The country of southern Transcaucasia is very comfortable among the delightful mountains and beautiful plains. A trip to this amazing country will turn for you an unforgettable adventure. This place giving its guests with rich impressions: unmatched nature and hospitable locals will conquer your heart from the first minute. The culture and traditions of the Armenian people are so interesting that they should be familiar with them now. Let's start with the most important facts that you will be curious to learn about this country.
The small state of Armenia is located on the border with such countries as Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Armenia gained independence in 1991, leaving the composition of the USSR.
In memory of the Great Victory of the Soviet Union over the fascists in Yerevan, a monument to Mother Armenia was set.
In 1915, the Ottoman Empire arranged the Armenian Genocide, as a result of which about 1.5 million people died.
There are many world celebrities of Armenian origin.
Among them, the Kardashian family and singer Sher - her father was a leaving from Armenia.
With Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia has quite complicated relationships.
The question of the recognition of Turkey the genocide of the Armenian people remains open, which is the cause of conflicts. After the collapse of the USSR, the war began between Armenia and Azerbaijan for Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia is the first Christian state.
Christianity has become a state religion here in 301.
There are still churches for several centuries in the country.
Among them are Geghard and Sevanavank monasteries. The latter was built back in 874, but well preserved until now.
Most of the iconic attractions of Armenia can be divided into the following groups:
- cultural objects;
- monuments of ancient architecture;
- natural facilities (resorts, reserves, scenic places).
Get acquainted with the past countries and look for the roots of the national mentality better in the metropolitan museums. For example, in the Museum of History on Argishti Street, where the most ancient archaeological finds of Armenia are collected. Only here you will find an ax, which is 100,000 years old and, thanks to miniature layouts, make an idea of \u200b\u200bthe appearance of ancient Yerevan.
On the avenue of Mesrop Mashtots, there is another interesting institution - Matenadaran. The funds of the storage facilities of the ancient manuscripts and firstite books are about 17,000 valuable manuscripts and more than 100,000 important historical documents.
If there is time, you can rinse in the Museum of Sergei Parajanov, which is on Dzogharuh Street. By the way, the museum is open to a close friend of the famous director. It is not a sin to look into the national art gallery, where, in addition to the ancient frescoes, miniatures and samples of modern Armenian visual arts, you can see the canvas of the legendary Marinist Aivazovsky.
The oppressive impression leaves an excursion to the Museum of the Armenian Genocide. Internal facilities of the object go under the ground, symbolizing the entrance to the afterlife. Empty here never happens, but silence in the museum is piercing: it is not taken loud to talk loudly, so as not to insult the memory of the brutal of tortured compatriots.
Diametrically opposite atmosphere reigns in the Museum of Megherana, located on Madoyan Street. Once in this kingdom of carpets and tapestries, it is impossible to stay from admiring exclamations. Do not regret money for a full-fledged excursion, which will introduce you to the main stages of creating these beautiful products.
Armenia is a state, one of the first to those who adopted Christianity, so if you are drawn in the saint places, consider what was in the right place. In the vicinity of Alaverdi, there are two very interesting objects listed on UNESCO World Heritage List: Achpat and Sanain Monasteries. Built in the 10th century, these massive stone buildings were withstanding not one earthquake.
Be sure to visit the singing fountains on the Republic Square. Transparent aqueous jets rise up and lowered, under the fascinating classic, pop and rock composition, forming bizarre cascades. Each view is accompanied by light installation (in the dark) and ends under the legendary chall of Aznavour "Eternal Love".
Outstanding monuments that can be considered symbols of the Armenian capital, in Yerevan there are only two: the monument "Mother Armenia", depicting a harsh woman with a sword, and the sculpture of David Sasunci - the Hero of the People's Epos, an invincible hero. The latter uses universal love and for a long time was the official emblem of the film studio "Armenianfront". If traditional monuments seem too correct and boring, it is possible to return to the cascade and lay on the avant-garde creation of the heat of the pleus - "man from the letters." Visually to locate the monument is easy: groups of tourists with phototechnics are always hanging around. Immediately, at the foot of the main staircase of Yerevan, there are other, complete expression of monuments. Some of them look somewhat outward than and attract attention.
All attractions of Armenia
Traditions and national flavor
People in Armenia impulsive, sociable and responsive. Despite the fact that the state language in the country - Armenian, Russian here is well understood, so when you want to clarify the route, you can safely contact local residents. It is possible that you will not only show a more convenient way, but also come to spend.
Smoking in public places in Armenia is not welcome. And although most points of the local catering on a burning cigarette are watching through the fingers (as a rule, there are no non-smoking areas in urban cafes), then climbing the wheel, the tourist risks being fined.
Not alien to Armenians and such a feeling as national pride. Chiticus other Caucasian peoples and to protrude their own significance here perfectly can. But the history of his nation in Armenia is honored.
And of course, what Armenian will refuse the ability to slightly inflated the tourist. So, going to the local markets, do not hesitate to bargain: moreover, than emotionally you do this, the more chances you have to win the location of the seller.
But the abuse of local sympathies is not worth it: if in the capital, some kind of liberty is forgiven, there are inappropriate actions in the province of a unpleasant conflict. Especially carefully behave in church and monastic premises. Celebrated conversations on the theme of the Armenian genocide and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are not fond of here, so try not to delve into politics. And of course, in no case, do not tarn the topless on local beaches, if you do not want to cause an open condemnation of others: Armenia, though looking towards Europe, continues to remain a purely Caucasian state.
Kitchen Armenia
Nothing offends the Armenians as the identification of their national dishes with Georgian and Azerbaijani analogues. Here, for example, it is quite sincerely believed that the debt is an invalid Armenian invention, which other people of the Transcaucasus were unless borrowed. What is interesting: besides traditional dollars with a filling of meat, onions and spices, there is its lean analog in Armenia, which is stuffed with peas, beans or lentils. Eating such a kushan on New Year's Eve.
Horovatz (kebab) served here at every turn. The main chip of the local recipe is the daily marination of meat in front of the roasting. For vegetarians, the "Summer Horovan" - baked vegetables (peppers, potatoes, tomatoes) will be excellent replacement for the animal product. And do not try to arm a fork, be easier: a real gyrovat is eaten solely with the help of hands.
You can dilute the abundance of meat food in the stomach can be saved with a soup based on the milk product of Mazongi with the addition of wheat grains, eggs and greenery. Lovers of strong and satisfying broths are better to stop their choice on the hash - soup, cooked from beef or pork legs. The dish is symbolic, so if Armenian friends invited you to Hash, you can count the test on unconditional trust covered. Jach with a crowded garlic, which is smeared on crisp pita. By the way, about the pita: Flat pellets are baked in Tandara and completely replace the bread with Armenians. In Lavash, you can wrap everything with your heart: kebab, seasonal vegetables, chopped greens.
By the fall, all Armenia comes with a hapama, which is a pumpkin, stuffed with rice, almonds and dried fruits. On the sweet, you can take the gate - the hybrid of buns and puff cake with sugar and butter filling. In each area of \u200b\u200bthe country, they adhere to their recipes, so do not be surprised that the Yerevan and Karaklis Gata can differ significantly on taste characteristics.
For incorrigible sweet tooths, there is a supersucer (spherical), which injecting often confused with Churchhel. Folded by walnut nucleolies, sausages from grape juice differ from the Georgian version of the sweetness with a rich taste of spices and softness of the consistency. Popular views of Armenian treats are traditionally nut-fruit: polished with honey and fastened peaches, dried apricots, sugar almonds.
As for drinks, choose from what. Even ordinary water from the crane in Armenia is cleaner and tastier than anywhere else. It is not necessary to leave for the connoisseurs of strong alcohol, without trying the Yerevan brandy, which is produced here for more than 125 years. Excellent quality and local wine products. It is better to take it in stores, because it is incredibly difficult to run into the fake. If you can knock over the stack of apricot or tart vodka.
Not spinning alcoholic beverages. Tourists should pay their eyes toward the dairy products: Tana and Maceni. Tea in Armenia is not very popular, it is universally replaced by the fragrant steady coffee, in which a sense knows here.
Transport
You can navigate between the country's regions either by bus or by train. True, it is not worth claiming to qualify for a high level of comfort: vehicles in Armenia, as a rule, seeing views and not tied to such benefits of civilization as air conditioners. Most buses next to major cities (Vanadzor, Gyumri, Sevan) departs from the Central Station of Yerevan. From here you can go to a fascinating shopping tour of Georgia or Turkey. To get to Ararat, Erashavan and Atahanta, you must first get to Sasunci David train station, from where the above-mentioned routes depart.
The travel option by train is usually more comfortable because the machinists are clearly followed by the schedule (as opposed to drivers of Yerevan buses).
The traditional public transport of the capital is the subway, buses, bus and taxis. The first covers not all areas of the city, so local prefer to use terrestrial modes of transport. By the way, instead of conductors and turnstiles here are still in the course of payment "From hand to hand."
If you arrived in Yerevan for the first time and do not know where to go first, take a taxi, without forgetting to hint at your own ignorance. In 99 cases out of 100, you are waiting for an exciting tour of the metropolitan streets, interspersed with emotional stories from the taxi driver.
Rent a car in Armenia is not the cheapest pleasure, but if you desperately wanted to charge, Russian rights here are quite suitable. And do not forget that in situations on the road, the notorious Caucasian hospitality does not work. Cut, overtake and violate all existing rules here adore here. By the way, parking in Yerevan is mostly paid.
Money
Yerevan stores take the only monetary unit - Armenian dram (AMD). 1 dram is 0.14 rubles.
The exchange points in the capital is sufficient, but if desired, the money can be exchanged and individuals (shop owners, street vendors). Usually they offer exchange for a more pleasant rate than the bank. The most disadvantaged money exchange option is the capital airport. Large network stores accept the payment by the card, in addition, in any city of Armenia, an ATM will be deleted to cash out.
Shopping
Tourists who love to bring a purchase from traveling with an indispensable national flavor, in Armenia there is where to raise. Handmade souvenirs and products are best looking for "Vernisazh" - open market. Silver decorations, folk musical instruments, clay dishes, crafts from stone and wood, handmade carpets - the choice of national attributes here, as on the eastern bazaar from the fairy tales "1000 and one night". Coming to the "Vernissage" is better at the weekend, since these days all tents and trays work.
Flea market "Vernissage" in Yerevan 
Representatives of the beautiful half of humanity should be made raid on cosmetics stores in search of products of the local organic brand Nairian. Cosmetics are not cheap, but is it possible to resist the promising labeling "Natural Product".
Be sure to store local delicacies: cheese, honey, coffee (it is an order of magnitude better than what is sold in our coffee boutiques), supersuch, chocolate candies produced by the Yerevan Confectionery Factory Grand Candy. And of course, grab a bag with spices and at least a bottle of Armenian brandy.
If your passion is national jewelry, do not hesitate to look into jewelry. Prices for jewelry in Armenia are quite imputed. It is not bad here and the skin is highlighted here, so in the markets it is often possible to meet a decent leather rudeness.
Information for tourists
- Semi-desert soils are located mainly in the Ararat Valley at the heights of 850-1250 m above sea level, occupy an area of \u200b\u200b236 thousand hectares. Characterized mainly by the low content of humus (up to 2%, for salt-alkaline soils 2.6%). The varieties of semi-desert soils are semi-desert brown (occupy 152 thousand hectares, are common on low-lying spaces of the Ararat foothill), irrigated brown meadow soils (53 thousand hectares in Ararat plain at altitudes 800-950 m), paleohydromorphic (about 2 thousand hectares in terrain adjacent to Yerevan), hydromorphic salt-alkaline soils (53 thousand hectares in Ararat Plain).
- Steppe soils occupy an area of \u200b\u200b797 thousand hectares at altitudes 1300-2450 m. Posted by chernozem (718 thousand hectares in Ararat Basin, Shirak, Laurie, Sevan basin and on and relatively gentle slopes of Syunik), Logo-chernozem (13 thousand hectares in Lori, Shirak and the Sevan pool), floodplain (48 thousand hectares in the valleys of rivers and in areas freed as a result of the fall in the sewan level) soils and soils (18 thousand hectares on the coast of Sevan). Chernozem and Lugo-chernozem are characterized by a relatively high content of humus (3.5-12% and 10-13%, respectively). The content of humus in floodplain soils and soils is low or very low (2-4% and 0.3-0.5%, respectively).
- Dry steppe soils are represented by chestnut soils. Are on dry foothills of the Ararat Valley, the Vajitzdzor region, the Syunik region at altitudes 1250-1950 m; occupy an area of \u200b\u200b242 thousand hectares. It is characterized by an average content of humus (2-4%), the stonyness, adverse water-physical properties.
