Armenia

Armenia – the most detailed information about the country with a photo. Sights, cities of Armenia, climate, geography, population and culture.

Republic of Armenia (Հայաստան)

Armenia is a small state in the southern part of the Caucasus. A country occupies the northeast of the Armenian Highlands and has no access to the sea. Armenia borders in the north with Georgia, in the west with Turkey, in the south with Iran and in the east with Azerbaijan. This is the first country in the world adopting Christianity as the official religion of more than 1,700 years ago. Armenia is a unitary parliamentary republic, which is one of the most ancient states of Transcaucasia.

Armenia is famous for its magnificent nature and stunning picturesque mountain landscapes with ancient Christian churches and monasteries. It is a country with a rich and authentic culture, located at the junction of Europe and Asia. Armenia is small agrarian-industrial country with special energy, which enchants with its hospitality, historical and cultural legacy.

Flag of Armenia

1. Useful information
2. Geography and nature
3. Climate
4. Best time to visit
5. Story
6. Administrative division
7. Population
8. Transport
9. Cities of Armenia
10. sights
11. Accommodation
12. Kitchen

Useful information about Armenia

1. The population is 2.9 million people.
2. The area is 29 743 km2.
3. The currency is Armenian Dram.
4. The language is Armenian. Many people speak Russian.
5. Time – UTC +4.
6. Car traffic is right hand.
7. Visa is not needed in Armenia if the period of stay in the country is not exceeds 180 days. Enough to visit the country Russian passport (provided that you fly here on by plane). When traveling to Armenia you need a foreign car passport.
8. Armenia is generally a safe country. Enough to comply elementary safety rules.

Geography and nature

Armenia is located in the south of the Transcaucasus in the northern part of the Anterior Asia The country occupies the northeast of the same name highland and has predominantly mountainous terrain. Mountains occupy more than 80% the territory of Armenia. The most mountainous are the northern and eastern parts. The highest point is Mount Aragats (4095 m.). Most the lowest point is the gorge of the Debet River (380 m. above sea level).

Armenia has almost 10 thousand rivers. Of these, only about 400 have length more than 10 km. The main river of Armenia is the Araks. The largest The lake is the famous Sevan. It is also the largest lake on Small Caucasus.

Mount Ararat is currently located on the territory Turkey

Sevan

Armenia is famous for its picturesque and diverse nature: mountain valleys with fast rivers, deciduous forests in the northeast parts and steppes of the Ararat valley. Also the country has a rich animal world. In the north you can meet bears, deer, boars, lynx, in the mountains live wolves, foxes, badgers, mountain goats, in the steppes – gophers, jerboas, voles.

Climate

Despite the fact that Armenia is located on the latitude of the subtropics, the country has a continental alpine climate with a rather hot in summer and cold in winter. Subtropical climate can be found only in the south of the country.

Ararat

Best time to visit

Summer, late spring and early autumn – the most comfortable time for visits to Armenia.

Story

Armenian history has more than 3000 years. This is one of The most ancient peoples of the Caucasus. Armenians have historically inhabited The Armenian Highlands is a vast stretch of mountains and valleys between the Eastern Anatolia and the South Caucasus. The ancestors of modern Armenians are tribes of Hurrians, Urarts and Luvians. Most of its rich history of the Armenian people held under the authority of the great powers of the region. The western regions of Armenia for a long time were under the Byzantine, and then Ottoman rule, and the eastern regions were owned by the Persians and much later, the Russian Empire, and then the USSR after its collapse. It’s amazing how the Armenians managed to preserve their culture, language and religion.

The process of formation of the Armenian people began at about 12 century BC and ended 6 centuries later. During this period on Armenian lands was the state of Urartu, after the fall of which these territories belonged first to the kingdom of Medes, and then the First Persian Empire. In the 4th century, Armenians managed to create independent state – Ayrarat kingdom. In 189 BC Artashesid dynasty created the Great Armenia, which in the reign of Tigran II the Great turned into quite large and powerful empire. Subsequently, this state was captured by the Roman Empire. Romans make Armenia a buffer zone between their possessions and ancient Iran. In the 1st century AD the romans destroyed the Armenian state, completing the history of the dynasty Artashesidov.

Square Republic in Yerevan

In the first decades of the 4th century under Tsar Trdat III of the official Christianity has become a religion. Then the territory of Armenia was divided between Rome and the Sassanid state. In 405 was created the Armenian alphabet, which contributed to the development of unity Armenian nation. In the 5th century, the Persians tried to assimilate the Armenians, imposing on them Zoroastrianism. But this idea was not successful.

