Yerevan

Yerevan (Armenian: Երեվան or Երևան; sometimes written as Erevan; former names include Erivan and Erebuni) (population: 1,088,300 (2004 estimate) http://www.world-gazetteer.com/d/d_am_ye.htm) is the largest city and capital of Armenia. It is situated on the Hrazdan River, at {{coor dm|40|10|N|44|31|E|}}. Yerevan is over 2,780 years old, making it one of the oldest cities in the world.

Culture

Yerevan is a leading industrial, cultural, and scientific centre in the Caucasus region. As a centre of Armenian culture, Yerevan is the site of Yerevan State University (1920), the Armenian Academy of Sciences, a historical museum, an opera house, a music conservatory and several technical institutes. The Matenadaran archives hold a rich collection of valuable ancient Armenian, Greek, Syrian, Hebrew, Roman and Persian manuscripts. Yerevan has several large public libraries, a number of museums and theaters, botanical gardens and zoos. It is also at the heart of an extensive rail network and is a major trading centre for agricultural products. In addition, industries in the city produce metals, machine tools, electrical equipment, chemicals, textiles and food products.

Related Topics:
Caucasus - Armenian - Yerevan State University - Matenadaran - Greek - Syrian - Hebrew - Roman - Persian

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Two major tourist attractions are the ruins of an Urartu fortress and a Roman fortress. The Zvartnots Airport serves Yerevan. The Armenia Marriott Hotel is situated in the heart of the city at Republic Square (also known as Hraparak).

Related Topics:
Urartu - Zvartnots Airport

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Development

Recently, Yerevan has been undergoing an ambitious redevelopment process in which old Soviet-style apartments and buildings are being demolished and replaced with modern buildings. However, this urban renewal plan has been met with opposition and criticism from residents.

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