Eight cities and 122 villages make up the communities of the province of Lori in the north of Armenia. According to the 2019 census, the province has a population of 215,500 people, including Pontic Greeks who settled here in the 18th century, Yazidis, Russians, Assyrians, and Kurds. Heavy industry is the main branch of the region’s economy. The agriculture of the province makes up around 7.5% of Armenia’s annual total agricultural product. Approximately 40% of the Lori population is involved in agricultural activities, including farming and cattle-breeding. Rapid development of tourism infrastructure in the province and in the Debed canyon creates new jobs and opportunities for sustainable development. The cities of Vanadzor and Alaverdi are on the southern and northern ends of the canyon, with many villages spread along the Debed river, in the canyons, and around the plateaus.
