Ayrarat () was the central province of Greater Armenia. Within the borders of Greater Armenia, Ayrarat was one of the largest among the "small provinces" mentioned in historical sources. Throughout all historical periods, it served as the political, economic, and cultural center of Armenia. Ayrarat was the center of the political unification of the Armenian people, as well as of economic life and culture. Medieval Armenian chroniclers speak of Ayrarat with great praise:And now, this most desirable district, incomparable and most excellent according to the beneficence of God, the all-caring Creator, the district of Ayrarat, which is the head of the Armenian world, the renowned district, the most excellent district, which brings forth an example of abundance.Ղազար Փարպեցի, Պատմութիւն Հայոց և թուղթ առ Վահան Մամիկոնեան (աշխատասիրությամբ՝ Գ. Տեր-Մկրտչյան և Ստ. Մալխասյանց, Տփղիս, 1904, էջ 23-24։
Name The name derives from the Assyrian Uruatri, which later became known as Urartu, and from the biblical Ararat. The name "Ayrarat" is unknown to the classical authors. It was probably only a local designation used to describe the central lands of Armenia. Ayrarat was the royal domain of the Arshakuni dynasty.К. В. Тревер. Очерки по истории культуры древней Армении: (II в. до н. э. — IV в. н. э.). — АН СССР, 1953. — С. 280.
Other names included Ayrarad, Ayrarat World, Ayrarat Province, Ararad, Ararat, Land of Ararat, Head of the Armenian World, Head of the Armenian Country, Head of Great Armenia, Ayrarat Region, Central Land, Central Land of Armenia, House of Ayrarat in Armenia.Թ.Խ. Հակոբյան, Ստ.Տ. Մելիք-Բախշյան, Հ.Խ. Բարսեղյան, Հայաստանի եւ հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարանԵրեւան, 1986, էջ 239։
Some foreign interpreters of the Bible attempt to derive the name from the Hebrew word "ararad," which, according to them, means "the curse of shaking." Others consider the root of the name to be the Hebrew word "harahara," meaning "mountains of mountains." The Bible contains the forms "Land of Ararat" and "Nation of Ararat." Owing to its central position in Historical Armenia, it is referred to in the sources as the Central Land of Armenia or simply the Central LandԹ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 109։.
Borders Ayrarat extended across the basin of the middle course of the Yeraskh River and the upper basin of the Aratsani River. It was bordered in the west by Tayk and High Armenia, in the south by Turuberan and Vaspurakan, in the east by Syunik, and in the north by Gugark. Its western boundary was formed by the Metsrats (or Tayots) mountain range; in the south, from the summit of Aytsptkunk to the northwestern end of the Sharian mountain range, the border of Ayrarat passed along the watershed heights of the Armenian Par, then through the Sharian and Tsaghkants Mountains toward the east to Tondurek, and from there to the Yeraskh (Araxes). In the east, the Geghama Mountains formed the boundary of Ayrarat; this section also included the Sharur Plain, situated in the lower course of the Arpa River. In the north, its borders passed along the mountain ranges now known as Pambak and ChldyrԹ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 108։.
Besides the marginal mountain ranges, the Armenian Par mountain chain stretched across its southern part in an east-west direction, at the eastern end of which rise Greater and Lesser Masis. In the northern part rise the peaks of Aragats and Mount Ara, while in the western part a number of mountain branches extend, giving that part of the country a mountainous character. It should be noted, however, that these mountain ranges and isolated peaks only slightly alter the predominantly plain-like character of the Ayrarat World, since the major mountain ranges lie along its borders, whereas the Armenian Par, the smaller mountain branches, and individual peaks are merely isolated "islands" rising above various parts of this predominantly plain-like region. The plains of Kars, Basen, Shirak, Bagrevand, Ararat (with its many subdivisions), and Kogovit were well known within the Ayrarat World. Since ancient times they had been centers of agriculture and were renowned for their fertilityԹ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 109։.
Climate The climatic conditions of the Ayrarat World are diverse. Owing to its mountainous relief, the climate forms several vertical zones, ranging from the subtropical zone (the middle Araxes Valley) to the cold high-mountain zone (the high-altitude regions of Greater Masis and Aragats). Overall, the climate is sharply continental. The average annual precipitation does not exceed 350–400 mm. Air temperature fluctuations are very pronounced, reaching 70–72 degreesԹ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 109։.
From very ancient times, because of the dry climate, irrigation canals, dams, and artificial reservoirs were constructed in the Ayrarat World (south of Aragats, in the regions of Lake Metsamor, Yerevan, the western foothills of the Geghama Mountains, near the ancient city of Armavir, in the Surmalu region, and elsewhere).
The continental climate compelled the inhabitants from ancient times to construct irrigation canals, dams, and artificial reservoirs. Forests were scarce; the forest massif of the district of Vanand (later the Sarighamish region) was of economic importanceԹ.Խ. Հակոբյան, Ստ.Տ. Մելիք-Բախշյան, Հ.Խ. Բարսեղյան, Հայաստանի եւ հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարանԵրեւան, 1986, էջ 239։.
Flora Ayrarat is very poor in forests. Forests of any significant extent are found only in the modern Sarighamish region, which in ancient times was part of the Vanand district, as well as in the Varazhnunik district (modern Tsaghkadzor and the Hankavan Gorge). In ancient times, several artificial forest parks were also planted in Ayrarat — near Dvin, the city of Armavir, and in the Bagaran regionԹ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 121-128։.
