 1,007.1 km (625.8 mi). The de jure border follows the former boundary between the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. It consists of two main segments: the boundary between Armenia and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave in the west, and the boundary between Armenia and 'mainland' Azerbaijan to the east. There are also several enclaves on either side of the border.
The border between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been the site of conflict and tension since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The two countries have fought multiple wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory but has an ethnic Armenian majority. The most recent conflict, the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, ended in 2020 with a Russian-brokered ceasefire. However, border tensions and skirmishes have continued, with Azerbaijan accused of occupying internationally recognised Armenian territory and conducting engineering and fortification works.
In April 2024, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement to demarcate their common border based on the Alma-Ata declaration of 1991, which fixed the borders between the former Soviet republics. As part of this agreement, Armenia returned four villages within Azerbaijan's de jure border, which had been under Armenian control since the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in the 1990s. This decision sparked protests among residents of neighbouring Armenian villages, who fear being isolated from the rest of the country and losing access to essential resources and infrastructure.
The delimitation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is a complex and ongoing process, with both countries seeking to assert their territorial claims and ensure their security. The border situation has also drawn international attention, with organisations such as the European Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe offering diplomatic support and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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Azerbaijan's neighbours
Azerbaijan is bordered by four countries: Armenia, Georgia, Iran, and Russia. The country's border with Armenia has been a source of conflict and tension between the two nations. The border's length is estimated to be between 996 km (619 mi) and 1,007.1 km (625.8 mi). It consists of two main segments: the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave in the west, and the longer border between Armenia and 'mainland' Azerbaijan to the east.
The de jure border follows the boundaries of the former Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. However, the two countries have not officially demarcated their mutual borders since gaining independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The issue of border demarcation has been a complex and contentious issue, with both sides having different claims and interpretations of the border's location.
The border crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century when the Caucasus region was contested between the declining Ottoman Empire, Persia, and Russia. Over time, Russia expanded southward at the expense of the Persian and Ottoman Empires, acquiring what is now Azerbaijan and parts of Armenia. The border between the two countries has been a site of conflict and tension for decades, with both sides engaging in military clashes and disputes over territorial control.
In recent years, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has escalated, with Azerbaijan making incursions into Armenian territory and occupying internationally recognised Armenian land. This has led to international condemnation and calls for a peaceful resolution to the border dispute. Despite these efforts, the situation remains tense and the border heavily militarised, with a significant impact on the lives of local residents.
To prevent further conflict and promote stability in the region, there have been efforts by international organisations and world powers to facilitate negotiations and demarcation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These efforts include the deployment of peacekeeping forces, diplomatic initiatives, and the involvement of organisations such as the European Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).
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The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
The First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994)
In 1988, ethnic Armenians living in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) demanded that the region be transferred from Soviet Azerbaijan to Armenia. As the Soviet Union collapsed, tensions grew into an outright war. When fighting ceased in 1994, Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts were wholly or partially controlled by Armenian forces. More than a million people had been forced from their homes: Azerbaijanis fled Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the adjacent territories, while Armenians left homes in Azerbaijan. A Russian-brokered ceasefire, known as the Bishkek Protocol, left Nagorno-Karabakh de facto independent, with a self-proclaimed government in Stepanakert, but still heavily reliant on close economic, political, and military ties with Armenia.
Border Clashes (2008-2020)
From 1994 until 2020, intermittent deadly incidents, including the use of attack drones and heavy weaponry on the front lines and activities of special operations forces, demonstrated the ever-present risk that war would reignite. In April 2016, four days of intense fighting at the line of separation shook the region, killed hundreds on both sides, and foreshadowed what was to come.
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War (2020)
The dam broke in September 2020, and full-fledged war resumed on the 27th of that month. Six weeks of bloody armed conflict ended in the early hours of November 10 with a ceasefire brokered by the Russian Federation. Although the deal fell short of a clear and stable peace, it brought an end to the deadliest fighting the region had witnessed in nearly three decades, with over 7,000 military and about 170 civilian casualties. Under the agreement, Azerbaijan regained control of the seven districts adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenian forces had held since the previous war. It also held a substantial part of Nagorno-Karabakh itself, with the rest patrolled by a Russian peacekeeping force but still governed by self-proclaimed local authorities.
