Syunik Province
Syunik
Սյունիք | |
---|---|
UTC+04) | |
Postal code | 3201–3519 |
ISO 3166 code | AM-SU |
FIPS 10-4 | AM08 |
HDI (2017) | 0.757[4] high · 3rd |
Website | Official website |
Syunik (Armenian: Սյունիք,[a] Armenian pronunciation: [sjuˈnikʰ] ⓘ, Azerbaijani: Zəngəzur) is the southernmost province of Armenia. It is bordered by the Vayots Dzor Province to the north, Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic exclave to the west, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south. Its capital and largest city is the town of Kapan. The Statistical Committee of Armenia reported its population was 141,771 in the 2011 census, down from 152,684 at the 2001 census.[5]
Etymology
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Demographics |
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Geography
Syunik is located between the
Historically, the current territory of the province occupies most of the historic
Syunik is a mountainous region, mainly covered with thick green forests. The Zangezur Mountains occupy most of the territory of Syunik. Mount Kaputjugh with a height of 3905 meters (12,812') and Mount Gazanasar with a height of 3829 meters (12,562') are the highest peaks of the province.
Many of the forests in Syunik are protected by the government, including the Arevik National Park, the Shikahogh State Reserve, the Boghakar Sanctuary, the Goris Sanctuary, the Plane Grove Sanctuary, the Sev Lake Sanctuary, and the Zangezur Sanctuary.
Major water basins include the rivers of
The Meghri mountain ridge at the extreme south of Armenia used to be home to the endangered Caucasian leopard. However, only one was detected by camera trap between August 2006 and April 2007, and no signs of other leopards were found during track surveys conducted over an area of 296.9 km2 (114.6 sq mi). The local prey base could support 4–10 individuals, but poaching and disturbance caused by livestock breeding, gathering of edible plants and mushrooms, deforestation and human-induced wildfires are so high that they exceed the tolerance of the leopards.[10] During surveys in 2013–2014, camera traps recorded leopards in 24 locations in southern Armenia, of which 14 are located in the Zangezur Mountains.
History
Kingdom of Armenia
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2017) |
Inscriptions found in the region around
The first dynasty to rule Syunik was the
Valinak (c. 400–409) was followed by Vasak (409–452). Vasak had two sons: Babik (Bagben), Bakur and a daughter who married Vasak's successor, Varazvahan (452–472). Varazvahan's son Gelehon ruled from 470 to 477, who died in 483. Babik (Bagben) the brother of Varazvahan became the new nakharar in 477. Hadz the brother of Gelehon died on 25 September 482. The Syunik Province was later governed by Vahan (c. 570), Philip (Philipo, c. 580), Stephen (Stephanos, c. 590–597), Sahak (Isaac, c. 597) and Grigor (Gregory, until 640).[citation needed]
Medieval Syunik
This section needs additional citations for verification. (August 2017) |
A dynasty was formed, governed by a branch of the Bagratuni, with minor vassal princes from one or more previous dynasties. Vasak III (c. 800) suffered an assault from the emir of Manazkert, Sevada. He established a garrison in Chalat, in the district of Dzoluk. He then called for help from the Persian revolutionary chief Babak Khorramdin, who married a daughter of the king.[citation needed]
After the death of Vasak III in 821, Babak inherited the country that revolted against him. Babak suppressed the revolt but was harassed by both Muslims and Armenians. Finally, he abdicated and the children of Vasak, Philip and Sahak, regained power. Philip controlled over eastern Syunik, including the cantons of the Vayots Dzor and Baghk. Sahak governed the western canton of Syunik, known as Gegharkunik.
In 826, Sahak allied with his ancient enemy – Sevada, the Qaisite emir of Manazkert – against the governor of
The
The prince of Western Syunik, Vasak-Gabor, was married to a daughter of the Bagratid prince Ashot the Great named Miriam and received the title of Ichkhan from the Syunik people – delivered to him by Ashot in name of the Caliph. His successor was his son, Grigor-Sufan II (887–909). The prince of Eastern Syunik, Vasak IV, died around 887 and was followed by his brother Achot who died c. 906.[citation needed]
The son of Vasak IV, Sembat, that received the
A few years later, the prince allied with the emir of
The eastern part remained divided: Sembat, which had the main title, governed the western part of the Eastern Syunik with the Vayots Dzor, bordered by Vaspurakan. Sahak governed the eastern part until the river
The throne was inherited by his nephew Sembat (963–998) who was recognized as king by the emirs of Tauris and of
Later, the Orbelian dynasty, one of whose members wrote an important history of the country, governed Syunik in times of Timur (Tamerlan) as vassals.