- Forest soils occupy an area of \u200b\u200b712 thousand hectares at a height of 500-2400 m, characterized by a significant content of humus (4-11%). Represented by forest brown (133 thousand hectares in the slopes 1800-2250 m high), brown (564 thousand hectares on the ridges with a height of 500-1700 m, and on the sun slopes to a height of 2400 m, in the gohark, Pambaka, Syunik) and turnocarbonate ( 15 thousand hectares on the slopes of Guogarka, Akhum, Bargushat) soils.
- Mining and meadow soils occupy an area of \u200b\u200b629 thousand hectares at a height of 2200-4000 m. Distributed in the mountains almost all over Armenia (with the exception of Shirac). Solid meadow soils (346 thousand hectares of 2200-2600 m) and meadow-steppe (283 thousand heights of 1800-2600 m) are divided into itself. Characterized by high humus (13-20% and 8-13% for mining and meadow-steppe, respectively).
- Monasteries Achpat and Sanain
- Cathedral and Churches Echmiadzin (including the Echmiadzian Cathedral, Church of the Holy Ripsee and the Church of Saint Gayane) and the archaeological monument of Zvartnots
- Monastery Gegard and the upper and the river Azat
- primary school (1-4 classes)
- high School - the first cycle of secondary formation of 5 years (5-9 classes)
- senior School - second medium education cycle, carried out for 3 years (10-12) classes)
- Beeline (subsidiary of ArmenTel)
- Mobile TeleSystems (subsidiary K-Telecom, working under the VivaCell MTC brand)
- Orange
- Union of European Football Associations (UEFA);
- International Hockey Federation with washer (IIHF);
- International Federation of Basketball Associations (FIBA);
- International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and others.
Republic of Armenia is a state in the southern part of the Transcaucasus. It borders with Azerbaijan in the East and Southeast, Iran in the South, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (Azerbaijan's exclusion) in the South-West, Turkey in the West and Georgia in the north.
Armenia is a high-altitude country located on an Armenian plateau, the average height of which is about 1800 m above sea level (the highest point of Ararat, 4090 m). Through the country there are numerous mountain chains of the Small Caucasus Range.
Armenia has over 100 lakes, most importantly of which are Lake Sevan, which is located at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level.
State
State device
Armenia - Democratic Presidential Republic. The head of state is the president (elected for 5 years). Head of Government - Prime Minister. The legislature is a unicameral National Assembly (190 deputies, permissions - 4 years).
Language
State language: Armenian
Russian is widespread.
Religion
90% of the population of Armenia - Christians belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Currency
International name: AMD
The dram is 100 lumines. In the circulation there are banknotes in dignity at 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5,000, 20,000 and 50,000 drams, as well as coins in 1, 3, 5 and 10 drams.
You can exchange currency in numerous currency exchange locations, as well as in banks and most large hotels. In large hotels, restaurants, private stores and markets it is possible to use US dollars and euros, and in some stores - and Russian rubles. ATMs are rare even in the capital.
Popular attractions
Tourism in Armenia
Armenian cuisine is one of the most ancient on earth. Based on the archaeological excavations, scientists came to the conclusion that two and a half thousand years ago, Armenians had an idea of \u200b\u200bthe fermentation processes in the bread maker. From the gray antiquity originates such a popular current dish, like a kebab (groove). The technology of cooking fish dishes Kutap and today almost the same as 1500 years ago ....
Tip
Tips in most establishments make up 5%, but in high-class establishments, if the service fee is not included in the account, it is recommended to leave "tea" 10% of the count amount. In other places you can simply leave.
Visa
Work hours of institutions
Banks work from 9.00 to 16.00 on working days, on Saturday, some banks accept customers from 10.00 to 14.00. Currency exchange items are usually open from 9.00 to 22.00-24.00, often work on weekends and holidays.
Security
The country is located in the zone of increased seismic hazard. Also quite high level of solar radiation.
Emergency phones
Emergency service - 120.
Fire service - 122.
Police - 133.
Ambulance - 144.
Photo and video shooting
Traveling through the eastern part of Armenia, and in particular, being in Nagorno-Karabakh, caution should be exercised, photographing those or other objects that can be attributed to government agencies or military units.
Questions and reviews about Armenia
Armenia is a mountainous country with an ancient history and culture. Magnificent monasteries and temples, powerful fortresses, healing mineral springs - with all this will certainly be to get acquainted closer. Immerse yourself in century-old traditions and customs, tassel dishes of national cuisine, please yourself in nature - rest in Armenia will be bright and memorable experience in your travel history.
The Republic of Armenia is located in the Transcaucasus and borders in the West and the Southwest with Turkey, in the south - with Iran, in the north - with Georgia, in the East - with Azerbaijan, in the south-east - with the Nakhichevan Republic. Country Area - 29.8 thousand square meters. km.
Capital: Yerevan.
Yerevan, Armenia
Population: 3 017 100 (according to 2014 data).
State device: Democratic Republic led by president.
Language: The state language is Armenian. Most of the population also owns Russian.
Religion: The bulk of the population is monofilic Christian. There are also Orthodox Christians, Muslims and representatives of other denominations.
Time: Fingering Moscow for 1 hour.
Climate
The climate in Armenia is mining and continental, with harsh winter and hot summer. The weather may differ even within one region due to a high height above sea level and landscape unevenness. In the Ararat Valley and in the capital, the average temperature of July is +27 ° C and can reach +42 ° C, in January, the thermometer column is lowered to -4 ° C. In the overgrowth district, the temperature is fixed at +25 ° C, in winter - by +5 ° C. In the mountains, the temperature in the summer can vary in the range from +10 to +20 ° C (depends on the height), in the winter it is lowered to -14 ° C. Most of the precipitation falls in spring and early summer. Snow in mountainous areas lies until March-April.
The best time to relax in Armenia is autumn when you can fully rejoice in the brightness of natural paints and abundance of fruits.
Average daytime temperature in Armenia resorts, ° 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 Armenia is located at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level. The country is located in the northeastern part of Armenian Highlands and is surrounded by the Ranges of the Small Caucasus. The highest point of Armenia is Mount Aragats (4090 m). Ararat, although it is a symbol of the country, but is located in Turkey. In the south-west of Armenia, there is a fertile Ararat Plain with the Araks River and extensive agricultural land.
The country's flora is presented with 3500 species. On the territory of Armenia, you can see oak and beech forests, the Watching Steppes and the largest plane grove in the countries of the former CIS (120 hectares, is located on the territory of the Shakoyokh reserve). Slanders are dominated in the mountainous areas - sage, purple, chamber, almonds, etc. Also in Armenia, wild fruit trees and poplar are common.
Among the representatives of the animal world of Armenia, you can meet 304 species of birds, 76 species of mammals, 44 types of reptiles and 24 species of fish. The northern countries are found bears, boars, lynx, deer, forest cats, in the mountain steppes - mouflons, wolves, foxes, badgers, goats, etc., in semi-desert zones - a large number of rodents (gopters, tushkars, gerbils, etc. ). In Lake Sevan, Sevan Trout, Usach, Sig and Temmoral dwell.
Dilijan, Armenia
Traditions and customs
Despite the seeming quick temper, Armenians are proud and discreet people, with a developed sense of self-esteem and tolerance for someone else's opinion. Relationships inside the family here are respectful and calm. The center of any dwelling is a table that is not so much eating as they communicate and communicate with news. The indispensable attribute of the Armenian feast - toasts. The larger in your wishes of humor and meaning - the better. Women and children are also full participants of the feast, for the latter it is considered a kind of school of life.
A lot of ancient folk customs has been preserved in Armenia: for example, the sacrifice of the lambs in 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 Avarai field of Persian troops. The enemies wanted to turn the population into paganism, but Armenians managed to preserve the Christian faith, defending their ideals with weapons in their hands. In addition, the new year is celebrated in Armenia (December 31), Christmas (January 6), the holiday of motherhood and beauty (April 7), the day of memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide (April 24), the Day of Victory and the World (May 9), Day of the First Republic (May 28), the Day of Constitution (July 5), Independence Day (September 21) and the Day of Memory of the Svitak earthquakes (December 7).
Cognac Ararat, Armenia
Culture and architecture
Armenian culture is rooted in deep antiquity. There were various artifacts related to the II-I millenniums to our era. The Armenian mythology, dominion of Macedonian and the era of Hellenism, to which the famous antique temple of Garny belongs to the formation of the culture. However, the adoption of Christianity (in 301) and the creation of an alphabet, after which historiography and literature received, played the greatest role in the formation of a national self-consciousness. The period of the Middle Ages is the heyday of church architecture, sculptures and book miniatures. From decorative and applied arts it is worth noting a magnificent ceramics with painting and engraving, wood carving, carpet and mosaic, the remains of which can be seen today in the Councils of Dvina and Echmiadzin.
Armenian architecture had several basic periods of formation: from the 6th century to n. e. The pagan architecture has developed, in the IV century - Christian. Among the most important monuments of church architecture, the Talinsky Cathedral is noted, the Church of St. Ripsema, Zvartnots, Tatev Church, Sanain Monasteries, Achpat, and others. The main material for the construction of these magnificent buildings was the tuff, the largest deposits of which are located in Armenia and Italy.
It is possible to get acquainted with the history and culture of the country in numerous museums. For example, in Yerevan, you should visit the Museum of the City History, the State Historical Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, in Echmiadzin - Museum of Religious Art, in Sardarabad - Museum of Ethnography and Folklore.
Church of St. Ripsema, Armenia
Basic currency
The official currency of Georgia is a drama equal to 100 lums. You can exchange currency in banks (usually work from 9:00 to 16:00), exchange offices and large hotels. Some shops and restaurants take euros, US dollars and even rubles. ATMs meet mainly in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor. In the provinces, they are also there, but in much smaller quantities. Credit card can be paid in large hotels and shopping centers. The network of western union departments is developed, cargo transfers.
Flight
You can get from Moscow to Yerevan by daily direct flights Aeroflot airlines, Siberia, Transaero, Vim-Avia and Air Armenia. Flight time is about 3 hours.
Electricity
Standard voltage - 220 V, 50 Hz. The sockets of the "Soviet" sample are common, European-type sockets are found only in large hotels.
Car rent
There are several international rental companies in Armenia: Hertz, Sixt, etc. The cost of renting a car is rather low, especially in comparison with neighboring Azerbaijan and Georgia. In order to rent a car, it is enough to have a driver's license of an international sample and driving experience for at least a year.
Many key tracks of Armenia were not repaired, but most of the road leaves much to be desired. In the mountains and remote areas, you will have to go on rubbank. Gasoline is worth stocking in the capital, as the province is offered fuel of very dubious quality. Lighting on the streets is pretty scanty, pedestrians often move the road, where they do, so be very careful.
The crime rate in Armenia is low, therefore it is worth observed only by the usual precautions: Take valuables in a safe, do not carry large amounts of money and so on. Yerevan refers to one of the safest cities in the world - you can walk here and at night . In the summer, care must be taken when walking in nature - there are cases of attacks of poisonous snakes, tick bites are possible.
You can drink water in Armenia even from under the tap, as it enters the plumbing from mountain sources. If it is unusual for you, acquire bottled mineral water. It is worth it in Armenia is very cheap.
Health care
In Armenia, medical care is at a sufficiently high level. Most of the wide-profile medical centers are located in the capital. According to the International Agreement, emergency assistance is made free of charge, the remaining types of treatment - on a fee basis.
Since Armenia climate can be described as high-mountainous, people with serious cardiovascular diseases should be abstained by a trip to this country.
Intercity and local communications
Armenia phone code: + 374, Yerevan code - 10, Jermuk code - 287, Dilijan code - 2680, Gyumri code - 312, Goris code - 284, Vonadzor code - 322, Sevan code - 261, CACCHADZOR code 223.
Useful phones and addresses
Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Armenia: 375015, Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, ul. 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, ul. Garegin Nzhde, 1, tel.: (8-10-374-312) 3-45-33, 3-78-85, e-mail:
Armenia, full official form - Republic of Armenia (Armenia. Հայաստանի հանրապետություն) - State in the Transcaucasus.
Located in the north of the Geographical Region. Front Asia and the Northeast of Armenian Highlands. There is no exit to the sea. It borders with Azerbaijan and unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in the East. In the southwest with Nakhichevan AP, which is part of Azerbaijan. With Iran in the south, with Turkey in the West and with Georgia in the north.
The population of Armenia, according to evaluation data for 2014, is 3,017,100 people, territory - 29,743 km². According to some reports it takes a hundred thirty-sixth place in the world in terms of population and one hundred and thirty-eighth.
Capital - Yerevan. State language - Armenian.
