It is named after the Aragatsotn canton of the Ayrarat ashkharh. It is one of the earliest populated regions of Armenia. It borders with Yerevan, Armavir, Kotayk, Shirak and Lori provinces of the Republic of Armenia, and also with Turkey. One of the features of the geographical location is the fact, that the territory of the province reaches the Armenian border with Turkey. Administrative center is Ashtarak.
Aragatsotn province is located in the northwestern part of the Ararat physical-geographical region (absolute heights from 950metres to 4090metres). The highest peak of the Republic of Armenia – mount Aragats is located here (4090m). The lake Kari, is located on a plateau below the peaks of Aragats.
The subsoil of the province is rich in minerals. Especially building materials are common-tuff, basalt, limestone, alumina, slag, pumice, perlite.
The largest rivers of the province are Kasakh and Geghadzor. There are 29 artificial reservoirs in the province, the biggest of which is Aparan reservoir.
Aragatsotn region is one of the economically developed provinces of the RA. The basis of the province’s economy is industry and agriculture.
The province is also rich with historical and cultural monuments. 1796 monuments are registered here, about 400 of which are under state protection. Among them are famous: Amberd, Hovhannavank, Saghmosavank, Dashtadem fortress etc.
Province is located in the south-west of the Armenia. On the North-west it borders with Armavir province, on north with Yerevan and Kotayk province, on east it borders with Gegharkunik and Vayots dzor provinces, on south with Nakhichevan, which is part of Azerbaijan, on south-west with Turkey. Administrative center is Artashat.
The territory of the Ararat province is divided into two parts: plain and mountainous. The plain stretches from the Hrazdan River to the state border of the Republic of Armenia at an altitude of 10-15 km. Most of the mountainous part of the province is occupied by the slopes of Geghama mountains, Urts and Yeranos mountains. Here is the forest, which was founded by the Armenian king Khosrov Kotak in the IV century. Nowadays it is Khosrov reserve.
The largest rivers of the province are Araks, Hrazdan, Azat, Vedi. The rivers passing through the Ararat valley have irrigation significance.
Ararat province is one of the most economically developed provinces of Armenia. The agricultural significance of the province is especially important. Occupying a large part of the Ararat Valley, the region provides a significant part of Armenia’s agricultural products. Agriculture is the most developed sphere here.
The province is also rich with historical and cultural monuments. 906 monuments are registered here, about 808 of which are under state protection. Among them are famous: Monastic complex of Khor Virap, Artashat and Dvin settlements, the fortress of Tap, etc.
Armavir was a part of Ayrarat province of ancient Armenia. It is located in the heights of 800-1000 m. Administrative center is Armavir city. Other cities are Vagharshapat and Metsamor. In terms of population size and density, Armavir province ranks first in Armenia.
The only “Vordan Karmir” reserve in the Republic is located in the province. The oldest observatory in the world was founded in the 19th century B. C. in the territory of the present-day Metsamor Historical-Archaeological Reserve-Museum (1968) of Armavir province.
Armavir is an agricultural province, as it is located mainly on the fertile lands of the Ararat Valley. The largest rivers of the province are Nalbandyan, Arshaluys, Parakar, Sardarapat. 7 of 387 and 38 of 99 of the rare and disappearing species of fauna and flora grow and breed in the territory of the Armavir province.
The province is also rich with historical and cultural monuments. The monastic complex of Etchmiadzin, the ruins of Zvartnots temple, the churches of St. Hripsime, St. Gayane, Shoghakat in Vagharshapat, as well as the Sardarapat memorial complex are of the great historical and architectural value.
One of the features of the province is the territorial advantage over all other provinces. Gegharkunik province can involve Ararat, Armavir and Kotayk provinces fully. It borders with the provinces of Tavush, Kotayk, Ararat, Vayots dzor of the RA, also has an external border with Azerbaijan and Republic of Artsakh. Administrative center is Gavar. Other cities are Chambarak, Martuni, Sevan, Vardenis.
