“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2026
2026
2024-10-30
The Azerbaijani side has always distorted historical realities and has been obsessed with presenting its own history as ancient. In the process of distorting the history of neighboring states and peoples, Baku goes to any lengths.
Recently, Azerbaijani historian Zaur Aliyev published a 14th century map with a mention of Azerbaijan toponym. According to him, this map was prepared by Muhammad al-Idrisi (12th century) for Roger II, King of Sicily.
"This map was translated into Latin in 1619, and in 1928, Conrad Miller translated it into English. It is still preserved in the Library of Congress. The original map has been kept in France since 1325 and is currently preserved in the National Library of France. The map clearly depicts the territories of Southern and Northern Azerbaijan. This map is yet another response to all those who say, 'Stalin invented the name Azerbaijan,' notes the historian.
The aforementioned map began to circulate on Azerbaijani YouTube and Telegram channels, which further reinforced their society's flawed perceptions of their own country's history.
Azerbaijan in the map of 1325
A reprint of the map, according to R. Galichian. Added numerical markings concerning relevant clarifications.
Before the publication of the aforementioned map by Zaur Aliyev, the topic was thoroughly addressed by cartographer Ruben Galichian in his book titled 'A Cartographic Examination of the "Historical" Maps in the National Atlas of Azerbaijan 2014, and the Invented Terminology of "Western Azerbaijan."' According to the author's notes (highlighted in red)
1․ Azerbaijan is always referred to by its medieval name Aderbaigan, and is located south of the Arax River, which is placed at the top of the map. This name is mentioned twice, both in the territory of Iran south of the Arax River. They both are underlined green. The territory of that region never reaches north of the Arax and Kura rivers; therefore, it could only be the Iranian province of Azerbaijan.
2․The name of Armenia is indicated in three locations, each highlighted red. One of them is southwest of Lake Urmia. Another in the area between lakes Urmia and Lake Van, and the third, north of the Arax River, in the region leading to Tiflis (Tbilisi).[1]։
The Azerbaijani side is entangled in the historical realities it has fabricated and distorted. First, a map is published by the Azerbaijanis that explicitly mentions the name Armenia, which directly contradicts the Azerbaijani historiographical narrative. Furthermore, the map indicates the name Azerbaijan, which lies south of the Araks River and refers to Iran's Atrpatakan province, having no connection to the current Republic of Azerbaijan.
[1] Galichian, p. 15։