Unitary state, presidential republic. In April 2008, the presidency was taken by Serge Sargsyan, in February 2013 was re-elected for a second term. It is divided into 10 regions and the city of Yerevan.
About 98.7% of the population professes Christianity.
Agrarian-industrial country with a dynamically developing economy. The amount of nominal GDP for 2012 amounted to 9.951 billion US dollars (about $ 335.63 per capita per capita). The monetary unit - Armenian drama (averaged course for February 2014 - 412 drams for 1 US dollar).
The main part of the historical and geographical Eastern Armenia, the territory of modern Armenia (as well as the NKR) was 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, the Soviet power was established in Armenia and the Armenian SSR was established, which was established until 1936 in the USSR as part of the ZSFSR, and from December 5, 1936 - as an allied republic. On September 23, 1991, on the results of the Supreme Council of the Republic 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 adopted in the UN, and on January 25, 2001 to the Council of Europe.
Toponym "Armenia" dates back to the Khurrite name adjacent with the Melithic region Armi- located on Armenian Highlands. This name through the Aramaic'armǝn-āiē passed into the ancient Persian language, and in the form of "Arminiyaiy" is encountered six times in the Behistunsk inscription 522 BC. E. Ancient Greek form of name -d.-Greek. Ἀρμενία. The ancient Greek name of the Armenians, used before the distribution of ἀἀέένιοι, was μελιττήνιοι. 
According to Movses, Hooratsi, the name "Armenia" and the corresponding ancient Greek and the ancient-perceid toponyms are given by the name of the Urthi Tsar Aram.
In Armenian, the name of the country sounds like "Ik" (Arm. Հայք, Hayk). In the Middle Ages, the place of Armenian toponym-forming suffix "-K" took the borrowed Iranian suffix "-stan" and the country began to be called "Ayastan" (Arm. Հայաստան, Hayastan). According to one version, the name of the country comes from the mythological leader of Armenians - Ayka, who, according to legend, in 2492 BC. e. Coupled in the battle of the arms of the Assyrian king Bal, and later formed the first Armenian state. This year is considered the first in the traditional Armenian calendar. Another version associates this name with the ancient state of Haias. According to the third version, Armenian self-calf comes from the URART name of Meliten - ḫāti.
Symbols of state
Flag of Armenia
The Armenian flag is a rectangular cloth of three equal horizontal strips: top - red, medium - blue and lower - orange. The ratio of the width of the flag 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 the State Flag of the Republic of Armenia".
The following color values \u200b\u200bare approved in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia:
The red color symbolizes the Armenian Highlands, the constant struggle of the Armenian people for the existence, the Christian faith, the freedom and independence of Armenia. Blue color symbolizes the desire of the Armenian people to live under a peaceful sky. Orange color symbolizes the creative talent and diligence of the Armenian people.
The coat of arms make up the following elements: Shield - in the center - Mount Ararat, which is a symbol of the Armenian nation, on its top of Noah's ark, because, according to one of the traditions, the ark after the flood stopped at Mount Ararat. The shield is divided into 4 parts, which symbolize the four independent Armenian kingdoms (clockwise): Arshakids, rubenides, Artashesids and Bagratides.
Lion and eagle that support the shield symbolize wisdom, pride, patience and nobility. The main color of the coat of armenia is the golden, kingdoms of historic Armenia - red and blue, Mount Ararat in the center of the coat of arms is depicted on the orange shield. The specified colors were traditionally used in the coat of armenia's coat of armenia and tsari and similar to the colors of the flag of the Republic of Armenia.
At the bottom of the shield there are five more elements: torn chain, sword, wheat ears, branch and ribbon.
Anthem Armenia
The anthem of Armenia is the composition "Our Motherland" (ARM. Մեր հայրենիք, "Airenik Murals", literally - "Our Fatherland"). Approved on July 1, 1991, was repaid by law of December 25, 2006. The Anthem of the First Republic of Armenia was taken as the basis of 1918-1920. Author of poems - Mikael Nalbandyan (1829-1866), the author of the music - Barceneg Kanashan (1885-1967). In the performance of the hymn, most of the official events use only the first and fourth stanches.
History of Armenia
In the north of Armenia (Lori Plateau), more than 20 different-age asheli monuments were found, mainly in the foothills of the volcanic Javakhtsky ridge. Among them are dominated by superficial locations (grateful, dawn, Noramut, etc.), on which over thousands of Ashhelian products from local hyaloducita were collected, including about 360 hand chopped. There were still three stratified monuments (Muradovo, Karakhach and Kutan), which first delivered the Central Ashel and Earlyashel Industries. The greatest interest is Karakhach, where the early-paste products (choppers, peaks, coarse bifes, etc.), made from other varieties of dasita, as well as andesitis and olivine dolerite, found in a volcanic ash layer and in the underlying proluvial sediments. The dating of ash uranium-lead method is in the range of 1.7-1.9 million years ago, which should correspond to the age of stone products. The Ranneashelian industry was similar to the products from Karahacha also in the lower levels of the nearby Muradovo monument. In the most tops, Muradovo presents the mentioned Late Ashelian material, and in the middle part of the strata - the Middle-Ochel industry. Rannecel and Middle-pastel complexes are also identified on the monument to Kutan, located in the southeastern part of Lori Plateau. By setting data (absolute dates of underlying ash, paleomagnetic data, the age range of previously found rhino teeth) can assume that the age of cultural deposits of Kurtan should be about 1 million years ago. The monuments open in North Armenia contain traces of the oldest migrations of early people outside of Africa. Ranneasheli Materials Karahacha in the age are close to the ancient early early African Industries (about 1.5-1.8 million years ago). 
Traces of habitat of an ancient man were found in various parts of Armenian Highlands: parking with stone weapons were found in Arznus, Nurnus and other places, and in the dedication of the gorge, Lusaquete and others. Housing caves were found. The age of the most ancient detected stone weapons is 800 thousand years. Parking of primitive people of the Neolithic era were also found. In the mountains, numerous rock paintings with hunting scenes were discovered. The first agricultural and cattle settlements on the territory of the future Armenia arose in the Ararat Valley, on the territory of the modern Chihan region.
On the territory of modern Yerevan in the area of \u200b\u200bShengavita, the settlement of the beginning of the Bronze Age was found, dating back by the V-III millennia BC. These archaeological excavations confirm that residents of the Armenian Highlands still in ancient times were captured by many crafts. So, it is known that already in the V-IV millennium BC. e. They knew how to melted copper, and in the II millennium BC. e. - Iron.
In Armenia during the excavations of the Areni cave in September 2008, the most ancient shoes were found, which is more than 5,500 years old. Nakhodka is dated a period of the Eneolyt (3600-3500. BC). These are soft shoes with pointed ends - Charochi. The detected shoes became the oldest archaeological find in Europe and Asia. According to experts, this shoes are practically no different from the one that was worn in Armenian villages.
Antiquity and early Middle Ages. Vi in. BC E.-VIII in n. e.
The first mention of the name of Armenia (speaking synonymous with Urartu) is found in the Behistun inscription, attributable to 520 BC. e. The maps of the largest historians and geographers of antiquity of Armenia are noted along with Persia, Syria and other ancient states.
In the VI century BC e. On the territory of Armenian Highlands existed an Armenian state of Ervandids. The king of this state, Yervand I Sakawakyats, recognized the superiority of the Mussel and paid her tribute. The successor of Ervanda was his son Tigran I Erwandide. The latter along with the Agemenid king Kirome II is great in 550 BC. e. Participated in the collapse of the kingdom of mussels, and in 538 (or 537) BC. e. - Babylonia. In recent years, the reign of Tsar Tigrana or after his death Cyrus II made Armenia Satrapia of the Ahemedid state. 
In the second half of the 4th century BC E., After the defeat of the Power of Ahemedidov, Alexander Macedonian in Armenia, independent or semi-broadcast Armenian states are beginning to develop: the Ararat kingdom (initially recognizing the power of Macedonian achieved independence in 316 BC. er), Small Armenia (achieved independence in 322-321. BC), Sofena (he was part of the Power of Seleucidov as a special satrapy, was managed by local hereditary rulers, he used internal independence and times was completely exempted from the power of Seleucidov) and the Armenia itself, located for the top flow of the Tiger River, in the vicinity of Lake Wang (her The position was similar to the position of sofhen).
Subsequently, by the beginning of the II century BC. e. Sofen, Airarat Kingdom and Actually Armenia (the last two were combined into a single province of the Great Armenia) were conquered by Seleucid King Antioch III; After the defeat of the last Romans in 190 to N. e. Great Armenia and Sofen achieved independence. Small Armenia as an independent state existed to 115 to n. e. After that, it was captured first by the Pontians then the Romans. With Tsar Tigran II (95 - 55 BC. E.) The Great Armenia has become a powerful power, stretching from Palestine to the Caspian Sea; However, after the defeat of his father-in-law and ally, the Pontic Tsar Mithridate Evpator, from the forces of the Roman commander Pompey (66 years BC), no sowing to continue to lead the war on two fronts left without allies, Tigran was defeated by the Roman-Parthian Union and lost all Conquests, except for the generally Great Armenia and part of the land captured by Parfia. Subsequently, the Great Armenia turned into a buffer state between Parfia and Rome, and later (in the III-IV centuries. N. E.) - between Rome and Sassanid Iran.
Armenia is the first country who adopted Christianity as a state religion (according to the traditional date in 301, some modern studies refer to this event by the period between 314 and 325). In 387, the Great Armenia was subjected to section: the smaller, the western part of the country went to Rome, the main part was departed to Persia. In the Persian part of the country, Armenian Arshakids continued to rule until 428, during this period, in 405, Armenian alphabet was created by Armenian scientist and enlightener Mesropom Mashttoz.
In the middle of the VII century, Armenian lands were captured by Arabs. Georgia, Arran and Bab al-Abvab (Derbent) with an administrative center in Dvin were also included in the Novostoza Arminine region (Arab. ارمينية).
IX-XV century
In the 860s, the princely genus of Bagratydov united most of the Armenian lands and sighing the power of the Arab Caliphate. In 885, the Arabs and Byzantines recognized the independence of the Armenian kingdom of Bagratides, which was the largest and most powerful feudal state of ancient Armenia. Initially, the kingdom included some territories of southern Armenia, later from him who were departed. In 908, the Vaspurakan kingdom was formed, in 963 - the Karsian kingdom, in 978 - the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom, and in 987 - the Syunik kingdom. All of these Armenian states were in vassal relationships with bagartides. Since 961, the capital of the kingdom was the city of Ani (by the name of which the state became referred to as the Annie Kingdom), now located in Turkey. In the center of the Anonya kingdom there was a region of Shirak, located in the Akhuryan River Basin.
In 1020, after the death of Tsar Gagika, because of his sons for the rival of his sons per throne, the centralized state of Armenian Bagrates is temporarily sharing between two brothers. In 1042, Gagik II becomes the sole king of Armenia, but its rule does not last long. In 1045, the Byzantines, the Byzantines, the Armenian king can be seized, and subsequently conquer the capital of the country, Ani and the Chihar region. After that, the Anonya kingdom ceased to exist.
In 1064, most of the Armenian land (with the exception of Syunik and Tashir-Dzoragetsky kingdom) was conquered by the Seljuk Turks, and during the previous decade, the Byzantines destroyed the last representatives of the Bagratic and Arzrunids dynasties. In 1072, the dynasty of the Shaddadidov received from the Seljuks to the vassal possession of the former Annie kingdom, forming an abyan emirate.
The loss of national statehood after the conquest of Byzantium, as well as the invasion of the Seljukov, led to the mass end of the Armenian population from the captured territories in Kilicia and other regions. At the end of the XI century, Armenian statehood shifted to the West, in the historical small Armenia, Cappadocya, Kilicia and Intraw. Here, the Armenians were founded by the state of Filaret Varazhni, the Kesun Principality, the Edessa Principality, the Principality of Melitena, the Principality of Pyat and the Cylitian Armenian State (from 1080 to 1198. - Principality. From 1198 to 1375. - Kingdom).
At the end of the XII century, during the reign of the Georgian queen Tamara, Armenian lands were included in the strengthened Georgian kingdom. During this period in Eastern Armenia, the genus of Zakaryanov, Western Armenia under the control of Shah-Armenidov. In the first half of the XIII century, the invasion of the Mongols was subjected, later - the armies of Tamerlane.
As a result of centuries-old ingenic invasions, Armenian lands were populated by Turkic nomadic tribes. Since 1410, they became part of the Oguz Tribal Union Kara-Koyunlu with the capital in Tabriz. After half a century, all the ownership of Kara-Koyunlu moved the new breeding union of nomads - Ak-Koyunlu. In parallel during the XIII-XIV centuries, the process of gradual displacement of the Armenian nor of the arrival of military-nomadic, Mongolian, Turkic and Kurdish, took place in Armenia. The local population, exposed to the robbing raids of nomadic tribes, was forced to choose between extermination, slavery and mass emigration to neighboring countries. During raids, the productive forces and monuments of material culture were destroyed and looted.