Iranian rule
Between the middle of the 18th century and early in the 19th century, the Syunik was part of the
By the beginning of the 18th century, Syunik was associated with the Armenian military leader
Imperial Russian rule
Following the
According to the official census of the Russian Empire in 1897, the total population of Zangezursky Uyezd was 137,971, with 51.6% of them were Caucasian Tatars and 46,1% were Armenians.[17]
The beginning of 20th century saw an outbreak in ethnic tensions between the Armenian and Tatar populations in the Caucasus, culminating in the
Tensions were accelerated with the collapse of the
Republic of Armenia
Between 1918 and 1920 Syunik was included in the short-lived Republic of Armenia. After the Sovietization of Armenia, Syunik became the main centre of the resistance against the Bolsheviks, thus becoming part of the unrecognized Republic of Mountainous Armenia. The city of Goris became the capital of the unrecognized state, and Garegin Nzhdeh was chosen as prime minister and minister of defence. Later, in July, Simon Vratsian took the office as prime minister while Nzhdeh became the governor and the general commander. Nzhdeh actively engaged in expelling the 3/5th Azerbaijani population of Zangezur.[24]
Between April and July 1921, the Red Army conducted massive military operations in the region, attacking Syunik from the north and east. After months of fierce battles with the Red Army, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia capitulated in July 1921 following Soviet Russia's promises to keep the mountainous region as a part of Soviet Armenia. After the conflict, Garegin Nzhdeh, his soldiers, and many prominent Armenian intellectuals, including leaders of the
Soviet Syunik
Armenian forces eventually secured the region but their efforts were in vain when the
As an administrative unit, modern-day Syunik was divided into the raions of Meghri, Kapan, Goris and Sisian.
Despite the region's troubled early years in the Soviet Union, it gradually began to recover with much of the area's infrastructure rebuilt and improved. During the Soviet era, Syunik was noted as a source of metal and ore production.[27] However, the region was shaken by the renewal of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh with neighbouring Azerbaijan. In 1987–1989, the remaining Azeri inhabitants fled the region as a result of interethnic violence.[28][29] This exodus of Azeri population made Syunik and Armenia, in general, more homogeneous.
Independence of Armenia
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Syunik has been a constituent part of the Republic of Armenia. After the independence of Armenia, the 4 rayons of Soviet Syunik were merged during the 1995 administrative reform to form the Syunik Province with the town of Kapan as the provincial capital.
Being the republic's southernmost province, it has gained a strategic and economic importance for Armenia. The border with Iran enhanced the export of vital energy resources from Armenia to Iran and other regions. Recently, a new 140-kilometer-long
In 2000, an old cemetery was found between the villages of Kornidzor and Khndzoresk near Goris. It was built during the
As a result of the
The ninth point of the
Demographics
Population
In 1989, the Syunik Province (then part of the Sisian, Goris, Meghri, and Kapan districts in 1930–1995)[39] had a population of 141,501. 66,170 or 46.76% of which was urban, divided into Goris (23,795) and Kapan (42,375), and 75,331 or 53.24% were rural, distributed into the districts of Sisian (29,768), Goris (17,979), Meghri (14,341), and Kapan (13,243).[40]
According to the 2011 official census, Syunik has a population of 141,771 (69,836 men and 71,935 women), forming around 4.7% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 95,170 (67.13%) and the rural is 46,601 (32.87%). The province has 7 urban and 102 rural communities. The largest urban community is the provincial center of Kapan, with a population of 43,190. The other urban centres are Goris, Sisian, Kajaran, Meghri, Agarak and Dastakert.
With a population of 2,661, the village of Shinuhayr is the largest rural municipality of Syunik.
