Akhpradzor

Akhpradzor' (Armenian: Ախպրաձոր; also Axpradzor, until 1978 Verin Zaghalu; Russified as Verkhniy Zagalu) is a small village in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia.

Population

It is estimated that around 400 citizens live in the village.

School

The village has one school that has approximately 75 students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Its principal, Ginevard Ghukasyan is the director of the school. The school is sponsored by a non-profit organization known as the Hidden Road Initiative that runs regular programs in the summer, provides internet and computers to the village school, and provides scholarships to high school graduates.

Industries

Most of the villagers plant and sell potatoes. The village is also well known for its locally grown honey. The villagers also regularly sell their cheese and butter.

Road

Currently, the road leading to the village is very limited and hard to access. During the winter, the snow blocks the road for the majority of the months. US Ambassador John Heffern visited the village in the summer of 2014 and promoted the road construction. The village mayor as well as the regional director promised that the road should be renovated by 2016.