Brief information about Armenia. Information about Armenia

Armenia, full official form - the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն) is a state in the Transcaucasus.

It is located in the north of the geographic region of Western Asia and in the northeast of the Armenian Highlands. It has no outlet to the sea. It shares borders with Azerbaijan and the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in the east. In the south-west from the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, which is part of Azerbaijan. Iran in the south, Turkey in the west and Georgia in the north.

The population of Armenia, according to estimates for 2014, is 3,017,100 people, the territory is 29,743 km². According to some data, it occupies one hundred and thirty-sixth place in the world in terms of population and one hundred thirty-eighth in terms of territory.

The capital is Yerevan. Official language- Armenian.

Unitary state, presidential republic. In April 2008, Serzh Sargsyan took over as President, and in February 2013 he was re-elected for a second term. It is subdivided into 10 regions and the city of Yerevan.

About 98.7% of the population is Christian.

Agrarian-industrial country with a dynamically developing economy. The volume of nominal GDP for 2012 amounted to 9.951 billion US dollars (about 3351.63 US dollars per capita). Currency unit- Armenian dram (average rate for February 2014 - 412 drams per 1 US dollar).

The main part of the historical-geographical Eastern Armenia, the territory of modern Armenia (as well as the NKR) became fully part of the Russian Empire after the Russian-Persian war of 1826-1828. On May 28, 1918, the independent Republic of Armenia was proclaimed. On November 29, 1920, Soviet power was established in Armenia and the Armenian SSR was formed, which until 1936 was part of the USSR as part of the ZSFSR, and from December 5, 1936 - as a union republic. On September 23, 1991, following the results of a referendum held in Armenia on September 21, the Supreme Council of the republic adopted the "Declaration on State Independence of Armenia". On March 22, 1992, the Republic of Armenia was admitted to the UN, and on January 25, 2001, to the Council of Europe.

The toponym "Armenia" goes back to the Hurrian name of the Armi- region adjacent to Melitena, located in the Armenian Highlands. This name, through the Aramaic ˊarmǝn-āiē, passed into the Old Persian language, and in the form “Arminiyaiy” it occurs six times in the Behistun inscription of 522 BC. e .. The ancient Greek form of the name is other Greek. Ἀρμενία. The ancient Greek name for the Armenians used before the spread of Ἀρμένιοι was Μελιττήνιοι.

According to Movses Khorenatsi, the name “Armenia” and the corresponding ancient Greek and Persian toponyms were given after the name of the Urartian king Aram.

In Armenian, the name of the country sounds like "Hayk" (Armenian Հայք, Hayk). In the Middle Ages, the borrowed Iranian suffix “-stan” took the place of the Armenian toponym-forming suffix “-k” and the country began to be called “Hayastan” (Armenian Հայաստան, Hayastan). According to one version, the name of the country comes from the mythological leader of the Armenians - Hayk, who, according to legend, in 2492 BC. NS. defeated the army of the Assyrian king Bel in a battle, and later formed the first Armenian state. This year is considered the first in the traditional Armenian calendar. Another version connects this name with the ancient state of Hayas. According to the third version, the self-name of Armenia comes from the Urartian name of Melitena - Ḫāti.

State symbols

Flag of armenia

The flag of Armenia is a rectangular panel of three equal horizontal stripes: the top one is red, the middle one is blue and the bottom one is orange. The ratio of the flag's width to its length is 1: 2. The flag of Armenia was adopted by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia on August 24, 1990. On June 15, 2006, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia adopted a new law “On the State Flag of the Republic of Armenia”.

The following meanings of colors are approved in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia:

The red color symbolizes the Armenian Highlands, the constant struggle of the Armenian people for existence, the Christian faith, freedom and independence of Armenia. The blue color symbolizes the desire of the Armenian people to live under a peaceful sky. Orange symbolizes the creative talent and hard work of the Armenian people.

Coat of arms make up following items: shield - in the center - Mount Ararat, which is a symbol of the Armenian nation, on its top Noah's Ark, because, according to one of the traditions, the Ark after the flood stopped on Mount Ararat. The shield is divided into 4 parts, which symbolize four independent Armenian kingdoms (clockwise): Arshakids, Rubenids, Artashesids and Bagratids.

The Lion and Eagle that support the shield symbolize wisdom, pride, patience and nobility. The main color of the coat of arms of Armenia is golden, the kingdoms of historical Armenia are red and blue, Mount Ararat in the center of the coat of arms is depicted on an orange shield. These colors were traditionally used in the coats of arms and banners of the royal dynasties of Armenia and are similar to the colors of the flag of the Republic of Armenia.

At the bottom of the shield are five more elements: a broken chain, a sword, ears of wheat, a branch, and a ribbon.

Anthem of Armenia

The anthem of Armenia is the composition “Our Motherland” (Armenian Մեր Հայրենիք, “Mer Hayrenik”, literally “Our Fatherland”). Approved on July 1, 1991, re-approved by the law on December 25, 2006. The anthem of the First Republic of Armenia of 1918-1920 is taken as a basis. The author of the poems is Mikael Nalbandyan (1829-1866), the author of the music is Barseg Kanachyan (1885-1967). Only the first and fourth stanzas are used for the anthem at most official events.

History of Armenia

In the north of Armenia (Lori plateau), more than 20 different-aged Acheulean monuments were discovered, located mainly in the foothills of the volcanic Javakheti ridge. Among them, superficial localities prevail (Blagodarnoe, Dashtadem, Noramut, etc.), where more than a thousand Acheulean products from local hyalodacite are collected, including about 360 hand choppers. They also discovered three stratified sites (Muradovo, Karakhach and Kurtan), which for the first time brought the Middle Acheulian and early Acheulian industries. Of greatest interest is Karakhach, where early Acheulean items (choppers, peaks, rough bifaces, etc.) made from other varieties of dacite, as well as andesite and olivine dolerite, were found in a layer of volcanic ash and in the underlying proluvial deposits. The dating of the ash by the uranium-lead method is in the range of 1.7-1.9 million years ago, which should also correspond to the age of stone products. An early Acheulian industry similar to items from Karakhach was also found in the lower levels of the nearby Muradovo site. At the very top of Muradovo, the aforementioned Late Acheulian material is represented, and in the middle part of the strata, the Middle Acheulian industry is present. The Early Shelian and Middle Acheulean complexes were also found at the Kurtan site located in the southeastern part of the Lori plateau. Based on the totality of data (absolute dating of the underlying ash, paleomagnetic data, the age range of the rhinoceros teeth found earlier), it can be assumed that the age of the cultural deposits of Kurtan should be about 1 million years ago. The monuments discovered in northern Armenia contain traces of the earliest migrations of early people outside Africa. The early Acheulean materials of Karakhach are close in age to the earliest early Acheulean industries in East Africa (about 1.5-1.8 million years ago).

