Publication Details
Abstract
This article analyzes the historical formation of the Nakhchivan exclave region and its modern geopolitical significance. Drawing on archaeological evidence, historical sources, and contemporary geopolitical literature, the research traces the region's development from prehistoric settlement through its current status as a strategically vital autonomous exclave of Azerbaijan. Special attention is devoted to the Zangezur corridor and its role in regional transport and economic integration, the ethnic and demographic history of Nakhchivan, and the natural-geographical factors that have shaped its historical trajectory. A mixed-methods approach combining systematic literature review with comparative geopolitical analysis is employed to evaluate the region's contemporary significance within the South Caucasus. The findings confirm that Nakhchivan's strategic location, archaeological depth, and transport corridor function position it as a critical node in both historical and contemporary regional dynamics.