Armavir Region is located in the western part of the Republic of Armenia. It’s the highest populated province of Armenia, but the smallest in terms of area. The Region occupies 4.2% of the territory of the Republic, including Armavir, Echmiadzin and Baghramyan regions. The capital city is Armavir.
Area – 1242 km 2
Population – 263,9 thousand ( 01.01.2019 census )
Armavir Region was reformed on the 12th of April, 1995.
In the past, it included Aragatsotn Region of the Ayrarat world of Mets Haik. After the joining of Eastern Armenia and Russia, it became a part of the Echmiadzin province of Yerevan state.
The Region is included in the Diocese of Armavir of the Armenian Apostolic Church. St Astvatsatsin church of Echmiadzin is the seat of the diocese.
In the east, it borders on Yerevan, in the north on Aragatsotn and in the south-east on Ararat Regions, in the south-west it has a state border with Turkey.
Geography
Armavir Regions occupies the northwestern part of the Ararat Physical-Geographical Region (absolute altitudes of 800-1000 m).
The natural landscape is semi-desert and mountain steppe. Dry and salted plants are common. Particularly the Ararat red-bellied insect species are frequent, and the “Vordan Red” sanctuary (200 hectares) has been established for the conservation of lush plants.
The Region is not rich in minerals and is not particularly rich in water resources. Here is the lowest lake in the country – Lake Ayghr (Akna), which covers 50 hectares, has 2m depth.
Metsamor river (also known as Sevjur river) is the only river that starts from the Region The small lake of Ayger, located near the Aknalich village,is among the few water surfaces of the Region.
Armavir Region is characterized by dry continental climate, with hot summers and mildly cold winters. Precipitation does not exceed 300 mm. Summer is hot the temperature often rises to 40-42 °C. Winters are cold, cloudy, humid (average air temperature is 10-20 ° C in January). Highland winds are constant.
Population
Armavir Region is one of the densely populated regions of Armenia, with 212.5 people /1 sq km. The urban community of the Region, with 3 cities, is 84.0 thousand people or 31.6%. The rural population is about 180 thousand people or 68.3%. Men form 48.8% of the total population, and women – 51.5%.
The Ararat valley is most densely populated (50.3% in Echmiadzin and 7.5% in the Baghramyan region). Largest urban community is the town of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), with a population of 46,540. With a population of 5,584, the village of Parakar is the largest rural municipality of Armavir.
Armavir Region is homogeneous with 93% of Armenians,Yezidis (6.6%), Assyrians (0.1%), Kurds (0.1%) and Russians (0.2%).
Urban communities – Armavir, Vagharshapat( Echmiadzin ) and Metsamor.
Rural communities – 93
Rural settlements – 94
Sightseeing in Armavir
Armavir Region is rich in unique historical monuments, here 430 monuments are registered.
The former Armenian capital, Armavir, was found on the left bank of the Araks River. At the confluence of Araks and Akhuryan, ruins of Yervandashat are found.
There are also St. Echmiadzin Cathedral with its Treasure, etsamor and Zvartnots Archaeological Museums, State Ethnographic Museum of Armenia in Sardarapat, the largest outlet of Armenia’s groundwater – Ayghrlich, Musaler and Sardarapat Memorials.
Famous historical and cultural centers of the region
Bagaran St. Hripsime
Argishtikhinili ancient site Shoghakat
Ancient metalwork of Metsamor Zvartnots
Holy Echmiadzin Monastery of Translators (VII century)
St. Gayane St. Astvatsatsin Church of Echmiadzin (XIX century)
St. Hripsime
Shoghakat:
Zvartnots
Monastery of Translators (VII century)
St. Astvatsatsin Church of Echmiadzin (XIX century)
Economy and public life
Armavir Region of the Republic of Armenia is distinguished by its developed agriculture and industry. The geographical location and climatic conditions of the region are favorable for both crop development (perennial plantations, vegetables) and cattle breeding advancement. Vegetable crops and vegetables are mostly cultivated.
The industry specializes in the production of electricity, food, beverages, alcoholic beverages.
In 2017 the number of economically active residents of the region was 53.1% of the total population. The poverty rate is 34.3%. Unemployment is more serious in urban areas. The tourism potential of the region is mainly represented by rich historical and cultural values.
There are 123 secondary education schools, 2 special schools, 1 college, 9 sports schools with branches in different communities of the region. There is a vocational college in Echmiadzin. In Armavir and Echmiadzin, 6 educational institutions are providing vocational and intermediate vocational education programs, and one non-state higher education institution – Grigor Lusavorich University of Echmiadzin.
There are 58 medical establishments, 3 of which are medical centers, with polyclinic services, 1 health center, 1 hospital, and 1 regional blood station. There are 85 culture houses in Armavir, 82 of which are in rural communities, 8 are museums. The cultural centers of Yerevan are also available to the population of the region. There are 4 puppet theaters and 5 theatrical groups.
Transportation
Armavir has an advanced transport network, the total length of the roads is 613 km, of which 123.2 km of interstate and 91.6 km is of national importance. 99% of the population of the region is provided with regular bus transport.
The 70-kilometer section of the Yerevan-Tbilisi railway runs through the region. There is also a 35 km long railway of local importance.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) is located about 36 km west of Yerevan, near the city of Metsamor. The plant’soutput satisfies 40% of the country’selectricity demand. Mobile telephony and mobile internet are provided by all operators: the settlements are 100% fiber-optic and ethernet-portable, and the quality of the internet is satisfactory.
Wired telephony is available in 2 urban and 18 rural communities of the Region. There are 111 post offices of Haypost CJSC in the settlements of the region.
The population of all communities in the region has the opportunity to receive more than 10 TV channels with sufficient quality. There are three regional television companies. The entire territory of the Regionhas been covered by digital TV programs. Public Radio is also available in all settlements of the region.
Telephone codes՝
Echimiacin-231
Zvartnots-231
Baghramyan-231 90
Vache- 231 91
Noraket-231 95
Jrarat – 231 98
Xoronq- 231 99
Armavir – 237
Mecamor- 237
Baxramyan– 233
Myasnikyan 233 74
Qarakert- 233 75
Dalariq – 233 76
Post indexes — 0901-1149
Armavir regional administration
Address: Armavir, Abovyan 71
E-mail: armavir.mtad.am
E-mail armavir@mta.gov.am
Phone` / + 374 237 / 2-37-16; 2 42 62:
Fax: / + 374 10/28 06 46
Postcode – 0901-1149:
Tranclated by Arusik MInasyan
Edited by Mariam Ispiryan