Kotayk Province Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Kotayk

Province

Coat of arms

Country

Armenia

Capital
Largest city

Hrazdan
Abovyan

Area

• Total

2,086 km² (805 sq mi)

Area rank

8th

Population

(2011)

• Total

254,397

• Rank

4th

• Density

121.954/km² (315.86/sq mi)

Time zone

AMT (UTC+04)

Postal code

2201–2506

Website

Official website: http://kotayk.mtad.am/

Kotayk is a province (a type of region) in Armenia. It is located in the central part of the country. Its capital city is Hrazdan, and its largest city is Abovyan. The province gets its name from the historic Ayrarat region of Ancient Armenia.

Kotayk is surrounded by other Armenian provinces. To the north, it borders Lori Province, and to the northeast, Tavush Province. On its east side is Gegharkunik Province, and to the west is Aragatsotn Province. To the south, it borders Ararat Province and the capital city, Yerevan. Kotayk is special because it is the only province in Armenia that does not share a border with any other country.

This province is home to many old and interesting places. These include the 1st-century Temple of Garni, the medieval Bjni Fortress, the 11th-century Kecharis Monastery, and the 13th-century monastery of Geghard.

Tsaghkadzor is a popular mountain resort town in Kotayk. It has many hotels and is a great place for holidays. The Tsaghkadzor ski resort is a top spot for people who love winter sports like skiing. Many luxury hotels and resorts welcome visitors here all year round.

The province also has three protected nature areas. These are the Arzakan-Meghradzor Sanctuary, the Banks' Pine Grove Sanctuary, and the Hankavan Hydrological Sanctuary. These places help protect the local plants and animals.

History of Kotayk
Geography and Nature
Famous Landmarks and Attractions
Economy and Life in Kotayk
Images for kids
See also

History of Kotayk

Kotayk has a long and interesting history. It was once part of the Ayrarat province in Ancient Armenia. This region was very important in the early history of the Armenian kingdom.

Armenia became part of the Soviet Union in December 1920. After World War II, Kotayk saw a lot of growth and new developments. Many new buildings and industries were built during this time.

Geography and Nature

Kotayk covers an area of 2,086 square kilometers. It is the 8th largest province in Armenia. The province has different types of land, from mountains to valleys.

The nature in Kotayk is beautiful. There are several important natural areas that are protected.

The Arzakan-Meghradzor Sanctuary is a place where nature is preserved.
The Banks' Pine Grove Sanctuary protects special pine trees.
The Hankavan Hydrological Sanctuary focuses on protecting water sources.

These sanctuaries help keep the natural environment safe for future generations.

Famous Landmarks and Attractions

Kotayk is known for its many historical and religious sites. These places attract visitors from all over the world.

Ancient Temples and Fortresses

The Temple of Garni is a famous building from the 1st century. It is a pagan temple, which means it was built before Christianity became the main religion in Armenia. It is a beautiful example of ancient architecture.
The Bjni Fortress is a medieval fortress from the 9th century. It was built during the time of the Bagratuni dynasty and played an important role in protecting the region.

Monasteries and Churches

The Kecharis Monastery in Tsaghkadzor dates back to the 11th century. It is a complex of several churches and chapels.
The Geghard monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded in the 4th century, though the main cathedral was built in the 13th century. Part of the monastery is carved directly into the rock of the surrounding mountains.
The ruins of Gharghavank are from the 7th century.
The remains of Ptghnavank monastery date back to the 6th and 7th centuries.
There are also churches like Mashtots Hayrapet Church and Surp Hovhannes church in Abovyan.

Resorts and Recreation

Tsaghkadzor is a popular spa town. It is known for its fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery.
The Tsaghkadzor ski resort is a major attraction during winter. It offers great slopes for skiing and snowboarding.
The Azat Reservoir along the Azat River is another scenic spot.

Economy and Life in Kotayk

Kotayk has a population of over 250,000 people. The main cities are Hrazdan and Abovyan. The province has different types of industries. For example, the Hrazdan thermal power plant is an important part of the energy sector. Agriculture is also important, and you can find local products like Dried fruits from places like Geghard.

The province also has sports facilities, like the Zepyur Football Training Camp in Pyunik.