If Yerevan is the mind of Armenia, then Dilijan, about 60 miles north of Armenia's capital, is the nation's heart. This town of 16,000 is a world away from Yerevan. Old stone and wood houses make for a soothing walk. Surrounded by Dilijan are square miles after square miles of farms, at which produce including walnuts, stone fruits, pomegranates, and grains are grown--making Armenia a rich center for agriculture. Some food processing occurs here, and there is a smidgen of services: the Central Bank of Armenia is reported to move many of there operations here by 2013.
Dilijan is a microcosm of what Armenia is now and what it could be: a balance between the old sectors like agriculture, and services, of which outsourcing could bring jobs to a population that is highly skilled but needs the right opportunities in order to make a decent living.
The following pictures were taken in our 2003 visit. Enjoy!
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| A door to Dilijan |
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| An view of Dilijan |
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| The architectural features make Dilijan rich |
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| A chat with some locals |
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Stone wall with a hint of patina
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| Street scene, Dilijan |
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another view of Dilijan
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