Artsakh (Armenian: Արցախ, romanized: Arts’akh), officially the Republic of Artsakh (; Armenian: Արցախի Հանրապետություն, romanized: Arts’akhi Hanrapetut’yun) or the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (; Armenian: Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն, romanized: Lerrnayin Gharabaghi Hanrapetut’yun; sometimes abbreviated NKR), is a self-proclaimed South Caucasian state situated within internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. It is only recognized by UN non-members: Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. It is a co-signatory of the Bishkek Protocol. Artsakh controls most of the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast along with some territories surrounding it. It is bordered by the rest of Azerbaijan to the east, Armenia to the west and Iran to the south. Artsakh is a presidential democracy with a unicameral legislature. Its capital is Stepanakert. Some observers have commented that due to its reliance on Armenia, in many ways, it functions de facto as part of Armenia. The country is very mountainous, averaging 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) above sea level. 99.7% of Artsakh's current population are ethnic Armenians with Armenian language as the primary spoken language. Religion in Artsakh is overwhelmingly Christian, mostly being affiliated with the Armenian Apostolic Church. Several historical monasteries are popular with tourists, mostly from the Armenian diaspora, as most travel can take place only between Armenia and Artsakh.
Artsakh (Armenian: Արցախ, romanized: Arts’akh), officially the Republic of Artsakh (; Armenian: Արցախի Հանրապետություն, romanized: Arts’akhi Hanrapetut’yun) or the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (; Armenian: Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն, romanized: Lerrnayin Gharabaghi Hanrapetut’yun; sometimes abbreviated NKR), is a self-proclaimed South Caucasian state situated within internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. It is only recognized by UN non-members: Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. It is a co-signatory of the Bishkek Protocol. Artsakh controls most of the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast along with some territories surrounding it. It is bordered by the rest of Azerbaijan to the east, Armenia to the west and Iran to the south. Artsakh is a pre