6 km east of the provincial centre Armavir. The nuclear power plant is located around 4 km north of the residential area of the town. According to the major urban plan, the residential area of the town is divided into 3 districts, with the central district being home to the town hall, the central park, the cultural house, the post office, along with other service and municipal buildings. Demographics Armenian Apostolic Church is the predominant religion in Metsamor. The town's Saint Lazarus Church (built in 2002–05) was opened in 2005 through donations from the US-based Armenian benefactors Zaven and Azatuhi Dadekian. The church is regulated by the Diocese of Armavir based in the nearby town of Armavir. Culture The archaeological site of ancient Metsamor is located about 4 km southeast of the town, near the village of Taronik. The site been populated starting from the 5th millennium BC until the 18th century AD, based on excavations conducted in 1965. Neolithic stone circles dating back to ca. 5000 BC stand within the historical site. Currently, the town of Metsamor is home to a cultural house, a public library, as well as a school of music. Transportation Metsamor is located on the M-5 Motorway that connects Yerevan and Vagharshapat at the east with Armavir town and the northwestern Armenia-Turkey borderline near the village of Bagaran. Metsamor is also connected with the surrounding villages via a network of regional roads. Mini bus vans facilitate the transport between the town and the nearby urban settlements, including the capital Yerevan. Economy Metsamor is a major center of energy in Armenia. The economy of the town is solely based on the operation of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, providing 40% of the country's electricity (as of 2015). Being situated in the fertile Ararat plain, many of the Metsamor citizens are involved in agriculture. The town is surrounded with grape farms, something that greatly contributes in the development of wine-making in the town. Education Metsamor is home to 2 public education schools as well as many pre-school kindergartens. In 1972, the town's first school named after Saint Gregory of Narek was opened. The second school of the town was opened in 1986 and moved to its new building in 1996. Sport Metsamor is home to a large sports complex opened in 1980, including 2 swimming pools and indoor sports halls. The Metsamor sports school, run by the