Tavush Province

{{Short description|Province of Armenia}} {{Use British English|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Tavush | native_name = Տավուշ | native_name_lang = hy | settlement_type = [[Administrative divisions of Armenia|Province]] | image_skyline =  {{multiple image | border = infobox | perrow = 1/2/2/2/2 | total_width = 250 | image1 = .Դիմաց լեռ 14.jpg | image2 = Gosh Lake 2020.jpg | image3 = DJI 0100 Haghartsin.jpg | image4 = Dilijan 133.jpg | image5 = Ijevan vineyards.jpg | footer = From the top to bottom-right: Mount Dimats, [[Gosh, Armenia|Gosh Lake]], [[Haghartsin Monastery]], [[Dilijan National Park]], [[Ijevan Wine-Brandy Factory|Ijevan Vineyard]]}} | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | image_map = File:Tavush in Armenia (de-facto hatched).svg | map_alt = Location of Tavush within Armenia | map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|40|53|N|45|8|E|region:AM_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Armenia]] | established_date = | seat_type = [[Capital city|Capital]] {{nobold|and largest city}} | seat = [[Ijevan]] | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = [[Governor]] | leader_name = Hayk Ghalumyan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2021/04/08/new-governor-Tavush/2482887|title=New governor says he will 'spare nothing' for Armenia's Tavush|first=Helix Consulting|last=LLC|website=www.panorama.am}}</ref> | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 2,704 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = Negligible | area_rank = [[Administrative divisions of Armenia|4th]] | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = <ref name="2022 Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=82&id=2623|title=The Main Results of RA Census 2022, trilingual / Armenian Statistical Service of Republic of Armenia|website=www.armstat.am|access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref> | population_total = 114,940 | population_as_of = 2022 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_rank = [[Administrative divisions of Armenia|9th]] | population_note = | demographics_type2 = GDP<ref>{{citation|title=Համախառն ներքին արդյունքն (ՀՆԱ) ըստ ՀՀ մարզերի եւ Երեւան քաղաքի 2015-2017թթ|url=https://armstat.am/file/article/sv_08_19a_112.pdf|website=armstat.am}}</ref> | demographics2_title1 = Total | demographics2_info1 = [[Armenian dram|֏]] 118.657 billion ([[US$]] 246 million) | demographics2_title2 = Per capita | demographics2_info2 = ֏ 956,908 (US$ 1,984) | timezone1 = [[UTC+04]] | timezone1_DST = | postal_code_type = [[postal codes in Armenia|Postal code]] | postal_code = 3901–4216 | iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:AM|AM.TV]] | blank_name = [[FIPS 10-4]] | blank_info = AM09 | blank_name_sec2 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2022) | blank_info_sec2 = 0.773<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2018-09-13}}</ref> {{color|#0c0|high}} · [[List of Armenian provinces by Human Development Index|6th]] | website = [http://tavush.mtad.am/ Official website] | footnotes = | official_name = }}

'''Tavush''' ({{langx|hy|[[wikt:Տավուշ|Տավուշ]]}},{{Efn|[[Classical Armenian orthography|Classical spelling]]: Տաւուշ}} {{IPA|hy|tɑˈvuʃ|-|Hye-Tavush.ogg}}) is a [[administrative divisions of Armenia|province]] of [[Armenia]] located at the northeast of Armenia, bordered by [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] from the north and [[Azerbaijan]] from the east. Internally, Tavush borders the [[Gegharkunik Province]] from the south, [[Kotayk Province]] from the southwest, and the [[Lori Province]] from west. The capital and largest city of the province is the town of [[Ijevan]].

==Etymology== {{Armenia sidebar}} The name of the province is derived from ''Tavush''; a variant of the original name of the Tuchkatak canton of the historical [[Utik]] province of [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Ancient Armenia]]. It first appeared during the 9th century as the name of the 9th-century Bagratid fortress near modern-day [[Berd]].

==Geography== [[File:2014 Prowincja Tawusz, Dilidżan, Widok na okoliczny krajobraz (05).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Lesser Caucasus]]]] Tavush has an area of 2,704 km2 (9% of total area of Armenia). It occupies the northeastern part of Armenia. It is bordered by Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to the east. Domestically, it is bordered by the [[Gegharkunik Province]] from the south, [[Kotayk Province]] from the southwest and [[Lori Province]] from west. The territory is mainly mountainous and rocky hillsides covered with a green carpet of [[Alpine tundra|Alpine meadow]]s. Tavush is sometimes referred to as a little Armenian [[Switzerland]]. The average height of the region is around 900 meters above sea level.