Border Tensions (2021-present)
After the 2020 war, the front line became longer and more volatile. Opposing military positions were separated from one another by only 30-100 metres. The front line’s movement placed military positions up against civilian settlements. The Russian peacekeeping mission’s outposts were deployed along the main roads in Armenian-populated areas of the conflict zone and the main traffic artery between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, including inside the Lachin corridor.
In December 2022, Azerbaijani activists occupied the Lachin corridor, ostensibly protesting environmental degradation caused by illegal mining in Nagorno-Karabakh. The protesters reportedly had state backing from Baku, and they blocked all traffic except for Red Cross and Russian convoys. The Russian peacekeepers, in place to ensure the artery remained open for Armenian supplies, were unwilling or unable to secure and reopen the highway. As a result, residents in Nagorno-Karabakh faced severe shortages and rationing.
In April 2023, Azerbaijan opened a checkpoint on the highway, which it claimed was necessary to intercept and deter military shipments from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. The protests ended days later, suggesting that the government’s true objective was to block Armenian passage. Armenia and ethnic Armenian leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh condemned the checkpoint, saying Azerbaijan sought to isolate Karabakh Armenians and solidify its control over the region.
Azerbaijan further tightened access to Nagorno-Karabakh, banning even Red Cross convoys from passing through the Lachin Corridor to the region over alleged smuggling of unsanctioned products. Azerbaijani security forces also detained an individual passing through a checkpoint for medical care in Armenia, leading to a suspension of medical evacuations for critically ill patients. With no supplies allowed to pass through the corridor, shelves sat empty and two children died as the humanitarian crisis turned critical.
On September 19, 2023, days after an agreement to reopen the Lachin Corridor for aid deliveries sparked hopes of easing the crisis, Azerbaijan launched an “anti-terrorist” offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh. Karabakh officials said at least 200 people died in the operation, which Azerbaijan said was aimed at neutralizing Armenian military installments. Within two days, Azerbaijan claimed to have regained full control over the region, and Russia-mediated negotiations began in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, over the disarmament of Armenian separatists and the reintegration of Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, protestors took to the streets in Yerevan, Armenia, accusing the government of failing to protect ethnic Armenians and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. At stake was the status of around 100,000 ethnic Armenians living in the disputed territory; thousands immediately fled to Armenia, fearing persecution if they stayed, and officials demanded security guarantees for those who remained before they agreed to give up their weapons.
Post-2020 Demarcation Efforts
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The history of Armenia
Ancient Armenia
Armenia is located in the Armenian highlands, surrounding the biblical Mount Ararat. The earliest traces of human settlement in the region date back to the Neolithic era, with archaeological evidence of ancient human habitation found in the Yerevan 1 Cave, including remains from over 48,000 years ago. The name "Armenia" likely originates from "Hayk," the legendary progenitor of the Armenian people, or "Armini," an Urartian word meaning "inhabitant of Arme."
During the Bronze Age, several states flourished in the Armenian highlands, including the Hittite Empire, Mitanni, and Hayasa-Azzi. In the first millennium BC, the region was influenced by various tribes and kingdoms, such as the Nairi tribal confederation and the Kingdom of Urartu. Yerevan, the modern capital of Armenia, was founded in the 8th century BC as the fortress of Erebuni.
Foreign Rule and Influence
From the 6th century BC onwards, Armenia often found itself under the influence or control of powerful neighbouring empires, including the Achaemenid Persian, Macedonian, Parthian, Roman, Byzantine, Sassanid Persian, and Islamic empires. Despite this, Armenia managed to maintain a degree of independence and cultural identity throughout the centuries.
Christianisation and the Bagratid Kingdom
In the early 4th century, Armenia became the first state to adopt Christianity as its state religion. This marked a significant turning point in Armenian history and contributed to the development of a distinct Armenian cultural and religious identity.
