Aragatsotn (, ) is a province (marz) of Armenia. It is located in the western part of the country. The capital and largest city of the province is the town of Ashtarak. The Statistical Committee of Armenia reported its population was 128,941 in the 2022 census. had a population of 141,611. 24,277 or 17.14% of which was urban, distributed in the city of Ashtarak, and 117,334 or 82.86% were rural, distributed in the districts of Aparan (21,654), Aragats (13,401), Ashtarak (42,701), and Talin (39,578).thumb|[[Oshakan, the largest village in Aragatsotn]]

According to the 2011 official census, Aragatsotn has a population of 132,925 (66,738 men and 66,187 women), forming around 4.4% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 31,376 (23.6%) and the rural is 101,549 (76.4%). Aragatsotn has the highest percentage of rural population in Armenia.

The province has 3 urban and 111 rural communities. The largest urban community is the provincial centre of Ashtarak, with a population of 19,615. The other urban centres of Aparan and Talin have a population of 6,451 and 5,310 respectively.

With a population of 4,780, the village of Oshakan is the largest rural municipality of Aragatsotn.

Ethnic groups and religion

thumb|[[Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church]]

The province is primarily inhabited by Armenians who migrated from Moush, Manzikert, Sasun, Kars, Khoy, and Alashkert in the 19th and 20th centuries as well as a minority of Armeno-Tat who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Aragatsotn, headed by Bishop Mkrtich Broshyan. The Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church of Oshakan of is the seat of the diocese.

There is also a significant presence of Yazidis in the province. The 20 following villages of Aragatsotn are almost entirely populated by Yazidis: Alagyaz, Arevut, Avshen, Charchakis, Ddmasar, Hako, Jamshlu, Kanch, Kaniashir, Metsadzor, Mijnatun, Mirak, Otevan, Rya Taza, Sadunts, Shamiram, Shenkani, Sipan, Sorik and Tlik. The villages of Arteni, Oshakan, Vardenut and Voskevaz have a significant Yazidi population as well. Yazidis are also found in the towns of Aparan and Talin.

The village of Alagyaz is also home to a small number of Kurds.

Administrative divisions

As a result of the administrative reforms completed during 2019, Aragatsotn is currently divided into 9 municipal communities (hamaynkner), of which 3 are urban and 6 are rural:

  • A cross denotes a town (urban settlement), otherwise, the settlements are villages (rural settlements).

{|class="wikitable sortable"

|-

!Municipality

!Area (km<sup>2</sup>)

!Population<br>(2022 census)

!Centre

!Settlements

|-

|Alagyaz

|

|3,465

|Alagyaz

|Avshen, Charchakis, Jamshlu, Kaniashir, Mijnatun, Mirak, Rya Taza, Sadunts, Shenkani, Sipan

|-

|Aparan

|

|20,938

|Aparan

|Aragats, Arayi, Apnagyugh, Chknagh, Dzoraglukh, Hartavan, Jrambar, Kayk, Kuchak, Lusagyugh, Melikgyugh, Nigavan, Saralanj, Vardenis, Vardenut, Shenavan, Shoghakn, Tsaghkashen, Ttujur, Yernjatap, Yeghipatrush

|-

|Aragatsavan

|

|791

|Arevut

|Ddmasar, Hako, Kanch, Sorik, Tlik

|-

|Ashtarak

|

|61,859

|Ashtarak

|Agarak, Aghdzk, Antarut, Aragatsotn, Artashavan, Aruch, Avan, Bazmaghbyur, Byurakan, Dprevank, Ghazaravan, Karbi, Karin, Khnusik, Kosh, Lernarot, Mughni, Nor Amanos, Nor Yedesia, Nor Yerznka, Ohanavan, Orgov, Oshakan, Parpi, Sasunik, Saghmosavan, Tegher, Ujan, Ushi Verin Sasunik, Voskehat, Voskevaz

|-

|Metsadzor

|

|264

|Metsadzor

|Otevan

|-

|Shamiram

|21.2

|1,364

|Shamiram

|

|-

|Talin

|

|30,867

|Talin

|Agarakavan, Akunk, Ashnak, Garnahovit, Dashtadem, Davtashen, Dian, Dzoragyugh, Hatsashen, Irind, Kakavadzor, Karmrashen, Katnaghbyur, Mastara, Nerkin Bazmaberd, Nerkin Sasnashen, Nor Artik, Partizak, Shgharshik, Suser, Verin Bazmaberd, Verin Sasnashen, Vosketas, Tsamakasar Yeghnik, Zarinja, Zovasar

|-

|Tsaghkahovit

|

|9,393

|Tsaghkahovit

|Berkarat, Geghadir, Geghadzor, Gegharot, Hnaberd, Lernapar, Norashen, Tsilkar, Vardablur

|}

Many villages in Aragatsotn are currently abandoned or uninhabited, including Arum, Buravet, Karmrashen, Kasagh, Kyalashbek, Lusaghbyur, Nigatun, Shenik, Verin Kalakut and Zovuni.

