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{{Other uses}} {{More citations needed|date=July 2021}}{{Other uses}}
{{coord|40|16|26|N|44|37|32|E|region:AM_type:city|display=title}} {{Coord|40|16|26|N|44|37|32|E|region:AM_type:city|display=title}}

{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info-->| official_name = Abovyan <br/> Աբովյան | official_name = Abovyan
| name_local = Աբովյան | native_name = Աբովյան
| image_skyline = Abovyan new collection 2016.jpg | settlement_type = Town
⚫ | image_skyline = Abovyan new collection 2016.jpg
| image_caption = From top left:<div style="background:#fee8ab;"><br/>]&nbsp;• Abovyan skyline<br/>Friendship Square&nbsp;• ]'s bust<br/>General view of Abovyan | image_caption = From top left:<div style="background:#fee8ab;"><br/>]&nbsp;• Abovyan skyline<br/>Friendship Square&nbsp;• ]'s bust<br/>General view of Abovyan</div>
| imagesize = 300px
| pushpin_map = Armenia | imagesize = 300px
| mapsize = 150px | pushpin_map = Armenia
<!-- Location-->| subdivision_type = Country | mapsize = 150px
| subdivision_name = {{ARM}} | subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type1 = ] (province) | subdivision_name = {{ARM}}
| subdivision_type1 = ] (province)
| subdivision_name1 = ] | subdivision_name1 = ]
<!-- Politics -->| leader_title = ] | leader_title = ]
| leader_name = | established_title = Founded
| established_title = Founded | established_date = 1963
| established_date = 1963 | area_total_km2 = 11
⚫ | population_as_of = 2022 census
<!-- Area and population -->| area_total_km2 = 11
| population_total = 46,434<ref name="2022 Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=82&id=2623|title=The Main Results of RA Census 2022, trilingual / Armenian Statistical Service of Republic of Armenia|website=www.armstat.am|access-date=2024-11-07}}</ref>
| area_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
⚫ | population_as_of = 2011 census
| population_total = 43,495 | timezone = ]
| population_density_km2 = auto | utc_offset = +4
⚫ | coordinates = {{coord|40|16|26|N|44|37|32|E|region:AM|display=inline}}
<!-- General information -->| timezone = ]
| utc_offset = +4 | elevation_m = 1450
| timezone_DST = | area_code = (+374)222
| utc_offset_DST = | website =
| footnotes = Sources: Population<ref name="2022cen">{{cite web |date=2024 |title=Results of 2022 Population Census of the Republic of Armenia: Chapter 1: Population Distribution, table 1.1.2 |url=https://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=82&id=2623 |access-date=1 September 2024 |website=Armstat.am |publisher=RA Statistical Committee |at=}}</ref>
⚫ | coordinates = {{coord|40|16|26|N|44|37|32|E|region:AM|display=inline}}
| elevation_m = 1450 | image_shield = File:Գերբ.jpg
<!-- Area/postal codes & related -->| area_code = (+374)222 | shield_size = 120
| image_flag = File:Աբովյան համայնքի դրոշ.jpg
| website =
| footnotes = Sources: Population<ref>. armstat.am</ref>
| name =
⚫ | image_shield = Abovyan coat of arms.jpg
| shield_size = 120
}} }}
⚫ '''Abovyan''' or '''Abovian''' ({{langx|hy|Աբովյան}} {{IPA|hy|ɑbɔvˈjɑn|}}) is a town and urban municipal community in ] within the ]. It is located {{convert|16|km|0|abbr=off}} northeast of ] and {{convert|32|km|0|abbr=off}} southeast of the province centre ]. As of the 2022 census, the population of the town was 46,434.<ref name="2022 Census"/>

⚫ '''Abovyan''' or '''Abovian''' ({{lang-hy|Աբովյան}}), is a town and urban municipal community in ] within the ]. It is located {{convert|16|km|0|abbr=off}} northeast of ] and {{convert|32|km|0|abbr=off}} southeast of the province centre ]. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 43,495, down from 59,000 reported at the 1989 census. Currently, the town has an approximate population of 35,400 as per the 2016 official estimate.