Armenian state-political device to the XV-XVI centuries. Preserved in Nagorno-Karabakh, where the Hacken Principality continued its existence.
By 1510, the Iranian Shah Ismail I, the founder of the Sefavid dynasty, defeating Ak-Koyunlu, seized, among his other ownership, Eastern Armenia. This, however, was only the beginning of a centuries-old rivalry for domination in the Transcaucasus between the Ottoman Empire and Sefavid Persion. 
In the middle of the XVI century, the Ottoman Empire and Persia after the 40-year war agreed on the division of spheres of influence. Eastern Armenian lands walked away Sefvidam, Western-Osmans. This, however, only for some time suspended devastating wars, during which the extensive territories of the Transcaucasia moved from hand to hand.
With the creation of the Sefavid state, the territory of Armenia was transformed into a beggarism with the capital in Erivani (Yerevan). Ismail I, fully described on the support of Turkic-Kyzylbashi, appointed its governors of exclusively tribal leaders. Armenia, in particular, became the hereditary ult of the tribe setdle. All Iran and other countries directly subordinate to Kyzylbasham were divided into ults (feudal stuff) between the heads of those or other tribes. In addition, extensive territories were transferred to the use of soldiers from these tribes. From such territories, the old population is usually expelled. So it happened in particular in Armenia.
After the death of Ismail I, in the period of internecine wars, the Rumla tribe was also settled in Armenia. The power of the tribe to the setthage and its rulers remained up to the Ottoman conquest (end of the XVI century).
After the expulsion of the Ottoman troops at the beginning of the XVII century, with Shah Abbas I, the runlerbestity was again restored and existed until the fall of the Afshard dynasty.
One of the most important events in the history of Armenians was the decision of Shah Abbas I on the resettlement of Armenians to the central regions of Iran, which received the name "Great Surgun" in historiography. In 1603, taking advantage of the riots in the Ottoman Empire, Shah Abbas I acted in the Transcaucasus and took possession of a significant part of Armenia. Then, avoiding battles with superior Ottoman forces, the Iranian army retreated, honestly hijacked the local population and destroying and devastating on his path everything that the advancing Turks-Ottomans could use for the bed and feed. By order of Shah in 1604-1605. Many Armenian villages and cities were destroyed, and their inhabitants were forcibly relocated to the internal areas of Persia.
According to various estimates, the number of Armenians resettled in this way in Iran amounted to approximately 250-300 thousand. It is also estimated that human losses incurred during the resettlement are also assessed, but all serious researchers agree on the fact that the deaths of the dead amounted to several thousand, mostly women, children and old people.
A particularly strong blow to the political, economic and cultural life of the region was delivered by the destruction of the city of Julf, inhabited by the Armenians and presented a major shopping center and a transit point on the caravanways between the North-West Iran, Transcaucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East. Residents of the city, among which there were a lot of skillful builders and artisans, were grieved in the new capital of Iran - Isfahan, next to which they were provided with land for the construction of a new Julf. The eviction of the border areas in the central regions of Iran lasted about eight years, before the conclusion in 1612 a peace treaty with Turkey in 1612, but in a later period, the population of some regions of Armenia was moved to Isfahan.
In the middle of the XVIII century, with Nadir Shahe, Sefavoid Beaglebegs were abolished. The death of Nadir-Shaha (1747) and the weakening of centralized power led to the disintegration of the empire for more or less independent publications - Khanate, Sultania, Melichesia. In particular, during this period, Nakhichevan and Erivan Khanate appeared in Armenia.
By the XVIII century, only Melichesia Hams in Nagorno-Karabakh and Syunik Melichesia were preserved from Armenian state-political entities. In these areas, by the end of the 18th century, the idea of \u200b\u200brestoring an independent Armenian state arose that in the 1720s he turned into an armed uprising against the Persian Iga headed by Israhli Ori, Esai Gasan-Jalalyan and David Beck.
Already in the first half of the XVIII century, the third empire was announced about his interests in Transcaucasia. In 1801, the Kartli-Kakhetian kingdom with vassal territories - Burchalinsky, Kazakh and Shamshadilic suntans, which formed three Tatar distances as part of the newly excited Russian Georgian province were joined in Russia. Later, the province expanded to the accession of Pambaka and the Shorghal Sultancy. Pambaco-Shragyal distance was formed. At the same time, the power of local feudal feudalists was formally preserved, but the actual rulers of the distances were representatives of the Russian military administration. Thus, it began to join the Russian Empire territories, in which the independent Armenian state will be recreated in the XX century. As a result of the Russian-Persian War (1826-1828), Russia took possession of the Erivan and Nakhichevan Khanate and the Ordubad district. By the XIX century in these territories, as a result of centuries-old emigration and expulsion of the Armenian population, Armenians were only 20% of the population. 
After the conquest of Russia of the Erivan and Nakhichevan Khanni, as well as after successful wars against the Ottoman Empire in 1828-1829 and 1877-1878, following which significant territories of historical Western Armenia were transferred to Russia, the Russian authorities organized a massive relocation in the Transcaucasia of Armenians from Persia and Turkey What led to significant changes in the demographics of the region (taking into account the presence of mass emigration of the Muslim population from the regions attached to Russia).
In 1828, on the territory of the former Erivan and Nakhichevan Khantsia and the Ordubadsky district, which included the Russian Empire in the Turkmanchai Peace Treaty, the Armenian region was formed (center - Erivan), which in 1833 was divided into four districts: Erivan, Sharurian, Sardarapatsky and Surmalinsky.
In 1840, it was decided to merge the Georgian province, the Armenian and Imerethen regions in the Georgian-Imereti province. In 1846, it was divided into Tiflis and Kutais province, and in 1849, the Erivanian, Nakhichevan and Alexandropol counties of Tiflis province were the newly instituted Erivan province.
Due to 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, an independent Republic of Armenia was created in the territory of the Russian Armenia as part of the territories of the former Erivan province and the Karsian region of the Russian Empire. As a result, the Armenian-Turkish war, the Kemalists, supported by Russian Bolsheviks who followed the autumn of 1920, won. The Armenian-Turkish war ended with the signing of the Adrianapol Treaty. On November 29 of the same year, the 11th Army Armenia entered the territory of the Republic of Armenia (in Soviet historiography, the date it was considered to be considered the Day of Proclamation of the Armenian SSR); On December 2 of the same year, the Armenian government adopted the ultimatum of the Government of the RSFSR, filed by the Russian police station B. V. Leran (Armenia was declared the independent Socialist Soviet Republic under the RSFSR Protector). 
From March 12, 1922 he was part of the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (ZSFSR); From December 30, 1922, the ZSFSR was part of the USSR. From December 5, 1936 he was directly part of the USSR as an allied republic.
On August 23, 1990, the Supreme Council of the Armenian SSR adopted the Declaration on the independence of Armenia, which marked the "Start of the approval of independent statehood", the country was renamed the "Republic of Armenia", which remained as part of the USSR. On March 17, 1991, the Armenian authorities prevented the referendum on the preservation of the USSR in the territory of the republic.
On September 21, 1991, a referendum was held on the exit from the USSR and the establishment of independent statehood. Most citizens who have the right to answer this question is affirmative.
Geography of Armenia
Armenia is located in the east of Armenian highlands between 38 ° and 42 ° of northern 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 Small Caucasus. Borders with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.
Despite the fact that Geographically Armenia is located in Asia, it has close political and cultural connections with Europe. Armenia has always been at the intersection of ways to connect Europe and Asia, so it is considered as a transcontinental state.
Armenia's relief is mainly mountainous: at the state area around 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 River Debed Gorge (380 meters). In the south-west of the country there is an interhongural Ararat Valley - an important agricultural area. 
The highest point of the region and the historical symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat - is from 1921 in Turkey.
Climate Armenia
Features of the geographical position and large height differences determine the diversity of climatic conditions.
Despite the fact that Armenia is located on the latitude of the subtropical zone, the subtropical climate is observed only in the southern part of Armenia (in the area of \u200b\u200bthe city of Megry). In the rest of the area, the climate is high-mountainous, continental - summer is roast, and winter is cold. On the plains, the average temperature of January -5 ° C, July +25 ° C; In midstores (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 house - 500 mm, and in highlands - 700-900 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation is observed in the Lori region and the Syunik regions, the territory of which is mainly covered with forests.
Soils are formed mainly on volcanic rocks. The soil cover of Armenia is distinguished by a large variety, at the same time most soils are non-vegetable and complex for economic development. 
By the nature of soil, the territory of Armenia can be divided into the following belts:
Minerals of Armenia
Armenian subsoil is rich in ore minerals. Industrial importance has fields of non-ferrous and black metal ores, stone salt, bentonite and refractory clays, perlite, diatomites, limestone and volcanic tuffs, pumice, granites, marble and others. Industrial accumulations of semi-precious and diverse stones were found: agate, amethyst, turquoise, jasper, obsidian.
The reserves of ores and metals are approved by 20 fields: three - copper, six - molybdenum, five - polymetallic (lead, zinc, etc.), four - gold, two - iron and recently discovered - uranium. Most deposits are represented by complex ores - copper-molybdenum or gold-polymetallic.
There are about 9480 small and large rivers in Armenia, of which 379 have a length of 10 km and more. The total length of the rivers is approximately 23 thousand km. The main river Armenia - Araks with the influx of Hrazdan. 
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 area of \u200b\u200bthe republic and the largest source of fresh water in all of the Transcaucasus.
Despite this, in the country as a whole, the lack of water resources is noted, which is partly solved by the use of reservoirs and groundwater. There are 74 reservoirs in Armenia with a total volume of 988 million m³; The largest of them is Ahuryanskoye, the volume of 525 million m³. Approximately 96% of the water used for drinking needs 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 and 300 thousand hectares and pastures are derived from agricultural turnover; About 3.5% were reduced to recultivation of 114 thousand hectares of eroded lands. The share of the territory covered with forests was reduced from 11.2 to 8-9%. The state of the air environment also inspires fear. The condition of the air in Yerevan, Alaverdi, Vanadzor and distribution was particularly deteriorated.
In connection with the construction of the Cascade of the HPP on the River, the water level of water in Lake Sevan decreases on the river, which leads to a change in the surface and groundwater, and biodiversity violations.
In March 2011, American experts were drawn up a rating for 163 countries for ecology, where Armenia took 76th, Georgia 59th, and Azerbaijan 84th place.
Timezone
The territory of the Republic of Armenia is fully located in the year-round 4th time zone (UTC + 4). The time report in Armenia is regulated by the Law "On the Rules of Time Report in the Republic of Armenia", adopted on December 5, 1997.
Animal and vegetable world of Armenia
Flora Armenia
About 3,500 species of plants from 150 families are known in Armenia. 
In the north-east of the country, broad-sized forests are common with the predominance of oak and beech, in the south-east - more xerophilic oak forests. For the plain parts of Armenia, the steppe vegetation is characterized, a typical steppes are typical, along with the kites are sidic, tonkonog, drinking. On rocky and stony soils, shrubs are growing - almonds, holding-tree, astragaly, purple, chamber, sage and others.
In Armenia is the largest plane grove in the CIS, East Platan (Platanus Orientalis) grows in it. Grove is located in the Syunik region, in the valley of the Tsav River, within the Shikoyohsky Reserve. It stretches along the river about 15 km, occupying the area of \u200b\u200babout 120 hectares.
The fauna of Armenia includes 76 species of mammals, 304 species of birds, 44 types of reptiles, 6 types of amphibians, 24 species of fish and about 10 thousand kinds of invertebrates. In the northern part of the country there are bears (including silver Iranian bears), lynx, boars, deers, forest and reed cats. In the mountain steppes there are wolves, badgers, foxes, hares, mouflons, loose goats. 
In the steppes and semi-deserts also live numerous rodents - toilets, horses, gerbils, muffles, tushkars; From the reptiles - Caucasian Agama, Greek Turtle, Gurza, Armenian viper. In Lake Sevan, Trout, Sig and other species of fish are found. Enterprise dogs are acclimatized in Armenia.
Environmental zones Armenia
As of 2011, 452 species of plants, 40 species of mushrooms, 308 species of animals (including 153 species of vertebrates and 155 - invertebrates are included in the Red Book of Armenia.
There are about 108 endemic plants and 339 endemic animals in the country. A relatively more endemics is observed in the eastern and southern parts of Armenia. Of the total number of animal species encountered in Armenia, 7% are endemic. Among the species of fish endemic are 30%, among the types of reptiles - 12%. Among endemics, industrial and commercial importance is Sevan Trout or Ishhan.
