Berd Explained

40.8808°N 45.3917°W

Official Name:Berd
Native Name:Բերդ
Pushpin Map:Armenia#Tavush
Mapsize:150px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Tavush
Subdivision Type2:Municipality
Subdivision Name2:Berd
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:10th century
Area Total Km2:3.5
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population As Of:2011
Population Total:7,957
Population Density Km2:auto
Utc Offset:+4
Coordinates:40.8808°N 45.3917°W

Berd (Armenian: Բերդ in Armenian pronounced as /bɛɾtʰ/) is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It is the administrative centre of Berd Municipality. The town is located to the west of the Tavush River, 211km (131miles) from Yerevan, surrounded by low mountains. Near the city are the ruins of the 10th-century Tavush Fortress and the 12th-century monasteries Nor Varagavank and Khoranashat. Other monasteries nearby include Shkhmuradi, Srveghi, and Kaptavank. As of the 2022 census, the town had a population of 6,699, down from the 7,957 recorded in the 2011 census.[2]

Etymology

Berd means 'fortress' or 'castle' in Armenian. The small town was named Berd because of its proximity to the ruins of the fortress of Tavush, located on the outskirts of the settlement.[3] Throughout history, it has also been known as Berdagyugh, Tavuzghala, Tauzkend, Volorut, Shlorut and Ghalakyand.[4]

History

Historically, the area of modern-day Berd was part of the Tuchkatak canton of Utik, the twelfth province of Greater Armenia. It was first mentioned in the 10th century as the residence of the Armenian king Ashot II the Iron. The fortress had a developed water supply system. It was abandoned in the 14th century.

The town was bombarded during the July 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijan clashes.[5]

Demographics

As of the 2022 census, the town had a population of 6,699, down from the 7,957 recorded in the 2011 census.

The population are mainly Armenians. The town is also home to around 200 Udis, who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Economy

Berd and the surrounding areas are a major centre for agricultural production in Armenia. Fruits, tobacco and other types are produced in the surrounding farms. Other notable industries of Berd include winemaking, beekeeping and animal husbandry.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2011 Armenia census, Tavush Province. Statistical Committee of Armenia.
  2. Web site: The Main Results of RA Census 2022 . 24 February 2024 . Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia.
  3. Web site: Berd . 21 November 2022 . Armeniadiscovery.com . en.
  4. Book: Hakobian . T. Kh. . Hayastani ev harakitsʻ shrjanneri teghanunneri baṛaran . Melik-Bakhshian . St. T. . Barseghian . H. Kh. . . 1986 . 1 . 660 . hy . hy:Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան . Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenia and Adjacent Territories . Berd . hy:Բերդ.
  5. News: Kucera . Joshua . 14 July 2020 . Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan widens . 4 March 2024 . Eurasianet.