The country of southern Transcaucasia is very comfortably located among the delightful mountains and beautiful plains. A trip to this amazing country will turn into an unforgettable adventure for you. This place endows its guests with rich impressions: the incomparable nature and hospitable locals will win your heart from the very first minute. The culture and traditions of the Armenian people are so interesting that one should get acquainted with them now. Let's start with the most important facts that you will be curious to know about this country.
The small state of Armenia is located on the border with countries such as Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Armenia gained independence in 1991 after leaving the USSR.
In memory of the great victory of the Soviet Union over the Nazis, a monument to Mother Armenia was erected in Yerevan.
In 1915, the Ottoman Empire perpetrated the Armenian genocide, which killed about 1.5 million people.
There are many world celebrities of Armenian origin.
Among them are the Kardashian family and the singer Cher - her father was from Armenia.
Armenia has rather complicated relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The issue of Turkey's recognition of the genocide of the Armenian people remains open, which is the reason for the emergence of conflicts. After the collapse of the USSR, a war broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia is the first Christian state.
Christianity became the state religion here in 301.
There are still churches in the country that are several centuries old.
Among them are Geghard and Sevanavank monasteries. The latter was built back in 874, but is still well preserved.
Most of the iconic sights of Armenia can be divided into the following groups:
- cultural objects;
- monuments of ancient architecture;
- natural objects (resorts, reserves, scenic spots).
It is better to get acquainted with the past of the country and look for the roots of the national mentality in the capital's museums. For example, in the history museum on Argishti street, where the most ancient archaeological finds of Armenia are collected. Only here you will find an ax that is 100,000 years old and, thanks to miniature models, get an idea of appearance ancient Yerevan.
There is another interesting institution on Mesrop Mashtots Avenue - Matenadaran. The funds of the repository of ancient manuscripts and early printed books number about 17,000 valuable manuscripts and more than 100,000 important historical documents.
If you have time, you can drop by the Sergei Parajanov Museum, which is on Dzogaryukh Street. By the way, the museum was opened by a close friend of the famous director. It is not a sin to look into the National Art Gallery, where, in addition to ancient frescoes, miniatures and samples of modern Armenian fine art, you can see the canvases of the legendary marine painter Aivazovsky.
A tour of the Armenian Genocide Museum leaves a depressing impression. The interior of the object goes underground, symbolizing the entrance to the afterlife. It is never empty here, but the silence in the museum is piercing: it is not customary to talk loudly here, so as not to offend the memory of brutally tortured compatriots.
A diametrically opposite atmosphere reigns in the Megerian Museum located on Madoyan Street. Once in this kingdom of carpets and tapestries, it is impossible to refrain from exclamations of delight. Take the money for a full guided tour that takes you through the milestones of creating these beautiful pieces.
Armenia is a state that was one of the first to adopt Christianity, so if you are drawn to travel to holy places, consider that you are in the right place. In the vicinity of the town of Alaverdi, there are two very interesting objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries. Built in the 10th century, these massive stone buildings have withstood more than one earthquake.
Be sure to visit the Singing Fountains at Republic Square. Transparent water jets rise up and down, under the spellbinding classical, pop and rock compositions, forming whimsical cascades. Each performance is accompanied by a light installation (in the dark) and ends with the legendary hit by Charles Aznavour "Eternal Love".
There are only two outstanding monuments that can be considered symbols of the Armenian capital in Yerevan: the Mother Armenia monument, depicting a stern woman with a sword at the ready, and the sculpture of David Sasuntsi, the hero of the folk epic, the invincible hero. The latter enjoys universal love and has been the official emblem of the "Armenianfilm" film studio for a long time. If the traditional monuments seem too correct and boring, you can return to the Cascade and gaze at the avant-garde creation of Jaume Plensa - "The Man of Letters". It is not difficult to visually determine the location of the monument: groups of tourists with photographic equipment always hang out near it. Right there, at the foot of the main staircase of Yerevan, there are other monuments full of expression. Some of them look somewhat shocking, and this is what attract attention.
All sights of Armenia
Traditions and national flavor
The people in Armenia are impulsive, sociable and responsive. Despite the fact that the state language in the country is Armenian, Russian is perfectly understood here, so if you need to clarify the route, you can safely contact the locals. It is not excluded that you will not only be shown a more convenient way, but also volunteered to lead you.
Smoking in public places is not encouraged in Armenia. And although in most local catering outlets they turn a blind eye to a lit cigarette (as a rule, there are no areas for non-smoking visitors in city cafes), having lit a cigarette while driving, a tourist runs the risk of being fined.
Not alien to the Armenians and such a feeling as national pride... Criticize others Caucasian peoples and they are very good at expressing their own importance here. On the other hand, the history of their nation is held sacred in Armenia.
And of course, what kind of Armenian would refuse the opportunity to slightly cheat the unlucky tourist. So, when going to local markets, do not hesitate to bargain: the more emotional you do it, the more chances you have to win the seller's favor.
But you should not abuse the sympathies of the locals: if in the capital some liberties are forgiven for a foreign guest, then in the provinces inappropriate actions can ignite an unpleasant conflict. You should be especially careful in church and monastery premises. They do not like idle conversations on the topic of the Armenian genocide and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict here, so try not to delve into politics. And of course, in no case sunbathe topless on local beaches, if you do not want to cause open condemnation of those around you: although Armenia looks towards Europe, in its heart it continues to be a purely Caucasian state.
Armenian cuisine
Nothing offends Armenians more than the identification of their national dishes with Georgian and Azerbaijani counterparts. Here, for example, they quite sincerely believe that dolma is a primordially Armenian invention, which other peoples of Transcaucasia shamelessly borrowed. What's interesting: in addition to traditional dolma stuffed with meat, onions and spices, in Armenia there is its lean analogue, which is stuffed with peas, beans or lentils. They eat such a meal on New Year's Eve.
Khorovats (shashlik) is served here at every step. The main feature of the local recipe is the daily marinating of meat before frying. For vegetarians, an excellent substitute for an animal product will be "summer khorovats" - vegetables baked on the grill (peppers, potatoes, tomatoes). And do not try to arm yourself with a fork, keep it simple: a real Horovats is eaten exclusively with the help of hands.
You can dilute the abundance of meat food in the stomach with a spas - a soup based on the fermented milk product of yogurt with the addition of wheat grains, eggs and herbs. Fans of strong and hearty broths are better off choosing khash - a soup made from beef or pork legs. The dish is symbolic, therefore, if your Armenian acquaintances invited you to khash, you can consider the test for unconditional trust passed. They eat khash with crushed garlic, which is spread on crispy lavash. By the way, about lavash: flat cakes are baked in tandoor and completely replace bread for Armenians. You can wrap whatever your heart desires in pita bread: shish kebab, seasonal vegetables, chopped greens.
In autumn, all of Armenia gorge itself on hapama, which is a pumpkin stuffed with rice, almonds and dried fruits. For a sweet treat, you can take a gata - a hybrid of a bun and a puff pastry stuffed with sugar and butter. Each region of the country adheres to its own recipes, so do not be surprised that the Yerevan and Karaklis gata may differ significantly in taste.
For the incorrigible sweet tooth, there is sujukh (sharotz), which uninformed people often confuse with churchkhela. Sausages made from grape juice stuffed with nut kernels differ from the Georgian version of sweetness in their rich taste of spices and softness of consistency. Popular types of Armenian delicacies are traditionally nut-fruity: peaches poured with honey and stuffed with nuts, dried apricots, candied almonds.
As for drinks, there are plenty to choose from. Even ordinary tap water in Armenia is cleaner and tastier than anywhere else. Connoisseurs of strong alcohol should not leave without trying the Yerevan brandy, which has been produced here for over 125 years. Excellent quality and local wines. It is better to take it in stores, since it is incredibly difficult to run into a fake in them. On occasion, you can knock over a glass of apricot or mulberry vodka.
Tourists who do not like alcoholic beverages should turn their eyes towards fermented milk products: tana and yogurt. Tea in Armenia is not very popular, it is everywhere replaced by aromatic strongest coffee, which is a good judge of it here.
Transport
You can travel between regions of the country either by bus or by train. True, it is not worth pretending for a high level of comfort: vehicles in Armenia, as a rule, are well-worn and not tied to such benefits of civilization as air conditioners. Most of the buses to major cities (Vanadzor, Gyumri, Sevan) leave from the central station of Yerevan. From here you can go on an exciting shopping tour in Georgia or Turkey. To get to Ararat, Yeraskhavan and Atashat, you must first get to the Sasuntsi David station, from where the above routes depart.
The option of traveling by train usually turns out to be more comfortable because the drivers strictly adhere to the timetable (as opposed to the drivers of the Yerevan buses).
The capital's traditional public transport is metro, buses, minibuses and taxis. The first does not cover all areas of the city, so local people prefer to use land transport. By the way, instead of conductors and turnstiles, payment "from hand to hand" is still in use here.
If you come to Yerevan for the first time and do not know where to go first, take a taxi, not forgetting to hint to the driver about your own ignorance. In 99 cases out of 100 you will find a fascinating tour of the capital's streets, interspersed with emotional stories from the taxi driver.
Renting a car in Armenia is not the cheapest pleasure, but if you desperately want to drive, the Russian license is fine here. And do not forget that the notorious Caucasian hospitality does not work in situations on the road. They adore cutting, overtaking and breaking all the existing rules. By the way, parking lots in Yerevan are mostly paid.
Money
Yerevan shops accept the only currency - Armenian dram (AMD). 1 AMD is equal to 0.14 rubles.
There are a sufficient number of exchange offices in the capital, but if you wish, money can be exchanged with individuals (shopkeepers, street vendors). They usually offer an exchange at a better rate than a bank. The most disadvantageous option for exchanging money is the capital's airport. Large chain stores accept payment by card, in addition, in any city in Armenia, there is sure to be found an ATM for cashing out funds.
Shopping
Tourists who like to bring purchases from travel with an indispensable national flavor have a place to roam in Armenia. The best place to look for souvenirs and handicrafts is Vernissage, an open market. Silver jewelry, folk musical instruments, pottery, handicrafts made of stone and wood, hand-made carpets - the choice of national attributes here, as in the oriental bazaar from the tales of "1000 and One Nights". It is better to come to "Vernissage" on weekends, as all the tents and trays are open on these days.
Flea market "Vernissage" in Yerevan 
Females should raid cosmetics stores for the local organic brand, Nairian. Cosmetics are not cheap, but you can't resist the promising "natural product" label.
Be sure to stock up on local delicacies: cheese, honey, coffee (here it is much better than what is sold in our coffee boutiques), sujukh, chocolates produced by the Yerevan confectionery factory Grand Candy. And of course, take with you a bag of spices and at least a bottle of Armenian brandy.
If your passion is national jewelry, feel free to drop by the jewelry departments. The prices for jewelry in Armenia are quite reasonable. Leather is also made quite well here, so you can often find decent leather goods in the markets.
Information for tourists
- Semi-desert soils are located mainly in the Ararat valley at an altitude of 850-1250 m above sea level, occupying an area of 236 thousand hectares. They are characterized mainly by a low humus content (up to 2%, for saline-alkaline soils 2.6%). The varieties of semi-desert soils are semi-desert brown (occupy 152 thousand hectares, common in the lowlands of the Ararat foothills), irrigated brown meadow soils (53 thousand hectares on the Ararat plain at altitudes of 800-950 m), paleohydromorphic (about 2 thousand hectares in the area adjacent to Yerevan), hydromorphic saline-alkaline soils (53 thousand hectares on the Ararat plain).
- Steppe soils occupy an area of 797 thousand hectares at altitudes of 1300-2450 m. They are represented by chernozem (718 thousand hectares in the Ararat basin, Shirak, Lori, the Sevan basin and on and relatively gentle slopes of Syunik), meadow-chernozem (13 thousand hectares in Lori, Shirak and the Sevan basin), floodplains (48 thousand hectares in river valleys and in areas vacated as a result of the fall in the level of Sevan) soils and soils (18 thousand hectares on the coast of Sevan freed from water). Chernozems and meadow-chernozems are characterized by a relatively high humus content (3.5-12% and 10-13%, respectively). The humus content in floodplain soils and ground soils is low or very low (2-4% and 0.3-0.5%, respectively).
- Dry steppe soils are represented by chestnut soils. They are located on the dry foothills of the Ararat valley, Vayots Dzor region, Syunik region at altitudes of 1250-1950 m; occupy an area of 242 thousand hectares. They are characterized by an average humus content (2-4%), rockiness, unfavorable water-physical properties.
- Forest soils occupy an area of 712 thousand hectares at altitudes of 500-2400 m, are characterized by a significant humus content (4-11%). They are represented by forest brown (133 thousand hectares on slopes with a height of 1800-2250 m), brown (564 thousand hectares on ridges with a height of 500-1700 m, and on sunny slopes up to an altitude of 2400 m, in Gugark, Pambak, Syunik) and sod carbonate ( 15 thousand hectares on the slopes of Gugarka, Akhum, Bargushat) soils.
