View source for Vanadzor

{{Infobox settlement
| settlement_type    = City
| official_name      = Vanadzor
| native_name        = {{lang|hy|Վանաձոր}}
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                   =infobox
| total_width              = 290
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                   = 1/2/2/1
| image1                   = Hayq Square, Vanadzor.jpg
| image2                   = Pejzaĝa vido de Vanadzor.jpg
| image3                   = Vanadzor-marzpan.jpg
| image4                   = Vanadzor Fine Art Museum.jpg
| image5                   = Vanadzor, S. Astvatsatsin, 2013.06.08.jpg}}
| image_caption      = From top down, left to right:<div style="background:#fee8ab;">[[Hayk Square]]<br />[[Diocese of Gougark]] • [[Lori Province]] administration<br />[[Vanadzor Fine Arts Museum|Fine Arts Museum]] • [[Church of the Holy Mother of God, Vanadzor|Church of the Holy Mother of God]]</div>
| imagesize          = 300px
| image_seal         = Coat of arms of Vanadzor.png
| pushpin_map        = Armenia
| mapsize            = 150px
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{Flag|Armenia}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Administrative divisions of Armenia|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Lori Province|Lori]]
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Arkadi Peleshyan
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1828
| area_total_km2     = 32
| population_as_of   = 2022
| population_total   = 75,186<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=2024-11-08}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Vanadzortsi
| timezone           = [[Armenia Time|AMT]]
| utc_offset         = +4
| timezone_DST       = 
| utc_offset_DST     = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|40|48|46|N|44|29|18|E|region:AM|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = 1350
| postal_code_type   = Postal code
| postal_code        = 2001-2024
| area_code          = (+374) 322
| registration_plate = 36
| website            = [https://vanadzor.am Vanadzor official website]
| name               = 
| population_blank1_title = [[Municipalities of Armenia|Municipality]]
| population_blank1  = 84,400<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-01 |title=Permanent Population Figures of the Republic of Armenia as of 1 January 2023 |url=https://armstat.am/file/article/population_01_01_23.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614021723/https://armstat.am/file/article/population_01_01_23.pdf |archive-date=2023-06-14 |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia}}</ref>
}}

'''Vanadzor''' ({{langx|hy|Վանաձոր}}, {{IPA|hy|vɑnɑˈd͡zɔɾ|IPA}}) is an urban municipal community and the [[List of cities and towns in Armenia|third largest city]] in [[Armenia]], serving as the capital of [[Lori Province]] in the northern part of the country. It is located about {{convert|128|km|0|abbr=off}} north of the capital [[Yerevan]]. As of the 2011 census, the city had a population of 86,199, down from 148,876 reported at the 1979 official census. Currently, the town has a population of approximately 75,186 as of the 2022 census.<ref name="2022 Census"/> Vanadzor is the seat of the [[Diocese of Gougark]] of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]].

== Etymology ==
In the official records of the Russian Empire, the city was labelled as {{Transliteration|ru|Bolshoy Karaklis}} ({{Langx|ru|Большой Караклисъ|lit=Greater Karakilisa}}).{{sfn|Stelmashchuk|1916|p=120}} Following the [[Sovietization of Armenia]], the city was renamed {{Lang|hy-latn|Martunashen}} ({{lang|hy|Մարտունաշեն}}, alternatively ''{{Lang|hy-latn|Martunakan}}'') in 1926 after Armenian [[Bolshevik]] revolutionary [[Alexander Miasnikian]].{{sfn|Hakobyan|Melik-Bakhshyan|Barseghyan|1991|pp=149-152}} In 1935, it was [[s:ru:Постановление ЦИК СССР от 05.03.1935 об утверждении решений организаций ЗСФСР о переименованиях для увековечения памяти тов. Кирова С. М.|renamed ''Kirovakan'']], after the Russian Bolshevik leader [[Sergey Kirov]]. A close associate of Miasnikian and [[Aghasi Khanjian]], Kirov had been assassinated on December 1 of the previous year. On 25 June 1992, after Armenia gained its independence, Kirovakan was renamed back to its initial name ''Vanadzor'' after the [[Vanadzor River]] which flows through the city.{{sfn|CCRA|2008|p=187}} The name ''Vanadzor'' is composed of the Armenian words {{lang|hy-Latn|vank}} ({{lang|hy|վանք}}, "[[monastery]]") and {{lang|hy-Latn|dzor}} ({{lang|hy|ձոր}}, "valley"). Thus, the name of the city means "valley of the monastery."{{sfn|Everett-Heath|2005|p=547}}