With a motorway and railway running through the city connecting Yerevan with the areas of the northeast, Abovyan is considered a satellite city of the Armenian capital. Therefore, Abovyan is generally known as the "northern gate of Yerevan". With a motorway and railway running through the city connecting Yerevan with the areas of the northeast, Abovyan is considered a satellite city of the Armenian capital. Therefore, Abovyan is generally known as the "northern gate of Yerevan".
Line 44: Line 39:


==Etymology== ==Etymology==
The present-day Abovyan was occupied by a small village known as ''Elar''. In 1961, the village was renamed ''Abovyan'' in honour of the Armenian prominent writer ]. In 1963, the urban settlement of Abovyan was officially founded. The site of present-day Abovyan was previously occupied by a small village known as ''Elar''. One folk tradition connects the name Elar with the legend of ]: the Assyrian queen ] is said to have brought the body of the murdered Armenian king to the village and ordered the inhabitants to shout "''el Ara"'', meaning "arise, Ara" in Armenian, from which the name ''Elar'' supposedly originated.''<ref name="Karavachar">{{cite book|last1=Hakobyan|first1=Tadevos Kh.|url=http://nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=61&query=%D5%A7%D5%AC%D5%A1%D6%80|title=Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան |last2=Melik-Bakhshyan|first2=Stepan T.|last3=Barseghyan|first3=Hovhannes Kh.|date=1988|publisher=Yerevan State University Publishing House|volume=2|location=Yerevan|page=329|language=hy}}</ref>'' In 1961, the village was renamed ''Abovyan'' in honour of the prominent Armenian writer ]. In 1963, the urban settlement of Abovyan was officially founded.


==History== ==History==
During the excavations of 1960 led by historian Mesrop Smbatiants, the remains of a 2nd-mellennium BC ], an ancient cemetery and old shelters with several objects that represent the 3 stages of the ] were found in the area of Abovyan.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vyar4vaz?url=http://www.caa.am/eng/lg.php?section=COMMUNITIES&id=218 |date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref> During excavations in the 1860s led by historian Mesrop Smbatiants, the remains of a 2nd-millennium BC ], an ancient cemetery and old shelters with several objects from the three stages of the ] were found near Abovyan.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706072509/http://www.caa.am/eng/lg.php?section=COMMUNITIES&id=218 |date=July 6, 2011 }}</ref>


Smbatiants also found an 8th-century BC ] cuneiform left by King ], referring to the conquest of the "land of Darani" (the pre-Urartian name of modern-day Abovyan area). Smbatiants also found an 8th-century BC ] cuneiform inscription left by King ], referring to the conquest of the "land of Darani" (the pre-Urartian name of the modern-day Abovyan area).


The excavations led by Smbatiants revealed that the area of modern-day Abovyan was inhabited starting from the end of the 4th century BC. The excavations led by Smbatiants revealed that the area of modern-day Abovyan was inhabited starting from the end of the 4th century BC.


During the ancient ], the western area of modern-day Abovyan was part of the "Kotayk" canton of ] province while the eastern area was part of "Mazaz" canton of the same province. During the ancient ], the western area of modern-day Abovyan was part of the Kotayk canton of ] province, while the eastern area was part of the Mazaz canton of the same province.


Between the 5th and 7th centuries AD, the region was granted to the ] Armenian noble dynasty. Between the 5th and 7th centuries AD, the region was granted to the ] Armenian noble dynasty.
] overlooking the town from the northwest]] ] overlooking the town from the northwest]]
After the ] invasion of Armenia, the area became to be known as ''Elar''. According to the Armenian historian ] of the 13th century, Elar became part of the ]. Later, the region of Elar was granted to prince ] by prince ]. After the ] invasion of Armenia, the area became known as ''Elar''. According to the 13th-century Armenian historian ], Elar became part of the ]. Later, the region of Elar was granted to prince ] of the ] by prince ].


