Abovyan

Abovyan is a city in Armenia in the province of Kotayk. It is located 10 km northeast of Yerevan. In 2008, the city has an estimated population of 36,705, down from 59,000 at the 1989 census and 44,569 at the 2001 census.

With a motorway and railway running through it that connects the capital with the areas of the northeast, Abovyan is considered a city-satellite of Yerevan. For this reason, Abovyan is also sometimes referred to as the "North Gate of Yerevan."

In part of the city existed the village Elar (mentioned by Stepanos Orbelian in the 13th century). Nearby lies a medieval hilltop church dedicated to St. Stephen. Until 1961, the village renamed to Abovyan in honour of the Armenian writer Khachatur Abovyan, and in 1963, in its place, the city was formed.

About 6 km from the city lies the Arzni resort.

FC Kotayk Abovian was an Armenia football club based in Abovian. The club debuted in the Premier League in 1992, and is one of the oldest clubs in Armenia. They participated in the European Cups for the first time in 1996/97. In the UEFA Cup that year they won 1-0 at home against AEK Athens from Greece. But losing the away game 0-5, they were eliminated. Because of recent financial crisis, Kotayk was forced to default from the league.