- Mountain meadow soils occupy an area of 629 thousand hectares at an altitude of 2200-4000 m. Distributed in the mountains almost throughout Armenia (with the exception of Shirak). They are subdivided into actually mountain meadow soils (346 thousand hectares at heights of 2200-2600 m) and meadow-steppe (283 thousand hectares at heights of 1800-2600 m). They are characterized by high humus content (13-20% and 8-13% for mountain-meadow and meadow-steppe, respectively).
- Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries
- Echmiadzin Cathedral and Churches (including Echmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church and St. Gayane Church) and the archaeological site of Zvartnots
- Geghard monastery and the headwaters of the Azat river
- primary school (grades 1-4)
- secondary school - the first cycle of secondary education lasting 5 years (grades 5-9)
- high school - the second cycle of secondary education, carried out for 3 years (10-12) grades)
- Beeline (subsidiary of ArmenTel)
- Mobile TeleSystems (a subsidiary of K-Telecom operating under the VivaCell MTC brand)
- Orange
- Union of European Football Associations (UEFA);
- International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF);
- International Federation of Basketball Associations (FIBA);
- The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and others.
The Republic of Armenia is a state in the southern part of the Caucasus. It shares borders with Azerbaijan in the east and southeast, Iran in the south, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (exclave of Azerbaijan) in the southwest, Turkey in the west and Georgia in the north.
Armenia is a high-mountainous country located on the Armenian plateau, the average height of which is about 1800 m above sea level (the highest point is Mount Ararat, 4090 m). Numerous mountain ranges of the Lesser Caucasian Range pass through the country.
There are over 100 lakes in Armenia, the main of which is Lake Sevan, which is located at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level.
State
State structure
Armenia is a democratic presidential republic. The head of state is the president (elected for 5 years). The head of government is the prime minister. Legislature - unicameral National Assembly (190 deputies, term of office - 4 years).
Language
Official language: Armenian
The Russian language is widely spoken.
Religion
90% of the population of Armenia are Christians belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Currency
International name: AMD
The dram is equal to 100 lumas. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5,000, 20,000 and 50,000 drams, as well as coins of 1, 3, 5 and 10 drams.
Currency can be exchanged at numerous exchange offices, as well as in banks and in most large hotels. In large hotels, restaurants, private stores and markets, it is possible to use US dollars and euros, and in some stores, Russian rubles. ATMs are rare even in the capital.
Popular attractions
Tourism in Armenia
Armenian cuisine is one of the most ancient on Earth. On the basis of archaeological excavations, scientists came to the conclusion that two and a half thousand years ago the Armenians had an idea of the fermentation processes in bakery. From hoary antiquity originates such a popular dish at the present time as barbecue (khorovats). The technology of cooking the fish dish kutap today is almost the same as 1500 years ago ...
Tips
Tipping in most establishments is 5%, but in high-end establishments, if the service charge is not included in the bill, it is recommended to leave "tip" 10% of the invoice amount. In other places, you can simply leave the change.
Visa
Opening hours of institutions
Banks work from 9.00 to 16.00 on weekdays, on Saturday some banks accept clients from 10.00 to 14.00. Currency exchange offices are usually open from 9.00 to 22.00-24.00, often open on weekends and holidays.
Safety
The country is in a zone of increased seismic hazard. The level of solar radiation is also quite high.
Emergency telephones
Emergency service - 120.
Fire department - 122.
Police - 133.
Ambulance - 144.
Photo and video shooting
When traveling in the eastern part of Armenia, and in particular, being in Nagorno-Karabakh, you should be careful when photographing certain objects that can be attributed to state institutions or military units.
Questions and feedback about Armenia
Armenia is a mountainous country with ancient history and culture. Magnificent monasteries and temples, powerful fortresses, healing mineral springs - all this is definitely worth getting to know better. Immerse yourself in age-old traditions and customs, taste dishes of national cuisine, delight yourself with a walk in nature - rest in Armenia will become a vivid and memorable experience in your travel history.
The Republic of Armenia is located in the Transcaucasus and borders Turkey in the west and south-west, Iran in the south, Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the east, and the Nakhichevan Republic in the south-east. The area of the country is 29.8 thousand square meters. km.
Capital: Yerevan.
Yerevan, Armenia
Population: 3,017,100 (according to 2014 data).
State structure: a democratic republic led by a president.
Language: the state language is Armenian. Most of the population also speaks Russian.
Religion: the bulk of the population is Monophysite Christians. There are also Orthodox Christians, Muslims and representatives of other faiths.
Time: ahead of Moscow by 1 hour.
Climate
The climate in Armenia is mountainous continental, with severe winters and hot summers. The weather can vary even within the same region due to the high altitude and uneven landscape. In the Ararat valley and in the capital, the average July temperature is +27 ° C and can reach +42 ° C, in January the thermometer drops to -4 ° C. In the area of the foothills, in summer, the temperature is fixed at around +25 ° C, in winter - at +5 ° C. In the mountains, the temperature in summer can vary from +10 to +20 ° C (depending on the altitude), in winter it drops to -14 ° C. Most of the rainfall occurs in spring and early summer. Snow in mountainous areas lasts until March-April.
The best time to relax in Armenia is autumn, when you can fully enjoy the brightness of natural colors and the abundance of fruits.
Average daily temperature in the resorts of Armenia, ° C
| Resorts | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
| Yerevan | +2 | +5 | +12 | +19 | +24 | +29 | +34 | +33 | +29 | +20 | +12 | +5 |
| Vanadzor | −3 | −2 | +3 | +12 | +17 | +20 | +22 | +23 | +19 | +12 | +6 | −1 |
| Gyumri | −4 | −3 | +2 | +12 | +17 | +21 | +24 | +25 | +20 | +13 | +6 | −2 |
| Jermuk | −4 | −3 | 0 | +8 | +14 | +17 | +20 | +21 | +17 | +10 | +4 | −2 |
| Dilijan | −2 | −1 | +3 | +12 | +17 | +20 | +22 | +23 | +19 | +13 | +7 | 0 |
| Sevan | −4 | −3 | 0 | +9 | +14 | +18 | +20 | +22 | +18 | +11 | +5 | −2 |
Lake Sevan, Armenia
Nature
About 90% of the territory of Armenia is located at an altitude of over 1000 meters above sea level. The country is located in the northeastern part of the Armenian Highlands and is surrounded by the ranges of the Lesser Caucasus. The highest point in Armenia is Mount Aragats (4090 m). Ararat, although it is a symbol of the country, is located on the territory of Turkey. In the south-west of Armenia lies the fertile Ararat plain with the Araks River and vast agricultural lands.
The flora of the country is represented by 3500 species. On the territory of Armenia you can see oak and beech forests, feather grass steppes and the largest plane tree grove in the countries of the former CIS (120 hectares, located on the territory of the Shakahokh reserve). Shrubs dominate in the mountainous regions - sage, chisel, thyme, almonds, etc. Wild fruit trees and poplars are also widespread in Armenia.
Among the representatives of the fauna of Armenia, one can find 304 species of birds, 76 species of mammals, 44 species of reptiles and 24 species of fish. In the north of the country there are bears, wild boars, lynxes, deer, forest cats, in the mountain steppes - mouflons, wolves, foxes, badgers, goats, etc., in semi-desert zones - a large number of rodents (ground squirrels, jerboas, gerbils, etc.). Lake Sevan is inhabited by Sevan trout, barbel, whitefish and khramuli.
Dilijan, Armenia
Traditions and customs
Despite their seeming irascibility, Armenians are a proud and restrained people, with a developed sense of their own dignity and tolerance of other people's opinions. Relationships within the family are respectful and calm. The center of any home is the table, at which not so much eat as they communicate and exchange news. An indispensable attribute of the Armenian feast is toast. The more humor and meaning in your wish, the better. Women and children are also full participants in the feast, for the latter it is considered a kind of school of life.
Many ancient folk customs have survived in Armenia: for example, the sacrifice of lambs at some religious holidays and the blessing of the first harvest. On February 15, Armenians celebrate the Day of St. Vardan (Vardanank) in memory of the defeat of the Armenian army on the Avarayr field by the Persian troops. The enemies wanted to convert the population to paganism, but the Armenians managed to preserve the Christian faith, defending their ideals with arms in hand. In addition, Armenia celebrates New Year(December 31), Christmas (January 6), Motherhood and Beauty Day (April 7), Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide (April 24), Victory and Peace Day (May 9), Day of the First Republic (May 28), Constitution Day ( July 5), Independence Day (September 21) and the Day of Remembrance of the victims of the Spitak earthquake (December 7).
Brandy Ararat, Armenia
Culture and architecture
The culture of Armenia has its roots in antiquity. Various artifacts dating back to the II-I millennia BC were found in the country. The formation of culture was greatly influenced by Armenian mythology, the rule of the Macedonians and the era of Hellenism, to which the famous ancient temple of Garni belongs. However, the biggest role in the formation of national self-awareness was played by the adoption of Christianity (in 301) and the creation of the alphabet, followed by rapid development of historiography and literature. The period of the Middle Ages is the heyday of church architecture, sculpture and book miniatures. Among the decorative and applied arts, it is worth noting the magnificent ceramics with painting and engraving, wood carving, carpet weaving and mosaics, the remains of which can be seen today in the cathedrals of Dvin and Echmiadzin.
The architecture of Armenia had several main periods of formation: from the VI century BC. e. pagan architecture developed, in the IV century - Christian. Among the most important monuments of church architecture are Talin Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church, Zvartnots, Tatev Church, Sanahin, Haghpat monasteries, etc. The main material for the construction of these magnificent structures was tuff, the largest deposits of which are located in Armenia and Italy.
You can get acquainted with the history and culture of the country in numerous museums. So, for example, in Yerevan it is worth visiting the Museum of the History of the City, the State Historical Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, in Echmiadzin - the Museum of Religious Art, in Sardarabad - the Museum of Ethnography and Folklore.
Church of St. Hripsime, Armenia
Main currency
The official currency of Georgia is dram, equal to 100 lumas. You can exchange currency at banks (usually open from 9:00 to 16:00), exchange offices and large hotels. Some shops and restaurants accept euros, US dollars and even rubles. ATMs are found mainly in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor. In the province, they also exist, but in much smaller quantities. You can pay with a credit card in large hotels and shopping centers. The network of Western Union branches, which carries out money transfers, is well developed.
Flight
You can get from Moscow to Yerevan by daily direct flights of Aeroflot, Siberia, Transaero, Vim-Avia and Air Armenia airlines. The flight time is about 3 hours.
Electricity
The standard voltage is 220 V, 50 Hz. The sockets of the "Soviet" type are widespread, the sockets of the European type are found only in large hotels.
Car rent
There are several international car rental companies in Armenia: Hertz, Sixt, etc. The cost of car rental in them is quite low, especially in comparison with neighboring Azerbaijan and Georgia. In order to rent a car, it is enough to have an international driver's license and a driving experience of at least a year.
Many key highways in Armenia were recently repaired, but most of the roads leave much to be desired. In the mountains and remote areas, you will have to drive on gravel. It is worth stocking up on gasoline in the capital, as the provinces offer fuel of very dubious quality. The street lighting is rather poor, pedestrians often cross the road wherever they please, so be very careful.
The crime rate in Armenia is low, so it is worth following only the usual precautions: leave valuables in the safe, do not carry large sums of money with you, etc. Yerevan is one of the safest cities in the world - you can walk here both day and night ... In summer, you need to be careful when walking in nature - there are cases of attacks of poisonous snakes, tick bites are possible.
You can even drink water from the tap in Armenia, as it enters the water supply system from mountain springs. If this is unusual for you, buy bottled mineral water. It is very cheap in Armenia.
Health care
In Armenia, medical care is at a fairly high level. Most of the wide-profile medical centers located in the capital. According to an international agreement, emergency assistance is provided free of charge, other types of treatment are paid for.
Since the climate of Armenia can be characterized as high-mountainous, people with serious cardiovascular diseases should refrain from traveling to this country.
Long-distance and local communication
Armenia's telephone code: + 374, Yerevan code - 10, Jermuk code - 287, Dilijan code - 2680, Gyumri code - 312, Goris code - 284, Vonadzor code - 322, Sevan code - 261, Tsakhadzor code - 223.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
Embassy Russian Federation in the Republic of Armenia: 375015, Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, st. Grigor Lusavorich, 13 "A", tel .: (8-10-374-10) 56-74-27, 54-52-18, e-mail: [email protected], www.armenia.mid.ru.
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Gyumri: 3103, Republic of Armenia, Gyumri, st. Garegin Nzhdeh, 1, tel .: (8-10-374-312) 3-45-33, 3-78-85, e-mail:
Armenia, full official form - the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն) is a state in the Transcaucasus.
It is located in the north of the geographic region of Western Asia and in the northeast of the Armenian Highlands. It has no outlet to the sea. It shares borders with Azerbaijan and the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in the east. In the south-west from the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, which is part of Azerbaijan. With Iran in the south, with Turkey in the west and Georgia in the north.
The population of Armenia, according to estimates for 2014, is 3,017,100 people, the territory is 29,743 km². According to some data, it occupies one hundred and thirty-sixth place in the world in terms of population and one hundred and thirty-eighth in terms of territory.