Culture

thumb|The Armenian Alphabet park

The 17th-century bridge of Ashtarak on Kasagh River is among the interesting sites of the Aragatsotn Province.

The urban settlements of the province are home to cultural palaces and many public libraries. The house-museum of novelist Perch Proshyan founded in 1948, is located in the town of Ashtarak within the Proshyan family house. It was last restored in 2008.

Aragatsotn is also home to the Armenian Alphabet Park located near the town of Aparan.

The Ashtarak Walnut Festival is taking place every year during the month of October to promote the famous walnut of Ashtarak. It was first celebrated in 2012.

Talin has its local "Talin Ashkharh" weekly newspaper.

Fortresses and archaeological sites

thumb|[[Dashtadem Fortress of the 9th-century]]

  • Ushiberd fortress of the Iron Age,
  • Verin Naver archaeological site, 24th-14th centuries BC
  • Amberd fortress of the 7th century,
  • Dashtadem Fortress of the 9th century.

Churches and monasteries

thumb|[[Saint Christopher Monastery of the 7th-century]]

thumb|[[Yeghipatrush Church of the 10th century]]

  • The Arshakid Kings Mausoleum and Basilica of the 4th century,
  • Kasagh Basilica of the 4th century,
  • Astvatsenkal Monastery, 4th-5th centuries,
  • Saint Paul and Peter Church of Zovuni, 4th-5th centuries,
  • Church of Saint John of Mastara, 5th century,
  • Saint George Church of Garnahovit of the 7th century,
  • Aruchavank Cathedral of the 7th century
  • Saint Christopher Monastery of the 7th century,
  • Artavazik Church monastery of the 7th century,
  • Cathedral of Talin of the 7th century,
  • Surp Hovhannes Church of Voskevaz, 7th century
  • Tukh Manuk chapel of Lusagyugh, 7th century
  • Saint Sarkis Monastery of Ushi, 7th century
  • Yeghipatrush Church of the 10th century,
  • Surp Hovhannes Church of Byurakan of the 10th century,
  • Vahramashen Church of the 11th century,
  • Tukh Manuk Chapel of Kuchak, 12th-13th centuries
  • Tukh Manuk Shrine of Oshakan, 12-13th centuries,
  • Hovhannavank Monastery of 1216,
  • Tegher Monastery of the 13th century,
  • Saghmosavank Monastery of the 13th century,
  • Kosh fortress and churches, 13th-14th centuries,
  • Saint Gevork Monastery of Mughni of the 14th century,
  • Surp Astvatsatsin Church of Karbi, 17th century,
  • Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church of 1879 in Oshakan,
  • The churches of Spitakavor, Karmravor, Tsiranavor, Saint Mariane and Saint Sarkis in Ashtarak.

Transportation

thumb|On the way to [[Ohanavan]]

The province is connected with the capital Yerevan through the Ashtarak highway.

The M-1 Motorway connects Aragatsotn with northwestern Armenia, including the city of Gyumri, while the M-3 Motorway connects the province with northeastern Armenia up to the Georgian border.

Economy

Agriculture

thumb|Cattle-breeding in Aragatsotn

The rural population of the province is 3 times bigger than the urban. Thus, the majority of the population is involved in agriculture, including farming and cattle breeding. Being a major agricultural region, Aragatsotn contributes 9.7% of the annual total agricultural product of Armenia.

Around 79% (2,178&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of the total area of the province are arable lands, out of which 25% (542&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) are ploughed. With an approximate areա of of farmlands are occupied by grains and dry seeds. Around 40% of the of orchards in Aragatsotn are occupied by grapes. Potato farms occupy around , while vegetables are spread over of farms.

Around the highlands of Mount Aragats, particularly in the regions of Aparan and Talin, cattle breeding is more common in rural communities. Beekeeping farms are also found in higher woodlands. The village of Voskehat is home to the "Ashtarak Dzu" poultry farm, while the Aragats village is home to the "Aragats Poultry farm".

Industry

Aragatsotn has a poor industrial structure compared to other provinces in Armenia. It has only a share of 2% of the annual total industrial product of Armenia. The existing industrial firms are mainly based on food processing, dairy products, production of alcoholic drinks, water bottling, and building materials production.

  • Ashtarak is home to the "Ashtarak-Kat" company (founded in 1995), the leading ice-cream and dairy products manufacturer in Armenia. The town is also home to the "Gourmet Dourme" chocolate factory founded in 2007, the "P & D Group Armenia" for plastic containers founded in 2007, as well as the "Milen Art" plant, and the "Kharam Cooperative" for building materials production.

thumb|"Gntunik" bakery in Aparan using the traditional [[tandoor]]

thumb|"Golden Grape ArmAs" winery in [[Nor Yedesia]]

