Area: 5,388 sq km
Administrative centre: Gavar
Distance from Yerevan to Gavar: 92 km.
The marz of Gegharqunik is located in the eastern part of Armenia at the foot of the Gegam Mountains. It is one of the largest regions of the country. The beautiful Lake Sevan is hidden high in the mountains. In antiquity it was called the Geghama Sea. Lake Sevan's the territory equals one quarter of the marz and is its main natural landmark. Other beauties of nature are the mountain landscapes of the Geghama and the Vardenis Mountains. There are lots of volcanic tops there. Volcanoes Adzhaak and Armagan whose craters now host beautiful high-mountainous lakes are especially interesting.
The climate of Gegharqunik is very mild and pleasant. The nearness of water brings into balance severe winter frosts and summer heat. The average temperature in winter is 9 С , in summer - +25 С .
In antiquity the contemporary Gegharqunik occupied a part of historical Syunik area of Great Armenia. A lot of ancient monuments have survived.
In Gegharqunik marz you will find fortresses, castles, ancient settlements, and cuneiform writings of pre-Urartu and Urartu periods.
But the main monuments of Gegharqunik are the monasteries on Lake Sevan – Sevanavank, Noraduz cemetery and Airavank church.
Gavar
Gavar is the administrative center of Gegharqunik. Long time ago there was a settlement on the site of the modern city; the ruins of Haldi fortress has survived from the times of Urartu state. In the Midle Ages the site was occupied by Kavar settlement which was destroyed in 1736 by Nadir shakh. In 1830 after the war between Russia and Turkey the place of historical Gavar was taken by a new city. It was founded by Armenians who moved from Turksh territory of Western Armenia. The original name of the city was Nor Bayazet, then it was renamed Kamo. The population of Gavar was engaged not only in agriculture but also handicrafts and trade. In the Soviet years the city was a large industrial center. In 1996 Gavar received its present name.
