The province is home to many ancient landmarks and tourist attractions in Armenia including the 1st-centuryGarni Temple, the medievalBjni Fortress, 11th-centuryKecharis Monastery and the 13th-century monastery ofGeghard. Kotayk is also home to the popular winter sports resort and the spa-town ofTsaghkadzor and the mountain resort ofAghveran.
Kotayk Province is named after the historicKotayk canton of the historicAyrarat province ofAncient Armenia, directly ruled by the royalArsacid dynasty.
Kotayk was first mentioned as an Armenian region by Ptolemy asKotakene (Κοτακηνή ingreek). According toMovses Khorenatsi, the name Kotayk is derived from an ancient nearby settlement calledKutis.
The symbol of Kotayk is thelion of Geghard depicted on the coat of arms of the province, standing on a traditional Armeniansundial fromKecharis Monastery, surround by a bunch of Armeniangrapes from both sides. The decorative statue of the lion of Geghard was erected in 1958 among the mountains of Kotayk, on the way to the 4th-centuryGeghard monastery. It is derived from the decorative lions carved on the walls of the monastery.[4] The 1st-century paganTemple of Garni is also depicted on the coat of arms of Kotayk.
Historically, the current territory of the province mainly occupies parts of theAragatsotn,Kotayk,Varazhnunik andMazaz cantons ofAyrarat province of Ancient Armenia.
Mount Hatis (2528 m.)
Kotayk occupies the northeastern part of theArarat plain. The Kotayk plain located between Hrazdan and Azat rivers has a height of 1,200–1,500 m (3,937–4,921 ft)above sea level. It is dominated by theGegham mountains from the northeast including the mountains ofAzhdahak, Hatis andGutanasar. The province approximates the Pambak mountains at the north, while the Tsaghkunyats mountains lie at the west, and the Voghjaberd mountains at the southwest of Kotayk.
Affected by the Gegham volcanoes, the land relief of Kotayk is covered withlava andtufa.
Hrazdan,Getar andAzat are the three major rivers of the province.Lake Akna located at a height of 3,032 m (9,948 ft), is the only lake in the province.
The climate of the province is quite diversified. It ranges between arid and semi-arid climate at the south, and snowy climate at the centre and the north. Annual precipitation levels are less than 200 mm (7.9 in) at the dry areas, while it ranges between 400 and 900 mm (35.4 in) at the heights in the centre and the north of the province.
View of the Voghjaberd mountains at the southeast of Kotayk
The earliest records about the region date back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. According toPtolemy, Kotayk was directly ruled by theArsacid kings of Armenia. However, during the 4th and the 5th centuries, the territories were granted to theVarazhnuni noble family who governed the forests and lands used as a hunting ground by the kings of the Arsacid kings. Later between the 5th and 7th centuries, the region was granted to theKamsarakan andAmatuni families, under the Persian rule. Between the 7th and 9th centuries, Armenia suffered from the Arab Islamic occupation.
By the end of the 9th century, the region became part of the newly establishedBagratid Kingdom of Armenia. Between the 11th and 15th centuries, the region suffered from the Seljuk, Mongol,Ag Qoyunlu andKara Koyunlu invasions, respectively.
After 2 years of brief independence, Armenia became part of theSoviet Union in December 1920. After theWorld War II, Kotayk witnessed major growth and development under the soviet rule. Many new urban settlements and industrial centres were established in the region, including the towns ofByureghavan (1945),Charentsavan (1947),Nor Hachn (1953),Hrazdan (1959) andAbovyan (1963). Thus Kotayk had gradually become a major industrial region within theArmenian SSR.
Between 1930 and 1995, modern-day Kotayk was divided into 3raions:Kotayk raion,Nairi raion, andHrazdan raion. With the territorial administration reform of 1995, the 3 raions were merged to form the Kotayk Province.
According to the1989 Soviet census, the Kotayk Province (then part of the Kotayk,Nairi, andHrazdan districts in 1930–1995)[5] had a population of 301,737. 153,410 or 50.84% of which was urban, distributed in the cities of Abovyan (58,671), Hrazdan (60,839), and Charentsavan (33,900), and 148,327 or 49.16% were rural, distributed in the districts of Kotayk (63,099), Nairi (56,325), and Hrazdan (28,903).[6]
Zovuni village has a majority of Armenians, along with Yazidi and Molokan minorities
According to the 2022 official census, Kotayk has a population of 269,883 (128,793 men and 141,090 women), forming around 9.2% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 146,273 (54.2%) and the rural is 123,610 (45.8%). The province has 7 urban and 60 rural communities. The largest urban community is the town of Abovyan, with a population of 46,434. The other urban centres are Hrazdan, Charentsavan, Yeghvard, Byureghavan, Nor Hachn, and Tsaghkadzor.[7]
With a population of 7,198, the village ofJrvezh is the largest rural municipality of Kotayk.
