Meghri

Meghri (Armenian: Մեղրի) is a town in southern Armenia, located in the Syunik Province, near the border with Iran. The town's economy is based on the food industry, and contains a bread-baking factory, canneries and a winery. Meghri is the only location in Armenia that produces pomegranate. Meghri has a significantly milder climate than the rest of the cities in Armenia, and produces fruits not found in other parts of the country. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 4,580, down from 4,805 reported at the 2001 census.

Demographics

Meghri's population stood at 272 in 1831, 927 in 1897, 1,161 in 1926, 3,095 in 1959, 4,180 in 1980 and 4,805 in 2001.

Politics

A nearby Russian military base houses around 2,000 soldiers, who along with Armenian soldiers guard the border with Iran. The Iran-Armenia Natural Gas Pipeline passes through the city. In early 2007, it was reported that the governments of Armenia, Russia, and Iran are planning to build an oil refinery for gasoline export to Iran. This project would be led by Gazprom.