Yerevan 34352 225255628 2008-07-12T18:49:50Z TheSuave 7326735 /* Districts */ {{coord|40.1593|44.5091|type:city_region:IRI|format=dms|display=title}} {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Yerevan <br /> Երեվան |name_local = Երեվան |image_skyline = Yerevan-sunset.jpg |imagesize = 325px |image_flag = Yerevan flag.gif |image_seal = Yerevan coa.gif |mapsize = 150px |pushpin_map = Armenia |map_caption = Location of Yerevan in Armenia |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_name = {{ARM}} |established_title = Established |established_date = 782 BC |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Yervand Zakharyan]] |area_magnitude = 1 E9 |area_total_km2 = 227 |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |population_as_of = 2007 |population_footnotes = <ref name="Groong">{{cite web|url=http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg221775.html|title=Armenia's Population 3,229,900 On Jan 1, 2008|accessdate=2008-02-23}}</ref> |population_total = 1,107,800 |population_metro = |population_density_km2 = 5196.4 |timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT+4]] |utc_offset = +4 |timezone_DST = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT+5]] |utc_offset_DST = +5 |latd=40 |latm=10 |lats=11.99 |latNS=N |longd=44 |longm=31 |longs=12 |longEW=E |elevation_m = 989.4 |website = [http://www.yerevan.am/ www.yerevan.am] |footnotes = }} '''Yerevan''' ({{pronEng|ˌjɛrəˈvɑːn}}, [[Armenian language|Armenian]]: Երևան or Երեւան), sometimes written as '''Erevan''', former names include '''Erebuni''', '''Revan''', and '''Erivan''' - is the [[capital]] and largest city of [[Armenia]]. It is situated on the [[Hrazdan River]], and is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country. It has been the capital of Armenia since [[1918]] and the twelfth in the [[history of Armenia]]. The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC, with the founding of the [[Urartian]] fortress of [[Erebuni]] in [[782 BC]] at the western extremity of the [[Ararat plain]].<ref>{{cite book | last =Katsenelinboĭgen | first =Aron | title =The Soviet Union: Empire, Nation and Systems | publisher =Transaction Publishers | date =1990 | location =New Brunswick | pages =143 | id =ISBN 0887383327}} </ref> After [[World War I]], Yerevan became the capital of the [[Democratic Republic of Armenia]] as thousands of survivors of the [[Armenian Genocide]] settled in the area. The city expanded rapidly during the 20th century when Armenia became one of the [[Republics of the Soviet Union|fifteen republics]] in the [[Soviet Union]]. In fifty years, Yerevan was transformed from a town of a few thousand residents during the first republic to the principal cultural, artistic and industrial center as well as becoming the seat of the political institutions of the country. With the growth of the [[Economy of Armenia|economy of the country]], Yerevan has been undergoing a major transformation as construction sites have appeared all over the city since the early [[2000s]]. Today, the appearance of new buildings, roads, restaurants, boutiques, quarters etc. have started to erase the traces of 70 years of Soviet dominance. In [[2007]], the population of Yerevan was estimated to be 1,107,800 people with the [[agglomeration]] around the city regrouping 1,245,700 people (official estimation<ref>[http://www.yerevan.am/index.php?page=mayor&lang=eng Population of each district in Yerevan according to the city's official website.]</ref>), more than 42% of the population of Armenia. ==Etymology and symbols== According to [[Armenia]]n tradition, the name of Yerevan is derived from an expression exclaimed by [[Noah]] in Armenian while looking in the direction of Yerevan, after the [[Noah's Ark|ark]] had landed on [[Mount Ararat]] and after the flood waters had receded: "Yerevants!" ("it appeared!").<ref name="SAE">{{cite book |author=Baghdasaryan A., Simonyan A, et al. |location=Yerevan |title=The [[Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia]]. Yerevan, Armenian SSR |volume=III |year=1977 |pages=548-564 |language=Armenian}}</ref> The more plausible theory on the origin of the name is that the city was named after the Armenian king, Yervand the Third (the Last), the last leader of the [[Orontid Dynasty]] and founder of the city of [[Yervandashat]].<ref name="SAE"/> An [[Urartian]] military fortress called [[Erebuni]] (Էրեբունի), founded on the territory of modern-day Yerevan in the 8th century BC, had its name in time transformed into ''Yerevan''; Margarit Israelyan noted these changes when comparing the inscriptions found on two [[cuneiform]] tablets: {{quotation|The transcription of the second cuneiform '''bu''' [original emphasis] of the word was very essential in our interpretation as it is the Urartaean '''b''' that has been shifted to the Armenian '''v''' (b > v). The original writing of the inscription read «er-bu-ni»; therefore the prominent Armenianologist-[[orientalist]] Prof. G. A. Ghapantsian justly objected, remarking that the Urartu '''b''' changed to '''v''' at the beginning of the word (Biani > Van) or between two vowels (ebani > avan, Zabaha > [[Javakhk]])....In other words '''b''' was placed between two vowels. The true pronunciation of the fortress-city was apparently '''Erebuny'''.<ref>{{hy icon}} Israelyan, Margarit A. ''Էրբունի: Բերդ-Քաղաքի Պատմություն'' (''Erebuni: The History of a Fortress-City''). Yerevan, Armenian SSR: Hayastan Publishing Press, 1971, p. 137.</ref>}} The principal symbol of Yerevan is Mount Ararat of [[Turkey]] which is visible from any area in the capital. The [[seal]] of the city is symbolized by a crowned [[lion]] on a pedestal with the inscription "Yerevan" with the head turned back and holding a [[scepter]] with the right front leg, which is the attribute of power and royalty. The symbol of eternity is on the breast of the lion with a picture of the Ararat in its upper part. The emblem has a form of a rectangular [[shield]] with the blue border line.<ref>[http://www.yerevan.am/index.php?page=emblem&lang=eng Yerevan.am - Symbols and emblems of the city.]</ref> Since [[September 27]], [[2004]], Yerevan has adopted a [[hymn]], Erebuni-Yerevan, written by [[Paruyr Sevak]] and composed by [[Edgar Hovhanissian]]. It was selected in a competition for a new hymn and flag that would best represent the city. The chosen flag has a white background with the seal in the middle surrounded by twelve small red triangles that symbolize the twelve historic capitals of Armenia. The flag shows the three colours of the [[Flag of Armenia|Armenian National flag]] on itself. The lion is on the orange background with blue edging.<ref>[http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/flags/am-yerev.html CRW Flags - Yerevan (Municipality, Armenia)]</ref> ==History== ===Early history=== [[Image:Erebuni.jpg|thumb|260px|The remains of the [[Erebuni Fortress]], which was built by king [[Argišti]] in 782 BC.]] [[Image:Erevan - La forterese d'Erebouni 07.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Cuneiform]] script in Yerevan.]] The territory of Yerevan was settled in the [[4th millennium BC|fourth millennium BC]], fortified settlements from the [[Bronze Age]] include Shengavit, [[Tsitsernakaberd]], Karmir Blur, Arin Berd, Karmir Berd and Berdadzor. Archaeological evidence, such as a [[cuneiform]] inscription<ref>Brady Kiesling, {{cite web|url=http://yerevan.usembassy.gov/armenia.pdf|title=''Rediscovering Armenia''|date=2000|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>, indicates that an [[Urartu|Urartian]] military fortress called ''Erebuni'' (Էրեբունի) was founded in 782 BC by the orders of King [[Argishtis I of Urartu|Argishti I]] at the site of current-day Yerevan, to serve as a fort and citadel guarding against attacks from the north [[Caucasus]].