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| '''Gyumri''' |
'''Gyumri''' is the capital of the ] province in northwest ]. It is located about 75 miles (120 km) from the capital ], and, with a population of 150,917 (] census), is the second-largest city in the country. | ||
| The name of the city has changed many times in history. It was first known as '''Kumayri''' or '''Gyumri''', then '''Alexandropol''' (]-]), then '''Leninakan''' (]-]), then again as '''Gyumri'''. | |||
| ⚫ | ==History== | ||
| ⚫ | ==History== | ||
| The first settlement at the location occupied by the modern city of Gyumri is believed to have been founded some time in the ], perhaps ca. ], by ] colonists {{ref|Britannica}}. An alternative theory suggests that the city was founded by ], based on the fact that Cimmerians conquered the region in ] and that the original name of the city was Kumayri {{ref|Cimmerian}}. The settlement existed sporadically during the next two millenia until a major Russian fortress was built on its site in ]. In ], the town that was quickly growing around the fortress was named Alexandropol (sometimes transliterated as ''Aleksandropol''). The name was chosen in honor of Emperor ]'s wife, Princess ], who had changed her name to ''Alexandra Fyodorovna'' after converting to ]. In 1924 the name was changed to Leninakan after the deceased ] leader ]. The current name was chosen in 1990 at the time of the ]. | The first settlement at the location occupied by the modern city of Gyumri is believed to have been founded some time in the ], perhaps ca. ], by ] colonists {{ref|Britannica}}. An alternative theory suggests that the city was founded by ], based on the fact that Cimmerians conquered the region in ] and that the original name of the city was Kumayri {{ref|Cimmerian}}. The settlement existed sporadically during the next two millenia until a major Russian fortress was built on its site in ]. In ], the town that was quickly growing around the fortress was named Alexandropol (sometimes transliterated as ''Aleksandropol''). The name was chosen in honor of Emperor ]'s wife, Princess ], who had changed her name to ''Alexandra Fyodorovna'' after converting to ]. In 1924 the name was changed to Leninakan after the deceased ] leader ]. The current name was chosen in 1990 at the time of the ]. | ||
Revision as of 03:18, 4 February 2006
Gyumri is the capital of the Shirak province in northwest Armenia. It is located about 75 miles (120 km) from the capital Yerevan, and, with a population of 150,917 (2001 census), is the second-largest city in the country.
The name of the city has changed many times in history. It was first known as Kumayri or Gyumri, then Alexandropol (1840-1924), then Leninakan (1924-1990), then again as Gyumri.
History
The first settlement at the location occupied by the modern city of Gyumri is believed to have been founded some time in the 5th century BC, perhaps ca. 401 BC, by Greek colonists . An alternative theory suggests that the city was founded by Cimmerians, based on the fact that Cimmerians conquered the region in 720 BC and that the original name of the city was Kumayri . The settlement existed sporadically during the next two millenia until a major Russian fortress was built on its site in 1837. In 1840, the town that was quickly growing around the fortress was named Alexandropol (sometimes transliterated as Aleksandropol). The name was chosen in honor of Emperor Nicholas I's wife, Princess Charlotte of Prussia, who had changed her name to Alexandra Fyodorovna after converting to Orthodox Christianity. In 1924 the name was changed to Leninakan after the deceased Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin. The current name was chosen in 1990 at the time of the Soviet breakup.
Gyumri is the second largest city in the Republic of Armenia. It suffered major damage in the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, which devastated large parts of the country.
External links
Notes
- See:
- Encyclopedia Britannica
- Adrian Room, Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for Over 5000 Natural Features, Countries, Capitals, Territories, Cities and Historical Sites, McFarland, 1997, ISBN 0786418141 (pbk) p.192
Some information was contributed by: masterdeath01 and http://www.shirak.am
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