Traces of the ancient man's habitation were found in various regions of the Armenian Highlands: in Arzni, Nurnus and other places, camps with stone tools were found, and in the Hrazdan gorge, Lusakert, etc., dwelling caves were found. The oldest discovered stone tools are 800 thousand years old. Were also found sites of primitive people of the Neolithic era. Numerous rock paintings with hunting scenes were discovered in the mountains. The first agricultural and cattle-breeding settlements on the territory of the future Armenia appeared in the Ararat valley, on the territory of the modern Shirak region.

On the territory of modern Yerevan in the Shengavit region, a settlement of the beginning of the Bronze Age was discovered, dating back to the V-III millennia BC. The data of archaeological excavations confirm that the inhabitants of the Armenian Highlands mastered many crafts in ancient times. So, it is known that already in the V-IV millennium BC. NS. they knew how to melt copper, and in the II millennium BC. NS. - iron.

In Armenia, during the excavations of the Areni cave in September 2008, the oldest footwear was found, the age of which is more than 5500 years. The find dates back to the Chalcolithic period (3600-3500 BC). These are soft shoes with pointed ends - charokhi. The discovered shoes became the oldest archaeological find in Europe and Asia. According to experts, these shoes practically do not differ from those worn in Armenian villages.

Antiquity and early Middle Ages. VI century BC BC-VIII century AD NS.

The first mention of the name of Armenia (which was synonymous with Urartu) is found in the Behistun inscription dating back to 520 BC. NS. On the maps of the largest historians and geographers of antiquity, Armenia is marked along with Persia, Syria and other ancient states.

In the VI century BC. NS. On the territory of the Armenian Highlands, the Armenian state of Ervandov existed. The king of this state, Ervand I Sakavakyats, recognized the superiority of Media and paid tribute to her. Ervand's successor was his son Tigran I Ervandid. The latter, together with the Achaemenid king Cyrus II the Great in 550 BC. NS. participated in the collapse of the kingdom of Media, and in 538 (or 537) BC. NS. - Babylonia. In the last years of the reign of King Tigran or after his death, Cyrus II made Armenia a satrapy of the Achaemenid state.

In the second half of the 4th century BC. BC, after the defeat of the Achaemenid state by Alexander the Great, independent or semi-independent Armenian states began to form on the territory of Armenia: the Ararat kingdom (initially recognizing the power of the Macedonians, achieved independence in 316 BC), Little Armenia (achieved independence in 322-321 BC). BC), Sophena (was part of the Seleucid state as a special satrapy, ruled by local hereditary rulers, enjoyed internal independence and at times was completely freed from the Seleucid power) and Armenia proper, located along the upper course of the Tigris River, in the vicinity of Lake Van (its the situation was similar to that of Sophena).

Subsequently, by the beginning of the II century BC. NS. Sophena, the Ayrarat kingdom and Armenia proper (the last two were united into a single province of Great Armenia) were conquered by the Seleucid king Antiochus III; after the defeat of the latter by the Romans in 190 BC. NS. Greater Armenia and Sophena achieved independence. Little Armenia as an independent state existed until 115 BC. NS. after which it was captured first by the Pontians and then by the Romans. Under King Tigranes II (95 - 55 BC) Great Armenia became a powerful state stretching from Palestine to the Caspian Sea; however, after the defeat of his father-in-law and ally, the Pontic king Mithridates Eupator, from the forces of the Roman commander Pompey (66 BC), unable to continue to wage a war on two fronts without allies, Tigranes was defeated by the Roman-Parthian alliance and lost all conquests, except for Great Armenia proper and part of the lands captured from Parthia. Subsequently, Great Armenia turned into a buffer state between Parthia and Rome, and later (in the III-IV centuries AD) - between Rome and Sassanian Iran.

Armenia is the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion (according to the traditional date in 301, some modern studies attribute this event to the period between 314 and 325 years). In 387, Great Armenia was divided: the smaller, western part of the country went to Rome, while the main part went to Persia. In the Persian part of the country, the Armenian Arshakids continued to rule until 428, it was during this period, in 405, that the Armenian alphabet was created by the Armenian scientist and educator Mesrop Mashtots.

In the middle of the 7th century, the Armenian lands were seized by the Arabs. The newly created region of Arminia (Arabic: ارمينيّة) also included Georgia, Arran and Bab al-Abwab (Derbent) with the administrative center in the city of Dvin.

IX-XV centuries

In the 860s, the Bagratid princely family united most of the Armenian lands and overthrew the rule of the Arab Caliphate. In 885, the Arabs and Byzantines recognized the independence of the Armenian kingdom of the Bagratids, which was the largest and most powerful feudal state in ancient Armenia. At first, the kingdom included some territories of southern Armenia, which later departed from it. In 908, the Vaspurakan kingdom was formed, in 963 - the Kars kingdom, in 978 - the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom, and in 987 - the Syunik kingdom. All these Armenian states were in vassal relations with the Bagratid clan. Since 961, the capital of the kingdom was the city of Ani (by the name of which the state became known as the Ani kingdom), now located on the territory of Turkey. In the center of the Ani kingdom was the Shirak region, located in the Akhuryan river basin.