The capital is Yerevan. The state language is Armenian.
Unitary state, presidential republic. In April 2008, Serzh Sargsyan took over as President, and in February 2013 he was re-elected for a second term. It is subdivided into 10 regions and the city of Yerevan.
About 98.7% of the population is Christian.
An agrarian-industrial country with a dynamically developing economy. The volume of nominal GDP for 2012 amounted to 9.951 billion US dollars (about 3351.63 US dollars per capita). The monetary unit is the Armenian dram (the average rate for February 2014 is 412 drams per 1 US dollar).
The main part of the historical-geographical Eastern Armenia, the territory of modern Armenia (as well as the NKR) became fully part of the Russian Empire after the Russian-Persian war of 1826-1828. On May 28, 1918, the independent Republic of Armenia was proclaimed. On November 29, 1920, Soviet power was established in Armenia and the Armenian SSR was formed, which until 1936 was part of the USSR as part of the ZSFSR, and from December 5, 1936 - as a union republic. On September 23, 1991, following the results of a referendum held in Armenia on September 21, the Supreme Council of the republic adopted the "Declaration on State Independence of Armenia". On March 22, 1992, the Republic of Armenia was admitted to the UN, and on January 25, 2001, to the Council of Europe.
The toponym "Armenia" goes back to the Hurrian name of the Armi- region adjacent to Melitena, located in the Armenian Highlands. This name, through the Aramaic ˊarmǝn-āiē, passed into the Old Persian language, and in the form “Arminiyaiy” it occurs six times in the Behistun inscription of 522 BC. e .. The ancient Greek form of the name is other Greek. Ἀρμενία. The ancient Greek name for the Armenians used before the spread of Ἀρμένιοι was Μελιττήνιοι. 
According to Movses Khorenatsi, the name “Armenia” and the corresponding ancient Greek and Persian toponyms were given after the name of the Urartian king Aram.
In Armenian, the name of the country sounds like "Hayk" (Armenian Հայք, Hayk). In the Middle Ages, the borrowed Iranian suffix “-stan” took the place of the Armenian toponym-forming suffix “-k” and the country began to be called “Hayastan” (Armenian Հայաստան, Hayastan). According to one version, the name of the country comes from the mythological leader of the Armenians - Hayk, who, according to legend, in 2492 BC. e. defeated the army of the Assyrian king Bel in battle, and later formed the first Armenian state. This year is considered the first in the traditional Armenian calendar. Another version connects this name with the ancient state of Hayas. According to the third version, the self-name of Armenia comes from the Urartian name of Melitena - Ḫāti.
State symbols
Flag of armenia
The flag of Armenia is a rectangular panel of three equal horizontal stripes: the top one is red, the middle one is blue and the bottom one is orange. The ratio of the flag's width to its length is 1: 2. The flag of Armenia was adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia on August 24, 1990. On June 15, 2006, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia adopted a new law “On national flag Of the Republic of Armenia ".
The following meanings of colors are approved in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia:
The red color symbolizes the Armenian Highlands, the constant struggle of the Armenian people for existence, the Christian faith, freedom and independence of Armenia. The blue color symbolizes the desire of the Armenian people to live under a peaceful sky. Orange symbolizes the creative talent and hard work of the Armenian people.
The coat of arms consists of the following elements: shield - in the center - Mount Ararat, which is a symbol of the Armenian nation, on its top Noah's Ark, because, according to one of the traditions, the Ark stopped on Mount Ararat after the flood. The shield is divided into 4 parts, which symbolize four independent Armenian kingdoms (clockwise): Arshakids, Rubenids, Artashesids and Bagratids.
The Lion and Eagle that support the shield symbolize wisdom, pride, patience and nobility. The main color of the coat of arms of Armenia is golden, the kingdoms of historical Armenia are red and blue, Mount Ararat in the center of the coat of arms is depicted on an orange shield. These colors were traditionally used in the coats of arms and banners of the royal dynasties of Armenia and are similar to the colors of the flag of the Republic of Armenia.
At the bottom of the shield are five more elements: a broken chain, a sword, ears of wheat, a branch, and a ribbon.
Anthem of Armenia
The anthem of Armenia is the composition "Our Motherland" (Armenian Մեր Հայրենիք, "Mer Hayrenik", literally - "Our Fatherland"). Approved on July 1, 1991, re-approved by the law on December 25, 2006. The anthem of the First Republic of Armenia of 1918-1920 is taken as a basis. The author of the poems is Mikael Nalbandyan (1829-1866), the author of the music is Barseg Kanachyan (1885-1967). When the anthem is played on the majority official events only the first and fourth stanzas are used.
History of Armenia
In the north of Armenia (Lori plateau), more than 20 different-aged Acheulean monuments were discovered, located mainly in the foothills of the volcanic Javakheti ridge. They are dominated by surface localities (Blagodarnoe, Dashtadem, Noramut, etc.), where over a thousand Acheulean items from local hyalodacite have been collected, including about 360 hand choppers. They also discovered three stratified sites (Muradovo, Karakhach and Kurtan), which for the first time brought the Middle Acheulian and early Acheulian industries. Of greatest interest is Karakhach, where early Acheulean items (choppers, peaks, rough bifaces, etc.) made from other varieties of dacite, as well as andesite and olivine dolerite, were found in a layer of volcanic ash and in the underlying proluvial deposits. The dating of the ash by the uranium-lead method is in the range of 1.7-1.9 million years ago, which should also correspond to the age of stone products. An early Acheulian industry similar to items from Karakhach was also found in the lower levels of the nearby Muradovo site. At the very top of Muradovo, the aforementioned Late Acheulian material is represented, and in the middle part of the stratum, the Middle Acheulian industry is represented. The Early Shelian and Middle Acheulean complexes were also found at the Kurtan site located in the southeastern part of the Lori plateau. Based on the totality of data (absolute dating of the underlying ash, paleomagnetic data, the age range of previously found rhinoceros teeth), it can be assumed that the age of the cultural deposits of Kurtan should be about 1 million years ago. Monuments discovered in northern Armenia contain traces of ancient migrations early humans outside of Africa. The early Acheulian materials of Karakhach are close in age to the earliest early Acheulean industries. East Africa(about 1.5-1.8 million years ago). 
Traces of the ancient man's habitation were found in various regions of the Armenian Highlands: in Arzni, Nurnus and other places, camps with stone tools were found, and in the Hrazdan gorge, Lusakert, etc., dwelling caves were found. The oldest discovered stone tools are 800 thousand years old. Parking lots were also found primitive people the neolithic era. Numerous rock paintings with hunting scenes were discovered in the mountains. The first agricultural and cattle-breeding settlements on the territory of the future Armenia appeared in the Ararat valley, on the territory of the modern Shirak region.
On the territory of modern Yerevan in the Shengavit region, a settlement of the beginning of the Bronze Age was discovered, dating back to the V-III millennia BC. The data of archaeological excavations confirm that the inhabitants of the Armenian Highlands mastered many crafts in ancient times. So, it is known that already in the V-IV millennium BC. e. they knew how to melt copper, and in the II millennium BC. e. - iron.
In Armenia, during the excavations of the Areni cave in September 2008, the oldest footwear was found, which is more than 5500 years old. The find dates back to the Chalcolithic period (3600-3500 BC). These are soft shoes with pointed ends - charokhi. The discovered shoes became the oldest archaeological find in Europe and Asia. According to experts, these shoes practically do not differ from those worn in Armenian villages.
Antiquity and early Middle Ages. VI century BC BC-VIII century AD e.
The first mention of the name of Armenia (which was synonymous with Urartu) is found in the Behistun inscription dating back to 520 BC. e. On the maps of the largest historians and geographers of antiquity, Armenia is marked along with Persia, Syria and other ancient states.
In the VI century BC. e. On the territory of the Armenian Highlands, the Armenian state of Ervandov existed. The king of this state, Ervand I Sakavakyats, recognized the superiority of Media and paid tribute to her. Ervand's successor was his son Tigran I Ervandid. The latter, together with the Achaemenid king Cyrus II the Great in 550 BC. e. participated in the collapse of the kingdom of Media, and in 538 (or 537) BC. e. - Babylonia. In the last years of the reign of King Tigran or after his death, Cyrus II made Armenia a satrapy of the Achaemenid state. 
In the second half of the 4th century BC. e., after the defeat of the Achaemenid state by Alexander the Great, independent or semi-independent Armenian states began to form on the territory of Armenia: the Ararat kingdom (initially recognizing the power of the Macedonians, achieved independence in 316 BC), Little Armenia (achieved independence in 322-321. BC), Sophena (was part of the Seleucid state as a special satrapy, ruled by local hereditary rulers, enjoyed internal independence and at times was completely freed from the Seleucid power) and Armenia proper, located along the upper course of the Tigris River, in the vicinity of Lake Van (its the situation was similar to that of Sophena).
Subsequently, by the beginning of the II century BC. e. Sophena, the Ayrarat kingdom and Armenia proper (the last two were united into a single province of Great Armenia) were conquered by the Seleucid king Antiochus III; after the defeat of the latter by the Romans in 190 BC. e. Greater Armenia and Sophena achieved independence. Little Armenia as an independent state existed until 115 BC. e. after which it was captured first by the Pontians and then by the Romans. Under King Tigranes II (95 - 55 BC) Great Armenia turned into a powerful state stretching from Palestine to the Caspian Sea; however, after the defeat of his father-in-law and ally, the Pontic king Mithridates Eupator, from the forces of the Roman commander Pompey (66 BC), unable to continue to wage a war on two fronts without allies, Tigranes was defeated by the Roman-Parthian alliance and lost all conquests, except for Great Armenia proper and part of the lands captured from Parthia. Subsequently, Great Armenia turned into a buffer state between Parthia and Rome, and later (in the III-IV centuries AD) - between Rome and Sassanian Iran.
Armenia is the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion (according to the traditional date in 301, some modern studies attribute this event to the period between 314 and 325 years). In 387, Great Armenia was divided: smaller, Western part the country went to Rome, while the main part went to Persia. In the Persian part of the country, the Armenian Arshakids continued to rule until 428, it was during this period, in 405, that the Armenian scientist and educator Mesrop Mashtots created the Armenian alphabet.
In the middle of the 7th century, the Armenian lands were seized by the Arabs. The newly created region of Arminia (Arabic: ارمينيّة) also included Georgia, Arran and Bab al-Abwab (Derbent) with the administrative center in the city of Dvin.
IX-XV centuries
In the 860s, the Bagratid princely family united most of the Armenian lands and overthrew the rule of the Arab Caliphate. In 885, the Arabs and Byzantines recognized the independence of the Armenian kingdom of the Bagratids, which was the largest and most powerful feudal state in ancient Armenia. In the beginning, the kingdom included some territories of southern Armenia, which later departed from it. In 908, the Vaspurakan kingdom was formed, in 963 - the Kars kingdom, in 978 - the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom, and in 987 - the Syunik kingdom. All these Armenian states were in vassal relations with the Bagratid clan. Since 961, the capital of the kingdom was the city of Ani (by the name of which the state became known as the Ani kingdom), now located on the territory of Turkey. In the center of the Ani kingdom was the Shirak region, located in the Akhuryan river basin.
In 1020, after the death of King Gagik I, due to the rivalry of his sons for the throne, the centralized state of the Armenian Bagratids was temporarily divided between the two brothers. In 1042, Gagik II became the sole king of Armenia, but his reign did not last long. In 1045, the Byzantines managed to deceive the Armenian king, and subsequently conquer the capital of the country, Ani and the Shirak region. After that, the Ani kingdom ceased to exist.
In 1064, most of the Armenian lands (with the exception of Syunik and the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom) were conquered by the Seljuk Turks, and over the next decade, the Byzantines destroyed the last representatives of the Bagratid and Artsrunid dynasties. In 1072, the Sheddadid dynasty received the former Ani kingdom from the Seljuks into vassal possession, forming the Ani emirate.
The loss of national statehood after the conquest by Byzantium, as well as the invasion of the Seljuks, led to a mass exodus of the Armenian population from the occupied territories to Cilicia and other regions. At the end of the 11th century, the Armenian statehood shifted to the west, to the historical Lesser Armenia, Cappadocia, Cilicia and Priyevfratya. Here the Armenians founded the State of Filaret Varazhnuni, the Principality of Kesun, the Principality of Edes, the Principality of Melitena, the Principality of Pir and the Cilician Armenian State (from 1080 to 1198 - a principality. From 1198 to 1375 - a kingdom).
At the end of the 12th century, during the reign of the Georgian queen Tamara, the Armenian lands became part of the strengthened Georgian kingdom. During this period, the Zakaryan clan ruled in Eastern Armenia, Western Armenia under the rule of the Shah-Armenids. In the first half of the XIII century, they were invaded by the Mongols, and later by the armies of Tamerlane.
