Nagorno-Karabakh or Mountaninous Karabagh, often referred to Armenians living in the area as Artsakh, is mostly mountainous and forested, hence its name.
It is bordered by Lake Sevan, Araz Valley, and the historic province of Udik. The capital of Artsakh is Sdepanagerd. Artsakh has 5 provinces: Hadrut, Mardagerd, Marduni, Asgeran, and Shusi.
St. Greogry the Illuminator established the first Armenian Church in Artsakh in the 4th century. St. Mesrob Mashdots established the first Armenian school in the area in the 5th century.
In 451, during the heroic battles of Vartanants, Artsakh brought about its full participation.
At the end of the 17th century, The Armenian Liberation movement started in Armenia. Israel Ori from the Karapagh Meliks became the first activist and a prominent figure of the Armenian national liberation movement. Tavit Peg, Mkhitar Sparabed, Sdepan Shahoumian and Father Avedik were among the prominent figures of the liberation movement.
Shushi was liberated on May 8, 1992. Many other regions got liberated around that time as well.
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) has its own flag, anthem and coat of arms.
In 1988 the Armenian de-facto recognized the independence of Karapagh.
The Artsakh Chapter was established in 1991 in the Rabieh region.
The founding board included: Arshalouyce Diab (chair), Angel Sabounjian (vice-chair), Sossi Barsoumian (secretary), Ashkhen Hamamjian (teasurer), Alice Beoukian (bookkeeper), Houri Maljian, Arpi Hagopian, Violet Makinajian, and Vera Beoukian.
The chapter operates at the Aghpalian Sport-Cultural Complex.
