Everything you need to know about Armenia: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more

Re-emergence of Armenia from its Genocidal Past

Armenia has one of the earliest Christian civilisations, the Armenian Church was founded by two of Jesus' twelve apostles Thaddaeus and Bartholomew who preached Christianity in Armenia between 40-60 AD. A former republic of the Soviet Union, Armenia is a unitary, multiparty, democratic nation-state having an ancient and historic cultural heritage. An independent Republic of Armenia was proclaimed at the end of the First World War but it was short-lived. During World War I in the western portion of Armania, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in the genocide of 1 million Armenians. When the Armenian Empire finally collapsed in 1991, Armenia regained independence but retained a Russian military base at Gyumri.

Armenia Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures

• National Name: The Republic of Armenia
• Capital: Yerevan
• Total area : 29,743 sq km (11,484 sq miles)
• Population: 3 million (UN, 2007)
• Currency: Dram
• Languages: Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census)
• Ethnicity/ Races: Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001 census)
• Religion: Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3%
• GDP (Per Capita): $5,700 (2005 est.)
• Life Expectancy: Male: 68.79 years, Female: 76.55 (2008 est.)
• Literacy Rate: Male: 99.7%, Female: 99.2%(2001 census.)

Geographical Information on Armenia :

Armenia is situated in the northeast of the Armenian uplands between the Caucasus and Asia Minor and bordered by Georgia on the north, Azerbaijan on the east, Iran on the South and Turkey on the west. Lofty mountains, high plateaus, and several lowland valleys make up most of Armenia. Armenia is a country in west-central Asia. It's not a big country, but it has many interesting places. Armania has beautiful mountains, forests, and cities. Armenia's capital city, Yerevan, is one of the oldest cities in the world.

The climate in Armenia is markedly continental. Summers are dry and sunny, lasting from June to mid-September. Autumns are known for their vibrant and colorful foliage. Winters are quite cold with plenty of snow, with temperatures touching freezing point. The awe-inspiring Mt Ararat towering 5,165 metres is the tallest mountain bordering Armenia, Turkey and Iran.

Economy of Armenia:

In the mid-1990s the government initiated an economic reform program that brought some stability and growth. The country became a member of the Council of Europe in 2001. Armenia has cordial relations with many countries and currently Armenia is a member of more than 40 international organisations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, NATO's Partnership for Peace (PFP) program etc.

Culture, Cuisine and Tradition Of Armenia:

Armenia's culture has undergone considerable changes through centuries yet its core values are still retained in its large joint families. Armenian culture is a perfect amalgamation of the best achievements of the past with hopes of future. The culture of Armenia is distinctly different and yet strikingly similar to the neighboring nations of Georgia, Russia, and Iran as well as Mediterranean countries like Italy, and Greece.

The Armenians use fresh seasonal foods for their daily diet and they follow drying, smoking, and pickling methods to preserve food for winter. Armenians prefer rice, wheat, and pine nuts. Armenian cooking style has Persian (Iranian), Greek, and Turkish influences.

Tourist Attraction of Armenia:

Armenia sightseeing is full of fun, excitement and its cultural aspects provide a chance to discover it's past glory. Armenia boasts of several mediaeval churches like the Armenian Apostolic Chuch, the St Sarkis Church among others. The natural beauty of Armenia lies in volcanic peaks, hot springs, crystal lakes and man made attractions that remain the center of attraction for tourists. One of the must visit sites is the enchanting Lake Sevan in Armenia that is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.

Major Sight-Seeing Places in Armenia include:

•  Mithras Greek Temple of Garni, Armenia dates back to 1st Century AD, reconstructed in 1975.

•  Countryside and Temple of Garni.

•  Sevanavank Monastery.

•  Central Square in Yerevan.

•  Medieval Church in Armenia.

•  Temple in Yalta.