Regional center Armavir (was founded in 1931, was known as Sardarapat till 1932, and Hoktemberyan from 1932 to 1992, granted with the city status since 1947) is located 44 km northwest of Yerevan, not far from nearby ancient namesake city. Formally near by the city, more specifically near New Armavir village, it is used to be fortress of Sardarapat, which was built in 1819 by Hasan Khan who was the brother of Yerevan’s sardar.
The city was populated mostly with 500 Armenian families from Bayazet and Archesh. In 1827 Russian army led by Krasovski occupied the fortress. Armenian people moved to nearest village in a short time and during the time it was gradually deserted. After the adoption of Soviet Union (up to 1930) it was residence in canton Etchmiadzin and from 1930 to 1991 it was regional center of Hoktemberyan.
The total area of Armavir is about 2181.9 hectare. It has central position in the province. The height from the sea level is 860 meters. According to statistics of 2016 January 1st the population is around 28,900 people which is the 10.8% of province population and 1.5% of all country’s population.
The city was populated by the deported generation from western Armenia, Armenians from Javakheti, Shirak as well as Russians, Yazidis, Assyrians, Kurds and others.
The first industrial plant – the cotton mill was founded in 1928. The first ISS of USSR was founded in Armavir. Former industrial center Hoktemberyan had previously multiple industrial enterprise owing to their incomplete burden caused post-industrial unused lands.
During the USSR years there were 19 industrial enterprises among them wine, brandy (which was the 2nd in USSR), bread milk, machine furniture and other factories (2175 employees). The biggest one was the factory of canning (the biggest one in USSR).
At present there are many seasonal, with small might work places factories of brandy, canned food, milk and diary product, bread, gas, molybdenum enrichment, materials production, furniture manufacturing, small and medium business manufacturing and service companies. It is considered health center for the area. In the community there are 12 state preschool institutions, 10 public schools, 3 sport, art and music schools, boarding school, creative center for children and teenagers, military college, 2 non-state universities, medical center, 2 TV companies. Here is also “Hobelyanakan” stadium, zoo and herbs garden, where is kept and multiplied world representatives of disappearing wild flora and animal kinds, which are introduced in the Red Book of Armenia. Cultural house, provincial administration, the hotel and the stadium are the best buildings of the city. Translate by Tatevik Sahakyan
ARMAVIR