In 1020, after the death of King Gagik I, due to the rivalry of his sons for the throne, the centralized state of the Armenian Bagratids was temporarily divided between the two brothers. In 1042, Gagik II became the sole king of Armenia, but his reign did not last long. In 1045, the Byzantines managed to deceive the Armenian king, and subsequently conquer the capital of the country, Ani and the Shirak region. After that, the Ani kingdom ceased to exist.

In 1064, most of the Armenian lands (with the exception of Syunik and the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom) were conquered by the Seljuk Turks, and over the next decade, the Byzantines destroyed the last representatives of the Bagratid and Artsrunid dynasties. In 1072, the Sheddadid dynasty received the former Ani kingdom from the Seljuks into vassal possession, forming the Ani emirate.

The loss of national statehood after the conquest by Byzantium, as well as the invasion of the Seljuks, led to a mass exodus of the Armenian population from the occupied territories to Cilicia and other regions. At the end of the 11th century, the Armenian statehood shifted to the west, to the historical Lesser Armenia, Cappadocia, Cilicia and Priyevfrat. Here the Armenians founded the State of Filaret Varazhnuni, the Principality of Kesun, the Principality of Edes, the Principality of Melitena, the Principality of Pir and the Cilician Armenian State (from 1080 to 1198 - a principality. From 1198 to 1375 - a kingdom).

At the end of the 12th century, during the reign of the Georgian queen Tamara, the Armenian lands became part of the strengthened Georgian kingdom. During this period, the Zakaryan clan ruled in Eastern Armenia, Western Armenia ruled by the Shah-Armenids. In the first half of the XIII century, they were invaded by the Mongols, and later by the armies of Tamerlane.

As a result of centuries-old foreign invasions, the Armenian lands were inhabited by Turkic nomadic tribes. Since 1410, they became part of the Kara-Koyunlu Oghuz tribal union with the capital in Tabriz. Half a century later, all the possessions of Kara-Koyunlu were transferred to a new tribal union of nomads - Ak-Koyunlu. In parallel, during the XIII-XIV centuries in Armenia, there was a process of gradual displacement of the Armenian nobility by the newly arrived nomadic military nobility - Mongolian, Turkic and Kurdish. The local population, being subjected to predatory raids by nomadic tribes, was forced to choose between extermination, slavery and mass emigration to neighboring countries. During the raids, productive forces and monuments of material culture were destroyed and plundered.

Armenian state and political system by the XV-XVI centuries. survived in Nagorno-Karabakh, where the Khachen principality continued to exist.

By 1510, the Iranian Shah Ismail I, the founder of the Safavid dynasty, defeating Ak-Koyunlu, captured, among his other possessions, Eastern Armenia. This, however, was only the beginning of a centuries-old rivalry for domination in the Transcaucasus between the Ottoman Empire and Safavid Persia.

In the middle of the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire and Persia, after a 40-year war, agreed on the division of spheres of influence. The eastern Armenian lands went to the Safavids, the western ones to the Ottomans. This, however, only temporarily halted the devastating wars, during which vast territories of Transcaucasia passed from hand to hand.

With the creation of the Safavid state, the territory of Armenia was transformed into a runaway with the capital in Erivan (Yerevan). Ismail I, who relied entirely on the support of the Kyzylbash Turks, appointed exclusively tribal leaders as his governors. Armenia, in particular, became the hereditary ulk of the Ustajlu tribe. All Iran and other countries directly subordinate to the Kyzylbashs were divided into ulks (feudal allotments) between the heads of various tribes. In addition, vast territories were transferred to the use of warriors from these tribes. As a rule, the old population was expelled from such territories. This happened in particular in Armenia.

After the death of Ismail I, during the period of internecine wars, the Rumlu tribe also settled on the territory of Armenia. The power of the Ustajlu tribe and its rulers remained until the Ottoman conquest (late 16th century).

After the expulsion of the Ottoman troops at the beginning of the 17th century under Shah Abbas I, the runaway was again restored and existed until the fall of the Afsharid dynasty.

One of the most important events in the history of the Armenians was the decision of Shah Abbas I to resettle the Armenians to the central regions of Iran, which in historiography received the name “Great Surgun”. In 1603, taking advantage of the riots in Ottoman Empire, Shah Abbas I set out in Transcaucasia and took possession of a significant part of Armenia. Then, avoiding a battle with superior Ottoman forces, the Iranian army retreated, completely driving off the local population and destroying and devastating on its way everything that the advancing Ottoman Turks could use for shelter and food. By order of the Shah in 1604-1605. many Armenian villages and cities were destroyed, and their inhabitants were forcibly resettled in the interior regions of Persia.

According to various estimates, the number of Armenians resettled in this way to Iran was approximately 250-300 thousand. The human losses incurred during the resettlement are also estimated in different ways, but all serious researchers agree that the death toll was several thousand, mainly women, children and the elderly.

An especially strong blow to the political, economic and cultural life of the region was inflicted by the destruction of the city of Julfa, inhabited mainly by Armenians and representing a large trade center and a transit point on the caravan routes between northwestern Iran, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East. The inhabitants of the city, among whom there were many skilled builders and artisans, were taken to the new capital of Iran - Isfahan, next to which in 1605 they were given land for the construction of New Julfa. The eviction of the inhabitants of the border regions to the central regions of Iran lasted about eight years, until the conclusion of a peace treaty with Turkey in 1612, but in a later period the population of some regions of Armenia was moved to the Isfahan region.

In the middle of the 18th century, under Nadir Shah, the Safavid beylerbegs were abolished. The death of Nadir Shah (1747) and the weakening of the centralized power led to the disintegration of the empire into more or less independent state formations - khanates, sultans, meliks. In particular, during this period, the Nakhichevan and Erivan khanates appeared on the territory of Armenia.

By the 18th century, of the Armenian state and political formations, only the meliks of Khamsa in Nagorno-Karabakh and the meliks of Syunik survived. In these areas, by the end of the 17th century, the idea of ​​restoring an independent Armenian state arose, which in the 1720s grew into an armed uprising against the Persian yoke led by Israel Ori, Yesai Hasan-Jalalyan and David Bek.

