Area Code 2537 – Alaverdi/Akhtala/Tumanyan, Lori

Overview of Area Code +374 2537

Area code 2537 is a geographic destination code within the Armenian national numbering plan, conforming to ITU-T E.164 recommendations. It serves the northern Lori Province, specifically the towns of Alaverdi, Akhtala, and Tumanyan, along with their surrounding rural communities. These localities are situated in the Debed River valley, near the border with Georgia, and form an important industrial and cultural hub.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The code is assigned to the Lori Region (marz), which is one of Armenia's ten administrative provinces. Alaverdi is the administrative center of the code area and is known for its copper smelting industry. Akhtala, located approximately 20 km north of Alaverdi, is famous for its 10th-century monastery and mineral springs. Tumanyan, named after the poet Hovhannes Tumanyan, lies to the south and serves as a gateway to the scenic Debed Canyon. The numbering area encompasses both urban and rural settlements, with a population of roughly 30,000 residents.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

When calling a fixed-line subscriber in this region, the full international format is +374 2537 XXXX (or +374 2537 XXXXX for numbers with more digits). The national significant number consists of the area code (2537) followed by the subscriber number, typically 4 to 5 digits.

• From within Armenia (excluding the local area): Dial 0 2537 XXXX. The leading '0' is the trunk prefix.
• From within the same local area: Local calls may be dialed using only the subscriber number, without the area code, depending on the operator's dialing plan.
• From outside Armenia: Dial your country's international access code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries), then 374 2537 XXXX.

Example: To call a subscriber in Alaverdi with number 12345 from the United States, you would dial: 011 374 2537 12345.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T operational bulletin, there is no overlay code for this area. The 2537 code is the sole geographic code for these towns. However, number portability may allow subscribers to retain their numbers when switching between fixed-line operators, but the geographic significance remains tied to the original location.

Practical Information for Callers

For international callers, it is essential to note that Armenian fixed-line numbers are typically charged at higher rates than mobile calls. The local time in Armenia is UTC+4 (no daylight saving). When calling from a mobile phone, ensure you have international roaming enabled or use a VoIP service for cost efficiency. Always verify the current dialing rules with your service provider, as they may vary.