Vayots Dzor Province

Vayots Dzor
Վայոց Ձոր
Province
Location of Vayots Dzor within Armenia
Coordinates: 39°45′N 45°30′E / 39.750°N 45.500°E / 39.750; 45.500Coordinates: 39°45′N 45°30′E / 39.750°N 45.500°E / 39.750; 45.500
Country Armenia
Capital
and largest city		 Yeghegnadzor
Government
 • Governor Edgar Ghazaryan
Area
 • Total 2,308 km2 (891 sq mi)
Area rank 7th
Population (2011)
 • Total 52,324[1]
 • Rank 11th
Time zone UTC+04
Postal code 3601–3810
ISO 3166 code AM-VD
FIPS 10-4 AM10
Website official website

Vayots Dzor (Armenian: Վայոց Ձոր, Armenian pronunciation: [vɑjˌɔt͡sʰ ˈd͡zɔɾ]), is a province of Armenia. It lies at the southeastern end of the country, bordering the Nakhichevan exclave of Azerbaijan form the west and the Shahumyan Region of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from the east. It covers an area of 2,308 km². With a population of only 53,230 (2002 census), it is the most sparsely populated province in the country. The capital and largest city of the province is the town of Yeghegnadzor.

The province is home to many ancient landmarks and tourist attractions in Armenia including the Areni-1 cave complex and Areni-1 winery of the Chalcolithic period, the 8th-century Tanadivank monastery, the 10th-century Smbataberd fortress, and the 13th-century Noravank monastery. Vayots Dzor is also home to the popular spa-town of Jermuk.

The village of Gladzor in Vayots Dzor was home to the 13th and 14th-century University of Gladzor.

Etymology

Literally meaning "the valley of sorrows", it is named after the Vayots Dzor canton of the historic Syunik province of Ancient Armenia, ruled by the Siunia dynasty.

Geography

Vayk mountain range

Situated at the southeastern end of modern-day Armenia, Vayots Dzor covers an area of 2,308 km² (7.8% of total area of Armenia).. It is the most sparsely populated province in the country. It borders the Nakhichevan exclave of Azerbaijan form the west and the Shahumyan Region of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from the east. Domestically, it is bordered by the Gegharkunik Province from the north, Ararat Province from the northwest and Syunik Province from the southeast.

Historically, the current territory of the province occupies most of the Vayots Dzor canton of the historic Syunik province of Ancient Armenia.

Arpa river

Vayots Dzor is mainly a mountainous region. It is mainly divided into 3 ranges: Vardenis mountain range at the north, Arpa range at the middle and Vayk range at the south. At a height of 3522 meters, the Vardenis volcano at the north is the highest point of the province, while the Areni valley, at a height of 850 meters, is the lowest point.

Vayots dzor is rich with rivers, mountains springs and mineral water. Arpa river has the most significant of them. It flows 92 km in the territory of Vayots Dzor. It originates in Vayots Dzor from the northwest hillside of Syunik plateau at a height of 3260 meters, and flows into the Araks river. It has lots of tributaries that form waterfalls such as the Jermuk Waterfall and the Herher waterfall.

Yeghegis river is the main tributary of Arpa. It flows into a picturesque valley that is protected by the government as a wildlife sanctuary.

Most of the rivers in Vayots Dzor are characterized with swift flow, deep fall and inclination. A huge project was fulfilled during the Soviet period, to transfer the water of Arpa river to Lake Sevan. Thus, an underground water tunnel was opened in 1981 that starts from the basin of Kechut reservoir to transfer the flow of Arpa river into lake Sevan.

Many small lakes are also found in the valley of Herher river.

History

The Areni-1 cave complex
Jermuk canyon and forest

Vayots Dzor was first mentioned in the Armenian history by Movses Khorenatsi. However, during archaeological excavations, many sites and objects were found in the region dating back to the Paleolithic Era and the Bronze Age. Many carvings on cliffs depicting scenes of hunting and animals were also found. As a result of the archaeological studies, historians assumed that the region has been settled since prehistoric times. The Areni-1 cave complex -including the 6100 year-old Areni-1 winery- discovered in the archaeological excavations conducted between 2007 and 2011, revealed that the region was settled during the 5th millennium BC (Late Chalcolithic Age). The winery consists of fermentation vats, a wine press, storage jars, pottery sherds, and is believed to be the earliest known winery in history.[2][3][4]

Archaeologists had also found a 5500-year-old leather shoe.[5]

As early as the 8th century BC, the area of modern-day Vayots Dzor was part of the Kingdom of Urartu. Later, it became part of the Kingdom of Armenia forming the Vayots Dzor canton of the Syunik Province. Many significant churches, monastic complexes, bridges and caravanserais were built between the 10th and 13th centuries, when Vayots Dzor was part of the Kingdom of Syunik under the rule of the Siunia dynasty.

