Nagorno-Karabakh region

Armenia has been witnessing growing anti-government protests recently against possible concessions over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory, disputed with neighbouring Azerbaijan.

Nagorno-Karabakh region:

• Nagorno-Karabakh is the subject of an unresolved dispute between Azerbaijan, in which it lies, and its ethnic Armenian majority, backed by neighbouring Armenia.
• A mountainous region of about 4,400 sq km (1,700 sq miles).
• Location: Nagorno-Karabakh region is a mountainous land-locked region in the South Caucasus. It is a forested region and geographically lies within the boundary of Azerbaijan.
• The region is also called Artsakh (chiefly by Armenians).
• Traditionally inhabited by Christian Armenians and Muslim Turks.
• Nagorno-Karabakh lies in the mountainous range of Karabakh.
• In Soviet times, it became an autonomous region within the republic of Azerbaijan
• Internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but majority of population is ethnic Armenian
• An estimated one million people displaced by 1990s war, and about 30,000 killed
• Separatist forces captured some extra territory around the enclave in Azerbaijan in the 1990s war
• Stalemate has largely prevailed since a 1994 ceasefire
• Russia has traditionally been seen as an ally of the Armenians.