Gyulagarak (Armenian: Գյուլագարակ) is a village located in the Kotayk Province of central Armenia. It is administratively part of the community (municipality) of the same name. The settlement lies in the foothills of the Geghama mountains, near the Hrazdan River basin, and is situated at an elevation of roughly 1,350 m (4,430 ft) above sea level.
Demographics
According to the results of the 2011 Armenian Census, Gyulagarak had a resident population of 2,376 people. The village’s population has been characterized by a mixture of ethnic Armenians, with the majority engaged in agriculture, livestock breeding, and small‑scale trade.
Infrastructure and Services
The village contains basic civic amenities, including a primary and secondary school, a medical centre, and a cultural house. Road connections link Gyulagarak with the provincial centre of Hrazdan and the nearby town of Vanadzor. Public transportation is provided by regional bus services.
Historical Overview
The modern settlement of Gyulagarak emerged during the Soviet period, when it was incorporated into the administrative structure of the Armenian SSR. Prior to that, the area was inhabited by rural Armenian communities, although detailed historical records for the specific site are limited. Following Armenia’s independence in 1991, Gyulagarak retained its status as a rural municipality within Kotayk Province.
Etymology
The name “Gyulagarak” appears to be a composite of the Turkish word gül (“rose”) and the Armenian word garak (“garden” or “orchard”), together denoting “rose garden.” This etymology reflects the linguistic influences in the region but has not been formally documented in scholarly works.
Geography and Environment
The village’s surrounding landscape consists of forested hills, meadow pastures, and agricultural fields. Its proximity to the Dilijan National Park and the Hrazdan River contributes to a relatively humid climate compared with the arid lowlands of eastern Armenia.
References
- Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, 2011 Census Results.
- Kotayk Province Administrative Records (accessed 2023).
No further verifiable encyclopedic information is currently available for additional aspects of Gyulagarak.
