Artashat, Armenia

Artashat Արտաշատ
From top left: View of Artashat • Statue of King Artaxias I Apricot farms  • Surp Hovhannes Church World War II memorial • Downtown Artashat
Artashat Արտաշատ
Coordinates: 39°57′14″N 44°33′02″E / 39.95389°N 44.55056°E / 39.95389; 44.55056
Country	Armenia
Marz	Ararat
Founded	1945
Government
• Mayor	Argam Abrahamyan
Area
• Total	18.3 km2 (7.1 sq mi)
Elevation	830 m (2,720 ft)
Population (2011 census)
• Total	22,269
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
Time zone	AMT (UTC+4)
ZIP	0701-0706
Area code(s)	+374 (235)
Vehicle registration	25
Website	Official web
Sources: Population

Artashat (Armenian: Արտաշատ), is a town in Armenia and the capital of the Ararat Province. It is located on the Araks River in the Ararat plain, 30 km southeast of Yerevan. Artashat was founded in 1945 by the Soviet government of Armenia and named after the nearby ancient city of Artashat.

Modern Artashat is on the Yerevan-Nakhichevan-Baku and Nakhichevan-Tabriz railway and on Yerevan-Goris-Stepanakert highway. The name of the city is derived from Iranian languages and means the "joy of Arta". Founded by King Artashes I in 176 BC, ancient Artashat served as the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia from 185 BC until 120 AD, and was known as the "Vostan Hayots" or "court" or "seal of the Armenians."

The town of Artashat is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) northwest of the ancient city of Artashat. As of the 2011 census, the town has a population of 22,269.

Modern Artashat is located around 8 km north of the ancient city of Artashat. Ancient Artashat itself is named after king Artashes; the founder of the Artaxiad Dynasty of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia. The name of the city is derived from Iranian languages and means the "joy of Arta". Founded by King Artaxias I in 176 BC, Artaxata served as the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia from 185 BC until 120 AD, and was known as the "Vostan Hayots" ("court/seal of the Armenians.