By the beginning of the 16th century, ] fell under the Persian rule, and Elar became part of the Erivan Beglarbegi and later of the ]. After the ]n conquest of Armenia in 1828, Elar became part of the ] and subsequently of the ] formed in 1850. By the beginning of the 16th century, ] fell under the Persian rule, and Elar became part of the Erivan Beylerbeylik and later of the ]. After the ]n conquest of Armenia in 1828, Elar became part of the ] and subsequently of the ] formed in 1850. At the time of the Russian conquest in 1828, Elar had a purely Armenian population consisting of 158 people, of whom 88 were of local origin and 70 were from ], or Iran.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hakobyan|first=Tatul|date=2020-04-18|title=Երևանի խանությունը՝ Ռուսաստանի գրավման նախօրեին|language=hy-AM|trans-title=Yerevan Khanate on the eve of the Russian conquest|work=CIVILNET|url=https://www.civilnet.am/news/199217/%D5%A5%D6%80%D6%87%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB-%D5%AD%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%A8%D5%9D-%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%BD%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB-%D5%A3%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%BE%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AD%D6%85%D6%80%D5%A5%D5%AB%D5%B6/|access-date=2021-07-09}}</ref>
] ]
The small village of Elar (currently part of Abovyan) remained the largest settlement in the area until 1961, when it was renamed Abovyan in honour of the Armenian writer ]. 2 years later in 1963, the town of Abovyan was founded by the decision of the ] government, including the village of Elar and the surrounding areas. The small village of Elar (currently part of Abovyan) remained the largest settlement in the area until 1961, when it was renamed Abovyan in honour of the Armenian writer ]. 2 years later in 1963, the town of Abovyan was founded by the ] government, including the village of Elar and the surrounding areas.


The modern town was built in 1962–1963 on a plateau located between ] and ] rivers. It has rapidly developed as an industrial centre within the ]. The town was planned to include 8 residential neighbourhoods (locally known as micro-districts), and an industrial district. The modern town was built in 1962–1963 on a plateau located between ] and ] rivers. It rapidly developed as an industrial centre within the ]. The town was planned to include 8 residential neighbourhoods (locally known as micro-districts), and an industrial district.


==Geography and climate== ==Geography and climate==
] ]
Abovyan is built on Kotayk plateau between the rivers of ], Azat and Getar at a height of {{convert|1,450|m|abbr=off}} above ]. It is surrounded by ] volcano of ] from the north, ] from the east, the heights of Nork from the south, ] from the west and ] from the northwest. The climate is ] and dry with relatively hot summers and cold winters. Abovyan is built on the Kotayk plateau between the rivers of ], Azat and Getar at a height of {{convert|1,450|m|abbr=off}} above ]. It is surrounded by ] volcano of the ] from the north, ] from the east, the heights of Nork from the south, ] from the west and ] from the northwest. The climate is ] (]: Dfb) and dry with relatively hot summers and cold winters.


{{Weather box {{Weather box
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| Dec precipitation mm =18 | Dec precipitation mm =18


| source = Climate-Data.org <ref name="Climate-Data.org"> {{cite web | source = Climate-Data.org <ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web
|url = https://en.climate-data.org/location/21596/ |url = https://en.climate-data.org/location/21596/
|title = Climate: Abovyan |title = Climate: Abovyan
|publisher = Climate-Data.org |publisher = Climate-Data.org
|access-date = August 15, 2018}} </ref> |access-date = August 15, 2018}}</ref>
}} }}


==Demographics== ==Demographics==
] ]

===Population=== ===Population===
More than 90% of the town's population are ethnic Armenians․ According to data from 1974, approximately one third of the town's population consisted of Armenians who were relocated from ], ] and ] during the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|year=1974|title=ԱԲՈՎՅԱՆ|encyclopedia=Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia|publisher=Armenian Academy of Sciences|location=Yerevan|url=https://hy.wikisource.org/%D4%B7%D5%BB:%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6_%D5%8D%D5%B8%D5%BE%D5%A5%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6_%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B6%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A3%D5%AB%D5%BF%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%B6_(Soviet_Armenian_Encyclopedia)_1.djvu/34|last=Dulyan|first=S.|editor-last=Hambardzumyan|editor-first=Victor|editor-link=Viktor Ambartsumian|volume=1|page=34}}</ref>
More than 90% of the population are ethnic Armenians, mainly from the Armenian diaspora who were relocated from ], ] and ] during the 1960s.

⚫ Minor communities of ], ], ] and ] are also found in the town.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5vyauY5pg?url=http://abovyan.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1&limit=12&limitstart=60 |date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref>

As of the 2011 census, Abovyan is the 5th-largest city in Armenia in term of population.


