Overview
Map of Armenia
Armenia is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia situated at the juncture of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, the de facto independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the south.
A former republic of the Soviet Union, Armenia is a unitary, multiparty, democratic nation-state with an ancient and historic cultural heritage. The Kingdom of Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as its religion in the early years of the 4th century (the traditional date is 301). The modern Republic of Armenia recognizes the Armenian Apostolic Church as the national church of Armenia, although the republic has separation of church and state.
What history does Armenia have?
Mountains of Ararat
Armenia lies in the highlands surrounding the Biblical mountains of Ararat, upon which Noah’s Ark came to rest after the flood. Legend has it that the ancestor of all Armenians is Hayk, the great-great grandson of Noah, who defeated the Babylonian King Bel in 2492B.C, and established his nation in the Ararat region. The Nairi people (12th to 9th centuries BC) and the Kingdom of Urartu (1000–600 BC) successively established their sovereignty over the Armenian Highland. Each of the aforementioned nations and tribes participated in the ethno genesis of the Armenian people.
Old Yerevan
Yerevan, the modern capital of Armenia, was founded in 782 BC by king Argishti I. Around 600 BC, the Kingdom of Armenia was established under the Orontid Dynasty. The kingdom reached its height between 95 and 66 BC under Tigranes the Great, becoming one of the most powerful kingdoms of its time within the region. Throughout its history, the kingdom of Armenia enjoyed periods of independence intermitted with periods of autonomy subject to contemporary empires. Armenia’s strategic location between two continents has subjected it to invasions by many peoples, including the Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, Persians, OttomanTurks and Russians. From March 12, 1922, Armenia was included in the Transcaucasian Federation, and from December 5, 1936 became part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Since September 21, 1991, the Republic Armenia is a sovereign democratic, social and legal state headed by a president. Authority is exercised in accordance with the Constitution adopted on July 5, 1995 during the National referendum.
How is Armenia governed?
Politics of Armenia takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic. According to the Constitution of Armenia, the President is the head of government and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament (National Assembly). The Armenian government’s stated aim is to build a Western-style parliamentary democracy as the basis of its form of government. It has universal suffrage above the age of eighteen. The current president is Serj Sargsyan.
Residence of the president of Armenia
Building of Armenian Government
Building of National Assembly of Armenia
Serj Sargsyan, president of Armenia
Gerb of Armenia
Flag of Armenia
Which are the administrative divisions of Armenia?
Provinces of Armenia
Armenia is divided into ten provinces (marzer, singular marz), with the city (kaghak) of Yerevan (Երևան) having special administrative status as the country’s capital. The chief executive in each of the ten provinces is the marzpet (marz governor), appointed by the government of Armenia. In Yerevan, the chief executive is the mayor, appointed by the president.
What is the religion of Armenia?
Etchmiadzin Church
The Kingdom of Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as its religion in the early years of the 4th century (the traditional date is 301). The modern Republic of Armenia recognizes the Armenian Apostolic Church as the national church of Armenia, although the republic has separation of church and state. Apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew preached in Armenia and the Holy Apostolic Church of Armenia is named after them only.
Which are the foreign relations of Armenia?
Since its independence (1991), Armenia has maintained a policy of complementary by trying to have friendly relations both with Iran, Russia, and the West, including the United States and Europe. However, the dispute over the Armenian Genocide and the recent war over Nagorno-Karabakh have created tense relations with two of its immediate neighbors, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Armenia is a member of more than 40 different international organizations including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, NATO’s Partnership for Peace, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Trade Organization and La Francophonie. It is also an observer member of the Eurasian Economic Community and the Non-Aligned Movement. Eduard Nalbandyan currently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Relations with EU
Relations with EU
The relations with the European Union have always been high on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda. The cooperation is aimed at deepening the political and economic relations with the EU as well as implementation of reforms in the sphere of democracy and good governance. The main document regulating Armenia’s relations with the EU is the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which entered into force in 1999 for ten years and was to be extended each year thereafter.
Armenia was included into European Neighborhood Policy in 2004 and the ENP Action Plan was signed in November 2006. According to the five year Action Plan which came into force on January 1, 2007, Armenia undertook cooperation with the EU in order to register progress in such priority areas as: justice, human rights, economy, creating favorable conditions for investment, contribution to peaceful solution of the NK conflict, regional cooperation.
