Armavir Province
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Armavir ( hy, Արմավիր, ), is a
province A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman ''Roman province, provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire ...
(''marz'') in the western part of
Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ''Ox ...
. Located in the Ararat plain dominated by
Mount Ararat Mount Ararat or , ''Ararat''; or is a snow-capped and dormant compound volcano in the extreme east of Turkey. It consists of two major volcanic cones: Greater Ararat and Little Ararat. Greater Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and th ...
from the south and
Mount Aragats Mount Aragats ( hy, Արագած, ) is an isolated four-peaked volcano massif in Armenia. Its northern summit, at above sea level, is the highest point of the Lesser Caucasus and Armenia. It is also one of the highest points in the Armenian ...
from the north, the province's capital is the town of Armavir while the largest city is
Vagharshapat Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is comm ...
(Etchmiadzin). The province shares a -long border with
Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
to the south and west. The province is home to the spiritual centre of the Armenian nation; the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin ( hy, Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածին, translit=Mayr At’oř Surb Ēĵmiatsin), known in Armenian as simply the Mother See (Մայր Աթոռ, ''Mayr At’oř''), is the governing body of the Armen ...
of the
Armenian Apostolic Church , native_name_lang = hy , icon = Armenian Apostolic Church logo.svg , icon_width = 100px , icon_alt = , image = Էջմիածնի_Մայր_Տաճար.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , a ...
. It is the seat of the
Catholicos of All Armenians The Catholicos of All Armenians (plural Catholicoi) ( hy, Ամենայն Հայոց Կաթողիկոս; see #Other names), is the chief bishop and spiritual leader of Armenia's national church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the worldwide Arme ...
. The province is named after the ancient city of Armavir founded in 331 BC. The province is also the site of the decisive
Battle of Sardarabad The Battle of Sardarabad ( hy, Սարդարապատի ճակատամարտ, translit=Sardarapati chakatamart; tr, Serdarabad Muharebesi) was a battle of the Caucasus campaign of World War I that took place near Sardarabad, Armenia, from 21 to ...
in 1918 that resulted in the foundation of the
Republic of Armenia A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...
. The battle is seen as a crucial historical event not only by stopping the Turkish advance into the rest of Armenia but also preventing the complete
destruction Destruction may refer to: Concepts * Destruktion, a term from the philosophy of Martin Heidegger * Destructive narcissism, a pathological form of narcissism * Self-destructive behaviour, a widely used phrase that ''conceptualises'' certain kind ...
of the Armenian nation. The
Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) (), also known as the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, (Armenian: Մեծամորի ատոմային էլեկտրակայան) is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus, located 36 kilometers west o ...
is also located in Armavir Province near the town of
Metsamor Metsamor ( hy, Մեծամոր, ), is a town and urban municipal community in the Armavir Province of Armenia. It is famous for being home to Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, the only nuclear plant in the Transcaucasian region. As of the ...
. The Yerevan
Zvartnots International Airport Zvartnots International Airport ( hy, Զվարթնոց միջազգային օդանավակայան, translit=Zvart'nots' mijazgayin ōdanavakayan) is located near Zvartnots, west of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. It acts as the main ...
is located near the village of
Parakar Parakar ( hy, Փարաքար); formerly known as ''Shirabad'', is a major village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. According to the 2010 official estimate, the population of Parakar is 9,297 (including Tairov). The village is notable for its g ...
in Armavir Province ( west of Yerevan).


Etymology

The province is named after the ancient city of Armavir, one of the 13 historic capitals of Armenia. According to
Movses Khorenatsi Movses Khorenatsi (ca. 410–490s AD; hy, Մովսէս Խորենացի, , also written as ''Movses Xorenac‘i'' and Moses of Khoren, Moses of Chorene, and Moses Chorenensis in Latin sources) was a prominent Armenian historian from the late an ...
, ancient Armavir was built by Aramayis; the grandson of
Hayk Hayk ( hy, Հայկ, ), also known as Hayk Nahapet (, , ), is the legendary patriarch and founder of the Armenian nation. His story is told in the '' History of Armenia'' attributed to the Armenian historian Moses of Chorene (Movses Khorenatsi ...
, who moved from Taron to the Ararat plain.


Geography

Armavir has an area of 1,242 km2 (4.2% of total area of Armenia) making it the smallest province of the country in terms of the total area. It is bordered by the
Turkish Turkish may refer to: *a Turkic language spoken by the Turks * of or about Turkey ** Turkish language *** Turkish alphabet ** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation *** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey *** Turkish communities and mi ...
provinces of
Kars Kars (; ku, Qers; ) is a city in northeast Turkey and the capital of Kars Province. Its population is 73,836 in 2011. Kars was in the ancient region known as ''Chorzene'', (in Greek Χορζηνή) in classical historiography ( Strabo), part of ...
from the west and
Iğdır Iğdır ( Turkish ; ku, Îdir or ; hy, Իգդիր, Igdir, also ) is the capital of Iğdır Province in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. History Iğdır went by the Armenian name of Tsolakert during the Middle Ages. s.v. "Igdir," Armenia ...
from the south, with a length of 130.5 km borderline, where
Aras River , az, Araz, fa, ارس, tr, Aras The Aras (also known as the Araks, Arax, Araxes, or Araz) is a river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan excl ...
separates Armenia from Turkey. Domestically, it is bordered by
Aragatsotn Province Aragatsotn ( hy, Արագածոտն, ) is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. It is located in the western part of the country. The capital and largest city of the province is the town of Ashtarak. The Statistical Committee of Armenia reported ...
from the north,
Ararat Province Ararat ( hy, Արարատ, ), is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. Its capital and largest city is the town of Artashat. The province is named after the biblical Mount Ararat. It is bordered by Turkey from the west and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan ...
from the east and the capital
Yerevan Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Y ...
from the northeast. Historically, the current territory of the province mainly occupies the canton of ''Aragatsotn'', along with small parts of ''Arsharunik'' and ''Masyatsotn'' cantons of the
Ayrarat Ayrarat () was the central province of the ancient kingdom Armenia, located in the plain of the upper Aras River. Most of the historical capitals of Armenia were located in this province, including Armavir, Yervandashat, Artashat, Vagharshapat ...
province of Ancient Armenia. The province is entirely located at the heart of the Ararat plain, mainly consisted of agricultural lands, with an average height of 850 meters above sea level, with some plains reaching up to 1,200 meters. Metsamor river (also known as Sevjur river) is the only river that originates from the province. The small lake of Ayger located near the
Aknalich Aknalich (or Aknalitch, hy, Ակնալիճ; formerly, Aygherlich) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The village is situated on a lake, after which it is named, to the east of Metsamor. Aknalich village is the site of the only Yaz ...
village, is among the few water surfaces of the province. Armavir Province is characterized with dry
continental climate Continental climates often have a significant annual variation in temperature (warm summers and cold winters). They tend to occur in the middle latitudes (40 to 55 north), within large landmasses where prevailing winds blow overland bringing som ...
, with hot summers and mildly cold winters.


