Tayk

Map showing Tayk of the house of Mamkionians.

In Armenian history writing, the term Tayk (Տայք) is often used as a pars pro toto for the historic northwest Armenian lands which are now located in north-eastern Turkey. In a narrower sense the term only refers to one province. The Georgian synonym for Tayk are "Tao" ("ტაო") (for the province) and Tao-Klarjeti (for the entire region).

Tayk was a historical province of the Greater Armenia, one of its 15 ashkars (worlds). Tayk consisted of 8 cantons: Kogh, Berdats por, Partizats por, Tchakatk, Bokha, Vokaghe, Azordats por and Arsiats por.

The Tayk province covered contemporary Turkish districts of Yusufeli (Kiskim) in Artvin Province and Oltu, Olur (Tavusker), Tortum and Çamlıkaya (Hunut) to the north of İspir in Erzurum Province. To its southwest is found the ancient region of Sper. After World War I, Armenia and Georgia had contested the region, with particular conflict over Oltu. As a result, Turkish rule was firmly reestablished.

See also

• List of regions of old Armenia

Historical regions of Armenia

The traditional 15 provinces of Historic Armenia: 1. Upper Armenia • 2. Sophene • 3. Aghdznik • 4. Turuberan • 5. Moxoene • 6. Corduene • 7. Parskahayk • 8. Vaspurakan • 9. Syunik • 10. Artsakh • 11. Paytakaran • 12. Utik • 13. Gugark • 14. Tayk • 15. Ayrarat Other historical regions of Armenia: Karin • Taron • Commagene • Armenian Mesopotamia • Norshirakan • Lesser Armenia • Cilicia • Mardali • Mogkh

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