Syunik was one of the 15 provinces of theKingdom of Armenia. The early Armenian historianMovses Khorenatsi connected the name of the province withSisak, a descendant of the legendary Armenian patriarchHayk and supposed progenitor of the ancientSiunia (or Syunik) dynasty, which ruled Syunik from the first century BC.[6] However, historianRobert Hewsen considered Sisak to be a later eponym.[7] Historian Armen Petrosyan suggested that Syunik is derived from name of theUrartian sun god Shivini/Siwini (itself a borrowing from theHittites), noting the similarity between the names and the high number of sun-related placenames in the historical Syunik region.[8] At various times, the region of present-day Syunik was also known by other names such asSyunia,Sisakan andZangezur (orZangadzor).[9] The region of Syunik geographically was calledSiounia Caucasiana in the 5-6th century by theRavenna Cosmography.[citation needed]
Syunik is located between theNakhchivan Autonomous Republic ofAzerbaijan from the west, and districts ofLachin,Qubadli andZangilan of Azerbaijan from the east. It was bordered on the east byKashatagh Province of theNagorno-Karabakh Republic between 1992 and 2020. TheVayots Dzor Province of Armenia forms its northern border, whileAras River at the south separates Syunik fromIran. Syunik covers an area of 4,506 km2 (1740 sq. mi.) (15% of total area of Armenia), making it the second-largest province in Armenia after Gegharkunik in terms of the total area.
Historically, the current territory of the province occupies most of the historicSyunik province of Ancient Armenia.
Syunik is a mountainous region, mainly covered with thick green forests. TheZangezur 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 theArevik National Park, theShikahogh 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 ofVorotan,Voghji,Sisian,Meghri andVachagan. Summer temperature can reach up to 40 °C (104 °F), although the average temperature is around 22 °C (72 °F), while in winter it may reach down to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F). Its border with Nakhchivan to the west is defined by the Zangezur Mountains.
The Meghri mountain ridge at the extreme south of Armenia used to be home to theendangeredCaucasian leopard. However, only one was detected bycamera 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, butpoaching 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.
The first dynasty to rule Syunik was theSiunia dynasty, beginning in the 1st century. The first knownnakharar ruler was Valinak Siak (c. 330) and his successor was his brother Andok or Andovk (Antiochus, c. 340). In 379, Babik (Bagben) the son of Andok, was re-established as anakharar by theMamikonian family. Babik had a sister calledPharantzem who had married theArsacid PrinceGnel, nephew of the Armenian KingArsaces II (Arshak II) and later married Arsaces II as her second husband. Babik's rule lasted for less than ten years and by about 386 or 387, Dara was deposed by theSassanid Empire.[citation needed]
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 newnakharar 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]
A dynasty was formed, governed by a branch of theBagratuni, with minor vassal princes from one or more previous dynasties.Vasak III (c. 800) suffered an assault from theemir ofManazkert, Sevada. He established a garrison inChalat, in the district ofDzoluk. He then called for help from the Persian revolutionary chiefBabak 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 theVayots Dzor andBaghk. Sahak governed the western canton of Syunik, known asGegharkunik.
In 826, Sahak allied with his ancient enemy – Sevada, the Qaisite emir of Manazkert – against the governor ofCaliph, but he was defeated and died inKavakert. His sonGrigor-Sufan succeeded him as prince of Western Syunik. In the Eastern region, Philipo died on 10 August 848. He was succeeded by three children (Babgen,Vasak-Ichkhanik andAchot) that ruled jointly. Babgen fought with Grigor-Sufan and killed him (sometime in 849–851) but Babgen died shortly after (851) and Vasak-Ichkhanik (Vasak IV) followed him. Vasak-Ichkhanik had peaceful relations withVasak-Gabor, who had ascended to the throne of Western Syunik, replacing his father Grigor-Sufan.Nerseh Pilippean, brother of Babgen, directed (822–23)[13] an expedition toAghuania defeating and killing the princeVaraz-Terdat II[13] (of the Persian dynastyMihrakane of Aghuania) in Morgog. A general sent by theCaliph,Bugha al-Kabir, destroyed Armenia and Aghuania in these years and sent a detachment to Eastern Syunik where was governing Vasak IV with his brother Achot. The people of Syunik were sheltered in the fortress of Balq, but Vasak fled to Kotaiq, and was pursued to the region ofGardman on the eastern border ofLake Sevan. Gardman's prince (ichkhan) Ketridj or Ketritchn betrayed him and delivered him to Bogha (859). Achot was also seized (859). But Bogha invaded Gardman and imprisoned Kertridj. He then went to Outi where he captured the prince ofSevordiq, Stephannos Kun.[citation needed]
Syunik and Artsakh until the 9th century
TheCaliphate tried to control all these regions, and for this reason, Bogha decided to repopulate the city ofChamkor in theKura River with Muslims. Chamkor, being nearBarda andGanja, was intended to act as a regional monitoring post. By order of the new Caliph in 862, the imprisoned princes were to be released and allowed to return to their former domains on the condition of becoming Muslim. (However, they all abandoned Islam after their return.)[citation needed]
The prince of Western Syunik, Vasak-Gabor, was married to a daughter of the Bagratid princeAshot 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 brotherAchot who died c. 906.[citation needed]
Bas-relief of an angel (Siwnik, 10th century AD sandstone).