Already in the first half of the 18th century, the third empire, the Russian Empire, declared its interests in the Transcaucasus. In 1801, the Kartli-Kakhetian kingdom with vassal territories - the Borchali, Kazakh and Shamshadil sultanships - was annexed to Russia, which formed three Tatar distances as part of the newly created Russian Georgian province. Later, the province was expanded by the annexation of Pambak and the Shoragyal sultanate. The Pambako-Shoragyal distance was formed. At the same time, the power of local feudal lords was formally retained, but the actual rulers of the distances were representatives of the Russian military administration. Thus, the annexation of the territories to the Russian Empire began, on which an independent Armenian state would be recreated in the 20th century. As a result of the Russian-Persian war (1826-1828), Russia took possession of the Erivan and Nakhichevan khanates and the Ordubad district. TO XIX century in these territories, as a result of centuries of emigration and expulsion of the Armenian population, Armenians accounted for only 20% of the population.

After the conquest of the Erivan and Nakhichevan khanates by Russia, as well as after the successful wars against the Ottoman Empire in 1828-1829 and 1877-1878, as a result of which significant territories of historical Western Armenia passed to Russia, the Russian authorities organized a mass resettlement of Armenians from Persia and Turkey to the Transcaucasus , which led to significant changes in the demography of the region (taking into account also the presence of mass emigration of the Muslim population from the regions annexed to Russia).

In 1828, on the territory of the former Erivan and Nakhichevan khanates and the Ordubad district, which became part of the Russian Empire under the Turkmanchay peace treaty, the Armenian region was formed (center - Erivan), which in 1833 was divided into four districts: Erivan, Sharur, Sardarapat and Surmalinsky.

In 1840, a decision was made to merge the Georgian province, the Armenian and Imeretian regions into the Georgian-Imeretian province. In 1846 it was divided into the Tiflis and Kutaisi provinces, and in 1849 the Erivan, Nakhichevan and Alexandropol districts of the Tiflis province formed the newly established Erivan province.

As a result of the persecution of Christians in the Ottoman Empire, Armenia lost a significant part of the Armenian population as a result of the 1915 genocide.

On May 28, 1918, on the territory of Russian Armenia, the independent Republic of Armenia was created as part of the territories of the former Erivan province and the Kars region of the Russian Empire. As a result of the Armenian-Turkish war that followed in the fall of 1920, the Kemalists, supported by the Russian Bolsheviks, won. The Armenian-Turkish war ended with the signing of the Adrianapolis Treaty. On November 29 of the same year, the 11th Army of the Red Army entered the territory of the Republic of Armenia as part of the Erivan operation (in Soviet historiography, the date was considered to be the day of the proclamation of the Armenian SSR); On December 2 of the same year, the government of Armenia accepted the ultimatum of the government of the RSFSR presented by the Russian plenipotentiary B.V. Legrand (Armenia was declared an independent Socialist Soviet Republic under the protectorate of the RSFSR).

From March 12, 1922, it was part of the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (TSFSR); from December 30, 1922, as part of the ZSFSR, it was part of the USSR. Since December 5, 1936, it was directly part of the USSR as a union republic.

On August 23, 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR adopted the "Declaration of Independence of Armenia", which marked "the beginning of the process of establishing an independent statehood", the country was renamed into the "Republic of Armenia", which remained part of the USSR. On March 17, 1991, the Armenian authorities prevented the holding of a referendum on the preservation of the USSR on the territory of the republic.

On September 21, 1991, a referendum was held on secession from the USSR and the establishment of an independent statehood. Most of the citizens eligible to vote answered this question in the affirmative.

Geography of Armenia

Armenia is located in the east of the Armenian Highlands between 38 ° and 42 ° north latitude and between 43 ° and 47 ° east longitude. From the north and east, the territory of the state is framed by the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus. It shares borders with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.

Despite the fact that geographically Armenia is located in Asia, it has close political and cultural ties with Europe. Armenia has always been at the crossroads of the roads connecting Europe and Asia, therefore it is considered as a transcontinental state.

The relief of Armenia is mainly mountainous: with an area of ​​the state of about 29 800 km², over 90% of the territory is located at an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level. The highest point is Mount Aragats (4095 m), the lowest is the Debed River gorge (380 meters). In the south-west of the country, there is the intermountain Ararat Valley, an important agricultural region.

The highest point of the region and the historical symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat - has been located in Turkey since 1921.

Climate of Armenia

Features of the geographical position and large differences in elevation determine the variety of climatic conditions.

Despite the fact that Armenia is located at latitude subtropical zone, the subtropical climate is observed only in the southern part of Armenia (near the city of Meghri). In the rest of the regions, the climate is alpine, continental - hot summers and cold winters. On the plains, the average January temperature is -5 ° C, in July +25 ° C; in the middle mountains (1000-1500 meters) −10 ° C and +20 ° C, at altitudes from 1500 to 2000 m. −14 and +16, respectively. The minimum amount of precipitation in the Ararat valley is 200-250 mm per year, in the middle mountains - 500 mm, and in the high mountains - 700-900 mm. Nai large quantity precipitation is observed in Lori region and Syunik regions, the territory of which is mainly covered with forests.

The soils are formed mainly on volcanic rocks. The soil cover of Armenia is very diverse, at the same time, most of the soils are infertile and difficult for economic development.

