The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,502.75 km2 (2,124.62 sq mi) with a population of 459,600. It is bordered by Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the southwest, and Turkey to the west. It is the sole autonomous republic of Azerbaijan, governed by its own elected legislature.

An enclave is a territory that is entirely surrounded by the territory of only one other state or entity. Such territory can be a small territory as part of a larger one. Enclaves may also exist within territorial waters. Enclave is sometimes used improperly to denote a territory that is only partly surrounded by another state. Many enclaves are also exclaves, but some are not, for example Vatican City and San Marino and Lesotho are completely enclaved sovereign states.