⚫ Small communities of ], ], ] and ] also live in the town.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075413/http://abovyan.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1&limit=12&limitstart=60 |date=July 7, 2011 }}</ref>
Here is the population timeline of Abovyan ''(note that the figures shown between 1873 and 1959 are related with the population of Elar village, now a neighborhood within Abovyan)'':
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
⚫ | 1873
⚫ | 1897
⚫ | 1926
⚫ | 1939
⚫ | 1959
| 1970
| 1973
| 1976
| 1989
| 2001
| 2011
| 2016
|-
! Population
| 360
| 548
| 897
| 1,024
| 2,289
| 14,700
| 28,500
| 38,400
| 58,671
| 44,596
| 43,495
| 35,400
|-
|}


{{Historical populations
The healthcare in the town is served by the Abovyan Medical Centre named after Rubik Harutyunyan, the Abovyan Maternity Hospital, the Republican Anti-Tuberculosis Dispensary, and the Saint Marie Clinic Hospital.
⚫ |1873|360
⚫ |1897|548
⚫ |1926|897
⚫ |1939|1024
⚫ |1959|2289
|1970|14700
|1973|28500
|1976|38400
|1989|58671
|2001|44596
|2011|43495
|2022|46434
|2024|47546
|align=none|percentages=pagr|graph-pos=bottom|source=<ref>{{Cite Republic of Armenia Settlements Dictionary}}</ref>}}


===Religion=== ===Religion===
] ]
The majority of the population of Abovyan are Armenians who belong to the ]. The majority of the population of Abovyan are ] who belong to the ].


The oldest standing church in the town is the Surp Stepanos church dating back to 1851. It remained closed since the Soviet days until 2010 when it was entirely renovated and reopened for the public on 28 November of the same year. The oldest standing church in the town is the Surp Stepanos church dating back to 1851. It remained closed since the Soviet days until 2010 when it was entirely renovated and reopened for the public on 28 November of the same year.


The other church of the town is the ] opened in 2013 by the efforts of the Armenian businessman ]. The architect of the church is Artak Ghulyan. It is one of the largest places of worship in Armenia. The other church of the town is the ] opened in 2013 by the efforts of the Armenian businessman ]. The architect of the church is ]. It is one of the largest places of worship in Armenia.


There is a small ] Russian community in the town. There is a small ] Russian community in the town.
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==Culture== ==Culture==
] ]
]
⚫ Abovyan has a cultural palace, a public library and a community creative centre for children and teenagers. The town is also home to a museum opened in 1982 and dedicated to the brotherhood and friendship between the Armenian and Russian nations. The recently renovated theatre of Abovyan has a regular schedule of theatrical shows.
]
⚫ Abovyan has a cultural palace, a public library and a community creative centre for children and teenagers. The town is also home to a museum dedicated to the brotherhood and friendship between the Armenian and Russian nations, opened in 1982. The recently renovated theatre of Abovyan has a regular schedule of theatrical shows.


The ''Abovyan day'' is celebrated every year in mid October.<ref>. panorama.am (2015-10-02)</ref> ''Abovyan day'' is celebrated every year in mid October.<ref>. panorama.am (2015-10-02)</ref>


The town used to have a cinema theatre during the Soviet days. However, it is currently used as a shopping centre. The town had a cinema in Soviet times, which has since been converted into a shopping centre.

In 2022, it was announced that Abovyan will be the destination from which to view and visit the World's Largest Statute of ] to be erected on Mt. ], accessible by road and ] estimated to be completed in 2025. In the process of construction, an ancient fortress was discovered in the top of Mt. Hatis.


==Transportation== ==Transportation==
Being approximately located in northeastern Yerevan, Abovyan is connected with capital city with buses and minibuses that are in service 24 hours a day. The H-1 Road connects Abovyan with Yerevan, while the M-4 Motorway connects the town with the rest of Armenia. Being located just northeast of Yerevan, Abovyan is connected with capital city with buses and minibuses that are in service 24 hours a day. The H-1 Road connects Abovyan with Yerevan, while the M-4 Motorway connects the town with the rest of Armenia.