By the nature of the soil, the territory of Armenia can be divided into the following zones:

• Semi-desert soils are located mainly in the Ararat valley at an altitude of 850-1250 m above sea level, occupying an area of ​​236 thousand hectares. They are characterized mainly by a low humus content (up to 2%, for saline-alkaline soils 2.6%). The varieties of semi-desert soils are semi-desert brown (occupy 152 thousand hectares, common in the lowlands of the Ararat foothills), irrigated brown meadow soils (53 thousand hectares on the Ararat plain at altitudes of 800-950 m), paleohydromorphic (about 2 thousand hectares in the area adjacent to Yerevan), hydromorphic saline-alkaline soils (53 thousand hectares on the Ararat plain).
• Steppe soils occupy an area of ​​797 thousand hectares at altitudes of 1300-2450 m. They are represented by chernozem (718 thousand hectares in the Ararat basin, Shirak, Lori, the Sevan basin and on and relatively gentle slopes of Syunik), meadow-chernozem (13 thousand hectares in Lori, Shirak and Sevan basin), floodplain (48 thousand hectares in river valleys and in areas vacated as a result of the fall in the level of Sevan) soils and soils (18 thousand hectares on the coast of Sevan freed from water). Chernozems and meadow-chernozems are characterized by a relatively high humus content (3.5-12% and 10-13%, respectively). The humus content in floodplain soils and ground soils is low or very low (2-4% and 0.3-0.5%, respectively).
• Dry steppe soils are represented by chestnut soils. They are located on the dry foothills of the Ararat valley, Vayots Dzor region, Syunik region at altitudes of 1250-1950 m; occupy an area of ​​242 thousand hectares. They are characterized by an average humus content (2-4%), rockiness, unfavorable water-physical properties.
• Forest soils occupy an area of ​​712 thousand hectares at an altitude of 500-2400 m, are characterized by a significant humus content (4-11%). They are represented by forest brown (133 thousand hectares on slopes with a height of 1800-2250 m), brown (564 thousand hectares on ridges with a height of 500-1700 m, and on sunny slopes up to an altitude of 2400 m, in Gugark, Pambak, Syunik) and sod carbonate ( 15 thousand hectares on the slopes of Gugarka, Akhum, Bargushat) soils.
• Mountain meadow soils occupy an area of ​​629 thousand hectares at an altitude of 2200-4000 m. Distributed in the mountains almost throughout Armenia (with the exception of Shirak). They are subdivided into actually mountain meadow soils (346 thousand hectares at altitudes of 2200-2600 m) and meadow-steppe (283 thousand hectares at altitudes of 1800-2600 m). They are characterized by high humus content (13-20% and 8-13% for mountain-meadow and meadow-steppe, respectively).

Mineral resources of Armenia

The bowels of Armenia are rich in ore minerals. Deposits of non-ferrous and ferrous metal ores, rock salt, bentonite and refractory clays, perlites, diatomites, calcareous and volcanic tuffs, pumice, granites, marble and others are of industrial importance. Found industrial clusters of semi-precious and ornamental stones: agate, amethyst, turquoise, jasper, obsidian.

The reserves of ores and metals have been approved for 20 deposits: three - copper, six - molybdenum, five - polymetallic (lead, zinc, etc.), four - gold, two - iron and recently discovered - uranium. Most of the deposits are represented by complex ores - copper-molybdenum or gold-polymetallic.

There are about 9480 small and large rivers on the territory of Armenia, of which 379 have a length of 10 km or more. The total length of the rivers is approximately 23 thousand km. The main river in Armenia is the Araks with the Hrazdan tributary.

There are over 100 lakes in Armenia, the largest of which is Lake Sevan, located at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level - the only fishing region of the republic and the largest source of fresh water in the entire Transcaucasia.

Despite this, in the country as a whole, there is a shortage of water resources, which is partly solved by using reservoirs and groundwater. There are 74 reservoirs in Armenia with a total volume of 988 million m³; the largest of them is Akhuryan, with a volume of 525 million m³. Approximately 96% of the water used for drinking purposes comes from underground sources.

Ecology of Armenia

In the country over the past 30 years, under the influence of erosion and landslides, 140 thousand hectares of arable land and 300 thousand hectares of hayfields and pastures have been withdrawn from agricultural use; of the 114 thousand hectares of eroded lands to be reclaimed, about 3.5% has been restored. The share of the area covered with forests decreased from 11.2 to 8-9%. The state of the air environment is also alarming. The air condition has especially worsened in Yerevan, Alaverdi, Vanadzor and Hrazdan.

In connection with the construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants on the Hrazdan River and the use of water resources for irrigation of lands, the water level in Lake Sevan decreases, which leads to a change in the regime of surface and ground waters and a violation of biodiversity.

In March 2011, American experts compiled a rating for 163 countries by the state of the environment, where Armenia took 76th, Georgia 59th, and Azerbaijan 84th.

Timezone

The territory of the Republic of Armenia is completely located in the year-round 4th time zone (UTC + 4). Time reporting in Armenia is regulated by the law "On the rules of time reporting in the Republic of Armenia", adopted on December 5, 1997.

Fauna and flora of Armenia

Flora of Armenia

About 3,500 plant species from 150 families are known on the territory of Armenia.

In the north-east of the country there are broad-leaved forests with a predominance of oak and beech, in the south-east there are more xerophilic oak forests. The plains of Armenia are characterized by steppe vegetation, feather grass steppes are typical, along with feather grass there are fescue, fine-legged, and wheatgrass. Shrubs grow on rocky and stony soils - almonds, hold-tree, astragalus, chisel, thyme, sage and others.

The largest plane tree grove in the CIS is located in Armenia, where the Eastern plane tree (Platanus orientalis) grows. The grove is located in the Syunik region, in the valley of the Tsav river, within the Shikakhogh reserve. It stretches along the river for about 15 km, covering an area of ​​about 120 hectares.

The fauna of Armenia includes 76 species of mammals, 304 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians, 24 species of fish and about 10 thousand species of invertebrates. The northern part of the country is home to bears (including Iranian silver bears), lynxes, wild boars, deer, forest and jungle cats. In the mountain steppes, there are wolves, badgers, foxes, hares, mouflons, and bezoar goats.

Numerous rodents also live in the steppes and semi-deserts - voles, ground squirrels, gerbils, mole rats, jerboas; of reptiles - Caucasian agama, Greek turtle, gyurza, Armenian viper. Trout, whitefish and other types of fish are found in Lake Sevan. Raccoon dogs are acclimatized in Armenia.

Nature protection zones of Armenia

As of 2011, the Red Book of Armenia includes 452 species of plants, 40 species of mushrooms, 308 species of animals (including 153 species of vertebrates and 155 species of invertebrates).

There are about 108 endemic plant species and 339 endemic animals in the country. A relatively large number of endemics are observed in the eastern and southern parts of Armenia. Of the total number of animal species found in Armenia, 7% are endemic. Among fish species, 30% are endemic, among reptile species - 12%. Among the endemics, the Sevan trout or Ishkhan is of industrial and commercial importance.