<ref name="SAE"/> Yerevan is thus one of the most ancient cities in the world. Between the sixth and fourth centuries BC, Yerevan was one of the main centers of the Armenian [[satrap]]y of the [[Achaemenid Empire]]. During the height of Urartian power, [[irrigation]] canals and an artificial reservoir were built on Yerevan's territory. In 585 BC, the fortress of [[Teishebaini]] (Karmir Blur), thirty miles to the north of Yerevan, was destroyed by an alliance of [[Medes]] and the [[Scythians]]. Due to the absence of historical data, the timespan between fourth century BC and third century AD is known as the "Yerevan Dark Ages." The first church in Yerevan, the church of St. Peter and Paul, was built in the fifth century (it was demolished in 1931 and a cinema built on its site). ===Foreign (Persian and Ottoman) rule=== [[Image:Yerevan1672.gif|thumb|right|270px|An illustration of Yerevan by the French traveler [[Jean Chardin]] in 1673.]] In 658 AD, Yerevan was conquered, during the height of Arab invasions. Since then the site has been strategically important as a crossroads for the [[Camel train|caravan]] routes passing between [[Europe]] and [[India]]. It has been known as "Yerevan" since at least the seventh century AD. Between the ninth and eleventh centuries, Yerevan was a secure part of the Armenian [[Bagratuni]] Kingdom, before being overrun by [[Seljuks]]. The city was seized and pillaged by [[Tamerlane]] in 1387 and subsequently became an administrative center of the [[Ilkhanate]]. Due to its strategic significance, Yerevan was constantly fought over and passed back and forth between the dominion of Persia and the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]]. At the height of the Turkish-Persian wars, the city changed hands fourteen times between 1513 and 1737. In 1604, under the order of [[Shah Abbas I]], tens of thousands of Armenians (including citizens of Yerevan) were deported to Persia. As a consequence, [[Erivan khanate]] population became 80 percent Muslim (Persians, Turco, Kurds) and 20 percent Armenian. Muslims were either sedentary, semi-sedentary, or nomadic. Armenians lived in Erevan or the villages. The Armenians dominated the various professions and trade in the area and were of great economic significance to the Persian administration.<ref>[http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v8f5/v8f561.html Encyclopaedia Iranica] (George A. Bournoutian and Robert H. Hewsen, Erevan)</ref> The Ottomans, Safavids and Ilkhanids all maintained a [[Mint (coin)|mint]] in Yerevan. During the 1670s, the [[French people|Frenchman]] [[Jean Chardin]] visited Yerevan and gave a description of the city in his ''Travels of Cavalier Chardin in Transcaucasia in 1672-1673''. On June 7, 1679, a devastating earthquake razed the city to the ground. During the [[Safavid Dynasty]] rule, Yerevan and adjacent territories were part of the Chukhursaad (Irevan) [[Beglerbeg|Beglerbekate]]. Starting from 1747, it was part of the [[Erivan khanate]], a [[Muslim]] principality under the dominion of the [[Persian Empire]]. This lasted until 1828 when the region was incorporated into Russian Empire. [[Image:Erivangub.gif|thumb|The coat of arms of the [[Erivan Governorate]].]] ===Foreign (Russian) rule=== During the [[Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828|second Russian-Persian war]], Yerevan was captured <ref name="SAE"/><ref>{{cite book | last =Ferro | first =Mark | title =The Use and Abuse of History: How the Past Is Taught to Children | publisher =Routledge | date =2003 | location =London | pages =233 | isbn =0415285925}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last =Kirakossian | first =Arman J. | title =British Diplomacy and the Armenian Question: From the 1830s to 1914 | publisher =Gomidas Institute Books | date =2003 | location =New York | pages =142 | isbn = 1884630073}}</ref> by Russian troops under general [[Ivan Paskevich]] on 1 October, [[1827]]. It was formally ceded by the Persians in 1828, following the [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]]. [[Russian Empire|Tsarist Russia]] sponsored Armenian resettlement from Persia and Turkey; by the turn of the twentieth century, Yerevan's population was over 29,000, of which 49% were [[Muslim]] (mostly [[Azerbaijani people|Azeris]], then referred to as Tatars), 48% Christian Armenian and 2% Russian.<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.cultinfo.ru/fulltext/1/001/007/119/119478.htm ''Erivan''] in the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1890-1907.</ref> It served as the seat of the newly-formed [[Armenian Oblast]] and subsequently the [[Erivan Governorate]]. The city began to grow economically and politically, with old buildings torn down and new buildings in European style erected in their place. In 1829, Armenian repatriates from Persia were resettled in the city and a new quarter was built. By the time of [[Nicholas I of Russia|Nicholas I]]'s visit in 1837, Yerevan had become a [[uyezd]]. The first general plan of the city was made in 1854, during which time the women's colleges of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane were opened and the English Garden built. In 1874, Zacharia Gevorkian opened Yerevan's first printing house and in 1879 the first theatre, sited near the church of St. Peter and Paul, was established. Two years into the twentieth century, a railway line linked Yerevan with [[Alexandropol]], [[Tiflis]] and [[Julfa, Azerbaijan (town)|Julfa]], the same year Yerevan's first public library opened. In 1913, a telephone line with eighty subscribers became operational. ===Brief independence (1917–1920)=== At the start of the 20th century, Yerevan was a small town with a population of 30,000.<ref name="Univ">{{fr icon}} Encyclopædia Universalis France S.A., « Erevan », 1995.</ref> In 1917, the Russian Empire ended with the [[October Revolution]]. In the aftermath, Armenian, Georgian and Muslim leaders of [[South Caucasus|Transcaucasia]] united to form the [[Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic|Transcaucasian Federation]] and proclaimed Transcaucasia's [[secession]]. The Federation, however, was short-lived and on [[May 28]], [[1918]], Yerevan became the capital of the newly-independent [[Democratic Republic of Armenia]] and therefore became the center of independent Armenia. On [[November 29]], [[1920]], the [[Bolshevik]] [[11th Red Army]] occupied Yerevan during the [[Russian Civil War]]. Although nationalist forces managed to retake the city in February 1921, the city once again fell to Soviet forces on [[April 2]], 1921. ===Soviet Yerevan=== [[Image:Yerevan Operahouse.JPG|thumb|250px|Yerevan's opera house was built between 1926 to 1953, as part of architect [[Alexander Tamanian]]'s plans to redesign the city.]] Yerevan became the capital of the newly formed [[Armenian SSR|Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic]], one of the fifteen republics of the [[Soviet Union]]. The Soviet era transformed the city into a modern industrial metropolis of over a million people, developed according to the prominent Armenian architect [[Alexander Tamanian]]'s designs. Yerevan also became a significant scientific and cultural center. Tamanian incorporated national traditions with contemporary urban construction. His design presented a radial-circular arrangement that overlaid the existing city. As a result, many historic buildings were demolished, including churches, mosques, the [[Persian empire|Persian]] fortress, baths, bazaars and [[caravanserai]]s. Many of the surrounding districts around Yerevan were named after former Armenian communities that were decimated by the [[Ottoman Turks]] during the [[Armenian Genocide]]. The districts of Arabkir, Malatya-Sebastia and Nork Marash, for example, were named after the towns [[Arabkir]], [[Malatya]], [[Sebastia]], and [[Kahramanmaraş|Marash]], respectively. Following the end of the [[Second World War]], [[Germans|German]] [[POW]]s were used to help in the construction of new buildings and structures, such as the Kievyan Bridge. In 1965, during the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Yerevan was the center of a [[1965 Yerevan demonstrations|24-hour mass anti-Soviet protest]], the first such demonstration in the Soviet Union, to demand recognition of the Genocide by the Soviet authorities.