The province is surrounded with mountain range of Areguni, Sevan, East Sevan, Vardenis, Pambak, Geghama. The territory is rich with volcanic cones, the most famous of them are Armaghan and Azhdahak. The highest point of the province is mountain Azhdahak, the height of which is 3597 m. It is not only the highest point of the province, but also one of the most beautiful mountains of Armenia.
The pearl of Gegharkunik is Lake Sevan, located at an altitude of 1900 meters above sea level. It is the second in size high-altitude freshwater lake on earth after Lake Titicaca in South America. 28 large and small streams flow into the lake, but only Hrazdan originates.
Sevan national park was founded in 1978 to protect Sevan and its environment. 1600 species of plants and 330 species of animals are preserved here. 267 species of birds are found on the territory of the Sevan National Park and it’s a protected area. 39 species of birds are listed in the Red Book of Armenia.
The province is mainly engaged in cattle breeding, cultivation of fodder and grain plants, potato cultivation.
The province is also rich with historical and cultural monuments. Among them are famous: Sevanavank, Hayravank, Selim karavanatun, Noratus church, Makenyats monastery etc.
The territorial feature of the Kotayk province is the fact, that it is the only province of the Armenia, that does not border with any of the neighbor countries. At the same time it is one of the four provinces, which are adjacent to Yerevan. It is named after Arshakuni king Khosrov Kotak of Greater Armenia.
Kotayk province is located in the north-east of the foothills of the Ararat concavity, between the rivers Azat and Hrazdan, on the Kotayk plateau. It borders with Tavush, Lori, Gegharkunik, Aragatsotn provinces and with Yerevan city.
In the north-east rise Geghama and Voghjaberd mountain ranges, in the north – extinct volcanoes Hatis (2528 m) and Gutanasar (2299 m), in the west stretches Hrazdan Canyon, and in the south – Nork District. Hrazdan, Azat (55 km) and Getar rivers flow through the territory of the province.
The volcanic lake Akna (at an altitude of 3032 m) is on the plateau near the Geghama mountain range. There are also several waterfalls in Kotayk province. The most water-rich and highest of them is Khosrov waterfall(8m) in Goght village.
Kotayk province is one of the biggest economical centers of the Armenia. A thermal power plant and a water power plant are still operating in Hrazdan, which provide part of Armenia’s energy needs.
Most of the country’s gold reserves are stored in the village of Megradzor on the left bank of the Marmarik river.
Tsakhkadzor is the center of skiing in Armenia, which is of great tourist importance. The province is also rich with historical and cultural monuments. .3028 historical and cultural values and monuments are registered here. Among them are famous: The pagan temple of Garni, Geghardavank, Kecharis, Bjni fortress.
Lori province is the third in the Armenia by the size of its territory. (It occupies 12.7% of the territory of the RA). It is located in the north of the Republic and borders with Shirak, Kotayk, Tavush and Aragatsotn provinces, also has external border with Georgia. Administrative center is Vanadzor.
Lori province completely covers Debed River basin and has a mountainous relief. The mountain ranges of Javakhk, Bazum, Pambak, Gugarats, Virahayots and Halab stretch in its territory. Debed River flows through the territory of the province with Dzoraget, Martsaget and Pambak tributaries.
Leading branches of the economy are agriculture and industry. In the field of agriculture, the production of grain, potatoes, vegetables and animal products is distinguished. Main directions of the province’s industry are mining and manufacturing.
The province is also rich with historical and cultural monuments. Among them are famous monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, which are included in the world heritage list of UNESCO, Kobayr, Odzun etc.
Shirak province is located in the north-west of the Republic. Administrative center is Gyumri. Other cities are Artik and Maralik. It borders with Lori and Aragatsotn provinces, also has an external border with Turkey and Georgia.
Shirak field spreads in the central and southern part of the province, on the northern part Ashotsk plateau, at the same time mountain ranges of Pambak, Bazum, and part mountain ranges of Eghnakhagh and Javakhk. mount Aragats also spread in the Shirak province.
