Maralik

For the village in Azerbaijan, see Mərəlik.
Maralik
Մարալիկ

Rublyovka quarter in Maralik
Maralik
Coordinates: 40°34′20″N 43°52′01″E / 40.57222°N 43.86694°E
Country Armenia
Province Shirak
First mentioned 5th century
Government
 • Mayor Artak Gevorkyan
Area
 • Total 4 km2 (2 sq mi)
Elevation 1,720 m (5,640 ft)
Population (2009 est.)
 • Total 6,000
 • Density 1,500/km2 (3,900/sq mi)

Maralik (Armenian: Մարալիկ) is a city in Shirak Province of Armenia. According to the official estimation of 2009, the town has population of 6,000. The settlement was known as Molla Gökche during the rule of the Persians.

History

Maralik from the highway

The village known as Molla Gökche; remained under the Persian until 1828, when the entire territory of Eastern Armenia became part of the Russian Empire.

Under the Russian rule, many Armenian families from the towns of Muş and Erzurum of Western Armenia were resetteled in the village.

Under the Soviet rule, the village was renamed Kaputan in October 1927. Finally, on 26 July 1935, it was renamed Maralik.

In 1962, Maralik was given the status of town.

The Surp Amenaperkich Church of Maralik built in 1903, is home to many khachkars dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

In popular culture

Maralik was introduced as the home town of fictional character Petra Arkanian of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series.

Economy

Maralik was an active industrial town during the Soviet period. The cotton factory of Maralik had more than 2000 employees during the Soviet years. The currently inactive lights and electronics factory had around 600 employees in 1962. The building materials firm of Maralik is also inactive.

References

Coordinates: 40°34′20″N 43°52′01″E / 40.57222°N 43.86694°E