The son of Vasak IV, Sembat, that received thefiefdom from Vayots Dzor.Chahaponk (Jahuk) governed from 887 until sometime after 920. He revolted in 903 against the BagratidSembat I, refusing to pay him taxes. Because of this, he was assaulted by the prince ofVaspurakan, Sargis-Ashot. Sembat submitted, was forgiven and married to the sister of the prince of Vaspurakan, receiving the city and district ofNakhchivan, which in 902 was upset with theKaysites or Qaisids.[citation needed]
A few years later, the prince allied with the emir ofSadjid, Yusuf, against Eastern Syunik, which they invaded together. Sembat was sheltered in the fortress ofErendchak (todayAlinja, northeast of Nakhchivan) and Yusuf remained owner of Eastern Syunik. Sembat requested refuge from his brother-in-lawKhatchik-Gagik, which was granted. In the same year (909), the prince of Western Syunik, Grigor Sufan II, submitted to the emir Yusuf inDwin. OnlyByzantine movements and the withdrawal of the Sadjids permitted him to recover the throne sometime later. Sembat, with his three brothers Sahak, Babgen, and Vasak, governed again. Also in Western Syunik, Sahak, Ashot and Vasak, brothers of Grigor-Sufan II, were governing the country. After them the dynasty of Western Syunik became extinct and the territory was subsumed by the Muslims.[citation needed]
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 riverHakar. Babgen governed the district of the Baghk, and Vasak (who died in 922) an indeterminate territory. Nasr, the emir ofAzerbaijan, captured territory throughperfidy against Babgen and Sahak in Dwin. After the invasion, Sembat unseated Nasr and obtained the freedom of his brothers. Sembat was followed by his son Vasak, and Sahak in turn by his son Sembat. Vasak received the royal title from the Muslims at the end of his reign, which lasted until 963.[citation needed]
The throne was inherited by his nephew Sembat (963–998) who was recognized as king by the emirs of Tauris and ofArran. He was married to the princess of Aghuania,Chahandoukht. At his death, he was followed by Vasak (c. 998–1019). Vasak was succeeded by two nephews (the children of his sister and a Prince Achot) called Sembat and Grigor (1019–1084).[citation needed] During his periods Syunik was vassal ofGreat Seljuk Empire. Grigor was married with the princess Chahandoukht, daughter ofSevada of Aghuania. The only successor to the two princes, was a daughter of Grigor's calledChahandoukht. Rule passed to the prince of Aghuania,Seneqerim Ioan who governed both territories from 1084 until his death in 1105.[citation needed] Seneqerim Ioan was followed by his sonGrigor of Syunik and Aghuania, who governed until 1166 when the country was conquered by theSeljuq Turks. It was ruled by Seljuks ofHamadan,Atabegs of Azerbaijan,Kingdom of Georgia,Khwarezmshahs,Ilkhanate,Chupanids,Jalayirids,Kara Koyunlu,Timurid Empire andAq Qoyunlu successively before Safavid rule. It mostly had autonomous rule and was for some periods fully independent under the Armenian meliks
Later, theOrbelian dynasty, one of whose members wrote an important history of the country, governed Syunik in times ofTimur (Tamerlan) as vassals.
Iranian rule
Between the middle of the 18th century and early in the 19th century, the Syunik was part of theKarabakh khanate of theSafavid Empire. It was also ruled by the Ottomans between 1578 and 1606 and again between 1722 and 1736.[citation needed]
By the beginning of the 18th century, Syunik was associated with the Armenian military leaderDavid Bek, who led the liberation campaign of the Armenians of Syunik againstSafavid Persia and the invading Ottoman Turks. David Bek started his battles in 1722 with the help of thousands of local Armenian patriots who liberated Syunik.[15] The centre of David Bek's struggle was theBaghaberd Fortress northwest of Kapan andHalidzor Fortress southwest of Kapan where he died in 1728.
