Akhurian River

The Akhurian, Akhuriyan, Akhuryan or Akhouryan (Armenian: Ախուրյան; Turkish: Arpaçay; Russian: Арпачай or Ахурян) is a river in the South Caucasus. It originates in Armenia and flows from Lake Tseli south, along the border with Turkey, forming part of the geographic border between the two states, until it flows into the Aras River as a left tributary near Bagaran. The Akhurian drains an area of about 9,500 km² (3,700 mi²); and has total length of 186 km (116 mi). Gyumri, the second largest city of Armenia, is located on the east bank of the river, which also flows past four of the twelve historical capitals of Armenia: Ani, Bagaran, Yervandashat and Yerazgavors. When the Byzantine army arrived in the province of Shirak in 1041, local...