Nagorno Karabakh, the limbo nation

Nagorno Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus.

In 1991 its inhabitants decided for independence, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. But, unluckily, they never received an international legitimacy. So, since then, most of the region has been ruled by the Nagorno-Karabakh republic, an unrecognized, de facto independent state established on the basis of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast.

Nevertheless this territory is still internationally recognized as part of the Azerbaijan, a country which has not exercised power over the region since then. The independence declaration led imediately to the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which ended in 1994 and resulted in 30.000 deaths and displacement of more of 700.000 people.

Luckily in 1994, the two nations have gone through a peace talks process and signed a cease-fire leaving Nagorno-Karabakh in a juridical limbo, an unusual state of an unrecognized country. Although it doesn't exist de jure, Nagorno-Karabakh is, de facto, a community of 140.000 people that are more concerned with their everyday lives than worrying about the legal recognition of a state.

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Published on DestinAsian (Indonesia)

Shushi is the cultural capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the past, Persians, Armenians, Russians and Azeris lived together in this city. This is the typical Soviet housing architecture.
Shushi is the cultural capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the past, Persians, Armenians, Russians and Azeris lived together in this city. This is the typical Soviet housing architecture.
As an unrecognised state, Karabakh's passport is not valid abroad. People who want to go abroad must get a passport from Armenia.
As an unrecognised state, Karabakh's passport is not valid abroad. People who want to go abroad must get a passport from Armenia.
Bus station in Stepanakert. An old man waiting for the bus to leave.
Bus station in Stepanakert. An old man waiting for the bus to leave.
Khnabad. Dancers from the National Dance School performing during the inauguration of the sports' court, financed by Armenians living in France and Switzerland. Nagorno-Karabakh relies assistance from abroad, Armenian Diaspora in Russia, US and France are building basic infrastructures such as schools, roads and hospitals.
Khnabad. Dancers from the National Dance School performing during the inauguration of the sports' court, financed by Armenians living in France and Switzerland. Nagorno-Karabakh relies assistance from abroad, Armenian Diaspora in Russia, US and France are building basic infrastructures such as schools, roads and hospitals.
The entrance of the village of Banadzor, Hadrut region, near the border with Iran. An eagle "crucified" on an electricity pole.
The entrance of the village of Banadzor, Hadrut region, near the border with Iran. An eagle "crucified" on an electricity pole.
1568 - Outside the Monastery of Gandzasar. Every year thousands of tourists visit the several ancient monasteries all around Nagorno-Karabakh. Tourism is a growing industry in this de facto country.
1568 - Outside the Monastery of Gandzasar. Every year thousands of tourists visit the several ancient monasteries all around Nagorno-Karabakh. Tourism is a growing industry in this de facto country.
Wedding in Stepanakert. Hasmik, 26 years old, is waiting for her groom. As per tradition, the groom and his family go to the bride's house to share the dowry and toast together. About four out of five brides are virgins until the day of their wedding.
Wedding in Stepanakert. Hasmik, 26 years old, is waiting for her groom. As per tradition, the groom and his family go to the bride's house to share the dowry and toast together. About four out of five brides are virgins until the day of their wedding.
Stepanakert. A French girl dancing in the Russian restaurant with a local man. Tourism is a growing industry in Nagorno-Karabakh. Most of the tourists are people of Armenian origin living in Western countries. It is said that the de facto President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Bako Sahakyan, is the owner of the restaurant.
Stepanakert. A French girl dancing in the Russian restaurant with a local man. Tourism is a growing industry in Nagorno-Karabakh. Most of the tourists are people of Armenian origin living in Western countries. It is said that the de facto President of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Bako Sahakyan, is the owner of the restaurant.
The monastery of Ghazanchetsots in Shushi. During the war, the Azerbaijan army used the monastery to store their weapons. Today the monastery is a destination for thousands of tourists every year.
The monastery of Ghazanchetsots in Shushi. During the war, the Azerbaijan army used the monastery to store their weapons. Today the monastery is a destination for thousands of tourists every year.
A shop in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. Whilst men wear dark colours, women dress more casually.
