Metsamor
- For the village near Echmiadzin, see Metsamor (village); for the river, see Akhurian River; for the archaeological site, see Metsamor site.
Coordinates: 40°08′34″N 44°06′59″E / 40.14278°N 44.11639°E
Metsamor Մեծամոր | |
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Metsamor | |
Metsamor | |
Coordinates: 40°08′34″N 44°06′59″E / 40.14278°N 44.11639°E | |
Country | Armenia |
Marz (Province) | Armavir |
Founded | 1969 |
Area | |
• Total | 4 km2 (2 sq mi) |
Population (2011 census) | |
• Total | 9,191 |
• Density | 2,300/km2 (6,000/sq mi) |
Time zone | (UTC+4) |
Sources: Population[1] |
Metsamor (Armenian: Մեծամոր, Armenian pronunciation: [mɛt͡sɑˈmoɾ]), is a town in the Armavir Province of Armenia. It is famous for being home to Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant.
As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 9,191.
History
The modern town of Metsamor was built in 1969 to house the employees of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. The chief planner of the town is the Armenian architect Martin Mikayelyan. He was assisted by architects G. Hovsepyan and K. Tiraturyan. The name was derived from the nearby river.
The power plant has been operating since 1969. However, it was temporarily closed in 1989 after the 1988 Spitak earthquake for safety reasons. Later, economic and transportation blockades imposed by Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey over the Republic of Armenia, created energy shortages in the country, forcing the Armenian government to reopen the plant in 1993. The unit 2 reactor was brought back into operation on October 26, 1995. Nowadays, the Metsamor plant generates 40% of Armenia's energy needs.[2]
Sport
The town is also home to a large sports complex opened in 1980, including 2 swimming pools and indoor sports halls.
Gallery
- Saint Lazarus Church of Metsamor
- Metsamor central park
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Metsamor. |