Lori Marz (Region) ....

Lori Marz (region) is located in the northern part of the Republic of Armenia. The population is 235 thousand people. The total area is 3,798 square kilometers and takes up 12.7 percent of the territory of Armenia.

Lori Marz (region) borders with Georgia in the north, Tavush Marz (region) in the east, Kotayk and Aragatsotn regions in the south and Shirak Marz (region) in the west.
The interstate highway and the railway Yerevan-Tbilisi pass through the territory of the region. The administrative center (capital) is the city of Vanadzor, with a population of 80 thousand people. It is located 120 km far from the capital city of Yerevan. There are 8 urban and 105 rural settlements in the region. Vanadzor, Spitak, Stepanavan, Alaverdi, Tashir, Akhtala, Tumanyan, Shamlugh are cities. 97 percent of the population are Armenians. Russian and Greek live there of national minorities.

The mountain peak of Achkasar Mount (3,196 m) is the highest point in Lori Marz (region) and the lowest point is the area of the lower reaches of the river Debit (380 m). The river Debet and its tributaries Dzoraget, Martsaget and Pambak flow through the territory of the region. The area is also rich in mineral springs. The forests and transalpine meadows cover in the territory of the region.

The monastery and the fortress of Akhtala, Haghpatavank, the monastery of Sanahin, Kobayr, the church of Odzun, the monastery of Ardvi, Hnevank, the fortress Loriberd, Sanahin Bridge, the church Bardzrakarsh of Dsegh are located in the Marz (region) of Lori... The annual barbecue festival is held in the city of Akhtala of Lori Marz (region).