Being a satellite town of the capital ], Abovyan is connected with the capital city with public vans, locally-known as '']''. These vehicles are mainly Russian-made ] vans with 13 seats, having regular trips between the two cities throughout the day. Being a satellite town of the capital ], Abovyan is connected with the capital city with public vans, locally-known as '']''. These vehicles are mainly Russian-made ] vans with 13 seats, having regular trips between the two cities throughout the day.
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==Economy== ==Economy==
] ]
Abovyan was founded by the Soviets as an industrial town. It used to have many large industrial firms until the fall of the ], including a concrete factory, a stone-processing plant and a chemicals factory. The town has an industrial district located to the south of the town. The sector is quite diversified including several types of finished goods and services, such as building materials, processed food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and polymer products. Abovyan was founded in the Soviet era as an industrial town. It used to have many large industrial firms until the fall of the ], including a concrete factory, a stone-processing plant and a chemicals factory. The town has an industrial district located to the south of the town. The sector is quite diversified, including several types of finished goods and services, such as building materials, processed food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and polymer products.


Major firms for building materials production include the Suardi Armenia Factory since 1963, Armstone Plant since 1996, ] since 2002, and Italasphalt Factory since 2015. Alcoholic beverages are also produced by several factories including the Samkon Brandy Factory since 1970, ] since 1974, and the Ginevan Factory for wine, brandy, beer and canned food, since 2011. The Arpimed Pharmaceutical Enterprise has been operating since 1999, while the Poli-Serv Factory for polymer products has been operating since 2001. Processed-food has been produced by Tamara Factory for dairy products and sweets since 1988, by the Luma Factory for meat products and chips since 1995, by the Sipan Plant for canned food and soft drinks since 2003, and by the Tamara Food Enterprise for convenience food since 2007. Major firms for building materials production include the Suardi Armenia Factory since 1963, Armstone Plant since 1996, ] since 2002, and Italasphalt Factory since 2015. Alcoholic beverages are also produced by several factories including the Samkon Brandy Factory since 1970, ] since 1974, and the Ginevan Factory for wine, brandy, beer and canned food, since 2011. The Arpimed Pharmaceutical Enterprise has been operating since 1999, while the Poli-Serv Factory for polymer products has been operating since 2001. Processed food has been produced by Tamara Factory for dairy products and sweets since 1988, by the Luma Factory for meat products and chips since 1995, by the Sipan Plant for canned food and soft drinks since 2003, and by the Tamara Food Enterprise for convenience food since 2007.


==Education== ==Education==
Line 213: Line 193:


The town has musical academy as well as an arts school. The town has musical academy as well as an arts school.

The ] is home to the ] of AbovAcademy.com, named as homage to ], the largest ] ] and ] program in the ] of ].


==Sport== ==Sport==
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The short-lived ] represented the town in a single season of the ] in 2012–13 before going defunct. The short-lived ] represented the town in a single season of the ] in 2012–13 before going defunct.


The town is home to the ] opened in 1966 with a seating capacity of 3,946, as well as the Gagik Tsaurkyan sports and cultural centre. The town is home to the ] opened in 1966 with a seating capacity of 3,946, as well as the Gagik Tsaurkyan Sports and Cultural Centre.


==Notable people== ==Notable people==
*], Armenian politician{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}} *], Armenian politician
*], Armenian-American professional boxer{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}} *], Armenian-American professional boxer
*], Armenian footballer{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}} *], Armenian footballer


==International relations== ==International relations==
Line 231: Line 213:


===Twin towns – Sister cities=== ===Twin towns – Sister cities===
Abovyan is ] with: Abovyan is ] with:
*] ''']''', {{flagicon|Rhône-Alpes}} ], {{flagicon|FRA}} ], since 1990. *] ''']''', {{flagicon|Rhône-Alpes}} ], {{flagicon|FRA}} ], since 1990.


Line 238: Line 220:


==References== ==References==
{{commons category|Abovyan}} {{Commons category|Abovyan}}
{{Reflist|2}}
⚫ {{reflist|2}} 7.