Economy of Armenia

Armenia is an industrial-agrarian country. The country has significant reserves of copper-molybdenum and polymetallic ores, bauxite, building stone, mineral waters, deposits of precious metals (gold), semi-precious and ornamental stones. The production of synthetic rubber, the textile industry, the food industry, the production of building materials and mechanical engineering are well developed.

Dynamics of GDP per capita (at purchasing power parity, in constant 2005 prices, in US dollars) of the Transcaucasian countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) in 1990-2012 (World Bank estimate).

According to the US CIA, in 2010, GDP (PPP) amounted to $ 17.27 billion, GDP per capita (PPP) - $ 5,800.

The structure of GDP, according to the US CIA, in 2010 was as follows: services - 31.4%, industry - 46.6%, agriculture - 22%.

In Soviet times, a modern industry was created in Armenia, Armenia supplied machinery and equipment, textile and other industrial products to the domestic market of the USSR in exchange for the supply of raw materials and electricity. Agriculture developed on the basis of large agro-industrial complexes.

The Karabakh conflict, the severance of intra-union economic ties and the closure of the Turkish-Armenian border led to a serious economic downturn in the early 1990s. Many factories and factories stopped due to lack of raw materials and energy resources, agriculture returned back to small market economy. After gaining independence, a number of market reforms were carried out in Armenia, including privatization, pricing reform and the transition to an economical fiscal policy, however, geographical isolation, limited export resources and monopolization of the main economic sectors made Armenia particularly sensitive to the crisis in the global economy and economic downturn in Russia. In 1994, the Armenian government initiated an IMF-backed economic liberalization program that reduced poverty, reduced inflation, stabilized its currency, and privatized most small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Armenian nuclear power plant, built in the 1970s, was closed after the Spitak earthquake (1988), although it itself was not damaged. One of the two reactors resumed operations in 1995, but the Armenian government is under international pressure to shut it down out of concerns about the safety of the reactors. Nuclear power plants provide 40% of the country's energy consumption, hydropower accounts for another 25%. In the energy sector, Armenia remains highly dependent on Russian aid. Many energy facilities in Armenia are owned and / or managed by Russia. In particular, in 2002 the power distribution networks were privatized and in 2005 became the property of RAO UES.

In 2007, the construction of a gas pipeline was completed to deliver natural gas from Iran. Iranian gas supplies are planned to increase in connection with the completion of the construction of the Yerevan CHPP in April 2010.

The largest share in the value of export supplies from Armenia is made up of cast iron, untreated copper, molybdenum and other non-ferrous metals. The serious imbalance in foreign trade caused by economic isolation from neighboring countries - Turkey and Azerbaijan, is compensated by certain international assistance (including from the Armenian diaspora), remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in 2003. Despite significant economic growth, the unemployment rate remains high.

In 2007, Armenia ranked 84th in the UN Human Development Index, which was the best indicator among the Transcaucasian countries, and in 2010, Armenia climbed to 76th place, but this is already the worst indicator among the Transcaucasian countries (Azerbaijan - 67th th place, and Georgia - 73rd). In 2007, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index, Armenia ranked 99th out of 179 countries. In 2010, Armenia took 123rd place out of 178 countries, and in 2011 it took 129th place out of 182 countries. In 2008, according to the index of economic freedom, Armenia was in 28th place, ahead of countries such as Austria, France, Portugal and Italy, and now (2011) it is in 36th place.

In the mid-2000s, the annual growth of the Armenian economy for several years exceeded 10%, but in 2009 Armenia experienced a sharp economic recession, GDP fell by more than 14%, despite large loans from international organizations. The main reasons for the crisis were a sharp decline in the construction sector and a decrease in cash receipts from workers who left to work abroad. In 2010, some economic recovery began, but in 2011, one of the most authoritative and well-known economic publications in the world, Forbes magazine, gave Armenia the 2nd place after Madagascar in the ranking of the worst economies in the world.

The monetary unit of Armenia is dram, equal to 100 lumas. The dram has been in circulation since November 22, 1993. Before the dram was put into circulation, Soviet rubles were used, which were subsequently exchanged at the rate of 200 rubles. for 1 AMD. In circulation there are coins in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 drams, as well as notes in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 drams.

All modern banknotes are designed by the English company "Thomas de la Rue". The design of the banknotes of the 1993-95 sample was developed by the German company "Giesecke & Devrient". Coins of 1994 (except for 10 drams) and banknotes of 1993-1995 are not currently used.

Industry

Modern industry in Armenia was created in Soviet times, then the country supplied machinery and equipment, textile and other industrial products to the domestic market of the USSR in exchange for the supply of raw materials and electricity. As mentioned above, in the 90s of the last century there was a serious recession due to many negative factors, and most of the production did not work due to a lack of resources. After the measures were taken in 1994 to save the economy, the industry gradually began to recover. Every year since 2001, Armenia EXPO, the largest universal trade and industrial exhibition forum in the region, has been held in Armenia.

As a result of the global financial crisis, industry (as well as the entire economy) has been hit hard. But already in 2010, some areas (mining and processing industries) of the industry even managed to exceed the level that was before the crisis, and the production of soft drinks increased by 9.1%, natural juices - by 64.7%, mineral waters - 28 , 4% and spring water- by 26.2%. However, other industries experienced a decline in the same year. Thus, the production of food and alcohol declined, but this was against the background of an increase in the physical volume of retail turnover in January-May 2010.

Energy of Armenia

In 1962, the construction of the Sevan-Hrazdan irrigation complex and a cascade of hydroelectric power plants, which began in 1937, was completed. Six hydroelectric power plants were built on the Hrazdan River and many irrigation canals and reservoirs, and tunnels were laid in the mountains for the discharge of river waters into the lake. Sevan for the purpose of replenishing its water reserves. As a result, part of the electricity generated in the republic was exported to Georgia and Azerbaijan in exchange for natural gas. Gas-fired power plants were built in Yerevan, Hrazdan and Vanadzor. In 1970, they provided more energy than hydroelectric power plants.