<ref>{{cite book | last =Suny | first =Ronald Grigor | authorlink =Ronald Grigor Suny | title =The Revenge of the Past: Nationalism, Revolution, and the Collapse of the Soviet Union | publisher =Stanford University Press | date =1993 | location =Stanford | pages =122 | isbn =0804722471}}</ref> In 1968, the city's 2,750th anniversary was commemorated. [[Image:Rowan williams garegin ii IMG 2506.JPG|thumb|left|250px|[[Catholicos of Armenia|Catholicos]] [[Karekin II]] and [[Archbishop of Canterbury|Archbishop]] [[Rowan Williams]] at the [[Armenian Genocide]] memorial in Yerevan.]] Yerevan played a key role in the Armenian national democratic movement that emerged during the [[Mikhail Gorbachev|Gorbachev]] era of the 1980s. The reforms of [[Glasnost]] and [[Perestroika]] opened questions on issues such as the status of [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], the environment, [[Russification]], corruption, democracy, and eventually independence. At the beginning of 1988, nearly one million Yerevantsis engaged in demonstrations concerning these subjects, centered on Theater Square.<ref>{{cite book | last =Malkasian | first =Mark | title =Gha-ra-bagh!: The Emergence of the National Democratic Movement in Armenia | publisher =Wayne State University Press | date =1996 | pages =41 | isbn =0814326056}}</ref> ===Post-USSR independence=== Following the end of the [[Soviet Union]], Yerevan became the capital of the [[Armenia|Republic of Armenia]] on [[September 21]], [[1991]]. Maintaining supplies of gas and electricity proved difficult; constant electricity was not restored until 1996. Also in the last five years, central Yerevan has been transformed into a vast construction site, with cranes seemingly outnumbering trees. Officially, the scores of multi-storied buildings are part of large-scale urban planning projects. Roughly $1.8 billion was spent on such construction in 2006, according to the national statistical service. Prices for downtown apartments have increased by about ten times over the last decade, realtors say. However, some experts have voiced their opinions, and have asserted that many of the new edifices violate urban planning and earthquake safety requirements. Political demonstrations still occur in Yerevan, usually as a result of disputed election results. Recently, [[2008 Armenian presidential election protests|unrest in the capital]] between the authorities and opposition demonstrators led by ex-President [[Levon Ter-Petrossian]] occurred after the [[Armenian presidential election, 2008|2008 Armenian presidential election]]. The events resulted in ten deaths<ref name="ArmLibApr14">[http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/04/1012E569-AB17-4FAA-AB68-0CF9FA972F62.asp Death Toll in Armenia’s Post-election Melee Rises to Ten"], Armenia Liberty ([RFE/RL]), April 14, 2008</ref> and a subsequent 20-day [[state of emergency]] declared by President [[Robert Kocharian]].<ref name="BBCMar2">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7272299.stm Armenia declares emergency rule"], [[BBC News]], March 1, 2008.</ref> ==Geography== [[Image:YerevanAerial.jpg|thumb|250px|Yerevan from space.]] ===Topography and Location=== *Altitude: average 990 m - minimum 865 m - maximum 1,390 m.<ref name="Azatian">{{hy icon}} {{ru icon}} {{en icon}} V. Azatian et T. Hakopian, ''Երևան Ереван Yerevan'', ИПО Parberakan, Erevan, 1989, p. 284.</ref> *Location: to the edge of the [[Hrazdan]] river, north-east of the [[Ararat plain]]. Yerevan is located in [[Eastern Armenia]] to the center-west of the country in the north-eastern extremity of the [[Mount Ararat|Ararat]] Valley. The upper part of the city is surrounded by mountains on three sides while to the south it descends to the banks of the river [[Hrazdan River|Hrazdan]], a tributary of the river [[Arax]]. The Hrazdan divides Yerevan in two within a picturesque canyon. The city's elevation ranges between 900 to 1,300 m (3,000 to 4,300&nbsp;ft) above [[sea level]]. As the capital of Armenia, Yerevan is not part of any ''[[Administrative divisions of Armenia|marz]]'' ("province"). Instead, it borders the following ''marzer'': [[Kotayk]] (north), [[Ararat (province)|Ararat]] (south), [[Armavir (province)|Armavir]] (southwest) and [[Aragatsotn]] (northwest). ===Climate=== {{climate chart|[[Yerevan]] |-9|-2|29 |-8|1|25 |-1|10|28 |6|19|48 |10|24|53 |14|31|23 |17|34|15 |18|33|8 |13|28|13 |7|21|23 |1|10|31 |-3|3|28 |float=right |source=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT004530 BBC Weather] }} The climate of Yerevan is relatively [[continental]], with dry, hot summers and cold and short winters. This is attributed to the fact that Yerevan is located on a plain surrounded by mountains and to its distance to the sea and its effects. The summers are usually very hot with the temperature in August reaching up to 40 °[[Celsius|C]] (104 °[[Fahrenheit|F]]), while winters generally carry snowfall and freezing temperates with January being often as cold as -15 °C (5 °F). The amount of precipitation is small, amounting annually to about 350&nbsp;[[Millimeter|mm]] (14&nbsp;[[inch|in]]). The city has an annual period of sunshine of approximately 2,700 hours.<ref name="Azatian"/> <!--{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- style="background:#99cccc; color:#000080;" |style="background:#ffffff; border-left-style:hidden; border-top-style:hidden;"| | Jan || Feb || Mar || Apr || May || Jun || Jul || Aug || Sep || Oct || Nov || Dec || '''Year''' |- style="color:#000080;" |style="background:#99cccc; text-align:left;"| '''Average temperature''' [°C] |style="background:#ffff99;"| -5 |style="background:#ffff99;"| 0 |style="background:#ffcc66;"| 7 |style="background:#ffcc00;"| 11 |style="background:#ffcc00;"| 19 |style="background:#ff9900;"| 23 |style="background:#ff9900;"| 25 |style="background:#ff9900;"| 25 |style="background:#ff9900;"| 20 |style="background:#ffcc00;"| 15 |style="background:#ffcc66;"| 8 |style="background:#ffff99;"| 1 |style="background:#ffcc00;"| '''13''' |- style="background:#66ccff;" |style="background:#99cccc; color:#000080; text-align:left;"| '''Precipitation''' [cm] |style="background:#66ccff;"| 2 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 2 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 3 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 4 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 4 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 2 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 1 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 1 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 1 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 3 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 2 |style="background:#66ccff;"| 2 |style="background:#66ccff;"| '''27''' |}--> == Government and politics == === Capital === Yerevan has been the capital of Armenia since the independence of the First Republic in 1918. Situated in the Ararat plain, the historic lands of Armenia, it served as the best logical choice for capital of the young republic at the time. When Armenia became a republic of the Soviet Union, Yerevan remained as capital and accommodated all the political institution of the republic. In 1991 with the independence of the Third Armenian republic, Yerevan remained the political center of the country and became the location of all the national institution: the [[Azgayin Zhoghov]], ministries, the presidential palace, public organisms and judicial institutions. === Municipalities === {{see also|List of mayors of Yerevan}} The Armenian Constitution, adopted on [[July 5]], [[1995]], granted Yerevan the status of a [[marz]] (region).