History

The territory of ancient Armavir was inhabited since the 5th millennium BC. Many sites including the
Metsamor Castle Metsamor site is the remains of an old fortress located to the southwest of the Armenian village of Taronik, in the Armavir Province. While it used to be believed the city of Metsamor was destroyed by the Urartians during the Iron Age researchers ...
, Shresh hill and Mokhrablur hill date back to the
neolithic The Neolithic period, or New Stone Age, is an Old World archaeological period and the final division of the Stone Age. It saw the Neolithic Revolution, a wide-ranging set of developments that appear to have arisen independently in several parts ...
period. The ancient
Urartian Urartian or Vannic is an extinct Hurro-Urartian language which was spoken by the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Urartu (''Biaini'' or ''Biainili'' in Urartian), which was centered on the region around Lake Van and had its capital, Tushpa, ...
settlement of
Argishtikhinili Argishtikhinili (Urartian: ar-gi-iš-ti-ḫi-ni-li) was a town in the ancient kingdom of Urartu, established during the expansion of the Urartians in the Transcaucasus under their king Argishti I, and named in his honour. It lasted between the 8th ...
was founded in 776 BC by king
Argishti I Argishti I (), was the sixth known king of Urartu, reigning from 786 BC to 764 BC. He founded the citadel of Erebuni in 782 BC, which is the present capital of Armenia, Yerevan. Alternate transliterations of the name include ''Argishtis'', ''Argis ...
. One of the oldest written records about the region was found in the inscriptions left by the
Urartian Urartian or Vannic is an extinct Hurro-Urartian language which was spoken by the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Urartu (''Biaini'' or ''Biainili'' in Urartian), which was centered on the region around Lake Van and had its capital, Tushpa, ...
king
Rusa II Rusa II was king of Urartu between around 680 BC and 639 BC. It was during his reign that the massive fortress complex, Karmir-Blur, was constructed.Ian Lindsay and Adam T. Smith, ''A History of Archaeology in the Republic of Armenia'', Journal ...
(685–645 BC). It is believed that the town of
Vagharshapat Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is comm ...
was founded by king
Rusa II Rusa II was king of Urartu between around 680 BC and 639 BC. It was during his reign that the massive fortress complex, Karmir-Blur, was constructed.Ian Lindsay and Adam T. Smith, ''A History of Archaeology in the Republic of Armenia'', Journal ...
in 685 BC as ''Kuarlini'' (Կուարլինի). According to
Movses Khorenatsi Movses Khorenatsi (ca. 410–490s AD; hy, Մովսէս Խորենացի, , also written as ''Movses Xorenac‘i'' and Moses of Khoren, Moses of Chorene, and Moses Chorenensis in Latin sources) was a prominent Armenian historian from the late an ...
, the territories of modern-day Armavir Province mainly occupy the central part of the historic
Ayrarat Ayrarat () was the central province of the ancient kingdom Armenia, located in the plain of the upper Aras River. Most of the historical capitals of Armenia were located in this province, including Armavir, Yervandashat, Artashat, Vagharshapat ...
province at the centre of the Armenian Highland. It contains parts of the ''Aragatsotn'' canton along with small parts of the ''Arsharunik'' and ''Masyatsotn''. The territory was among the most important regions of ancient Armenia since the Urartu period. Its strategic importance had significantly grown with the establishment of the Kingdom of Armenia in 331 BC by the
Orontid Dynasty The Orontid dynasty, also known as the Eruandids or Eruandunis, ruled the Satrapy of Armenia until 330 BC and the Kingdom of Armenia from 321 BC to 200 BC. The Orontids ruled first as client kings or satraps of the Achaemenid Empire and after th ...
. 3 of the historic capital of Armenia are located in modern-day Armavir. The ancient city of Armavir became the capital in 331 BC until 210 BC. It was replaced by the nearby city of Yervandashat which remained the capital of the kingdom until 176 BC, under the reign of the Artaxiad dynasty. Between 120 and 330 AD, the capital of the kingdom was the city of
Vagharshapat Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is comm ...
under the
Arsacid dynasty The Parthian Empire (), also known as the Arsacid Empire (), was a major Iranian political and cultural power in ancient Iran from 247 BC to 224 AD. Its latter name comes from its founder, Arsaces I, who led the Parni tribe in conqueri ...
. After the Christianization of Armenia in 301, Vagharshapat became the spiritual centre of the Armenians worldwide. In 405,
Mesrop Mashtots Mesrob or Mesrop ( hy, Մեսրոպ) is an Armenian given name. Mesrob / Mesrop may refer to: *Mesrop Mashtots, also Saint Mesrop, Armenian monk, theologian and linguist. Inventor of the Armenian alphabet **Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manu ...
introduced the newly created
Armenian alphabet The Armenian alphabet ( hy, Հայոց գրեր, ' or , ') is an alphabetic writing system used to write Armenian language, Armenian. It was developed around 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist and wikt:ecclesiastical, ecclesiast ...
to the Armenians in Vagharshapat. After the fall of the Armenian Kingdom in 428, the region became part of the
Sasanian Empire The Sasanian () or Sassanid Empire, officially known as the Empire of Iranians (, ) and also referred to by historians as the Neo-Persian Empire, was the History of Iran, last Iranian empire before the early Muslim conquests of the 7th-8th cen ...
of Persia until the
Arab conquest of Armenia The Muslim conquest of parts of Armenia and Anatolia was a part of the Muslim conquests after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. Persarmenia had fallen to the Arab Rashidun Caliphate by 645 CE. Byzantine Armenia was alread ...
in the mid-7th century. By the end of the 9th century, the region became part of the newly established
Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia The Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia, also known as Bagratid Armenia ( xcl, Բագրատունեաց Հայաստան, or , , 'kingdom of the Bagratunis'), was an independent Armenian state established by Ashot I Bagratuni of the Bagratuni dynasty ...
. Between the 11th and 15th centuries, the region suffered from the Seljuk, Mongol,
Ag Qoyunlu The Aq Qoyunlu ( az, Ağqoyunlular , ) was a culturally Persianate,Kaushik Roy, ''Military Transition in Early Modern Asia, 1400–1750'', (Bloomsbury, 2014), 38; "Post-Mongol Persia and Iraq were ruled by two tribal confederations: Akkoyunlu (Wh ...
and
Kara Koyunlu The Qara Qoyunlu or Kara Koyunlu ( az, Qaraqoyunlular , fa, قره قویونلو), also known as the Black Sheep Turkomans, were a culturally Persianate, Muslim Turkoman "Kara Koyunlu, also spelled Qara Qoyunlu, Turkish Karakoyunlular, En ...
invasions, respectively. However, the town of Vagharshapat restored its importance in 1441 when the seat of the Armenian Catholicosate was transferred from the
Cilicia Cilicia (); el, Κιλικία, ''Kilikía''; Middle Persian: ''klkyʾy'' (''Klikiyā''); Parthian: ''kylkyʾ'' (''Kilikiyā''); tr, Kilikya). is a geographical region in southern Anatolia in Turkey, extending inland from the northeastern coa ...
n city of Sis back to
Etchmiadzin Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is comm ...
. At the beginning of the 16th century, the territory of modern-day Armavir became part of the ''Erivan Beglarbegi'' within the
Safavid Persia Safavid Iran or Safavid Persia (), also referred to as the Safavid Empire, '. was one of the greatest Iranian empires after the 7th-century Muslim conquest of Persia, which was ruled from 1501 to 1736 by the Safavid dynasty. It is often conside ...
except brief Ottoman rules during Ottoman-Persian Wars between 1514 and 1736. During the first half of the 18th century, the territory became part of the
Erivan Khanate The Erivan Khanate ( fa, خانات ایروان, translit=Xānāt-e Iravān; hy, Երեւանի խանութիւն, translit=Yerevani xanut'iwn; az, ایروان خانلیغی, translit=İrəvan xanlığı), also known as Chokhur-e Sa'd, was ...
under the rule of the
Afsharid dynasty The Afsharid dynasty ( fa, افشاریان) was an Iranian Iranian may refer to: * Iran, a sovereign state * Iranian peoples, the speakers of the Iranian languages. The term Iranic peoples is also used for this term to distinguish the pan eth ...
and later under the
Qajar dynasty The Qajar dynasty (; fa, دودمان قاجار ', az, Qacarlar ) was an IranianAbbas Amanat, ''The Pivot of the Universe: Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar and the Iranian Monarchy, 1831–1896'', I. B. Tauris, pp 2–3 royal dynasty of Turkic peoples ...
of Persia. It remained under the Persian rule until 1827-1828, when Eastern Armenia was ceded by the
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
as a result of the Russo-Persian War of 1826–28 and the signing of the
Treaty of Turkmenchay The Treaty of Turkmenchay ( fa, عهدنامه ترکمنچای; russian: Туркманчайский договор) was an agreement between Qajar Iran and the Russian Empire, which concluded the Russo-Persian War (1826–28). It was second o ...
. After the fall of the
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
in 1917, the
Ottoman Army The military of the Ottoman Empire ( tr, Osmanlı İmparatorluğu'nun silahlı kuvvetleri) was the armed forces of the Ottoman Empire. Army The military of the Ottoman Empire can be divided in five main periods. The foundation era covers the ...
intended to crush Armenia and seize the Russian Transcaucasia and the oil wells of
Baku Baku (, ; az, Bakı ) is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world a ...
. In May 1918, the Ottoman forces attacked Eastern Armenia in 3 fronts. At the northern front, the Ottomans reached Karakilisa (nowadays
Vanadzor Vanadzor ( hy, Վանաձոր) is an urban municipal community and the third-largest city in Armenia, serving as the capital of Lori Province in the northern part of the country. It is located about north of the capital Yerevan. As of the 2011 cen ...
) on May 20 almost without resistance. The 2nd front was through the town of
Aparan Aparan (Armenian: ), is a town and urban municipal community in Armenia, located in the Aragatsotn Province, about 50 kilometers northwest of the capital Yerevan. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town was 6,451. As per the 2016 offic ...
while the 3rd and largest front was through the town of Sardarabad (nowadays
Araks , az, Araz, fa, ارس, tr, Aras The Aras (also known as the Araks, Arax, Araxes, or Araz) is a river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan excl ...
) in the Armavir region. On May 21, the detachment of ''Zihni Bey'' defeated an Armenian unit composed of 600 infantry and 250 cavalry, and then took over Sardarabad. Afterwards, the Ottoman forces advanced towards the village of Yeghegnut. The Armenian offensive led by
Daniel Bek-Pirumian Daniel-Bek Abisoghomi Pirumyan ( hy, Դանիէլ Բէկ Աբիսողոմի Փիրումեան; 22 November 1861 – 1922) was an Armenians, Armenian military commander who served in the Imperial Russian Army during World War I and in the army of ...
and
Movses Silikyan Movses Silikyan or Silikov (, ; 14 September 1862 – 22 November 1937) was an Armenian general who served in the Imperial Russian Army during World War I and later in the army of the First Republic of Armenia. He is regarded as a national hero i ...
was launched in 22 May. As a result of the decisive Armenian victories over the Turks on the 3 fronts of Sardarabad, Abaran, and Gharakilisa, the Armavir region became part of the independent Armenia by the end of May 1918. After 2 years of brief independence, Armenia became part of the
Soviet Union The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...
in December 1920. From 1930 until 1995, modern-day Armavir was divided into 3
raion A raion (also spelt rayon) is a type of administrative unit of several post-Soviet states. The term is used for both a type of subnational entity and a division of a city. The word is from the French (meaning 'honeycomb, department'), and is co ...
s within the
Armenian SSR The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic,; russian: Армянская Советская Социалистическая Республика, translit=Armyanskaya Sovetskaya Sotsialisticheskaya Respublika) also commonly referred to as Soviet A ...
: ''Baghramyan raion'', ''Hoktemberyan raion'', and ''Etchmiadzin raion''. With the territorial administration reform of 1995, the 3 raions were merged to form the Armavir Province.