Economy of Armenia
Armenia is an industrial-agricultural 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 diverse stones. The production of synthetic rubber, textile, food industry, production of building materials and mechanical engineering are developed.
Dynamics of GDP per capita (for purchasing power parity, in permanent prices of 2005, in US dollars) of the countries of Transcaucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) in 1990-2012 (World Bank Evaluation).
According to the US CIA, in 2010, GDP (PPP) amounted to $ 17.27 billion, per capita GDP (PPP) - $ 5,800.
The structure of GDP, according to the USational CIA, in 2010, had the following form: the sector of services - 31.4%, industry - 46.6%, agriculture - 22%.
In Soviet times, modern industry was created in Armenia, Armenia supplied to the internal market of the USSR machine tools and equipment, textile and other industrial products in exchange for deliveries of raw materials and electricity. Agriculture developed on the basis of large agro-industrial complexes.
Karabakh conflict, the breaking of intra-union economic ties and the closure of the Turkish-Armenian border led to a serious economic recession in the early 1990s. Many factories and factories stopped due to the lack of raw materials and energy resources, agriculture returned back to a small-scale farm. After finding independence in Armenia, a number of market reforms were carried out, including privatization, pricing reform and the transition to economical financial and budget policy, but geographical insulation, limited export resources and monopolization of the main economic sectors made Armenia particularly sensitive to crisis phenomena in the global economy and Economic recession in Russia. In 1994, the Armenian government initiated a program to liberalize the economy, supported by the IMF, which made it possible to reduce poverty, reduce inflation, stabilize its currency and privatize most small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Armenian NPP, built in the 1970s, was closed after the Spary earthquake (1988), although she did not suffer. One of the two NPP reactors resumed work in 1995, but international pressure is provided to the Government of Armenia in order to achieve its stop from concerns about the safety of reactors. NPP provides 40% of the country's energy consumption, and approximately 25% accounts for hydropower. In the energy sector, Armenia retains a strong dependence on Russian aid. Many energy facilities in Armenia are located in Russian property and / or under Russian management. In particular, in 2002, power distribution networks were privatized and in 2005 transferred to the ownership of RAO UES.
In 2007, the construction of a gas pipeline was completed to deliver natural gas from Iran. The supply of Iranian gas is planned to increase due to the completion of the construction of Yerevan CHP in April 2010.
The greatest share in the cost of export deliveries from Armenia is cast iron, untreated copper, molybdenum and other non-ferrous metals. A serious imbalance in foreign trade, due to economic isolation by neighboring countries - Turkey and Azerbaijan, is compensated by a certain international help (including from the Armenian diaspora), monetary translations from Armenians working abroad and direct foreign investments. Armenia joined the WTO in 2003. Despite significant economic growth, the unemployment rate remains high.
In 2007, Armenia occupied the 84th place at the UN human development index, which was the best indicator among the Transcaucasian countries, and in 2010, Armenia rose on the 76th place, but this is the worst indicator among the Transcaucasian countries (Azerbaijan - 67- OE place, and Georgia - 73rd). In 2007, in the perception index of corruption, Armenia occupied the 99th place from 179 countries. In 2010, Armenia ranked 123rd from 178 countries, and in 2011 it ranked 129th from 182 countries. In 2008, the 28th place was held at the Index of Economic Freedom of Armenia, ahead of countries such as Austria, France, Portugal and Italy, and now (2011) occupies the 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 downturn, GDP decreased by more than 14%, despite major loans from international organizations. The main causes of the crisis have become a sharp reduction in the construction sector and the decline in cash receipts from workers who have left for earnings abroad. In 2010, some revival of the economy began in 2010, however, in 2011, one of the most authoritative and well-known economic print publications in the world forbes magazine gave Armenia 2 place after Madagascar in the ranking of the worst economies of the world.
The monetary unit of Armenia is a drama equal to 100 lums. Dram is in circulation from November 22, 1993. Before the introduction of the drama, Soviet rubles were used, subsequently exchanged by the course 200 rubles. For 1 dram. In the monetary circulation there are coins in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 drams, as well as bills of dignity of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 drams. 
The design of all modern banknotes is designed by the English company Thomas De La Rue. The design of the 1993-95 Sample Banknotes was developed by the German company "Giesecke & Devrient". Coins of the 1994 sample (except 10 drams) and the 1993-1995 sample banknotes are currently not used.
Industry
The modern industry in Armenia was created in Soviet times, then the country supplied to the domestic market of the USSR machine tools and equipment, textile and other industrial products in exchange for deliveries of raw materials and electricity. As mentioned above, in the 90s of the last century there was a serious decline due to many negative factors, and most productions did not work due to lack of resources. After adoption in the 1994th, the measures to save the economy industry gradually began to recover. Every year since 2001, the largest universal trade and industrial exhibition forum Armenia Expo is held in Armenia.
As a result of the World Financial Crisis, the Industry (like the whole economy as a whole) suffered greatly. But already in 2010, some areas (mining and manufacturing industries) managed to even exceed the level that was before the crisis, and the production of non-alcoholic beverages was increased - by 9.1%, natural juices - by 64.7%, mineral waters - 28 , 4% and spring water - by 26.2%. However, in other industries, in the same year a decline is observed. Thus, the production of products and alcohol declined, but it is against the background of the growth of the physical volume of retail turnover in January-May 2010.
Energy Armenia
In 1962, the construction of the Sevan-Hrazdan Irrigation Complex and the Cascade of HPP, began in 1937, the six hydropower plants were built on the river and many irrigation channels and reservoirs, and tunnels were laid in the mountains to reset river water in Oz. Sevan in order to replenish its water reserves. As a result, part of the electricity produced in the Republic was exported to Georgia and Azerbaijan in exchange for natural gas. In Yerevan, distribution and vanadzor were built power plants operating on gas fuel. In 1970, they gave more energy than HPP.
In 1977-1979 In Metzamor, a powerful nuclear power plant with two power units was created in Metzamor, which fully satisfying the needs of the republic in electricity. 
In particular, the requests of the aluminum plant and a large plant for the production of synthetic rubber and automotive tires were provided. The Armenian NPP was stopped shortly after the Sporty earthquake from the concern that repeated shocks would lead to disastrous consequences in Armenia and neighboring areas of Turkey. Due to the energy crisis of the NPP, it was again put in 1996.
Mining industry
The share of the mining industry in the gross production of Armenia is approximately 5% (1990s). Armenia produces refined copper, primary aluminum (on cast aluminum), rental and foil aluminum, molybdenum, zinc, lead, barite in concentrates, gold, silver, tellur, selenium, rhenium (in sludges and concentrates), copper sulfur, sulfuric acid and Others.
At the beginning of the XXI century, the Government of Armenia has introduced a new law about exploration and development of mineral deposits. This law is known as the Mountain Code that exists since 1992. It is designed with the participation of European Union specialists and is based on the "Western" model of such acts. It sets out the procedures for the acquisition of licenses, the rights and obligations of their owners who contribute to the involvement of foreign investment. In addition, in the early XXI century, two large projects have been developed and used - "Remets" and "Molybdenum", which include the creation of a scientific and industrial base for metallurgical processing of copper, molybdenum, gold-containing, polymetallic concentrates to obtain high purity metals.
Processing industry
After 1953, the USSR government focuses on Armenia to develop the chemical industry, non-ferrous metallurgy, metalworking, mechanical engineering, textile industry, the production of building materials, and the production of wines, brandy and cognacs. Later, accurate instrument making, production of synthetic rubber and plastics, chemical fibers and electrical appliances were added to this list. According to the volume of manufactured electrical products, Armenia held the third place among the Union republics of the USSR, and on the volume of production of machine-tooling - the fifth. However, the most important industry was the chemical industry, producing mineral fertilizers, synthetic stones for the production of tools and hours and fiberglass (based on the processing of local tuffs and basalts).
In 2011, the growth in production in this sphere was seen by 7.7%. Including food production increased by 13.5%, drinks - by 6.6%, tobacco products - decreased by 46.6%. Clothing manufacturing increased by 52.7%. Production of leather and leather products increased by 17%. Production of wood products decreased by 25%, and the paper - increased by 40.4%. The chemical industry decreased by 40%. Pharmaceutics released products by 6.5% more. Production of rubber and plastic products decreased by 9.6%.
Agriculture Armenia
Value added to one occupied in the agriculture of the countries of the Transcaucasus (permanent prices of 2005, US dollars) according to the World Bank.
The gross agricultural product in 2002 amounted to 377.6 billion drams, of which 60% - the proportion of crop production, 40% - the share of animal husbandry. About 98% of the gross agricultural product is made by private farms and trade organizations.
Areas suitable for agriculture, little. Mostly used the Araks valleys. Cotton, grapes, almonds, olives, grain, vegetables are grown. Pastures and Senokos occupy about 28% of the total territory.
It is known that Armenia is one of the most ancient foci of culture of grapes, the most ancient winery in the world was found in Armenia. Armenian grapes has high sugar content, gentle aroma and subtle taste. Some dining ranges are attributed to the best in the world assortment, others are highly appreciated as raw materials for the production of strong dessert wines and cognacs. Especially remarkable brandy varieties that almost do not even have equal. Vineyards in Armenia are found at an altitude of 1400 m, where perfectly fruit. 
Fruit is inferior to viticulture and in place in gross agricultural products, and for marketability and industrial significance. More than others are common bone fruit (about 2/3 of all fruit trees of the republic), especially apricots and peaches, then plums and allycha, cherries and cherries, suckers, dogwood, and from seeds - apples, pears and quince. The proportion of walnut - walnut, hazelnut - and subtropical - figs, pomegranate, almonds. Some Armenian varieties of apricots, peaches, walnuts, quince of their quality exceed the best varieties in the world or equal to them.
Livestock breeding
Malcented Armenia at the same time stands out by the wealth of natural feed. Pastures and Senokos occupy about 28% of its entire territory. Leading branches of animal husbandry of the country - cattle breeding and sheep.
The cattle breeding is developed, first of all, on Lori's plateau, which is also considered to be the traditional center of breeding cattle breeding, then in Shirak, in some district ararat plains, Sevan basin and Zangezura. Among the success of cattle breeding, you can note the successful removal of the new breed of cows - Caucasian Bura. Cows of this breed are well adapted to the most diverse natural and feed conditions of almost all parts of the republic and are characterized by quite high productivity.
Sheep fell in the republic has favorable conditions for successful development. Small horned cattle is more adapted to pasture content. It is developed on steep slopes and cut surfaces of high-mountainous areas where Alpine pastures lie, namely in the Arna basin, in Zangezure, in the Sean basin, on the Western slopes of Aragata. In a number of other mountainous areas, sheepship develops in parallel with cattle breeding.
In the ponds of Armenia with surface vegetation and soft bottom soil are bred by Sazan (Hypophthalmichtys Molitrix) and Amur (Ctenopharygodon Idella). In narrow ponds with concrete walls and the bottom of the main types of fish, rape for sale, are: Rainbow Trout (Parasalmo Mykiss), stream trout (Salmo Trutta m. Fario), Siberian Forest (AciPenser Baeri). Amateur fishing is allowed on all reservoirs with the exception of those who are located on protected areas.
The main fish resources of Armenia are concentrated in Lake Sevan, however, due to the pre-use of fish resources during the years of restructuring, they have been disastrically decreased. Currently, the industrial catch of fish in Sevan is prohibited for a period of three years. Amateur fishing in Armenia is allowed on all reservoirs with the exception of those who are located on protected areas. The main types of fish living in Armenia are: Sevan Trout (Salmo Ischchan), Sig (Coregonus), Sevanskaya Sevangi, Karp (Carassius Auratus).
Armenia has long been hunted on many birds and animals, including the Quail (Coturnix Couturnix), a stone partridge (Anas Platyrhynchos), a SIZO Pigeon (Columba Livia), Fox (Vulpes Vulpes), Wolves (Canis Lupus ) (The hunt for them is now even rewarded), deer (Cervus SPP.), Kabanov (SUS Scrofa), Muflon (OVIS Musimon). The population of many types of game has decreased dramatically, and the hunt for many listed mammals is now prohibited. Snakes, including Armenian Vipera Raddei and Gurza (Vipera Lebetina), are collected and used in folk medicine.
The main tourist centers are Tsakhkadzor, Jermuk, Arzni and Dilijan and other cities of Kajaran, Sisian, Megry are known for their mineral springs similar to the composition of the sources in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. The monastery complex of Geghard, the pagan temple of Garni, Noravank, Lake Sevan, the ruins of the temple of Zvartnots, the fortress Amberd and Matenadaran are also very popular among tourists. 