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=2425&lang=eng|title=Article 108 of the Armenian Constitution of 1995|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> Therefore, Yerevan functions similarly to the other regions of the country with a few specificities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1&lang=eng|title=Article 117 of the Armenian Constitution|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> [[Image:Police-erevan.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Police vehicles in Yerevan.]] The administrative authority of Yerevan is thus represented by: * the mayor, appointed by the President (who can remove him at any moment) upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=2425&lang=eng|title=Article 108 of the Armenian Constitution of 1995|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> alongside a group of four deputy mayors heading eleven ministries (of which financial, transport, urban development etc.)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yerevan.am/index.php?page=structure|title=Yerevan municipality structure|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref>, * the Yerevan Council, regrouping the Chiefs of neighborhood communities under the authority of the mayor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1305&lang=eng|title=Article 82 of the May 7, 2002 Law relative to local autonomy|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref>, * twelve neighborhood communities (or twelve districts), with each having its own chief and their elected councils.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1305&lang=eng|title=Article 77 on the May 7 2002 Law relative to local autonomy|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> Yerevan has a principal city hall and twelve deputy mayors of districts. The last modification to the Constitution on November 27, 2005 turned the city into a "community"; since, the Constitution declares that this community has to be led by a mayor, elected directly or indirectly, and that the city needs to be governed by a specific law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1&lang=eng|title=Articles 88.1 and 108 of the Armenian Constituion|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> This law is currently in preparation in the Armenian parliament that adopted its first draft in December 2007 and should do the same in the second draft in spring of 2008.<ref>{{fr icon}} {{cite web|url=http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/APFeaturesManager/defaultArtSiteVoir.asp?ID=729|title=Declaration of a member of the Assembly of the Council of Europe.|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> The project on the law envisions an indirect election of the mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2007/10/18/ereven/|title=Panorama.am, ''Executive prefers to have indirect elections for mayor''|date=October 18, 2007|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> [[Artashes Geghamyan]] was the last mayor of the Armenian SSR and [[Hambartsoum Galstyan]], the first mayor of the Third Republic. Since [[1991]], there have been eight mayors of Yerevan. The current mayor is [[Yervand Zakharyan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yerevan.am/index.php?page=communities|title=Municipality website|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> In addition to the national police and road police, Yerevan has its own municipal police. All three bodies maintain law in the city by cooperating. ===Districts=== Yerevan is divided into twelve [[district]]s (Համայնք)<ref>{{hy icon}} {{cite web |url=http://www.yerevan.am/index.php?page=mayor|title=The 12 district of Yerevan|accessdate=2008-10-05}}.</ref>, each with an elected community leader. Each district is divided into neighborhoods (Թաղամաս). A district can have up to seven neighborhoods. [[Image:Districts-erevan.jpg|thumb|360px|right|The twelve districts of Yerevan]] {| class="wikitable" |+ '''Districts and neighborhoods of Yerevan''' ! Districts<br/>(Համայնք) ! Population ! Area ! Neighborhood (Թաղամաս) |----- | [[Ajapnyak]]<br />Աջափնյակ | <center>125&nbsp;800</center> | <center>25 km²</center> | Ajapnyak, Norashen, Nazarbekian, Silikian,<br /> Lukashin, Haghtanak, Vahakni |- | [[Arabkir (district)|Arabkir]]<br />Արաբկիր | <center>150&nbsp;200</center> | <center>12,35 km²</center> | Nor Arabkir, Aygedzor |----- | [[Avan (district)|Avan]]<br />Ավան | <center>50&nbsp;400</center> | <center>8,37 km²</center> | Avan, Avan Aresh 1 and 2 |- | [[Davtashen]]<br />Դավթաշեն | <center>50&nbsp;500</center> | <center>6,71 km²</center> | Davtashen, Narek |----- | [[Erebuni (district)|Erebuni]]<br />Էրեբունի | <center>126&nbsp;200</center> | <center>48,41 km²</center> | Erebuni, Nor Aresh, Sari Tagh, Vardashen,<br /> Mushavan, Verin Jrashen |- | [[Kanaker-Zeytun]]<br />Քանաքեր-Զեյթուն | <center>102&nbsp;700</center> | <center>8,10 km²</center> | Kanaker, Nor Zeytun |----- | [[Kentron (district)|Kentron]]<br />Կենտրոն | <center>179&nbsp;100</center> | <center>14,20 km²</center> | Pokr Kentron, Noragyugh, Nor Kilikia, Aygestan, Tigran mez<br /> Kond |- | [[Malatia-Sebastia (district)|Malatia-Sebastia]]<br />Մալաթիա-Սեբաստիա | <center>158&nbsp;700</center> | <center>25,80 km²</center> | Nor Malatia, Nor Sebastia, Zoravar Andranik,<br /> Shahumian, Araratian |----- | [[Nork-Marash]]<br />Նորք-Մարաշ | <center>14&nbsp;600</center> | <center>4,60 km²</center> | Nork, Nor Marash |- | [[Nor Nork]]<br />Նոր Նորք | <center>132&nbsp;100</center> | <center>14,47 km²</center> | Nor Nork |----- | [[Nubarashen]]<br />Նուբարաշեն | <center>9&nbsp;300</center> | <center>18,11 km²</center> | Nubarashen |- | [[Shengavit]]<br />Շենգավիթ | <center>146&nbsp;100</center> | <center>4,05 km²</center> | Nerkin Shengavit, Verin Shengavit, Koghb,<br /> Nerkin Charbakh, Verin Charbakh, Noragavit |} == Demographics == Originally a small town, Yerevan became the capital of Armenia and a large city with over one million inhabitants. Until the fall of the Soviet Union, the majority of the population of Yerevan were Armenians with minorities of [[Russians]], [[Kurds]], [[Azeris]] and [[Iranians]] present as well. However with the breakout of the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] from 1988 to 1994, the Azeri minority diminished in the country in what was part of population exchanges between Armenia and Azerbaijan. A big part of the Russian minority also fled the country during the 1990s economic crisis in the country. Today, the population of Yerevan is mainly Armenian. Like the rest of the country and all other ex-Soviet republics, a lot of people fled their countries (mostly to [[Europe]] and [[North America]]) due to economic crises. The population of Yerevan fell from 1,250,000 in 1989<ref name="Azatian"/> to 1,103,488 in 2001<ref>2001 Census : [http://docs.armstat.am/census/pdfs/15.pdf ArmStat].</ref> and to 1,091,235 in [[2003]].<ref name="ArmStat 2003"> {{cite web|url=http://docs.armstat.am/census/pdfs/12.pdf|title=ArmStat, 2003 Census|accessdate=2008-03-21}}.</ref> However, the population of Yerevan has been increasing since. In 2007, the capital had 1,107,800 inhabitants.