As a result of centuries-old foreign invasions, the Armenian lands were inhabited by Turkic nomadic tribes. Since 1410, they became part of the Kara-Koyunlu Oghuz tribal union with the capital in Tabriz. After another half a century, all the possessions of Kara-Koyunlu were transferred to a new tribal union of nomads - Ak-Koyunlu. In parallel, during the XIII-XIV centuries in Armenia, there was a process of gradual displacement of the Armenian nobility by the newly arrived nomadic military nobility - Mongolian, Turkic and Kurdish. The local population, being subjected to predatory raids by nomadic tribes, was forced to choose between extermination, slavery and mass emigration to neighboring countries. During the raids, productive forces and monuments of material culture were destroyed and plundered.
Armenian state and political structure by the 15th-16th centuries survived in Nagorno-Karabakh, where the Khachen principality continued to exist.
By 1510, the Iranian Shah Ismail I, the founder of the Safavid dynasty, defeating Ak-Koyunlu, captured, among his other possessions, Eastern Armenia. This, however, was only the beginning of a centuries-old rivalry for domination in the Transcaucasus between the Ottoman Empire and Safavid Persia. 
In the middle of the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire and Persia, after a 40-year war, agreed on the division of spheres of influence. The eastern Armenian lands were transferred to the Safavids, the western ones to the Ottomans. This, however, only temporarily halted the devastating wars, during which vast territories of Transcaucasia passed from hand to hand.
With the creation of the Safavid state, the territory of Armenia was transformed into a runaway with the capital in Erivan (Yerevan). Ismail I, who relied entirely on the support of the Kyzylbash Turks, appointed exclusively tribal leaders as his governors. Armenia, in particular, became the hereditary ulk of the Ustajlu tribe. All Iran and other countries directly subordinate to the Kyzylbash were divided into ulks (feudal allotments) between the heads of various tribes. In addition, vast territories were transferred to the use of warriors from these tribes. As a rule, the old population was expelled from such territories. This happened in particular in Armenia.
After the death of Ismail I, during the period of internecine wars, the Rumlu tribe also settled on the territory of Armenia. The power of the Ustajlu tribe and its rulers continued until the Ottoman conquest (late 16th century).
After the expulsion of the Ottoman troops at the beginning of the 17th century under Shah Abbas I, the runaway was again restored and existed until the fall of the Afsharid dynasty.
One of the most important events in the history of the Armenians was the decision of Shah Abbas I to resettle the Armenians to the central regions of Iran, which in historiography received the name "Great Surgun". In 1603, taking advantage of the unrest in the Ottoman Empire, Shah Abbas I set out in Transcaucasia and took possession of a significant part of Armenia. Then, avoiding a battle with superior Ottoman forces, the Iranian army retreated, local population and destroying and devastating on its way everything that the advancing Ottoman Turks could use for shelter and food. By order of the Shah in 1604-1605. many Armenian villages and cities were destroyed, and their inhabitants were forcibly resettled in the interior regions of Persia.
According to various estimates, the number of Armenians resettled in this way to Iran was approximately 250-300 thousand. The human losses incurred during the resettlement are also estimated in different ways, but all serious researchers agree that the death toll was several thousand, mainly women, children and the elderly.
An especially strong blow to the political, economic and cultural life of the region was caused by the destruction of the city of Julfa, inhabited mainly by Armenians and representing a large trade center and a transit point on caravan routes between northwestern Iran, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East. The inhabitants of the city, among whom there were many skilled builders and artisans, were driven to the new capital of Iran - Isfahan, next to which in 1605 they were given land for the construction of New Julfa. The eviction of the inhabitants of the border regions to the central regions of Iran lasted about eight years, until the conclusion of a peace treaty with Turkey in 1612, but in a later period the population of some regions of Armenia was moved to the Isfahan region.
In the middle of the 18th century, under Nadir Shah, the Safavid beylerbegs were abolished. The death of Nadir Shah (1747) and the weakening of the centralized power led to the disintegration of the empire into more or less independent state formations - khanates, sultans, meliks. In particular, during this period, the Nakhichevan and Erivan khanates appeared on the territory of Armenia.
By the 18th century, of the Armenian state-political formations, only the meliks of Khamsa in Nagorno-Karabakh and the meliks of Syunik survived. In these areas, by the end of the 17th century, the idea of restoring an independent Armenian state arose, which in the 1720s grew into an armed uprising against the Persian yoke led by Israel Ori, Yesai Hasan-Jalalyan and David Bek.
Already in the first half of the 18th century, the third empire, the Russian Empire, declared its interests in the Transcaucasus. In 1801, the Kartli-Kakhetian kingdom with vassal territories - the Borchali, Kazakh and Shamshadil sultanships - was annexed to Russia, which formed three Tatar distances as part of the newly created Russian Georgian province. Later, the province was expanded by the annexation of Pambak and the Shoragyal sultanate. The Pambako-Shoragyal distance was formed. At the same time, the power of local feudal lords was formally retained, but the actual rulers of the distances were representatives of the Russian military administration. Thus, the annexation of the territories to the Russian Empire began, on which an independent Armenian state would be recreated in the 20th century. As a result of the Russian-Persian war (1826-1828), Russia took possession of the Erivan and Nakhichevan khanates and the Ordubad district. By the 19th century, in these territories, as a result of centuries of emigration and expulsion of the Armenian population, Armenians accounted for only 20% of the population. 
After the conquest of the Erivan and Nakhichevan khanates by Russia, as well as after the successful wars against the Ottoman Empire in 1828-1829 and 1877-1878, as a result of which significant territories of historical Western Armenia passed to Russia, the Russian authorities organized a mass resettlement of Armenians from Persia and Turkey to the Transcaucasus , which led to significant changes in the demography of the region (taking into account also the presence of mass emigration of the Muslim population from the regions annexed to Russia).
In 1828, on the territory of the former Erivan and Nakhichevan khanates and the Ordubad district, which became part of the Russian Empire under the Turkmanchay peace treaty, the Armenian region was formed (center - Erivan), which in 1833 was divided into four districts: Erivan, Sharur, Sardarapat and Surmalinsky.
In 1840, a decision was made to merge the Georgian province, the Armenian and Imereti regions into the Georgian-Imeretian province. In 1846 it was divided into the Tiflis and Kutaisi provinces, and in 1849 the Erivan, Nakhichevan and Alexandropol districts of the Tiflis province formed the newly established Erivan province.
As a result of the persecution of Christians in the Ottoman Empire, Armenia lost a significant part of the Armenian population as a result of the 1915 genocide.
On May 28, 1918, on the territory of Russian Armenia, the independent Republic of Armenia was created as part of the territories of the former Erivan province and the Kars region of the Russian Empire. As a result of the Armenian-Turkish war that followed in the fall of 1920, the Kemalists, supported by the Russian Bolsheviks, won. The Armenian-Turkish war ended with the signing of the Adrianapolis Treaty. On November 29 of the same year, the 11th Army of the Red Army entered the territory of the Republic of Armenia as part of the Erivan operation (in Soviet historiography, the date was considered to be the day of the proclamation of the Armenian SSR); On December 2 of the same year, the government of Armenia accepted the ultimatum of the government of the RSFSR presented by the Russian plenipotentiary representative B.V. Legrand (Armenia was declared an independent Socialist Soviet Republic under the protectorate of the RSFSR). 
Since March 12, 1922, it has been part of the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (TSFSR); from December 30, 1922, as part of the ZSFSR, it was part of the USSR. Since December 5, 1936, it was directly part of the USSR as a union republic.
On August 23, 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR adopted the "Declaration of Independence of Armenia", which marked "the beginning of the process of establishing an independent statehood", the country was renamed into the "Republic of Armenia", which remained part of the USSR. On March 17, 1991, the Armenian authorities prevented the holding of a referendum on the preservation of the USSR on the territory of the republic.
On September 21, 1991, a referendum was held on secession from the USSR and the establishment of an independent statehood. Most of the citizens eligible to vote answered this question in the affirmative.
Geography of Armenia
Armenia is located in the east of the Armenian Highlands between 38 ° and 42 ° north latitude and between 43 ° and 47 ° east longitude. From the north and east, the territory of the state is framed by the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus. It shares borders with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.
Despite the fact that geographically Armenia is located in Asia, it has close political and cultural ties with Europe. Armenia has always been at the crossroads of routes connecting Europe and Asia, therefore it is considered as a transcontinental state.
The relief of Armenia is mainly mountainous: with an area of the state of about 29 800 km², over 90% of the territory is located at an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level. The highest point is Mount Aragats (4095 m), the lowest is the Debed River gorge (380 meters). In the southwest of the country, there is the intermountain Ararat Valley, an important agricultural region. 
The highest point of the region and the historical symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat - has been located in Turkey since 1921.
Climate of Armenia
Features of the geographical position and large differences in elevation determine the variety of climatic conditions.
Despite the fact that Armenia is located at the latitude of the subtropical zone, the subtropical climate is observed only in the southern part of Armenia (near the city of Meghri). In the rest of the regions, the climate is alpine, continental - hot summers and cold winters. On the plains, the average January temperature is -5 ° C, in July +25 ° C; in the middle mountains (1000-1500 meters) −10 ° C and +20 ° C, at altitudes from 1500 to 2000 m. −14 and +16, respectively. The minimum amount of precipitation in the Ararat valley is 200-250 mm per year, in the middle mountains - 500 mm, and in the high mountains - 700-900 mm. Nai large quantity precipitation is observed in the Lori region and Syunik regions, the territory of which is mainly covered with forests.
The soils are formed mainly on volcanic rocks. The soil cover of Armenia is very diverse, at the same time, most of the soils are infertile and difficult for economic development. 
By the nature of the soil, the territory of Armenia can be divided into the following zones:
Mineral resources of Armenia
The bowels of Armenia are rich in ore minerals. Deposits of non-ferrous and ferrous metal ores, rock salt, bentonite and refractory clays, perlites, diatomites, calcareous and volcanic tuffs, pumice, granites, marble and others are of industrial importance. Industrial clusters of semi-precious and ornamental stones were discovered: agate, amethyst, turquoise, jasper, obsidian.
The reserves of ores and metals have been approved for 20 deposits: three - copper, six - molybdenum, five - polymetallic (lead, zinc, etc.), four - gold, two - iron and recently discovered - uranium. Most of the deposits are represented by complex ores - copper-molybdenum or gold-polymetallic.
There are about 9480 small and large rivers on the territory of Armenia, of which 379 have a length of 10 km or more. The total length of the rivers is approximately 23 thousand km. The main river in Armenia is the Araks with the Hrazdan tributary. 
There are over 100 lakes in Armenia, the largest of which is Lake Sevan, located at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level - the only fishing region of the republic and the largest source of fresh water in the entire Transcaucasia.
Despite this, the country as a whole has a deficit water resources, which is partly solved by using reservoirs and groundwater. There are 74 reservoirs in Armenia with a total volume of 988 million m³; the largest of them is Akhuryan, with a volume of 525 million m³. Approximately 96% of the water used for drinking purposes comes from underground sources.
Ecology of Armenia
In the country over the past 30 years, under the influence of erosion and landslides, 140 thousand hectares of arable land and 300 thousand hectares of hayfields and pastures have been withdrawn from agricultural use; of the 114 thousand hectares of eroded lands subject to reclamation, about 3.5% has been restored. The share of the area covered with forests decreased from 11.2 to 8-9%. The state of the air environment is also alarming. The air condition has especially worsened in Yerevan, Alaverdi, Vanadzor and Hrazdan.
Due to the construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants on the Hrazdan River and the use of water resources for irrigation of lands, the water level in Lake Sevan is dropping, which leads to a change in the regime of surface and ground waters and a violation of biodiversity.
In March 2011, American experts compiled a rating for 163 countries by the state of the environment, where Armenia took 76th, Georgia 59th, and Azerbaijan 84th.
Timezone
The territory of the Republic of Armenia is completely located in the year-round 4th time zone (UTC + 4). Time reporting in Armenia is regulated by the law "On the rules of time reporting in the Republic of Armenia", adopted on December 5, 1997.
Fauna and flora of Armenia
Flora of Armenia
About 3,500 plant species from 150 families are known on the territory of Armenia. 
In the northeast of the country there are broad-leaved forests with a predominance of oak and beech, in the southeast there are more xerophilic oak forests. The plains of Armenia are characterized by steppe vegetation, feather grass steppes are typical, along with feather grass there are fescue, fine-legged, and wheatgrass. Shrubs grow on rocky and stony soils - almonds, keep-tree, astragalus, chisel, thyme, sage and others.
The largest plane tree grove in the CIS is located in Armenia, where the Eastern plane tree (Platanus orientalis) grows. The grove is located in the Syunik region, in the valley of the Tsav river, within the Shikakhogh reserve. It stretches along the river for about 15 km, covering an area of about 120 hectares.
The fauna of Armenia includes 76 species of mammals, 304 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians, 24 species of fish and about 10 thousand species of invertebrates. The northern part of the country is home to bears (including Iranian silver bears), lynxes, wild boars, deer, forest and jungle cats. In the mountain steppes, there are wolves, badgers, foxes, hares, mouflons, and bezoar goats. 
Numerous rodents also live in steppes and semi-deserts - voles, ground squirrels, gerbils, mole rats, jerboas; of reptiles - Caucasian agama, Greek turtle, gyurza, Armenian viper. Trout, whitefish and other types of fish are found in Lake Sevan. Raccoon dogs are acclimatized in Armenia.
