Kapan (Կապան; former names include Ghapan, Ghap’an, Kafin, Kafan, Katan, Qafan, Zangezur, and Madan) is the capital of the Syunik province (marz) of Armenia. With a population of about 35,000, Kapan is struggling to cope with the realities of post-Karabakh war and post-Soviet society. However, there are signs of growth and development. Kapan is primarily a mining city, hence its Persian name of the Qajar time معدن (Ma'dan, meaning "mine"). Kapan's industry is dependent on the newly privatized polymetallic deposit, though additional operations have developed including mining support services, commercial scale animal husbandry, and an expanding retail sector. Local areas of interest include the Vahanavank monastery, and the Baghaberd and Halidzor fortresses.

The city is associated with Davit Bek, an 18th century Armenian leader whose wars with the Muslims were fought around Syunik. Near to Kapan is the castle in which Bek died in 1728.

Sport

• FC Gandzasar Kapan - football club
• Syunik Kapan - football club

Sister cities

• Glendale, California, United States

References

• Kiesling, Rediscoving Armenia, p. 100-102, available online at the US embassy to Armenia's website
• World Gazeteer: Armenia – World-Gazetteer.com

External links

• More information on the region