Yerevan (English spelling) Ереван／Erevan

The capital of the Republic of Armenia. Population 1,248,700 (1999). It became the capital in 1920, and was called Erivan' until 1936. It is located in the wide valley of the Araks River in the southern Caucasus region, along its tributary, the Razdan River. The city area spreads from river terraces to the foothills of volcanic mountains, with an altitude of 850-1,300 meters. It is located on a scenic highland with a view of Mount Aragats to the northwest and the famous Ararat volcano (Turkish territory) across the Araks River valley to the south. The average monthly temperature is 4.2°C in January and 24.8°C in July. The city area consists of seven districts. There are two airports along the railway branch line. It is one of the world's most ancient cities, and is said to have been the site of Erebuni Castle in the 7th century BC, from which the city's name comes. From the 17th century, it was under Persian rule, and then the centre of the Khanate of Yerevan. It was also the centre of the caravan route, and flourished as a centre of handicrafts and commerce. In 1828, it was annexed by Russia.

The city has developed its industry with electricity supplied by several power plants on the Lake Sevan-Razdan Cascade (a group of hydroelectric plants on the same river system) and large thermal power plants on the outskirts. In addition to modern industrial products such as electrical equipment, cables, automobiles, and polyvinyl acetate, the city is known for its traditional products such as wine, brandy (Ararat brand is particularly famous), stone, tobacco, and handicrafts. There is a square in the center of the city, and the old town is located inside the circle around it, and the new town developed outside of it to the north and east, creating a contrast. The colorful tuff, granite, and marble that adorn the city's buildings were mined near the city. There are many historical buildings related to the Armenian Orthodox Church, including Zorabar Cathedral (a building from the late 16th century consisting of eight churches).

[Kazuo Watanabe]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

アルメニア共和国の首都。人口124万8700（1999）。1920年に首都となり、1936年まではエリバニЭривань／Erivan'とよばれた。カフカス地方南部のアラクス川の広い谷に位置し、その支流ラズダン川に沿う。市域は河岸段丘から火山性の山脈の山麓(さんろく)に広がり、標高は850～1300メートル。北西にアラガツ山、南はアラクス川谷を隔てて名峰アララト火山（トルコ領）を望む風光明媚(めいび)な高地にある。月平均気温は、1月4.2℃、7月24.8℃。市域は7区よりなる。鉄道支線に沿い、二つの空港がある。世界でも有数の古都で、紀元前7世紀にエレブニ城があった所とされ、市名はこれに由来する。17世紀からペルシア領、ついでエレバン・ハン国の中心地となった。隊商路の中心でもあり、手工業と商業で栄え、1828年にロシアに併合された。

　市は、「セバン湖―ラズダン川カスケード」（同一水系の水力発電所集団）にかかる数座の発電所や、郊外の大型火力発電所から電力の供給を受けて、工業を発展させた。電気機器、ケーブル、自動車、ポリビニル・アセテートなど近代工業製品のほか、ぶどう酒、ブランデー（アララト印はとくに有名）、石材、たばこ、工芸品など伝統品の生産も知られている。市の中心に広場があり、これを中心とする円の内側に展開する旧市街と、その外側の北方や東方に発達した新市街とが対照的である。市街の建築物を彩るとりどりの凝灰岩、花崗(かこう)岩、大理石は、当市付近で採取されたものである。ゾラバル聖堂（16世紀末の建物で、8教会よりなる）をはじめ、アルメニア正教会に関する歴史的建築物が多い。

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