Yerevan, Armenia’s capital and largest city, is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Yerevan, located along the Hrazdan River, is the country’s administrative, cultural and industrial heart. It has been Armenia’s capital since 1918. This is the fourteenth time that Armenians have had it as their capital. It is also home to the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, the most prominent Armenian Apostolic Church diocese and the oldest diocese in the world.

In the northern part of the country, Armenia’s second-largest urban municipality and administrative center for Shirak Province is Gyumri. It was one of the largest cities in Russian-ruled Eastern Armenia at the end of the 19th century.

During the Soviet period, it was renamed Leninakan. Before the 1988 Spitak earthquake that destroyed it, the city’s population had reached more than 200,000. The 2011 census showed that the city’s population was 121,976 compared to the 150,917 reported in 2001.

Vanadzor, Armenia’s third-largest urban municipality and capital of Lori Province, is situated in the northern part of the country. It is approximately 128 km (80 miles) from Yerevan. The 2011 census showed that the city had a population estimate of 86,199. This is down from the 1979 official count of 148,876. According to the 2016 official estimate, the current population is 82,200. Vanadzor, the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Diocese of Gougark, is its seat.

Kapan a town in southeast Armenia that serves as both the administrative capital and the provincial capital of Syunik Province, is Kapan. It is located on the northern slopes of Mount Khustup’s Voghji River valley.
The 2011 census showed that Kapan’s population was 43,190. This is a slight decrease from the 41,711 recorded in 2001. According to the 2016 official estimate, the town’s current population is 34,600. Kapan is the largest town in Syunik Province and the whole region of southern Armenia.

Armavir is Armavir, a municipality and town in the west of Armenia that serves as the administrative center of Armavir Province. The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic was established in 1931. The 2011 census reported that the population is 29,319. This was down from 46,900 in 1989. According to the 2019 official estimate, the current population is 37,053.
Armavir is currently the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Diocese of Armavir. Before 1935, the town was called Sardarabad. It was also known as Hoktemberyan between 1935 and 1995.