What about the Armenian population?
The total Armenia population (worldwide) is estimated to be 11 million. However, only 3 million Armenians actually live in Armenia! 8 million live in other countries. Russia, the United States, France, Turkey and Lebanon have the highest populations of Armenians living outside Armenia.
What is the economic situation of Armenia?
Armenia developed a modern industrial economy under Soviet rule, but since 1988, its economy has suffered setbacks. A 1988 earthquake destroyed or damaged 30 percent of Armenian industrial capacity, killed 25,000, and left half a million homeless, and the 1998 financial crisis in Russia harmed Armenian export industries and expatriate remittances.
The ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh dispute has likely had the single greatest negative effect on the Armenian economy, due to the punitive economic blockades and closed borders imposed by two of Armenia’s four neighbors (Azerbaijan and Turkey) in the early 1990s. As a result, land-locked Armenia has found itself starved for fuel supplies and many raw materials and has had to develop new routes through Georgia and Iran, unstable nations themselves. Armenia suffered hyperinflation in its first years of independence, resulting in a catastrophic decline in GDP. Following the 1994 ceasefire, the Armenian economy began to recover.
What is Armenia famous for?
Armenia is known the world-over for its apricots, considered to taste better than anywhere else in the world. The pomegranate is the national fruit. Armenia is famous for its wine and brandy, which is renowned worldwide. Besides, Armenia is famous for its national bread – lavash. Khachkar is one of the most widespread architectural elements in Armenia and Armenians are proud of them.
Lavash, the Armenian bread
Khachkar, architectural element in Armenia
What’s the official language of Armenia?
Alphabet of Armenia
The Armenian language, an Indo-European language, is the official language. The Armenian language has been spoken since at least 800 B.C.E. The alphabet was written in 405 C.E. by the monk Mesrob Mashtots and comprises 38 letters. inety six percent of the population speak Armenian, while 75.8 percent additionally speaks Russian although English is becoming increasingly popular.
What kind of people are Armenians?
We Armenians pride ourselves to be honest, hardworking, hospitable and family oriented nation. We value our freedom and always endeavor to live in peace and harmony with other nations. Armenians are proud and honest people. We have strong family ties and work together to preserve that unity. We respect our elders and try to learn from their experiences. Armenians are very polite and hospitable people. We enjoy good food, music and entertainment. We like get-together with family and friends to celebrate special occasions. Armenians spare no expense during such occasions, especially during weddings, Christenings and special birthday parties. There’s an abundance of food and drink (in most cases too much) accompanied by music that is constant and loud! Armenians appreciate art and music.
Famous Armenians in Europe
Charles Aznavour
Charles Aznavour- French singer, composer, public figure, French music hall star, award-winner of the Cannes Festival, real name is Vaghinak Aznavuryan.
Famous composer Aram Khachaturyan, creator of the Second Symphony, “Gayane” and “Spartak” ballets.
Levon Aronian
Levon Aronyan is an Armenian chess player.
Tigran Petrosyan
Tigran Petrosyan was a former World Chess Champion.
Cher (Cheryl Sarkisian LaPierre)
Cher (Cheryl Sarkisian LaPierre) is an American actress, singer, songwriter, author and entertainer.
Arto Tunçboyacıyan
Arto Tunçboyacıyan a famous avant-garde folk artist (singer, multi-instrumentalist), he appeared on more than 200 records in Europe before arriving in the United States, where he went to work with numerous jazz legends including Chet Baker, Al Di Meola and Joe Zawinul. Arto fronts his own group called the Armenian Navy Band (ANB).
Kirk Kerkorian
Kirk Kerkorian is an American billionaire, and president/CEO of Tracinda Corporation, his private holding company based in Beverly Hills, California.
Djivan Gasparyan
Djivan Gasparyan is an Armenian musician and composer. He plays the duduk, an Armenian double reed woodwind instrument related to the orchestral oboe. He has won four world-wide gold Medal UNESCO competitions (1959, 1962, 1973, and 1980).
Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from the United States who won eight Grand Slam singles tournaments and an Olympic gold medal in singles.
Arthur Abraham
Arthur Abraham – boxer, currently IBF middle weight-world champion.
