Ararat
Population: 311400
Area: 1995 km2
Administrative Center: Artashat
Distance from Yerevan to Artashat :29 km
Mountains: Yeranos, Kotuts, Vishapasar
Lakes: Sev, Azat, Armush, Karalich
Rivers: Arax, Azat, Hrazdan,Yotnakunk
Sights: Dvin and Kakavaberd fortresses, Khosrov National Park, etc.
Artashat is considered to be one of the capital cities of historical Armenia. Here stands the sacred symbol of Armenian nation mount Ararat, which was built in 180 B.C. The monastery Khor Virap is a place of pilgrimage for Armenians from all over the world. It is also one of the popular sights of Armenia, that gives everybody the chance to see Mount Ararat, and is the most convenient place for observing and taking pictures of the biblical mountain.
Armavir
Population: 323300
Area: 1251 km2
Administrative center: Armavir
Distance from Yerevan to Armavir: 44 km
Lakes: Aighr
Rivers: Arax, Kasakh, Sevjur, Armavir
Sights: Metsamor city and atomic center, Sardarapat memorial complex, Zvartnots temple, St. Hripsime, St. Shoghakat and St. Gayane churches, etc.
The Armavir region is located in the south of Armenia and was named after one of the 1st capitals of Armenia, Armavir. The region lies between the mountains Ararat and Aragats and is a part of the Ararat valey. Echmiadzin is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, which was built between 301 and 303 during the reigns of king Trdat III and Gregory the illuminator founder and first patriarch of the Armenian Church.
Aragatsotn
Population: 168100
Area: 2737 km2
Administrative Center: Ashtarak
Distance from Yerevan to Ashtarak: 18 km
Mountains: Aragats, Agravaqar,Kakavasar
Lakes: Kari, Aparan, Lessing, Mantashs
Rivers: Kasakh, Arkashen,Gegharot,Arzni
Sights: Aparan, Ashtarak, Oshakan and Talin cities, Amberd fortress, Saghmosavank and Ohanavank monasteries, etc.
The region is located in the west of Armenia. Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory is one of the greatest World centers of Astronomy. It was founded in 1946. It is one of the crest of Aragats Mountain. The main tools used during explorations are telescopes. Byurakan is also a place of historical monuments. There are “vishap” stone sculptures of mythical fish – guards of water, spread over slopes of Aragats mount.
Gegharkunik
Population: 278600
Area: 4058 km2
Administrative center: Gavar
Distance from Yerevan to Gavar: 92 km
Mountains: Geghama range, Arjanots range, Sevan range, Vardenis range
Lakes: Sevan, Aghi
Rivers: Hrazdan, Vardenis, Getik
Sights: Noradouz (cross-stones), Martuni and Artsvanist cities St. Astvatsatsin, St. Gevorg, Vanevan churches, etc.
The region of Gegharkunik is situated in the eastern part of Armenia. Lake Sevan, located 60 km from Yerevan, is the largest lake of Armenia. Sevan lake, the wonder of nature, is on a highway, which cuts northward through mountains. Sevan has always been famous for its fish ”ishkhan” which means “prince-fish”. The coast of Lake Sevan has become a place of mass rest and tourism.
Kotayk
Population: 328900
Area: 2038 km2
Administrative center: Hrazdan
Distance from Yerevan to Hrazdan: 50km
Mountains: Pambak and Geghama range
Lakes: Akhna, Hrazdan
Rivers: Hrazdan, Getar, Marmarik
Sights: Abovian, Arzni and Bjni (resort centers) cities, Garni ancient temple, Geghard monastery.
To the north of Yerevan lies the region of Kotayk. Tsakhkadzor is the most beloved resort centre for tourists with its rope-way both in winter and summer. It is unique especially for winter sport fans. Garni was a fortress and summer residence of Armenian kings in 1st A.D.. which was firstly devoted to one of the Armenian pagan Gods-Miltra. Geghard is a monastery of 12-13th cc.., which was initially known as Irivank. Now it is one of the famous picturesque places of Armenia.
Lori
Population: 392300
Area: 3750 km2
Administrative center: Vanadzor
Distance from Yerevan to Vanadzor: 112 km
Mountains: Pambak range, Bazum range Lakes: Debed, Pambak, Tashir, Dzoraget
Sights: Alaverdi, Dsegh and Odzun cities, Mshavank, Sanahin monasteries, etc.