Nature protection zones of Armenia
As of 2011, the Red Book of Armenia includes 452 species of plants, 40 species of mushrooms, 308 species of animals (including 153 species of vertebrates and 155 species of invertebrates).
There are about 108 endemic plant species and 339 endemic animals in the country. A relatively large number of endemics are observed in the eastern and southern parts of Armenia. Of the total number of animal species found in Armenia, 7% are endemic. Among fish species, 30% are endemic, among reptile species - 12%. Among the endemics, the Sevan trout or Ishkhan is of industrial and commercial importance.
Economy of Armenia
Armenia is an industrial-agrarian country. The country has significant reserves of copper-molybdenum and polymetallic ores, bauxite, building stone, mineral waters, deposits of precious metals (gold), semi-precious and ornamental stones. The production of synthetic rubber, textile, food industry, production of building materials and mechanical engineering are developed.
Dynamics of GDP per capita (purchasing power parity, in constant 2005 prices, in US dollars) of the Transcaucasian countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) in 1990-2012 (World Bank estimate).
According to the US CIA, in 2010, GDP (PPP) amounted to $ 17.27 billion, GDP per capita (PPP) - $ 5,800.
The structure of GDP, according to the US CIA, in 2010 was as follows: services - 31.4%, industry - 46.6%, agriculture - 22%.
In Soviet times, a modern industry was created in Armenia, Armenia supplied machinery and equipment, textile and other industrial products to the internal market of the USSR in exchange for the supply of raw materials and electricity. Agriculture developed on the basis of large agro-industrial complexes.
The Karabakh conflict, the severance of intra-union economic ties and the closure of the Turkish-Armenian border led to a severe economic downturn in the early 1990s. Many factories and factories stopped due to lack of raw materials and energy resources, agriculture returned back to small-market economy. After gaining independence, a number of market reforms were carried out in Armenia, including privatization, pricing reform and the transition to an economical fiscal policy, however, geographical isolation, limited export resources and monopolization of the main economic sectors made Armenia particularly sensitive to the crisis in the world economy and economic downturn in Russia. In 1994, the Armenian government initiated an IMF-backed economic liberalization program that reduced poverty, reduced inflation, stabilized its currency, and privatized most small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Armenian nuclear power plant, built in the 1970s, was closed after the Spitak earthquake (1988), although it itself was not damaged. One of the plant's two reactors resumed operations in 1995, but the Armenian government is under international pressure to shut it down out of concerns about the safety of the reactors. Nuclear power plants provide 40% of the country's energy consumption, hydropower accounts for another 25%. In the energy sector, Armenia remains highly dependent on Russian aid. Many energy facilities in Armenia are owned and / or managed by Russia. In particular, in 2002 the power distribution networks were privatized and in 2005 became the property of RAO UES.
In 2007, the construction of a gas pipeline was completed to deliver natural gas from Iran. Iranian gas supplies are planned to increase in connection with the completion of the construction of the Yerevan CHPP in April 2010.
The largest share in the value of export supplies from Armenia is made up of cast iron, unprocessed copper, molybdenum and other non-ferrous metals. A serious imbalance in foreign trade caused by economic isolation from neighboring countries - Turkey and Azerbaijan, is compensated by certain international assistance (including from the Armenian diaspora), remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in 2003. Despite significant economic growth, the unemployment rate remains high.
In 2007, Armenia ranked 84th in the UN Human Development Index, which was the best indicator among the Transcaucasian countries, and in 2010, Armenia climbed to 76th place, but this is already the worst indicator among the Transcaucasian countries (Azerbaijan - 67th th place, and Georgia - 73rd). In 2007, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index, Armenia ranked 99th out of 179 countries. In 2010, Armenia took 123rd place out of 178 countries, and in 2011 it took 129th place out of 182 countries. In 2008, according to the index of economic freedom, Armenia was in 28th place, ahead of countries such as Austria, France, Portugal and Italy, and now (2011) it is in 36th place.
In the mid-2000s, the annual growth of the Armenian economy for several years exceeded 10%, but in 2009 Armenia experienced a sharp economic recession, GDP fell by more than 14%, despite large loans from international organizations. The main reasons for the crisis were a sharp decline in the construction sector and a decrease in cash receipts from workers who left to work abroad. In 2010, some economic recovery began, but in 2011, one of the most authoritative and well-known economic publications in the world, Forbes magazine, gave Armenia the 2nd place after Madagascar in the ranking of the worst economies in the world.
The monetary unit of Armenia is dram, equal to 100 lumas. The dram has been in circulation since November 22, 1993. Before the dram was put into circulation, Soviet rubles were used, which were subsequently exchanged at the rate of 200 rubles. for 1 AMD. In circulation there are coins in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 drams, as well as notes in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 drams. 
All modern banknotes are designed by the English company "Thomas de la Rue". The design of the banknotes of the 1993-95 sample was developed by the German company Giesecke & Devrient. Coins of the 1994 sample (except for 10 drams) and banknotes of the 1993-1995 sample are not currently used.
Industry
Modern industry in Armenia was created in Soviet times, then the country supplied machinery and equipment, textile and other industrial products to the domestic market of the USSR in exchange for the supply of raw materials and electricity. As mentioned above, in the 90s of the last century there was a serious recession due to many negative factors, and most of the production did not work due to a lack of resources. After the measures were taken in 1994 to save the economy, the industry gradually began to recover. Every year since 2001, Armenia EXPO, the largest universal trade and industrial exhibition forum in the region, has been held in Armenia.
As a result of the global financial crisis, industry (as well as the entire economy) has been hit hard. But already in 2010, some areas (mining and processing industries) of the industry even managed to exceed the level that was before the crisis, and the production of soft drinks increased by 9.1%, natural juices - by 64.7%, mineral waters - 28 , 4% and spring water - by 26.2%. However, other industries experienced a decline in the same year. Thus, the production of food and alcohol declined, but this was against the background of an increase in the physical volume of retail turnover in January-May 2010.
Energy of Armenia
In 1962, the construction of the Sevan-Hrazdan irrigation complex and a cascade of hydroelectric power stations, which began in 1937, was completed. Six hydroelectric power stations were built on the Hrazdan River and many irrigation canals and reservoirs, and tunnels were laid in the mountains for the discharge of river waters into the lake. Sevan for the purpose of replenishing its water reserves. As a result, part of the electricity generated in the republic was exported to Georgia and Azerbaijan in exchange for natural gas... Gas-fired power plants were built in Yerevan, Hrazdan and Vanadzor. In 1970, they provided more energy than hydroelectric power plants.
In 1977-1979. in Metsamor, near Yerevan, a powerful nuclear power plant with two power units was created, which fully satisfied the needs of the republic for electricity. 
In particular, the requests of an aluminum plant and a large plant for the production of synthetic rubber and automobile tires were met. The Armenian nuclear power plant was shut down shortly after the Spitak earthquake out of fears that repeated aftershocks would lead to catastrophic consequences in Armenia itself and neighboring regions of Turkey. Due to the energy crisis, the nuclear power plant was re-launched in 1996.
Mining industry
The share of the mining industry in the gross output of Armenia is approximately 5% (1990s). Armenia produces refined copper, primary aluminum (on imported alumina), rolled products and aluminum foil, molybdenum, zinc, lead, barite in concentrates, gold, silver, tellurium, selenium, rhenium (in slimes and concentrates), copper sulfate, sulfuric acid and other.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the Armenian government enacted a new law on the exploration and development of mineral deposits. This law is known as the Mining Code and has been in place since 1992. It was developed with the participation of experts from the European Union and is based on the "Western" model of such acts. It sets out the procedures for acquiring licenses, the rights and obligations of their owners, which contribute to the attraction of foreign investment. In addition, at the beginning of the 21st century, the republic developed and used two large projects- "Remet" and "Molybdenum", which provide for the creation of a scientific and industrial base for the metallurgical processing of copper, molybdenum, gold-bearing, polymetallic concentrates to obtain high-purity metals.
Manufacturing industry
After 1953, the government of the USSR oriented Armenia towards the development of the chemical industry, nonferrous metallurgy, metalworking, mechanical engineering, the textile industry, the production of building materials, as well as the production of wines, brandy and cognacs. Later, precision instrumentation, the production of synthetic rubber and plastics, chemical fibers and electrical appliances were added to this list. In terms of the volume of manufactured electrical products, Armenia occupied the third place among the union republics of the USSR, and in terms of the volume of machine-tool industry products - the fifth. However, the most important industry was the chemical industry, which produced mineral fertilizers, synthetic stones for the production of tools and watches, and fiberglass (based on the processing of local tuffs and basalts).
In 2011, an increase in production in this area was observed by 7.7%. Including food production increased by 13.5%, beverages - by 6.6%, tobacco products - decreased by 46.6%. Clothing production increased by 52.7%. The production of leather and leather goods increased by 17%. Production of wood products decreased by 25%, while paper production increased by 40.4%. The chemical industry has shrunk by 40%. Pharmaceuticals produced 6.5% more products. The production of rubber and plastic products decreased by 9.6%.
Agriculture of Armenia
Added value per person employed in agriculture in the South Caucasus countries (constant 2005 prices, US dollars) according to the World Bank.
The gross agricultural product in 2002 amounted to 377.6 billion drams, of which 60% - the share of crop production, 40% - the share of livestock. About 98% of the gross agricultural product is produced by private farms and trade organizations.
There are few areas suitable for agriculture. The valleys of the Araks are mainly used. Cotton, grapes, almonds, olives, grains, vegetables are grown. Pastures and hayfields occupy about 28% of the entire territory.
It is known that Armenia is one of the most ancient centers of grape culture; the most ancient wine-making economy in the world was also found on the territory of Armenia. Armenian grapes have a high sugar content, delicate aroma and delicate taste. Some table varieties are classified as the best in the world assortment, while others are highly valued as raw materials for the production of strong dessert wines and cognacs. Particularly noteworthy are the cognac varieties, which are almost unmatched. Vineyards in Armenia are found at an altitude of 1400 m, where they bear fruit well. 
Fruit growing is inferior to viticulture both in place in the gross agricultural output, and in marketability and industrial value. Most common are stone fruit species (about 2/3 of all fruit trees in the republic), especially apricots and peaches, then plums and cherry plums, cherries and cherries, elk, dogwood, and from pome fruits - apples, pears and quince. The share of nut-bearing - walnuts, hazelnuts - and subtropical - figs, pomegranates, almonds is insignificant. Some Armenian varieties of apricots, peaches, walnuts, quince are superior in quality to the best varieties in the world or are equal to them.
Livestock breeding
Land-scarce Armenia, at the same time, stands out for the richness of natural forage lands. Pastures and hayfields occupy about 28% of its entire territory. The country's leading branches of animal husbandry are cattle breeding and sheep breeding.
Cattle breeding is developed, first of all, on the Lori plateau, which is also considered a traditional center of pedigree cattle breeding, then in Shirak, in some of the regional Ararat plain, the Sevan basin and Zangezur. Among the successes of cattle breeding, one can note the successful breeding of a new breed of cows - the Caucasian Brown. Cows of this breed are well adapted to the most diverse natural and forage conditions in almost all regions of the republic and are distinguished by a fairly high productivity.
Sheep breeding in the republic has favorable conditions for successful development. Small ruminants are more adapted to grazing. It is developed on steep slopes and indented surfaces of high mountain areas where alpine pastures lie, namely in the Arna basin, in Zangezur, in the Sevan basin, on the western slopes of Aragats. In a number of other mountainous regions, sheep breeding is developing in parallel with cattle breeding.
Carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophthalmichtys molitrix) and grass carp (Ctenopharygodon idella) are bred in ponds of Armenia with emerging vegetation and soft bottom soil. In narrow ponds with concrete walls and the bottom of the main fish species farmed for sale are: rainbow trout (Parasalmo mykiss), brook trout (Salmo trutta m. fario), Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan), Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri). Recreational fishing is allowed in all bodies of water, with the exception of those located in protected areas.
The main fish resources of Armenia are concentrated in Lake Sevan, however, due to the overuse of fish resources during the years of perestroika, they have drastically decreased. At the moment, commercial fish catch in Sevan is prohibited for a period of three years. Recreational fishing in Armenia is allowed in all water bodies with the exception of those located in protected areas. The main fish species inhabiting Armenia are: Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan), whitefish (Coregonus), Sevan khramulya (Varicorhinus capoeta sevangi), carp (Carassius auratus).
Many birds and animals have long been hunted in Armenia, including quail (Coturnix couturnix), stone partridge (Alectoris graeca), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), dove (Columba livia), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), wolves (Canis lupus ) (hunting them is now even rewarded), deer (Cervus spp.), wild boars (Sus scrofa), mouflons (Ovis musimon). The populations of many game species have declined sharply, and hunting for many of the listed mammals is now prohibited. Snakes, including the Armenian viper (Vipera raddei) and Gyurza (Vipera lebetina), are collected and used in folk medicine.