This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(February 2023)
As a result of the administrative reforms took place on 9 June 2017, Kotayk is currently divided into 42 municipal communities (hamaynkner), of which seven are urban and 35 are rural:[9][10][11][12]
The Hrazdan Drama Theatre was founded in 1953. The Hrazdan branch of theNational Gallery of Armenia and the Geological Museum of Hrazdan are also among the prominent cultural institutions in the province.
The urban centres of Kotayk have their own cultural centres and public libraries.
The House-museum of Brothers Orbeli in Tsaghkadzor, is dedicated to the Armenian scientists Ruben,Levon andJoseph Orbeli.[20]
The town of Yeghvard has a number of historic structures dating back to classical antiquity and the medieval period, including the "Seghanasar" ancient settlement from the 2nd millennium BC, the ruins of a 4th-century church surrounded with more than 30 khachkars dating back to the 12th century, the ruins of the 5th to 6th-centuries Katoghike Church, and the well-preservedHoly Mother of God Church of 1301.
The M-4 Motorway connects the province with the rest of Armenia. The local urban and rural settlements are connected to each other with a well-developed network of roads.
Being very close to the capital Yerevan, the towns of Kotayk are regularly connected with the capital city through mini bus trips operating throughout the day.
Kotayk is a major centre for agricultural products and cattle-breeding in Armenia, forming 6% of the annual total agricultural product of Armenia. Around 74% (1,546.4 km2) of the total area of the province arearable lands, out of which 24.4% (378 km2) are ploughed.[21] A total of 36,125 farms in Kotayk are operated by the private sector or through cooperatives.
The agricultural products of the province are divided as follows: 40% provided by cattle-breeding 40%, 14% by tobacco processing, 10% by fruits, 8% by vegetables, 28% by other products including grains and dry grains. The orchards mainly produce grapes, apricot, peach and apple.
Kotayk was a major industrial centre during the Soviet period. The towns of Byureghavan, Charentsavan, Nor Hachn, Hrazdan and Abovyan were founded by theUSSR government between the 1940s and the 1960s to promote the industrial capacity of theArmenian SSR. However, many industrial plants have been revived after the independence of Armenia, mainly during the first decade of the 21st century. Currently, the province has a contribution of 13.5% in the annual total industrial product of Armenia. Food-processing, alcoholic beverages and building materials production are the prevailing sectors in the industry of the province.
Hrazdan thermal power plant
Hrazdan is the most industrialized town of Kotayk. The Hrazdan Hydro Power Plant opened in 1959, the Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant opened in 1966, and theHrazdan Cement factory opened in 1970, are among the largest plants in Armenia. The Qualitech Machinery machine tool-plant was founded in 1999. The town has also minor industrial firms including Hidro Storm metal-plastic manufacturing plant founded in 2009, as well as Arjermek and Hakobyan plants for building materials.
Charentsavan is another major industrial centre in Kotayk. The town is home to many types of industries including Dzulakentron metal casting plant founded in 1962, Charentsavan Precision Tool-Making Plant founded in 1964,[22] Khorda Hydroturbines Manufacturing Enterprise founded in 2006,[23] Bjni and Noy mineral waters factory founded in 2010, and Lubawa Armenia safety equipments production founded in 2014.[24]
Yeghvard has many major industrial plants, including Yeghvard Wine-Brandy Factory founded in 1966, Nairishin building materials plant founded in 1986, Yeghvard sport shoes factory founded in 1987, Yeghvard yeast plant founded in 1991, Yeghvard Combined Feed Factory founded in 1993, Semur & Co steel and metal manufacturing plant founded in 2003, and Shahnazaryan Wine-Brandy House founded in 2005.[25] In 2016, the "Armoil" company for petroleum has built an oil refinery in Yeghvard.[26] The town is also home to the "65 Military Factory" specialized in military products.