Among the artificial forest parks were the Khosrov Forest (Khosrovakert) located in the Garni–Dvin–Artashat area, as well as the forests of Armavir and Bagaran. The lowland zone of Ayrarat is characterized by thorny vegetation, above which steppes extend. The typical plants of the steppes are feather grass; higher up, shrublands replace forests. In the high-mountain zone, lush alpine pastures and meadows are widespread, especially in the Aragats and Armenian Par regionsԹ.Խ. Հակոբյան, Ստ.Տ. Մելիք-Բախշյան, Հ.Խ. Բարսեղյան, Հայաստանի եւ հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարանԵրեւան, 1986, էջ 239։.
In the lowlands of Ayrarat, salt marshes are also widespread. Thorny plants are typical for this zone. Above them lie the steppes, characterized by feather grass. Higher up, a forest zone would normally appear; however, in Ayrarat it is only fragmentarily represented and appears as shrublands rather than full forests. The high-altitude zone consists of alpine meadows, especially extensive in the high mountain regions of Aragats and the Armenian Par. Among cultivated plants, cereals, vegetables, cotton, and sesame were prominent, while among fruit crops were grapes, peaches, apricots, pears, plums, and othersԹ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 121-128։.
In the Ayrarat World, as in other regions of the Armenian Highlands, animals of the temperate zone were widespread. Of major economic importance was a species of worm inhabiting the marshes of the Ararat plain, from which the high-quality, colorfast dye “vordan karmir” was produced.Թ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 121-128։
Natural resources From ancient times, Ayrarat was distinguished by a variety of natural resources. It was especially known for table salt (Kokhb and Kaghzvan). These salt deposits have retained their importance to this day. In terms of metallic resources, Ayrarat was poor: only gold, copper, and iron are mentioned. Gold occurred not as ore deposits but mixed with sand. Copper deposits were known in the Varazhnunik district. More significant were Ayrarat’s construction materials and mineral waters. Various types of tuff, marble, granite, basalt, sand, clay, and limestone are widespread here. Famous ancient hot springs of Varshak (modern Diadin region), Arzni, and other mineral water sites were located in Ayrarat.Թ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 121-128։
Districts (Gavars) Ayrarat consisted of several districts: Basen, Abeghyank, Gabeghyank, Havnunik, Arsharunik, Bagrevand, Tsaghkotn, Vanand, Shirak, Aragatsotn, Chakhatk, Masyatsotn, Kogovit, Nig, Kotayk, Mazaz, Varazhnunik, Vostan, Urts, and AratsԱլիշան Հ․, Ղեւոնդ Վ․, Այրարատ, Բնաշխարհ Հայաստանեայց։ Վենետիկ, 1890, էջ 234։.
Basen (also Basian) — center Basen Gabeghyank — center Kaghzvan Abeghyank — center Mzhkert.
The name Basen is of ethnic origin and once included a vast territory, including Vanand (Upper Basen). Together, Basen, Abeghyank, Gabeghyank, and Havnunik formed a natural geographical region corresponding to modern Basen. Basen lay in the west; Abeghyank and Havnunik were to the east. Gabeghyank lay in the easternmost part and bordered ArsharunikԹ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 115։.
Arsharunik (Yeraskhadzor) — center Bagaran, located between the Yeraskh and Akhuryan rivers. It was an important district during the Bagratid periodԹ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 116։. Bagrevand — center Bagavan, located in the upper Aratsani valley. Tsaghkotn — center Zarehavan, in the Tsaghkants mountain region.Թ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 117։ Vanand — center Kars, corresponding to modern Kars and Sarighamish regions. Shirak — center Ani, a major agricultural plain along the Akhuryan River.Թ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 124։ Aragatsotn — center Vagharshapat, with unclear boundaries.Թ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 129։ Chakhatk — center Kokhb, a fertile mountainous district. Masyatsotn — center Tsolakert, a harsh volcanic region of the Masis mountains. Kogovit — center Arshakavan, a marshy region corresponding to modern Bayazet. Ashotsk — center Ashotsk, a cold and humid region.Թ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 134։ Nig — center Kasagh, upper Kasagh River basin. Kotayk — center Yerevan, including modern Kotayk and surrounding areas. Mazaz — center Portak, upper Azat River basin.Թ. Խ. Հակոբյան, Հայաստանի պատմական աշխարհագրություն, Երևան, «Միտք», 1968, էջ 139։ Varazhnunik — center Ovq. Vostan Hayots — center Artashat, arid valley of the Azat River. Urtsadzor — center Urts. Arats — center Arats. Sharur plain — center Sharur.
Population The population density of the Ayrarat region was high compared to other parts of Armenia. The overwhelming majority of inhabitants were Armenians. In addition to Armenians, Jews, Assyrians, Greeks, and Persians also lived in Ayrarat, especially in the cities. During the period of Arab rule, beginning in the second half of the 8th century, a significant number of Arabs settled in some cities of Ayrarat, mainly performing administrative duties and garrison service. In the later period — the 11th–13th centuries — Seljuk Turks, Mongol-Tatars, and other tribes also entered Ayrarat.
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