Yerevan

Yerevan is the capital and the biggest city of Armenia.

The city is located in the central part of the Ararat valley, on the slopes of foothills, rising to the north of the Ararat valley. In the south, the absolute altitude is 860m, in the north - 1400m. Canyon of Hrazdan River and its tributaries, especially Getar tributary, cross the territory of city.

Yerevan, besides of being administrative and political center of Armenia, is also the main economic and cultural hotbed. In Yerevan is concentrated 30% of Armenia's population, about half of industrial organizations, 98% of higher education and scientific research institutions, majority of banks and stock exchanges. Here are all the foreign embassies, offices of representatives of U.N.O. and other international organizations.

Archaeological excavations revealed the "birth certificate" of Yerevan, which states, that the city-fortress of Erebuni was established by the King of Ararat (Urartu) Kingdom, Argishti I in 782 BC. Excavated fortress with the ruins of king's house is preserved in Erebuni-the southeastern part of Yerevan.

Construction of nowadays Yerevan, as a capital of Armenian statehood, has begun in 1924, according to the general plan authored by renowned architect Alexander Tamanyan.

Yerevan is rich in masterpieces of the national architecture. Particularly, State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Matenadaran, Concert and Sport Complex, Haghtanak and Kievyan bridges are distinguished. On the Tzitzernakaberd hill, rises memorial complex dedicated to the memory of Armenian Genocide victims and in the park Haghtanak - monument “Mayr Hayastan”.