Based on the historical divisions of [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Ancient Armenia]], the current territory of the province occupies parts of the Varazhnunik canton of [[Ayrarat]] province, the Dzorapor and Koghbapor cantons of [[Gugark]] province, and the Aghve and Tuchkatak (Tavush) cantons of [[Utik]] province. [[File:Gosh lake in 2015 june 01.JPG|thumb|left|Lake Gosh]] [[File:Agstev3.JPG|thumb|[[Aghstafa (river)|Aghstev river]]]] The province entirely lies among the mountains of the [[Lesser Caucasus]]. It is surrounded by the Miapor mountains from the east, the Somkheti mountains from the north, the Gugark mountains from the east and the Kenats mountains from the south. The highest point of Tavush is the Miapor peak with a height of 2993 meters, while the lowest point is located at a height of 380 meters in the [[Debed]] river valley near the village of [[Debedavan]].

The province is a major source of water in Armenia. The main source is [[Aghstafa (river)|Aghstev river]] with its tributaries [[Getik River|Getik]], Voskepar and Sarnajur. Minor rivers include Akhum, Tavush and Khndzorut.

Tavush is also rich for its mountain springs, mineral water and small lakes such as the [[Lake Parz]] and [[Lake Gosh]].

Most of the Tavush territory is covered with thick forests, mainly around the towns of Dilijan, Ijevan and Berd. The province has a number of protected forests including the [[Dilijan National Park]], Akhnabad Taxus Grove Sanctuary, Arjatkhelni Hazel Sanctuary, Gandzakar Sanctuary, Ijevan Sanctuary and Zikatar Sanctuary. [[File:Khachardzan, Armenia (panorama).jpg|800px|thumb|center|{{center|Kenats mountains at the south of Tavush}}]]

==History== {{more citations needed section|date=February 2018}} [[File:Jorgat harasm.gif|thumb|[[Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget]]]] The territories of present-day [[Lori Province|Lori]] and Tavush along with the neighboring [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], became part of the [[Russian Empire]] in 1800–01. The territories became an official region of Russia as per the [[Treaty of Gulistan]] signed between Imperial Russia and [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar Persia]] in October 1813, following the [[Russo-Persian War (1804–13)|Russo-Persian War of 1804–13]].<ref>{{in lang|ru}}Акты собранные Кавказской Археографической Коммиссиею. Том 1. Тифлис, 1866. С. 436-437. ''Грузия разделяется на 5 уездов, из коих 3 в Карталинии: Горийский, Лорийский и Душетский, и 2 в Кахетии: Телавский и Сигнахский.''</ref> In 1840, the [[Elizavetpol uezd]] was formed and most of the territories of Tavush were included in this new administrative division of the Russian Empire. Later in 1868, the [[Elisabethpol Governorate]] was established and Tavush became part of the newly formed [[Kazakh uezd]] of the governorate.

From 1930 until 1995, modern-day Tavush was divided into 3 [[raion|district]]s within the [[Armenian SSR]]: [[Ijevan District|Ijevan raion]], [[Noyemberyan District|Noyemberyan raion]], and [[Shamshadin District|Shamshadin raion]]. With the territorial administration reform of 1995, the 3 raions were merged to form the Tavush Province.

In July 2020, Tavush became the main site for the [[2020 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes|clashes with Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harutyunyan |first1=Sargis |last2=Danielyan |first2=Emil |title=Armenia-Azerbaijan Border 'Calm' After Deadly Clashes |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/30728827.html |work=azatutyun.am |agency=[[RFE/RL]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200805101306/https://www.azatutyun.am/a/30728827.html |archive-date=5 August 2020 |quote=...the border between Armenia’s northern Tavush province and the Tovuz district in Azerbaijan, the scene of the clashes. |access-date=5 August 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Demographics== ===Population=== According to the [[Soviet Census (1989)|1989 Soviet census]], the Tavush Province (then part of the [[Shamshadin District|Shamshadin]], [[Noyemberyan District|Noyemberyan]], and [[Ijevan District|Ijevan]] districts in 1930–1995)<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=Legislation: National Assembly of RA|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=2243&lang=rus|access-date=2022-02-11|website=www.parliament.am}}</ref> had a population of 144,583. 49,114 or 33.97% of which was urban, distributed into the cities of Dilijan (30,433) and Ijevan (18,681), and 95,469 or 66.03% were rural, distributed into the districts of Shamshadin (34,559), Noyemberyan (33,973), and Ijevan (26,937).<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|title=Демоскоп Weekly - Приложение. Справочник статистических показателей.|url=http://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng89_reg1.php|access-date=2022-02-10|website=www.demoscope.ru}}</ref>[[File:Koghb armenia.jpg|thumb|[[Koghb, Armenia|Koghb]] is the largest rural community of Tavush]] Tavush is the second least populated province in Armenia. According to the 2011 official census, Tavush has a population of 128,609 (62,083 men and 66,526 women), forming around 4.3% of the entire population of Armenia. The urban population is 54,186 (42.1%) and the rural is 74,423 (57.9%). The province has 5 urban and 55 rural communities. The largest urban community is the provincial center of Ijevan, with a population of 21,081. The other urban centres Dilijan, Berd, Noyemberyan and Ayrum.