  • Aparan is home to the "Nig" factory for electrical products founded in 1964, the "Aparan Cheese Factory" founded in 1982 (privatized in 1995), and the "Aparan Group LLC" for bottled water, soft drinks, and dairy products, founded in 2006, and the "Gntunik" plant for bakery and dairy products.
  • Aragatsotn is a major centre for dairy products and dried fruits. Talin is home to the "Bonilat" factory for dairy products founded in 2005, based on the former Talin cheese factory. Other producers of dairy products include the "Gloria Cheeses" factory founded in 2005 in Aragatsavan, the "Anulik" factory of Nigavan, the "Mastarchedo" plant of Mastara. The "Tamara Fruit" plant of Karbi (founded in 1985), the "Gyughi Tatik" plant of Oshakan (founded in 2002), the "Astghunk" plant of Aghdzk, and the "Byurakan Chir" plant of Byurakan specialize in dried-fruits production. Other notable food-processing plants of Aragatsotn include the "Village House" meat-processing plant in Agarak, the "Meat Art" for meet products in Getap, the "Avetsiyan Aghek" plant for soft drinks in Talin, the "Aparani Lavash" for bakery products in Davtashen,
  • Aragatsotn has many large industrial firms for alcoholic drinks production, including the Voskevaz Winery founded in 1932 in Voskevaz (privatized in 2004), the ArmAs Winery founded in 2007 in Nor Yedesia, the Armenia Wine Winery founded in 2008 in Sasunik, the "Hayasy Group" for brandy, vodka, beer and juices founded in 2011 in Voskevaz, the Wine House Winery founded in 2011 in Aghdzk, and the "Van Ardi Winery founded in 2013 in Sasunik.
  • The province has many large firms for the production of building materials, including the "Aragats Perlite" plant for crushed stone founded in 1961 in Aragatsavan, the "Arus" company for stone structures in Parpi, and the "Levadan LLC" for building materials. Other notable firms within the province include the "SKIFF" enterprise for paintwork materials founded in 2008 in Sasunik and the "Diamotech" factory for gemstones in Talin.

Tourism

thumb|left|[[Mount Aragats and Lake Kari at the Aragats Alpine Sanctuary]]

thumb|The Byurakan Observatory

Aragatsotn is a major centre for ecotourism and the lovers of extreme tourism. Aragats is the highest mountain in modern-day Armenia. It is a single extinct volcano consisting of 4 peaks: the northern (4090 m.), western (4080 m.), eastern (3916 m.), and southern (3879 m.) peaks. Thus, it frequently attracts hikers and adventure travelers, with its mountain lake of Kari situated at a height of 3250 meters.

The well-preserved ancient monasteries and medieval fortresses are also among the main attractions of the province.

Luxury hotels are found in Byurakan, Aghtsk and Ashtarak. Byurakan is also home to the Byurakan Observatory.

The Mount Aragats and Lake Kari are among the touristic destinations of the province. The government protects the area as a wildlife sanctuary named Aragats Alpine Sanctuary.

The Abaran Battle Memorial and the Armenian Alphabet Park near Aparan are also among the most visited locations in Aragatsotn.

Education

thumb|Radio telescope at the Ashtarak Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics

As of the 2015-16 educational year, Aragatsotn Province has 123 schools, out of which 119 are operated by the province administration, while 4 are under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. The total number of the schools includes the 20 schools that are designated for the ethnic Yazidi and Kurdish minorities. As of the end of 2015, the number of students in the province's schools is 17,010. There is also one school for special needs in the province.

The town of Ashtarak is home to 2 major research institutions: the Mikael Ter-Mikaelian Institute for Physical Research and the Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics.

The village of Byurakan is home to the Byurakan Observatory operated by the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.

The house-museum of novelist Perch Proshyan founded in 1948 in Ashtarak, is among the most significant cultural centres of the province.

Notable natives

  • Ghazar Parpetsi (circa 442-early 6th century), 5th to 6th-century Armenian chronicler and historian.
  • Gevorg I of Byurakan (?-795), Catholicos of All Armenians.
  • Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan (1305–1335), 9th ruler of the Ilkhanate.
  • Nerses V of Ashtarak (1770–1857), Catholicos of All Armenians.
  • Perch Proshyan (1837–1907), Armenian writer.
  • Smbat Shahaziz (1840–1908), Armenian poet.
  • Norair Sisakian (1907–1966), Soviet Armenian biochemist.
  • Gevorg Emin (1918–1998), Armenian poet.
  • Emil Gabrielian (1931–2010), Armenian physician.
  • Vardges Petrosyan (1932–1994), Armenian writer.

<gallery class="center" widths="140" heights="140px" perrow="5" caption="Aragatsotn">

File:Vahramashen Church of Amberd, Armenia.jpg|Vahramashen Surp Astvatsatsin Church of 1026

File:Saghmosavank kev.jpg|Saghmosavank Monastery, 13th century

File:Mughni Monastery.jpg|Saint Gevorg Monastery of Mughni, 14th century

File:Amberd fortress and church 2009.jpg|Amberd fortress and Vahramashen Church

File:Ամբերդ գետի հովիտը.jpg|Amberd river valley

</gallery>

See also

  • Mount Aragats
  • Yazidis in Armenia

References

  • Aragatsotn guide with detailed descriptions, by Rick Ney
  • Aragatsotn Tourist Guide
  • Armenia news