Demographics


Population

According to the 1989 Soviet census, the Armavir Province (then part of the Baghramyan, Armavir, and
Etchmiadzin Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is comm ...
districts in 1930–1995) had a population of 291,647. 107,397 or 36.82% of which was urban, distributed in the cities of Hoktemberyan (46,857) and Etchmiadzin (60,540), and 184,250 or 63.18% were rural, distributed in the districts of Baghramyan (20,438), Armavir (84,314), and Etchmiadzin (79,498). According to the 2011 official census, Armavir has a population of 265,770 (130,078 men and 135,692 women), forming around 8.8% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 85,050 (32%) and the rural is 180,720 (68%). The province has 3 urban and 94 rural communities. The largest urban community is the town of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), with a population of 46,540. The other urban centres are Armavir and Metsamor. With a population of 5,584, the village of
Parakar Parakar ( hy, Փարաքար); formerly known as ''Shirabad'', is a major village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. According to the 2010 official estimate, the population of Parakar is 9,297 (including Tairov). The village is notable for its g ...
is the largest rural municipality of Armavir.


Ethnic groups and religion

The majority of the Armavir Province population are ethnic Armenians who belong to the
Armenian Apostolic Church , native_name_lang = hy , icon = Armenian Apostolic Church logo.svg , icon_width = 100px , icon_alt = , image = Էջմիածնի_Մայր_Տաճար.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , a ...
. The regulating body of the church is the
Diocese of Armavir Diocese of Armavir ( hy, Արմավիրի թեմ ''Armaviri t'em''), is a diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church covering the Armavir Province of Armenia. The name is derived from the historic city of Armavir which served as the capital of the ...
, headed by Bishop Sion Adamyan. The Saint Gregory of Narek Cathedral in the town of Armavir is the seat of the diocese. However, there is a significant number of
Yazidis Yazidis or Yezidis (; ku, ئێزیدی, translit=Êzidî) are a Kurmanji-speaking Endogamy, endogamous minority group who are indigenous to Kurdistan, a geographical region in Western Asia that includes parts of Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran ...
in Armavir totaling around 17,000 people, mainly in the villages of Zartonk,
Yeraskhahun Yeraskhahun ( hy, Երասխահուն, until 1950, Kuru-Araz) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Half of the population (around 930) of the village are Yazidis. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, Արմավիր, ), i ...
,
Nalbandyan Nalbandian ( hy, wikt:Նալբանդյան, Նալբանդյան; Western Armenian: Նալպանտեան) is an Armenian surname that derives from hy, wikt:նալբանդ, նալբանդ, lit=one who makes horseshoes, translit=nalband, label=none ...
, Yeghegnut,
Artashar Artashar ( hy, Արտաշար) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Today, almost 42% (around 511 individuals) of the population are Yazidis in Armenia, Yazidi Kurds. References External links *Report of the results of the 2001 ...
, Nor Artagers and the small village of Ferik where the Yazidis form the majority. The village of
Aknalich Aknalich (or Aknalitch, hy, Ակնալիճ; formerly, Aygherlich) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The village is situated on a lake, after which it is named, to the east of Metsamor. Aknalich village is the site of the only Yaz ...
is the site of the largest Yazidi temple in the world, known as
Quba Mere Diwane Quba () is a city and the administrative centre of the Quba District of Azerbaijan. The city lies on the north-eastern slopes of Shahdag mountain, at an altitude of 600 metres above sea level, on the right bank of the Kudyal river. It has a po ...
, which was opened in the village in September 2019. The village of Nor Artagers is also home to a small
Assyrian Assyrian may refer to: * Assyrian people, the indigenous ethnic group of Mesopotamia. * Assyria, a major Mesopotamian kingdom and empire. ** Early Assyrian Period ** Old Assyrian Period ** Middle Assyrian Empire ** Neo-Assyrian Empire * Assyrian ...
community totaling around 260 people. They belong to the
Assyrian Church of the East The Assyrian Church of the East,, ar, كنيسة المشرق الآشورية sometimes called Church of the East, officially the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East,; ar, كنيسة المشرق الآشورية الرسول ...
.


Administrative divisions

Armavir Province is currently divided into 7 communities (''hamaynkner''), formed as a result of the local elections held on December 5, 2021, in the province : *''A cross denotes a town (urban settlement), otherwise, the settlements are villages (rural settlements).'' Rural communities and included settlements: *
Aghavnatun Aghavnatun ( hy, Աղավնատուն, formerly, Akhavnatukh) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. it is home to ruins of an iron-age fortress, a 13th-century tomb and a chapel. There are four churches in the village, the oldest of ...
*
Aknalich Aknalich (or Aknalitch, hy, Ակնալիճ; formerly, Aygherlich) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The village is situated on a lake, after which it is named, to the east of Metsamor. Aknalich village is the site of the only Yaz ...
* Alashkert *
Amasia Amasia may refer to the following places: * Amasya, a city in Northern Turkey ** Amasya Province, which contains the city ** Amasea (titular see), the former Metropolitan Archbishopric with see there, now a Latin Catholic titular see * Amasia, Shir ...
*
Amberd Amberd ( hy, Ամբերդ) is a 10th-century fortress located above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Aragats at the confluence of the Arkashen and Amberd rivers in the province of Aragatsotn, Armenia. The name translates to "fortress in the clo ...
*
Aragats Mount Aragats ( hy, Արագած, ) is an isolated four-peaked volcano massif in Armenia. Its northern summit, at above sea level, is the highest point of the Lesser Caucasus and Armenia. It is also one of the highest points in the Armenian Hi ...
* Araks (Armavir) *
Arazap Arazap ( hy, Արազափ) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, Արմավիր, ), is a province (''marz'') in the western part of Armenia. Located in the Ararat plain dominated by Mount A ...
* Arevadasht * Arevashat *
Arevik Arevik ( hy, Արևիկ; formerly, Agdzharkh and Aghja-Arkh) is a town in the Armavir province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia ...
* Argavand *