With a population of 4,420, the village of [[Koghb, Armenia|Koghb]] is the largest rural municipality of Tavush.

===Ethnic groups and religion=== The majority of the Tavush Province population are ethnic Armenians who belong to the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]. The regulating body of the church is the [[Diocese of Tavush]], headed by Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan. The Surp Nerses Cathedral in [[Ijevan]] is the seat of the diocese.

The town of [[Berd]] is home to around 200 [[Udi people|Udis]] who also belong to the Armenian Church.

A tiny community of [[Yazidis in Armenia|Yazidis]] is found in [[Dilijan]].

==Administrative divisions== {{Update|section|date=February 2023}} As a result of the administrative reforms that took place on 15 December 2015, 17 June 2016, 16 July 2016 and 9 June 2017, Tavush is currently divided into 24 municipal communities (''hamaynkner''), of which 5 are urban, and 19 are rural:<ref>{{cite web|title=RA Tavush Marz|work=Marzes of the Republic of Armenia in Figures, 2002–2006|publisher=National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia|url=http://www.armstat.am/file/article/marz_07_e_33.pdf|year=2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=5370&lang=arm|title=Legislation: National Assembly of RA|website=www.parliament.am}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lragir.am/index/arm/0/country/view/155056|title=Հայաստանի 328 համայնքների միավորմամբ կձևավորվի 34 համայնք. ԱԺ-ն քննարկում է ծրագիրը | Լրագիր|access-date=2017-11-09|archive-date=2017-12-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218223556/http://www.lragir.am/index/arm/0/country/view/155056|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=ՀՀ ՄԱՐԶԵՐԻ ԵՎ ԵՐԵՎԱՆ ՔԱՂԱՔԻ ՍՈՑԻԱԼ-ՏՆՏԵՍԱԿԱՆ ԲՆՈՒԹԱԳՐԵՐԸ |trans-title=Socio-economic characteristics of the provinces of the Republic of Armenia and the city of Yerevan |chapter=ՏԱՎՈՒՇԻ ՄԱՐԶ |trans-chapter=Tavush Province |url=https://armstat.am/file/article/marzer_2022_30.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209070217/https://www.armstat.am/file/article/marzer_2022_30.pdf |archive-date=9 February 2023 |date=15 November 2022 |publisher=[[Statistical Committee of Armenia]] |location=Yerevan}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Municipality !Type !Area (km2) !Population (2017 est.) !Centre !Included villages |- |[[Ayrum Municipality]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/696/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Urban |77 |11,097 |[[Ayrum]] |[[Archis, Armenia|Archis]], [[Bagratashen]], [[Debetavan]], [[Deghdzavan]], [[Haghtanak, Tavush|Haghtanak]], [[Lchkadzor]], [[Ptghavan]] |- |[[Berd Municipality]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/699/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Urban | | |[[Berd]] |[[Aygedzor]], [[Aygepar]], [[Artsvaberd]], [[Chinari, Armenia|Chinari]], [[Chinchin]], [[Choratan]], [[Itsakar]], [[Movses, Armenia|Movses]], [[Navur]], [[Nerkin Karmiraghbyur]], [[Norashen, Tavush|Norashen]], [[Paravakar]], [[Tavush (village)|Tavush]], [[Varagavan]], [[Verin Karmiraghbyur]], [[Verin Tsaghkavan]] |- |[[Dilijan Municipality]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/697/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Urban | | |[[Dilijan]] |[[Aghavnavank]], [[Gosh, Armenia|Gosh]], [[Haghartsin, Armenia|Haghartsin]], [[Hovk]], [[Teghut, Tavush|Teghut]], [[Khachardzan]] |- |Ijevan Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/695/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Urban |43 |18,960 |[[Ijevan]] | |- |[[Noyemberyan Municipality]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/698/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Urban |154.5 |16,782 |[[Noyemberyan]] |[[Baghanis]], [[Barekamavan]], [[Berdavan, Armenia|Berdavan]], [[Dovegh]], [[Jujevan]], [[Koti, Armenia|Koti]], [[Voskepar]], [[Voskevan]] |- |Achajur Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/707/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |30 |4,463 |[[Achajur]] | |- |Acharkut Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/703/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |0.2 |177 |[[Acharkut]] | |- |Aknaghbyur Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/701/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |6 |521 |[[Aknaghbyur]] | |- |[[Aygehovit Municipality]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/704/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |21 |3,591 |[[Aygehovit]] |[[Kayan, Armenia|Kayan]] |- |Azatamut Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/984/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |0.5 |3182 |[[Azatamut]] | |- |Berkaber Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/714/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |12 |552 |[[Berkaber]] | |- |Ditavan Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/720/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |8 |391 |[[Ditavan]] | |- |Gandzakar Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/715/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |34 |3,639 |[[Gandzakar]] | |- |Getahovit Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/716/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |8.5 |2,265 |[[Getahovit]] | |- |Khashtarak Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/729/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |18.5 |1869 |[[Khashtarak]] | |- |Kirants Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/733/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |6 |392 |[[Kirants, Armenia|Kirants]] | |- |[[Koghb Municipality]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/735/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |67 |5,970 |[[Koghb, Armenia|Koghb]] |[[Zorakan]] |- |Lusadzor Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/728/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |6.5 |686 |[[Lusadzor]] | |- |Lusahovit Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/727/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |5 |333 |[[Lusahovit]] | |- |Nerkin Tsaghkavan Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/731/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |9 |618 |[[Nerkin Tsaghkavan]] | |- |Sarigyugh Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/751/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |14 |1,359 |[[Sarigyugh]] | |- |Sevkar Municipality<ref>[http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/752/ Sevakar]</ref> |Rural |47 |2,307 |[[Sevkar]] | |- |Vazashen Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/753/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |17 |887 |[[Vazashen]] | |- |Yenokavan Municipality<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tavush.mtad.am/about-communities/722/|title=Տավուշի մարզպետարան|website=tavush.mtad.am}}</ref> |Rural |15.5 |537 |[[Yenokavan]] | |}