Arpi lake-resevoir, Armenian part of the Akhuryan reservoir and Mantash reservoir are located in the territory of the province. The river network of the province almost entirely belongs to the Araks River basin. The Akhuryan River forms and origines on the territory.
The following structures of agriculture are distinguished in Shirak province: grain cultivation, potato growing, vegetable growing and dairy cattle-breeding.
Among the sightseeing places of province are famous Artik, Lmbatavank, Harichavank, Marmashen, Yot Verk, Pemzashen etc.
It borders with Iran, in the west with Nakhichevan, in the east with Artsakh, and in the north borders with Vayots Dzor province. Administrative center is Kapan.
Syunik province is the second in the size of the territory . Despite the size of the territory, most of the territory of the Syunik province is occupied by mountainous territories, rocks and gorges. The highest peak of the Syunik province is Kaputjugh (3904m). Syunik province occupies the territory of Zangezur, which includes basin of the upper and middle currents of Vorotan and Voghji rivers and eastern slopes of the Zangezur mountain range, which is the highest mountain range in the South Caucasus after the Greater Caucasus. But the most loved mountain of the tourist remains mount Khustup.
There are 170 big and small rivers in the province, the largest of which are Vorotan, Voghji and Meghri. Reservoirs of the province are Spandaryan, Tolos, Shamb, Angeghakot and Geghi.
The dominant branches of the province’s economy are agriculture and industry. The main branch of the province’s industry is mining and electricity production.
Syunik province is one of the oldest settlements of the Armenian Highlands. About 2812 historical and cultural monuments are registered in the province. Among them are famous: Tatev monastic complex, Halidzor fortress, Vorotnaberd, Vahanavank, Old Khndzoresk etc.
Vayots Dzor borders with Ararat, Syunik, Gegharkunik provinces, with the Republic of Artsakh and Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan. Administrative center is Yeghegnadzor.
The province is located in the basin of Arpa river. On one side it is covered with Sharur field, on the other side with mountain range of Vardenis. The geographical diversity is due to the fact that the province is located on a concave territory, as it is surrounded by various reliefs.
The territory of the province is divided by many big and small rivers, valleys. The main artery is Arpa river.
The economy of the province is one of the weak links of the economy of the RA. Agriculture is dominant, industry is mainly represented by the processing of agricultural products. Cattle breeding is dominant.
The outstanding sightseeing places of the province are Areni, Gndevank, Noravank, Areni (birds) cave, Proshaberd, Orbelyan’s karavanatun, Smbataberd, Jermuk waterfall etc.
In one of the caves of the territory the oldest human shoe was found.
Tavush province is located in the north-eastern part of Armenia and occupies 9.1% of the territory of the Republic. In the south it borders with Gegharkunik and Kotayk provinces, in the west with Lori province, also in north has an external border with Azerbaijan. Administrative center is Ijevan, which is famous with its mineral water and carpeting. Other large cities of the province are Berd, Noyemberyan, Dilijan.
Dilijan is known as a health resort. At the same time, Dilijan is also an industrial center.
The province is located in a moderately humid region. Summers are hot and winters are mild. Rivers belong to the basin of Caspian Sea. Aghstev river flows through the center of the province. The reservoirs of Khndzorut, Hakhum, Tavush, Aygedzor, Joghaz and Kolagr are located in the territory of the province.
Tavush province is amazing with its diversity of flora and fauna. 51% of the total area is occupied by mixed forests.
Dilijan national park was founded in 1958 to preserve and enrich the flora and fauna. The territory of the national park is 34000ha. 977 species of plants are registered here, 40 of which are rare, and 29 of which are listed in the Red Book of Armenia.
Parz Lake and Gosh Lake are located in the territory of the national park. The territory of the province is also rich with historical and cultural monuments. 1996 historical and cultural monuments are registered in the province. Tavush amazes with its natural beauty.