“I am happy to see a nation as ancient as world, which is full of accomplished strength, incredible nature rich of treasure. The ancient world buried it, but it rose again from under the ruins of it…”, - the writer Andrei Belie wrote about Armenia at the beginning of the last century. Armenia is a wonderful country, mystical and unique, where the present intertwines with the past, and where original wild beauty of nature harmonizes with the contemporaneity…

Armenia has always aroused an interest in the world of tourism, as it is unique and unlike other countries. Armenia is often visited by people who want to run from the bustle of huge metropolises and have a rest enjoying the silence and coolness of high mountains. It is visited by people who are interested in the oldest temples, which were built before Christ, and the stones of which are eternal. Armenia is also visited by people who like to walk in Yerevan, to enjoy numerous cafes, restaurants, hotels, boutiques, museums, photo galleries and churches.




There are so many sights in this small and sunny country that even a couple of months are not enough to see it. There is the temple Garni, monasteries in Geghard and Agartsin, one of the greatest observatories in Byurakan, Ejmiatsin, Khor Virap, Amberd, and the Lake Sevan, which has a fascinating turquoise tint any time of the year: this is the least that Armenia can offer the world. Armenia is the oldest civilization with a young heart.






Armenia for Pragmatic People

Geography

Armenia occupies 29, 700, 00 square meters, and is situated in the north-east of the Armenian highland. The Republic of Armenia (RA) borders Georgia and Azerbaijan in the north and east, and it borders Turkey and Iran in the west and south. The population is 3, 2 million. The capital is Yerevan. The average elevation is 1800 meters above sea level, the highest peak is Mount Aragats (4090meters), and the lowest altitude is the ravine of the river Debet (380 meters). The largest space is 365 kilometres. The climate is dry and continental. The average temperature in winter is -10C, and in summer it is +30C.

Political System

The official name is the Republic of Armenia (RA), short name is Armenia. It is a parliamentary republic with a presidential form of governing. The Constitution of the RA was adopted by a national referendum in 1995. The highest legislative body is the National Assembly. The Republic of Armenia is a member of UNO, OSCE (Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe), ISC and the Council of Europe.







Currency

The national currency of the RA is dram. Foreign currency is exchanged at banks or currency exchange points. There are no limitations in currency exchange, and commissions are not levied. International plastic and credit cards can be used.

Language

The state language of the RA is Armenian. The Armenian language belongs to a separate branch in the Indo-European family of languages. The Armenian alphabet was created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405, and it is used without any changes up to now. Russian, English, German and French are also widely spread in the country.

Religion

As a state religion Christianity was adopted in Armenia in 301. The Church is Armenian Apostolic.

Ethnic Groups

The large part of the population consists of Armenians: about 97%. There also live Russians, Ukrainians, Greeks, Asians, Kurds, Yezidis, Jews, and others in the Republic.

History

In the IV-III centuries BC. – Genesis of the noble original Armenians in the Armenian Highland.
In 782 BC. – Establishment of Yerevan City.
In the VI-V centuries BC. – The termination of ethnic formation of the Armenian nation in the territory of the Armenian Highland.
In 189 BC. – Formation of the Armenian independent state.
In 301 – official adoption of Christianity in Armenia.
In 405 – creation of the Armenian alphabet by Mesrop Mashtots.
In 428 – division of Armenia between Rome and Persia.
The VII century – Armenia under Arabs’ power.
In 884 – liberation of the south-west of Armenia, re-establishment of the state.
In 1639 – division of Armenia between Turkey (The West Armenia) and Persia (The East Part)
In 1828 – reunion of the East Armenia with Russia
In 1915 – deportation and genocide of Armenians in the West Armenia
In 1918 – re-establishment of the Armenian state in the East Armenia, proclamation of the Republic of Armenia
1920 – Affirmation of the Soviet power in Armenia
1991 – collapse of the USSR, proclamation of the independent RA.

Transportation

The RA has got a direct aerial communication with many countries of the world. The direct aerial communication from the RA with near and far foreign countries is implemented through the international airport “Zvartnots” which is located within the bounds of Yerevan. There are the following kinds of public transportation in the RA: buses, microbuses, taxis, and underground. One can hire a car and other transportation means with or without a driver.

Time

GMT + 4

Holidays and Memorable Days

December 31, January 1-2 – The New Year
January 6 – Christmas
March 8 – The Women’s Day
April 7 – The Mother’s and Beauty Day
April 24 - Memorial Day to the victims of the Armenian Genocide in 1915, Ottoman Empire
May 9 – The Victory Day
May 28 – The Day of the First Republic
September 21 – The Independence Day
December 7 – The Day of Commemoration of 1988 Earthquake Victims.