District of Azerbaijan
District in Karabakh, Azerbaijan
Khojaly District (Azerbaijani : Xocalı rayonu ) is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan . It is located in the west of the country in the Karabakh Economic Region . The district borders the districts of Kalbajar , Lachin , Shusha , Agdam and Khojavend . Its capital and largest city is Khojaly . As of 2020, the district had a nominal population of 28,800.[2]
The centre of the district, the town of Khojaly, was also the site of the Khojaly Massacre , the largest massacre throughout the whole Nagorno-Karabakh conflict . Following the massacre, most of the district was captured and made part of the Askeran Province of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh . Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war , Azerbaijan recaptured some villages in the district, while most of the district, including its capital, was put under Russian peacekeeping control. After the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh , the entire district fell under the control of Azerbaijan after the capitulation of the Artsakh Defence Army in the area.[3]
History
Khojaly district was established on the basis of the Askeran District of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast in 1991. It was captured by Armenian forces in 1991–1992.
The district consists of 1 city, 2 settlements and 50 villages in the district.[4] It was once a site of prehistoric Khojaly-Gadabay culture .
Geography
Khojaly district is located in Nagorno-Karabakh . The territory of the district is mountainous. The highest altitudes are Qirkhqiz and Gizgala, the main rivers are Gargar and Badara. The climate is mild-hot except the mountainous area.[5]
See also
References
39°54′N 46°47′E / 39.900°N 46.783°E / 39.900; 46.783
International National Geographic