The main tourist centers are Tsaghkadzor, Jermuk, Arzni and Dilijan, etc. The cities of Kajaran, Sisian, Meghri are famous for their mineral springs, similar in composition to the springs in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. The Geghard monastery complex, the pagan temple of Garni, Noravank, Lake Sevan, the ruins of the Zvartnots temple, the Amberd fortress and the Matenadaran are also very popular among tourists. 
Currently, there are 117 accommodation facilities in the republic. Including 63 hotels, 26 hotel-type facilities, 23 tourist centers. There are also 11 health resorts and 11 boarding houses on the territory of the republic.
Armenia is a country rich in cultural and natural monuments, which is why it is called an "open-air museum". There are over 4 thousand unique monuments in Armenia. Among them are the monuments of the pre-Christian era: the ruins of the Urartian Erebuni, Teishebaini, the ancient Armenian capitals Armavir, Artashat, the pagan temple of Garni and others. 
Armenia is especially rich in monuments related to Christian architecture. This Cathedral in Vagharshapat, monasteries Noravank, Geghard, Khor Virap, Goshavank, Sevanavank, ruins ancient church Zvartnots, the cemetery of khachkars in Noraduz and many others. Among the natural monuments one can note the unique Lake Sevan, the waterfall in Jermuk, the Parz Lich and Kari lakes, the rocks of Khndzoresk, as well as the most beautiful and diverse mountain landscape of the country.
State system of Armenia, Constitution of Armenia
The fundamental document that defines the state structure of Armenia is the constitution adopted in a referendum on July 5, 1995 and amended by the results of a referendum on November 27, 2005. The Constitution approves the Republic of Armenia as a sovereign, democratic, social, rule-of-law state in which power belongs to the people and is exercised through free elections , referendums, as well as through state bodies, local government bodies and officials provided for by the constitution.
President of Armenia
The President of Armenia is elected for a five-year term. According to the Constitution, the President is granted emergency powers in the event of a threat to the functioning of public institutions. A citizen of the Republic of Armenia who is at least 35 years old and has permanently resided in its territory for the last 10 years can be elected President. The President is the guarantor of the constitution, independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic. It ensures the normal functioning of the legislative and executive branches.
The current president (since April 9, 2008) is Serzh Sargsyan, before him the country was led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan (October 16, 1991 - February 3, 1998) and Robert Kocharian (February 4, 1998 - April 9, 2008).
Government of Armenia
The President, in consultation with the parliamentary factions in the National Assembly, appoints the prime minister who enjoys the confidence of the majority of the deputies, and if this is not possible, then the person who enjoys the confidence of a larger number of deputies. The President, on the proposal of the Prime Minister, appoints and dismisses members of the government.
The highest legislative body is the National Assembly. The National Assembly consists of 131 deputies (41 deputies are elected in single-mandate majoritarian constituencies, 90 in a proportional system). The National Assembly is elected through popular elections for a five-year term. A deputy can be a citizen of the Republic of Armenia at least 25 years old who has permanently resided in its territory for at least three years prior to election day.
The last parliamentary elections were held on May 6, 2012. Eight parties and one party bloc participated in the parliamentary elections on May 6, 2012, which fought for 90 seats in the National Assembly, envisaged by the proportional system. 137 candidates competed for 41 majority seats in parliament. 
According to the election results, the "Republican Party of Armenia" received 69 mandates, "Prosperous Armenia" - 37 mandates, "Armenian National Congress" - 7 mandates, "Country of Law" - 6 mandates, "Legacy" - 5 mandates, "Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun" - 5 mandates. On May 30, 2012, the "Republican Party of Armenia" and the "Orinats Yerkir" party formed a ruling coalition.
Judicial branch
The highest court of the Republic of Armenia, in addition to issues of constitutional justice, is the Court of Cassation, which is called upon to ensure the uniform application of the law. Constitutional justice in the Republic of Armenia is administered by the Constitutional Court. The independence of the courts is guaranteed by the constitution and laws. The Council of Justice is formed and operates in accordance with the procedure established by the Constitution and the law.
Administrative divisions of Armenia
Armenia is a unitary state, divided into ten regions (Armenian մարզ - marz) and the city of Yerevan.
The provinces are made up of urban and rural communities. Heads of regions (in Armenian մարզպետ - marzpets) are appointed and dismissed by the government. The communities carry out local government councils of elders and community leaders (mayor of the city, village headman), elected for three years. The Mayor of Yerevan is elected by the Council of Elders of Yerevan.
As of 2007, there were 915 villages, 49 cities and 932 communities in the republic, of which 866 were rural.
As of September 2011, the Republic of Armenia maintains diplomatic relations with 149 UN member states. There are 26 embassies in the capital Yerevan. 
Armenia, together with some other former Soviet republics, is a member of the CSTO, a military-political union created on the basis of the Collective Security Treaty, as well as the Common Air Defense System of the CIS.
In early September 2013, Armenia expressed its desire to join the Customs Union and participate in the subsequent formation of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Russian-Armenian relations
On the territory of Armenia, there is the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri, which is on alert within the framework of the Joint Air Defense System of the CIS countries.
Trade with Russia accounts for about 20% of the republic's foreign trade. In 2005, the joint trade turnover amounted to about $ 300 million. Russia is one of the main investors in the Armenian economy: the total volume of Russian investments exceeded $ 240 million.
Many large Armenian enterprises are owned by Russian companies. For example, until 2006 the gas monopoly Armrosgazprom was 45% controlled by Gazprom and 10% by the Russian gas company Itera. At the moment, in exchange for a three-year contract for the supply of gas at $ 110 each, an additional issue of shares has been carried out and Gazprom's share has been increased to 82%.
The Russian Federation owns the Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant, which supplies electricity not only to Armenia, but also to Iran and Georgia. The power plant, along with several other Armenian enterprises, was transferred to Russia in 2002 to repay the state debt of Armenia.
Foreign policy of Armenia and Azerbaijan
Armenia and Azerbaijan are negotiating on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. It is often repeated in Baku that if the negotiations do not yield results, then Azerbaijan is ready to return the uncontrolled territories by military measures.
On November 2, 2008, the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia signed a declaration on the Karabakh conflict. The leaders of the three states agreed to work together to improve the situation in the Caucasus.
Azerbaijan's foreign policy is aimed at removing Armenia from regional projects. In 2006, in an interview with the Arabic-language TV channel Al-Jazeera, Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan is and will continue to pursue a policy aimed at driving Armenia into an energy and transport deadlock until it regains control over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Foreign policy of Armenia and Greece
Greece was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Armenia on September 21, 1991, and one of those to officially recognize the Armenian genocide. Greece is the second after Russia military partner of Armenia and the closest ally in NATO.
Armenian-Georgian relations
Since Armenia's border with Turkey and Azerbaijan is closed, and Armenia is landlocked, Georgia plays a crucial role for Armenia in terms of export and import of various products and goods. There is a railway between Armenia and Georgia. Armenia exports electricity to Georgia. In 2009, Armenia ranked fourth in terms of imports of Georgian goods (7.9% of all exports).
Armenian-Iranian relations
On the border of Iran and Armenia, there is a car crossing Karchevan, which has been actively operating since the early 1990s. There are projects and agreements on the construction of a railway between the two countries.
In May 2004, the main contract for the construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was signed. The inauguration of the gas pipeline took place on March 19, 2007 in the presence of the Presidents of Armenia Robert Kocharian and Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Foreign policy of Armenia and the United States of America
The United States of America recognized the independence of Armenia on December 25, 1991 and opened an embassy in Yerevan in February 1992. Even before Armenia gained independence in 1991, the Armenian lobby of the United States represented the interests of Armenia. In 2005, the United States allocated $ 7 million to modernize the communications system of the Armenian Armed Forces.
Armenian-Turkish relations
Turkey officially recognized the independence of Armenia on December 24, 1991, but still refuses to establish diplomatic relations with it. Relations between Armenia and Turkey are complicated by what Armenia is demanding, and Turkey refuses to recognize the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. During the Karabakh conflict, Turkey announced a blockade of the Armenian-Turkish border, which is officially explained by the participation of Armenian troops in the Karabakh war. As a result, trade and economic relations between the two states are difficult and unofficial.
On September 6, 2008, Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid a visit to Armenia. On October 10, 2009, the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Armenia Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed in Zurich (Switzerland) the "Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations" and "The Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations"; the documents provide for the creation of a joint commission of "independent historians" to study the issue of the 1915 Armenian genocide. On October 11 of the same year, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry criticized Turkey for signing agreements without settling the Karabakh conflict.
Foreign policy of Armenia and Pakistan
Pakistan does not recognize Armenia. High-ranking Pakistani officials attribute this to Azerbaijan's support in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia include four types of troops - ground forces, air force, air defense troops and border troops. The Armenian Armed Forces were formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and with the establishment of the Ministry of Defense in 1992. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is the President of Armenia (currently Serzh Sargsyan). Defense Minister - Colonel General Seyran Ohanyan. There are 48,570 people in the ranks. (2011). Armenian border guards are responsible for patrolling the borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan, while Russian troops continue to control the Armenian borders with Iran and Turkey.
Since 1992, Armenia has been a member of the CSTO and the CFE Treaty. The treaty sets limits on the main types of conventional weapons, such as tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, combat aircraft and helicopters, and provides for a reduction in the number of troops to the number stipulated in the agreement. The Armenian authorities, according to the terms of the agreement, comply with the restrictions. In 2011, the military budget of Armenia amounted to US $ 387 million.
At the moment, Armenia is taking part in the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. The country's government also discussed the possibility of sending Armenian peacekeepers to Lebanon. Also, Armenian peacekeepers participate in the NATO mission in Afghanistan, and in 2005-2008 they were in Iraq.
Population of Armenia
In 2001, the first population census after the declaration of independence in 1991 was carried out in Armenia, according to the results of which the resident population of the country was 3,213,011 people.
The resident population in mid-2010, according to UN estimates, was 3 million 092 thousand people.
The population of Armenia, according to the results of the census on October 12, 2011, amounted to 2,871,771 people of the current population (recorded by the census in Armenia without temporarily leaving the country, a decrease of 130,823 people was noted in comparison with the 2001 census) or 3,018,854 permanent population ( including those temporarily absent from the country, there was a decrease in the resident population by 194,157 people in comparison with the 2001 census). As of July 1, 2012, Armstat estimated the resident population of the country at 3,277.0 thousand people, based on the results of the 2001 census. Subsequently, Armstat adjusted the current estimates of the so-called "permanent population" (taking into account the temporarily absent in the country of RA citizens), so as of January 1, 2013 the population of Armenia was 3,026.9 thousand, and as of April 1, 2013, 3,028 thousand people. As of January 1, 2014, the population was 3,017.1 thousand people.
In terms of population, Armenia ranks 135th. Population censuses show a decline in the country's population and a highly homogeneous ethnic composition; Armenia is the only country the former USSR with an almost mono-ethnic population (98.11% of which are Armenians). An important factor influencing the dynamics of the country's population is emigration, primarily to Russia.
List of cities in Armenia
The country is highly urbanized (63.35%), however, the share of the urban population is decreasing, the decline of the urban population in the intercensal period 2001-2011 was -7.5%; over the same period, the decline in the rural population was -3.4%. In total, there were 49 cities in the republic as of 2013. The largest city is the capital of Armenia Yerevan (1,061.0 thousand people), the smallest is Dastakert with a population of 300 people. 
Major cities of Armenia: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Vagharshapat, Hrazdan, Abovyan, Kapan, Armavir, Gavar, Artashat, Charentsavan, Sevan, Goris, Masis, Ashtarak, Ararat, Ijevan, Artik, Sisian, Alaverdi.
National composition of Armenia
Armenians, Yezidis, Russians, Assyrians, Kurds, Ukrainians, Greeks, Georgians, Persians.
Languages
The state language of Armenia is Armenian. In addition to the Armenian (more precisely, the Eastern Armenian) language, the country has Russian (it is spoken by about 70% of the population), English and Yezidi as the language of the largest national minority.
The Russian language functions in an informative role (in Armenia there are three Russian TV channels "Channel One (Russia)", "RTR-Planeta" and "Culture", as well as the interstate TV and radio company "MIR" and the newspapers "Republic of Armenia", " Voice of Armenia "and others and the first Armenian economic journal in Russian" Basis ") and continues to carry a humanitarian function: it is necessary for reading literature in Russian, including professional, which reflects its importance as a translator of scientific and special knowledge, and also provides an opportunity to familiarize yourself with Russian culture.
The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia approved the regulation on the functioning of schools with in-depth teaching of the Russian language. There are more than 60 such schools in the republic. There are also 40 general education and 3 private schools in the country with Russian classes. In all such classes, teaching is carried out according to the programs and textbooks of the Russian Federation. In ordinary schools, the Russian language is taught at school from the second to the eleventh grades, while foreign languages- only from the fifth.
Religiously, the majority of the believing population of Armenia (94%) are Christians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. Fundamentals of the Armenian Doctrine apostolic church taught in schools in Armenia. In Yerevan, there is the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, which, along with the Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi, is the largest in the Caucasus. 
There is a small community of the Armenian Catholic Church (36 parishes), the followers of which are called "Franks" by the rest of the Armenians. There are also communities of Orthodox Christians - Russians, Greeks, Ukrainians, as well as a community of Russian-Molokans.
