On Tsarist Maps, There Is No ‘Azerbaijan’ at All — PM Pashinyan

Old maps from Tsarist Russia clearly show that no country called Azerbaijan existed at all — a fact that strongly undermines Baku’s modern territorial claims against Armenia. These historical maps identify the region as Hayastan (Armenia), proving that the Armenian presence in these lands is ancient and undeniable.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Armenia’s Prime Minister referred to these maps when responding to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s latest attempt to rename Lake Sevan as “Goycha.” The claim was based on a Tsarist-era map, yet that same document shows that the term Azerbaijan never appeared anywhere in the South Caucasus at the time.

This fact shows a long-standing truth: the idea of “Azerbaijan” as a state is a modern invention, one that emerged only in the 20th century. Before that, the lands now claimed by Baku were part of historic Armenian provinces and Persian territories, with deep Armenian roots in religion, culture, and architecture.

While Azerbaijan attempts to rewrite history and rename Armenian landmarks, historical evidence continues to contradict its narrative. Even Azerbaijani arguments about the so-called “Zangezur corridor” fail to stand on historical or legal grounds. As the Armenian government clarified, if Azerbaijan insists on using the term “Zangezur corridor,” it can only refer to its own territory — not Armenia’s Syunik Province.

The “corridor” idea itself exposes Azerbaijan’s ongoing ambition to expand its reach into sovereign Armenian land. But international law and the 2023 Washington agreements make clear that no country can claim a “corridor” through another’s borders. Armenia supports regional peace based on equality and sovereignty — not imposed routes or fabricated history.

At the same press briefing, Pashinyan also addressed other topics, including questions about the transportation of Russian wheat through Azerbaijani territory and the controversy around Archbishop Yezras Nersissian. Yet the most powerful moment came when the prime minister pointed out that historical maps speak louder than propaganda.

—

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.