In the Middle Ages, the Silk Road passed through the area of Vayots Dzor, particularly the road that currently links the town of Martuni with Yeghegnadzor.

The period between the 15th and 17th centuries is considered to be the darkest period in the history of Vayots Dzor. The region became a frequent battlefield between the invading troops of the Turkic and Iranian tribes. As a result, many significant monuments and prosperous villages were destroyed and the population was displaced.

During the 1st half of the 19the century, following the Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828 and the resulting Treaty of Turkmenchay (1828), Vayots Dzor passed from Iranian to Russian rule. In the same year the territory passed to the Russians, it was incorporated into the new Armenian Oblast, while some years later, it became part of the Sharur-Daralagezsky Uyezd of the Erivan Governorate.

Between 1918 and 1920 it was included in the short-lived Republic of Armenia. After the Sovietization of Armenia, Vayots Dzor became one of the regions that resisted against the Soviet rule and formed the unrecognized Republic of Mountainous Armenia under the leadership of Garegin Nzhdeh. However, after falling to the Bolsheviks in July 1921, Vayots Dzor became part of the Armenian SSR.

During the Soviet period, modern-day Vayots Dzor was divided into the raions of Yeghegnadzor and Azizbekov. After the independence of Armenia, the 2 raions were merged during the 1995 administrative reform to form the Vayots Dzor Province.

Demographics

Malishka village

The population and density in Vayots Dzor is the least among the provinces of Armenia. According to the 2011 official census, Vayots Dzor has a population of 52,324 (25,740 men and 26,584 women), forming around 1.7% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 18,449 (35.26%) and the rural is 33,875 (64.74%). The province has 3 urban and 41 rural communities. The largest urban community is the provincial centre of Yeghegnadzor, with a population of 7,944. The other urban centres of Vayk and Jermuk have a population of 5,877 and 4,628 respectively.

With a population of 4,460, the village of Malishka is the largest rural municipality of Vayots Dzor.

Ethnic groups and religion

Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Yeghegnadzor

The majority of the Vayots Dzor Province population are ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Vayots Dzor, headed by Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan. The Holy Mother of God Cathedral (known also as Surp Sarkis) in Yeghegnadzor is the seat of the diocese.

A significant number of the population in Vayots Dzor have their ancestors migrated form the Iranian towns of Salmas and Khoy in 1829 and 1830.

The people of Vayots Dzor are mainly conservative. They largely celebrate the religious and traditional feasts, including Trndez and Vardavar. The most popular celebration is the harvest festival, that is celebrated every year in Yeghegnadzor on the second Sunday of October. Locals from all villages take part in the parade on cars decorated with flowers, bringing their own crops, berries typical to their territories. Theatrical shows and concerts are being held during the festival.

The other popular celebration in the province is the Wine festival which is celebrated in October in the village of Areni.

In the villages of Vayots Dzor, traditional Armenian lavash and gata are still baked in traditional tandoors. popular dishes include sour banjar, kyalaglosh, shorva with ghavurma, rabbit kofta, portridge shorva, rosted quail and kid barbecue. People in Vayots Dzor are very hospitable and hardworking.[6]

Economy

Agriculture

Vayots Dzor has the poorest agricultural index among the Armenian provinces, forming 2.2% of the annual total agricultural product of Armenia. Around 82.5% (1,903 km²) of the total area of the total area of the province arable lands, out of which only 8.5% (162 km²) are ploughed.[7]

However, agriculture -including farming and cattle-breeding- is the most common activities in the province. Agricultural crops include apricot, cherry, pear, peach, apple, quince, plum, melon, walnut, grapes and berries. Cattle-breeding includes wool-bearing, goat farming, poultry farming and bee-keeping.