== History ==
[[File:Khachqars-vanadzor.jpg|thumb|left|Old [[khachkar]]s in Vanadzor]]
The area of present-day Vanadzor has been settled since the [[Bronze Age]], based on the tombs and other historic remains found on the nearby hills of ''Tagavoranist'' and ''Mashtots''. In antiquity, the area fell into the canton of Tashir of [[Gugark]], the 13th province of the [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Kingdom of Armenia]]. Later, the region was ruled by the other Armenian dynasties of the [[Arsacid dynasty of Armenia|Arsacids]] and the [[Bagratuni dynasty|Bagratunis]]. The area was part of the [[Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget|Kingdom of Lori]] from the 10th century until the beginning of the 12th century. With the invasion of the [[Seljuk dynasty|Seljuk Turks]], the region came under the rule of the [[Seljuk Empire]]. The settlement was called ''Gharakilisa'' (meaning ''black church'' in Turkic) by the Seljuks possibly as early as the 13th century, the name being taken from the black-stoned Armenian church of the Holy Mother of God on a nearby hill.
[[File:Vanadzor2.jpg|thumb|City center of Vanadzor in 1928]]
In 1801, the entire region of Lori became part of the [[Russian Empire]] along with the [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] state. Lori was a strategically important territory for the Russian defensive forces on the border against Persia. In 1826, the settlement of Gharakilisa was entirely destroyed by Hasan Khan during the [[Russo-Persian War (1826–1828)|Russo-Persian war]]. In 1828, the Russians founded a new town as a major centre for the deployment of their troops during the [[Russo-Turkish War (1828–29)|Russo-Turkish War of 1828–29]]. According to [[Khachatur Abovian]], the population of Gharakilisa was not more than 600 by the end of the 1820s, mainly consisting of migrants from [[Yerevan]]. In 1849, it became part of the [[Erivan Governorate]] within the [[Russian Empire]]. Under its new administrative status, Gharakilisa was flooded with many hundreds of migrating Armenian families from [[Kars]], [[Ardahan]] and the [[Western Armenia]]n cities of [[Erzurum|Karin]] (Erzurum) and [[Doğubayazıt|Daroynk]] (Doğubeyazıt).{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

The town enjoyed a considerable uplift through the opening of the railroad towards [[Tbilisi]] in 1899. The vicinity of the town was the site of the [[Battle of Karakilisa]] in May 1918, when General [[Tovmas Nazarbekian]]'s outnumbered troops, led by [[Garegin Nzhdeh]] successfully defended the region against the invading [[Ottoman Army (1861–1922)|Ottoman Army]], pushed them back just a few days after the crucial Armenian victory in the [[Battle of Sardarapat]], thus allowing the [[First Republic of Armenia|Republic of Armenia]] to come into existence.{{sfn|Walker|1980|p=254}} On the North side of the [[Spitak]]-Vanadzor highway, about {{convert|2|km|0|abbr=on}} west of the city, there is a little shrine in the ruins of a church, the site of a planned monument to that battle.
[[File:Downtown Vanadzor.JPG|thumb|left|Downtown Vanadzor]]
[[File:Վանաձորը հարավ-արևելքից.jpg|thumb|View of Vanadzor from the southeast]]
In 1920, after only 2 years of independence, Armenia fell under [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] rule. The first city development plan for Gharakilisa, initiated by architects [[Karo Halabyan]], Mikayel Mazmanyan and Gevork Kochar, was adopted in 1929–1930. Under the new plan, the town was enlarged towards the East and the West. In 1935, the Soviets renamed the city ''Kirovakan'' after the Bolshevik leader [[Sergey Kirov]]. In 1939, a new remodeling plan for the city, created by architects N. Zargaryan and A. Minasyan, was introduced to create an industrial district and a summer-resort area. The centre of the city was redeveloped during the 1950s. The central town square named after Sergey Kirov (now [[Hayk Square]]) was constructed along with the surrounding government and administrative buildings.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151222134216/http://www.copypaste.am/2011/07/03/%D5%BE%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%B1%D5%B8%D6%80/feed/ ՎԱՆԱՁՈՐ-ԿԻՐՈՎԱԿԱՆ-ՂԱՐԱՔԻԼԻՍԱ]</ref>