<ref name=Groong/> <center><timeline> Colors= id:lightgrey value:gray(0.9) id:darkgrey value:gray(0.7) id:sfondo value:rgb(1,1,1) id:barra value:rgb(0.6,0.7,0.8) ImageSize = width:550 height:373 PlotArea = left:50 bottom:50 top:30 right:30 DateFormat = x.y Period = from:0 till:1300000 TimeAxis = orientation:vertical AlignBars = justify ScaleMajor = gridcolor:darkgrey increment:500000 start:0 ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightgrey increment:100000 start:0 BackgroundColors = canvas:sfondo BarData= bar:1827 text:1827 bar:1890 text:1890 bar:1917 text:1917 bar:1926 text:1926 bar:1939 text:1939 bar:1970 text:1970 bar:1975 text:1975 bar:1979 text:1979 bar:1989 text:1989 bar:1998 text:1998 bar:2003 text:2003 bar:2006 text:2006 PlotData= color:barra width:20 align:left bar:1827 from:0 till: 10000 bar:1890 from:0 till: 12500 bar:1917 from:0 till: 34000 bar:1926 from:0 till: 65000 bar:1939 from:0 till: 204000 bar:1970 from:0 till: 767000 bar:1975 from:0 till: 899000 bar:1979 from:0 till: 1019000 bar:1989 from:0 till: 1201539 bar:1998 from:0 till: 1249200 bar:2003 from:0 till: 1091235 bar:2006 from:0 till: 1104900 PlotData= bar:1827 at: 10000 fontsize:S text: 10000 shift:(-8,5) bar:1890 at: 12500 fontsize:S text: 12500 shift:(-10,5) bar:1917 at: 34000 fontsize:S text: 34000 shift:(-10,5) bar:1926 at: 65000 fontsize:S text: 65000 shift:(-10,5) bar:1939 at: 204000 fontsize:S text: 204000 shift:(-10,5) bar:1970 at: 767000 fontsize:S text: 767000 shift:(-10,5) bar:1975 at: 899000 fontsize:S text: 899000 shift:(-10,5) bar:1979 at: 1019000 fontsize:S text: 1019000 shift:(-10,5) bar:1989 at: 1201539 fontsize:S text: 1201539 shift:(-10,5) bar:1998 at: 1249200 fontsize:S text: 1249200 shift:(-10,5) bar:2003 at: 1091235 fontsize:S text: 1091235 shift:(-10,5) bar:2006 at: 1104900 fontsize:S text: 1104900 shift:(-10,5) TextData= fontsize:S pos:(50,20) text: Demographic evolution of Yerevan from 1827 to 2006 </timeline> {{Démographie |1827=10&nbsp;000 |1890=12&nbsp;500 |1917=34&nbsp;000 |1926=65&nbsp;000 |1939=204&nbsp;000 |1970=767&nbsp;000 |1975=899&nbsp;000 |1979=1&nbsp;019&nbsp;000 |1989=1&nbsp;201&nbsp;539 |1998=1&nbsp;249&nbsp;202 |2003=1&nbsp;091&nbsp;235 |2006=1&nbsp;104&nbsp;900 }} <small>Sources : [http://www.yerevan.am Municipality of Yerevan], [http://www.armstat.am/ ArmStat]</small> </center> *Growth rate of the population : 0,29&nbsp;% (in [[2006]]).<ref name="ArmStat">{{cite web|url=http://www.armstat.am/Arm/StatData/Taregirq_07/TAREGIRQ_07_3.pd|title=ArmStat|accessdate=2008-03-21}}</ref> *Birth rate : 1,12&nbsp;% (en [[2006]]).<ref name="ArmStat"/> *Death rate : 0,83&nbsp;% (en [[2006]]).<ref name="ArmStat"/> *Rate of infantile mortality : 1,05&nbsp;% (en [[2006]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armstat.am/Eng/Regionstat/Reg5/yerevan-eng.pdf|title=ArmStat|accessdate=2008-03-21}}</ref> ==Culture== === Museums and Libraries === [[Image:Yerewan Place of the Republic 3.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[National Gallery of Armenia]]]] Yerevan's principal museum is the National Gallery of Armenia that was constructed in 1921. It is integrated to the Armenia's History Museum. In addition to having a permanent exposition of works of painters such as [[Ivan Aivazovsky|Aivazovsky]], [[Kandinsky]], [[Chagall]], [[Theodore Rousseau]], [[Adolphe Monticelli|Monticelli]] or [[Eugene Boudin]]<ref>The National Gallery of Armenia has equally a collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures issued from German, American, Austrian, Belgian, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Italian, Dutch, Russian and Swiss.{{cite web|url=http://www.gallery.am/colls.php?ct_id=1&langid=1|title=Website of the National Gallery of Armenia|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref>, it usually hosts temporary expositions such as [[Yann Arthus-Bertrand]] in 2005 or the one organized on the occasion of the Year of Armenia in France in October 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gallery.am/|title=Website of the Armenian National Gallery|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> The Armenian Genocide museum is found at the foot of Tsitsernakapert and features numerous eyewitness accounts, texts and photographs from the time. The [[Matenadaran]] is a library-museum regrouping 17&nbsp;000 ancient manuscripts and several bibles from the Middle Ages. Its archives hold a rich collection of valuable ancient Armenian, [[Ancient Greece|Greek]], [[Arameans|Assyrian]], [[Hebrews|Hebrew]], [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] and [[Ancient Persia|Persian]] manuscripts. It is located in the center of the city on Mesrop Mashdots avenue. Next to the Hrazdan river, the [[Parajanov]] museum that was completely renovated in 2002, has 250 works, documents and photos<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armeniatour.com/muse.php?id=14&sid=40|title=ArmeniaTour|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> of the Armenian filmmaker and painter. Yerevan has several other museums like the museum of the Middle-East and the Museum of Yerevan.<ref>Brady Kiesling, ''Rediscovering Armenia'', 2000, [http://yerevan.usembassy.gov/armenia.pdf Read online]</ref> === Cinemas, Theatres, Opera and Concert Halls === [[Image:NightOpera.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The Opera House illuminated at night.]] The city of Yerevan possesses several cinema halls among them the famous ''Moskva'' cinema. Most of the world's hit movies are available to watch at the same time of their release elsewhere. Some of the movies that are shown in the cinemas are [[Cinema of Russia|Russian]]. Since 2004, ''Moskva'' hosts each year the Golden Apricot international film festival. The last edition of the festival presided by [[Atom Egoyan]] was held from [[July 9]] to [[July 14]] 2007 with the Golden Apricot going to the film ''Import/Export'' from Austrian filmmaker [[Ulrich Seidl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaiff.am/en/winners/|title=List of winning films per category|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> The Opera Theatre of Yerevan hosts the Aram Khatchaturian concert hall, the national theatre of opera and the Alexander Spendiarian ballet. The numerous theatres have permitted attendance to a multitude of various pieces and the some spectacle rooms, of which the big one '' Hamalir'', sometimes offer some concerts even if the temperate Armenian summers allow the organization of the bulk of the concerts to be held outside. === Amusement Parks and Zoo === [[Image:WaterWorld Yerevan.jpg|thumb|200px|Waterworld]] The Yerevan Zoo was founded in 1940. After a period of difficulty during the 1990s, the zoo is in better economic shape today. The zoo hosts [[elephants]], [[eagles]], [[bears]], [[camels]] and 260 other animal species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Yerevan_Zoo|title=The Yerevan Zoo on Armeniapedia|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> [[Waterworld]] is a water park in Yerevan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waterworld.am/world.htm|title=Official website of Waterworld|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> It has several pools, toboggans, bars and restaurants. The park used to close from October to May but construction of an indoors section called ''Aquatek'' has permitted the water park to be open all year. The indoors section has jacuzzis, pools, hammams, fitness rooms, restaurants and a hotel.