Armenia: Great Destination for travelers

Armine Hareyaneast, Iran on the south, and Turkey on the west.
Armenia prides itself on being the first nation toContemporary Armenia is a fraction of the size of
formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despiteancient Armenia. A land of rugged mountains and
periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armeniaextinct volcanoes, its highest point is Mount Aragats,
came under the sway of various empires including the13,435 ft (4,095 m).
Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It wasGovernment: Republic
incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920.President: Robert Kocharian (1998)
Prime Minister: Andranik Markarian (2000)
By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ArmenianArea: 11,506 sq mi (29,800 sq km)
forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also aPopulation (2004 est.): 2,991,360 (growth rate: -0.3%);
significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The(Armenian, 93%; others, Kurds, Ukrainians, and
economies of both sides have been hurt by theirRussians); birth rate: 11.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 24.2
inability to make substantial progress toward a1000; life expectancy: 71.2; density per sq mi: 260
peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economicCapital and largest city: Yerevan, 1,462,700 (metro.
blockade on Armenia and closed the common borderarea), 1,267,600 (city proper)
because of the Armenian occupation ofOther large cities: Vanadzor, 147,400; Gyumri
Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.(Leninakan), 125,300; Abovian, 59,300
GeographyMonetary unit: Dram
Armenia is located in the southern Caucasus and isLanguage: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
the smallest of the former Soviet republics. It isEthnicity/race: Armenian 93%, Russian 2%, Azeri 1%,
bounded by Georgia on the north, Azerbaijan on theother (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4% (2002).