Along with [[Gyumri|Leninakan]] and [[Spitak]] ({{convert|25|km|0|abbr=on}} west), Kirovakan suffered a considerable amount of damage from the [[1988 Armenian earthquake]], which claimed the lives of 564 city residents. However, unlike the two other northern Armenian cities, the majority of Kirovakan's buildings were unscathed from the earthquake.

After Armenia gained its independence, Kirovakan was renamed ''Vanadzor'' after the [[Vanadzor (river)|Vanadzor River]] that flows through the city.{{sfn|CCRA|2008|p=187}}

== Geography and climate ==
[[File:Forests near Vanadzor.jpg|thumb|Forests around Vanadzor]]
Vanadzor, the capital of Lori Province, is located {{convert|128|km|0|abbr=on}} north of [[Yerevan]] and {{convert|64|km|0|abbr=on}} east of [[Gyumri]].

At an average height of {{convert|1,350|m|ft|abbr=off}} [[above sea level]], Vanadzor is located in the valley of [[Pambak River]], on the point where the rivers of [[Tandzut River|Tandzut]] and [[Vanadzor River|Vanadzor]] join the Pambak river. The city is surrounded by the over {{convert|2,500|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=mid|-high}} mountains of Bazum and Pambak. The southern and eastern regions are densely forested while to the north and west are only covered with bushes and plants.

The climate of Vanadzor is characterized by warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature in winter is {{convert|−8|C|F|1}}, while in summer it reaches up to {{convert|15|C|F|0}}. Vanadzor's climate is classified as [[Warm-summer humid continental|warm summer humid continental]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfb''). The amount of [[precipitation]] is around {{convert|570|mm|in|1|abbr=in}}.

The Vanadzor Botanical Garden located to the southwest of the city is one of the 5 botanical parks within the Republic of Armenia.

{{Weather box 
| width = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Vanadzor (Normals 1991-2020, Extremes 1981-2020)

| Jan record high C =14.1
| Feb record high C =16.8
| Mar record high C =24.4
| Apr record high C =29.4
| May record high C =30.0
| Jun record high C =33.5
| Jul record high C =37
| Aug record high C =36.1
| Sep record high C =35.8
| Oct record high C =30.1
| Nov record high C =22.5
| Dec record high C =19.9

| Jan high C  =1.2
| Feb high C  =2.3
| Mar high C  =6.9
| Apr high C  =13.3
| May high C  =18.6
| Jun high C  =22.6
| Jul high C  =25.7
| Aug high C  =25.6
| Sep high C  =22
| Oct high C  =16.3
| Nov high C  =9.1
| Dec high C  =3.3

| Jan mean C  =-2.0
| Feb mean C  =-1.1
| Mar mean C  =3.3
| Apr mean C  =8.3
| May mean C  =12.6
| Jun mean C  =16.6
| Jul mean C  =19.2
| Aug mean C  =19.3
| Sep mean C  =15.5
| Oct mean C  =10.3
| Nov mean C  =4.0
| Dec mean C  =-0.2
|year mean C = 8.9

| Jan low C  =-8.5
| Feb low C  =-7.6
| Mar low C  =-3.3
| Apr low C  =1.6
| May low C  =6.3
| Jun low C  =9.5
| Jul low C  =12.3
| Aug low C  =12.2
| Sep low C  =7.8
| Oct low C  =3.3
| Nov low C  =-1.2
| Dec low C  =-5.5
| Jan record low C  =-24
| Feb record low C  =-25
| Mar record low C  =-24.2
| Apr record low C  =-11.3
| May record low C  =-3.5
| Jun record low C  =0.3
| Jul record low C  =4.0
| Aug record low C  =2.5
| Sep record low C  =-2.6
| Oct record low C  =-7.3
| Nov record low C  =-16.5
| Dec record low C  =-21.7

| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm  =18.9
| Feb precipitation mm  =24.4
| Mar precipitation mm  =41.4
| Apr precipitation mm  =68
| May precipitation mm  =95.3
| Jun precipitation mm  =86.1
| Jul precipitation mm  =58.8
| Aug precipitation mm  =40.7
| Sep precipitation mm  =40.8
| Oct precipitation mm  =45.1
| Nov precipitation mm  =31.4
| Dec precipitation mm  =19
| unit precipitation days =  1 mm
| Jan precipitation days  =3.9
| Feb precipitation days  =4.9
| Mar precipitation days  =7.5
| Apr precipitation days  =10.9
| May precipitation days  =14.8
| Jun precipitation days  =12.1
| Jul precipitation days  =8.6
| Aug precipitation days  =6.9
| Sep precipitation days  =6.1
| Oct precipitation days  =7.6
| Nov precipitation days  =5
| Dec precipitation days  =4.2
| year precipitation days =

| Jan humidity    =69.4
| Feb humidity    =68.5
| Mar humidity    =67
| Apr humidity    =68.7
| May humidity    =71.6
| Jun humidity    =72.5
| Jul humidity    =73
| Aug humidity    =70.8
| Sep humidity    =72.5
| Oct humidity    =73.9
| Nov humidity    =72.4
| Dec humidity    =70.8
| year humidity   =

| Jan sun  =140.3
| Feb sun  =145
| Mar sun  =158.4
| Apr sun  =149.8
| May sun  =194.7
| Jun sun  =217.9
| Jul sun  =197.1
| Aug sun  =196.7
| Sep sun  =193.2
| Oct sun  =165.3
| Nov sun  =145.2
| Dec sun  =125.6
| year sun =

| source 1= [[NCEI]] (Average max, min 1981-2010)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Armenia/CSV/Vanadzor_37704.csv |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Vanadzor-37704 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA|National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration]] |access-date=10 March 2024 |no-pp=y |type=Excel |format=CSV }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Armenia/WMO%20Vanadzor.xlsx |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981-2010: Vanadzor |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA|National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration]] |access-date=10 March 2024 |no-pp=y |type=Excel |format=XLSX }}</ref>
| source 2= worldweather.wmo(temperature normals)<ref name="WMO">{{cite web |url= https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=67|title= World Weather Information Service|publisher= WMO|access-date=3 July 2023 }}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==

=== Population ===
[[File:Vanadzor, Armenia 14 May 2015 a.jpg|thumb|Vanadzor Central park]]
[[File:PrelacyResidence.jpg|thumb|The Prelacy of the [[Diocese of Gougark]]]]
The population of Vanadzor has grown gradually since 1849, after becoming part of the [[Yerevan Governorate]].

The population of Kirovakan-Vanadzor increased significantly after [[World War II]], when [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]] allowed open immigration to the [[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic]] with the promise of a better life for the arriving Armenians in the historical homeland. Armenians from different parts of [[Europe]] and the [[Middle East]], most of them survivors of the [[Armenian genocide]], immigrated and settled in Kirovakan.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} Due to the harsh conditions imposed by [[Soviet intelligence]] and the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Soviet Union)|Ministry of Interior]], many of the immigrants were sent to [[labor camp]]s in [[Siberia]] and elsewhere. The reason for this treatment towards the Armenian immigrants was because almost all were more educated than the local community, spoke more than 3 languages, and were open followers of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], something that was considered a threat to the national security by the Stalinist government.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} Despite the difficulties, more Western Armenians immigrated to Kirovakan during the following years. However, many of the immigrants left the city and returned to their diaspora countries, including [[Cyprus]], [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], [[Greece]], [[France]] and the [[United States]]. Nowadays, approximately 2,000 Western Armenian settlers are living in Vanadzor, most of whom are still using the Western Armenian dialect in daily life.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

While the majority of Vanadzor are ethnic Armenians, there are also small communities of Russian, Ukrainian and Greek population.

The population timeline of Vanadzor since 1831 is as follows:{{sfn|CCRA|2008|p=187}}
{{Historical populations
|1831|494
|1873|2017
|1897|3917
|1915|6671
|1926|8640
|1939|17607
|1959|49423
|1979|148876
|2001|107394
|2011|86199
|2022|75186
|align=none|percentages=pagr|graph-pos=bottom}}

=== Religion ===
[[File:Grigor Narekatsi Church.png|thumb|Saint Gregory of Narek Cathedral]]
The majority of the population belongs to the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]. Vanadzor is the seat of the [[Diocese of Gougark]] of the Armenian Apostolic Church, serving the population of Lori province.

{{As of|2016}}, The city is home to 4 churches and 2 chapels:
*[[Church of the Holy Mother of God, Vanadzor|Church of the Holy Mother of God]]: opened in 1831, also known as Gharakilisa 'black church', is one of the oldest preserved churches of the city. It was completely renovated in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=318&pid=282&lng=en|title=The Armenian Church - Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin|website=www.armenianchurch.org}}</ref>
*Kamakatar Chapel, located at the northeast of the city (although it originally dates back to the medieval period). Despite dating back to the medieval period, the current building was reconstructed in 1841.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.armmonuments.am/pages.php?al=home&id=1760&act1=more&d=16 |title=Kamkatar chapel |access-date=2016-10-30 |archive-date=2017-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403213451/http://www.armmonuments.am/pages.php?al=home&id=1760&act1=more&d=16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Church of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary, opened in 1895, is serving the city's small Russian Orthodox community.<ref>[http://www.armstat.am/file/article/demos_09_2.pdf www.gov.am:Religious organizations in Armenia (in Armenian)]</ref>
*Surp Sarkis Church of Vanadzor, opened in 2000, is located near the prelacy building.
*Saint Gregory of Narek Cathedral, opened in 2005, is named after Saint [[Gregory of Narek]] to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of his '''Book of Lamentations'''. It is currently the seat of the [[Diocese of Gougark]] of the Armenian Apostolic Church
*[[Holy Children Chapel, Vanadzor|Holy Children Chapel]] opened in the Tsitsernak children's camp of Vanadzor in 2006.

Many residents of Vanadzor are traditionally members of the [[Armenian Evangelical Church]], which was first established by arriving Protestant Western Armenians in 1946. Although at that time any religious activity was punishable by law, followers of the Evangelical tradition continued practicing their faith and gathered secretly in basements to avoid deportation to Siberia. Particularly Armenians of [[Musa Dagh]] (Musa Ler) became pioneers of Evangelical faith and adherence to their traditions despite continuous threats by the police and the neighborhood watch.

== Culture ==
[[File:Lori - Vanadzor 14.jpg|thumb|Vanadzor House of Culture named after [[Charles Aznavour]]]]
Vanadzor has several archaeological sites including the nearby Mashtots hill which is home to many remains from the 4th millennium BC. The Lori-Pambak archaeological museum opened in 1938 is dedicated to the history and ethnography of Gugark region. It currently has a collection of around 34,000 pieces and artifacts.

Vanadzor is the cultural center of Lori Province and northeastern Armenia. The Vanadzor House of Culture named after Charles Aznavour is one of the largest centers in Armenia. The Eduard Kzartmyan school of music is a prominent art school founded in 1934. The Vanadzor fine art museum is operating since 1974, while the house-museum of writer [[Stepan Zoryan]] is operating since 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vanadzor.am/tangaraner/|title=Թանգարաներ|date=15 March 2014 }}</ref>

The city is home to many theatres including the ''Bohem Chamber Theatre of Vanadzor'', ''Vanadzor Musical Theatre'', ''Vanadzor Drama Theatre named after Hovhannes Abelyan'', and ''Vanadzor Puppet Theatre''. Other famous art ensembles of Vanadzor include Horevel Folke Dance Ensemble (founded in 1958), Vanadzor Chamber Music Choir (1989), and Vanadzor Chamber Orchestra (1993).

Vanadzor has also produced many famous [[hard rock]] bands including ''Lousnelius'', ''Lav Eli'' and ''Vordan Karmir''.

{{As of|2016}}, the city is home to 4 public libraries as well as 4 children's libraries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vanadzor.am/gradaranner/|title=Գրադարաններ|date=15 March 2014 }}</ref>

== Transportation ==
[[File:Վանաձորի կայարան.jpg|thumb|The railway station]]
Vanadzor is connected to other parts of Armenia through a railway and national highways. The M-6 highway that connects the M-3 towards Yerevan with the Georgian border at [[Bagratashen]] passes through Vanadzor. The city is also connected with [[Tavush Province]] to the east via the M-8 highway.

Vanadzor has a railway station with a [[South Caucasus Railway]] service that connects the city with [[Yerevan]] via [[Gyumri]], and [[Tbilisi]] via [[Ayrum]]. In April 2012, a replacement bridge over the Zamarlu gorge just west of [[Vahagnadzor]] was opened in order to secure the safe ongoing use of the line to Ayrum.<ref>[http://president.am/en/domestic-visits/item/2012/04/21/news-395/ President Serzh Sargsyan conducted a working visit to Lori and Tavush Marzes] president.am</ref> A new railway link between Vanadzor and [[Fioletovo]] (west of [[Dilijan]]) has also been proposed.<ref>[[:ru:Ванадзор (станция)|Vanadzor (station) 'construction prospects']] ru.wikipedia.org</ref>

[[Stepanavan Airport]], located {{convert|44|km|0|abbr=on}} north of Vanadzor, is the nearest airport to the city.

== Economy ==
=== Industry ===
[[File:Vanadzor-usine.jpg|thumb|Chemical industry in Vanadzor]]
The city of Vanadzor is the main industrial centre of the province. The industry of the city is quite diversified with many firms specialized in garment manufacturing, chemical products, building materials, and dairy products. The largest garment manufacturers of the city are the "Dav-Gar" garment factory founded in 1962, the Darbbag's Sewing Factory founded in 1977 (privatized in 1996), the "Sarton" Sewing Factory founded in 1990, "Ruz-Dan" garment factory founded in 2000. The largest chemical plants of Vanadzor include the "Vanadzor ChimProm" founded in 1929, the "Gipk" enterprise for polymeric materials founded in 1967, and the "Gary Group" for polymeric materials founded in 1998. The "Beton" enterprise founded in 1988, the "Bionik" plant founded in 2004, and the "Karaberd" plant are specialized in building materials. The "DIET LLC", the "K&K" factory, and the "Katnagorts" plant are specialized in dairy products. Other major industrial plants of Vanadzor include the "Ardvin" electromechanical plant founded in 1956, the "Gems De Luxe" precious stone processing enterprise founded in 1996, and the "Jerutsogh" factory for heating equipments.

Many small plants for the production of building materials, mainly [[tufa]], [[basalt]] and clay are also operating in Vanadzor.

The city is home to the Vanadzor Thermal Power Plant opened in 1961.

=== Tourism ===
[[File:Վանաձոր 1 (10).JPG|thumb|Gugark Hotel]]
Vanadzor is a resort center in northern Armenia due to its mild climate, clean air and mineral springs. Many hotels and spa resorts are built in the city and the nearby countryside.

The city is connected with other major cities of Armenia with a railway and a motorway.
[[File:View of Armenia Resort from lake.jpg|thumb]]
Vanadzor Armenia Health Resort & Hotel is among the most significant resorts with water treatment procedures (mineral water "Lori") and mud/peat treatment.

== Education ==
[[File:Վանաձորի մանկավարժական ինստիտուտ Vanadzor State Pedagogical University 07.jpg|thumb|[[Vanadzor State University]]]]

Vanadzor is home to many educational institutions serving the population of the city and the residents of Lori and [[Tavush]] provinces.

