Sharur | |
---|---|
Rayon | |
Map of Azerbaijan showing Sharur Rayon |
|
Country | Azerbaijan |
Autonomous republic | Nakhchivan |
City | 1 |
Villages | 65 |
Capital | Şərur |
Area | |
• Total | 872,26 km2 (33,678 sq mi) |
Population | |
• Total | 96,000 |
• Density | 1.1/km2 (2.9/sq mi) |
Time zone | AZT (UTC+4) |
Postal code | AZ 6800 |
Telephone code | (+994) 36 |
Şərur (also, Sharur and Sherur; formerly Norashen (1930–1964), Iliich (Ильич) and Il'ichëvsk (Ильичёвск) (1964–1991) after Vladimir Ilyich Lenin) is an rayon of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The district was established in August 8, 1930. In the north and north-east it is bordered by the Armenia, and in the south and south-west by the Iran. The area of district is 872.26 square kilometres (336.78 sq mi). There is 1 city and 65 villages within the district. The administrative center of the district is the Sharur town. It has a population of 96,000.
In the first centuries of the 1st millennium BC, Sharur was a part of the state of Manna (IX - late VI centuries ВС). The Manna state succeeded in maintaining its independence, fighting against the neighboring states of Assyria and Urartu. Following the collapse of the Manna state, Sharur was first annexed to Medea (late VII century BC – 550 BC), and then to the Achaemenid Empire (550 BC – 330 ВС). After the death of Alexander the Great (336–323 BC), the territory of Sharur was included in the state of Atropatena.
During ancient times, Sharur was a district in the Ayrarat province of the Kingdom of Armenia. The lands in the district belonged to the Armenian kings until the fifth century AD. In the 6th century it was annexed to the Caucasian Albania. When King Smbat I Bagratuni wrested control of the region from the Arabs, he awarded the lands to the Armenian princes of Syunik'. It was conquered by Turkic tribes and later the Mongols in later centuries.
Sharur formed part of the territory of the Nakhichevan Khanate until its abolition in 1828. In the Russian Empire it was made a part of the Armenian Oblast. After the oblast was abolished, it became a part of Sharur-Daralagez uyezd of the Erivan Governorate.