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 theArmenian-Tatar massacres. Clashes occurred in Nakhchivan and Sharur-Daralgez uyezdy of the Erevan gubernia and inZangezur, Shusha and Javanshir uezdy of Elizavetpol gubernia in 1905. According to Armenian sources 128 Armenian and 158 Azerbaijanian villages were "pillaged or destroyed"[17] while the overall estimates of lives lost vary widely, ranging from 3,000 to 10,000, with Muslims suffering higher losses.[18] During these events, the Armenians of Syunik were massacred "without distinction of sex or age" by Azeri forces, and children were mutilated.[19]
Between 1918 and 1920 Syunik was included in the short-livedRepublic of Armenia. After the Sovietization of Armenia, Syunik became the main centre of the resistance against the Bolsheviks, thus becoming part of the unrecognizedRepublic of Mountainous Armenia. The city ofGoris became the capital of the unrecognized state, andGaregin 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 3/5thAzerbaijani 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 theRepublic of Armenia, crossed theborder into the neighbouring city ofTabriz in Persia. Thus, Syunik became part of theArmenian Soviet Socialist Republic in July 1921.[citation needed]
Armenian forces eventually secured the region but their efforts were in vain when theBolsheviks, successful in theRussian Civil War, pushed deep into the Caucasus. Syunik was one of the last major holdouts of the independent Armenian state whose leaders were eventually expelled by incoming Soviet authorities to Iran. DuringSovietization, Syunik became part of Soviet Armenia, while the two other disputed territories, Nakhchivan and Nagorno-Karabakh became part of Soviet Azerbaijan. It then became part of Armenia under theTranscaucasian SFSR and part of theArmenian SSR in 1936. Under Soviet rule, Syunik suffered a devastating earthquake in April 1931, leaving 80% of its villages destroyed.[25] A subsequent earthquake hit the region in May during the same year, destroying 27 of 38 villages in theSisian district.[26]
As an administrative unit, modern-day Syunik was divided into the four raions of Meghri, Kapan, Goris and Sisian (four the current eight "communities" share names and main towns with the Soviet era raions).
Despite the region's troubled early years in theSoviet 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.
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 four raions 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-longArmenia-Iran pipeline has been opened, projected to supply Armenia with up to 1.1 billion m3 of gas per year until 2019, when the target of the supply is expected to rise to 2.3 billion m3 annually."[30] The new pipeline attracted Armenia's northern neighbor Georgia, seeking to lessen its dependence on energy from Russia.[citation needed]
In 2000, an old cemetery was found between the villages of Kornidzor and Khndzoresk near Goris. It was built during theKara Koyunlu rule.[31]
As a result of the2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, the territories to the east of Syunik, which had been under Armenian control since theFirst Nagorno-Karabakh War, came under Azerbaijani control, lengthening the province's border with Azerbaijan and creating fears about the province's security.[32][33][34] In one border settlement in Syunik,Shurnukh, 12 houses came under the control of Azerbaijan after being found to be located on the Azerbaijani side of the border.[33] Additionally, several parts of the important highway between Goris and Kapan came under Azerbaijani control.[33]
The ninth point of the2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement that ended the 2020 war stated that "All economic and transport connections in the region shall be unblocked. The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the security of transport connections between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in order to arrange unobstructed movement of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions."[35] The president of AzerbaijanIlham Aliyev insists that this means that Armenia is obligated to provide a "corridor" to Azerbaijan through Syunik and threatened to establish the "corridor" by force if Armenia does not oblige.[36] Prime minister of ArmeniaNikol Pashinyan rejected this, arguing that the ceasefire agreement does not call for a corridor through Syunik but for the general opening of transportation routes between the two countries.[36] Starting on 12 May 2021, Azerbaijani forces crossed several kilometers into Armenian territory in Syunik and occupied the area aroundLake Sev in Syunik, precipitating aborder crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan.[37] On 10 November 2021 it was announced the alternate Goris-Kapan highway completely within Armenia's borders was completed.[38]
Demographics
Cathedral of Saint Gregory in Goris, the seat of theDiocese of Syunik of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Population
In 1989, the Syunik Province (made up of theSisian,Goris,Meghri, andKapan raions from 1930 to 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 ofShinuhayr is the largest rural municipality of Syunik.
Ethnic groups and religion
Syunik is almost entirely populated by ethnic Armenians who belong to theArmenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is theDiocese of Syunik, currently headed by Rev. Fr. Zaven Yazichyan. The Saint Gregory Cathedral ofGoris 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]
Zorats Karer prehistoric archaeological site, is believed by many scientists includingParis Herouni and Onik Khnkikyan to be a prehistoric astronomical observatory,[55]
Around 74% (3,336 km2) of the total area of the province arearable 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]
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 auranium mine being exploited by the Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation (Rosatom) in the village ofLernadzor.[58]
The province is home to many of Armenia's largest mining operations including theKapan mine andKajaran Mine operated by theZangezur 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 theVorotan 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 forasphalt 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, whileNorashenik is home to the Freedom Distillery for fruit vodka products opened in 2014.
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. TheWings of Tatev (Armenian:Տաթևի թևերTatevi tever) cableway, operating since 16 October 2010 betweenHalidzor and theTatev monastery, is the longest reversibleaerial tramway built in only one section, and holds the record forLongest non-stop double track cable car with the length of 5.7 km (3.5 mi).[59]
In 2013, FC Gandzasar Kapan opened its state-of-the-arttraining centre to become the only football training academy in southern Armenia. The centre has several full-sized football pitches including one withartificial turf.
Previously,FC Zangezour ofGoris was another important football team in the province. However, the team was dissolved in 1997 due to financial difficulties.
^Hewson [sic], Robert H. (1975). "The Primary History of Armenia: An Examination of the Validity of an Immemorially Transmitted Historical Tradition".History in Africa.2:91–100.doi:10.2307/3171466.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.
^"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.
^Thomas de Waal.Black Garden: Armenia And Azerbaijan Through Peace and War. New York: New York University Press, pp. 129.ISBN0-8147-1945-7
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