Followers of Islam live in Armenia - this religion is professed by Kurds, Persians, Azerbaijanis and other peoples. However, due to the exodus of Azerbaijanis as a result of the Karabakh conflict, the Muslim community has shrunk. There is a mosque for Muslims in Yerevan.
More than 40 thousand Yezidis (1.3% of the population) also live in Armenia, who mainly profess Yezidism. On September 29, 2012, the Yezidi temple "Ziarat" was solemnly opened in the Armavir region of Armenia. It is the first temple built outside of the original homeland of the Yezidis, Iraqi Kurdistan, to satisfy the spiritual beliefs of the Yezidis of Armenia.
Transport in Armenia
The total length of the railways in Armenia is 852 km (2001). Roads are electrified and have high throughput, however, in need of renovation. 
The Armenian railway operating on the territory of Armenia has connections with the Georgian (the only open connection), as well as with the Azerbaijan and Turkish railway, which are not used due to the closed borders with these states.
Armenia-Iran section
The Iran-Armenia railway will allow Armenia to use an alternative way of transporting energy resources and other goods, having gained access to the outside world. Currently, Armenia's railway communications with foreign countries are provided only through the territory of Georgia. According to various sources, the cost of building the Armenia-Iran railroad can range from $ 1 to 2 billion, the distance will be about 500 km (depending on the option chosen), and the average speed will be 100 km / h.
There are three options for the construction of the Armenia-Iran railway. According to the first, the construction of the railway will begin from Yeraskh station, which is located east of the city of Ararat, in the marz of the same name. Despite the fact that the station is not a dead end. Yeraskh is the terminal station of suburban electric trains on the Yerevan-Masis-Yeraskh section, and trains do not go further to Nakhichevan. According to this option, the length of the construction tracks through the territory of Armenia will be 443 km. According to the second option, construction will start from the Gagarin station, which is located between the cities of Hrazdan and Sevan, in the Gegharkunik marz on the Yerevan-Hrazdan-Sotk line. Freight trains pass through the station, and in the summer there is a suburban movement of electric trains, providing vacationers from Yerevan and its environs with access to rest on Lake Sevan. The length of the tracks from Gagarin station to the Iranian border will be 449 km, and the construction will cover the cities of Sevan, Gavar and Martuni, and further the cities of Vayots Dzor region and Syunik region. According to the third option, construction is proposed to start from the penultimate station on the Yerevan-Hrazdan-Sotk dead-end branch, namely from the Vardenis station of the same name in the city of Vardenis, which is located in the southeast of Gegharkunik marz. Only freight trains pass through Vardenis station. The length of the tracks through the Armenian territory from the Vardenis station to the border with Iran will be 397 km. However, upon completion of construction, in terms of the total distance from the Iranian border to Yerevan, this route will be the longest of the listed ones. An 80 km line will be built across Iran to the Marand station, which is located in northern Iran. Thus, the total length of the railway construction will amount to 523, 529 or 477 km, depending on the option chosen. The Armenian authorities are inclined to implement the second option.
Automobile transport
The length of paved roads is 8.4 thousand km. The roads are in a worn out condition. In mountainous areas and in the provinces, they are often simply absent, all transportation is carried out on gravel-crushed country roads, quite difficult to pass without the help of local residents. Lighting on city streets is scarce, and often absent altogether.
In the near future, large-scale road construction work should begin in Armenia, including the first stage of construction of the North-South highway.
Air Transport
In the conditions of the closed border with Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as the unstable situation on the Georgian-Russian border, air transport is actually the main type of international passenger transportation. Regular passenger air transportation is carried out through two airports - "Zvartnots" (Yerevan) and "Shirak" (Gyumri). It is also planned to build a third airport.
Zvartnots International Airport is located 10 km west of Yerevan. It was built in 1961 as the Zapadny airport, then in 1980 it was rebuilt and renamed into Zvartnots. In 1998, a new cargo terminal was opened, and in the summer of 2007, a new international passenger terminal. From here, flights are made to 70 cities around the world.
"Shirak" airport is located 5 km from Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia, located in the northwestern part of the country. Regular passenger air transportation is carried out only to Moscow, Sochi and Rostov-on-Don. The airport is convenient for residents of northern Armenia and Javakheti (Georgia). Work is underway to modernize the airport and bring it in line with international standards.
Erebuni Airport is located in Yerevan, 7 km south of the city. It is mainly used for military needs: the aviation of the Armenian Air Force and the Russian Air Force is based here, which jointly conduct duty to protect the southern borders of the CSTO member countries. From the airport there are private passenger charter flights to the CIS countries, as well as an irregular tourist helicopter service with the Stepanakert airport located in the NKR.
Tatev ropeway
There are cable cars in Armenia in Yerevan, Tsaghkadzor (a tourist center in the Kotayk region), Jermuk (a tourist center in the Vayots Dzor region), Alaverdi (a tourist center in the Lori region). In 2010, the world's longest cable car was built to the Tatev Monastery (a tourist center in the Syunik region). There are also commercial cable cars, for example, near the city of Kajaran (serving the mining industry in the Syunik region).
Pipeline transport
There is a network of gas pipelines in Armenia with a total length of 900 kilometers. At present, the Armenia-Georgia and Armenia-Iran gas pipelines operate, and there is an operating gas storage in Yeraskh. In 2009, the Iran-Armenia oil product pipeline was commissioned.
Culture of Armenia
Antiquity and antiquity
Armenian culture has its roots in ancient times. Statuettes, figurines, ornaments, handicrafts dating back to the 2nd-1st millennia BC have been repeatedly found on the territory of Armenia. e. By the beginning to the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. Armenian mythology is formed, which took an exceptional role in the formation of Armenian culture, and from the VI century BC. e. the development of pagan architecture begins. The rule of the Macedonians and the Hellenistic era that followed it had their influence on culture. Garni is one of the most famous monuments of this era.
In 69 BC. e. in the capital of Greater Armenia, in Tigranakert, an ancient Armenian theater emerged under the influence of Hellenistic traditions.
One of the main roles in the development and preservation of the Armenian culture and the consolidation of the Armenian identity was played by the adoption of Christianity by Armenia in 301 and the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405-406 by Mesrop Mashtots. The adoption of Christianity became the reason for the creation of one of the most important layers of Armenian culture - church architecture, and the creation of the alphabet marked the beginning of the development of Armenian literature and historiography.
In the Middle Ages, the art of sculptural relief, ornamental carving began to develop at a rapid pace in Armenia, the art of miniature reached a high level. A huge number of fairy tales, songs, epics have been created ("David of Sasunsky"). The art of church architecture reached its peak. Armenian literature continues its rapid development.
Fine arts of Armenia
Frescoes
The earliest known examples of Armenian fresco painting date back to the middle of the 5th century; these are fragments of frescoes from the Pogos-Petros Church in Yerevan and the Kasakh Basilica. The following early examples mainly date back to the 7th century (Lmbatavank, Aruchavank, etc.) and testify to a strong tradition of interior painting. A fragment of the frescoes of the Tatev monastery in Syunik that has survived to this day dates back to about 930, and the fragments of frescoes with images of the halo of Christ in the apse, the figure of the seated Virgin Mary, as well as an unknown saint (artist Yeghishe) in the Gndevank monastery - to 914.
Sculpture
Early medieval Armenian sculpture is represented by stone steles, ornamental and subject reliefs of the 4th-5th centuries. The earliest are reliefs of the plates of the Arcosolium of the tomb of the Armenian Arshakids in Akhts, dating back to 364. The capital of the memorial column in Kasakh (about the 4th century) and 2 reliefs of the end of the 4th century on the facade of the Echmiadzin Cathedral have been preserved. In general, early medieval Armenian sculpture is represented by three main schools - Ayrarat, Tashir and Syunik. In the 6th-7th centuries, a new flowering of sculptural art begins (round sculpture and reliefs), distinguished by the richness of decorative details, stylistic trends stand out. The temple of Zvartnots, built in 640-650s, became a masterpiece of architecture and fine art of this era. Subject figured reliefs (in the churches of Ptghni, Mrena), high-relief images of churchwardens (Sisian) appear.
In the 5th-7th centuries, the art of khachkars began to take shape - sculptural monuments representing a stone stele with a carved image of a cross. Khachkar art reaches its highest development in the XII-XIII centuries. In total, there are several thousand khachkars on the territory of Armenia, each distinguished by its unique pattern, although all patterns are usually kept in the same style.
Armenian miniature
In the history of the visual arts of medieval Armenia, the leading place was occupied by book miniatures - the earliest examples date back to the 6th-7th centuries .. A feature of the Armenian miniature is the variety of styles of various local schools - Cilicia, Gladzor, Tatev, Vaspurakan, etc. arts - "The Gospel of Tsar Mlke" (862), the Gospel (986), "The Echmiadzin Gospel" (989), "The Gospel of Mughni" (XI century), etc. It is distinguished by a special variety of styles and techniques miniature of the XIII-XIV centuries, when a number of original local schools of Armenian miniature developed.
Arts and crafts
The applied art of medieval Armenia is represented by rich and varied ceramics: glazed ceramics with painting and engraving, non-glazed ceramics with in-depth and relief ornaments, painted earthenware vessels. The main centers of ceramic production were located in the cities of Ani and Dvin, which flourished until the 12th-13th centuries. Preserved embroidery of the XIV century, metal art items, including chased silver gilded folds of the XIII-XIV centuries, church items, silver and gold frames for handwritten books (for example, the frame of the Gospel of Cilician work in 1255). In Ani, during the excavations of the Gagikashen church, a copper lampadophor chandelier dating back to the 11th century was discovered .. There are highly artistic examples of woodcarving, the earliest examples of which date back to the 10th century. A separate place in this art is occupied by wooden doors of temples ( door from Mush, 1134, doors from Arakelots church on Lake Sevan, 1176, etc.).
In the Middle Ages, churches and temples were also decorated with mosaics. Some fragments of early Christian mosaics were found in the cathedrals of Echmiadzin, Zvartnots and Dvin.
Armenian carpet
Armenian carpet is a term that defines pile and napless carpets that were woven by Armenians living both in the territory of the Armenian Highlands and beyond from the pre-Christian period (up to the 4th century AD) to the present day. Carpet weaving, being one of the types of Armenian decorative and applied arts, is inextricably linked with other types of decorative and applied arts of Armenians, continuing the traditions of other types of national fine arts. The main difference between Armenian carpets and Persian, Azerbaijani and other carpets is that stylized images of animals and people are used as ornamental motives. Traditionally in Armenia, floors are covered with carpets, interior walls houses, sofas, chests, seats and beds. Until now, carpets often serve as curtains. doorways, vestries and altars in temples, they cover the altars themselves in churches. Developing since ancient times, carpet weaving in Armenia from ancient times has been an integral part of everyday life, since almost every Armenian family was engaged in carpet weaving, despite the fact that "carpet weaving was an ancient female occupation of Armenians everywhere."
Armenian theater
The theater of Armenia is, along with the Greek and Roman, one of the oldest theaters in the world of the European type.
In the 1st millennium BC. e., in the era of slave-owning society, the most ancient Armenian theater developed, associated with the cult of ancestors, the glorification of the heroes' exploits, etc., the Armenian tragic theater of the dzainarku-gusans and vokhbergaks arose. With the cult of Gisane-Ara, with the celebration of the return of spring and bacchanalia in honor of the goddess of fertility "Anahit", the ancient Armenian comedy theater is also associated, the actors of which were katakergaki and kataka-gusans.
The Armenian professional theater arose during the Armenian Hellenistic monarchies from pagan mystery tragedy and folk comedy. According to the testimony of the Greek historian Plutarch in 69 BC. e. King Tigran II the Great (95-55 BC) built in the southern capital of Great Armenia Tigranakert a building similar to the Hellenistic amphitheaters in Syria, where performances were given. It is also known that the son of Tigran, King Artavazd II (56-34 BC), who also wrote the tragedies, created a Hellenistic theater in the northern capital of Armenia, Artashat (which the Romans called "Carthage of Armenia"). Since the 1st century BC e. numerous historical facts confirm the continuity of the existence of the Armenian professional theater, diverse in genres and types. For example, in Armavir, the capital of ancient Armenia, inscriptions in Greek were found with excerpts from the tragedies of Greek authors or, possibly, the Armenian king Artavazd II. There is also evidence of theatrical performances in the first centuries of our era. The Armenian theater continued its development after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in the first years of the 4th century. The earliest surviving dramatic works (dramatic poem) date back to the 13th-14th centuries, the earliest surviving tragedy is from 1668. Armenian professional theater of modern times began to form in the 1840s.
Armenian music
In the III century. BC e. the qualitative originality of Armenian music has already been formed. Some examples of pre-Christian Armenian musical creativity have been preserved in the works of ancient Armenian authors. The history of pre-Christian Armenian music is primarily associated with the gusans, who, in the Hellenistic era, originally served in the temple of the ancient Armenian god Gisane.