In the 6th century, most of the territory of Armenia passed to Byzantium. AT the middle of the 7th century, the Armenian lands were seized by the Arabs. Armenians managed to gain independence only in the 9th century, creating a powerful medieval state which was then fragmented into federal kingdoms who were in vassal dependence Bagratid state. In the 11th century, the Armenian kingdom collapsed Seljuks, who inflicted terrible damage on them. Armenians were driven back to Lesser Armenia, Cappadocia and Cilicia, forming there several states. Cilicia lasted the longest kingdom that successfully repelled the Seljuq raids throughout three centuries.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, part of the Armenian lands became part of Georgian kingdom. In 1236, Armenia was invaded by the Mongols, and a half century later – by the troops of Tamerlane. All these invasions destroyed the Armenian state, scattering the nation across the expanses Caucasus, Western Asia and the Middle East. Small armenian the state (Khachen principality) remained only in the territory modern Nagorno-Karabakh

Ancient Khor Virap Monastery

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Armenia became the scene of battles between the Ottoman empire and Safavid Persia. At the beginning of the 17th century a significant part Armenians were resettled in the central region of Iran. In the 18th century in Armenia begins a period of national liberation struggle the main figure of which becomes Israel Ori. As a result Russian-Persian war of 1826-1828. significant part of Armenia was annexed to the Russian Empire. This period is considered the Renaissance of the Armenian nation and culture. Also then were The repatriation of Armenians from Iran has begun. At the same time, Armenians living in Turkey suffered numerous discrimination. During the years 1894-1896 in the Ottoman Empire massacres of Armenians took place. During this period in the Russian empires were closed Armenian schools and newspapers. Most of Ottoman Armenians died in the process of the 1915 genocide.

At the end of the First World War, the Republic of Armenia was formed, which already in 1922 became part of the USSR. Soviet Republic Armenia was until 1990. In 1991, a referendum was held on secession from the USSR and the establishment of independence, which became the beginning of the history of the modern Armenian state.

Administrative division

Administrative division of Armenia

Administratively, the country is divided into regions (marzes). There are ten of them (plus the city of Yerevan having the status of a community):

1. Lori.
2. Chirac.
3. Tavush
4. Aragatsotn.
5. Kotayk.
6. Gegharkunik.
7. Armavir.
8. Ararat.
9. Vayots Dzor
10. Syunik
11. Yerevan.

Panorama of Yerevan

In territorial terms, Armenia can be divided into the following regions:

• Central Armenia is a political and religious center, including Yerevan and Echmiadzin Monastery. Most of this region occupies the Ararat valley. Here is the volcano Aragats
• The region of Lake Sevan is a natural area concentrated around the largest lake of Armenia with ancient historical monuments, churches and monasteries, as well as popular tourist destinations. in places.
• Northern Armenia is a mountain region on the border with Georgia, which famous for its amazingly beautiful and isolated mountain churches and monasteries.
• South Armenia is a picturesque region stretching south to Iranian border with interesting caves and beautiful Christian monuments.
• Nagorno-Karabakh (de jure territory of Azerbaijan) – region green hills, high mountains, scenic hiking trails, ancient cities and monasteries.

Population

Armenia is a mono-ethnic state. Ethnic Armenians make up 98% of the total population. They speak Armenian, which is considered a separate branch of Indo-European languages. Wherein about 70% speak Russian. Armenia is a country with a high urbanization. In the cities live over 60% of the population. The main Religion – Christianity, belonging to the Armenian Apostolic churches.

The national traits of the Armenian people are diligence, enterprise, temperament, some temper, hospitality and sociability. Armenians respect seniors, respect their culture and are proud of their homeland. They are tied to family and children They have strong family ties and they readily come to each other to help.

Transport

There are only two international airports in Armenia – Zvartnots in Yerevan and Shirak in Gyumri. There are no domestic flights. Armenia has rail connection only with Georgia (Tbilisi). The main transport for travel around the country are buses and minibuses.

Cities of Armenia

Yerevan

Popular cities of Armenia:

• Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia. Central of it part – a real pearl of the early Soviet architecture, complete beautiful modern and postmodern buildings. Yerevan often called the “Pink City”, since the construction here pink volcanic stone was used everywhere – tuff.
• Gyumri is the second largest city of Armenia and the capital of the region Chirac. Located in the north of the country and notorious the devastating earthquake of 1988. Most buildings here built of dark stone in the style of Armenian and Russian architecture 19th century.
• Vanadzor is the third largest city of Armenia and the capital of the region Lori.
• Tsakhkadzor is a town in the Kotayk region, famous for skiing. resorts.
• Jermuk is a resort city in the south of Armenia in the region of Vayots Dzor, famous for its mineral water and scenic nature.

