Goris
| Goris Գորիս |
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| — community — | |
 Panoramic view of Goris the Gate of Goris • Zangezur Mountains around Goris Goris skyline • Stone-pyramids of Goris |
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 Goris
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| Coordinates: 39°30′28″N 46°20′19″E / 39.50778°N 46.33861°ECoordinates: 39°30′28″N 46°20′19″E / 39.50778°N 46.33861°E | |
| Country |  Armenia |
| Marz | Syunik |
| Established | 1870 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Nelson Voskanyan |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 50.3 km2 (19.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,250-1,520 m (−3,740 ft) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 23,022 |
| • Density | 460/km2 (1,200/sq mi) |
| Time zone | GMT +4 |
| Area code(s) | +374(284) |
| Goris at GEOnet Names Server | |
Goris (Armenian: Գորիս; also known as Hin Kores and Gorayq) is a city in the southern Syunik Province of Armenia. Located in the valley of river Goris (or Vararak), it is 254 km away from the Armenian capital Yerevan and 67 km from the provincial centre Kapan. Goris is an urban community and the 2nd largest city in Syunik province. The National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (ARMSTAT) reported its population was 23,022 in 2010,[2] down from 23,261 at the 2001 census.[3]
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History [edit]
There are different explanations of the name. It is supposed that the name comes from the Indo-European prelanguage words "gor"(rock), "es" (to be), i.e. Goris "Kores" means a rocky place. There was a dwelling in the ancient times in the same area of the town. The humankind settled here since the Stone Age. Goris was first mentioned in the history by the Urartian period. King Rusa I (8th century B.C.) left a cuneiform, where he mentioned that among the 23 countries conquered by him, "Goristsa" country was one of them. The scientists suppose that it is the same Goris.
During the Middle Ages, the town-settlement was situated in the eastern part of the present Goris, on the left bank of Goris river. It was called old Goirs and coincided with one of the villages of Goru and Goraik mentioned by Stepanos Orbelyan (13th century).
The current spelling of the name was first mentioned in 1624, in a handwriting by Barsegh Yerets. In 17-18th centuries princes Melik Husenyans ruled Goris. In the beginning of the 19th century, on 13 October 1813 according to the "Gyulistan agreement", Goris fell under the domination of Emperial Russia. In 1870, the modern-day town of Goris was founded to become the centre of Zangezour province within the Russian Empire. In 1876, the new town of Goris was founded near the Old Goris with the initiative of the head of "Starastky province" and recommendation of Prince Manuchar-Bek Melik Husenyan and the plan was designed by a German architect.[4] At the end of the 19th century the economical and cultural life of the town was rather improved.
After the fall of the Democratic Republic of Armenia in 1920, the 2nd Pan-Zangezurian congress held in Tatev on 26 April 1921, announced the independence of the self-governing regions of Daralakyaz (Vayots Dzor), Zangezur, and Mountainous Artsakh, under the name of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia (Lernahaystani Hanrapetutyun), with Goris as a capital city (de facto).[5]
Geography and climate [edit]
Goris is situated in the valley of Goris River, also known as Vararak River. The valley is surrounded with the Zangezur mountains. The city has an average elevation of 1385 metres above sea level. The surrounding mountains RE famous for the medieval cave-dwellings carved out of the soft rock in the southern part of town.
Goris is located in an alpine climate zone. The weather is characterized with mild snowy winters and hot summers. The average temperature in January is –1.3 °C and +19 °C in July. The annual precipitation level is 700 mm.
Economy and tourism [edit]
The city of Goris has many food-processing plants. The city one of the main providers of electrical power through the Vorotan hydropower plant.
The Shinuyar Airport near Goris is being renovated by the government and is envisaged to operate starting from 2016. The airport will allow tourists to visit the Syunik region and Zangezur Mountains as well as the Tatev monastery and other summer resorts around the town.
Culture and education [edit]
Goris is an important educational centre in Syunik. Nowadays, there are 7 secondary schools, 2 intermediate colleges, 7 kindergartens, 2 sports, 2 musical and 1 art schools. The Goris state University is operating in the town since 1967. Branches of State Engineering University of Armenia and Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography are operating as well in Goris.
The Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Goris is the seat of the diocese of Syunik of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Goris is home to Zankezour football club and municipal football stadium.
With deep-rooted heritage, the home-made fruit vodkas are particularly good and famous in Goris.
Notable people [edit]
- Axel Bakunts, Armenian writer
- Sero Khanzadyan, Armenian writer
Twin towns [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ (Armenian) "Syunik regional e-Governance System". Syunik provincial government. Click on link entitled "Համայնքներ" (community) and search for the place by Armenian name.
- ^ "Marzes of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan City in Figures, 2010". National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (ARMSTAT).
- ^ Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census, National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia
- ^ Syunik.am - Goris
- ^ Armtown.com - ԼԵՌՆԱՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ 85-ԱՄՅԱԿԸ ՆՇԵՑԻՆ ՄԻԱՅՆ ՍՅՈՒՆԻՔԻ ՄԱՐԶԿԵՆՏՐՈՆՈՒՄ
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Goris |