The following educational institutions are currently operating in the city:
*[[Vanadzor State University]] named after [[Hovhannes Tumanyan]] opened in 1969, with 5 faculties: 
**Faculty of Philology, 
**Faculty of History and Geography, 
**Faculty of Pedagogy, 
**Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, 
**Faculty of Physics and Mathematics.
*Vanadzor campus of the [[National Polytechnic University of Armenia]] named after Petros Melkonyan, operating since 1959, including 2 faculties:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://polytechvan.am/?page_id=10|title=Faculties of Vanadzor campus}}</ref>
**Faculty of Technologies and Sectoral economics,
**Faculty of Natural sciences and Communication systems.
*Vanadzor campus of the [[Armenian National Agrarian University]], operating since 2004.<ref>[https://www.anau.am/en/branches/vanadzor Armenian National Agrarian University, Vanadzor branch]</ref>
*Mkhitar Gosh Armenian-Russian International University opened in 1995, currently home to 5 faculties, including: Law, Management, Foreign languages, Pedagogy, and Medicine.

On 29 October 2016, the [[Vanadzor Technology Center]] was opened in the city in an attempt to promote the business and technology environment in the entire region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vtc.am/en/about-us/|title=About us – Vanadzor Technology Center}}</ref>

{{As of|2009}}, 6 technical intermediate colleges, 30 public education schools and 20 nurseries are operating in the city.

== Sport ==
=== Football ===
[[Association football|Football]] is popular in Vanadzor. The currently defunct football club [[Lori Vanadzor]] founded in 1936, was one of the oldest football clubs in Armenia. After the independence of Armenia, the team represented the city in domestic competitions until 2006 when was dissolved due to financial difficulties.

The largest sport venue in the city is the [[Lori Stadium]] with a capacity of 5,000 spectators. It is mainly used for football matches. A renovation plan was scheduled in order to redevelop the stadium to meet the requirements of the [[UEFA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ffa.am/en/news/item/2009/04/20/news/|title=News|website=www.ffa.am}}</ref>

The [[Football Federation of Armenia|FFA]] [[Vanadzor Football Academy]] opened its doors on 29 October 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ffa.am/hy/1446558505|title=ՀՖՖ նախագահն այցելեց Վանաձորի ֆուտբոլի ակադեմիա (լուսանկարներ)|website=www.ffa.am}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armfootball.com/arm/news/81925/bacvec-vanadzori-futboli-akademian.html|title=Vanadzor Football Academy is open}}</ref> It is home to 3 natural grass and 1 artificial turf regular-sized pitches.

In 2017, a new football club named [[Lori FC|Lori]] was founded by Tovmas Grigoryan; a native businessman of Vanadzor. The club made its debut at professional football through the [[2017–18 Armenian First League]] competition.

=== Other sports ===
[[File:Lori, Vanadzor ski resort.jpg|thumb|Vanadzor ski resort]]
[[Futsal]] is among the popular team sports in the city. The [[Vanadzor State University|VSU]] futsal team plays at the [[Armenian Futsal Premier League]]. The Armenia Sports Arena of Vanadzor is the home venue of the team.
 
[[Handball]] and [[volleyball]] are also popular in Vanadzor. Many sport schools operate in the city under the supervision of the municipality, including the schools of swimming, athletics, weightlifting, chess, artistic gymnastics, table tennis and badminton.

Winter sports are also practiced in Lori Province. A ski resort near Vanadzor operates during the snowy season, generally extending between December and March.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
Vanadzor panorama.jpg|A panorama of Vanadzor city.
</gallery>

== Twin towns – sister cities ==
[[File:Vanadzor city hall, Armenia.jpg|thumb|Vanadzor city hall]]
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Armenia}}
Vanadzor is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Քույր քաղաքներ|url=http://vanadzor.am/qur-qaxaqner/|website=vanadzor.am|publisher=Vanadzor|language=hy|access-date=2020-07-02}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Bagneux, Hauts-de-Seine|Bagneux]], France (1967)
* {{flagicon|GEO}} [[Batumi]], Georgia (2006)
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Kislovodsk]], Russia (2005)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], United States (1992)
* {{flagicon|EST}} [[Maardu]], Estonia (2007)
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Podolsk]], Russia (2004)
* {{flagicon|BLR}} [[Vitebsk]], Belarus (2012)
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Zhuzhou]], China (2001)
{{div col end}}