Byureghavan is major industrial centre since the Soviet period. The town's largest firms were opened during the Soviet days, including Arzni Group mineral water plant founded in 1925 in Arzni and relocated to Byureghavan in 1974, Glass World enterprise for glass manufacturing founded in 1947, Almaqar stone-processing enterprise founded in 1971, and Sunenergashin reinforced concrete columns manufacturers founded in 1973. During the 1990s, Byuregh Alco Winery for wine, brandy and vodka (founded in 1996), and Varat stone crushing plant (founded in 1997) were opened.
Abovyan has an industrial district located to the south of the town. It is home to Suardi Armenia factory for building materials since 1963, Samkon Brandy Factory since 1970 (privatized in 1998), the famousKotayk Brewery founded in 1974, Poli-Serv factory for polymer products since 2001, Ginevan Winery for wine, brandy, beer and canned food since 2011, and Italasphalt LLC for asphalt and concrete production since 2015. Other major firms include Tamara factory for dairy products and sweets since 1988, Luma factory for meet products and chips since 1995, Armstone plant for building materials since 1996, Sipan canned food and soft drinks plant since 2003, and Tamara Food for convenience food since 2007.
Nor Hachn is famous for its diamond cutting plants with many enterprises, including Shoghakn plant founded in 1958, Andranik plant founded in 1994, Arevakn plant founded in 2000, and Agates plant founded in 2001.
Being located at the eastern suburbs of Yerevan, the village of Jrvezh is home to a large number of industrial firms, including Arega Cannery since 1995, Garni Crystalline water manufacturers since 1999, Jrvezh Meat Factory since 2006, Javale" factory for plastic products since 2008, and T-Pharma pharmaceuticals plant since 2017.
The village of Balahovit is also home to several industrial firms, including Argishty mechanical enterprise since 1989, Saranist factory for glass containers since 1989, and Filishin LLC for concrete since 2007.
Other major industrial firms located in the villages of Kotayk include: Chanakh dairy factory founded in 1991 inZovk, Glanzh Alco Winery for cognac and wine founded in 2003 inAramus, Nicola International Armenia for canned food inAramus (since 2003), Ptghni Gold Winery for wine and liquor founded in 1996 inPtghni, Bacon factory for meet products founded in 1995 inArzni, Multi Aquamarine for spring water since 2003 in Akunk, Aquastone spring water manufacturers inBjni since 2012, Rukar Group for vodka and calvados since 2010 in Verin Ptghni, Helias Vineyards for wine production since 2013 inDzoraghbyur, and Pacific Home for spring water production founded in 2014 inAkunk.
Tsaghkadzor spa town is a popular mountain resort in Kotayk with its several hotels and sanatoriums. TheTsaghkadzor ski resort is a major destination for the lovers of winter sports. Many 5-star luxury hotels and resorts serve the town during the summer and winter seasons including the Marriott Tsaghkadzor Hotel, Multi Rest House Hotel,Golden Palace Hotel and Ararat Resort Tsaghkadzor Hotel. The "Senator Golden Palace" casino of Tsaghkadzor is among the largest entertainment centers in Armenia.
The monastery ofGeghard located at the south of province is aUNESCO World Heritage Site, designated as theMonastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley. The paganTemple of Garni and the medievalKecharis Monastery are also among the attractive monuments of the province.
The province has three nature protected areas: theArzakan-Meghradzor Sanctuary, the Banks' Pine Grove Sanctuary, and the Hankavan Hydrological Sanctuary.
Kotayk has many spa and mountain resorts that attract tourists, including:
Hrazdan is home to the Humanitarian University of Hrazdan. Owned by the private sector, the university has three faculties: law, pedagogy and economics.
Two major science institutions and research centres are located in Abovyan: the Republican Hospital of tuberculosis and the Institute of Biological Microbes of theArmenian National Academy of Sciences.
Football,basketball and other Olympic sports including weightlifting and wrestling are popular in Kotayk.
FC Kotayk founded in 1955, is one of the oldest football clubs in Armenia. Like many other football teams in the country, the club was forced to default from the Armenian football league and consequently from professional football since 2005, due to financial crisis. The short-livedKing Delux FC of Abovyan played a single season in the Armenian First League of 2012–13. Other defunct football teams of Kotayk includeFC Moush Charentsavan,Hachn FC,FC Shinarar Hrazdan,FC Yeghvard,FC Dinamo Yeghvard andFC Moush Kasagh.
Abovyan City Stadium is the largest sports venue in the province. Stadiums with minor capacities are also found in Hrazdan, Nor Hachn, Charentsavan and Kasagh.
The town of Tsaghkadzor is a major centre for sports in general, mainly winter sports. It has a large sports complex as well as aski resort.
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