Sevan, Armenia

Coordinates: 40°33′18″N 44°57′13″E / 40.55500°N 44.95361°E / 40.55500; 44.95361

Sevan Սեւան
Sevan landmarks Sevan landscape • Vaskenian Theological Academy Sevan peninsula • Sevan Monastery Sevan skyline • Lake Sevan Panoramic view of Sevan beach
Sevan Սեւան
Coordinates: 40°33′18″N 44°57′13″E / 40.55500°N 44.95361°E / 40.55500; 44.95361
Country	Armenia
Marz (Province)	Gegharkunik
Founded	1842
Government
• Mayor	Gevorg Malkhasyan
Area
• Total	8.5 km2 (3.3 sq mi)
Elevation	1,905 m (6,250 ft)
Population (2009)
• Total	23,200
• Density	2,700/km2 (7,100/sq mi)
Area code(s)	+374(261)
Sources: Population [1]

Sevan (Armenian: Սեւան; until 1935, Yelenovka Russian: Еленовка), is a town and a popular resort in Armenia, located in the Gegharkunik Province, lying on the northwestern shores of the Lake Sevan. It was built at a height of more than 1,900 metres (6,234 feet) above sea level, 66 km (41 mi) northeast of the capital Yerevan, and 40 km (25 mi) north of Gavar; the administrative centre of Gegharkunik province. Sevan was founded as Yelenovka in 1842 to become a Russian-populated village. It was known as Yelenovka until 1935 when it was renamed Sevan, after the Lake Sevan.

Sevan is surrounded with the Sevan National Park which is extended from the northeastern parts of the town to the southwest, while the Lake Sevan forms the natural borders of the city from the east.

History

Sevan Monastery

The settlement was founded as Yelenovka in 1842 by exiled members of Russian religious factions. Since its foundation until 1935, it was known as Yelenovka, named after Yelena Pavlovna the daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia.

The settlement of Yelenovka remained a Russian-populated village until the end of the 19th century.

The cyclopean fortress of Metsep stands just north of Sevan.

The Sevan peninsula, which is located 3 kilometres (2 miles) east of the city is home to one of the most notable samples of medieval Armenian architecture, the Sevanavank Monastery of the 9th century. The monastery was mainly intended for monks from Echmiadzin who had sinned. Currently, the monastery consists of two churches: Surp Arakelots (Holy Apostles) and Surp Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God). The monastery is famous for its variety of the medieval Armenian Khachkars (cross-stones). Initially the monastery was built at the southern shore of a small island. After the artificial draining of Lake Sevan during the period of Joseph Stalin's rule, the water level fell about 20 meters, and the island was transformed into a peninsula.

Another important religious structure in the peninsula is the Vaskenian Theological Academy of Sevan, opened in 2004.

Sevan National Park

Sunset over the town

Sevan National Park was founded in 1978 to protect the Lake Sevan and the surrounding regions, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Nature Protection, managed as a research centre, monitoring the ecosystems and undertakes various conservation measures. Licensed fishing around the lake is also regulated.

The national reserve occupies major territories around the Lake Sevan, extended from the northeastern parts of the town to the southwest. The area comprises 1,501 square kilometres (580 sq mi), of which 24,900 hectares (61,529 acres) are lakeside lands. It is surrounded with the slopes of mountain chains of Areguni, Geghama, Vardenis, Pambak and Sevan. Some 1600 plant and 330 animal species are found here. The park is divided into 3 zones: national reserve, recreation zone and economic use zone.

The basin of Lake Sevan is a crossroad for mezophile and Armenian-Iranian xerophile flora belts.

However, scientific researches about the mammals of the Sevan basin are quite poor. Wolf, jackal, fox, marten and cat, are usually found in the national reserve.

Population, culture and tourism

Summer resort in Sevan

The official census of 2001 showed a decline in the population of Sevan, which went down from 27,000 as was reported in the 1989 census to 21,422. Currently, the population of Sevan is around 23,200. Most of the dwellers are involved in agricultural activities, fish-hunting and tourism services, especially during the summer season.

As of 2008, The town of Sevan is home to 7 public education schools and 4 kindergartens.

The nearby village of Gagarin with an estimated population of 1,400, is part of the municipality of Sevan.

During the brief summer of the region, Sevan tuns into a popular beach resort. Many professionals and amateurs visit the city to practice their favourite types of sports on the shores including beach soccer, beach volleyball, wind-surfing and other types of water sports through numerous swimming beaches and facilities along the entire Sevan shore, such as the aqua-park, the horse club, the tennis courts, the mini football and basketball fields.

Between 1990 and 1994, the Akhtamar Sevan football club had represented the town in the domestic competitions.

The town is home to the beer manufacturers Sevan Brewerey owned by the Lihnitis company. The factory produces a variety of lager beer under the brand Kellers.

Climate

The climate of Sevan is characterized with mild summers and extremely cold and snowy winters.

International relations

See also List of twin towns and sister cities in Armenia

Twin towns – Sister cities

Sevan is twinned with:

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sevan, Armenia.

• '32FA881E6AA43774E0440003BA962ED3'&Diacritics=DC Sevan, Armenia at GEOnet Names Server
• World Gazeteer: Armenia – World-Gazetteer.com
• Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census, National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia
• Kiesling, Brady (2005), Rediscovering Armenia: Guide, Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio 
• Brady Kiesling, Rediscovering Armenia, p. 41; original archived at Archive.org, and current version online on Armeniapedia.org.

v t e Gegharkunik Province Capital: Gavar Towns Chambarak Gavar Martuni Sevan Vardenis Villages Aghberk Akhpradzor Akunk Antaramej Areguni Arpunk Artanish Artsvanist Artsvashen Astghadzor Avazan Aygut Ayrk Azat Berdkunk Chkalovka Daranak Ddmashen Dprabak Drakhtik Dzoragyugh Dzoravank Gandzak Geghakar Geghamabak Geghamasar Geghamavan Gegharkunik Geghhovit Getik Hayravank Jaghatsadzor Jil Kakhakn Kalavan Karchaghbyur Karmirgyugh Khachaghbyur Kut Kutakan Lanjaghbyur Lchap Lchashen Lchavan Lichk Lusakunk Madina Makenis Martuni Mets Masrik Nerkin Getashen Nerkin Shorzha Norabak Norakert Norashen Noratus Pambak Pokr Masrik Sarukhan Semyonovka Shatjrek Shatvan Shorzha Sotk Torfavan Tretuk Tsaghkashen Tsaghkunk Tsakkar Tsapatagh Tsovagyugh Tsovasar Tsovazard Tsovak Tsovinar Ttujur Vaghashen Vahan Vanevan Vardadzor Vardenik Varser Verin Getashen Verin Shorzha Yeranos Zolakar Zovaber Non-community villages Barepat Chapkut Gagarin Lernahovit Nshkhark Zariver