Ethnic groups and religion
Syunik is almost entirely populated by ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Syunik, currently headed by Rev. Fr. Zaven Yazichyan. The Saint Gregory Cathedral of Goris is the seat of the diocese.
Administrative divisions
As a result of the administrative reforms took place on 24 November 2015, 17 June 2016 and 9 June 2017, Syunik is currently divided into 8 municipal communities (hamaynkner), of which 5 are urban, and 3 are rural:[41][42][43][44]
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Goris
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Kajaran
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Kapan
-
Meghri
-
Sisian
-
Gorayk
-
Shinuhayr
-
Tegh
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National park "Arevik"
-
Near Alidzor
Culture
Fortresses and archaeological sites
Near the village of
The sites of interest in this area include,
- Zorats Karer prehistoric archaeological site, is believed by many scientists including Paris Herouni and Onik Khnkikyan to be a prehistoric astronomical observatory,[55]
- Baghaberd fortress of the 4th century,
- Vorotnaberd fortress of the 5th century,
- Meghri Fortress of the 11th century,
- Halidzor Fortress of the 17th century,
- the artificial caves of Khndzoresk.
Churches and monasteries
- Surp Hovhannes Monastery of 691 of Sisian.
- Tatev monasteryof the 9th century.
- Vorotnavank monastic complex of the 10th century.
- Vahanavank monastic complex of the 10th century.
- Bgheno-Noravank monastery of the 11th century.
- Tatevi Anapat monastic complex of the 17th century.
Transportation
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Economy
Agriculture
Around 74% (3,336 km²) of the total area of the province are arable lands, out of which 13.2% (440 km²) are ploughed.[56]
The rural population is mainly involved in agriculture and cattle-breeding. The province contributes 6.5% of the annual agricultural product of Armenia. The main crops are grains, dry grains, potatoes and vegetables.[57]
The village of Angeghakot has fish farming ponds, while the village of Achanan is home to a poultry farm.
Industry
Syunik is among the main contributing provinces in the industrial sector of Armenia. It has a share of 17% of the annual total industrial product of Armenia. The economy is of the province is mainly based on the industrial sector, including mining, building materials production and food-processing. The prospect of a uranium mine being exploited by the Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation (Rosatom) in the village of Lernadzor.[58]
- The province is home to many of Armenia's largest mining operations including the Kajaran Mine operated by the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine since 1951, based in Kajaran.[58]The town of Kajaran is also home to the "Danesia" company for roofing sheets founded in 2000.
- Kapan is home to a number of industrial firms operating in the industrial district of the town. The largest firms are the "Kapan CH.SH.SH." for building materials founded in 1947, the Kapan machine tools plant founded in 1972, the "Sonatex" knitting factory founded in 1985, and the "Marila LLC" for meat and dairy products founded in 2010.
- Goris is home to the Vorotan Hydropower Plant opened in 1989 and considered one of the main providers of electrical power in Armenia. Other large industrial firms in Goris include the "Vosmar" company for asphalt concrete and crushed stone founded in 2002, the "Goris Gamma" for electronic devices founded in 2003, and the "Goris Group" for bottled spring water founded in 2005.
- Sisian is home to the "Sis-Alp" dairy factory founded in 2007, the "Bazalt-M" building materials production plant founded in 2009, and the Sisian ceramics plant operating since 2014.
- The Meghri Cannery founded in 1930, and the Meghri Road-building enterprise for asphalt and concrete production founded in 1997, are also among the major industrial firms of the province. Meghri used to have a large wine factory during the Soviet years.
- The Agarak Copper-Molybdenum mine complex produces copper and molybdenum concentrate through bulk-selective flotation recovery of molybdenum and copper minerals. It was fully acquired by "GeoProMining" company in 2007.
- The village of Shamb is home to the "Tatni Mineral Water Factory" founded in 2010, while Norashenik is home to the Freedom Distillery for fruit vodka products opened in 2014.
Tourism
Tourism is among the developing sectors in the economy of Syunik. The towns of Goris and Kapan have a large number of different levels of hotels and inns.