In 1977-1979. in Metsamor, near Yerevan, a powerful nuclear power plant with two power units was created, which fully satisfied the needs of the republic for electricity.

In particular, the requests of an aluminum plant and a large plant for the production of synthetic rubber and car tires were met. The Armenian nuclear power plant was shut down shortly after the Spitak earthquake out of fears that repeated aftershocks would lead to catastrophic consequences in Armenia itself and neighboring regions of Turkey. Due to the energy crisis, the nuclear power plant was re-launched in 1996.

Mining industry

The share of the mining industry in the gross output of Armenia is approximately 5% (1990s). Armenia produces refined copper, primary aluminum (on imported alumina), rolled products and aluminum foil, molybdenum, zinc, lead, barite in concentrates, gold, silver, tellurium, selenium, rhenium (in slimes and concentrates), copper sulfate, sulfuric acid and other.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Armenian government enacted a new law on the exploration and development of mineral deposits. This law is known as the Mining Code and has been in existence since 1992. It was developed with the participation of experts from the European Union and is based on the "Western" model of such acts. It sets out the procedures for acquiring licenses, the rights and obligations of their owners, which contribute to the attraction of foreign investment. In addition, at the beginning of the 21st century, the republic developed and used two large projects - "Remet" and "Molybdenum", which provide for the creation of a scientific and industrial base for metallurgical processing of copper, molybdenum, gold-bearing, polymetallic concentrates to obtain high-purity metals.

Manufacturing industry

After 1953, the government of the USSR directed Armenia towards the development of the chemical industry, nonferrous metallurgy, metalworking, mechanical engineering, the textile industry, the production of building materials, as well as the production of wines, brandy and cognacs. Later, precision instrumentation, the production of synthetic rubber and plastics, chemical fibers and electrical appliances were added to this list. In terms of the volume of manufactured electrical products, Armenia occupied the third place among the Union republics of the USSR, and in terms of the volume of machine-tool industry products - the fifth. However, the most important industry was the chemical industry, which produced mineral fertilizers, synthetic stones for the production of tools and watches, and fiberglass (based on the processing of local tuffs and basalts).

In 2011, a 7.7% increase in production was observed in this area. Including food production increased by 13.5%, beverages - by 6.6%, tobacco products - decreased by 46.6%. Clothing production increased by 52.7%. The production of leather and leather goods increased by 17%. Production of wood products decreased by 25%, while paper production increased by 40.4%. The chemical industry has shrunk by 40%. Pharmaceuticals produced 6.5% more products. The production of rubber and plastic products decreased by 9.6%.

Agriculture of Armenia

Value added per person employed in agriculture in the South Caucasus countries (constant 2005 prices, US dollars) according to the World Bank.

The gross agricultural product in 2002 amounted to 377.6 billion drams, of which 60% - the share of crop production, 40% - the share of livestock. About 98% of the gross agricultural product is produced by private farms and trade organizations.

There are few areas suitable for agriculture. The valleys of the Araks are mainly used. Cotton, grapes, almonds, olives, grains, vegetables are grown. Pastures and hayfields occupy about 28% of the entire territory.

It is known that Armenia is one of the most ancient centers of grape culture; the oldest wine-making economy in the world was also found on the territory of Armenia. Armenian grapes have a high sugar content, delicate aroma and delicate taste. Some table varieties are classified as the best in the world assortment, while others are highly valued as raw materials for the production of strong dessert wines and cognacs. Particularly noteworthy are the cognac varieties, which are almost unmatched. Vineyards in Armenia are found at an altitude of 1400 m, where they bear fruit well.

Fruit growing is inferior to viticulture and in place in gross production Agriculture, and by marketability and industrial value. Most common are stone fruit species (about 2/3 of all fruit trees in the republic), especially apricots and peaches, then plums and cherry plums, cherries and cherries, elk, dogwood, and from pome fruits - apples, pears and quince. The share of nut-bearing - walnuts, hazelnuts - and subtropical - figs, pomegranates, almonds is insignificant. Some Armenian varieties of apricots, peaches, walnuts, quince are superior in quality to the best varieties in the world or are equal to them.

Livestock

Land-scarce Armenia, at the same time, stands out for the richness of natural forage lands. Pastures and hayfields occupy about 28% of its entire territory. The country's leading branches of animal husbandry are cattle breeding and sheep breeding.

Cattle breeding is developed, first of all, on the Lori plateau, which is also considered a traditional center of pedigree cattle breeding, then in Shirak, in some of the regional Ararat plain, the Sevan basin and Zangezur. Among the successes of cattle breeding, one can note the successful breeding of a new breed of cows - the Caucasian Brown. Cows of this breed are well adapted to the most diverse natural and forage conditions in almost all regions of the republic and are distinguished by a fairly high productivity.

Sheep breeding in the republic has favorable conditions for successful development. Small ruminants are more adapted to grazing. It is developed on steep slopes and indented surfaces of high mountain areas where alpine pastures lie, namely in the Arna basin, in Zangezur, in the Sevan basin, on the western slopes of Aragats. In a number of other mountainous regions, sheep breeding is developing in parallel with cattle breeding.

Carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophthalmichtys molitrix) and grass carp (Ctenopharygodon idella) are bred in ponds of Armenia with emerging vegetation and soft bottom soil. In narrow ponds with concrete walls and bottoms, the main fish species for sale are: rainbow trout (Parasalmo mykiss), brook trout (Salmo trutta m. Fario), Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan), Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri). Recreational fishing is allowed in all bodies of water, with the exception of those located in protected areas.

The main fish resources of Armenia are concentrated in Lake Sevan, however, due to the overuse of fish resources during the years of perestroika, they have drastically decreased. V currently commercial fish catch in Sevan is prohibited for a period of three years. Amateur fishing in Armenia is allowed in all water bodies, except for those located in protected areas. The main fish species inhabiting Armenia are: Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan), whitefish (Coregonus), Sevan khramulya (Varicorhinus capoeta sevangi), carp (Carassius auratus).