During recent years, many rural settlements in Tavush have been abandoned, including the villages of [[Chermakavan]], [[Chirchiri]], [[Geghatap]], [[Gomer, Armenia|Gomer]], [[Shamakhyan]] and [[Tarsachay]].

==Culture== ===Fortresses and archaeological sites=== [[File:Բերդավան գյուղի ամրոց.jpg|thumb|[[Berdavan Fortress]] of the 10th century]] * [[Tavush Fortress]] of the 10th century, * [[Berdavan Fortress]] of the 10th century, * [[Tevrakar Castle]], 5th-7th centuries BC * Aghjkaberd Fortress, * Sranots Bridge, 13th-14th centuries.

===Churches and monasteries=== [[File:Crviz 2015 jun pic 06.JPG|thumb|[[Tsrviz Chapel]] of the 5th century]] [[File:Kirants-raffi kojian-DCP 4582.JPG|thumb|[[Kirants Monastery]] of the 8th century]] * [[Tsrviz Chapel]] of the 5th century, * [[Holy Mother of God Church, Voskepar|Holy Mother of God Church of Voskepar]] of the 7th-century, * [[Kirants Monastery]] of the 8th century, * [[Makaravank]] monastery of the 10th century, * [[Jukhtak Vank]] monastery of the 11th-12th centuries, * [[Goshavank]] monastery of the 12th century, * [[Aghavnavank Monastery]] of the 12th-13th centuries, * [[Samsonavank Monastery]] of the 12th-13th centuries, * Shkhmurad Monastery of the 12th-13th centuries, * [[Matosavank]] monastery of 1247, * [[Arakelots Monastery (Kirants)|Arakelots Monastery of Kirants]] of the 13th century, * [[Haghartsin Monastery]] of the 13th century, * [[Nor Varagavank]] monastery of the 13th century, * Khoranashat Monastery of the 13th century, * Srvegh Monastery of the 13th century.

