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Artsakh
Artsakh is an Inseparable Part of the Armenian Mountainous Lands
According to archaeological data, it was one of the birthplaces of humanity,going back to Paleolithic times; life has unceasingly been present here.
The Armenian of Artsakh, blessed with talents, is the author of not only the prehistoric stone tools, but also those of the monasteries of Amaras and Gandzasar, considered architectural marvels of world civilization.
From ancient times up to the present, treasures created by the Armenian have been thorns on the side of certain foreigners. Thus, it is no coincidence that our temples, churches, cross-stones, and illuminated manuscripts were robbed, ruined, and spoilt by invading tyrants.
Moreover, in the years of Soviet power, the Azeri “chroniclers” distorted the truth. Using all means available to them, they tried to rob or “denationalize” the historical heritage of the eastern provinces of Armenia (Artsakh, Utik), and continue their revisionist stance, with no spared efforts, until today.
Throughout the centuries, grateful generations of Armenians have kept and cherished everything created by the endeavors and sweat of their forefathers. They have conserved the memories and history connected with this homeland.
Artsakh has the five-thousand-year history. Together with the general fate of Metz Haik (Greater Armenia), the eastern provinces (Artsakh and Utik) have a unique history but also peculiarities in their own historical development. It is no wonder that the struggle for the Utik Armenians’ self – sufficiency and independence were recorded together with the history of Artsakh.
“It is the power that begets the right” – this perhaps unfair but prudent definition of a general “truth” has been known to peoples of the world since the beginning of time. And the earlier nations understood this truth, the more favorable fate was towards them. The Armenians of Artsakh have understood this truth, and basing it on their long historical experience, have fought for life until death – against all odds – for the sake of their own homeland, statehood, freedom, and independence. The birth of the Republic of Artsakh was the peak of that flight. But this is not the last dream of the Armenians of Artsakh. They wish to see AR as part of a united and independent Armenia. The words of the famous Artsakhian, David Ananoun, are indeed fitting: “Artsakh, outside the whole of Armenia, is a sore… If there were wise politicians in Azerbaijan, they would have first of all given up their claims to Artsakh. If there are political leaders in Armenia who want to unite their homeland, they should not stop thinking of and caring for Artsakh. Artsakh and Armenia should and must be united”.
Geographical Location
The fate of each nation has in some way been influenced by the historical and geographical environment of its homeland. For the Armenian nation, that historical and geographical area has been the Armenian land where, from times immemorial up to our days, cultural treasures have been created of a level equal to those of any other civilization.
It seems that from the birth of humanity, as if foreboding the tragic and dramatic history of the Armenians, Metz Haik (especially Artsakh) had at least the gift of a heavenly geographical place where all the conditions for a well – to – do and healthy life could be created.
The Armenians were always surrounded by hostile neighbours, who had their eye on the land. The one sure defense the Armenians possessed against them was the mountainous rugged terrain of their homeland.
One of the provinces of ancient Armenia, Artsakh, is located in such a rich geographical area that Armenians there were allowed to work and prosper and then bequeath their wealth to the next generations. Artsalkh (as a geographical area) has a landscape which includes small and large tablelands (resulting from frozen lava), mountainous concave valleys, and cliffs divided by inner mountain ranges. Sky – scraping mountains exist here together with the lowlands of fertile orchards and fields.
Artsakh occupies the south – eastern mountainous areas of Minor Caucasus, one part of the extreme eastern sector of Metz Haik or Greater Armenia. In the west, its borders reach the eastern coasts of Lake Sevan, in the south – west, the Aghavno (Hagari) river, in the south, the Yeraskh (Araks) river, in the east, the field mouth of Mukhank, and in the north, it is lined by the Karabakh mountain range.
Artsakh has an extremely rugged mountainous surface. On average, its territory is 1100 m above the sea level. Like other provinces of Armenian territory, Artsakh is also characterized by seismic activity. The volcanic rocks, as well as the sedimentary rocks in river – valleys, occupy a great part. As a result of volcanic activity, the surface of the land has mostly turned into uplands.
