Shirak Province

Shirak (Armenian Շիրակի մարզ, in scientific transliteration Siraki marz ( province of Shirak ), in English transcription Shirak ) is the northwestern province of Armenia. At 2681 km ² here about 257 242 people ( as of 2002 ).

Provincial capital is Gyumri, another important city is Artik.

Shirak is bordered to the south and southeast of the province Aragazotn, on the east by the province of Lori, on the north by Georgia and to the west by Turkey.

Economy

In the Shirak level mainly wheat and barley is grown.

History

The Shirak level was since Argišti I. part of the Urartian kingdom.

On December 7, 1988, a major earthquake shook the northern part of the former Armenian SSR. 25,000 people died, a large part of Shirak were destroyed and still (as of 2004) live some people who were made homeless by the quake, in shelters that are supposed to be only temporary. ( For more information, see Spitak earthquake of 1988)