Argina ''Argina'' is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae. They are distributed throughout Africa, Mauritius, China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Andaman Islands, New Guinea and Australia. Description Palpi upturned, reaching the vertex of he ...
* Armavir *
Arshaluys Arshaluys ( hy, Արշալույս, until 1935 ''Kyorpalu'') is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. It is located 14 km north-east from the regional center. It is located on the right bank of the Kasagh River. The city is about 19 km fr ...
*
Artamet Artamet ( hy, Արտամետ) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia; it is located around 65 km east of Yerevan and 12 km from the border with Turkey. Artamet was founded in 1982. In 1991, 650 families from Nagorno Karabakh ...
*
Artashar Artashar ( hy, Արտաշար) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Today, almost 42% (around 511 individuals) of the population are Yazidis in Armenia, Yazidi Kurds. References External links *Report of the results of the 2001 ...
* Aygek * Aygeshat (Armavir) * Aygeshat (Vagharshapat) *
Aygevan Aygevan ( hy, Այգևան); formerly ''Sovkhoz Nomer Shest'' – (Russian for "Sovkhoz number six"), later ''Imeni Stalina'', later ''Dzerzhinski'' and ''Imeni Dzerzhinskogo'', is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. It was founded ...
* Bagaran * Baghramyan (Armavir) * Baghramyan (Vagharshapat) * Bambakashat *
Berkashat Berkashat ( hy, Բերքաշատ) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, wikt:Արմավիր, Արմավիր, ), is a administrative divisions of Armenia, province (''marz'') in the western ...
*
Dalarik Dalarik ( hy, Դալարիկ; until 1965, Mastara) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, Արմավիր, ), is a province (''marz'') in the western part of Armenia. Located in the Ararat pl ...
* Dasht *
Doghs Doghs ( hy, Դողս) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. In 894, Smbat I defeated Emir Apshin of Atrapatakan in a battle at Doghs. The town's church, dedicated to Surb Stepanos (''Saint Stephen''), was built in the 19th century. Th ...
* Ferik * Getashen * Hatsik * Haykavan * Haytagh * Hovtamej *
Hushakert Hushakert ( hy, Հուշակերտ; until 1968, Shah-Varut) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.Th ...
*
Janfida Janfida ( hy, Ջանֆիդա), is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of ...
* Jrashen *
Karakert Karakert ( hy, Քարակերտ) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Population is 4757. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, wikt:Արմավիր, Արմավիր, ), is a administrative divisions of Armenia, province (''ma ...
* Khanjyan * Koghbavan *
Kyurakyan Kyurakyan is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, Արմավիր, ), is a province (''marz'') in the western part of Armenia. Located in the Ararat plain dominated by Mount Ararat from the so ...
*
Lenughi Lenughi ( hy, Լենուղի; until 1946, Aghlanli Nerkin and Yasakhli) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The town's church, dedicated to Saint Nshan, dates from the 1870s. The "MAP" brandy and wine factory is located in Lenughi. ...
*
Lernagog Lernagog ( hy, Լեռնագոգ), is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The village was formerly a sovkhoz. The village is sponsored by COAF Children of Armenia Fund and is one of the cleanest villages in Armenia. It has a very good sc ...
* Lernamerdz *
Lukashin Lukashin ( hy, Լուկաշին; formerly, Imeni Mikoyana), is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asi ...
*
Margara Bridge over Arax at Margara in 1925. Margara ( hy, Մարգարա, also Romanized as Markara; formerly Margara-Gök) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Margara is the closest border crossing to Turkey from Yerevan, though at present ...
* Mayisyan * Merdzavan * Mrgastan *
Mrgashat Mrgashat ( hy, Մրգաշատ), is a major village in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classificat ...
* Musaler *
Myasnikyan Myasnikyan ( hy, Մյասնիկյան) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The town is named for Aleksandr Myasnikyan, the Armenian Bolshevik revolutionary and statesman who led Soviet Armenia at the beginning of Lenin's New Economic Pol ...
*
Nalbandyan Nalbandian ( hy, wikt:Նալբանդյան, Նալբանդյան; Western Armenian: Նալպանտեան) is an Armenian surname that derives from hy, wikt:նալբանդ, նալբանդ, lit=one who makes horseshoes, translit=nalband, label=none ...
*
Norakert Norakert ( hy, Նորակերտ) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, wikt:Արմավիր, Արմավիր, ), is a administrative divisions of Armenia, province (''marz'') in the western pa ...
* Nor Armavir * Nor Artagers *
Nor Kesaria Nor Kesaria ( hy, Նոր Կեսարիա) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classificat ...
*
Norapat Norapat ( hy, Նորապատ) is a former town in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification ...
* Noravan *
Parakar Parakar ( hy, Փարաքար); formerly known as ''Shirabad'', is a major village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. According to the 2010 official estimate, the population of Parakar is 9,297 (including Tairov). The village is notable for its g ...
**
Tairov Tairov ( hy, Թաիրով), is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Administratively it is subordinate to the community of Parakar and is located 1km east to Parakar. Tairov was founded in 1921. See also *Armavir Province Armavi ...
* Pshatavan *
Ptghunk Ptghunk ( hy, Պտղունք, also Romanized as Ptghunk’, Ptghounq, and Ptkhunk) is a village in the Armenian province of Armavir. The village is about 10 miles from Yerevan on the road to Komitas, and is close to the Zvartnots airport. The po ...
* Sardarapat *
Shahumyan Shahumyan Province ( hy, Շահումյան, Shahumyan, also spelled ''Shaumyan'' and ''Shahumian'') is a claimed province of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh, ''de jure'' part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The capital of the province was K ...
* Shahumyani trchnafabrika * Shenavan * Shenik * Talvorik * Tandzut *
Taronik Taronik ( hy, Տարոնիկ, hy, Չեյվա) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The Iron Age settlement of Metsamor site is located only 1 km southwest of Taronik. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, wikt:Արմավի ...
* Tsaghkalanj * Tsaghkunk * Tsiatsan *
Vanand Vanand () is the area of historic Armenia that roughly corresponds to the Kars Province of present-day Turkey. Named after the Armenian family of Vanandi, it was a principality of the Kingdom of Armenia and a later province of the Democratic R ...
*
Vardanashen Vardanashen ( hy, Վարդանաշեն; formerly, Chibukhchi) is a town in the Armavir (province), Armavir Province of Armenia. See also *Armavir Province References

