The Republic of Armenia

Square – 29800 sq. km
Population – 3 million
Capital – Yerevan
Religion – Christianity
Official language – Armenian
Currency – dram

Armenia is a transcaucasian state located in the north-eastern part of the Armenian highland, the historic Armenian plateau which stretches into what is today Eastern Turkey. Neighbouring countries to the east and north are Georgia and Azerbaijan, while to the west and south are Turkey and Iran. Armenia is a country of extinct volcanos and majestic mountains. The point of highest elevation is Mt. Aragats  at a lofty 4090m. One of the wonders of Armenia is the Lake Sevan – among the largest high altitude mountain lakes in the world.

The Armenian lands are rich in copper, molybdenum, tufa, granite, basalt and various mineral sources (especially in the regions of Jermuk, Arzni, Bjni). Agriculture is especially well developed in the fertile Ararat valley, rich in a plethhora of fruit orchards, vegetables, and cereal grains. Wine-making may well have originated here and continues to contribute to Armenia's diverse agricultural production.  Armenia is likewise world-renowned for its cognac and is considered to be the homeland of the apricot (prumus armeniaca), which was taken to Greece by Alexander the Great.

The symbol of Armenia is the biblical Ararat (5165m) which reigns the skyline towering over the capital, Yerevan. This mountain is now in the borders of Turkey, yet is inseparable from the general image of the country. From the times of Noah, who descended from his Ark upon this mountain, Armenia traces its roots back to the earliest of the world's civilizations.

Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion (in 301), and in 2001 Armenia celebrated the 1700th anniversary of this landmark event. Armenia is considered by many to be an open-air museum, boasting over 20,000 ancient historical monuments – stone-crosses (khachkars), churches, temples, monasteries, fortresses, bridges, and other ancient edifices, constructions, and architectural wonders.  Not far from Yerevan is Etchmiadzin, where the first state-cathedral of the Christian world is located, built in the fourth century.  Two km from Etchmiadzin, one can find one of the masterpieces of Armenian architecture – the ruins of the ancient tri-level cathedral Zvartnots, which was destroyed in 930 after an earthquake. Another impressive site is the pagan temple of Garni, constructed in the third century B.C.

Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, stradles the Hrazdan River.  It is home to approximately one million people and traces its founding to 782 B.C. by the King Argishti I.  Armenia is once again experiencing a tourism boom, owing to its historical monuments, national architecture, and warm hospitality.