Armavir, Armenia
Armavir
Արմավիր | |
---|---|
UTC+4 (AMT) | |
Postal code | 0901-0918 |
Area code | (+374) 237 |
Website | Official website |
Sources: Population[1] |
Armavir (Armenian: Արմավիր [ɑɾmɑˈviɾ]), is a town and urban municipal community located in the west of Armenia serving as the administrative centre of Armavir Province. It was founded in 1931 by the government of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 29,319, down from 46,900 as reported in the 1989 census. Currently, the town has a population of 65,515 as per the 2023 official estimate.[2]
The town was known as Sardarapat[3] before 1935, and Hoktemberyan from 1935 to 1995. Currently, Armavir is the seat of the Diocese of Armavir of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Etymology
Founded in 1931 as Sardarapat, the town was known as Hoktemberyan (meaning the city of October) between 1935 and 1995, named in honor of the October Revolution.
In 1992, the town was named Armavir by the government of independent Armenia, after the nearby ancient city of Armavir, that was founded in the 8th century BC by King Argishti I of Urartu, and became the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia under the Orontid dynasty in 331 BC.
History
The area of ancient Armavir has been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC. Various obsidian instruments, bronze objects and pottery have been found from that period. Armenian accounts held the city to have founded by King Aramais, a grandson of Hayk, around 1980 BC.
During the first half of the 8th century BC, King
According to the 5th-century Armenian historian
In 591 during the reign of
During Antiquity, Armavir was taken by the
In 1935, the name of the settlement was changed from Sardarabat to Hoktemberyan in honor of the 1917
The population of the town was further increased in the 1950s and 1960s upon the arrival of repatriated Armenian families from Iran, Syria and Lebanon. In 1966, the Armavir branch of the Yerevan Brandy Company was opened. In 1967, Hokberyan became a city of republican subordination.
Following the independence of Armenia in 1991, Hoktemberyan was renamed Armavir on 7 November 1995, to become the provincial centre of the newly formed Armavir Province, as per the 1995 administrative reforms of Armenia.
Geography
Modern-day Armavir occupies an area of 8.51 km2 within the fertile
The territory around Armavir is among the most important regions of Ancient Armenia. The town is built 6 km northeast of the ancient city of Argishtikhinili and 8 km north of historic Armavir. The region corresponds with the Aragatsotn canton of the ancient Armenian Kingdom.
The town is surrounded by many large villages including Sardarapat, Norapat, Mrgashat, Maysisyan and Noravan.
Climate
Armavir has a
Climate data for Armavir (normals and extremes for 1991-2020) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 15.0 (59.0) |
21.0 (69.8) |
28.5 (83.3) |
33.0 (91.4) |
35.0 (95.0) |
38.5 (101.3) |
41.5 (106.7) |
40.5 (104.9) |
37.5 (99.5) |
35.0 (95.0) |
24.5 (76.1) |
19.6 (67.3) |
41.5 (106.7) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.3 (26.1) |
0.0 (32.0) |
6.8 (44.2) |
12.7 (54.9) |
17.4 (63.3) |
22.3 (72.1) |
25.9 (78.6) |
25.8 (78.4) |
20.5 (68.9) |
13.7 (56.7) |
5.8 (42.4) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
12.2 (54.0) |
Record low °C (°F) | −28.0 (−18.4) |
−24.0 (−11.2) |
−12.2 (10.0) |
−9.6 (14.7) |
0.3 (32.5) |
5.5 (41.9) |
7.3 (45.1) |
9.5 (49.1) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−10.6 (12.9) |
−28.0 (−18.4) |
−28.0 (−18.4) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 18.2 (0.72) |
17.6 (0.69) |
23.1 (0.91) |
40.5 (1.59) |
44.5 (1.75) |
22.0 (0.87) |
13.1 (0.52) |
8.0 (0.31) |
11.0 (0.43) |
22.9 (0.90) |
19.8 (0.78) |
18.4 (0.72) |
259.1 (10.19) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 4.2 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 7.3 | 9.1 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 55.8 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
72.7 | 68.2 | 60.8 | 57.8 | 57.1 | 49.5 | 45.6 | 45.9 | 50.7 | 58 | 64.4 | 71.8 | 58.5 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 70.9 | 111.6 | 162.2 | 177 | 232.8 | 309.8 | 328.3 | 313.6 | 262 | 178.9 | 134.1 | 67.2 | 2,348.4 |
Source: NOAA[5]
|
Demographics
Upon its foundation in 1931, the town was originally populated by Armenians from Javakheti, Shirak and Zangezur. Later, Yazidis, Kurds and Assyrians from the nearby villages have also settled in Armavir. Many Armenians from Iran, Syria and Lebanon were resettled in Armavir during the 1950s and 1960s, as part of the Armenian repatriation process.
