Gyumri is one of the oldest cities in Armenia. With its population and territory, as well as economical and cultural significance, it remains second in industry only to the city of Armenia. Gyumri is situated in the northwest region of Armenia approximately 126 km from the city of Yerevan. Surrounded by various geographical splendors, including a valley that borders Turkey and Iran, Gyumri remains a healthy, sunny place to live. The town enjoys almost 2500 hours of sunshine a year. The climate is continental, with minimum temperatures of 35°C during the winter, and maximum temperature recorded +34°C during summer. Gyumri is situated in a seismic active zone; the last destructive earthquake was in 1926. In 1987 Gyumri's population was around 230,000 inhabitants, 96.8% of whom were Armenians, the others comprise mostly of Russians, Greeks, Kurds. The Shirak Valley is one of the plateaus of the Armenian upland situated in the slopes of Aragats Mountain range, which is the highest mountain in the territory of Armenia at about 4090 meters. Gyumri emerged during the Argishti dynasty in 8th century BC. A cuneiform inscription found in the village of Vahramaberd tells the story behind the settlement known as Kumairie. The Greek historian and military leader Xenophone also mentioned this settlement in his Anabasis-his historical wittings. Gyumri has been the official name of the city since 1924. Prior to 1924, Gyumri was known as Gamier, and Kumairie. In 1837, Russian Emperor Nikolai the first visited Gyumri and named it Alexandropolis after his wife-Empress Alexandra. The Emperor built a Russian church, founded military castles and frontier forts, and in due time, the town became an important outpost of the Russian Empire. In 1924, after Lenin's death the town was renamed Leninakan in memory of the leader of the Russian Revolution. Romans, Arabs, Tatars, Turks, and Persians have all tried to conquer Armenia. Throughout history they destroyed towns, villages, captured, and enslaved the Armenian people. But despite these deplorable strikes against them, Armenians never lost hope in a happy future, and they always rebuilt the broken towns, churches, castles and homes that were often destroyed. The rapid development of Gyumri began in 1804 when it became a part of Russia. At that time hundreds of Armenian families resettled, leaving behind their western Armenian homes. After Tbilisi and Baku, Gyumri is the third largest economical and cultural center in Transcaucasus. Gyumri has been recognized as an artisan's town, with talented musicians and craftsmen. Various theatrical and musical groups exist, as well as schools that teach Armenian, Russian, Latin and Greek courses. Gyumri has also been famous for their traditional Armenian architecture, science, public health service, and tourism. Gyumri has existed for more than 2,500 years and the fertile land has produced widely known experts in the field of science, literature, and the arts. Among them mathematician and astronomer Anania Shirakatsi, famous architect Trdat, prominent poets Avetik Isahakian and Hovhannes Shiraz, talented composers Tigran Chukhadjian and Armen Tigranian, and minstrels Djivani and Sheram. The inhabitants of Gyumri have a reputation for being hospitable hosts, with a rich sense of humor. New streets have replaced the old ones in local efforts to modernize the city. Rapid housing developments are the result of the cities noticeable population burst. Gyumri's inhabitants have produced new bridges and architectural ensembles that testify to the constructive talent of Armenian peoples, that in spite of their wary past, they are still willing to take pride in their home.