Armenia is a landlocked, mountainous country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia.
Map of the Republic of Armenia Area: 29,743 sq. km Time zone: UTC (UTC +4)
Flag and Coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia The Armenian endonym for the Armenian people and country is hayer and Hayk, respectively. The name in the Middle Ages was extended to Hayastan.
A mass demonstration for independence The Republic of Armenia was founded on May 28, 1918. During 1921-1991 it was incorporated into the Soviet Union. On 23 August 1990, Armenia declared independence, becoming the first non-baltic republic to secede from the Soviet Union. Armenia's independence was officially recognized in 1991, when the Soviet Union was dissolved.
Armenian Alphabet Armenian Alphabet Monument in village Artashavan, Armenia Mesrop Mashtots The official language is Armenian which has two major branches: Eastern and Western. It belongs to the Indo-European family of languages and forms a separate group in it. Its unique modern alphabet was invented by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 A.D. Most common foreign languages are Russian and English.
After several years of double-digit economic growth, Armenia faced a severe economic recession with GDP declining more than 14% in 2009. Sharp declines in the construction sector and workers' remittances, particularly from Russia, led the downturn. The economy began to recover in 2010 with 2.1% growth, and picked up to 4.6% growth in 2011, before slowing to 3.8% in 2012.
Armenian handpainted silk scarf ( Armenia on Silk ) Armenian Grape and Wine Diamonds Microelectronics Apricot, Prunus Armeniaca (Armenian plum) Armenian brandy Notable branches of industry: diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forge-pressing machines, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing etc. agriculture - products: fruit (especially grapes and apricots), vegetables, livestock, wheat, wine, brandy.
Yerevan panorama Flag of Yerevan Yerevan is the capital of Armenia: -Founded in 782 BC; -Has been the capital since 1918, the thirteenth in the history of Armenia; -Home for about one third of the total population of Armenia.
Republic Square at night Cascade complex Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet aft. Al. Spendiaryan Matenadaran the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts Statue of Sasuntsi Davit (David of Sasun) by Yervand Kochar Tsitsernakaberd the Armenian Genocide Memorial Yerevan is the largest city of Armenia: -2012 World Book Capital by UNESCO; -Home to dozens of museums, art galleries and libraries; -Administrative, cultural and industrial center of the country; -One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Gyumri panorama
Armenian Cross St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan the largest Armenian church in the world Liturgy -Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in AD 301; -The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest national church, one of the most ancient Christian communities; -Over 93% of Armenian Christians belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church, a form of Oriental (Non-Chalcedonian) Orthodoxy; -Armenian religiosity: Armenian Orthodoxy - 94%, Armenian Catholicism - 3%; Yazidism - 1%; other Christians - 2%.
Grape blessing ( Khaghogh orhneq ) Palm Sunday ( Tsaghkazard ) Easter ( Zatik ) Transfiguration ( Vardavar ) Armenian people from pre-christian times were celebrating various popular feasts. After Christianity the majority of these rites have been performed in religious ceremonies, thanks to it many elements of ancient festivities are preserved up to date. New Year, Christmas, Easter, Vardavar (Transfiguration of Jesus Christ), Grape Blessing, Saint Sargis Feast, Palm Sunday and other holidays are the reliable testimonies of Armenian people and their culture identity and longevity.
Traditional Armenian dance Hovhannes Tumanyan the national poet of Armenia Armenian Carpet Gohar with Armenian inscription, 1700 The Ninth Wave -the most famous painting by marine artist Hovhannes (Ivan) Aivazovsky Komitas, the founder of modern Armenian classical music Armenia is often referred to as an open air museum. The culture of Armenia encompasses many elements that are based on the geography, literature, architecture, dance, and music of the people. Tourists find over 4,000 historical monuments throughout Armenia, covering various periods of the country's history from prehistoric to Hellenistic times, and from the early to medieval Christian era.
Hovannes Adamian engineer, one of inventors of colour TV Andre Agassi tennis player, ranked #1 in world Garry Kasparov-chess player, ranked #1 in world Charles Aznavour- Armenian-French singer Viktor Hambardzumyanscientist, one of the founders of theoretical astrophysics Arshile Gorky-Armenian- American painter, one of founders of Abstract Expressionism Hovhannes (Ivan) Baghramyan- Marshal of Soviet Union Cher famous American-Armenian singer, actress System of a Down Armenian- American rock band Scattered all over the world as refugees, the Armenians have made their mark in many places and many fields. Being a very small nation, Armenia gave many famous people to the World Civilization.
Shaki Waterfall - Armenia's highest waterfall, with a height of 18m Dzoraget River Lake Sevan - the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest fresh-water high-altitude lakes in the world Armenia is situated on the same latitude as Spain, Italy and Greece. Its climate ranges from dry subtropical to cold mountain weather. Armenia has deposits of a variety of minerals and rocks: copper, molybdenum, gold, polymetallic and iron ores, etc. The country is rich in more than a thousand curative mineral springs. There are over 215 rivers and more than 100 mountain lakes in Armenia.
-Education has traditionally always been highly rated in Armenia - in a country, which has 1600 years old history of literacy. -Armenia was considered one of the most advanced scientific centers of the former Soviet Union, with 99% literacy rate. -The applied sciences such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, microbiology, engineering and medicine are the main developed branches in the scientific and educational system of Armenia.
* Establihsed in 1919 Alumni to date 11000 Faculties 19 Deprtments/Chairs More than 100 Bachelor programs 60 Master programs 130 Doctoral programs 70 Students (data from 1 Jan. 2013) 18000 Staff 3000