What countries make up the South Caucasus region?
The South Caucasus comprises Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Together these three countries cover roughly 71,850 square miles.
Questions about South Caucasus
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the difference between South Caucasus and Transcaucasia?
Transcaucasia is an older Latin rendering of the Russian word Zakavkazye, meaning the area beyond the Caucasus. The name implies a Russian vantage point and is considered outdated; South Caucasus is now the preferred term.
Which empires controlled the South Caucasus throughout history?
The South Caucasus came under the rule of the Achaemenid, Neo-Assyrian, Parthian, Roman, Sasanian, Byzantine, Umayyad, Abbasid, Mongol, Ottoman, successive Iranian Safavid, Afsharid, and Qajar empires, and finally the Russian Empire. Most of this long history placed the region under Iran-based imperial rule.
How did Russia gain control of the South Caucasus from Iran?
Russia won the South Caucasus through two wars against Qajar Iran. The Treaty of Gulistan in 1813 transferred Dagestan, Eastern Georgia, and most of present-day Azerbaijan to Russia. The Treaty of Turkmenchay in 1828 then transferred all of modern Armenia and the remaining Azerbaijani territories.
When did Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan become independent countries?
All three became internationally recognized sovereign states when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Before that, they briefly joined as the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic in 1918 and later as the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic from 1922 to 1936.
Which South Caucasus country was first to receive EU candidate status?
Georgia was the first. The European Commission recommended candidate status on the 8th of November 2023, and it was confirmed on the 14th of December 2023.