Kavar is a settlement in the Goycha area of the historical Iravan khanate, in the Novo-Bayazid  uezd   of the former Iravan governorate, later in the former Kavar (Yeni Bayazid, Kamo) district. It lies to the north of present-day Armenia, 8 km away from Lake Goycha, at a height of 1,985 m above sea level.

After the Treaty of Turkmenchay in 1828, the Armenians removed from the Bayazid province of Türkiye were settled there and the settlement was renamed “Novo-Bayazid” in 1830. The Armenian authors mention the name of the settlement as “Nor Bayazed”. “Nor” means new. It has been the centre of the former Kamo district since 1930. Along with the Armenians, it was inhabited by Azerbaijanis – 12 in 1922, 15 in 1926 and 69 Azerbaijanis in 1931. In 1948 the Azerbaijanis were deported.

The toponym was coined from the ethnonym “Kabar”, known as a branch of the Khazar Turkic tribe.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR dated 13 April 1959, it was renamed “Kamo”, and by decision of the President of the Republic of Armenia dated 4 December 1995, it was renamed “Gavar”. “Gavar” is a form of “kavar” adapted to the Armenian language. According to the law “On the administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Armenia” dated 7 November 1995, it was integrated into the administrative area of the Gegharkunik province as the regional centre.

Geographical coordinates: latitude: 40°22’ N., longitude: 45°08’ E.