# Lachin

> city in Azerbaijan, administrative center of the Lachin District

**Wikidata**: [Q1000883](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1000883)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lachin

## Summary

Lachin (Azerbaijani: Laçın) is a city in Azerbaijan serving as the administrative center of Lachin District. Located at an elevation of 889 meters above sea level in the Karabakh region, it has a complex history having been part of Zangezursky Uyezd and Kurdistan Uyezd before becoming the district capital in 1930. The city has undergone significant population fluctuations, with current estimates placing its population at approximately 2,090 residents as of September 2024.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: 39.640833°N, 46.546944°E
- **Country**: Azerbaijan
- **Administrative status**: Capital of Lachin District (since August 8, 1930)
- **Elevation**: 889 meters above sea level
- **Timezone**: UTC+04:00
- **Postal code**: AZ 4101
- **Licence plate code**: 41
- **Official language**: Azerbaijani
- **Head of government**: Aqil Nəzərli
- **Official name**: Laçın (since 1926; previously Abdallar until 1926)
- **Population (2024)**: 2,090 (preferred estimate as of September 2024); 1,627 (alternative 2024 figure)
- **Population (2005)**: 2,190
- **Population (1979)**: 6,073
- **Population (1970)**: 4,990
- **Population (1959)**: 2,329
- **Population (1939)**: 1,063
- **Population (1926)**: 435

## FAQs

**What district does Lachin belong to?**
Lachin is the administrative center of Lachin District in Azerbaijan, a position it has held since August 8, 1930.

**What was Lachin called before 1926?**
The city was formerly known as Abdallar (also spelled Abdalyar) until 1926, when it was officially renamed Laçın.

**What historical administrative regions did Lachin belong to?**
Before becoming the center of Lachin District, the settlement was part of Zangezursky Uyezd from February 25, 1868 to April 8, 1929, and Kurdistan Uyezd from July 16, 1923 to April 8, 1929.

**What is the current population of Lachin?**
The most recent population estimate is 2,090 residents as of September 2024, according to Russian Wikipedia sources. An alternative 2024 figure from Azerbaijani sources cites 1,627 residents.

**What is Lachin's elevation?**
Lachin sits at 889 meters (approximately 2,917 feet) above sea level.

**What is Lachin's postal code?**
The postal code for Lachin is AZ 4101.

## Why It Matters

Lachin holds strategic and historical significance as the administrative heart of Lachin District in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Its location at 889 meters elevation in the mountainous terrain has shaped its development and cultural identity. The city's history reflects the broader geopolitical transformations of the South Caucasus, having transitioned through various administrative divisions during the Russian Empire and Soviet periods before becoming part of modern Azerbaijan.

The population dynamics of Lachin are particularly noteworthy. The city experienced significant growth from just 435 residents in 1926 to a peak of 6,073 in 1979, followed by a decline to 2,190 by 2005. This pattern reflects the broader rural-to-urban migration trends and economic changes in the region. The recent population figures around 2,000 indicate a stabilizing urban center serving as a regional hub.

As the district capital, Lachin serves as the administrative, economic, and cultural center for the surrounding area, providing government services, transportation connections, and educational institutions. Its position in eastern Zangezur and its historical connections to both Kurdish and Armenian populations (reflected in its historical names and local heritage) make it a unique urban center in Azerbaijan's regional geography.

## Notable For

- Administrative center of Lachin District since 1930
- Formerly known as Abdallar until official renaming in 1926
- Located at 889 meters elevation, making it a highland city
- Peak population of 6,073 reached in 1979
- Postal code AZ 4101 and licence plate code 41
- Website: http://lachin-ih.gov.az/
- Represented in 47 Wikipedia language editions
- Home to head of government Aqil Nəzərli

## Body

### Historical Administration

Lachin's administrative history reflects the changing borders and governance structures of the South Caucasus region. From February 25, 1868 until April 8, 1929, the settlement was part of Zangezursky Uyezd, a district within the Elisabethpol Governorate of the Russian Empire. Following the establishment of Soviet power, the area was reorganized, and from July 16, 1923 to April 8, 1929, it belonged to Kurdistan Uyezd. On August 8, 1930, Lachin became the administrative center of Lachin District, a status it maintains to this day.

### Geography and Location

The city is situated at coordinates 39.640833°N latitude and 46.546944°E longitude, placing it in the eastern part of the Zangezur mountain range. At 889 meters above sea level, Lachin occupies a mountainous position that characterizes much of the Lachin District terrain. The city lies within the UTC+04:00 timezone, consistent with Azerbaijan's standard time.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Lachin has fluctuated significantly throughout its modern history. In 1926, shortly after its renaming from Abdallar to Laçın, the settlement had only 435 residents. Under Soviet rule, the city experienced steady growth: 1,063 residents in 1939, 2,329 in 1959, 4,990 in 1970, and reaching a peak of 6,073 in 1979. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the population declined substantially, dropping to 2,190 by 2005.

Current population estimates vary between sources. Russian Wikipedia cites 2,090 residents as of September 2024, while Azerbaijani sources report 1,627 residents for 2024. This discrepancy may reflect different counting methodologies or timing of the surveys.

### Identity and Classification

Lachin is classified as a city and serves as the administrative center of Lachin District. The official name has been Laçın since 1926, though it retains historical aliases including Abdallar, Abdalyar, Lachyn, Latschin, Лачин, Абдаляр, and لاشن. The native label in Azerbaijani is Laçın, and the official language is Azerbaijani.

The city has numerous identifier codes across international databases: VIAF ID 135077913, Freebase ID /m/0h4yyr, Geonames ID 147625, Wikimapia ID 144805, Armeniapedia ID 6281, GNS unique feature ID -2707442, Library of Congress authority ID n2005016125, and Wolfram Language entity code Entity["City", {"Lacin", "Lacin", "Azerbaijan"}].

### Governance and Infrastructure

The current head of government is Aqil Nəzərli. The city uses postal code AZ 4101 and licence plate code 41. Lachin maintains an official website at http://lachin-ih.gov.az/, providing municipal information in Azerbaijani.

### Cultural Context

Lachin is represented across multiple Wikimedia projects, with articles in 47 Wikipedia language editions. The city has a dedicated Commons category (Laçın) and is associated with Category:People of Laçın for notable residents and Category:Laçın for the city itself. The Armeniapedia ID 6281 indicates historical connections to Armenian heritage documentation, while the kulturenvanteri taxonomy ID 5577 suggests cultural inventory entries for the region.

### International Recognition

The city appears in numerous databases and reference works, including the Library of Congress authority files (n2005016125), National Library of Israel J9U ID (987007482543405171), and various geographic name databases. Its presence across multiple language versions of Wikipedia—from Arabic to Chinese—demonstrates its recognition as a notable settlement within Azerbaijan and the broader Caucasus region.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://census.stat-nkr.am/nkr/1-1.pdf)
4. [Source](https://azertag.az/xeber/lachin_seherine_novbeti_koch_karvani_yola_salinib-2901244)
5. GeoNames
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File