Shirak region

Territory - 2681 sq. km
Population - 358 thousands
Sturcture - 119 communes, 131 rural settlements
Major towns - Gyumri, Artik, Maralik. The center of the region is Gyumri.

The region is located in the north-western part of Armenia, with the highest peak 4090 meters (Aragats Mount). The territory lacks woods, but is rich in volcano slogs and long face as well as in building material.

The climate is cold, mountainous. Here Paghakn village- the coldest area in the Republic of Armenia is situated.
Gyumri, the economic and cultural centre of Shirak, has been damaged tremendously in the 1988 earthquake. Today Gyumri is recovering the spirit it once used to have with joint efferts of Armenian government, supporters from Diaspora, various international political and cultural authorities and international organization. This evidences by active construction of apartment and public buildings, as well as reconstruction of cultural heritage of the town.