The town's population reached its peak with around 47,000 during the final years of the Soviet Union. Following the independence of Armenia and the resulting economic crisis, it has drastically declined, showing 32,034 in the 2001 census, 29,319 in the 2011 census, and around 28,900 as per the 2016 official estimate.
The town's Saint Gregory of Narek Church was opened on 30 May 2014 and named after .[6] Since its consecration in 2014, the church became the seat of the Diocese of Armavir of the Armenian Apostolic Church.[7]
The healthcare in the town is served by the Armavir Medical Center, with a capacity of 280 beds.
Culture
The territory of modern-day Armavir is surrounded with many archaeological sites that are considered major centers of ancient Armenian civilization, including the nearby settlements of
Currently, Armavir is served by a cultural center, commonly known as the Red Club. It is also home to a music school, a school of arts, five public libraries, and a theatrical group. There is a private zoological/botanical garden at the northeastern vicinity of the town.
In 2016, the town celebrated the 85th anniversary of its foundation, with the presence of delegates from the Russian cities of Armavir and Shakhty.[8]
Transportation
The town of Armavir is founded on the basis of the train station operating since 1927, as a railway junction between Yerevan and Leninakan/Gyumri. The station was renovated i the 2000s. In November 2009, the station was provided with an electric locomotive that connects Armavir with the Aragatsavan station and northwestern Armenia.[9]
The town is also connected with Yerevan and central Armenia through the M-5 Motorway. The H-17 regional road connects Armavir with Gyumri and other parts of northern Armenia.
Economy
Since its foundation, Armavir has gradually developed as an important centre for industries, as well as services. The industry of the town is mainly based on food-processing and building materials production.
The cotton mill of Armavir opened in 1928 was the first industrial plant of the town. The Hoktemberyan Cannery, which opened in 1943, was among the largest food-processing plants in the Soviet Union. The Armavir branch of the Yerevan Brandy Company has operated since 1966. The glass factory of Armavir is a major glass container producer for the entire republic. There is a water treatment facility in the eastern suburbs of the town.
As a provincial centre, Armavir is home to many branches of prominent banks currently operating in Armenia.
Armavir air base was built near the town during the early 20th century and became one of the largest jet pilot training centers for the
Education
As of 2015, Armavir has 10 public schools, 12 nurseries, 2 intermediate colleges, 3 sport schools, and a school for children with special needs. Armavir is also home to the Tigran Mets Sports and Military College.
The Armavir provincial medical centre is located in the town as well.
Sports
In February 2017, the Football Federation of Armenia has launched the construction of a football academy in Armavir. With an approximate cost of US$3 million, the construction is being jointly financed by the FFA, UEFA and FIFA. It is expected to be completed by October 2019.[10]
Martial arts including
Twin towns – sister cities
Armavir is twinned with:[14][15][16]
See also
References
- ^ 2011 Armenia census, Armavir Province
- ^ "Արմավիրի մարզպետարան". armavir.mtad.am. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- ^ Caucasus 1906 map, Ordnance Survey Office, Great Britain
- ^ "Armavir town". Archived from the original on 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
- )
- ^ The church of Saint Gregory of Armavir was consecrated
- ^ "Արմավիրի թեմ". Diocese of Armavir.
- ^ Armavir is celebrating its 85th anniversary
- ^ "Նոյեմբերի 1-ին շահագործման կհանձնվի Արմավիր-Արագած ուղղությամբ երթեւեկող էլեկտրագնացքը". armenpress.am.
- ^ "Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Armavir marz - Domestic visits - Updates - The President of the Republic of Armenia". www.president.am.
- ^ "ԱՄԵՆԱՀԻՆ ՍՊՈՐՏԱՁԵՎԵՐԻՑ ՄԵԿԸ ԶԱՐԳԱՆՈՒՄ Է ՆԱԵՎ ԱՐՄԱՎԻՐՈՒՄ". alttv.am.
- ^ "ԱՐՄԱՎԻՐԻ ՔԱՂԱՔԱՊԵՏԻ ԳԱՎԱԹ". alttv.am.
- ^ "Արմավիրի թիվ 1 մարզադպրոցի վերանորոգման աշխատանքներն ավարտման փուլում են". armenpress.am.
- ^ "Կրկնակի տոն' մարզկենտրոն Արմավիրում". armavir.mtad.am (in Armenian). Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development, Republic of Armenia. 2016-10-01. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
- ^ "Jumelage avec Armavir". allauch.com (in French). Allauch. Archived from the original on 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
- ^ "О городе: Города-побратимы". feogorod.ru (in Russian). Feodosia. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
External links
Further reading
- (in French) Tirac'yan, Georg. "Armawir." Translated from Armenian by Aida Tcharkhtchian and edited by Jean-Pierre Mahé. Revue des Études Arméniennes. vol. 27, 1998–2000, pp. 135–300.