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Etchmiadzin

Vagharshapat
Վաղարշապատ
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, from top left: Etchmiadzin Cathedral  • Gate of Saint Gregory and the Altar • Gevorkian Seminary  • Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Library • Clock tower  • Church of the Holy Archangels  • Gate of King Trdat and Veharan Pontifical Residence
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, from top left:

Etchmiadzin Cathedral  • Gate of Saint Gregory and the Altar
Gevorkian Seminary  • Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Manuscript Library
• Clock tower  • Church of the Holy Archangels  • Gate of King Trdat and Veharan Pontifical Residence
Flag of Vagharshapat
Flag
Official seal of Vagharshapat
Seal
Nickname(s): Echmiadzin
Vagharshapat is located in Armenia
Vagharshapat
Vagharshapat
Coordinates: 40°10′22″N 44°17′33″E / 40.17278°N 44.29250°E / 40.17278; 44.29250
Country Armenia
Marz (Province) Armavir
Founded 685 BC
Government
 • Mayor Karen Manvel Grigoryan
Area
 • Total 40 km2 (20 sq mi)
Elevation 853 m (2,799 ft)
Population (2011 census)
 • Total 46,540
 • Density 1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Time zone   (UTC+4)
Area code(s) 0231
Website www.ejmiatsin.am
Sources: Population

Coordinates: 40°10′22″N 44°17′33″E / 40.17278°N 44.29250°E / 40.17278; 44.29250

Vagharshapat (Armenian: Վաղարշապատ pronounced [vɑʁɑɾʃɑˈpɑt]), commonly known as Ejmiatsin, is the fourth-largest city in Armenia and the most populous town in Armavir Province, located about 18 km (11 mi) west of the capital Yerevan, and 10 km (6 mi) north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. Between 1945 and 1995, the city was officially known as Ejmiatsin (also spelled Echmiadzin or Etchmiadzin, Էջմիածին, pronounced [ɛt͡ʃʰmjɑˈt͡sin]) which is still commonly used colloquially and in official bureaucracy.

Vagharshapat is one of the historic capitals of Armenia and the main religious center of the Armenian people with the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the most important Armenian Apostolic church, located in the city. It is thus unofficially known as a "holy city" (սուրբ քաղաք).

The 1989 census counted the population of the city as 61,000. The number has declined somewhat since, showing 58,388 in the 2001 census, and 46,540 in 2011.


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