Erivan'

Erivan' (Persian Revin), capital of a government in Transcaucasia, lies on the elevated plain to the north of Ararat, 3432 feet above the level of the sea. It has one Russian and six Armenian churches, and five mosques, besides a citadel and a large bazaar. Close by resides the head of the Armenian Church (see ARMENIA, Vol. I. p. 425). The town dates probably from the 7th century A.D.; in later years it was held alternately by Persians and Turks. Pop. (1895) 15,370. In 1827 it was stormed by the Russian general, Paskevich, who received the surname of Erivanski; and by the treaty of peace concluded at Turkmanshai, 22d February 1828, both town and province were given up by Persia to Russia. The province has an area of 10,165 sq. m., and a pop. of 690,000, nearly all Armenians and Tartars, with a small percentage of Kurds, and barely 5000 Russians.