# Khankendi

> city in Azerbaijan

**Wikidata**: [Q129352](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q129352)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepanakert)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/khankendi

## Summary
Khankendi (also known historically as Stepanakert) is a city in Azerbaijan located in the Karabakh economic region. It covers an area of 29.12 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 813 meters above sea level. The city has a complex administrative history, having served as the capital of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and currently serving as the capital of the Karabakh economic region.

## Key Facts
- **Country:** Azerbaijan (current status since August 30, 1991).
- **Area:** 29.12 square kilometres.
- **Elevation:** 813 metres above sea level.
- **Coordinates:** 39.815278°N, 46.751944°E.
- **Time Zone:** UTC+04:00.
- **ISO 3166-2 Code:** AZ-XA.
- **Head of Government:** Elchin Yusubov (since March 7, 2024).
- **Population:** 53,400 (recorded in 2011); 56,705 (recorded in 1989).
- **Aliases:** Xankəndi, Stepanakert, Vararakn, Khankandi, Xankendi, Hankendi.

## FAQs
**What are the different names used for Khankendi?**
The city is known by multiple names depending on the historical period and language. Officially, it has been designated as "Xankəndi" (or Khankendi) and "Stepanakert." Historically, it was also referred to as "Vararakn." Aliases include Xankendi, Khankandi, Khankendy, and Hankendi.

**What is the administrative and political history of Khankendi?**
Khankendi has transitioned through several sovereign states, starting as part of the Karabakh Khanate (until 1822), then the Russian Empire (1822–1917), the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918–1920), and the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (1920–1991). It became part of the Republic of Azerbaijan on August 30, 1991. Administratively, it was the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast from 1923 to 1991 and is currently the capital of the Karabakh economic region.

**How has the population of Khankendi changed over time?**
The city experienced significant population growth during the 20th century. The population was 3,118 in 1926, growing to 10,459 by 1939. It continued to expand to 38,980 in 1979 and peaked at 56,705 in 1989. The population was recorded as 49,848 in 2005 and 53,400 in 2011.

**Where is Khankendi located geographically?**
The city is located in the South Caucasus region within Azerbaijan. It sits at an elevation of 813 meters and is geographically positioned in the Karabakh economic region. Historically, it was part of the Shusha Uezd (1840–1923) and later the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (1923–1991).

## Why It Matters
Khankendi holds significant geopolitical and administrative importance in the South Caucasus. As the former capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) for nearly 70 years, it served as a central hub for the region's governance and economic activity. Its designation as the capital of the modern Karabakh economic region underscores its continued role in Azerbaijan's administrative structure. The city's history of renaming—from Vararakn to Khankendi to Stepanakert and back to Khankendi—reflects the shifting cultural and political tides of the region, making it a focal point for understanding the historical complexities of the area.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Capital:** Served as the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast from July 7, 1923, to November 26, 1991.
- **Economic Hub:** Currently designated as the capital of the Karabakh economic region (since July 7, 2021).
- **Historical Name Changes:** The city's official name shifted from Khankendi to Stepanakert in 1923, a name that remained official until late 1991, when it reverted to Khankendi/Xankəndi.
- **Demographic Growth:** Grew from a small settlement of 3,118 people in 1926 to a major urban center of over 53,000 by 2011.
- **Global Identifiers:** Cataloged in numerous international databases, including the Library of Congress (n89151511), Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (7594514), and Encyclopædia Britannica (place/Xankandi).

## Body

### Geography and Location
Khankendi is situated in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan at precise coordinates 39.815278° N, 46.751944° E. The city covers a total area of 29.12 square kilometers and is positioned at an elevation of 813 meters above sea level. It operates within the UTC+04:00 time zone. The city is identified by the ISO 3166-2 code AZ-XA and has GeoNames IDs 146970 and 409421.

### Administrative and Political History
The sovereignty of Khankendi has changed multiple times over the last two centuries. It was originally part of the Karabakh Khanate until 1822, when it was absorbed into the Russian Empire (1822–1917). Following the collapse of the empire, it was briefly part of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918–1920) before becoming part of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (1920–1991). Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the city became part of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan on August 30, 1991.

In terms of internal administration, the city was located in the Shusha Uezd from April 10, 1840, until July 7, 1923. Subsequently, it served as the administrative center of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast from July 7, 1923, until November 26, 1991. From 1991 to 2021, it was part of the Yukhari-Karabakh economic region, and since July 7, 2021, it has served as the capital of the Karabakh economic region. The city also maintains a "twin city" or permanent duplicated item relation with "Xankandi Sahari." As of March 7, 2024, the head of government is Elchin Yusubov.

### Demographics
Khankendi has a recorded demographic history showing substantial growth throughout the 20th century:
- **1926:** 3,118
- **1939:** 10,459
- **1959:** 20,333
- **1910:** 30,293
- **1979:** 38,980
- **1989:** 56,705 (peak recorded population)
- **2005:** 49,848
- **2011:** 53,400

### Nomenclature and Etymology
The city has a diverse nomenclature history.
- **Native Labels:** The native label has alternated between "Xankəndi" (or Khankendi) and "Stepanakert." The name "Stepanakert" was official from August 10, 1923, to November 26, 1991. The name "Xankəndi" has been the native label since November 26, 1991.
- **Aliases:** The city is known globally by many names, including Vararakn (historical), Xankendi, Khankandi, Hankendi, Stepanakert, and specific script variations like 斯捷潘纳克特, Степанакерт, and Ханкенды.
- **Official Names:** Historically, official names included "Խանքենդի" and "Khankendi" prior to 1923. Between 1923 and 1991, the official names included "Степанакерт" and "Stepanakert." Post-1991, "Xankəndi" and "Ханкенди" are listed as official names.

### External Identifiers and Cultural References
Khankendi is extensively cataloged in international knowledge bases:
- **Library Catalogs:** Library of Congress Authority ID (n89151511), National Library of Israel J9U ID (987007565175105171), Canadiana Name Authority ID (ncf12009400).
- **Encyclopedias:** Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID (place/Xankandi), Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana ID (stepanakert), Brockhaus Enzyklopädie Online ID (xankändi), Great Russian Encyclopedia Online ID (4165408).
- **Digital & Tech:** Wolfram Language Entity Code (AdministrativeDivision "Xankandi", "Azerbaijan"), Quora Topic (Stepanakert), BBC Things ID (32312809-af0a-43c7-ba54-13120e903605).
- **Geographical:** FIPS 10-4 code (AJ61), Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID (7594514).

The city has a dedicated Wikidata description as a "city in Azerbaijan" and is categorized under "Category:Stepanakert" and "Category:Views of Stepanakert." It is represented in Wikimedia Commons with a locator map image and a page banner.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/nagorno-karabakh-armenia-azerbaijan-refugees-b2421023.html)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz
4. [Source](http://stat-nkr.am/files/publications/joxovrdagrakan_vichak_2011.pdf)
5. 1926 Soviet census
6. 1939 Soviet census
7. 1959 Soviet census
8. 1970 Soviet census
9. 1979 Soviet census
10. 1989 Soviet census
11. 2005 census of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
12. GeoNames
13. BBC Things
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. Quora
16. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
17. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Stepanakert-YXJKB3)