A shop in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. Whilst men wear dark colours, women dress more casually.
Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh's capital. The building of the de facto President of the Republic. According to international analysts, corruption is one of the main causes of poverty throughout the Caucasus.
Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh's capital. The building of the de facto President of the Republic. According to international analysts, corruption is one of the main causes of poverty throughout the Caucasus.
Nagorno-Karabakh receives financial help from Armenians living abroad. Russian-based businessman and benefactor Levon Hayrapetian commissioned a sculpture of his favourite animal, the lion, in the city of Vank.
Nagorno-Karabakh receives financial help from Armenians living abroad. Russian-based businessman and benefactor Levon Hayrapetian commissioned a sculpture of his favourite animal, the lion, in the city of Vank.
In the countryside there are more wild animals than people. Driving on isolated roads may provide good opportunities for hunting.
In the countryside there are more wild animals than people. Driving on isolated roads may provide good opportunities for hunting.
Stepanakert. A civil policeman on the bus with his daughter. Nagorno-Karabakh's Police has two branches: the civil one, wearing green and grey uniforms, and the military one, wearing dark uniforms.
Stepanakert. A civil policeman on the bus with his daughter. Nagorno-Karabakh's Police has two branches: the civil one, wearing green and grey uniforms, and the military one, wearing dark uniforms.
Stepanakert. In Nagorno-Karabakh every young male must serve in the army from the age of 18 to 20. Many of them are sent to the frontline at the border with Azerbaijan.
Stepanakert. In Nagorno-Karabakh every young male must serve in the army from the age of 18 to 20. Many of them are sent to the frontline at the border with Azerbaijan.
A military policeman waiting at a bus station of Stepanakert. Nagorno-Karabakh's Police force has two branches: the civil one, uniformed in green and grey, and the military one, who wear dark uniforms.
A military policeman waiting at a bus station of Stepanakert. Nagorno-Karabakh's Police force has two branches: the civil one, uniformed in green and grey, and the military one, who wear dark uniforms.
It is a tradition to wrap up a new born baby tightly to make his or her legs straight. Even though doctors tell mothers that this system may be not healthy for the baby, they continue to follow the tradition.
It is a tradition to wrap up a new born baby tightly to make his or her legs straight. Even though doctors tell mothers that this system may be not healthy for the baby, they continue to follow the tradition.
Grigory was not very successful in school, repeating the same class three times. He is good natured and altruist. He helps everyone who needs a hand working. His donkey is his best friend.
Grigory was not very successful in school, repeating the same class three times. He is good natured and altruist. He helps everyone who needs a hand working. His donkey is his best friend.
Jurij and Laura used to be teachers before retiring. During the war he dug trenches and she taught in the school 5 km away.
Jurij and Laura used to be teachers before retiring. During the war he dug trenches and she taught in the school 5 km away.
Leonid Soxomonian, near the wall of the public toilet where she works as custodian. According to Azeri those are the numbers of the Azeri cars stolen by Armenians during the war. According to many Armenians, those numbers are both of Armenian and Azeri cars.
Leonid Soxomonian, near the wall of the public toilet where she works as custodian. According to Azeri those are the numbers of the Azeri cars stolen by Armenians during the war. According to many Armenians, those numbers are both of Armenian and Azeri cars.
A child before the donkey race, a traditional event taking place in Vank, in the north of Karabakh. Children from all over Karabakh get there with the hope of winning the $ 5000 of the first prize. The average salary in Karabakh is $ 300 per month. After the race there will be a concert of the Italian singer Al Bano.
A child before the donkey race, a traditional event taking place in Vank, in the north of Karabakh. Children from all over Karabakh get there with the hope of winning the $ 5000 of the first prize. The average salary in Karabakh is $ 300 per month. After the race there will be a concert of the Italian singer Al Bano.
Stepanakert, city centre. Construction is the most flourishing industry in Nagorno-Karabakh. The country's de facto status is not an obstacle for foreign investors. Companies from Russia, Iran and Lebanon are the most active in this field.
Stepanakert, city centre. Construction is the most flourishing industry in Nagorno-Karabakh. The country's de facto status is not an obstacle for foreign investors. Companies from Russia, Iran and Lebanon are the most active in this field.
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