⚫ {{Kotayk}}
== External links ==
⚫ *
*
⚫ *
{{Kotayk}}
{{Cities and towns in Armenia}} {{Cities and towns in Armenia}}
{{Authority control}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 19:37, 15 January 2025

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40°16′26″N 44°37′32″E / 40.27389°N 44.62556°E / 40.27389; 44.62556

Town in Kotayk, Armenia
Abovyan Աբովյան
Town
From top left: Surp Hovhannes Church • Abovyan skyline Friendship Square • Khachatur Abovyan's bust General view of AbovyanFrom top left:
Surp Hovhannes Church • Abovyan skyline
Friendship Square • Khachatur Abovyan's bust
General view of Abovyan
Flag of AbovyanFlagCoat of arms of AbovyanCoat of arms
Abovyan is located in ArmeniaAbovyanAbovyan
Coordinates: 40°16′26″N 44°37′32″E / 40.27389°N 44.62556°E / 40.27389; 44.62556
Country Armenia
Marz (province)Kotayk
Founded1963
Area
 • Total11 km (4 sq mi)
Elevation1,450 m (4,760 ft)
Population
 • Total46,434
Time zoneUTC+4 (UTC)
Area code(+374)222
WebsiteOfficial website
Sources: Population

Abovyan or Abovian (Armenian: Աբովյան [ɑbɔvˈjɑn]) is a town and urban municipal community in Armenia within the Kotayk Province. It is located 16 kilometres (10 miles) northeast of Yerevan and 32 kilometres (20 miles) southeast of the province centre Hrazdan. As of the 2022 census, the population of the town was 46,434.

With a motorway and railway running through the city connecting Yerevan with the areas of the northeast, Abovyan is considered a satellite city of the Armenian capital. Therefore, Abovyan is generally known as the "northern gate of Yerevan".

Abovyan covers an area of around 11 square kilometres (4.2 square miles).

Etymology

The site of present-day Abovyan was previously occupied by a small village known as Elar. One folk tradition connects the name Elar with the legend of Ara the Handsome: the Assyrian queen Semiramis is said to have brought the body of the murdered Armenian king to the village and ordered the inhabitants to shout "el Ara", meaning "arise, Ara" in Armenian, from which the name Elar supposedly originated. In 1961, the village was renamed Abovyan in honour of the prominent Armenian writer Khachatur Abovian. In 1963, the urban settlement of Abovyan was officially founded.

History

During excavations in the 1860s led by historian Mesrop Smbatiants, the remains of a 2nd-millennium BC Cyclopean fortress, an ancient cemetery and old shelters with several objects from the three stages of the Bronze Age were found near Abovyan.

Smbatiants also found an 8th-century BC Urartian cuneiform inscription left by King Argishti I, referring to the conquest of the "land of Darani" (the pre-Urartian name of the modern-day Abovyan area).

The excavations led by Smbatiants revealed that the area of modern-day Abovyan was inhabited starting from the end of the 4th century BC.

During the ancient Kingdom of Armenia, the western area of modern-day Abovyan was part of the Kotayk canton of Ayrarat province, while the eastern area was part of the Mazaz canton of the same province.

Between the 5th and 7th centuries AD, the region was granted to the Amatuni Armenian noble dynasty.

Mount Ara overlooking the town from the northwest

After the Seljuk invasion of Armenia, the area became known as Elar. According to the 13th-century Armenian historian Stepanos Orbelian, Elar became part of the Kingdom of Georgia. Later, the region of Elar was granted to prince Liparit Orbeli of the Orbelian Dynasty by prince Ivane Mkhargrdzeli.

By the beginning of the 16th century, Eastern Armenia fell under the Persian rule, and Elar became part of the Erivan Beylerbeylik and later of the Erivan Khanate. After the Russian conquest of Armenia in 1828, Elar became part of the Armenian Oblast and subsequently of the Erivan Governorate formed in 1850. At the time of the Russian conquest in 1828, Elar had a purely Armenian population consisting of 158 people, of whom 88 were of local origin and 70 were from Western Armenia, or Iran.

Sipan hotel and the Abovyan town hall

The small village of Elar (currently part of Abovyan) remained the largest settlement in the area until 1961, when it was renamed Abovyan in honour of the Armenian writer Khachatur Abovian. 2 years later in 1963, the town of Abovyan was founded by the Soviet government, including the village of Elar and the surrounding areas.