The cultural heritage, as well as the natural beauty of the region attract many local and foreign tourists especially in the summer period. The
Many forests and woodlands of Syunik are among the protected areas of Armenia such as the Arevik National Park and Shikahogh State Reserve. The province has also the wildlife sanctuaries of Boghakar, Goris, Sev Lake, Zangezur and the Plane Grove of Shikahogh river.
Other touristic destinations of Syunik include the Mount Khustup and the Shaki Waterfall.
Education
Syunik is home to the Goris State University operating since 1967 in the town of Goris.
Branches of the Yerevan State University, National Polytechnic University of Armenia and Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography are also operating in the province.
As of the 2015–16 educational year, Syunik has 119 schools.[60]
Sport
Football is the most popular sport in the province. FC Gandzasar Kapan represents Syunik at the Armenian Premier League. Gandzasar Stadium in Kapan is the largest sports venue of Syunik. Minor stadiums also exit in Meghri, Goris and Sisian.
In 2013, FC Gandzasar Kapan opened its state-of-the-art
Previously, FC Zangezour of Goris was another important football team in the province. However, the team was dissolved in 1997 due to financial difficulties.
Notable people
- Aram Manukian, statesman, founder of the Republic of Armenia
- Aksel Bakunts, novelist
- Versand Hakobyan, oligarch and politician
- Sero Khanzadyan, novelist
- Baghdasar Arzoumanian, architect
- Oksen Mirzoyan, weightlifter, Olympic and World champion
Gallery
-
The "stone-pyramids" of Goris
-
Zangezur Sanctuary
-
Monument to Garegin Nzhdeh and mount Khustup near Kapan
See also
- Injevar
- Jibillu
- Kaler, Armenia
- Kefashen
- Kavart
- Pirdaudan
- Siunia dynasty
- Syunik (historic province)
- Kingdom of Syunik
- Vank
- Verin Hand
- Verin Vachagan
References
- Notes
- ^ Classical spelling: Սիւնիք
- References
- ^ "Syunik population, 2011 census" (PDF).
- ^ "Robert Ghukasyan named governor of Syunik". panarmenian.net. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia". armstat.am.
- ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
- ^ Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census, Statistical Committee of Armenia
- ^ Hakobyan, Tadevos Kh.; Melik-Bakhshyan, Stepan T.; Barseghyan, Hovhannes Kh. (1998). Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան [Dictionary of toponymy of Armenia and adjacent territories] (in Armenian). Vol. 4. Yerevan: Yerevan State University Publishing House. p. 639.
- ^ Hewsen, Robert H. "The Primary History of Armenia: An Examination of the Validity of an Immemorially Transmitted Historical Tradition," History in Africa 2 (1975): pp. 91-100. "Sisak ... can only be another eponym, and a late one at that. Sisak is said to have been the ancestor of the princes of Siwnik', a province on the southern border of Geghak’uni. It was called Sisakan by the Sasanids (who ruled Persia from 226 to 637 A.D.); this term was unknown to Armenian historiography before the seventh century A.D. and was first used by a Syrian writer only in the sixth century."
- ^ Petrosyan, Armen (2006). "Ուրարտուի արքայատոհմի և իշխող դասի ծագման շուրջ" [On the origin of the ruling dynasty and ruling class of Urartu]. Հայոց ազգածագման հարցեր [Questions on the origin of Armenians] (PDF). Yerevan: Noravank. pp. 45–46.
- ^ "Map of Karabakh from 1856 showing Zangadzor.". Photo of a map, 1856. , [{{{url}}} {{{id}}}].
- ^ Khorozyan, I., Malkhazyan, A. G., Abramov, A. (2008). "Presence – absence surveys of prey and their use in predicting leopard (Panthera pardus) densities: a case study from Armenia." Archived 31 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine Integrative Zoology 2008, 3: 322–332.
- ^ Borisov, A. Ia, "Inscriptions of Artaxia (Artashes), King of Armenia, 1946, No 2"
- ^ Perikhanyan, A. G. "Арамейская надпись из Зангезура [Aramian Inscription from Zangezur]", Historical-Philological Magazine, 1965, No 4.
- ^ a b Foundation, Encyclopaedia Iranica. "Welcome to Encyclopaedia Iranica". iranicaonline.org.