Currently, there are 117 placement facilities in the republic. Including 63 hotels, 26 hotel-type facilities, 23 tourist bases. There are also 11 health and 11 boarding houses in the republic.
Armenia is a country rich in monuments of culture and nature, because of which it is called the "open-air museum." There are over 4 thousand unique monuments in Armenia. Among them are monuments of the Doharistian era: the ruins of URART Erebuni, Teishebaine, the ancient Armenian capitals of Armavir, Artashat, the pagan temple of Garni and others. 
Especially rich in Armenia monuments relating to the Christian architecture. This Cathedral in Vagarshapat, Noravank Monasteries, Geghard, Choir Virape, Goshavank, Sevanavank, the ruins of the ancient Church of Zvartnots, Khachkarov's cemetery in Noraduze and many others. Among nature monuments can be noted a unique lake of Sevan, a waterfall in Jermuk, Lyads Parz Lich and Kari, the Rocks of the HNDOROSK, as well as the most beautiful and diverse mountain landscape of the country.
State Story of Armenia, Constitution of Armenia
The fundamental document determining the state structure of Armenia is the Constitution adopted on the referendum on July 5, 1995 and changed according to the results of the referendum on November 27, 2005. The Constitution approves the Republic of Armenia as a sovereign, democratic, social, legal state, the power in which the people belongs to the people and is carried out by free elections. , referendums, as well as through state bodies envisaged by the Constitution, local governments and officials.
President of Armenia
The President of Armenia is elected for a five-year term. According to the Constitution, the President is provided with emergency powers in the event of a threat to the functioning of public authority institutions. A citizen of the Republic of Armenia is not elected to the president at least 35 years, which permanently resides in its territory over the past 10 years. The President is a guarantee of the Constitution, independence, territorial integrity and security of the republic. It provides the normal functioning of the legislative and executive.
The current president (from April 9, 2008) is Serzh Sargsyan, Levon Ter-Petrosyan was led to him (October 16, 1991 - February 3, 1998) and Robert Kocharian (February 4, 1998 - April 9, 2008).
Government of Armenia
The president on the basis of consultations with deputy factions in the National Assembly appoints the Prime Minister who uses the confidence of most deputies, and if it is impossible, the person using the confidence of a larger number of deputies. The President on the proposal of the Prime Minister appoints members of the government and frees them from office.
The highest legislature is the National Assembly. The National Assembly consists of 131 deputies (41 deputies are elected by majority single-mandate constituent districts, 90 - on a proportional system). The National Assembly is elected through nationwide elections for a five-year term. A citizen of the Republic of Armenia may become a deputy not 25 years old, who constantly lived on its territory at least three years before the election day.
The last parliamentary elections took place on May 6, 2012. At the parliamentary elections, on May 6, 2012, eight parties and one party block were participating, which fought for 90 seats in the NA provided for the proportional system. For 41 majority in parliament, 137 candidates fought. 
According to the results of the elections, the "Republican Party of Armenia" received 69 mandates, "prosperous Armenia" - 37 mandates, "Armenian National Congress" - 7 mandates, "Country of Law" - 6 mandates, "Heritage" - 5 mandates, "Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutun" - 5 mandates. On May 30, 2012, the Republican Party of Armenia and the Orinac Erkir Party formed the ruling coalition.
Judicial branch
The highest court of the Republic of Armenia, in addition to issues of constitutional justice, is a cassation court, which is designed to ensure the uniform application of the law. Constitutional justice in the Republic of Armenia is carried out by the Constitutional Court. The independence of the courts is guaranteed by the Constitution and laws. In the procedure established by the Constitution and the law, the Council of Justice is formed.
Administrative and territorial division of Armenia
Armenia is a unitary state, divided by ten regions (Arm. Մարզ - Marz) and the city of Yerevan.
Region consist of urban and rural communities. Regional leaders (Arm. Մարզպետ - Marzpet) are appointed and exempt from office government. The communities carry out local self-government with the Councils of Elders and the heads of communities (mayor of the city, rural elder), selecting for three years. The mayor of Yerevan is elected by the Council of Elders Yerevan.
As of 2007, there were 915 villages in the republic, 49 cities and 932 communities, of which 866 rural.
As of September 2011, the Republic of Armenia maintains diplomatic relations with 149 UN member states. In the capital of Yerevan there are 26 embassies. 
Armenia together with some other former Soviet republics is included in the CSTO - the Military Policy Union, created on the basis of a collective security agreement, as well as in the combined CIS air defense system.
In early September 2013, Armenia made a 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 a 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri, carrying combat duty in the framework of the united air defense system of the CIS countries.
Commodity with Russia is about 20% of foreign trade in the republic. For 2005, the joint turnover was 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 belong to Russian companies. For example, until 2006, the gas monopolist "ArmRosgazprom" was controlled by Gazprom to 45% and at 10% of the Russian gas company ITERA. At the moment, in exchange for a three-year contract for the supply of gas to $ 110, an additional issue of shares and the share of Gazprom has been brought to 82%.
The Russian Federation has a dedicated TPP, which supplies with electricity not only to Armenia, but also Iran and Georgia. The power plant, among several more Armenian enterprises, was transferred to Russia in 2002 in the account of the repayment of public debt of Armenia.
Foreign Policy of Armenia and Azerbaijan
Armenia and Azerbaijan are negotiating on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh within the OSCE Minsk Group. In Baku, they often repeat that if negotiations do not give results, the Azerbaijan is ready to return uncomfortable territories by military measures.
On November 2, 2008, the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, a declaration relating to the Karabakh conflict was signed. The leaders of the three states agreed to jointly work on the improvement of the situation in the Caucasus.
The foreign policy of Azerbaijan aims to remove Armenia from regional projects. In 2006, in an interview with the Arabic audio television channel Al-Jazeera Ilham Aliyev, said that Azerbaijan leads and will lead a policy aimed at bringing Armenia to the energy and transport deadlock, until he restores his control over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Foreign policy of Armenia and Greece
Greece was one of the first countries recognizing the independence of Armenia on September 21, 1991 and one of those that officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. Greece is the second after Russia by the military partner of Armenia and the closest ally to NATO.
Armenian Georgian Relations
Since Armenia's border with Turkey and Azerbaijan is closed, and Armenia does not have access to the sea, Georgia plays a crucial role for Armenia in terms of export and import of various products and goods. Railway acts between Armenia and Georgia. Armenia exports to Georgia electricity. In 2009, on the import of Georgian goods, Armenia occupied the fourth place (7.9% of total exports).
Armenian-Iranian relations
At the border of Iran and Armenia, there is an actively acting carchayan car transition from the beginning of the 1990s. There are projects and agreements on the construction of the railway between the two countries.
In May 2004, the main contract for the construction of the Iran - Armenia gas pipeline was signed. The solemn opening of the gas pipeline occurred on March 19, 2007 in the presence of Presidents of Armenia Robert Kocharian and Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Foreign Policy of Armenia and United States of America
The United States of America recognized the independence of Armenia on December 25, 1991 and opened the Embassy in Yerevan in February 1992. Even before the foundation of Armenia independence in 1991, the US Armenian lobby represented the interests of Armenia. In 2005, the United States allocated $ 7 million at the modernization of the Communication System of the Armed Forces of Armenia.
Armenian-Turkish relations
Turkey officially recognized the independence of Armenia on December 24, 1991, but still refuses to establish diplomatic relations with it. The relationship between Armenia and Turkey complicates the fact that Armenia requires, and Turkey refuses to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire of 1915. In the course of the Karabakh conflict, Turkey announced the blockade of the Armenian-Turkish border, which is officially explained by the participation of Armenian troops in the Karabakh war. Trade and economic relations between the two states due to this are difficult and are unofficial.
On September 6, 2008, Armenia visited President of Turkey Abdullah Gul. On October 10, 2009, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and Armenia Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed in Zurich (Switzerland) "Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations" and "Protocol on the development of bilateral relations"; Documents provide for the creation of a joint commission from "independent historians" to study the issue of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. On October 11 of the same year, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry criticized Turkey for signing agreements without resolving the Karabakh conflict.
Foreign policy of Armenia and Pakistan
Pakistan does not recognize Armenia. High-ranking Pakistani officials explain this to the support of Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia include four types of troops - ground troops, air force, air defense troops and border troops. 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. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces - President of Armenia (currently - Serzh Sargsyan). Secretary of Defense - Colonel-General Seyran Ohanyan. The rank is 48,570 people. (2011). Armenian border guards are responsible for patrolling borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan, while Russian troops continue to control Armenian borders with Iran and Turkey.
Since 1992, Armenia has been a member of the CSTO and CFA. The Agreement establishes a restriction on the main types of conventional weapons, such as tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, combat aircraft and helicopters, and provides for a decrease in the number of troops to the amount specified in the Agreement. The authorities of Armenia, according to the terms of the contract, keep restrictions. In 2011, the military budget of Armenia amounted to 387 million US dollars.
At the moment, Armenia takes part in the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. The government also discussed the possibility of sending Armenian peacekeepers to Lebanon. Also, Armenian peacekeepers participate in NATO mission in Afghanistan, and in 2005-2008 were in Iraq.
Population of Armenia
In 2001, in Armenia, the first after the proclamation of independence in 1991, a census of the population was carried out, according to which the number of permanent population of the country was 3,123,11.
The number of permanent population for the mid-2010, according to the 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 cash population (by census in Armenia without temporarily left from the country, a decrease of 130,823 people in comparison with the correspondence of 2001) or 3,018,854 permanent population was noted ( Including temporarily absent in the country, there is a reduction in the permanent population for 194,57 people compared with the correspondence of 2001). As of July 1, 2012, the number of permanent population of the country of Armrista, based on the results of the 2001 census, assessed 3,277.0 thousand people. Subsequently, Armstract adjusted current assessments of the so-called "permanent population" (taking into account the citizens temporarily absent in the country), as follows January 1, 2013, the population of Armenia was 3,026.9 thousand, and on April 1, 2013 3,028 thousand people. As of January 1, 2014, the population amounted to 3,017,1 thousand people.
According to the population of Armenia, it takes the 135th place. Population censuses noted the reduction in the population of the country and the very homogeneous national composition; Armenia is the only country of the former USSR with a practically mono-ethnic population (98.11% of which Armenians are). An important factor affecting the dynamics of the population of the country is emigration, primarily in Russia.
List of cities Armenia
The country is highly urbanized (63.35%) However, the share of the urban population is declining, the decline in the urban population in the interpersonpex period of 2001-2011 was -7.5%; During the same period, the rural settlement was -3.4%. In total, 49 cities numbered in the republic as of 2013. The largest city is the capital of Armenia Yerevan (1,061.0 thousand people), the smallest - dastakert with a population of 300 people. 
The main cities of Armenia: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Wagarshapat, Hrazdan, Abovyan, Kapan, Armavir, Gavar, Artashat, Charentsavan, Sevan, Goris, Masis, Astarak, Ararat, Ijewan, Artik, Sisian, Alaverdi.
National composition of Armenia
Armenians, Jesida, Russians, Assyrians, Kurds, Ukrainians, Greeks, Georgians, Persians.
Languages
State language of Armenia - Armenian. In the country except the Armenian (or rather East Armenian) language, Russian is common (they own about 70% of the population), English language as well as Ozida as the language of the numerous national minority.
Russian language functions in an informative role (three Russian TV channel "Channel (Russia)", "RTR-Planet" and "Culture", as well as the Interstate TV and Radio Company "Peace" and are published in Russian, "Republic of Armenia" in 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 a professional, reflecting its significance as a translator of scientific and special knowledge, and Also makes it possible to comply with Russian culture.
The Ministry of Education and Science of RA approved the Regulations on the functioning of schools with in-depth learning to Russian language. There are more than 60 such schools in the republic. There are also 40 general education in the country and 3 private schools in which Russian classes have. In all such classes, teaching is conducted on programs and textbooks of the Russian Federation. In the usual schools, the Russian language is taught at school from second to eleventh grades, while foreign languages \u200b\u200bare only from the fifth.
In religious relations, most of the believing population of Armenia (94%) - Christians belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The basics of the creed of the Armenian Apostolic Church are taught in the schools of Armenia. In Yerevan, the Cathedral of St. Gregory of the Illuminator, who, along with the cathedral of the Samebe in Tbilisi, is the largest in the Transcaucasia. 
There is a small community of the Armenian Catholic Church (36 parishes), the followers of which the rest of the Armenians calls "Franks". There are also communities of Orthodox Christians - Russians, Greeks, Ukrainians, as well as the community of Russian-milk.
The followers of Islam live in Armenia - the Kurds, Persians, Azerbaijanis and other nations are confessing this religion. However, due to the outcome of the Azerbaijanis due to the Karabakh conflict, the Muslim community declined. In Yerevan, a mosque acts for Muslims.