Hasmik Papian
Hasmik Papian is an Armenian soprano. After her debut at the Armenian National Opera, she was invited as a soloist among others by Opera Bonn and Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Düsseldorf, Germany. Then she started an international career in concert houses in the world like The Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall New York, San Francisco Opera, La Scala of Milan, Opéra Bastille in Paris, London Wigmore Hall, the Vienna State Opera, as well as the state operas of Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg and Berlin.
What to see in Yerevan?
The capital of Armenia is one of the most ancient and most beautiful cities in the world. Yerevan is a treasury of many architectural monuments. Below are some of the sights we recommend seeing first. Welcome to a fascinating walk in Yerevan.
Wine Factory and Hakhtanak Bridge
Republic Square
The statue of Andranik and the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator
Tsitsernakaberd Memorial is especially respected by tourists. In 1967 in the Eastern part of the park, a Monument to the victims of 1915 genocide was constructed
The Cascade architectural composition represents a system of fountains, flower beds and step junctions, than connects the Northern and the Central parts of the city
Matenadaran is a place where old manuscripts are kept
Typical Armenian Dishes
Harisa – porridge made of wheat and sodden fibered chicken
Basturma – dried beef in spicy covering (caraway, garlic, red pepper)
Dolma (or tolma) – ground meet wrapped in grape leafs
Lavash – national unleavened wheat bread
Zhengyalov Hats - a baking stuffed with greens, typical for Republic of Nagorno Karabagh
Spas – soup made of tan (yogurt) and wheat
Sujukh – thin dried sausage
Khash – national soup made of macerated beef shins
Khashlama – boiled beef in broth
Khorovats – barbeque
Armenian culture
The culture of Armenia encompasses many elements that are based on the geography, literature, architecture, dance, and music of the people. The culture is similar to and yet distinct from many of the bordering countries like Russia, Georgia and Iran as well as Mediterranean nations such as Greece and Cyprus. Armenian culture has strong influences from both its Eastern neighbors, as well as an underlying influence from Europe to the West.
Art
Armenian arts of the 19th – 20th centuries were influenced by the Western and Russian cultures. The greatest Armenian arts figures are known all over the world: composers Aram Khachaturyan, Makayel Tariverdiev, Arno Babajanyan; artists Ivan Ayvazovski, Vardges Surenyants, Martiros Saryan, Hakob Kojoyan; poets Avetik Isahakyan, Yeghishe Charents and Sayat-Noya; writers Hovhannes Tumanyan, Khachatur Abovyan; actor Frunzik Mkrtchyan; singer, actor and composer Charles Aznavour; founder of the Armenian polyphonic music school Komitas, and many others.
Carpets
Though women historically dominated carpet-weaving in Armenian communities, several prominent carpet-weavers in Karabakh are known to have been men, and in some cases whole families took up the art. The oldest extant Armenian carpet from the region, referred to asArtsakh during the medieval era, is from the village of Banants (near Gandzak) and dates to the early 13th century. The first time that the Armenian word for carpet, gorg, was used in historical sources was in a 1242-1243 Armenian inscription on the wall of the Kaptavan Church in Artsakh.
Music
One of the most important parts of Armenian culture is the music, which has in recent years brought new forms of music, while maintaining traditional styles too. This is evidenced by the world-class Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra that performs at the beautifully refurbished Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in the Yerevan Opera House, where one can also attend a full season of opera. In addition, several chamber ensembles are highly regarded for their musicianship, including the Komitas Quartet, Hover Chamber Choir, National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia and the Serenade Orchestra.
Dance
The Armenian dance heritage has been one of the oldest, richest and most varied in the Near East. From the fifth to the third millennia B.C., in the higher regions of Armenia there are rock paintings of scenes of country dancing. These dances were probably accompanied by certain kinds of songs or musical instruments. In the fifth century Moses of Khorene (Movsés Khorenats’i) himself had heard of how the old descendants of Aram (that is Armenians) make mention of these things (epic tales) in the ballads for the lyre and their songs and dances.
Architecture
The main type of traditional Armenian dwelling is called “glkhatun”, a square on-ground or in-ground construction without windows, with wild stone walls and pyramidal covering. In warm regions the living and utility rooms were build apart from each other, and in colder regions they were built under one roof. The “glkhatun” was lighted through the chimney.