Lori is located on Armenia’s northern border, the largest in area among Armenia’s eleven regions. Vanadzor is considered to be Armenia’s third largest city. Haghpat is a monastery 17km from Alaverdi and 280km from Yerevan. The construction of this monastery is associated with the glory of the Bagratuni Royal family. Haghpat monastery was called the Holy Cross church. Holy water fills the small pool in the church. Believers say this water has curative qualities for people with poor health.
Shirak
Population: 361400
Area : 2643 km2
Administrative center : Gyumri
Distance from Yerevan to Gyumri: 115km
Mountains: Pambak range, Ashotsk plateau, Ampasar, Harsnakar
Lakes: Paghakn, Akhurian, Arpi
Rivers: Akhurian, Mantash, Ashotsk
Sights: Artik, Harich and Lernakert cities, Marmarashen monastery, etc.
The Shirak region is located in Armenia’s northwest corner. With its population, territory, economical and cultural significance it is the second city of Armenia. Leninakan has been the official name of the city since 1924. The inhabitants of Gyumri have gained the reputation of hospitable people with rich sense of humor. As the marz is very close to Turkey, the ancient capital city of Armenia Ani can be seen easily.
Syunik
Population: 164000
Area: 4506 km2
Administrative center: Kapan
Distance from Yerevan to Kapan: 301 km
Mountains: Bargushat range, Arevic range, Zangezur range
Lakes: Sev, Gogi, Tsaghkar, Gazana
Rivers: Araks, Vorotan, Sissian
Sights: Goris, Sisian (with its Shake waterfall) and Khndzoresk cities, Tatev monastery, etc.
Syunik region, situated in the south – eastern part of Armenia, is surrounded by the mountain-chains of Zangezur, Meghri and Syunik highland. Zorats Kar or Karahounch is the most popular place in Syunik marz. It is believed to be an ancient observatory quite similar to Stonehenge in England the columns sit like soldiers on a hill, huddled in formation.
Tavush
Population: 156500
Area: 2695 km2
Administrative center: Ijevan
Distance from Yerevan to Ijevan: 136 km
Mountains: Papakar range, Voskepar range, Mtnasar range
Lakes: Parz, Aghstev
Rivers: Koghb, Voskepar, Aghstev
Sights: Dilijan and Gandzakar cities, Goshavank, Markaravak, Kaptavank monasteries, lake Parz.
Tavush region is in the northeastern corner of Armenia. The monastery Haghartsin consists of several churches. It was built by in 1248 with lavish decorations of carved stone. The oldest church in the monastery is with the cross – winged dome named after St. Gregory. Goshavank is also an acient monastery which dates to 12-13th cc.. The oldest construction of the monastery is the Virgin church, 1196.
Vayots Dzor
Population: 69400
Area: 2308 km2
Administrative center: Yeghegnadzor
Distance from Yerevan to Yeghegnadzor: 123 km
Mountains: Vardenis range, Vaik range
Lakes: Sevakn, Jukhtak, Hreshtak
Rivers: Arpa, Yeghegis, Herher
Sights: Areni, Jermuk (resort center), Herher towns, St. Astvatsatsin church, Gndevank monastery, Arpa River, etc.
Vayots Dzor is in the southern part of Armenia. Noravank monastery is considered to be pulpit of Syunik bishops. The main church of the monastery Noravak is St. Karapet, which was built in 1227. The monastery is unique in the sense that only here one can see the image of God above the entrance. The magnificent landscape of mountains in Syunik, surrounding the monastery, displays a beautiful array of colors.
Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)
Population: 192000
Area: 4400 km2
Capital: Stepanakert
Distance from Yerevan to Stepanakert : 312 km
Mountains: Artsakh range, Mrav range
Lakes: Sarsang
Rivers: Vortan,Hakari,Tsav,Arax,Karkar
Sights: Shushi city, Ghazanchetsots and Kanach Jham churches, Dadivank and Gandzasar monasteries, Askeran fortress, etc.
Artsakh is to the east of the Republic of Armenia. Gandzasar is the most exquisite monastery of Karabagh. Being a functioning monastery means, there are priests, who are happy to give tours of the monastery, as well as discuss church issues in general. To get to Nagorno Kharabagh one should have visa (the NKR Permanent Representative in Yerevan is 17a Zarian str., tel. +(37410) 24 97 05).
