Ijevan

Ijevan Իջևան
From top left: Ijevan skyline • Ijevan central park Ijevan Dendropark • World War II memorial Gugark Mountains • Ijevan Wildlife Sanctuary Winter panorama of Ijevan area
Seal
Ijevan
Coordinates: 40°52′45″N 45°08′50″E
Country	Armenia
Marz	Tavush
Founded	1780s
City status	1961
Area
• Total	4.6 km2 (1.8 sq mi)
Elevation	755 m (2,477 ft)
Population  (2011 census)
• Total	21,081
• Density	4,600/km2 (12,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+4 (AMT)
Postal code	4001, 4002
Area code	(+375) 263
Vehicle registration	57
Sources: Population

Ijevan is a city in northern Armenia. It was named Istibulagh and Karavansara. It is the capital of Tavush region. The city's current name, Ijevan means "inn" in Armenian. The former name Karavansara means "inn" in Persian. In 2009 there were 20,500 people. This made it the most populated city in the province. Ijevan has had a railway station since 1870.

Tradition says that about 2000 years ago, King Artavasdes I built a city here.

A branch of Yerevan State University is in the city.

Notable locations

• Makaravank Monastery was built in the 10th century in Achajur village, 16 km north of Ijevan. This purple and green stone complex in the forest above the village is a very popular destination.
• Arakelots Monastery was built in the 13th century, a few kilometers north of Ijevan near Kirants village.
• Kirants Monastery was built in the 8th century, 10 km north of Ijevan.
• The monastery of Gandzakar village was built a few kilometers south of Ijevan.
• Yenokavan Canyon, near Yenokavan village north of Ijevan is characterized with beautiful cliffs, caves, forests, rivers and cascades. "Anapat cave" has a style of pre-Christian unique carvings which resemble Mayan and Aztec works. There are small rest houses and a modern resort in Yenokavan canyon.