Shirak Marz (Region) ....

Shirak Marz (region) is located in the north-western part of Armenia. The administrative center (capital) is Gyumri, with a population of 146 thousand people. It is located 126 km far from the capital Yerevan. The region borders with Georgia in the north, Lori Marz (region) in the east, Aragatsotn Marz (region) in the south and Turkey in the west.

The highway and the railway Yerevan-Tbilisi pass through the territory of the region.

The population of the region is 281 thousand people.

There are 119 communities in the area. Gyumri, Artik and Maralik are urban settlements.

The largest river, flowing through the territory of the region, is the Akhurian. Lake Arpa with an area of 22 square kilometers is also located in the Marz (region) of Shirak.

Cool summers and harsh winters are the climatic features of Shirak region.

The monastery of Marmashen is one of the famous historical and architectural monuments of Shirak Marz (region). The house-museum of the famous Armenian painter Minas Avetisyan is also located in Shirak Marz (region).