* * * Populated places in Armavir Province {{ArmavirAM-geo-stu ...
* Yeghegnut *
Yeraskhahun Yeraskhahun ( hy, Երասխահուն, until 1950, Kuru-Araz) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Half of the population (around 930) of the village are Yazidis. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, Արմավիր, ), i ...
* Yervandashat * Zartonk


Culture

Armavir is among the richest cultural centres of the Republic of Armenia. The urban settlements of the province are home to cultural palaces as well as many public libraries. However, during the Soviet period, there were 98 public libraries in Armavir with only 21 of them are still functioning. The town of Vagharshapat is home to a large number of museums including the Vagharshapat ethnographic museum, Khoren Ter-Harutyunyan museum and art gallery, Mher Abeghian museum and art gallery, and Hovhannes Hovhannisyan house-museum. Many museums and libraries are housed in the complex of the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin ( hy, Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածին, translit=Mayr At’oř Surb Ēĵmiatsin), known in Armenian as simply the Mother See (Մայր Աթոռ, ''Mayr At’oř''), is the governing body of the Armen ...
, including: *Etchmiadzin Cathedral Museum, *Catholicosal Museum, *Khrimian Museum, *Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury House, *Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Depository, *Printing house and Bookstore of the Mother See. *Rouben Sevak Museum The village of Musaler is home to the annual celebration of the
Musa Dagh Musa Dagh ( tr, Musa Dağı; hy, Մուսա լեռ, ; ar, جبل موسى ; meaning "Moses Mountain") is a mountain in the Hatay province of Turkey. In 1915, it was the location of a successful Armenians, Armenian resistance to the Armenian g ...
resistance, when thousands of Armenians from all over the world arrive in the village each year during the month of September, to celebrate the event around the Musa Dagh memorial. The famous
Sardarapat Memorial Sardarapat Memorial is a memorial complex to the Battle of Sardarabad located in the village of Araks, in the Armavir Province of Armenia, 11 kilometers southwest of Armavir town. Design The memorial was designed by architect Rafael Israelyan ...
complex, including the
Armenia Ethnography Museum Officially, the Armenia Ethnography Museum and the National Liberation Movement, is a state-owned museum of Armenia located in the village of Araks, Armavir Province, within the Sardarapat Memorial complex, around 10 km southwest of the provi ...
is located in the village of
Araks , az, Araz, fa, ارس, tr, Aras The Aras (also known as the Araks, Arax, Araxes, or Araz) is a river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan excl ...
, around 10 km southwest of the provincial centre Armavir.


Fortresses and archaeological sites

* Metsamor archaeological site of
Taronik Taronik ( hy, Տարոնիկ, hy, Չեյվա) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The Iron Age settlement of Metsamor site is located only 1 km southwest of Taronik. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, wikt:Արմավի ...
, 5th millennium BC, *Mokhrablur settlement in
Griboyedov Griboyedov may refer to: * Alexander Griboyedov (1795-1829), Russian playwright and diplomat * Griboyedov Canal, a canal in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg * Griboyedov, Armenia, a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia * Griboyedov Prize ...
, 2nd millennium BC, *
Argishtikhinili Argishtikhinili (Urartian: ar-gi-iš-ti-ḫi-ni-li) was a town in the ancient kingdom of Urartu, established during the expansion of the Urartians in the Transcaucasus under their king Argishti I, and named in his honour. It lasted between the 8th ...
ancient city, 8th century BC, * Shenik, 5th to rd centuries BC. * Armavir ancient city, founded in 331 BC.