The modern town was built in 1962–1963 on a plateau located between Hrazdan and Azat rivers. It rapidly developed as an industrial centre within the Armenian SSR. The town was planned to include 8 residential neighbourhoods (locally known as micro-districts), and an industrial district.

Geography and climate

Abovyan and Mount Hatis

Abovyan is built on the Kotayk plateau between the rivers of Hrazdan, Azat and Getar at a height of 1,450 metres (4,760 feet) above sea level. It is surrounded by Gutanasar volcano of the Gegham mountains from the north, Mount Hatis from the east, the heights of Nork from the south, Hrazdan gorge from the west and Mount Ara from the northwest. The climate is Humid continental (Köppen: Dfb) and dry with relatively hot summers and cold winters.

Climate data for Abovyan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 0.6
(33.1) 		2.0
(35.6) 		7.6
(45.7) 		14.3
(57.7) 		19.5
(67.1) 		24.0
(75.2) 		27.9
(82.2) 		27.6
(81.7) 		23.9
(75.0) 		17.4
(63.3) 		9.8
(49.6) 		3.2
(37.8) 		14.8
(58.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.0
(24.8) 		−2.7
(27.1) 		2.5
(36.5) 		8.4
(47.1) 		13.1
(55.6) 		17.1
(62.8) 		20.8
(69.4) 		20.6
(69.1) 		16.4
(61.5) 		10.8
(51.4) 		4.6
(40.3) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		8.9
(48.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.5
(16.7) 		−7.3
(18.9) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		2.5
(36.5) 		6.8
(44.2) 		10.3
(50.5) 		13.7
(56.7) 		13.6
(56.5) 		9.0
(48.2) 		4.2
(39.6) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		−5.3
(22.5) 		3.0
(37.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 18
(0.7) 		22
(0.9) 		30
(1.2) 		46
(1.8) 		71
(2.8) 		53
(2.1) 		31
(1.2) 		25
(1.0) 		22
(0.9) 		34
(1.3) 		26
(1.0) 		18
(0.7) 		396
(15.6)
Source: Climate-Data.org

Demographics

Rossiya street

Population

More than 90% of the town's population are ethnic Armenians․ According to data from 1974, approximately one third of the town's population consisted of Armenians who were relocated from Syria, Iran and Lebanon during the 1960s.

Small communities of Kurds, Yazidis, Russians and Assyrians also live in the town.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1873360—    
1897548+1.77%
1926897+1.71%
19391,024+1.02%
19592,289+4.10%
197014,700+18.42%
197328,500+24.69%
197638,400+10.45%
198958,671+3.31%
200144,596−2.26%
201143,495−0.25%
202246,434+0.60%
202447,546+1.19%
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Source:

Religion

Surp Stepanos Church of 1851

The majority of the population of Abovyan are Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The oldest standing church in the town is the Surp Stepanos church dating back to 1851. It remained closed since the Soviet days until 2010 when it was entirely renovated and reopened for the public on 28 November of the same year.

The other church of the town is the Saint John the Baptist Church opened in 2013 by the efforts of the Armenian businessman Gagik Tsarukyan. The architect of the church is Artak Ghulyan. It is one of the largest places of worship in Armenia.

There is a small Molokan Russian community in the town.

Culture

A khachkar in Abovyan
Armenian-russian friendship statue
Memorial to the soldiers who died in the Great Patriotic War

Abovyan has a cultural palace, a public library and a community creative centre for children and teenagers. The town is also home to a museum dedicated to the brotherhood and friendship between the Armenian and Russian nations, opened in 1982. The recently renovated theatre of Abovyan has a regular schedule of theatrical shows.

Abovyan day is celebrated every year in mid October.

The town had a cinema in Soviet times, which has since been converted into a shopping centre.

In 2022, it was announced that Abovyan will be the destination from which to view and visit the World's Largest Statute of Jesus Christ to be erected on Mt. Hatis, accessible by road and aerial lift cable cars estimated to be completed in 2025. In the process of construction, an ancient fortress was discovered in the top of Mt. Hatis.

