Established 1846 Political status Uyezd Area 2,664 verst² | Abolished 1918 Region Caucasus | |
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Erivansky Uyezd (Russian: Эриванский уезд) was one of the uyezds (administrative units) of Erivan Governorate of the Russian Empire with its center in Erivan (the Armenian capital Yerevan) from 1846 until its formal abolition in 1918.
Contents
Geography
Erivan Governorate consisted of Erivansky, Alexandropolsky, Echmiadzinsky, Nakhchivansky, Novobayazetsky, Surmalinsky, and Sharur-Daralagozsky Uyezds. Erivansky Uyezd was located in the central part of Erivan Governorate bordering its Etchmiadzinsky and Surmalinsky Uyezds in the west, Novobayazetsky in the east, and Sharur-Daralagozsky Uyezd in the south. The area of the uyezd was 2,664 square versts (3,032 km2). The northeastern part of the uyezd was mountainous and rocky while the southwestern part consisted of steppes and plains. The southwestern part is watered by Araz River with the lowest altitude of 2,667 ft (813 m) on the border with Shahur-Daralagozsky Uyezd. Erivan lied at 3,200 ft (980 m) above sea level, which was the highest peak of the uyezd. Among the rivers discharging in Araz are Zanga, Garni-chay and Vedi-chay which usually dry out during summers and become active in the winters.
History
The territory of the uyezd had been a part of Erivan Khanate until 1828, when according to Treaty of Turkmenchay, it was annexed to Russian Empire. On December 14, 1846 Erivansky Uyezd was created from within a newly established Tiflis Governorate. On June 9, 1849, a new Erivan Governorate was established from southern parts of Tiflis Governorate and western parts of Shemakha Governorate (later renamed to Baku Governorate), and Erivansky Uyezd became a part of it along with Nakhchivansky, Ordubadsky, and Sharur-Daralagozsky Uyezds which had a predominantly Azerbaijani majority. In 1918, the uyezd became part of the First Republic of Armenia. After establishment of Soviet rule in 1920, the territories of the uyezd became part of Armenian SSR and Erivan, renamed to Yerevan, became its capital.
Population
According to census held in 1897, the population of uyezd was 150,879, of which 77,491 were Tatars (modern Azerbaijanis), 58,148 were Armenians, 8,195 Kurds, 3,713 Russians and other minorities. Among 16 rural communities and 205 villages of Erivan Uyezd, Tatars made up the majority of population with 53.5%, while Armenians constituted 37%. The population was engaged primarily in agricultural farming, gardening, winemaking. Approximately 50% of the wine in Erivan Governorate was produced in Erivan Uyezd. According to statistical data, there were 129,120 of great cattle which made up 11% of cattle in the whole governorate.