Kapan

Kapan, is a town in southeast Armenia and the capital of the Syunik Province. It is located on the northern slopes of Mount Khustup, in the valley of the Voghji River. According to the 2011 census, the population of Kapan is 43,190, slightly declined from 45,711 in the 2001 census. Kapan is the most populous town in the Syunik Province and the entire region of southern Armenia.The town was known as Ghapan during the Soviet period.EtymologyThe word Kapan originates from the Armenian verb kapel/gabel, meaning "to lock", and points to an old Armenian geographic term for valleys surrounded by interlocked mountain chains.HistoryAncient history and Middle AgesThe area of modern-day Kapan was first mentioned in the 5th century as a small settlement within the properties of Siunia dynasty. Historically, it was part of the Baghk canton of Syunik, the 9th province of the historic Kingdom of Armenia (Armenia Major). By the end of the 10th century, the ruler of Syunik; prince Smbat II, moved to the town of Kapan and founded the Kingdom of Syunik, proclaiming himself a king under the protectorate of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia.In 1103, Kapan was entirely ruined by the Seljuk invaders. Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Syunik along with the rest of the historic territories of Armenia suffered from the Seljuk, Mongol, Aq Qoyunlu and Kara Koyunlu invasions, respectively.