Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) is a landlocked mountainous and forested region located in the South Caucasus region in south-western Asia. Its area is approximately 11,500 sq km. Check out Karabakh photos to view the beautiful forested mountains and landscapes.

The official name of Karabakh is the "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" (NKR), or "Artsakh Republic". Nagorno means Mountainous, Highland or Upper whereas Karabakh means Black Garden. Karabakh is spelled in Armenian as Artsakh or Karabagh.

Stepanakert is the capital of Nagorno Karabakh. Other main cities and towns in Karabakh include Shusha (Shushi), Martuni, Hadrut, Askeran, Martakert, Qashatagh, Berdzor and Shahumyan (Shahumian).

Tourism, mining (copper and gold), agriculture and services (banking and finance) are the major sectors of the economy in Karabakh. Tourism in Karabakh is a growing sector. Lots of tourists visit Karabakh to view the natural, religious and cultural sites.

Nagorno Karabakh has a wealth of christian religious sites and monuments, including Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, Gandzasar Monastery, Dadivank Monastery, St Yeghishe Arakyal Monastery, Kanach Zham (Green Church), St. Nerses the Great Church, and the famous Amaras Monastery (built by St. Gregory, the Enlightener Armenian saint, which hosted the first school to teach Armenian alphabets, invented by St. Mesrop Mashtots).

Karabakh has several historic and World Heritage sites, including the ancient city of Tigranakert, Fort Mayraberd, Govharagha Mosque, and the famous 'We Are Our Mountains' monument (Tatik yev Papik). It also has many beautiful natural spots such as Mount Mrav, Mount Kirs, Artsakh valley, Sarsang reservoir, Kura river, Araxes river, Khachen river and the Himnakan Janapar hiking trail across the nature of Karabakh.

The estimated population of Karabakh is 150,000. The main spoken languages are Armenian (Karabakh dialect) and Russian.