Yerevan, << `yehr` uh VAHN >> (pop. 1,092,800), is the capital and largest city of Armenia. Its name is also spelled Erevan. Yerevan lies on the Razdan River. Yerevan is an important cultural and scientific center. It has several universities, colleges, libraries, museums, theaters, and scientific research institutes. The city’s products include chemicals, clothing, food, liquor, machinery, and synthetic rubber.
Archaeological evidence suggests that a fortress was built at what is now Yerevan in the 780’s B.C. From the A.D. 1400’s to the 1800’s, Yerevan stood on the border of the rival Persian and Ottoman powers, and was frequently destroyed.