===Media=== Tavush has 3 regional TV stations: *"Ijevan TV" based in Ijevan, *"Kamut TV" based in Noyemberyan (since 1994), *"Tavush TV" based in Noyemberyan (since 2010).

==Transportation== {{Empty section|date=February 2018}}

==Economy==

===Agriculture=== Tavush has a poor agricultural index with only 4.8% of share in the total annual agricultural product of Armenia. Around 41% (1,108 km2) of the total area of the province are arable lands, out of which 23% (256 km2) are ploughed. The population in many rural communities are mainly involved in farming, cattle-breeding and pig farming. The main crops are grains and grapes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.armstat.am/file/RegStat/marz/MARZ_11.pdf|title=Armstat: Tavush|access-date=2015-11-28|archive-date=2016-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019195127/http://www.armstat.am/file/RegStat/marz/MARZ_11.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Recently, bee-keeping farms were also opened in many communities.

===Industry=== [[File:Ijevan gorg.jpeg|thumb|upright|An Armenian rug from Ijevan]] Tavush has the poorest industrial index among the Armenian provinces with a share of 0.8% in the annual total industrial product of Armenia. The existing industry is mainly dominated by food-processing and the production of alcoholic drinks.

*Ijevan is the economic centre of Tavush. During the Soviet period, the town had witnessed a remarkable industrial progress especially in the spheres of carpet manufacturing and wood processing. Many industrial plants of the Soviet days are still operating in Ijevan, including the "Ijevan Woodworking Enterprise" founded in 1936, the "Ijevan Wine-Brandy Factory" founded in 1951 (particularly famous for its pomegranate wine), the "Ijevan Mechanical Enterprise" founded in 1954, the "Jrashogh Ijevan Carpets" weaving mill founded in 1959, and the "Ijevan Bentonit Combine" for mining founded 1967. The Ijevan carpet weaving mill was the largest in the [[Caucasus]] and the 3rd-largest in the whole [[Soviet Union]]. The town is also famous for its handmade rugs and carpets. After the independence of Armenia, many small industrial plants were founded, including the "Karart" stone processing plant (since 2003). In 2014, the "Vector" company for software development was opened in Ijevan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://telecom.arka.am/en/news/internet/new_it_company_opens_in_armenian_ijevan/|title=New IT company opens in Armenian Ijevan|website=telecom.arka.am}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> *Other major industrial plants in the province include the "Berdavan Wine Factory" in the village of [[Berdavan, Armenia|Berdavan]], the "Maga" food-processing factory in [[Varagavan]] and the "Vital Echogarden" food-processing factory in [[Aygedzor]], the "Tavush Textile" factory in [[Choratan]], the "Bavagarm" meet-processing plant in [[Teghut, Tavush|Teghut]], and the "Filishin" concrete manufacturing plant in [[Haghartsin]]. *Dilijan is famous for its mineral water, being processed and bottled by the "Dilijan Mineral Water Plant" founded in 1947. The town is also home to the "Aramara" company for fine woodworking founded in 1993,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aramara.am/?laid=1&com=module&module=menu&id=3 |title=Aramara fine woodworking |access-date=2016-11-19 |archive-date=2017-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011164935/http://www.aramara.am/?laid=1&com=module&module=menu&id=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the "Dili" factory for dairy products founded in 2005. *The small town of [[Ayrum]] is home to the "Ayrum Cannery" (since 1937), and the "Ayrum Fruits" food-processing factory (since 2014).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ayrum-fruits.am/index-engl.html|title=AYRUM FRUITS. ARMENIA. Plant for processing of fruits and berries|first=BSC Business Support|last=Center|website=ayrum-fruits.am}}</ref>

===Tourism=== [[File:Yenokavan Resort (4).jpg|thumb|left|Apaga Resort in [[Yenokavan]]]] [[File:Լաստիվեր.JPG|thumb|Ijevan Sanctuary]] Tourism and related services are still developing in Tavush. The cultural heritage and the natural monuments of the region attract a large number of tourists.

The town of [[Dilijan]] is major touristic destination for locals and foreigners. It is also considered a financial centre as much of the Central Bank's operations was moved to Dilijan in 2013. The town is also famous with its sanatoriums and mineral water. Other touristic destinations include the villages of [[Achajur]], [[Gosh, Armenia|Gosh]], [[Teghut, Tavush|Teghut]] and [[Yenokavan]].