More than 40 thousand ezidov also live in Armenia (1.3% of the population) which they mainly profess Ezidism. On September 29, 2012, the Yezid Temple "Ziarat" solemnly opened in the Armavir region of Armenia. This is the first temple, built outside of the original Motherland of Yezidov, Iraqi Kurdistan, designed to satisfy the spiritual beliefs of the Armenian Jides.
Transport in Armenia
The overall length of the Armenian railways is 852 km (for 2001). The roads are electrified and have high bandwidth, however need reconstruction. 
The Armenian Railway Functioning on the territory of Armenia has compounds from Georgian (the only open connection), as well as with Azerbaijani and Turkish railway, which are not used due to closed borders with these states.
Plot Armenia-Iran
Iran-Armenia Railway will allow Armenia to use an alternative way of transporting energy resources and other goods by receiving an exit to the outside world. Now the Armenian railway communications with foreign countries are provided only through the territory of Georgia. According to various sources, the cost of building the Armenia-Iran railway construction can range from $ 1 to 2 billion, the distance will be about 500 km (depending on the selected option), 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 with the Erash station, which is located east of the city of Ararat, in the same name. Despite the fact that the station is not a dead-end. Erasch is the final station of suburban electric trains at the site of Yerevan-Masis-Erasch, and then the train does not go to Nakhichevan. According to this option, the length of ways for construction through the territory of Armenia will be 443 km. According to the second option, construction will begin from the Gagarin station, which is located between the cities of the Hrazdan and Sevan, in Marz Gegharcinik on the line Yerevan-Hazda-west. Train trains pass through the station, and in the summer there is a suburban movement of electric trains providing resting from Yerevan and its surroundings to relax on Lake Sevan. The length of the paths from Gagarin station to the Iranian border will be 449 km, and the construction will cover the city of Sevan, Gavar and Martuni, and further the city of Vaijdzor region and the Syunik region. According to the third version, construction is invited to start with a penultimate station on a dead-end branch of Yerevan-Held-west, namely, from the same-named Vardenis station in the city of Vardenis, which is located in the south-east of Marz Gegharkunik. Almost trade trains pass through the Vardenis station. Length of ways to Armenian territory from Vardenis station to the border with Iran will be 397 km. However, at the end of construction, in the settlement of the total distance from the Iranian border to Yerevan, this route will be the longest of those listed. A branch of 80 km to the Marand station, which is located in the north of Iran will be built across the territory of Iran. Thus, the total length of the construction of the railway will be depending on the selected option 523, 529 or 477 km. Armenian authorities are inclined to implement the second option.
Automobile transport
The length of the roads with a solid coating is 8.4 thousand km. Roads are in a worn condition. In mountainous areas and in the provinces, they often are simply absent, all transportation is conducted on gravel-crushed stone rays, rather difficult without the help of local residents. Lighting on the streets of cities is scarce, and often there is no way at all.
In the near future, large-scale road construction works should begin in Armenia, including the first stage of construction of the North-South highway.
Air Transport
In the conditions of a closed border with Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as an unstable situation in the Georgian-Russian border, the air transport is actually the main type of international passenger traffic. Regular passenger air transportation are carried out through two airports - Zvartnots (Yerevan) and "Shirak" (Gyumri). It is also planned to build a third airport.
The Zvartnots International Airport is 10 km west of Yerevan. It was built in 1961 as the West Airport, then in 1980 rebuilt and renamed Zvartnots. In 1998, a new cargo terminal was opened, and in the summer of 2007 - a new international passenger terminal. From here, flights to 70 cities in the world are performed.
Shirak Airport is 5 km from Gyumri - the second largest city of 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 into line with international standards.
Erebuni Airport is located in Yerevan, 7 km south of the city. Mainly used for military needs: Armenia Air Force and Air Force Aviation and the Air Force, which jointly conduct duty on the protection of southern frontiers of the CSTO member countries. Private passenger charter flights to CIS countries are performed from the airport, as well as an irregular tourist helicophetic message with Stepanakert airport located in NKR.
Tatev cable car
The cableways in Armenia are in Yerevan, Tsakhkadzor (Tourist Center in the Kotayk region), Jermuk (Tourist Center in the VajepSzdzor region), Alaverdi (Tourist Center in the Lori Region). In 2010, the world's longest cable car towards the Tatev Monastery (Tourist Center in the Syunik region) was built. There are also commodity cableways, for example, near the city of Kajaran (serves the mining industry in the Syunik region).
Pipeline transport
In Armenia there is a network of gas pipelines with a total length of 900 kilometers. Currently, the Armenia-Georgia and Armenia-Iran gas pipelines are operating, there is an active gas storage facility in Erascha. In 2009, the Oran-Armenia petroleum production was commissioned.
Culture of Armenia
Antiquity and antiquity
Armenian culture goes back to deep antiquity. In Armenia, figurines, figurines, decorations, crafts dating from II-I millennia were repeatedly located on the territory of Armenia. e. By the beginning of the middle of the I millennium BC. e. Armenian mythology is formed, which has taken an exceptional role in the formation of Armenian culture, and from the 6th century BC. e. The development of pagan architecture begins. The dominacy of Macedonian and mentioned by the era of Hellenism had its influence on the culture. One of the most famous monuments of this era is Garni.
In 69 BC e. In the capital of Great Armenia - in Tigranakert - under the influence of Hellenistic traditions there is an ancient MaryMyan theater.
Some of the main roles in the development and conservation of Armenian culture and the hardening of the Armenian self-consciousness were played by the adoption of Armenia in 301 Christianity and the creation of Mesrop Mesrop Mastotz in 405-406 by the Armenian alphabet. The adoption of Christianity was the reason for the creation of one of the most important reversals of the Armenian culture - church architecture, and the creation of the alphabet marked the beginning of the development of Armenian literature and historiography.
In the era of the Middle Ages in Armenia, the art of sculptural relief, ornamental threads began to develop, high levels reached the art of thumbnails. A huge number of fairy tales, songs, epic (David Sasununsky) have been created. His peak reached the art of church architecture. Armenian literature coincides its rapid development.
Fine art Armenia
Frescoes
The earliest known samples of Armenian fresco painting are torn by the middle of the V century, these are fragments of frescoes from Poghos Petros Church in Yerevan and Casane Basilica. The following early examples relate mainly to the VII century (LMBATAVANK, ARUCUVANK, etc.) and testify to the sustainable tradition of painting in the interiors. The fragment of the frescoes of the Tatev Monastery in Syunik, survived to this day, rises by about 930, and fragments of the frescoes with images of the Harter of Christ in the apse, the figures of the Sidizing the Mother of God, as well as the Unknown Holy (Artist Egyse) in the Gndevank Monastery - by 914.
Sculpture
The Armenian Rated Environmental Sculpture is represented by stone steles, ornamental and plot reliefs of IV-V BB ... The earliest - reliefs of the plates of Arcosolia Tomb of Armenian Arshakids in Achz, relating by 364. The capitate of the memorial column in Casak (about IV century) and 2 relief of the end of the IV century on the facade of the Cathedral of the Echmiadzin Cathedral are preserved. In general, the early-service Armenian sculpture is represented by three main schools - Airarat, Tashirskaya and Syunik. In the VI-VII century, a new flowering of sculptural art begins (round sculpture and reliefs), characterized by the wealth of decorative details, stylistic directions are distinguished. The masterpiece of architecture and the visual art of this era becomes the temple of Zvartnots, built in 640-650. Scene figure reliefs appear (in Churches Ptgyni, Mrena), the burning images of the ktitor (Sisian).
In the V-VII centuries, the art of Khachkarov begins to develop - sculptural monuments, which are a stone stele with a carved image of the cross. Khachkar art reaches its highest development in the XII-XIII centuries .. In total, there are several thousand khachkars in the territory of Armenia, everyone is distinguished by its unique pattern, although all patterns are usually sustained in a single style.
Armenian miniature
In the history of the visual art of medieval Armenia, the leading place was held by the book miniature - the earliest samples date back to the VI-VII centuries .. A feature of the Armenian miniature is a variety of styles of various local schools - Kilikia, Gladzora, Tatev, Vaspurakana, etc. Among the early samples of the Armenian miniature Arts - "Gospel Tsarz Mc" (862), Gospel (986), "Echmiadzinskoye Gospel" (989), "Gospel Muggy" (XI century), etc. Special diversity of styles and receptions is different Miniature of the XIII-XIV centuries, when a number of distinctive local schools of Armenian miniatures are developing.
Decorative and applied art
The applied art of medieval Armenia is represented by rich and diverse ceramics: irrigation ceramics with painting and engraving, non-conclusive with in-depth and relief ornaments, plated faience vessels. The main centers of ceramic production were located in the cities of Ani and Dvin, which flourished until the XII-XIII centuries. The embroidery of the XIV century are preserved., Metallic articles including chased silver gold-plated folds of the XIII-XIV centuries., Church appointments, silver and gold salaries of handwritten books (for example, the salary of the Gospel of Kilician work 1255). In Ani, during the excavations of the church, the church was discovered a copper chandelier-lampadophospide, belonging to the XI in .. High-art samples of wood threads are known, the most early examples of which are wooden doors of temples in this art ( Door from Mush, 1134, doors from the Church of Arakelytz to Oz. Sevan, 1176, etc.).
In the medieval church and temples were also decorated with mosaics. Some fragments of the early Christian Mosaic were found in the Cathedrals of Echmiadzin, Zvartnuts and Dvina.
Armenian carpet
The Armenian carpet is a term that defines the pile and lobby carpets, which were woven with Armenians living on the territory of Armenian Highlands, and beyond from the pre-Christian period (up to IV. N. E.) to the present day. Railway, 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 tradition of other species of national visual art. The main difference between Armenian carpets from Persian, Azerbaijani and other carpets is that stylized images of animals and people are applied as ornamental motifs. Traditionally, in Armenia carpets rip the floors, cover the interior walls of houses, sofas, chests, seats and beds. So far, the carpets often serve as veins of doorways, sacristians and altars in the temples, they cover the Altarians themselves in churches. Developing from ancient times, Armenian carpet, Izstari, was an integral part of the life, as the route was engaged in almost every Armenian family, despite the fact that "carpets everywhere was an ancient female army."
Armenian theater.
Armenian theater - along with Greek and Roman, one of the oldest theaters of the world of European type.
In I thousand to n. er, in the era of a slave-owner society, develops ancient Armenian theater associated with the cult of ancestors, chanting the feats of heroes, etc., armenian tragedy theater of Zainarka-Gusanov and Walbergakov arose. With the cult of Gisane-Ara, with the celebration of the return of spring and the Vakhanalia in honor of the Goddess of the fertility "Anahit" is also associated with the ancient Armenian comedy theater, the actors of which were Cauckergaki and Catak-Gusani.
The Armenian professional theater appeared in Armenian Hellenistic monarchies from the pagan mystery tragedy and the People's Comedy. According to the testimony of the Greek historian Plutarch in 69 BC. e. Tsar Tigran II Great (95-55 BC.) Built in the southern capital of the Great Armenia Tigranakert Building in the type of Hellenistic Amphitheators of Syria, where the views were given. It is also known that the son of Tigran Tsar Artavazd II (56-34 BC), who also wrote the tragedy, created in the northern capital of Armenia Artashat (which the Romans called the "Carfagen Armenia") the theater of the Hellenistic type. Starting from the I century to n. e. Numerous historical facts confirm the continuity of the existence of a diverse in genres and species of the Armenian professional theater. For example, in Armavir - the capital of the ancient Armenia, inscriptions in Greek were found with passages from the tragedies of the Greek authors or, possibly, the Armenian king of Artavazd II. There are data on theatrical productions also in the first centuries of our era. The Armenian Theater continued its development and after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in the first years of the IV century. The earliest preserved dramaturgical works (dramatic poem) belong to the XIII-XIV centuries, the earliest preserved tragedy - 1668. Armenian professional theater of the new time began to form from the 1840s ..
Armenian music
In the III century. BC e. There was already a qualitative peculiarity of Armenian music. In the writings of the ancient and Armenian authors, individual samples of even pre-Christian Armenian musical creativity have been preserved. The history of the pre-Christian Armenian music forwards is connected with the guisans, which in the era of Hellenism originally served in the temple of the ancient Armenian god Gisane.
At the beginning of IV, Armenian Christian music arises, which, along with the Aramaic, Jewish, Cappadocyan, is the basis of a generally Christian musical culture. In the V century, Armenian anthemography was formed - the creativity of Sharacanov. At the turn of the VIII-IX centuries, the Armenian system of musical notation was formed - the Haza. In the X century, tags appear - relatively volumetric monodis of spiritual and secular content. In the era of the High Middle Ages, Armenian not the same is improved. From the mid-XVI century, the art of Armenian Ashugov is beginning to develop.
