Kapan
| Kapan | ||
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| — City — | ||
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 Kapan
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| Coordinates: 39°12′04″N 46°24′54″E / 39.20111°N 46.41500°ECoordinates: 39°12′04″N 46°24′54″E / 39.20111°N 46.41500°E | ||
| Country |  Armenia |
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| Marz (Province) | Syunik | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Arthur Atayan | |
| Area[1] | ||
| • Total | 36 km2 (14 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 900 m (3,000 ft) | |
| Population (2010) | ||
| • Total | 45,488 | |
| • Density | 1,300/km2 (3,300/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | GMT+4 (UTC+4) | |
| • Summer (DST) | GMT+5 (UTC+5) | |
| Website | Kapan Official Website | |
Kapan (Armenian: Կապան), is the capital of the Syunik province (marz) at the south-east of Armenia. The city is located 316 km south of the capital Yerevan, on the northern slopes of Mount Khustup, in the valley of Voghdji River. According to the National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (ARMSTAT), the population of Kapan is 45,488 (2010 est.).[2] The city's population was 45,711 at the 2001 census.[3] Kapan is the most populous city in Syunik province and southern Armenia. The city was known as Kafan and Madan during the Persian Qajar rule over Armenia.
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Etymology and history [edit]
The word Kapan originates from the Armenian verb kapel (կապել), meaning "to lock", and points to an old Armenian geographic term for valleys surrounded by interlocked mountain chains.[4]
The area around Kapan was first mentioned in the 5th century as a small settlement. Historically the town was part of the Baghk canton of Syunik, the ninth province of the Kingdom of Armenia (Armenia Mayor). In the 10th century, the ruler of Syunik; prince Smbat II, moved to the town of Kapan and founded the Kingdom of Syunik (also known as the Kingdom of Baghk), proclaiming himself king in 970, within the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia. After the Kingdom of Syunik in 1170, Kapan was ruled by Turkic and Persian dynasties, along with the rest of eastern Armenian regions.
The city is associated with Davit Bek, an 18th-century Armenian patriotic figure, who led the liberation campaign of the Armenians of Syunik against Safavid Persia and the invading Ottoman Turks. David Bek started his battles in 1722 with the help of thousands of local Armenian patriots who liberated Syunik.[5] The centre of David Bek's struggle was the Baghaberd Fortress northwest of Kapan and Halidzor Fortress southwest of Kapan where he died in 1728.
Kapan became a significant urban settlement during the Qajar Persian rule in the 18th century.
With the merger of several villages, Kapan was formed as an urban community during the 19th century.
Geography and climate [edit]
Kapan is the largest city in Syunik province and and the entire region of southern Armenia. It is located in the eastern part of Syunik, the narrow valley of Voghdji River on a length of 13 kilometres form the east to the west, on the south-eastern slopes of the Zangezur Mountain Range, between the Bargushat and Meghri ridges.
The city is about 80 km north of the Iranian border.
With a height of 3201 meters, Mount Khustup is the highest peak of the region. The elevation of Kapan ranges between 750-1050 metres above sea level (average height 900 metres).
Kapan has is characterized with hot summers and extremely cold winters. Temperature could reach up to 38 °C (100 °F) during summer, and could fall down to −15 °C (5 °F) during winter.
| Climate data for Kapan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 7.1 (44.8) |
8.4 (47.1) |
11.7 (53.1) |
17.1 (62.8) |
21.8 (71.2) |
25.8 (78.4) |
29.3 (84.7) |
29.3 (84.7) |
24.4 (75.9) |
19.8 (67.6) |
13.1 (55.6) |
9.0 (48.2) |
18.07 (64.51) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −13.0 (8.6) |
−12.0 (10.4) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
4.0 (39.2) |
8.0 (46.4) |
11.0 (51.8) |
11.0 (51.8) |
7.0 (44.6) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−6 (21) |
−10 (14) |
−0.7 (30.78) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 28 (1.1) |
32 (1.26) |
60 (2.36) |
80 (3.15) |
96 (3.78) |
68 (2.68) |
31 (1.22) |
30 (1.18) |
43 (1.69) |
55 (2.17) |
40 (1.57) |
27 (1.06) |
590 (23.22) |
| Avg. precipitation days | 7 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 98 |
| Source: World Meteorological Organisation (UN)[6] | |||||||||||||
Economy and transportation [edit]
With a population of around 45,500, Kapan is struggling to cope with the realities of post-Karabakh war and post-Soviet society. However, there are signs of growth and development. Kapan is primarily a mining city, hence its Persian name of the Qajar time معدن (Ma'dan, meaning "mine"). Kapan's industry is dependent on the newly privatized polymetallic deposit, though additional operations have developed including mining support services, commercial scale animal husbandry, and an expanding retail sector. The furniture and textile industries have grown in recent years.
Kapan was and remains a center of production of many non-ferrous metals. Commercial development of the local deposits began in 1890. Armenian entrepreneurs and French mining engineers obtained concessions to the copper mines and a copper-ore processing plant was built in the city.
The city is connected with Iran by road. In late 2008, the road between Kapan and Meghri on the Iranian border was redeveloped. The railway line Kapan-Kovsakan-Midzhnavan is currently inactive.
Prior to the Karabakh war, a small airport was used to accommodate the aircraft YAK-40 and AN-14 cargo.
The other nearest airport is Shinuyar Airport located 62 kilometers north of Kapan, near the city of Goris.
Education and sport [edit]
Kapan is the educational cnetre of southern Amrenia. It currently has 13 public education schools, 3 music schools, 3 sport academies and many branches of Yerevan State University. Kapan Museum of Geology and the History Museum named after Shmavon Movsisyan are among the prominent museums of the city.
Gandzasar Football Club founded in 1963 as Lernagorts Kapan, represent the city in the Armenian Premier League. They play their home matches at the Gandzasar Stadium in Kapan. Gandzasar FC won the 3rd place of the Armenian Premier League twice; in 2008 and 2011.
Recently, Gandzasar FC opened their up-to-date training grounds on the outskirts of the city of Kapan.
Notable landmarks [edit]
- Baghaberd Fortress of the 4th century, also known as David Bek's Castle.
- Tatev Monastery of the ninth century, founded in the place of an ancient tabernacle well known in ancient times.
- Vahanavank monasteryof the 10th century.
- Halidzor Fortress of the 17th century.
- Kapan Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum
- Monument to David Bek.
- Garegin Nzhdeh's memorial.
People from Kapan [edit]
- Aram Manukian, Armenian politician and revolutionary
- Karen Sargsyan, principal choirmaster of the Armenian Opera Theater
- Ogtay Asadov, former speaker of National Assembly of Azerbaijan
- David Ambartsumyan, Soviet Armenian diver, European champion
- Armen Movsisyan, current minister of energy of Armenia
- Tatoul Markarian, ambassador of Armenia to the United States
- Lusine Gevorkyan, lead singer of Russian nu metal bands Tracktor Bowling and Louna
Sister cities [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
- ^ Western Armenian Dictionary & Phrasebook: Armenian-English/English-Armenian (Hippocrene Dictionary and Phrasebook). 2006. p. 86
- ^ "Капан" (in Russian). abp.am. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ^ "World Weather Information Service – Kapan". United Nations. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- Kiesling, Rediscoving Armenia, p. 100–102, available online at the US embassy to Armenia's website
- Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census, National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia
- World Gazeteer: Armenia – World-Gazetteer.com
- www.armenia-kapan.ru (Kapan City: History, Photo, Video)