Churches and monasteries

*
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin ( hy, Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածին, translit=Mayr At’oř Surb Ēĵmiatsin), known in Armenian as simply the Mother See (Մայր Աթոռ, ''Mayr At’oř''), is the governing body of the Armen ...
and
Etchmiadzin Cathedral Etchmiadzin Cathedral) or simply Etchmiadzin. Alternatively spelled as Echmiadzin, Ejmiatsin, and Edjmiadsin. ( hy, Էջմիածնի մայր տաճար, Ēǰmiatsni mayr tačar) is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located i ...
, founded in 303, *
Saint Hripsime Church Saint Hripsime Church ( hy, Սուրբ Հռիփսիմե եկեղեցի, ''Surb Hřip’simē yekeghetsi''; sometimes ''Hripsimeh'') is a seventh century Armenian Apostolic church in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. It is one of t ...
, opened in 618, *
Saint Gayane Church The Saint Gayane Church ( hy, Սուրբ Գայանե եկեղեցի; pronounced ''Surb Gayane'') is a 7th-century Armenian church in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), the religious center of Armenia. It is located within walking distance from the Etch ...
, opened in 630, *
Zvartnots Cathedral Zvartnots Cathedral ( hy, Զուարթնոց ( classical); (reformed), sometimes rendered in scholarly works as Zuart'nots' or Zuart'noc' ; literally 'celestial angels cathedral') is a medieval Armenian cathedral near Vagharshapat (Ejmiatsin), ...
, opened in 652, * Targmanchats monastery of Aygeshat, 6th-7th centuries, *
Shoghakat Church The Church of Shoghakat ( hy, Շողակաթ եկեղեցի; meaning "drop of light" because of the ray of light that came down from heaven upon Hripsime's martyrs) was erected in 1694 by Prince Aghamal Sorotetsi during the reign of Catholicos Na ...
, opened in 1694, * Holy Mother of God Cathedral, opened in 1767. *Surp Harutyun Church of
Parakar Parakar ( hy, Փարաքար); formerly known as ''Shirabad'', is a major village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. According to the 2010 official estimate, the population of Parakar is 9,297 (including Tairov). The village is notable for its g ...
, opened in 1855. *Holy Mother of God Church in Sardarapat, opened in 1882. *Holy Mother of God Church in Bambakashat, opened in 1901


Transportation

The
Zvartnots International Airport Zvartnots International Airport ( hy, Զվարթնոց միջազգային օդանավակայան, translit=Zvart'nots' mijazgayin ōdanavakayan) is located near Zvartnots, west of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. It acts as the main ...
of Yerevan is located within the territorial boundaries of Armavir Province. The province is connected with Yerevan and southern Armenia through the M-5 Motorway, while the M-3 Motorway connects Armavir with northern Armenia. The town of Armavir was founded as a railway station connecting Yerevan with Gyumri and northern Armenia. The station was renovated during the 1st decade of the 21st century. In November 2009, the station was provided with an
electric locomotive An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or on-board energy storage such as a battery or a supercapacitor. Locomotives with on-board fuelled prime movers, such as diesel engines or gas ...
that connects Armavir with the
Aragatsavan Aragatsavan ( hy, Արագածավան) is a village in the Aragatsavan Municipality of the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands o ...
station and the northwestern Armenia.


Economy


Agriculture and viticulture

Occupying a major part of the fertile Ararat plain, Armavir Province has a major contribution in the agricultural sector of the Republic of Armenia. The economy of the province is largely based on agriculture, including farming and cattle-breeding. Around 78% (970 km²) of the total area of the province are
arable land Arable land (from the la, arabilis, "able to be ploughed") is any land capable of being ploughed and used to grow crops.''Oxford English Dictionary'', "arable, ''adj''. and ''n.''" Oxford University Press (Oxford), 2013. Alternatively, for the ...
s, out of which 40% (388 km²) are ploughed. The main crops are grapes, apricot, peach, plum, grains, dry seeds and vegetables. Currently, the province has a contribution of 17.8% in the annual total agricultural product of Armenia. Armavir is among the leading provinces of Armenia in
wine Wine is an alcoholic drink typically made from fermented grapes. Yeast consumes the sugar in the grapes and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Different varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts are m ...
production in terms of grape cultivation and wine export (along with Ararat and Vayots Dzor). The Baghramyan and Arax poultry farms are located in the villages of
Myasnikyan Myasnikyan ( hy, Մյասնիկյան) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The town is named for Aleksandr Myasnikyan, the Armenian Bolshevik revolutionary and statesman who led Soviet Armenia at the beginning of Lenin's New Economic Pol ...
and Jrarbi respectively. Recently,
fish farming upright=1.3, Salmon farming in the sea (mariculture) at Loch Ainort, Isle of Skye">mariculture.html" ;"title="Salmon farming in the sea (mariculture">Salmon farming in the sea (mariculture) at Loch Ainort, Isle of Skye, Scotland Fish farming or ...
has significantly developed in the province. Starting 2004
Children of Armenia Fund The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) (Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Ar ...
started to work in Armavir region,
Karakert Karakert ( hy, Քարակերտ) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Population is 4757. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, wikt:Արմավիր, Արմավիր, ), is a administrative divisions of Armenia, province (''ma ...
. While asking for a glass of water from an old man sitting in front of his house, Dr. Armen learned that the villagers had to buy
drinking water Drinking water is water that is used in drink or food preparation; potable water is water that is safe to be used as drinking water. The amount of drinking water required to maintain good health varies, and depends on physical activity level, a ...
from the nearest city. This shock and the long conversation that followed determined Karakert as the location for Children of Armenia Fund to begin their work; starting by addressing the lack of water, heating, toilets and other infrastructure improvements necessary for communities and schools. In 2004, with the organization's first donations, COAF began the renovation of the Karakert village school. The drastic changes in Karakert inspired nearby villages in Armavir to join COAF programs. COAF started to work in a cluster approach, grouping nearby villages for infrastructure improvements and programs. In 2006, COAF grew to 18 villages in Armavir, implementing the organization's style of community engaged programs, growing to include healthy lifestyle curriculum in schools, after school clubs, psychological support, youth empowerment, as well as professional trainings and supervision by COAF experts.


