Kotayk Province, Province in central Armenia
Kotayk Province spans central Armenia across mountains, valleys, and rivers, encompassing cities such as Abovyan, Tsaghkadzor, and Hrazdan, which serves as its administrative center. The territory includes seven urban municipalities and numerous rural communities scattered throughout the landscape.
The region was first documented by the ancient geographer Ptolemy as Kotakene, emerging from the historic Kotayk canton within Armenia's ancient Ayrarat province. This early reference shows the area held recognized importance for centuries.
The Temple of Garni, a pre-Christian structure, and Geghard Monastery from the Middle Ages display distinct architectural traditions reflecting different periods. These two sites show how successive centuries each left their own mark on the region's religious and artistic heritage.
The region is linked by transportation networks connecting its seven urban areas and numerous rural settlements, making movement between communities straightforward. Visitors can explore agricultural areas and natural landscapes as well as established towns.
This is the only Armenian province without international borders, sharing boundaries exclusively with other Armenian provinces and the capital Yerevan. This distinctive geographic position makes it an entirely internal territory.
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