<ref>Julia Hakobyan, « Winter Water World: Popular park expands for cold-weather indulgence » on ''ArmeniaNow'', November 2, 2007 [http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=2581&CID=2560&lng=eng&IID=1158 Read online]</ref> On the road to [[Lake Sevan]], there is an amusement parc called ''Play City'' that has a bowling arena, a cinema, paint-ball, karting and video-game rooms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playcity.info/index.php?lang=eng|title=Official website of Play City|accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> === Tourism === [[Tourism]] in Armenia has been developping every year and the capital city of Yerevan is one of the major tourist destinations. The city has the majority of hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs in the country. Zvartnots airport has also conducted renovation projects with the growing number of tourists visiting the country. Two major tourist attractions are the Opera House, the ruins of an [[Urartu]] fortress and a [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] fortress. The Armenia [[Marriott]] Hotel is situated in the heart of the city at Republic Square (also known as Hraparak). ==Transportation== ===Air=== {{Main article|Zvartnots International Airport|Erebuni Airport}} [[Image:ZvartnotsNewTerminal.jpg|thumb|240px|left|Zvartnots Internation Airport's new terminal.]] Yerevan is served by the [[Zvartnots International Airport]], located 12 km west of the city center. It is the primary airport of the country and the hub of [[Armavia]]. Inaugurated in 1961 during the Soviet era, Zvartnots airport was renovated for the first time in 1985 and a second time in 2002 in order to adapt to international norms. It went through a facelift starting in 2004 with the construction of a new terminal. The first phase of the construction ended in September 2006 with the opening of the arrivals zone. A second section designated for departures was inaugurated in May 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aia-zvartnots.aero/|title=Website of Zvartnots International Airport|accessdate=2008-05-18}}</ref> The entire project cost more than $100 million USD. The airport has flights to dozens of countries which include [[France]], [[Russia]], [[Germany]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Austria]], [[Netherlands]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Ukraine]], [[Israel]], [[Lebanon]], [[Turkey]] etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zvartnots.am/|title=List of destinations of Zvartnots international airport|accessdate=2008-05-18}}</ref> A second airport, [[Erebuni Airport]], is located just south of the city. Since independence of the country in 1991, the airport is mainly used by the military or for private flights. The [[Armenian Air Force]] has equally installed its base there and there are several [[MiG-29]]s stationed on Erebuni's tarmac. ===Bus and Tramway=== Yerevan has 46 bus lines<ref>{{hy icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.yerevan.am/iravakan_dasht/avtobus.pdf|title=List of bus lines on the website of Yerevan|accessdate=2008-05-18}}</ref> and 24 [[trolleybus]] lines.<ref>{{hy icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.yerevan.am/iravakan_dasht/troleybus.pdf|title=List of trolleybus lines on the website of Yerevan|accessdate=2008-05-18}}</ref> The trolleybuses have been operating in the streets of Yerevan since 1949. Old Soviet-era buses are slowly being replaced by new buses. Outside the bus lines that cover the city, some buses at the start of the central road train station located in the Nor Kilikia neighborhood serve practically all the cities of Armenia as well as of others abroad, notably [[Tbilisi]] in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] or [[Tabriz]] in [[Iran]]. The tramway network that operated in Yerevan since [[1906]] was decommissioned in January 2004. Its use had a cost 2.4 times higher than the generated profits which pushed the municipality to shutdown the network<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/js04/040122tram.html|title=Arminfo, "Last Tram Put Out Of Operation in Yerevan"|date=2004-01-22|accessdate=2008-05-19}}</ref>, despite a last ditch effort to save it towards the end of 2003. Since the closure, the rails have been dismantled and sold. ===Metro=== [[Image:SasuntsiDavitMetro.JPG|thumb|220px|right|Sasuntsi Davit metro station.]] {{Main article|Yerevan Metro}} The [[Yerevan Metro]] (Երեւանի մետրոպոլիտեն) is a [[rapid transit]] system that serves the capital city. It has one 13.4km (8.37 miles) line and currently services 10 active stations. Its interior resembles that of western former Soviet nations with [[chandelier]]s hanging from the corridors. The metro stations had most of their names changed after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Independence of the Republic of Armenia. A northeastern extension of the line with two new stations is currently being planned. The construction of the first station (''Ajapnyak'') and of the one kilometer tunnel linking it to the rest of the network will cost 18 million USD.<ref>Announcement by Prime Minister [[Serge Sargsyan]] during a visit to the network in January 2008.</ref> The time of the end of the project has not yet been defined. Another long term project is the construction of two new lines but these have been suspended due to a deficit in the bugdet balance. ===Train=== Yerevan has a single central train station (several train stations of suburbs have been not been used since 1990) that is connected to the metro via the ''Sasuntsi Davit'' station. The train station is made in Soviet-style architecture with its long point on the building roof, representing the symbols of communism: [[red star]], [[hammer and sickle]]. Due to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia, there are only about four regional trains per day and one international train that passes by once every two days with neighboring Georgia being its destination. For example, for a sum of 9&nbsp;000 to 18&nbsp;000 [[dram]], it is possible to take the night train to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armeniandiaspora.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-81016.html|title=ArmenPress, "Yerevan - Batumi railway communication to resume in Summer", ArmeniaDiaspora.com|date=2007-02-15|accessdate=2008-05-19}}</ref> This train the continues to its destination of [[Batumi]], on the shores of the [[Black sea]]. The only railway that goes to [[Iran]] to the south passes by the closed border of [[Nakhichevan]]. For this reason, there are no trains that go south from Yerevan. A construction project on a new railway line [[Iran-Armenia relations|connecting Armenia and Iran]] directly is currently being studied. ==Economy== [[Image:Northern-yerevan12.jpg|thumb|250px|The Northern Avenue]] [[Image:Republic_squre.JPG|thumb|250px|Republic Square]] ===Industry=== In 2001, Yerevan's share of national industrial production was approximately 50%.<ref name="PRSP"> {{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2003/cr03362.pdf|title=International Monetary Fund, "Republic of Armenia : Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper", in ''IMF Country Report'', n° 03/62 (november 2003)|accessdate=2008-05-26}}</ref>. Yerevan's manufactures include chemicals, primary metals, [[machinery]], [[rubber]] products, plastics, [[textiles]], and processed food. Even though the economic crisis of the 90s ravaged the industry of the country, several factories remain always in service, notably in the petrochemical and the aluminium sectors. Not only is Yerevan the headquarters of major Armenian companies, but of international ones as well, as it's seen as an attractive outsourcing location for Western European, Russian and [[United States|American]] multinationals. Yerevan is also the country's financial hub, home to the Armenian National Bank, the Armenian Stock Exchange, as well as some of the country's largest commercial banks. Yerevan's location on the shores of Hrazdan river has enabled the production of hydroelectricity. Two plants are established on the territory of the municipality.<ref>G. Beglaryan, ''Atlas of Armenia and adjacent countries'', Noyan Tapan, 2007, p. 8.</ref> There is also a thermal central station, situated to the city's south, that furnishes equally a little electricity. ===Construction=== The construction sector has experienced strong growth since 2000.