KOTAYK MARZ IN REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Kotayk region occupies: 2076 sq.km.

Population: 280 700 people

Center of Marz: Hrazdan, distance from Yerevan is 50km

Kotayk province of natural resources: Tsakhkunyats and Geghama mountain ranges, Ara (2577 m) and Hatis (2528 m) mountain Flowing through the region Hrazdan (141 km) and Azat (55 km) rivers. In Kotayk region found Khosrov reserve, Akna and Vishapa lakes.

Armenia is a museum under the open air and Kotayk Marz is one of the worthwhile galleries of it. Many tombs, ciclop castles, dwellings founded in Kotayk Marz reminds us that in the 3rd-2nd BC millenniums Kotayk was already densely populated.

The huge rocky mountain, vishapaqars (dragon stones) and also the wild trees of grapes and harvest are the proves of what is said above , which shows that 20-30 thousand years ago local community has been a tiller. Many of the names of the location are closely connected with Hayk Nahapet’s immediate successors, the head of patriarchal home, the names of the leaders of that very time, such as: Gegham, Aram, Shamiram, Geghama mountains, Aramus, Arzni-Shamiram canal, Arindj, Elar, Kamaris, etc..

Geghama mountains laps, Tsaghkunyats mountain range are in the territory of Kotayk marz,

In the

relatively limited space there are high tops : Ajdahak, Hatis, Arayi, Gutanasar, deep

gorges : Hrazdan and Azat river and wide valleys and uplands: Kotayk, Eghvard.

Nowadays there are more than 3200 historical values and monuments in Kotayk: Geghardavank, Garni temple, Kecharis complex. There are basilic and late Christian beautiful churches in Voghjaberd, Eghvard, Aramus, Ptghni, Tsaghkadzor, Bjni, Meghradzor.

In 2000 Geghardavank and Upper Valley of Azat river are included in the Heritage list of UNESCO, presenting the whole world one of the masterpieces of Armenian heritage.