Many forests of the province are listed among the protected areas of Armenia, including the [[Dilijan National Park]], the Akhnabad Taxus Grove Sanctuary, the Arjatkhelni Hazel Sanctuary, the Gandzakar Sanctuary, the Ijevan Sanctuary and the Zikatar Sanctuary.

[[Lake Gosh]], [[Lake Parz]] as well as the Ijevan Dendropark are major destinations for [[ecotourism]].

==Education== [[File:UWC Dilijan.jpg|thumb|[[UWC Dilijan|United World College Dilijan]]]] Tavush has recently become a significant educational centre within Armenia. In 2014, the [[UWC Dilijan|United World College Dilijan]], a part of the global educational movement [[United World Colleges]], was opened in the Dilijan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dilijanschool.org/about/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505120204/http://www.dilijanschool.org/about|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 5, 2012|title=UWCD - Home|work=dilijanschool.org}}</ref>

Between 2013 and 2015, the construction of the Dilijan Central School, a branch of the [[Ayb School|Ayb Educational Foundation]], was completed in Dilijan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dcs.am/|title=Dilijan Central School – – A New Culture of Learning|website=Dilijan Central School}}</ref> It was officially opened in fall 2015.

Since 1994, branches of the [[Yerevan State University]] operate in Ijevan.

As of the 2015-16 educational year, Tavush has 81 schools.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ktak.am/schoolslist/11_Pet_Tavush.pdf |title=ՊԵՏԱԿԱՆ ՀԱՆՐԱԿՐԹԱԿԱՆ ՈՒՍՈՒՄՆԱԿԱՆ ՀԱՍՏԱՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐ |website=www.ktak.am |lang=hy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820065945/http://www.ktak.am/schoolslist/11_Pet_Tavush.pdf |archive-date=20 August 2011 |access-date=2023-04-28}}</ref>

==Sport== [[File:Dilijan city stadium, Armenia2.jpg|thumb|[[Dilijan City Stadium]]]] [[Association football|Football]] is popular in Tavush. The province was represented in the [[Armenian Premier League]] by [[Impulse FC]] of Dilijan and [[FC Bentonit Ijevan]]. However both clubs were forced to dissolve due to financial difficulties.

[[Dilijan City Stadium]] and [[Arnar Stadium]] are the 2 largest sport venues of the province. Minor stadiums are also found in Noyemberyan and the village of Achajur.

Arnar Stadium hosted the [[Armenian Independence Cup]] final match in [[2008 Armenian Cup|2008]] where [[FC Ararat Yerevan|Ararat Yerevan]] won the title defeating [[FC Banants|Banants]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dnsexit.com/index.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608120659/http://www.armtown.com/news/am/arv/20091111/72243/|url-status=dead|title=Free dynamic DNS service | DNSExit.com|archive-date=June 8, 2011|website=dnsexit.com}}</ref>

Ijevan is the venue of the annual ''MultiForce'' [[off-road racing]] international competition, that attracts participants from Armenia and the neighboring countries.

==Gallery== <gallery class="center" widths="140" heights="140px" perrow="5" caption="Tavush"> File:Haghartsin, Armenia. June 2016.jpg|[[Haghartsin Monastery]] File:Goshavank3.jpg|[[Goshavank]] Monastery File:Parz lich Парз лич.jpg|[[Lake Parz]] File:Noyemberyan Ноемберян 1.jpg|Noyemberyan countryside File:Մովսես, համայնապատկեր.jpg|[[Movses, Armenia|Movses]] village </gallery>

==See also== * [[Eridzor]] * [[Geyarchin]] * [[Golovino]] * [[Kirgi]] * [[Kozman]] * [[Krivoy Most]] * [[Maflar]] * [[Papanino]] * [[Turdzhan]] * [[UWC Dilijan]] *[[Ijevan Wine-Brandy Factory]] *[[Dilijan National Park]] *[[Ijevan Dendropark]]

==References== ;Notes {{Notelist}}

;References {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Tavush Province}} * {{Official website|http://tavush.region.am}} * [http://www.tacentral.com/tavush Tavush guide with detailed descriptions, by Rick Ney] * [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Rediscovering_Armenia_Guidebook-_Tavush_Marz Tavush Marz Tourist Guide]

[[Category:Tavush Province| ]] [[Category:Provinces of Armenia]]