Armenian classical music begins with the XIX. In 1861, Grigor Sinanyan rests on the symphony orchestra - the Sinanyan Orchestra. In 1868, Tigran Chuhajian creates Opera "Arshak II" - the first Armenian national opera and the first opera of the musical history of the whole east. From the end of the XIX century. In Armenian classical music, the new movement on the collection and processing of the ancient folk songs is beginning with professional composers, the largest among which was Comitas.
Armenian musical instruments
Armenia is rich in folk musical instruments. Their history has many centuries and millennia. One of the most ancient Armenian folk instruments is Duduk.
From the 6th century to n. e. In ancient Armenia, a pagan architecture has developed, from the beginning of the IV century - Armenian Christian architecture. Xenophon reports that the dwellings of the ancient Armenians had the towers. The most significant monument of Armenian ancient architecture is the temple of Garni, built by the King of the Grand Armenia Tredat I in the 70s. e. 
Since the beginning of the IV century, Armenian Christian architecture begins to develop. Among the earliest examples of the Armenian church architecture, the mononophogne hall churches of Shirvanjukh (V c were known, three-penette basilical - casains (IV century), Yerek (V century), etc. The huge rise Armenian architecture is experiencing in the VII century, when The church of St. Ripseme, Talinsky Cathedral, Archawank, Mrena, Mastara, sisavank, etc. The masterpiece of Armenian architecture VII century is considered to be the temple of Zvartnots, erected between 641-661. The next rise of Armenian architecture refers to the X century, the development period of the sovereign Armenian state. This era includes Tatev Church, (895-905), St. Cross in Akhtamara (915-921), Vaganavank (911), GNEVANK (930), Sanain (957-962), Achpat (976-991), etc. Pop the Armenian The architectures of the end of the XII-XIII centuries is associated with the liberation of Armenia Zabarians. A number of new stone structures were created, including overlapping on crossed arches. The most famous time monuments: Aricavank (1201), Makaravank (1205), Tega (1213-1232), Dadivank, (1214), Geghard (1215), Sagmosavank (1215-1235), ovanavank (1216-1238), ovanavank (1216-1238) ), Agracin (1281) and some dr.
Tuf is played a big role in the Armenian architecture - the most common building material in Armenia, where one of the two largest fields of tuff in the world (Other in Italy) is located. Blocks from tuff apply in construction from ancient times.
Visapi
Visapi (Arm. Վիշապներ, Mixaps, Audahaki) - Ancient mythological creatures, which were portrayed in the form of high stone sculptures, mengirins. Visaps are common in the mythology of the Armenian Highlands and Front Asia. Peoples inhabiting Armenian Highlands in the II millennium BC. e. Or earlier, the images of the climb from the stone were pushed out and installed them in underground water sources. Over time, the mythological image of Visapov has undergone changes and in mythologies of different nations began to be associated with evil spirits, dragons, etc., often keeping the initial connection with water.
Armenian brandy
Arbun - the name of the brand of the alcohol produced in Armenia. Armenian cognacs during the days of the former USSR occupied prizes, often the first places, for which they received fame in many countries of the world.
Vintage manuscripts and folk tales prove that winemaking and viticulture in Armenia have been engaged in ancient times, somewhere starting from the XV century to N. e. The reference to the fact that beautiful wines were exported from the region to neighboring countries for sale, you can find Herodota's ancient Greek historians, Xenophon, Strabo. Wines were high-quality, weathered and diverse. Armenia is a country with ancient tradition of growing grapes.
Cognac production in Armenia was founded in 1887 by the merchant of the first guild of Nerses Tairyan in Yerevan on the first wine plant, built ten years earlier on the territory of the former Yerevan fortress. At the improved plant, two fire-fire devices for cognac alcohol were installed.
List of UNESCO World Heritage Site in Armenia
In Armenia, 3 groups of objects listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List are concentrated:
Social sphere of Armenia
The Republic of Armenia provides the right to education - regardless of nationality, race, gender, language, religion, political or other views, social origin, property situation or other circumstances.
According to the Constitution, each citizen on a competitive basis has the right to receive free higher or other vocational education in public educational institutions. 
In 1999, the National Assembly of RA approved the law "On Education". Education in Armenia is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Science.
Secondary education
Secondary education in Armenia is carried out in three-stage secondary schools for 12 years to the following steps:
The presence of a certificate of average (full) general education or recognized by the equivalent certificate equivalent to it is a prerequisite for admission to universities. Reception for all higher education programs is carried out on a competitive basis based on the results of entrance tests.
In the educational institutions of the Republic of Armenia, a 10-point score scale applies.
Higher education
One of the leading scientific centers of Armenia is the Yerevan State University. EHU was founded on May 16, 1919. The first classes began in February 1920. About 13,000 students study at 22 at the 22nd university faculties. 200 of 1,200 teachers have a scientist of the Doctor of Science and more than 500 candidate. The position of the rector is now occupied by Aram Gracheevich Simonyan.
Yerevan State Linguistic University. V. Ya. Brysov - the leading university of Armenia, specializing in linguistics and philology. Founded in 1935. During its activities, the university has prepared over 50,000 specialists in the sphere of Russian, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, political science, country studies, international tourism, international journalism, etc. specialties.
International University "Eurasia" was founded in 1997, has branches in the cities of Noimeberry, Ijevan (Armenia) and Rostov-on-Don (Russia), there are three faculties at the university: economic, legal and foreign languages.
Russian-Armenian (Slavic) State University was founded in 1998 on the initiative of the Russian government. Now there are more than three thousand students. The university became the third Russian-national (after 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 a leader of national technical education, providing multistage engineering education. Giua has 3 branches in Gyumri, Vanadzor and Kapane. Since 2006, the Rector is Voshnik Zavenovich Maruhany.
The Yerevan State Conservatory named after Committee was founded in 1921, at first as a musical studio, and two years later - already as a higher musical school. Since 2002, Pianist, Professor Sergey Georgievich Sarajyan became the rector of EGC. The Conservatory features a student symphony orchestra, chamber orchestras, folk instruments orchestra and folk choir, various chamber ensembles.
The Yerevan State Medical University has also operates in Armenia. Mkhatar Geracy, American University of Armenia, State Agrarian University of Armenia, Modern Humanitarian Academy, French University in Armenia and others.
Science in Armenia
The first testimonies of the study by a person of the surrounding reality in Armenia are found from the third millennium BC, these are the stone Observatory of Karaujuj (Zorats-Car) and Metzamor, clinical entries, engineering structures of the URART period.
The catalyst for the development of scientific thought was the creation in the V century Mesrop Mashtotz alphabet, which Armenians also use to this day. Subsequently, numerous schools were discovered throughout Armenia, literary works were written, treatises on history, philosophy, language, labor on natural sciences, geography, astronomy, mathematics, etc. The most prominent representatives of the so-called "golden century of Armenia" are the historian Movses Horanatsi ( V c.), Philosopher David Anaht (VI century), geographer, astronomer and mathematician Anania Shiracatsi (VII century), Poet and philosopher Grigor Naqi (X century), Machitar Herati (XII century), Mkhitar Goshit (XII century), and more .. In 1051, the great enlightener Grigor Magistros translated the Euclidean geometry into Armenian.
By the same time, there is universities in Armenia in Armenia: Anonya (XI century), Gladzor (XIII century), Tatevsky (XIV century), Sanahn Academy (XII century), where, along with theology, secular disciplines were also taught: History, philosophy, grammar, mathematics, medicine, music.
After the 1917 revolution, hundreds of representatives of the Armenian scientific intelligentsia returned to Armenia, which were included in the organization in the new Armenia of Higher School and Scientific Institutions: numerous research institutes, laboratories, centers conducted by scientific research were created. In 1935, the Armenian branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences of the USSR was created, which in a short time became one of the major scientific centers of the country. In 1943, the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR was created on the basis of the branch.
Health care in Armenia
The system of primary health care is primarily aimed at preventing diseases and has received the support of the World Bank, which assumed the financing of the program of the formation of the Institute of Family Doctors. As part of the Credit Program, the World Bank (WB) only in 2002 was built in 47 ambulatory and 14 marzahs in the construction process. The third credit program of the WB is currently continuing, according to which the emerging of family doctors will be built in the republic. The offices of family doctors are equipped with modern equipment and frames that have passed the appropriate training and study.
As part of the WB Credit Program, 2 departments of family doctors preparation were created in Armenia.
Residents of cities at their discretion can choose either a family doctor or a precinct therapist and a precinct pediatrician for children. As a result of the reform of the primary level in healthcare, a new type doctor should be formed. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the country's budget, and the state in 2006 has taken responsibility for the social sphere of health and introduced free medical care to the population in the primary healthcare area (clinics, ambulance). Until 2006, in the primary health care service, the maintenance of narrow specialists (except for precursor therapists and pediatricians) was paid. Laboratory and diagnostic studies were also paid. However, the maintenance of certain groups of socially unprotected layers of the population, as well as patients with social diseases located on dispensary taking, was free.
Human Rights in Armenia
According to the Organization of Freedom House, the situation in compliance with human rights in Armenia is generally better than in most countries of the post-Soviet space, but has significant problems, and something is similar to the situation in Georgia. According to the same organization, Armenia refers to the so-called "partially free" countries.
Media Armenia
In Armenia, all kinds of media are represented - from newspapers and magazines to radio, television and the Internet. Censorship is prohibited in 2004 by the Mass Law. Nevertheless, the slander is punishable and some journalists for slander were sentenced to prison. But for several years it was not excited on charges of slander.
There is no transparency in the issues of the media. This is the result of deficiencies in the legislation on the disclosure of property.
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-speaking channels. There are many radio stations.
A serious problem for this area is the limit of pluralism. Broadcasting media, with the exception of a limited number of programs expressing alternative views, do not report serial, objective and pluralistic information to society. Broadcasting media can be described as predominantly pro-government, despite the transformation of public television into the social and existence of a number of private channels. This is explained by 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, consequently, all broadcasted companies regulated or controlled by these bodies are subject to the influence of the state.
Newspapers
Print media are much more pluralistic, unlike broadcasting. The lighting of events is more versatile, and sometimes, the state and its politics are openly criticized. However, since neither one of the printed editions does not exceed 3000-4000 copies, Armenia's printed media does not play a special role in informing the Company.
the Internet
The number of companies operating in the occasional spheres is at 2005 35 of them provide a variety of services, 24 - conduct training.
AM - National top-level domain for Armenia. Domain in Zone.am can register anyone - both resident and non-resident of Armenia. According to religious and ethical reasons, the area of \u200b\u200bzone.am is prohibited from delegation of obscene domain names. Restrictions on the registration of domains of famous brands are also removed.
According to Microsoft estimates, today there are no more than 150-180 thousand computers in Armenia (3 million people), but computer piracy has been developed in Armenia. The republic was leading in the first global study of the International Association of Software Manufacturers (Business Software Allianse) among 123 countries in piracy levels - 95%, but now piracy at 89%. The victims of such a high level of piracy are local IT companies developing original programs, but their potential users choose pirated Russian or English-language versions simply because those are cheaper.
Telecommunications
The Internet is widespread enough throughout the country and is available in almost any of its city. The number of users is 30 thousand, which is about 1% of the population of Armenia, but the growth trend of this figure is viewed. Today in Armenia has about 20 Internet providers.
Currently, there are three mobile operators in Armenia:
The first 3G network in Armenia was launched by Beeline in October 2008, the quality of which one year left much to be desired. On April 17, 2009, 3G was launched by competitors from K-Telecom (or Vivacell, a subsidiary of MTS).
Sport in Armenia
Some of the most popular sports in Armenia are swimming, heavy athletics, football, chess, boxing, judo, struggle, skiing and climbing. Water sports in Armenia for lack of access to the sea can be practiced only in lakes, in particular, in Sevan. At the international level, Armenian athletes are more successful in heavy athletics and struggle. Armenia is a member:
In connection with the lack of recent success in international competitions, 16 sports facilities built in the Soviet times have been restored to the upbringing of young athletes in Armenia, built in Soviet times. Schools also provided equipment for a total amount of $ 1.9 million. Also, the Government of Armenia finances the restoration of regional schools. $ 9.3 million is invested in the restoration of the ski resort in Tsakhkadzor for the development of winter sports in Armenia. In 2005, a cycling center was opened in Yerevan. The government also promises a cash remuneration of $ 700,000 for the Armenian athlete who will win a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Armenia is especially successful in chess. Armenian chess players are three-time champions of the Chess Olympiad.
Panarmian games are also regularly held in the country.
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