Industry

The province has a contribution of 4% in the annual total industrial product of Armenia. The industry of the province is mainly based on food-processing and alcoholic drinks. The town of Vagharshapat was home to the 1st paper factory in the history of Armenia. In 1780, Catholicos
Simeon I of Yerevan Simeon I of Yerevan or Simeon Yerevantsi ( hy, Սիմէոն Ա Երեւանցի; 1710 – July 26, 1780) was the Catholicos of All Armenians from 1763 to 1780. In 1771, he founded a printing press at the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the first in Armenia. ...
founded the
Etchmiadzin Paper Factory The Etchmiadzin Paper Factory was built in 1775 by Catholicos of All Armenians, Catholicos Simeon I of Yerevan in Vagharshapat, Etchmiadzin. The factory operated for approximately six years, but shut down after his death in 1780. It was rebuilt thr ...
which only served for 6 years. The
Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) (), also known as the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, (Armenian: Մեծամորի ատոմային էլեկտրակայան) is the only nuclear power plant in the South Caucasus, located 36 kilometers west o ...
is the largest plant in Armavir and the entire republic. It was opened in 1969 near the town of
Metsamor Metsamor ( hy, Մեծամոր, ), is a town and urban municipal community in the Armavir Province of Armenia. It is famous for being home to Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, the only nuclear plant in the Transcaucasian region. As of the ...
and produces around 40% of the consumed electricity in Armenia. *The ancient city of
Argishtikhinili Argishtikhinili (Urartian: ar-gi-iš-ti-ḫi-ni-li) was a town in the ancient kingdom of Urartu, established during the expansion of the Urartians in the Transcaucasus under their king Argishti I, and named in his honour. It lasted between the 8th ...
located within the territories of Armavir Province, was a major centre for wine production. Large storage areas for wine and grains were found by archaeologists within the fortifications of the ancient town dating back to the 8th century BC. The wine produced in Armavir is mainly from the vineyards of the Ararat plain. ** Echmiadzin Winery for wine, brandy and vodka, opened in 1928 in
Vagharshapat Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is comm ...
. ** MAP Winery for brandy and wine, opened in 1942 in
Lenughi Lenughi ( hy, Լենուղի; until 1946, Aghlanli Nerkin and Yasakhli) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The town's church, dedicated to Saint Nshan, dates from the 1870s. The "MAP" brandy and wine factory is located in Lenughi. ...
. **
Yerevan Brandy Company Yerevan Brandy Company ( (''Yerevani Konyaki Gortsaran'')), commonly known with its famous brand "ArArAt", is the leading enterprise of Armenia for the production of cognac. It was founded in 1887, during the period of the Russian Empire. After t ...
-Armavir branch, opened in 1966 in Armavir. **Merdzavan Brandy Factory for cognac, wine and vodka, opened in 1998 in Merdzavan. **Karas Winery (Tierras de Armenia), opened in 2003 in Arevadasht. **Winar Winery (Brest Wine Factory), opened in 2004 in
Norapat Norapat ( hy, Նորապատ) is a former town in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification ...
. **Parakar Wine-Brandy House, opened in 2005 in
Parakar Parakar ( hy, Փարաքար); formerly known as ''Shirabad'', is a major village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. According to the 2010 official estimate, the population of Parakar is 9,297 (including Tairov). The village is notable for its g ...
. **Armen Alco for brandy, opened in 2008 in Aygeshat. **Voskeni Wines, opened in 2008 in
Araks , az, Araz, fa, ارس, tr, Aras The Aras (also known as the Araks, Arax, Araxes, or Araz) is a river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan excl ...
. **Arpenik Winery for wine and brandy, opened in 2009 in
Arshaluys Arshaluys ( hy, Արշալույս, until 1935 ''Kyorpalu'') is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. It is located 14 km north-east from the regional center. It is located on the right bank of the Kasagh River. The city is about 19 km fr ...
. **Alvan Alco Winery for wine and brandy, opened in 2010 in
Lukashin Lukashin ( hy, Լուկաշին; formerly, Imeni Mikoyana), is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asi ...
. **Interalco Winery for brandy, opened in 2014 in Aygeshat. **
Proshyan Brandy Factory Proshyan Brandy Factory (), is one of the oldest producers of alcoholic drinks in Armenia, located in Yerevan, on the Ashtarak Highway leading to the village of Proshyan. The factory is mainly famous for its brandy brand 'Mané''. History Origina ...
-Armavir village branch, in Armavir. *Ejmiadzin became an important industrial centre during the Soviet years. It was home to 4 major industrial firms specialized in the production of military technology. However, the productivity of the plants declined after the fall of the Soviet Union. Currently, the largest industrial firms of the town are the "Echmiadzin Instrument Making Factory" founded in 1966, the "E.P.G. Echmiadzin Cannery" founded in 1969, the "Echmiadzin Kat" dairy factory founded in 1997, the "Sonimol" plant for grains founded in 2001, and the "Ekologia V.K.H." biological waste destruction plant founded in 2009. *Being close the capital
Yerevan Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Y ...
, the villages of
Parakar Parakar ( hy, Փարաքար); formerly known as ''Shirabad'', is a major village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. According to the 2010 official estimate, the population of Parakar is 9,297 (including Tairov). The village is notable for its g ...
and
Tairov Tairov ( hy, Թաիրով), is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. Administratively it is subordinate to the community of Parakar and is located 1km east to Parakar. Tairov was founded in 1921. See also *Armavir Province Armavi ...
are home to a large number of small and middle-size plants, including furniture manufacturing workshops and producers of polymeric materials. The village of Musaler is home to a factory for polyethylene products and a plant for heavy-duty paper products. The village of Merdzavan has a clothing and sewing factory.


Tourism

The province is home to the
UNESCO World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
s of
Etchmiadzin Cathedral Etchmiadzin Cathedral) or simply Etchmiadzin. Alternatively spelled as Echmiadzin, Ejmiatsin, and Edjmiadsin. ( hy, Էջմիածնի մայր տաճար, Ēǰmiatsni mayr tačar) is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located i ...
,
Zvartnots Cathedral Zvartnots Cathedral ( hy, Զուարթնոց ( classical); (reformed), sometimes rendered in scholarly works as Zuart'nots' or Zuart'noc' ; literally 'celestial angels cathedral') is a medieval Armenian cathedral near Vagharshapat (Ejmiatsin), ...
,
Saint Hripsime Church Saint Hripsime Church ( hy, Սուրբ Հռիփսիմե եկեղեցի, ''Surb Hřip’simē yekeghetsi''; sometimes ''Hripsimeh'') is a seventh century Armenian Apostolic church in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. It is one of t ...
,
Saint Gayane Church The Saint Gayane Church ( hy, Սուրբ Գայանե եկեղեցի; pronounced ''Surb Gayane'') is a 7th-century Armenian church in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), the religious center of Armenia. It is located within walking distance from the Etch ...
and
Shoghakat Church The Church of Shoghakat ( hy, Շողակաթ եկեղեցի; meaning "drop of light" because of the ray of light that came down from heaven upon Hripsime's martyrs) was erected in 1694 by Prince Aghamal Sorotetsi during the reign of Catholicos Na ...
, grouped overall as the Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots. Although it is the spiritual and religious centre of the Armenian nation worldwide, the tourism services in the province are not developed enough. However, being home to the
Zvartnots International Airport Zvartnots International Airport ( hy, Զվարթնոց միջազգային օդանավակայան, translit=Zvart'nots' mijazgayin ōdanavakayan) is located near Zvartnots, west of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. It acts as the main ...
, Parakar is home to many gambling houses and night clubs. The Vordan Karmir Sanctuary is the only protected natural area in the province. It is home to the
Armenian cochineal The Armenian cochineal (''Porphyrophora hamelii''), also known as the Ararat cochineal or Ararat scale, is a scale insect indigenous to the Ararat plain and Aras (Araks) River valley in the Armenian Highlands and in Turkey. It was formerly u ...
, an insect that formerly used to produce an eponymous crimson carmine dyestuff known in Armenia as vordan karmir. The red dye of the insect was largely used in Armenian miniatures as well as other types of artworks throughout the history of ancient and medieval Armenia. The Sardarapat Battle Memorial and the
Musa Dagh Resistance Musa Dagh ( tr, Musa Dağı; hy, Մուսա լեռ, ; ar, جبل موسى ; meaning "Moses Mountain") is a mountain in the Hatay province of Turkey. In 1915, it was the location of a successful Armenians, Armenian resistance to the Armenian g ...
memorial are among the other major attractions of the province.