== Notable people ==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Tereza Mirzoyan]], sculptor
* [[Lernik Papyan]], boxer
* [[Stepan Zoryan]], Armenian writer
* [[Suren Aghababyan]], literary critic and Doctor of Philology
* [[Albert Azaryan]], Olympic Champion [[artistic gymnastics|gymnast]]
* [[Artavazd Peleshyan]], film director
* [[Shavarsh Karapetyan]], Soviet-Armenian fin swimmer
* [[Eduard Nalbandyan]], former minister of foreign affairs
* [[Sergei Alifirenko]], Olympic champion pistol shooter
* [[Tigran Sargsyan]], former Prime Minister of Armenia
* [[Stepan Sarkisyan]], [[freestyle wrestling]] Olympic silver-medalist
* [[Armen Gyulbudaghyants]], football manager
* [[Gor Mkhitarian]], rock-musician and singer
* [[Vic Darchinyan]], professional boxer and world champion
* [[Roman Mitichyan]], Armenian-American [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]] fighter
* [[Nareh Arghamanyan]], award-winning Armenian pianist
* [[Hrachik Javakhyan]], Olympic bronze medalist and European champion in boxing
* [[Zhirayr Hovhannisyan]]. professional weightlifter 
* [[Stepan Rostomyan]], composer
* [[Rosa Linn]], singer, songwriter and record producer
* [[Samvel Ter-Sahakyan]], chess grandmaster
* [[Liana Aghabekian]], Woman International Master in chess
* [[Samson Khachatryan]], boxer
* [[Arman Darchinyan]], Olympic boxer
* [[Arsen Sargsyan]], long jumper.
* [[Edgar Gevorgyan]], Olympic Weightlifter
* [[Vage Shakhverdyan]], stage director and politician
{{Div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |url=http://www.cadastre.am/storage/files/pages/pg_907871769_HH_bnak._bar..pdf |title=Հայաստանի Հանրապետության բնակավայրերի բառարան |publisher=Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia |year=2008 |location=Yerevan |language=Armenian |trans-title=Republic of Armenia Settlements Dictionary | ref = {{harvid|CCRA|2008}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311232523/http://www.cadastre.am/storage/files/pages/pg_907871769_HH_bnak._bar..pdf |archive-date=11 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|last=Everett-Heath|first=John|title=The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2005|isbn=978-0198605379}}
* {{cite book|editor-last1=Hakobyan |editor-first1=T. Kh. |editor-last2=Melik-Bakhshyan |editor-first2=St. T. |editor-last3=Barseghyan |editor-first3=H. Kh. |title=Հայաստանի եւ հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան |publisher=Yerevan State University |year=1991 |volume=3 |language=hy |trans-title=Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenian and Adjacent Territories |chapter=Kirovakan |chapter-url=http://nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=61&dt=HY_HY&pageNumber=2213}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Stelmashchuk |editor-first=Nikolay Petrovich |url=https://www.prlib.ru/item/417322 |title=Кавказский календарь на 1917 год |publisher=Tipografiya kantselyarii Ye.I.V. na Kavkaze, kazenny dom |year=1916 |edition=72nd |publication-place=Tiflis |language=Russian |trans-title=Caucasian Calendar for 1917}}
* {{cite book |last=Walker |first=Christopher |title=Armenia: The Survival of a Nation |url=https://archive.org/details/armeniasurvivalo0000walk/page/254 |date=1980 |publisher=St. Martin's Press| location=New York |isbn=0-7099-0210-7 }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Vanadzor}}
{{Wikivoyage|Vanadzor}}
* [https://vanadzor.am/ Official website]
* [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Vanadzor More information about Vanadzor]

{{Vanadzor}}
{{Lori|state=expanded}}
{{Cities and towns in Armenia}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Geography}}

[[Category:Vanadzor| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Lori Province]]
[[Category:Erivan Governorate]]