Tavush Province

Population

Koghb is the largest rural community of Tavush

Tavush is the second least populated province in Armenia. According to the 2011 official census, Tavush has a population of 128,609 (62,083 men and 66,526 women), forming around 4.3% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 54,186 (42.1%) and the rural is 74,423 (57.9%). The province has 5 urban and 55 rural communities. The largest urban community is the provincial center of Ijevan, with a population of 21,081. The other urban centres Dilijan, Berd, Noyemberyan and Ayrum.

With a population of 4,420, the village of Koghb is the largest rural municipality of Tavush.

Ethnic groups and religion

The majority of the Tavush Province population are ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Tavush, headed by Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan. The Surp Nerses Cathedral in Ijevan is the seat of the diocese.

The town of Berd is home to around 200 Udis who also belong to the Armenian Church.

A tiny community of Yazidis is found in Dilijan.

Fortresses and archaeological sites

Berdavan Fortress of the 10th century

• Tavush Fortress of the 10th century,
• Berdavan Fortress of the 10th century,
• Tevrakar castle, 5th-7th centuries BCE
• Aghjkaberd Fortress,
• Sranots Bridge, 13th-14th centuries.

Churches and monasteries

Tsrviz Chapel of the 5th century

Kirants Monastery of the 8th century

• Tsrviz Chapel of the 5th century,
• Holy Mother of God Church of Voskepar of the 7th-century,
• Kirants Monastery of the 8th century,
• Makaravank monastery of the 10th century,
• Jukhtak Vank monastery of the 11th-12th centuries,
• Goshavank monastery of the 12th century,
• Aghavnavank Monastery of the 12th-13th centuries,
• Samsonavank Monastery of the 12th-13th centuries,
• Shkhmurad Monastery of the 12th-13th centuries,
• Matosavank monastery of 1247,
• Arakelots Monastery of Kirants of the 13th century,
• Haghartsin Monastery of the 13th century,
• Nor Varagavank monastery of the 13th century,
• Khoranashat Monastery of the 13th century,
• Srvegh Monastery of the 13th century.

Media

Tavush has 3 regional TV stations:

• "Ijevan TV" based in Ijevan,
• "Kamut TV" based in Noyemberyan (since 1994),
• "Tavush TV" based in Noyemberyan (since 2010).

Agriculture

Tavush has a poor agricultural index with only 4.8% of share in the total annual agricultural product of Armenia. Around 41% (1,108 km²) of the total area of the province are arable lands, out of which 23% (256 km²) are ploughed. The population in many rural communities are mainly involved in farming, cattle-breeding and pig farming. The main crops are grains and grapes.^[31]

Recently, bee-keeping farms were also opened in many communities.

Industry

An Armenian rug from Ijevan

Tavush has the poorest industrial index among the Armenian provinces with a share of 0.8% in the annual total industrial product of Armenia. The existing industry is mainly dominated by food-processing and the production of alcoholic drinks.

• Ijevan is the economic centre of Tavush. During the Soviet period, the town had witnessed a remarkable industrial progress especially in the spheres of carpet manufacturing and wood processing. Many industrial plants of the Soviet days are still operating in Ijevan, including the "Ijevan Woodworking Enterprise" founded in 1936, the "Ijevan Wine-Brandy Factory" founded in 1951 (particularly famous for its pomegranate wine), the "Ijevan Mechanical Enterprise" founded in 1954, the "Jrashogh Ijevan Carpets" weaving mill founded in 1959, and the "Ijevan Bentonit Combine" for mining founded 1967. The Ijevan carpet weaving mill was the largest in the Caucasus and the 3rd-largest in the whole Soviet Union. The town is also famous for its handmade rugs and carpets. After the independence of Armenia, many small industrial plants were founded, including the "Karart" stone processing plant (since 2003). In 2014, the "Vector" company for software development was opened in Ijevan.^[32]
• Other major industrial plants in the province include the "Berdavan Wine Factory" in the village of Berdavan, the "Maga" food-processing fctory in Varagavan and the "Vital Echogarden" food-processing factory in Aygedzor, the "Tavush Textile" factory in Choratan, the "Bavagarm" meet-processing plant in Teghut, and the "Filishin" concrete manufacturing plant in Haghartsin.
• Dilijan is famous for its mineral water, being processed and bottled by the "Dilijan Mineral Water Plant" founded in 1947. The town is also home to the "Aramara" company for fine woodworking founded in 1993,^[33] and the "Dili" factory for dairy products founded in 2005.
• The small town of Ayrum is home to the "Ayrum Cannery" (since 1937), and the "Ayrum Fruits" food-processing factory (since 2014).^[34]

Tourism

Apaga Resort in Yenokavan

Ijevan Sanctuary

Tourism and related services are still developing in Tavush. The cultural heritage and the natural monuments of the region attract a large number of tourists.

The town of Dilijan is major touristic destination for locals and foreigners. It is also considered a financial centre as much of the Central Bank's operations was moved to Dilijan in 2013. The town is also famous with its sanatoriums and mineral water. Other touristic destinations include the villages of Achajur, Gosh, Teghut and Yenokavan.

Many forests of the province are listed among the protected areas of Armenia, including the Dilijan National Park, the Akhnabad Taxus Grove Sanctuary, the Arjatkhelni Hazel Sanctuary, the Gandzakar Sanctuary, the Ijevan Sanctuary and the Zikatar Sanctuary.

Lake Gosh, Lake Parz as well as the Ijevan Dendropark are major destinations for ecotourism lovers.