Transportation

Being located just northeast of Yerevan, Abovyan is connected with capital city with buses and minibuses that are in service 24 hours a day. The H-1 Road connects Abovyan with Yerevan, while the M-4 Motorway connects the town with the rest of Armenia.

Being a satellite town of the capital Yerevan, Abovyan is connected with the capital city with public vans, locally-known as marshrutka. These vehicles are mainly Russian-made GAZelle vans with 13 seats, having regular trips between the two cities throughout the day.

Economy

Aerial view of the town's centre

Abovyan was founded in the Soviet era as an industrial town. It used to have many large industrial firms until the fall of the Soviet Union, including a concrete factory, a stone-processing plant and a chemicals factory. The town has an industrial district located to the south of the town. The sector is quite diversified, including several types of finished goods and services, such as building materials, processed food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and polymer products.

Major firms for building materials production include the Suardi Armenia Factory since 1963, Armstone Plant since 1996, Multi Group Stone since 2002, and Italasphalt Factory since 2015. Alcoholic beverages are also produced by several factories including the Samkon Brandy Factory since 1970, Kotayk Brewery since 1974, and the Ginevan Factory for wine, brandy, beer and canned food, since 2011. The Arpimed Pharmaceutical Enterprise has been operating since 1999, while the Poli-Serv Factory for polymer products has been operating since 2001. Processed food has been produced by Tamara Factory for dairy products and sweets since 1988, by the Luma Factory for meat products and chips since 1995, by the Sipan Plant for canned food and soft drinks since 2003, and by the Tamara Food Enterprise for convenience food since 2007.

Education

As of 2015, Abovyan has 10 public education schools, 9 kindergartens and 2 state intermediate colleges.

2 major science institutions and research centres are located in Abovyan: the Republican Hospital of tuberculosis, and the Institute of Biological Microbes of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.

The town has musical academy as well as an arts school.

The town is home to the headquarters of AbovAcademy.com, named as homage to Khachatur Abovyan, the largest technology career center and tutoring program in the Province of Kotayk.

Sport

Abovyan City Stadium

FC Kotayk founded in 1955, is one of the oldest football clubs in Armenia who represented Abovyan until 2005. Like many other football clubs in the country, FC Kotayk was forced to default from the Armenian football league and consequently from professional football in 2005, due to financial difficulties.

The short-lived King Delux FC represented the town in a single season of the Armenian First League in 2012–13 before going defunct.

The town is home to the Abovyan City Stadium opened in 1966 with a seating capacity of 3,946, as well as the Gagik Tsaurkyan Sports and Cultural Centre.

Notable people

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Armenia

Twin towns – Sister cities

Abovyan is twinned with:

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Main Results of RA Census 2022, trilingual / Armenian Statistical Service of Republic of Armenia". www.armstat.am. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  2. "Results of 2022 Population Census of the Republic of Armenia: Chapter 1: Population Distribution, table 1.1.2". Armstat.am. RA Statistical Committee. 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  3. Hakobyan, Tadevos Kh.; Melik-Bakhshyan, Stepan T.; Barseghyan, Hovhannes Kh. (1988). Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան [Dictionary of toponymy of Armenia and adjacent territories] (in Armenian). Vol. 2. Yerevan: Yerevan State University Publishing House. p. 329.
  4. Union of Communities of Armenia:Abovyan (Kotayk) Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Hakobyan, Tatul (2020-04-18). "Երևանի խանությունը՝ Ռուսաստանի գրավման նախօրեին" [Yerevan Khanate on the eve of the Russian conquest]. CIVILNET (in Armenian). Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  6. "Climate: Abovyan". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  7. Dulyan, S. (1974). "ԱԲՈՎՅԱՆ". In Hambardzumyan, Victor (ed.). Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. Yerevan: Armenian Academy of Sciences. p. 34.
  8. Abovyan city:Kurdish Community of Abovyan city Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. Հայաստանի Հանրապետության բնակավայրերի բառարան [Republic of Armenia settlements dictionary] (PDF) (in Armenian). Yerevan: Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2018.
  10. Abovyan festivals. panorama.am (2015-10-02)

External links

Kotayk Province
Capital: Hrazdan
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Abovyan Municipality
Akunk Municipality
Arzni Municipality
Byureghavan Municipality
Charentsavan Municipality
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