Sights of Armenia

Echmiadzin Cathedral

Echmiadzin Cathedral is the mother of all Armenian churches and the main temple Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the vicinity of the city Vagharshapat. It is considered the first Christian cathedral of Armenia and one of the oldest sacred monuments in the world. Of course this magnificent ancient temple is included in the list of World objects UNESCO heritage.

Echmiadzin Cathedral was founded in the 4th century. Current building Most of it dates back to the 5th century. The dome of the church and the bell tower were built in the 17th century, and the sacristy – in the 19th century. This building considered a masterpiece of Armenian architecture and a national shrine Armenian people.

Interestingly, despite the late reconstruction of Echmiadzin The cathedral retained the structure of the original church of the 5th century.

Garni

Garni – a magnificent landmark of antiquity, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. it pagan temple, which dates from the 1st century AD. This building is a unique (for Armenia) example of the classical style ancient greek architecture that began to develop in the 7th century before AD

Interestingly, after adopting Christianity as the official religion of Armenia pagan temples were everywhere destroyed. Garni is the only pagan, Hellenistic and Greco-Roman structure, survived these devastations.

Vagramashen

Vagramashen – beautiful medieval church in the style of traditional Armenian architecture, built on the slopes of Mount Aragats. It dates from the first half of the 11th century.

Selim caravanserai

Selim caravanserai is located on the southern slopes of the pass Vardenyats at an altitude of 2410 meters above sea level. It dates from 14 century and is the best preserved similar building in Armenia

Sevanavank

Sevanavank – an ancient Christian monastery on Lake Sevan, founded in the 9th century. It is one of the most beautiful and visited attractions in the country.

Square Republic

Republic Square – the central square of Yerevan, surrounded by five beautiful buildings of pink and yellow tuff in neoclassical style with elements of traditional Armenian architecture. Also on the square is a musical fountain.

Yerevan Cascade

Yerevan Cascade – limestone staircase, decorated with fountains and statues in modern style. It is a cascade of five open terraces.

Noravank

Noravank is a beautiful medieval monastery of the 13th century, located 122 km from Yerevan in a picturesque gorge with brick red cliffs.

Gegard

Geghard is a unique medieval monastery located at 40 km from Yerevan in the gorge of the river Goght. Included in the list of objects World Heritage. The monastery was founded in the 4th century. From that ancient the structure is nothing left. Most of the surviving The buildings date from the 12th to the 13th century. Main feature The monastery is a cave chapel. Some of them are completely carved into the rock, others are nothing but caves. Also here you can see other buildings with architectural intricate wall sections and rooms deep inside the rocky grounds.

Tatev

Tatev – a magnificent medieval monastic complex, located on a large basaltic plateau in the south-east of Armenia. It was founded in the 8th century and consists of three fortified churches, and also the library building, refectory, bell tower and other ancillary buildings. In the 14th and 15th centuries there was one of most important Armenian medieval universities that contributed to the preservation of Armenian culture and faith.

Khor Virap

Khor Virap – one of the most famous and ancient Armenian monasteries. It was founded in the 7th century and is located near the border with Turkey the foot of the legendary Mount Ararat.

Haghpat

Haghpat is a medieval monastery complex located on north of Armenia, 10 km from the city of Alaverdi. It was founded in the 10th century and is a masterpiece of Armenian architecture. Haghpat Monastery is included in UNESCO World Heritage List.

Agartsin

Haghartsin – an ancient monastery located in a picturesque wooded valley 18 km from the city of Dilijan. Was built between 10 and 13 centuries. Includes five ancient churches, some of which are located in ruins, as well as the tombs of the Bagratid dynasty.

Accommodation

Throughout Armenia you can find excellent bed and breakfast hotels. breakfast “, which will give the opportunity to fully feel the Armenian gastronomy and hospitality. In general, the country is famous for its inexpensive accommodation, which “pull” any category of tourists.

Kitchen

Armenia is famous for its excellent gastronomy, founded the ingredients of which are vegetables and meat.

Popular traditional dishes:

• Khash – the most popular Armenian soup, which is prepared on beef broth.
• Bozbash – meat soup with vegetables, seasoned with tomato pasta.
• Horovac – shish kebab.
• Kololak – meat balls in broth.
• Kufta – minced meat balls.
• Tolma – minced lamb (beef) with rice and greens, wrapped in a grape leaf.
• Harisa – wheat cereal with chicken meat.
• Amich – chicken or turkey stuffed with rice and dried fruit
• Various pilaf variations.
• Mshosh – salad with lentils and walnuts.

Armenia is also famous for its bakery, wine, cognac, mulberry vodka (Artsakh) and mineral water Jermuk.

Video

Armenia on the map