The Mountain Ranges and Mountains
The Karabakhian mountain range stretches from the upper stream of Tartar River, in the north, up to the valley of Araks – the southern borderline of Artsakh. In the northern section, it joins the mountains of Minor Caucasus. The highest peaks of this mountain chain are Metz Kirs (2725m), Karasun Aghjik (2828m) and Dizapayt or Shaghakh (2480m). In the northern part of Artsakh, the Mrav mountain range stretches from the west to the east and is separated from the Karabakhian mountain chain by the valley of Tartar River. Gyamish (3724m) and Mrav (3419m) are the highest peaks of this mountain range; the mountain chain of Yeznasar, which stretches to the north – east, branches from it.
Mountain Rmbasar (3373m) is located where the Kashatagh and Sodk mountain ranges meet; this borders Lake Sevan, in the north – east. The peaks of Spitak (3300m) and Itsakar (3125m) are also in the same area.
Mountain ranges make the land look like a fortress.
It is no wonder that the eary medieval Armenian chroniclers called Artsakh “Firm Artsakh land”. The mountains of Artsakh are picturesque and covered with forests; their highest areas are covered with flowers and grass.
The Small and Large Rivers
The mountain ranges and mountains of Artsakh are separated from each other by precipitous gorges and valleys which embrace numerous small and large rivers, giving a unique charm to the Artsakhian land. The rivers of Artsakh are fast – flowing. They are fed by rain, water from melting snow, and therefore, mainly by mountain springs.
The general surface of Artsakh from the west to the east is arch – shaped. That is why all its rivers flow in the direction of west to east, becoming the nourishing springs of the Kura and Araks rivers.
The water of Artsakh rivers is used for irrigation purposes. Due to the discriminatory policy of Baku, the lion’s share of the water used to go to the villages settled by the Azeris. The rivers of the land also have energy – producing potential. Additionally, there is a wealth of animal life, such as various types of fish in the rivers of Artsakh.
The largest river is Tartar (Trtu). It starts from the water formations of the mountain chains of the Sevan eastern coasts and the Karabakh mountain chain. It flows through the regions of Martakert, Tartar and Barda and falls into the Kur river. The river is 200 km long. The hydroelectric power stations of Sarsang and Madaghis were built on this river. The largest tributary of Tartar is the Trghi river. Khachen is the second largest river. Starting from the massif of Karmrasar, it flows through the territory of Martakert. It is 119 km long.
The River Inja, which belongs to the basin of the Kur, flows through the borderline of Martakert and Shahoumyan regions. Karkar is a comparatively large river, which starts from theKarabakh mountain chain and and flows past the town Shoushi through a precipitous gorge. Near the town of Stepanakert river Karin Tak unites with the Karkar, and not far from Askeran town, such trubutaries as the Balluja and the Badara unite with it. The length of the Karkar is 115 km. The rivers Khonashen, Varanda, Amaras, Meghraget, Ishkhanaget, and Igak flow in the southern part of the province and they are comparatively shallow. River Kurak flows through the extreme northern borderline.
Climate
The climate of Artsakh is conditioned by its location. The climactic conditions are mild and moderate. The annual average temperature is +10°C. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of -1°C; the warmest months are July and August with an average of +21°C.
The agricultural sectors of Artsakh are not covered by snow every year. Spring is short and mild, summer is long, hot, dry, with the dominance of sunny weather. Autumn is mild and long – lasting. Strong thunderstorms are frequent in the spring and summer months. The amount of annual atmospheric precipitation ranges between 220 – 900 mm.
Sometimes in cold weather, fine – grained hail falls instead of rain. In spring and especially in autumn, in plains and valleys, the cloudless evenings are followed by foggy nights. Influenced by wind and the warmth of the sun, this fog streams to the mountains but generally does not reach the high points; it takes its course and then disappears. In different weathers, in the presence of warm or cold currents of air, there can be winds of varied strength in Artsakh. Very often in the spring months, mild winds are followed by strong ones, resulting in damages to housing and other constructions.
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