Armenia–Turkey border in the context of "Turkish–Azeri blockade of Armenia"

Ani (Armenian: Անի; Ancient Greek: Ἄνιον, romanized: Ánion; Latin: Abnicum) is a ruined medieval Armenian city now situated in Turkey's province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia.

Between 961 and 1045, it was the capital of the Bagratuni Armenian kingdom that covered much of present-day Armenia and eastern Turkey. The iconic city was often referred to as the "City of 1,001 Churches," though the number was significantly less. To date, 50 churches, 33 cave chapels and 20 chapels have been excavated by archaeologists and historians. Ani stood on various trade routes and its many religious buildings, palaces, and sophisticated fortifications distinguished it from other contemporary urban centers in the Armenian kingdom. Among its most notable buildings was the Cathedral of Ani, which is associated with early examples of Gothic architecture and that scholars argue influenced the great cathedrals of Europe in the early gothic and Romanesque styles; its ribbed vaulting would not be seen in European cathedrals for at least another two centuries. At its height, Ani was one of the world's largest cities, with a population of perhaps 100,000, though given its limited area historians have cast doubt at this estimate.

Iğdır District (also: Merkez, meaning "central" in Turkish) is a district of the Iğdır Province of Turkey. Its seat is the city of Iğdır. Its area is 1,273 km, and its population is 147,197 (2022). It lies on the border with Armenia.

The Akhuryan (Armenian: Ախուրյան, romanized: Akhuryan) or Arpachay (Turkish: Arpaçay) is a river in the South Caucasus. It originates in Armenia and flows from Lake Arpi, along the closed border with Turkey, forming part of the geographic border between the two states, until it flows into the Aras as a left tributary near Bagaran. The Akhuryan is 186 km (116 mi) long, and has a 9,670 km (3,730 sq mi) drainage basin.

Gyumri, the second largest city of Armenia, is located on the east bank of the river.