Education

The
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin ( hy, Մայր Աթոռ Սուրբ Էջմիածին, translit=Mayr At’oř Surb Ēĵmiatsin), known in Armenian as simply the Mother See (Մայր Աթոռ, ''Mayr At’oř''), is the governing body of the Armen ...
in Vagharshapat is home to the
Gevorkian Theological Seminary Gevorkian Theological Seminary ( hy, Գևորգյան Հոգևոր Ճեմարան ''Gevorkyan Hogevor Č̣emaran''), also known as Gevorkian Seminary ( hy, Գևրգյան Ճեմարան ''Gevorkyan Č̣emaran'', ), is a theological university-ins ...
(theological university) of the
Armenian Apostolic Church , native_name_lang = hy , icon = Armenian Apostolic Church logo.svg , icon_width = 100px , icon_alt = , image = Էջմիածնի_Մայր_Տաճար.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , a ...
. The town is also home to the Karekin I Centre of Theology and Armenology. The Mother See also runs the Eurnekian Public School which is one of the prominent schools of Armenia. The province has the private "Grigor Lusavorich University" in the town of Vagharshapat. As of the 2015-16 educational year, Armavir has 119 schools, as well as 2 schools for special needs. As of the end of 2015, the number of the students in the schools of the province is 31,100.


Sport

Football is the most popular sport in the province.
FC Armavir FC Armavir (russian: Футбольный клуб "Армавир"), formerly FC Torpedo Armavir, is a Russian association football club from Armavir, founded in 1959. History Torpedo Armavir was active (mostly in the third-highest level le ...
represented the town of Armavir in the domestic football competitions between 1965 and 2003 before being dissolved due to financial difficulties. Likewise,
FC Vagharshapat FC Vagharshapat ( hy, Ֆուտբոլային Ակումբ Վաղարշապատ), is a defunct Armenian football club from the town of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armavir Province. History The club was founded in 2003 as FC Vagharshapat, and pa ...
represented Etchmiadizn between 1967 and 2005 before being dissolved. The
Jubilee Stadium Armavir City Stadium ( hy, Արմավիրի քաղաքային մարզադաշտ), known as ''Jubilee Stadium'' or ''Yubileynyi Stadion'' ( hy, Հոբելյանական մարզադաշտ) until 2017, is a football stadium in Armavir, Armeni ...
of Armavir is the 3rd-largest football venue in Armenia. Vagharshapat is also home to a football stadium with a minor capacity. 2 football academies are currently under construction in the towns of Vagharshapat and Armavir. The construction of the
Vagharshapat Football Academy Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is com ...
is due to be completed in October 2017, while the
Armavir Football Academy Armavir may refer to: Places * Armavir, Armenia, formerly Sardarapat and Hoktemberyan ** Armavir Province, an administrative division of which Armavir is the capital ** Armavir (ancient city), capital of ancient Armenia during the Orontid Dynasty * ...
will be ready in October 2009. Martial arts including
judo is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponi ...
,
muay thai Muay Thai ( th, มวยไทย, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs", as it is characterised ...
,
sambo , aka = Sombo (in English-speaking countries) , focus = Hybrid , country = Soviet Union , pioneers = Viktor Spiridonov, Vasili Oshchepkov, Anatoly Kharlampiev , famous_pract = List of Practitioners , oly ...
and
taekwondo ''Taekwondo'', ''Tae Kwon Do'' or ''Taekwon-Do'' (; ko, 태권도/跆拳道 ) is a Korean form of martial arts involving punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast kicking techniques. T ...
are also popular in the province. A new sport school is currently under construction in Vagharshapat and is due to be completed in 2019. The village of
Aknalich Aknalich (or Aknalitch, hy, Ակնալիճ; formerly, Aygherlich) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The village is situated on a lake, after which it is named, to the east of Metsamor. Aknalich village is the site of the only Yaz ...
(10 km south of Vagharshapat) is famous for the ''Ara and Aytsemnik'' equestrian centre.


Gallery

File:Zvartnots cathedral ruins.jpg,
Zvartnots Cathedral Zvartnots Cathedral ( hy, Զուարթնոց ( classical); (reformed), sometimes rendered in scholarly works as Zuart'nots' or Zuart'noc' ; literally 'celestial angels cathedral') is a medieval Armenian cathedral near Vagharshapat (Ejmiatsin), ...
of the 7th century, a UNESCO World heritage site File:Shoghakat.jpg,
Shoghakat Church The Church of Shoghakat ( hy, Շողակաթ եկեղեցի; meaning "drop of light" because of the ray of light that came down from heaven upon Hripsime's martyrs) was erected in 1694 by Prince Aghamal Sorotetsi during the reign of Catholicos Na ...
of 1694 File:Բամբակաշատի Սուրբ Աստվածածին Եկեղեցի 05.jpg, The church of Bambakashat, 1901 File:Սուրբ Աստվածածին եկեղեցի (51).JPG, The church of
Shahumyan Shahumyan Province ( hy, Շահումյան, Shahumyan, also spelled ''Shaumyan'' and ''Shahumian'') is a claimed province of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh, ''de jure'' part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The capital of the province was K ...
village File:Մեծամոր լիճ, Ակնա լիճ (2).JPG, Lake of
Aknalich Aknalich (or Aknalitch, hy, Ակնալիճ; formerly, Aygherlich) is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The village is situated on a lake, after which it is named, to the east of Metsamor. Aknalich village is the site of the only Yaz ...


See also

* Armavir *
Karakishlag Karakishlag is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, wikt:Արմավիր, Արմավիր, ), is a administrative divisions of Armenia, province (''marz'') in the western part of Armenia. Locate ...
*
Sardarapat Memorial Sardarapat Memorial is a memorial complex to the Battle of Sardarabad located in the village of Araks, in the Armavir Province of Armenia, 11 kilometers southwest of Armavir town. Design The memorial was designed by architect Rafael Israelyan ...
*
Shavarut Shavarut is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Arme ...
*
Vagharshapat Vagharshapat ( hy, Վաղարշապատ ) is the 4th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about west of the capital Yerevan, and north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is comm ...
*
Verin-Kulibeklu Verin-Kulibeklu (also, Verkhniy Kulibeklu) is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. See also *Armavir Province Armavir ( hy, wikt:Արմավիր, Արմավիր, ), is a administrative divisions of Armenia, province (''marz'') in the w ...
*
Zvartnots International Airport Zvartnots International Airport ( hy, Զվարթնոց միջազգային օդանավակայան, translit=Zvart'nots' mijazgayin ōdanavakayan) is located near Zvartnots, west of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. It acts as the main ...


References

;Notes ;References


External links


Armavir Province Tourist Guide
{{Authority control Provinces of Armenia Mount Ararat