Dilijan

Dilijan Դիլիջան
From top left: Haghartsin Monastery • Lake Parz UWC Dilijan • Sharambeyan street of old Dilijan Downtown Dilijan • Dilijan skyline Panoramic view of Dilijan
Seal
Dilijan Դիլիջան
Coordinates: 40°44′27″N 44°51′47″E / 40.74083°N 44.86306°E / 40.74083; 44.86306
Country	Armenia
Province (Marz)	Tavush
Founded	1544
Government
• Mayor	Armen Santrosyan
Area
• Total	13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation	1,500 m (4,900 ft)
Population (2011 census)
• Total	17,712
• Density	1,400/km2 (3,500/sq mi)
Time zone	GMT (UTC+4)
Website	Official website
Sources: Population

Dilijan (Armenian: Դիլիջան), is a spa town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. Usually called Armenian Switzerland or Little Switzerland by the locals, it is one of the most important resorts of Armenia, situated within the Dilijan National Park. The forested and reclusive town is home to numerous Armenian artists, composers, and filmmakers and features some traditional Armenian architecture. The Sharambeyan street in the centre, has been preserved and maintained as an "old town", complete with craftsman's workshops, a gallery and a museum. Hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking are popular recreational activities.

As of the 2011 census, Dilijan has a population of 17,712, down from 23,700 reported in the 1989 census.

The Armenian government is planning to turn Dilijan into a regional financial capital, beginning with the move of much of the Central Bank's operations to Dilijan in 2013.

Dilijan is currently the fastest-growing urban settlement in Armenia.

In an ancient popular legend, the name of the town is named after a shepherd called Dili. The shepherd Dili was in love with his master's daughter, however her father was against it and ordered to kill the shepherd. For many long and dark days, the sorrowful mother was mourning and looking for her only son all over the area and desperately crying, "Dili jan, Dili jan .. " ("Jan is an Armenian endearment term added to the name of a friend or family member). According to the legend the area was later known for his name.

During the excavations conducted in the 1870s, many valuable items were found, dateing back to the Late Bronze and the Early Iron Ages (the end of 2000 BC-the beginning of 1000). Some of the excavated collections were transferred to the museums of Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan, while the reminder was kept in the Dilijan Geological Museum.