Area Code 257 – Aragats, Aragatsotn

Overview of Area Code +374 257

Area code 257 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Armenian numbering plan, assigned to the town of Aragats and its surrounding rural communities in the Aragatsotn Province (marz). Aragatsotn is located in the western part of Armenia, bordering Turkey to the west and encompassing the slopes of Mount Aragats, the highest peak in the country. The code serves both residential and business fixed-line subscribers within this administrative district.

Geographic Coverage and Dialing

The 257 code covers the administrative center of Aragats (not to be confused with the mountain) and nearby villages such as Tsaghkahovit, Shenkani, and others within the province's northern sector. Subscribers under this code are connected to the Armenian Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and are assigned geographic numbers that reflect their physical location.

For local callers within Armenia (excluding the same area code), the national dialing format is:

• 0 257 XX XX XX (trunk prefix '0' followed by the area code and the subscriber number, typically 6 digits).

For callers within the same area code, local dialing may omit the trunk prefix and area code, using only the 6-digit subscriber number, depending on the operator's dialing plan.

For international callers, the E.164 format is:

• +374 257 XX XX XX (country code +374, area code 257, and subscriber number).

When dialing from abroad, replace the leading '0' of the national trunk prefix with the international access code (e.g., '00' or '+') and then dial 374 257 followed by the local number.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T recommendations, Armenia has not implemented overlay codes for geographic areas. Each geographic region retains a unique area code. However, number portability is available for fixed-line services, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when changing operators within the same geographic area. This means that a number with the 257 prefix may be served by any licensed fixed-line operator, but the geographic association remains tied to the Aragats area.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Armenia): Dial 0 257 followed by the subscriber number.
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from most countries, 011 from North America), then 374 257, followed by the subscriber number.
• Callers using VoIP or mobile: Always use the international format (+374 257 ...) to ensure proper routing, especially when calling from a mobile phone.

Understanding the correct dialing format ensures seamless connectivity to businesses and residents in the Aragats region, whether for personal or commercial purposes.