<ref>{{fr icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.caucaz.com/home/breve_contenu.php?id=451|title=Haroutiun Khatchatrian, « Un ambitieux agenda économique pour l’Arménie: Le nouveau gouvernement pourra-t-il relever le défi ? » sur ''Caucaz.com'', le 18 juillet 2007|accessdate=2008-05-26}}</ref> Recently, Yerevan has been undergoing an extensive and controversial redevelopment process in which Czarist and Soviet-period buildings have been demolished and replaced with new buildings. This urban renewal plan has been met with opposition<ref>[http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&CID=1258&IID=1042&AID=1054]</ref> and criticism from some residents. Coupled with the construction sector's growth has been the increase in real estate prices.<ref>{{fr icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.armenews.com/article.php3?id_article=37217|title=Stéphane/armenews, « Les prix de l’immobilier à Erevan en hausse en 2007 » sur ''Armenews'', le 1er janvier 2008|accessdate=2008-05-26}}.</ref> Downtown houses deemed too small are more and more demolished and replaced by high-rise buildings. [[Jermaine Jackson]] has planned to build an entertainment complex in a new 5-star hotel which is being built in the [[city]]. ==Monuments, movie theaters and other buildings== [[Image:Zoravar.jpg|thumb|180px|St Zoravar Church (1693)]] {{Main article|Monuments of Yerevan}} {| style="background:transparent; font-size:95%;" | [[Cascades, Yerevan|Cascades]] | Massive white steps that ascend from downtown Yerevan towards Haghtanak Park (Victory Park). |- | [[Cossack Monument]] | A monument to the [[Cossacks]] killed during the [[Russo-Persian War (1826-1828)|Russian-Persian wars in 1826-1827]]. |- | [[Hamalir]] | Concert hall and sports complex. |- | [[Matenadaran]] | Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. One of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world. |- | [[Moscow Cinema]] (''Kino Moskva''){{nbsp|4}} | Famous movie theater. |- | [[Mother Armenia]] | A statue located in Haghtanak Park (Victory Park). |- | [[Nairi Cinema]] (''Kino Nairi'') | Famous movie theater. |- | [[Pantheon Cemetery]] | Cemetery where many famous Armenians are buried. |- | [[David of Sasun|Sasuntsi Davit]] | A statue dedicated to a famous Armenian hero. |- | [[Haik|Statue of Hayk]] | Statue of a legendary [[patriarch]] and founder of the Armenian nation. |- | [[Tsitsernakaberd]] | Monument commemorating the victims of the [[Armenian Genocide]]. |- | [[Yerablur]] | Cemetery where Armenians that fought in the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] are buried. |- | [[Yerevan Zoo]] | Yerevan zoo. |} ==Sister cities== Currently, Yerevan has twenty-six [[sister cities]].<ref>[http://yerevan.am/index.php?page=sister_citi Sister Towns of Yerevan]</ref><ref>[http://www.lacity.org/sistercities/ Sister Cities of Los Angeles]</ref> {| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #ffffff; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;" !width="150" bgcolor=#f9f9f9|City !width="150" bgcolor=#f9f9f9|Country !width="150" bgcolor=#f9f9f9|Year |- |'''[[Carrara]]''' |{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]] |From 1965 |- |'''[[Podgorica]]''' |{{flagicon|Montenegro}} [[Montenegro]] |From 1974 |- |'''[[Antananarivo]]''' |{{flagicon|Madagascar}} [[Madagascar]] |From 1981 |- |'''[[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge, MA]]''' |{{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]] |From 1987 |- |'''[[Marseille]]''' |{{flagicon|France}} [[France]] |From 1992 |- |'''[[Athens]]''' |{{flagicon|Greece}} [[Greece]] |From 1993 |- |'''[[Lyon]]''' |{{flagicon|France}} France |From 1993 |- |'''[[Stavropol]]''' |{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]] |From 1994 |- |'''[[Ispahan]]''' |{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran]] |From 1995 |- |'''[[Kiev]]''' |{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Ukraine]] |From 1995 |- |'''[[Moscow]]''' |{{flagicon|Russia}} Russia |From 1995 |- |'''[[Odessa]]''' |{{flagicon|Ukraine}} Ukraine |From 1995 |- |'''[[Florence]]''' |{{flagicon|Italy}} Italy |From 1996 |- |'''[[Tbilisi]]''' |{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] |From 1996 |- |'''[[Beirut]]''' |{{flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Lebanon]] |From 1997 |- |'''[[Damascus]]''' |{{flagicon|Syria}} [[Syria]] |From 1997 |- |'''[[Saint-Petersburg]]''' |{{flagicon|Russia}} Russia |From 1997 |- |'''[[Montreal]]''' |{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]] |From 1998 |- |'''[[Paris]]''' |{{flagicon|France}} France |From 1998 |- |'''[[Volgograd]]''' |{{flagicon|Russia}} Russia |From 1998 |- |'''[[Bratislava]]''' |{{flagicon|Slovakia}} [[Slovakia]] |From 2001 |- |'''[[Minsk]]''' |{{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Belarus]] |From 2002 |- |'''[[São Paulo]]''' |{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Brazil]] |From 2002 |- |'''[[Chisinau]]''' |{{flagicon|Moldova}} [[Moldova]] |From 2005 |- |'''[[Rostov-on-Don]]''' |{{flagicon|Russia}} Russia |From 2005 |- |'''[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]''' |{{flagicon|United States}} United States |From 2007 |} ==Education== [[Image:YSU-BatimentCentral.jpg|thumb|220px|[[Yerevan State University]]]] As the capital of Armenia, Yerevan has the biggest number of educational institutions in the country. There are 27 [[colleges]]<ref>{{hy icon}} {{cite web | url= http://www.edu.am/DownloadFile/229arm-ADDRESS_BOOK_of_COLLEGES.pdf| title=List, adresses and directors of the 83 colleges of Armenia - Website of the Ministry of Education of Armenia|accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref> and twelve [[art school]]s<ref>{{hy icon}} {{cite web | url= http://www.edu.am/DownloadFile/233arm-ADDRESS_BOOK_of_CRAFTSMANSHIP_COLLEGES.pdf| title=List, adresses and directors of the 32 schools of Armenia - Website of the Ministry of Education of Armenia|accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref> that are administered by the Minister of Education of Armenia. The biggest public and private universities of Armenia are located in Yerevan. They attract large numbers of [[foreign student]]s, notably from [[India]], because of competitive prices and education of [[health science]] in [[English language|English]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.indianembassy.am/eng/studying_in_armenia.html | title=Official website of the Indian embassy in Armenia|accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref> ===Universities=== Universities in Yerevan include: {| width="90%" class="wikitable" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" |- bgcolor="#cccccc" !colspan="2"| Institute ! Official website !! Date<br/>established !! Student<br/>population |- | [[American University of Armenia]] || AUA | http://www.aua.am ||align="right"| 1991 ||align="right"| 268 |- | [[Eurasia International University]] || EIU | http://eurasiaiu.com/en/eiu||align="right"| 1996 ||align="right"| 550 |- | [[State Engineering University of Armenia]] || SEUA | http://www.seua.am ||align="right"| 1933 ||align="right"| 10,000 |- | [[Yerevan State University]] || YSU | http://www.ysu.am ||align="right"| [[May 16]], [[1919]] ||align="right"| 10,450 |- | [[Yerevan State Linguistic University]] || YSLU | http://www.brusov.am ||align="right"| [[February 4]], [[1935]] ||align="right"| |- | [[Yerevan State Medical University]] || YSMU | http://www.ysmu.am ||align="right"| 1930 ||align="right"| |- | [[Yerevan State Musical Conservatory]] || YSC | http://www.conservatory.am ||align="right"| 1921 ||align="right"| |- | [[Yerevan State Pedagogical University]] || YSPU | ||align="right"| 1922 ||align="right"| |- | [[Russian-Armenian State University]] || RAU | http://www.rau.am ||align="right"| [[August 29]], [[1997]] ||align="right"| 1,600 |- |} ==Sports== The most played and popular sport in Yerevan is [[Association football|football]]. Yerevan has seven active [[football club]]s with five in the [[Armenian Premier League]] and two playing in the [[Armenian First League]]. The city's (and also the country's) most prestigious club, [[FC Pyunik]], is 78th in the world rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=arm/ranking/gender=m/index.html|title=FIFA Rankings|accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref> [[Image:800px-Hrazdan Stadium.JPG.