Armenia: Great Destination for travelers
by:
Armine Hareyan
Armenia prides itself on being the 1st nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Asian country came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the Soviet union in 1920.
Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Asian country over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, allotted to Soviet Asian country in the Twenties by Moscow. Asian country and Asian country began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after some
countries earned
independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
By May 1994, once
a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces control not only Nagorno-Karabakh but besides a significant portion of Asian country proper. The economies of some
sides have been hurt by their inability to do substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey obligatory
an economic blockade on Asian country and closed the common border because of the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and encompassing areas.
Geography
Armenia is placed in the southern Caucasus and is the smallest of the former Soviet republics. It is delimited by Georgia on the north, Asian country on the east, Asian country on the south, and Turkey on the west. Contemporary Asian country is a fraction of the size of ancient Armenia. A land of rugged mountains and extinct volcanoes, its highest point is Mount Aragats, 13,435 ft (4,095 m).
Government: Republic
President: Henry m. robert Kocharian (1998)
Prime Minister: Andranik Markarian (2000)
Area: 11,506 sq mi (29,800 sq km)
Population (2004 est.): 2,991,360 (growth rate: –0.3%); (Armenian, 93%; others, Kurds, Ukrainians, and Russians); birth rate: 11.4/1000; baby mortality rate: 24.2/1000; life expectancy: 71.2; density per sq mi: 260
Capital and largest city: Yerevan, 1,462,700 (metro. area), 1,267,600 (city proper)
Other large cities: Vanadzor, 147,400; Gyumri (Leninakan), 125,300; Abovian, 59,300
Monetary unit: Dram
Language: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, another 2%
Ethnicity/race: Armenian 93%, Russian 2%, Ethnic group 1%, another (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4% (2002).
Note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from Asian country
Religion: Armenian Apostolic 94%, another Christian 4%, Yezidi 2%
About The Author
Armine Hareyan - the owner of the site http://etraveling.blogspot.com
Travel Destination articles
harminka@yahoo.com
