Territory:                                       2,680 km² 
Population:                                   233'308
Height of above sea level:           1,400-2,200 m 
Center:                                         Gyumri
The main branches of economy:  industry, agriculture

Shirak region lies in the north-west of Armenia. It borders with Georgia, Turkey and in the north-east is the Lori region and in the south-east and south the region of Aragatsotn. The province is served by the Shirak International Airport of Gyumri.

Geography
Shirak region is mainly dominated by the Ashotsk Plateau (1900 to 2100 meters height) at the north and the Shirak Plain (1400 to 1800 meters height) at the centre and south of the province. The region is surrounded by Pambak and Bazum mountain chains and partly of Yeghnakhaghi, Javakhk, Aragats mountain masses. Arpi lake-reservoir, Akhuryan and Mantash reservoirs are to be found in Shirak

Economy
Shirak region is known for its tufa, pumice, limestone mines.
Production of grain, potato, vegetable and animal husbandry product is developed in agriculture.

History 
The region got its name from the canton of Shirak of historical Great Armenia Ayrarat province. According to Movses Khorenatsi, the name Shirak is derived from Shara. He was great grandson of Hayk who is believed to be the patriarch and founder of the Armenian nation.
Shirak region was settled in ancient times. There are Urartian cuneiform inscriptions, ruins of castles, bridges traces and other antiquities. 

Population 
The majority of the Shirak Province population are ethnic Armenians and belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. But there is a minority of Armenian Catholics in Shirak region (around 30,000 people).