 After the independence, Artik has gradually lost its importance as an industrial hub, as many of the industrial firms of the Soviet days were either forced to shut down or to operate with a minimal output.Artik is situated at the northwestern foot of Mount Aragats within the Shirak Plain, at a height of 1,859 meters above sea level, at a 27 km road distance southeast of the provincial centre Gyumri.The capital Yerevan is located at a 67 km road distance southeast of Artik.