Armenia

Capital : Yerevan
Currency : Armenian dram

Country Name:

• Conventional long form: Republic of Armenia
• Conventional short form: Armenia
• Local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
• Local short form: Hayastan
• Former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic

Etymology:

• The native Armenian name for the country is Hayk‘.
• Hayk is believed to be the descendent of Noah.
• Iranians added the suffix “stan” and the country began to be called “Hayastan”.
• The exonym Armenia was first recorded in the Old Persian Behistun inscription in 515 BC.
• It was then referred to as Armina.
• The Greeks used the term “Armenians” for the first time in 476 BC.

History

• Armenia has evidence of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
• Mention of Mount Ararat (where Noah rested his ark) has been made in the Bible.
• Armenia was the first country to embrace Christianity as early as 300 A.D.
• During the 6th century B.C., Armenians settled in the kingdom of Urartu.
• The empire flourished under the rule of Tigrane the Great and extended from the Caspian to the Mediterranean seas.
• The region underwent many invasions which caused a mix of cultures and races.
• Armenians managed to preserve their culture and traditions through the years.
• During World War I, the Ottoman Turks conquered parts of Armenia and inflicted atrocities upon the people.
• Thousands of Armenians were massacred and deported to deserts. Many more died of starvation.
• The Armenian massacre is considered the first genocide in the 20th century.
• After the Turks were defeated in World War I, the independent Republic of Armenia was established on May 28, 1918.
• It was annexed by the Soviet Army on Nov. 29, 1920.
• Reorganization took place in 1936 and Armenia became a separate constituent republic of the USSR.
• Armenia declared its independence after the collapse of Soviet Union on Sept. 23, 1991.
• In 1988, Armenia and Azerbaijan went through a territorial dispute over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• The dispute led to a war (1992-1994) which resulted in a large number of casualties.
• The region is currently under Armenia’s control.
• It is estimated that 60% of Armenians have migrated to other countries like US, Russia, Georgia, France, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Argentina, and Canada.
• Ter-Petrosyan was Armenia's first president independence in 1991.
• Claims of rigged voting led to a mass protest and a 20-day state of emergency was declared on March 1, 1991.

Demographics:

• The population of Armenia has rapidly declined post-independence due to increased emigration.
• 97.9% of the population is ethnic Armenian.
• Minorities include Yazidis, Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Kurds, Georgians, Greeks, and Assyrians.
• Vlachs, Mordvins, Ossetians, Udis, and Tats also exist in small numbers.
• Pre-independence, there was a large number of Azerbaijanis in Armenia.
• Armenian Diaspora is mainly settled in Russia, France, Iran, the United States, Georgia, Syria, Lebanon, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Poland and Ukraine.
• Many Armenians have also settled in other European and middle-eastern countries.
• Armenians form the larger part of the population in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Government and Politics:

• Armenia is run by a republic government.
• Administrative divisions consist of 11 provinces namely: Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor and Yerevan.
• 21 September (Independence Day) is observed as a national holiday.
• The Constitution was adopted by nationwide referendum on 5 July 1995.
• Constitutional amendments were implemented after a nationwide referendum on 27 November 2005.
• The Legal system is based on civil law system.
• Armenia has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
• The President is the chief of state.
• The Prime Minister is the head of government.
• The Council of Ministers is appointed by the prime minister. The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term.
• The prime minister is appointed by the president based on majority or plurality support in parliament.
• When National Assembly refuses to accept their program the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign.

The Legislative branch is represented by a unicameral National Assembly (Parliament). The Judicial branch is represented by the Constitutional Court and Court of Cassation (Appeals Court).

Culture:

• Armenia has a distinct alphabet system and language of its own.
• The alphabet was invented by Saint Mesrob Mashtots in 405 AD.
• The alphabet has thirty-eight letters in all.
• English and Russian are widely spoken languages.
• The Armenian national anthem is “Mer Hayrenik”.
• Armenia’s has a strong art culture that dates back to the Middle Ages.
• The National Art Gallery in Yerevan, The Modern Art Museum, the Children’s Picture Gallery and the Martiros Saryan Museum display some of the most valuable art collections.
• Orchestra and classical musical forms are very popular and highly regarded.
• Opera and live musical performances are commonly held.
• Yerevan's Vernisage offers a wide variety of arts and crafts objects like woodcarving, antiques, fine lace, and the hand-knotted wool carpets and kilims.
• Gold and other jewellery made from Obsidian is made by traditional Armenian goldsmiths.
• Russian relics and souvenirs are also widely available in the market.
• Armenia also has several historical and heritage sites from the Medieval, Iron Age, Bronze Age and Stone Age.
• There are also a large number of churches and fortresses from the rich historical past of the country.
• Hospitality and socializing is an integral part of Armenian culture.
• Social gatherings usually involve elaborate meals with wine, alcohol or cognac.
• Guests are treated warmly and fed generously.
• Weddings are traditional and celebrated with Armenian cognac.
• The period between an engagement and a wedding may extend upto 1 year.

Economy:

• Since its independence, Armenia has been developing rapidly on the economical front.
• Armenia faced a financial setback after its conflict with Azerbaijan.
• The IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program implemented by the government in 1994 has contributed to the economic growth.
• There has been marked decline in poverty, inflation and currency fluctuation.
• Post Soviet-era, Armenia has shifted to small scale agriculture from large scale industrial base.
• Nuclear power plants at Metsamor were closed after the 1988 Spitak Earthquake.
• Metsamor generates over 40 % of the country's electricity.
• A natural gas pipeline is being laid down between Iran and Armenia.
• Armenia’s mineral deposits include copper, gold and bauxite.
• The highest yielding export commodities are Pig iron, unwrought copper, and other nonferrous metals.
• International aid, non-resident Armenians and foreign trade have also contributed to the economic development.
• Unemployment still remains a pressing issue in the country.
• GDP (purchasing power parity) as calculated in 2007 was $17.15 billion.
• 26.5% of the population is below poverty line (2006 est.)
• The main Agricultural produce comprises of fruit (especially grapes), vegetables and livestock.
• Major industries are diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing and brandy.
• Export commodities include pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs and energy.
• Import commodities include natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs and diamonds.

Infrastructure:

• Armenia has a modernized telecommunications system.
• Telephone and cellular services are reliable and well established in most parts of the country.
• There are two cellular service providers in Armenia.
• There are 25 radio broadcast stations in all.
• A total of 48 television broadcast stations exist which also include two public networks and some Russian channels.
• Internet facilities are reasonably available.
• Armenia is connected by 12 airports.
• The railway network spreads over 839 km.
• Roadways span over a total of 7,700 km.

Education:

99.4% of the total Armenian population is literate. Armenia has a high quality of educational infrastructure at all levels. The American University of Armenia has graduate programs in a wide variety of subjects.

Neighbouring Countries:

Armenia is a landlocked country surrounded by:

• Turkey (east)
• Georgia (south)
• Azerbaijan (west)
• Iran and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan (north)

Armenia Related Topics:

Armenia Tourist Attractions: