Aragatsotn Region

Aragatsotn Region is situated in the western part of the Republic of Armenia and the total area occupies 9% of the country. The Region comprises Ashtarak, Talin, Aparan, Aragats regions. The capital city is Ashtarak.

Population – 125,400 thousand (1st of January, 2019 census).
Area – 2756 km².

Aragatsotn Region was reformed on the 12th of April, 1995.

In the past, the Region included Aragatsotn canton of Ayrarat world of Mets Haik (Kingdom of Greater Armenia). After joining Russia, Eastern Armenia became a part of the Erevan district, then Ejmiatsin and Alexandropol states (1918-1920).

Armenia became part of the Soviet Union on December 1920. From 1930, within the Armenian SSR (Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic), Aragatsotn was divided into 3 regions: the Talin region, the Aparan region, and the Ashtarak region. The Region is included in the Diocese of Aragatsotn of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church of Oshakan is the seat of the diocese (19th century). It borders on Yerevan, Armavir (in the south), Kotayk (in the east), Shirak and Lori (in the north), Turkey by state border (in the west).

Geography

Aragatsotn Region occupies the northwestern part of Armenia (full elevations from 950m to 4090m). It also involves the mountains and branches of Aragats massif, Pambak, Tsaghkunyats mountain ranges, Aparan plain, Talin Saravand with Arteni, Irind, Tsaghkasar and other volcanic cones, upper and middle stream basin of Kasagh.

They possess truncated foothills and mountainous surfaces, volcanic and erosional forms of aid. It connects to the Lori region through the Pambak and Spitak mountain passes. Mount Aragats (4,090 m.) is the highest peak of Aragatsotn and the Republic of Armenia.

Aragatsotn is one of the Regions of the country, where all the famous uphill landscapes meet. The mountain steppe, meadow landscape is dominated. There are few mountain forests in some places.

There are reserves of basalt, and metabasalt, tuff, perlite, volcanic slag, pumice, and sweet water. Lake Aragats is located near Lake Kari.

Besides the Akhurian river, the rivers of Kasagh, Gegharot, and Amberd are the main water resources in the Region . Mountainous lakes, including Lake Kari, Lessing, Amberd, Tagavor, and Kuraghbyur are found on Mount Aragats.

There are 29 artificial reservoirs in the region, the largest of which is the Aparan reservoir. The climate of Aragatsotn is deeply diversified due to the wide range of elevations of the region. It greatly depends on the height, the average annual temperature and precipitation vary.

The annual precipitation level ranges between 1000m at the lower areas and 300mm at the mountainous territories.

Near Ararat valley summers are warm, winters are rather cold.

Population

Aragatsotn is one of the below-average populated provinces in Armenia, the average density of population is 45,5 person/1km². Population is 125,400 (01.01.2019) or 4.3% of the population of Armenia.

Including 3 cities the urban population is 28.3 thousand or 22.45. Rural population is 100.2 thousand or 77.6% (men 49.4%, women 50.6%). The population of the province is relatively younger than the indicator of the republic. People under 35 form 54% of the population.

The majority of the people live in Ashtarak and Aparan. The lowest density is in Talin (30 person/km²). 93.7% of the population are Armenians. There are also 4% Yezidis, who live with Armenians in separate villages. Besides, there are Russians (0.13%) and Kurds (0.5%).

3 urban communities ( Ashtarak. Aparan and Talin),
111 rural communities
117 rural residences.

Sightseeing in Aragatsotn

The Region is rich in its historical monuments. There counts 1796 monuments, 400 of which are under state protection․

Here we can find several monasteries, cyclopean, Urarturtian castles, famous churches, khachkars (cross-stones), natural monuments. From bronze and stone centuries many cultural monuments have been found in the province.

Especially in Aragatsotn, in the province are established several Paleolithic-Neolithic sites(500,000-7,000 BC), petroglyphs, dragon-megalithic structures (VI millennium BC) Aragats slopes, Aparan, Gegharot, Nerkin and Verin Navar.

There are Mushegh Galshoyan (Katnaghbyur), Gevorg Chavush (Ashnak) house- museums, Armenian alphabet park (near Ashtarak-Aparan highway, near Artashavan village).

Famous historical and cultural centers of the region

Tomb of Aghdzi (Dzorap) (IV century),
The Tomb of Mesrop Mashtots (V century / XIX century)
Hovhannavank (IV-XIII centuries)
The Virgin Monastery (V century),
St. Gregory Church of Aruch (VII century)
Saghmosavank (XIII c.)
Monastery of Places (XIII c.)
Church of St. John of Mastara (V-VI century)
St. Gevorg of Garnahovit (church)
St. Gevorg of Mughni (XIV c.) Church

Amberd
Ashnak Fortress-Church (IX-XI centuries)
Daghdad Qaleni Castle (VII-XIX centuries)
Oshakan Bridge Jumping (1706),
Church of Irind (VII century)
Ushi Monastery Complex
Artavazd Church (V-VI centuries)
Christopher’s Monastery (7th c.)
Byurakan Observatory
Catholicosate of Talin and Sts. Mother of God Churches (VII century)
Asparagus Basilica of Ashtarak, Karmravor (St. Astvatsatsin) (VII century)

Economy and public life

Aragatsotn is one of the economically developed Regions in Armenia. The developed branches of economy are industry and agriculture.

The production of food, beverage, and jewelry are the main basis of industry. The geographical location and climatic conditions are favorable for crops (grain, potatoes, perennials) and for cattle breeding.

In 2017 the economically active population was 62.75. The level of poverty is 16.1%. Unemployment is a serious problem mainly in urban communities. There are 25 medical facilities – 6 hospitals, 15 ambulatories, 1 primary health care center.

In the education sphere, there are 122 general education nstitution, 1 special school, 28 kindergartens, 10 musical/art schools, 2 state crafts schools,1 state secondary education institution. There are rural schools in Ashtarak, Talin, Aparan, and Quchak. There are 71 libraries, 1 of which is regional, 3 urban, 65 rural, 1 regional-central. There are also 2 memorial museums.

The Region is the greatest scientific center in Armenia. In the territory of Ashtarak are 6 Research institutes of the Academy of Sciences and design bureau. Among them is the world-famous Observatory of Byurakan, “Aragatsotn” meteorological station. The province has a wide network of recreation areas, which are mainly situated in the backwoods district of Byurakan.

Transportation

3 republican highways, Yerevan – Ashtarak –Talin – Gyumri, Yerevan – Ashtarak – Spitak, and Erevan – Armavir –Qarakert- Gyumri, pass through the Aragatsotn North-South interstate road passes through the province. There aren’t any airports in Aragatsotn.

98% of the settlements are provided with the internet, the quality of which is acceptable.88% of the settlements are provided with wired telephones and branches of “Haypost” operate in 114 communities.