Industry

Hin Areni wine factory
Jermuk ropeway

The industry of Vayots Dzor contributes by 1% in the annual total industrial product of Armenia. Industry is mainly based on alcoholic beverages production, food-processing and dairy products. The discovery of the 6100 year-old Areni-1 winery has provided greater idea about the ancient tradition of wine-making in Armenia and particularly in the region of ancient Syunik. Vayots Dzor has a large number of wine producers (mainly producing under the category of "Areni wine"), including: "Areni" wine factory and "Hin Areni Vinyards" factory, both located in the village of Areni, "Vayk Group" company (produces wine, vodka and dried fruits) in Vayk, "Trinity Canyon Vineyards" company in the village of Aghavnadzor, "Zorah Wines" factory in the village of Rind, "Ginetas" wine factory in the village of Arpi, "Ginekar" wine factory in Aghavnadzor, "Getnatoun" wine factory in Yeghegnadzor, and "Arpa Alco" wine factory in Areni.

Yeghegnadzor has many plants for cheese and other dairy products. It is also home to a small plant for electrical devices manufacturing.

The town of Jermuk is famous for its mineral water production. The main water producers of Jermuk are the Jermuk Mineral Water Factory founded in 1951 and the Jermuk Group company founded in 1999.

Tourism

The cultural heritage and the natural monuments of the region attract a large number of tourists. Jermuk and the surrounding forests are a major tourist attraction with many luxurious sanatoriums, spa resorts and its ropeway. It is considered the centre of medical tourism in Armenia.

Many areas of the province are listed as wildlife sanctuaries including the Herher Open Woodland Sanctuary, the Jermuk Forest Sanctuary, the Jermuk Hydrological Sanctuary, and the Yeghegnadzor Sanctuary.

Education

An Armenian manuscript of the Gladzor University, 13-14th centuries

Vayots Dzor was home to the medieval Armenian University of Gladzor that was established around 1280 by Nerses of Mush[8] and operated until 1340 and "left behind a rich intellectual heritage".[9]

Currently, the Yeghegnadzor branch of the Armenian State University of Economics is operating in the province since 2008.

As of the 2015-16 educational year, Vayots Dzor has 51 schools.[10]

Sport

Arpa FC of Yeghegnadzor -founded as Momik FC in 1992- used to represent the town in the Armenian Premier League football competition. Like many other Armenian football clubs, Arpa FC was dissolved in early 2003 and is currently inactive from professional football. The towns of Vayk and Yeghegnadzor have a football stadium each with minor capacities.

Every year, during the month of August, Jemruk hosts the FIDE Grand Prix Jermuk chess tournament.

Attractions

Smbataberd fortress of the 10th century
Spitakavor Monastery of 1321
Jermuk

Vayots Dzor Province is home to many ancient landmarks and tourist attractions in Armenia including:

Fortresses and archaeological sites

Churches and monasteries

Other

Communities

The province of Vayots Dzor consists of the following 44 communities (hamaynkner), of which 3 are considered urban and 41 are considered rural.

Towns or urban communities

Image City (town) Province Founded Land area (km2) Population (2011 census)
Jermuk Vayots Dzor 13th century (first mentioned) 5 4,628
Vayk Vayots Dzor 1828 3 5,877
Yeghegnadzor Vayots Dzor 5th century (first mentioned) 6 7,944

Villages or rural communities

Non-community villages

Former villages

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Vayots Dzor population, 2011 census
  2. ↑ Maugh II, Thomas H. "Ancient winery found in Armenia." Los Angeles Times. January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  3. ↑ Santini, Jean-Louis. "Scientists find 'oldest ever' winery in Armenia." Agence France Press. January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  4. ↑ Owen, James. "Earliest Known Winery Found in Armenian Cave." National Geographic. January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  5. ↑ Dindar, Shereen (June 9, 2010). "World's Oldest Leather Shoe Found—Stunningly Preserved". National Post (Canada). Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  6. ↑ "RA Vayots Dzor Marz" (PDF). Marzes of the Republic of Armenia in Figures, 2002–2006. National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia. 2007.
  7. ↑ Armstat: Vayots Dzor
  8. ↑ Arnavoudian, Eddie (22 November 2010). "Science versus Religion: the case of the Medieval Armenian University". Armenian News Network / Groong, University of Southern California. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  9. ↑ Nersessian, Vrej (2001). The Bible in the Armenian Tradition. London: British Library. p. 43. ISBN 9780892366408.
  10. ↑ Vayots Dzor Province schools

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