- ^ "Մասնակի վերականգնվել և ամրակայվել է Որոտնավանքի Սբ. Կարապետ եկեղեցու որմնանկարը". www.tert.am. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Капан (in Russian). abp.am. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
- ^ 1906 Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, "Зангезурский уезд" article.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8179-9182-1
- ISBN 978-0-231-07068-3
- ^ "Dispatch from St. Petersberg, Wednesday, Sept. 13". The New York Times. 13 September 1905. p. 4.
A holy war has been proclaimed in the Caucasian districts of Zangezur and Jebrail, where Tartars are massacring the Armenians without distinction of sex or age...Dispatches say that mutilated children were thrown to the dogs and that the few survivors were forced to embrace Islam
- ^ "Georgians Hold Up Tartar's Advance". The New York Times. 15 May 1920. p. 14.
- ISBN 0-8147-1945-7
- ^ The Great Game of Genocide: Imperialism, Nationalism, and the Destruction by Donald Bloxham. Oxford University Press: 2005, pp.103–105
- ^ "Garegin Nzhdeh and the KGB: Report of Interrogation of Ohannes Hakopovich Devedjian" (in Russian). 28 August 1947. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ "Garegin Nzhdeh and the KGB: Report of Interrogation of Ohannes Hakopovich Devedjian" (in Russian). 28 August 1947. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ "392 Dead in Quake on Soviet Frontier". The New York Times. 30 April 1931. p. 10.
- ^ "Armenian Quake a Major Disaster". The New York Times. 6 May 1931. p. 9.
- ^ "Soviet is Raising Output of Key Ore". The New York Times. 23 May 1963. p. 68.
- ^ "Situation of refugees and displaced persons in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia".
- ^ Thomas de Waal. Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War: Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War. NYU Press; 2004.
- ^ "Georgia Shows Interest in Iran-Armenia Pipeline". EurasiaNet. 12 April 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
- ^ "The Historical Heritage Of Gara Goyunly Dynasty in Armenia". ASIMED. 1 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 March 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
- ^ "After the fighting, uncertainty reigns in Armenia's borderlands".
- ^ a b c Hauer, Neil (13 January 2021). "The New Old Frontier: Demarcation Sparks Tensions As Azerbaijani Control Returns Along Southern Armenian Border". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "In southern Armenia, warily sizing up the new neighbors | Eurasianet". eurasianet.org. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ "Statement by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and President of the Russian Federation". President of Russia. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ a b Meljumyan, Ani (4 May 2021). "Armenia proposing restoration of rail route through Azerbaijan to Russia". Eurasianet. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ Kucera, Joshua (14 May 2021). "Armenia and Azerbaijan in new border crisis | Eurasianet". eurasianet.org. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "Alternative road in Syunik province completely ready, minister says".
- ^ "Legislation: National Assemly of RA". www.parliament.am. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ "Демоскоп Weekly - Приложение. Справочник статистических показателей". www.demoscope.ru. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ "Legislation: National Assemly of RA". www.parliament.am.
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- ^ "Նախատեսվում է իրականացնել համայնքների խոշորացման 14 պիլոտային ծրագիր". Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
- ^ "Հայաստանի 328 համայնքների միավորմամբ կձևավորվի 34 համայնք. ԱԺ-ն քննարկում է ծրագիրը | Լրագիր".
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- ^ "Սյունիքի մարզպետարան". syunik.mtad.am.
- .
- ^ Giulio Palumbi 2021, Early pastoralism and natural resource management: recent research at Godedzor. in On salt, copper and gold. Catherine Marro, Thomas Stöllner, eds. pp.285-324
- ^ Paris Herouni, Armenians and Old Armenia, Yerevan, 2004.
- ^ Armstat: Syunik Province
- ^ "Armstat" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2015.
- ^ a b The Specter of Uranium Once Again Hangs Over Syunik, Hetq Online, 10 November 2008.
- ^ "Longest non-stop double track cable car". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ^ "Syunik Province schools" (PDF).
External links
- Syunik portal
- Khustup TV of Syunik Archived 30 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- Syunik Tourist Guide
- Syunik at Armeniainfo