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Hrazdan stadium]] in Yerevan]] {|style="margin:0 0 0 1em; background:#ffffff; border:1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; font-size:95%;" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" |- style="background:#efefef; border-bottom:2px solid gray;" ! Club !! Stadium |- |[[FC Ararat Yerevan]] || [[Hrazdan Stadium]]</tr> |[[FC Banants]] || [[Banants Stadium]]</tr> |[[FC Kilikia Yerevan]] || [[Hrazdan Stadium]]</tr> |[[FC Uliss Yerevan]] || [[Hanrapetakan Stadium]]</tr> |[[FC MIKA]] || [[Mika Stadium]]</tr> |[[FC Pyunik]] || [[Nairi Stadium]]</tr> |[[Yerevan United FC]] || [[Hanrapetakan Stadium]]</tr> |[[FC Dinamo Yerevan]] || </tr> |[[Erebuni Yerevan]] || </tr> |[[Kanaz Yerevan]] || </tr> |[[Lernayin Artsakh]] || </tr> |[[Malatia Yerevan]] || </tr> |[[Nairit Yerevan]] || </tr> |[[Van Yerevan]] || </tr> |[[Yerazank Yerevan]] || </tr> |[[FC Yerevan]] || </tr> |} Yerevan has five major stadiums which are [[Nairi Stadium]], [[Banants Stadium]], [[Mika Stadium]], [[Hanrapetakan Stadium]] and [[Hrazdan Stadium]]. Hrazdan is the main and biggest stadium which also houses a sports complex that is composed of [[boxing]] and [[karate]] training facilities and [[basket-ball]] and [[tennis]] courts. Armenia has always excelled in chess with its players being very often among the highest ranked and decorated. The headquarters of the Armenian Chess Federation is located in the [[Kentron (district)|Kentron]] (central district) in Yerevan and there exists plenty of chess clubs in the city. In [[1996]], despite a severe [[economic crisis]], Yerevan hosted the [[32nd Chess Olympiad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olimpbase.org/1996/1996in.html|title=32nd Chess Olympiad: Yerevan 1996|accessdate=2008-05-01}}</ref> In [[2006]], the four members from Yerevan of the Armenian chess team won the [[37th Chess Olympiad|world championships]] in [[Turin]]. The Yerevan-born leader of this team, [[Levon Aronian]], is currently one of the world's top chess players and is number six on the April 2008 [[FIDE]] rankings. ==Notable people== Notable people who are from or have resided in Yerevan: {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * [[Khachatur Abovian]], writer * [[Vladimir Akopian]], chess player * [[Viktor Ambartsumian]], astrophysicist * [[Levon Aronian]], chess player * [[Alexander Arutiunian]], composer * [[Gokor Chivichyan]], judoka * [[Armen Dzhigarkhanyan]], actor * [[Gevorg Emin]], poet * [[Djivan Gasparyan]], composer * [[Silva Kaputikyan]], poet * [[Sergei Khachatryan]], violinist * [[Leonid Azkaldian]], commander during the Nagorno-Karabakh War * [[Aram Khachaturian]], composer * [[Edgar Manucharyan]], soccer player {{col-2}} * [[Armen Movsessian]], violinist * [[Shavo Odadjian]], bassist ([[System of a Down|S.O.A.D.]]) * [[Sergei Parajanov]], film director * [[Karo Parisyan]], UFC fighter * [[Sargis Sargsian]], tennis player * [[Rafik Khachatryan]], sculptor * [[Misak Sargsian]], physicist * [[Gevorg Sargsyan]], opera conductor * [[Martiros Saryan]], painter * [[Alexander Shirvanzade]], writer * [[Levon Ter-Petrossian]], first president of Republic of Armenia (1991-1998) * [[Samvel Yervinyan]], violinist * [[Arax Mansourian]], opera singer * [[Tigran Mansurian]],Grammy nominated composer {{col-end}} ==Cityscape== [[Image:Panorama-erevan.jpg|750px|thumb|center|<center>Panorama of Yerevan (summer)</center>]]<br/> [[Image:Yerevan Winter Panorama from Monument.jpg|750px|thumb|center|<center>Panorama of Yerevan (winter)</center>]] <br/> <gallery heights="90px" perrow=5 caption="Yerevan"> Image:Yerevan in mid-May.jpg|Yerevan skyline Image:Armenia Matenadaran.jpg|[[Matenadaran]] archives Image:Mayr Hayrenik03.jpg|[[Mother Armenia]] Image:Cathedrale-erevan003.jpg|[[St. Gregory the Illuminator]] [[Cathedral]] Image:Pectopah-erevan.jpg|[[Hammer and sickle]] statue Image:SasuntsiDavid y estacion de tren Yerevan.JPG|Statue of [[David of Sasun]] Image:Yerevan_State_Playhouse.jpg|The [[Hagop Baronian|Baronian]] Musical Comedy Theater Image:Cascade-place.jpg|The Cascade Image:Yerevansquarea.jpg|[[National Gallery of Armenia|National Gallery]], Republic Square, Yerevan Image:Hraparak fountains02.jpg|Fountains in front of the National Gallery, Republic Square, Yerevan Image:Erevan - Le mémorial du génocide 01.JPG|[[Tsitsernakaberd|Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial]] </gallery> <br/> <gallery perrow=6 caption="Historical photographs of Yerevan under Imperial Russia"> Image:Erivan1796.jpg|Yerevan in 1796 Image:Erivanrussianchurch.jpg|Yerevan's Russian Orthodox Church Image:Erivanmosque.jpg|Minaret of the Urban Mosque of Yerevan Image:Erivanbluemosque.jpg|The Gök-Jami ("[[Blue Mosque, Yerevan|Blue Mosque]]") in Yerevan. </gallery> ==See also== * [[Radio Yerevan]] * [[Zvartnots Airport]] * [[Yerevan Physics Institute]] * [[Yerevan Metro]] * [[Yerevan TV Tower]] * [[Yerevan drive]] ==Footnotes== <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> <references/> </div> ==References== * The capitals of Armenia, Sergey Vardanyan, ''Apolo'' 1995 , ISBN 5-8079-0778-7 * My Yerevan, G. Zakoyan, M. Sivaslian, V. Navasardian, ''Acnalis'' 2001, ISBN 99930-902-0-4 == External links == {{commons|Yerewan}} * [http://www.yerevan.am Yerevan Municipality webpage in Armenian, English and Russian] * [http://www.ArmeniaNow.com Online News From Armenia. Edited by John Hughes.] * [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Yerevan Yerevan article on Armeniapedia] * [http://www.cilicia.com/armo5_yerevan.html Yerevan article on Cilicia.com] * [http://www.armeniainfo.am/sites/?section=regions_desc&site_id=11 Armenia Info Yerevan page] * [http://yerevansights.info/ Photos of Yerevan Sights] * [http://www.urbanrail.net/as/yere/yerevan.htm The Yerevan Metro system] * [http://www.haias.net/CD-Yerevan.html Interactive CD - Yerevan Virtual] * [http://sketchup.google.es/3dwarehouse/details?mid=53c55b0103b45d8342b8a4f70b9151d5 3d Models in Yerevan] * [http://www.hovhaness.org/ The Alan Hovhaness International Research Centre in Yerevan] {{Administrative divisions of Armenia}} {{Cities and towns in Armenia}} {{Asian capitals}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Yerevan| ]] [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Armenia]] [[Category:Provinces of Armenia]] [[Category:Archaeological sites in Armenia]] [[Category:Capitals in Europe]] [[Category:Capitals in Asia]] [[Category:Capitals serving as first-level administrative divisions]] [[Category:780s BC establishments]] {{link FA|fr}} <!--Other languages--> [[af:Jerevan]] [[am:ዬሬቫን]] [[ar:يريفان]] [[an:Erevan]] [[frp:Yèrèvan]] [[az:İrəvan]] [[bn:ইয়েরেভান]] [[be-x-old:Ерэван]] [[bs:Erevan]] [[br:Yerevan]] [[bg:Ереван]] [[ca:Erevan]] [[cs:Jerevan]] [[cy:Yerevan]] [[da:Jerevan]] [[de:Eriwan]] [[et:Jerevan]] [[el:Γιερεβάν]] [[myv:Ереван ош]] [[es:Ereván]] [[eo:Erevano]] [[eu:Erevan]] [[fa:ایروان]] [[fr:Erevan]] [[fy:Jerevan]] [[gd:Yerevan]] [[gl:Iereván - Երեվան]] [[ko:예레반]] [[hy:Երևան]] [[hsb:Jerewan]] [[hr:Erevan]] [[id:Yerevan]] [[is:Jerevan]] [[it:Yerevan]] [[he:ירוואן]] [[ka:ერევანი]] [[sw:Yerevan]] [[ht:Erevàn]] [[ku:Êrîvan]] [[lad:Djerevan]] [[la:Erevanum]] [[lb:Eriwan]] [[lt:Jerevanas]] [[lij:Erevan]] [[hu:Jereván]] [[mk:Ереван]] [[mr:येरेवान]] [[mn:Ереван]] [[nl:Jerevan]] [[ja:エレバン]] [[no:Jerevan]] [[nn:Jerevan]] [[nov:Yerevan]] [[oc:Erevan]] [[pms:Erevan]] [[pl:Erywań]] [[pt:Erevan]] [[ro:Erevan]] [[qu:Yiriwan]] [[ru:Ереван]] [[sa:येरेवान]] [[simple:Yerevan]] [[sk:Jerevan]] [[sl:Erevan]] [[sr:Јереван]] [[sh:Erevan]] [[fi:Jerevan]] [[sv:Jerevan]] [[tl:Yerevan]] [[th:เยเรวาน]] [[vi:Yerevan]] [[tg:Ереван]] [[tr:Erivan]] [[uk:Єреван]] [[vec:Èrevan]] [[vo:Yerevan]] [[yi:יערעוואן]] [[diq:Yerêvan]] [[zh:葉里溫]]