At the beginning of IV, Armenian Christian music appears, which, along with Aramaic, Jewish, Cappadocian, lies at the basis of general Christian musical culture. In the 5th century, the Armenian hymnography was formed - the creativity of the sharakans. At the turn of the 8th-9th centuries, the Armenian system of musical notation, the khazi, was formed. In the 10th century, tags appear - relatively voluminous monody of spiritual and secular content. In the era of the High Middle Ages, the Armenian musical notation was improved. From the middle of the 16th century, the art of Armenian ashugs began to take shape.
Armenian classical music began to take shape in the 19th century. In 1861, Grigor Sinanyan organized a symphony orchestra - the Sinanyan Orchestra. In 1868, Tigran Chukhajyan creates the opera "Arshak II" - the first Armenian national opera and the first opera musical history the whole East. Since the end of the XIX century. in Armenian classical music, a new movement began to collect and process ancient folk songs by professional composers, the largest among whom was Komitas.
Armenian musical instruments
Armenia is rich in folk musical instruments. Their history goes back many centuries and millennia. One of the most ancient Armenian folk instruments is the duduk.
From the VI century BC. e. pagan architecture developed in ancient Armenia, and from the beginning of the 4th century - Armenian Christian architecture. Xenophon reports that the dwellings of the ancient Armenians had towers. The most significant monument of Armenian antique architecture is the Garni temple, built by the king of Great Armenia Trdat I in the 70s. e. 
From the beginning of the 4th century, Armenian Christian architecture began to develop. Among the earliest examples of Armenian church architecture are the one-nave hall churches of Shirvanjukh (5th century), three-nave basilical churches - Kasakh (4th century), Ereruk (5th century), etc. the church of St. Hripsime, Talin Cathedral, Aruchavank, Mren, Mastara, Sisavan, etc. A masterpiece of Armenian architecture of the 7th century is the Zvartnots temple, erected between 641-661. The next rise in Armenian architecture dates back to the 10th century, the period of development of the sovereign Armenian state. The churches of Tatev, (895-905), St. Cross in Akhtamar (915-921), Vaganavank (911), Gndevank (930), Sanahin (957-962), Haghpat (976-991), etc. The rise of the Armenian architecture of the late XII-XIII centuries is associated with the liberation of Armenia by the Zakaryans. A number of new stone structures were created, including overlapping overlapping arches. The most famous monuments of time: Harichavank (1201), Makaravank (1205), Tegher (1213-1232), Dadivank, (1214), Geghard (1215), Saghmosavank (1215-1235), Hovhannavank (1216), Gandzasar (1216-1238) ), Haghartsin (1281) and some others.
Tuff plays an important role in Armenian architecture - the most common building material in Armenia, where one of the two largest tuff deposits in the world is located (the other is in Italy). Tuff blocks have been used in construction since ancient times.
Vishaps
Vishaps (Armenian վիշապներ, Veshaps, Azhdahaki) are ancient mythological creatures, who were portrayed as tall stone statues, menhirs. Vishaps are common in the mythologies of the countries of the Armenian Highlands and Western Asia. Peoples inhabiting the Armenian Highlands in the II millennium BC e. or earlier, hewed images of vishaps out of stone and installed them near underground water sources. Over time, the mythological image of vishaps has undergone changes in mythologies. different nations became associated with evil spirits, dragons, etc., often retaining the original connection with water.
Armenian brandy
Arbun is the name of the brand of an alcoholic beverage produced in Armenia. During the former USSR, Armenian cognacs won prizes, usually first places, for which they gained fame in many countries of the world.
Old manuscripts and folk legends prove that winemaking and viticulture in Armenia have been practiced since ancient times, somewhere from the 15th century BC. e. A mention of the fact that excellent wines were exported from the region to neighboring countries for sale can be found in the ancient Greek historians Herodotus, Xenophon, Strabo. The wines were high quality, aged and varied. Armenia is a country with an ancient tradition of growing grapes.
Brandy production in Armenia was founded in 1887 by the merchant of the first guild Nerses Tairyan in Yerevan at the first winery, built ten years earlier on the territory of the former Yerevan fortress. At the improved plant, two fire distillation apparatus were installed for smoking cognac alcohol.
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia
There are 3 groups of objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in Armenia:
Social sphere of Armenia
The Republic of Armenia ensures the right to education - regardless of nationality, race, gender, language, religion, political or other views, social origin, property status or other circumstances.
According to the RA Constitution, every citizen, on a competitive basis, has the right to receive free higher or other professional education in state educational institutions. 
In 1999 the RA National Assembly approved the law “On Education”. Education in Armenia is supervised by the Ministry of Education and Science.
Secondary education
Secondary education in Armenia is carried out in three-stage general education schools for 12 years in the following stages:
The presence of a certificate of secondary (complete) general education or another certificate recognized as equivalent to it is a prerequisite for admission to universities. Admission to all higher education programs is carried out on a competitive basis based on the results of entrance examinations.
In educational institutions of the Republic of Armenia, a 10-point grading scale is used.
Higher education
One of the leading scientific centers in Armenia is the Yerevan State University. YSU was founded on May 16, 1919. The first classes began in February 1920. Today, about 13,000 students study at 22 faculties of the university. 200 out of 1,200 teachers have the academic title of Doctor of Science and more than 500 - Candidate. The position of rector is now occupied by Aram Grachaevich Simonyan.
Yerevan State Linguistic University named after V. Ya. Bryusov is the leading university in Armenia specializing in linguistics and philology. Founded in 1935, the university has trained over 50,000 specialists in the field of Russian, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, political science, regional studies, international tourism, international journalism and other specialties.
International University "Eurasia" was founded in 1997, has branches in the cities of Noyemberyan, Ijevan (Armenia) and Rostov-on-Don (Russia), the university has three faculties: economics, law and foreign languages.
Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University was founded in 1998 at the initiative of the Russian government. Now more than three thousand students study in it. The university has become the third Russian-national (after the Kyrgyz and Tajik) in the CIS. Since 2001, the rector of the university is Armen Razmikovich Darbinyan.
The State Engineering University of Armenia was founded in 1933 and is the leader of the national technical education, providing multi-stage engineering education. SEUA has 3 branches in Gyumri, Vanadzor and Kapan. Since 2006 Vostanik Zavenovich Marukhyan has been the rector.
The Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory was founded in 1921, first as a music studio, and two years later as a higher musical educational institution. Since 2002, the pianist, professor Sergei Georgievich Sarajyan has become the rector of the YSC. The conservatory has a student symphony orchestra, chamber orchestras, an orchestra of folk instruments and a folk choir, and various chamber ensembles.
The Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Mkhitar Heratsi, American University of Armenia, State Agrarian University of Armenia, Modern Humanitarian Academy, French University in Armenia and others.
Science in Armenia
The first evidence of human exploration of the surrounding reality on the territory of Armenia has been found since the third millennium BC - these are the stone observatories of Karahunj (Zorats-kar) and Metsamor, cuneiform records, engineering structures Urartian period.
The catalyst for the development of scientific thought was the creation in the 5th century by Mesrop Mashtots of the alphabet, which the Armenians use to this day. Subsequently, numerous schools were opened throughout Armenia, literary works, treatises on history, philosophy, linguistics, works on natural sciences, geography, astronomy, mathematics, etc. were written. The most prominent representatives of the so-called "golden age of Armenia" are the historian Movses Khorenatsi ( 5th century), philosopher David Anhakht (6th century), geographer, astronomer and mathematician Anania Shirakatsi (7th century), poet and philosopher Grigor Narekatsi (10th century), healer Mkhitar Heratsi (12th century), thinker Mkhitar Gosh (XII century), etc. In 1051 the great educator Grigor Magistros translated the geometry of Euclid into Armenian.
The existence on the territory of Armenia of universities dates back to the same time: Ani (11th century), Gladzor (13th century), Tatev (14th century), Sanahin Academy (12th century), where, along with theology, secular disciplines were taught: history, philosophy, grammar, mathematics, medicine, music.
After the revolution of 1917, hundreds of representatives of the Armenian scientific intelligentsia returned to Armenia, who joined the organization of higher schools and scientific institutions in the new Armenia: numerous scientific research institutes, laboratories, and centers conducting scientific research were created. On their basis, in 1935, the Armenian branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences was created, which in a short time became one of the largest scientific centers in the country. In 1943, the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR was created on the basis of the branch.
Healthcare in Armenia
The system of primary health care of the population is primarily aimed at preventing diseases and received support from the World Bank, which undertook to finance the program for the establishment of the institution of family doctors. Within the framework of the credit program of the World Bank (WB), in 2002 alone, 47 outpatient clinics were built in the marzes and 14 were under construction. At present, the third WB credit program is underway, according to which an outpatient clinic of family doctors will be built in the republic. Family doctors' offices are equipped with modern equipment and personnel who have undergone appropriate training and education.
Within the framework of the WB credit program, 2 departments for the training of family doctors were created in Armenia.
Residents of cities, at their discretion, can choose either a family doctor or a district therapist and a district pediatrician for children. As a result of the reform of primary health care, a new type of doctor should be formed. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the country's budget, and in 2006 the state assumed responsibility for the social health sector and introduced free medical care to the population in primary health care (polyclinics, outpatient clinics). Until 2006, in primary health care services by narrow specialists (except for district therapists and pediatricians) were paid. Laboratory and diagnostic tests were also paid. However, the service of certain groups of socially unprotected layers of the population, as well as patients with social diseases, who are registered at the dispensary, was carried out free of charge.
Human rights in Armenia
According to Freedom House, the situation with respect to human rights in Armenia is generally better than in most of the post-Soviet countries, but it has significant problems, and is somewhat similar to the situation in Georgia. According to the same organization, Armenia belongs to the so-called "partially free" countries.
Armenian media
All types of media are represented in Armenia - from newspapers and magazines to radio, television and the Internet. Censorship is prohibited in 2004 by the media law. However, libel is punishable and some journalists were sentenced to prison for libel. But for several years there have been no libel cases.
There is a lack of transparency in media ownership. This is the result of shortcomings in disclosure laws.
Television and Radio
Broadcast media are the most popular in Armenia. In general, there are 40 private channels and 2 public television networks, as well as Russian-language channels. There are many radio stations.
Limitations of pluralism are a serious problem in this area. The broadcast media, with the exception of a limited number of programs expressing alternative views, do not provide the public with consistent, objective and pluralistic information. Broadcast media can be characterized as predominantly pro-government, despite the transformation of state-owned television into public television and the existence of a number of private channels. This is due to the current legislation. The current Law "On Television and Radio" provides for two bodies - the Council of Public Television and Radio (SOTR) and the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR). The members of both bodies are appointed by the President and therefore all broadcasters regulated or controlled by these bodies are subject to government influence.
Newspapers
Print media are much more pluralistic than broadcast media. The coverage of events is more versatile, and sometimes the state and its policies are openly criticized. However, since none of the print media has a daily circulation of more than 3000-4000 copies, print mass-media Armenia does not play a special role in informing society.
Internet
The number of companies working in the near-network areas is at around 200. 35 of them provide a variety of services, 24 provide training.
Am is the country code top-level domain for Armenia. Anyone can register a domain in the .am zone - both resident and non-resident of Armenia. For religious and ethical reasons, the .am zone registry prohibits the delegation of obscene domain names. Also, restrictions on the registration of domains of well-known brands have been lifted.
According to Microsoft estimates, today in Armenia there are no more than 150-180 thousand computers (for 3 million people), but computer piracy is developed in Armenia. The Republic was in the lead in the first global survey of the International Association of Manufacturers software(Business Software Allianse) among 123 countries in terms of piracy - 95%, but now piracy is at 89%. Local IT companies that develop original software are victims of such a high level of piracy, but their potential users choose pirated Russian or English versions simply because they are cheaper.
Telecommunications
The Internet is quite widespread throughout the country and is available in almost any city. The number of users is 30 thousand, which is about 1% of the population of Armenia, but there is an upward trend in this figure. Today there are about 20 internet providers operating in Armenia.
Currently, there are three mobile operators operating in Armenia:
The first 3G network in Armenia was launched by Beeline in October 2008, the quality of which left much to be desired a year later. On April 17, 2009, 3G was launched by competitors from K-Telecom (or VivaCell, a subsidiary of MTS).
Sports in Armenia
Some of the most popular sports in Armenia are swimming, weightlifting, football, chess, boxing, judo, wrestling, skiing and rock climbing. Aquatic species sports in Armenia, due to the lack of access to the sea, can be practiced only in lakes, in particular, in Sevan. On the international level Armenian athletes are most successful in weightlifting and wrestling. Armenia is a member of:
Due to the recent lack of success in international competitions, 16 sports facilities, built in Soviet times, have been restored in recent years to educate young athletes in Armenia. Schools also provided equipment for a total of $ 1.9 million. The Armenian government also financed the restoration of regional schools. $ 9.3 million invested in restoration ski resort in Tsaghkadzor for the development of winter sports in Armenia. In 2005, a bicycle center was opened in Yerevan. The government is also promising a $ 700,000 cash reward for the Armenian athlete who wins a gold medal at the Olympics.
Armenia is particularly successful in chess. Armenian chess players are three-time champions of the Chess Olympiad.
The country also regularly hosts the Pan-Armenian Games.
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