the Jermuk Mineral Water Factory was opened in Azizbekov. Shortly before the independence of Armenia, Azizbekov was renamed Vayk on 23 November 1990. Later in 1995, Vayk was given the status of a town within the Vayots Dzor Province as per the newly-adopted administrative reforms. The economy of the town has gradually declined in the post-independence period, and the Vayk branch of the Jermuk Water Factory was closed. Geography Vayk is located at a road distance of 140 km south of the capital Yerevan on way to Goris. The provincial centre Yeghegnadzor is at road distance of 20 km southeast of Vayk. With an elevation of 1300 meters above sea level, Vayk is situated on the left bank of Arpa River surrounded with the Yeghegis mountains from the northwest and Vayk range from the south. The town is characterized with cold and snowy winters, and mild cool summers. Demographics Culture The remains of an old settlement dating back to the 1st millennium BC is found at the northeast of Vayk. The Vayk bridge of the 17th century spanning the Arpa River is located 1 km west of the town. The bridge was renovated by Ivan Paskevich in 1827, during his campaign against Qajar Persia. The town of Vayk has a cultural centre with 2 theatre halls (600 and 200 seats), a music academy, an art academy, and a public library with more than 180,000 items. The Karen Demirchyan public park is located at the centre of the town. Transportation The M-2 Motorway that connect Armenia from north to south, passes through the town. The town is connected with the surrounding communities through a regional networks of well-developed roads. Economy The economy of Vayk is based on service, agriculture, and manufacturing. The largest industrial firm in the town is the "Vayk Group" Company founded in 2000 which produces wine, and dried fruits. Other major firms include the "WCW of Vaik" building materials factory founded in 1968, "Meg Ararat" factory for tea production founded in 2008. Retail, food, and service centers along the M2 highway play a significant role in the town's economy. In 2020, the first industrial photovoltaic power station was launched in Vayk producing up to 5.3MW power. The town has its own central hospital since 1984. Education The town Vayk is home to 3 public education schools as well as to 2 pre-school kindergartens. Vayk used to have an