In the 9th century, Armenia experienced a brief period of cultural, political, and economic renewal under the Bagratuni dynasty. The Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia was recognised as a sovereign kingdom by both Baghdad and Constantinople. The new capital, Ani, was constructed in 964.
Foreign Conquests and the Armenian Genocide
In the 11th century, the Bagratid Kingdom fell to the Byzantines and subsequently to the Seljuk Turks. Over the following centuries, Armenia was conquered and ruled by various empires and dynasties, including the Mongols and the Ottomans. During the Ottoman rule, the Armenian people were subjected to massacres and persecution, culminating in the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1921, in which up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed and many more were displaced.
Independence and Soviet Rule
Following the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, the First Republic of Armenia was established in 1918. However, this independence was short-lived, as Armenia was invaded by Turkish nationalist militants in 1920 and soon fell under Soviet rule. In 1922, Armenia became part of the Trans-Caucasian Soviet Socialist Republic and later became the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1936.
Modern Armenia
With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia regained its independence and was recognised by the United States and other nations. However, the country faced significant challenges, including economic struggles and ongoing conflicts with neighbouring Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Despite these difficulties, Armenia has made strides towards democracy and continues to work towards resolving border disputes and improving relations with its neighbours.
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The history of Azerbaijan
The entity of Caucasian Albania was established on its soil in ancient times. The Caucasian Albanian language spoken by the founders of Caucasian Albania was most likely a predecessor of the now endangered Udi language spoken by the Udi people. From the time of the Medes and the Achaemenid Empire, until the coming of the Russians in the 19th century, the territories of the republic of Azerbaijan and Iran have usually shared the same history. Azerbaijan retained its Iranian character even after the Arab conquest of Iran and the conversion of the area's inhabitants to Islam. Some four centuries later, Oghuz Turkic tribes under the Seljuq dynasty entered the area, and Azerbaijan gained a large number of Turkic inhabitants. Over the centuries, as the original population mingled with the immigrant Turkic nomads, the number of native Persian speakers gradually diminished, and a Turkic dialect nowadays known as Azerbaijani (or Azeri Turkic) gained hold.
One of the regional dynasties, the Shirvanshahs, after becoming a state under the roof of the Timurid Empire, helped the Timurids in the war against the Golden Horde State. After Timur's death, two Turkic independent and rival states emerged in the region, namely Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu. The Shirvanshahs, on the other hand, became independent again in this process and strengthened their local governments.
After the Russo-Persian wars of 1804–1813 and 1826–1828, Qajar Iran was forced to cede its Caucasian territories to the Russian Empire; the treaties of Gulistan in 1813 and Turkmenchay in 1828 defined the border between Czarist Russia and Qajar Iran. The region north of the Aras was Iranian until it was occupied by Russia during the 19th century. According to the Treaty of Turkmenchay, Qajar Iran recognized Russian sovereignty over the Erivan, Nakhchivan and Talysh Khanates (the last parts of Azerbaijan still in Iranian hands).
In the ensuing period, in post-Iranian Russian-held East Caucasia, an Azerbaijani national identity emerged at the end of the 19th century. After more than 80 years of being part of the Russian Empire in the Caucasus, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established in 1918. The name "Azerbaijan", adopted by the ruling Musavat Party for political reasons, had been used to identify the adjacent region of northwestern Iran. Azerbaijan was invaded by Soviet forces in 1920, which led to the establishment of the Azerbaijan SSR. In the early Soviet period, the Azerbaijani national identity was finally forged. Azerbaijan remained under Soviet rule until the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, after which the independent Republic of Azerbaijan was proclaimed. Hostile relations with the neighboring Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been focal points within Azerbaijani politics since independence.
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Frequently asked questions
Azerbaijan borders five countries.
Azerbaijan borders Russia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey, and Armenia.
The border between Azerbaijan and Armenia is 1,007km long.
Armenia borders four countries.
Armenia borders Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.
Yes, there are three Azerbaijani enclaves in Armenia: Barxudarlı, Yuxarı Əskipara, and Karki.