Many birds and animals have long been hunted in Armenia, including quail (Coturnix couturnix), stone partridge (Alectoris graeca), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), rock dove (Columba livia), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), wolves (Canis lupus ) (hunting them is now even rewarded), deer (Cervus spp.), wild boars (Sus scrofa), mouflons (Ovis musimon). Populations of many game species have declined sharply, and hunting for many of the listed mammals is now prohibited. Snakes, including the Armenian viper (Vipera raddei) and Gyurza (Vipera lebetina), are collected and used in folk medicine.

The main tourist centers are Tsaghkadzor, Jermuk, Arzni and Dilijan and others. The cities of Kajaran, Sisian, Meghri are famous for their mineral springs, similar in composition to the springs in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. The Geghard monastery complex, the pagan temple of Garni, Noravank, Lake Sevan, the ruins of the Zvartnots temple, the Amberd fortress and the Matenadaran are also very popular among tourists.

Currently, there are 117 accommodation facilities in the republic. Including 63 hotels, 26 hotel-type facilities, 23 tourist centers. There are also 11 health resorts and 11 boarding houses on the territory of the republic.

Armenia is a country rich in cultural and natural monuments, which is why it is called an "open-air museum". There are over 4 thousand unique monuments in Armenia. Among them are the monuments of the pre-Christian era: the ruins of the Urartian Erebuni, Teishebaini, the ancient Armenian capitals Armavir, Artashat, the pagan temple of Garni and others.

Armenia is especially rich in monuments related to Christian architecture. These are the cathedral in Vagharshapat, the monasteries of Noravank, Geghard, Khor Virap, Goshavank, Sevanavank, the ruins of the ancient church of Zvartnots, the cemetery of khachkars in Noraduz and many others. Among the natural monuments, one can note the unique Lake Sevan, the waterfall in Jermuk, the Parz Lich and Kari lakes, the rocks of Khndzoresk, as well as the most beautiful and diverse mountain landscape of the country.

State system of Armenia, Constitution of Armenia

The fundamental document that defines the state structure of Armenia is the constitution adopted in a referendum on July 5, 1995 and amended by the results of a referendum on November 27, 2005. The Constitution approves the Republic of Armenia as a sovereign, democratic, social, constitutional state, the power in which belongs to the people and is exercised through free elections, referendums, as well as through state bodies, local self-government bodies and officials provided for by the constitution.

President of Armenia

The President of Armenia is elected for a five-year term. According to the Constitution, the President is granted emergency powers in the event of a threat to the functioning of public institutions. A citizen of the Republic of Armenia who is at least 35 years old and has permanently resided in its territory for the last 10 years can be elected President. The president is the guarantor of the constitution, independence, territorial integrity and the security of the Republic. It ensures the normal functioning of the legislative and executive branches.

The current president (since April 9, 2008) is Serzh Sargsyan, before him the country was led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan (October 16, 1991 - February 3, 1998) and Robert Kocharian (February 4, 1998 - April 9, 2008).

Government of Armenia

The President, in consultation with the parliamentary factions in the National Assembly, appoints the prime minister who enjoys the confidence of the majority of the deputies, and if this is not possible, then the person who enjoys the confidence of a larger number of deputies. The President, on the proposal of the Prime Minister, appoints and dismisses members of the government.

The highest legislative body is the National Assembly. The National Assembly consists of 131 deputies (41 deputies are elected in single-mandate majoritarian constituencies, 90 in a proportional system). The National Assembly is elected through popular elections for a five-year term. A deputy can be a citizen of the Republic of Armenia who is at least 25 years old and has permanently resided in its territory for at least three years prior to election day.

The last parliamentary elections were held on May 6, 2012. Eight parties and one party bloc participated in the parliamentary elections on May 6, 2012, which fought for 90 seats in the National Assembly, envisaged by the proportional system. 137 candidates competed for 41 majority seats in parliament.

According to the election results, the "Republican Party of Armenia" received 69 mandates, "Prosperous Armenia" - 37 mandates, "Armenian National Congress" - 7 mandates, "Country of Law" - 6 mandates, "Heritage" - 5 mandates, "Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun" - 5 mandates. On May 30, 2012, the "Republican Party of Armenia" and the "Orinats Yerkir" party formed a ruling coalition.

Judicial branch

The highest court of the Republic of Armenia, in addition to issues of constitutional justice, is the Court of Cassation, which is called upon to ensure the uniform application of the law. Constitutional justice in the Republic of Armenia is administered by the Constitutional Court. The independence of the courts is guaranteed by the constitution and laws. The Council of Justice is formed and operates in accordance with the procedure established by the Constitution and the law.

Administrative divisions of Armenia

Armenia is a unitary state, divided into ten regions (Armenian մարզ - marz) and the city of Yerevan.

The oblasts are made up of urban and rural communities. The heads of the regions (Armenian մարզպետ - marzpets) are appointed and dismissed by the government. Local self-government is exercised in the communities by councils of elders and community leaders (mayor of the city, village headman), who are elected for a three-year term. The Mayor of Yerevan is elected by the Council of Elders of Yerevan.

As of 2007, there were 915 villages, 49 cities and 932 communities in the republic, of which 866 were rural.

As of September 2011, the Republic of Armenia maintains diplomatic relations with 149 UN member states. There are 26 embassies in the capital Yerevan.

Armenia, together with some other former Soviet republics, is part of the CSTO, a military-political union created on the basis of the Collective Security Treaty, as well as the Common Air Defense System of the CIS.

In early September 2013, Armenia expressed a desire to join the Customs Union and participate in the subsequent formation of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Russian-Armenian relations

The 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri is located on the territory of Armenia, which is on alert within the framework of the United System. air defense CIS countries.

Trade with Russia is about 20% of the republic's foreign trade. In 2005, the joint trade turnover amounted to about $ 300 million. Russia is one of the main investors in the Armenian economy: the total volume of Russian investments exceeded $ 240 million.

Many large Armenian enterprises are owned by Russian companies. For example, until 2006, the gas monopoly Armrosgazprom was 45% controlled by Gazprom and 10% by the Russian gas company Itera. At the moment, in exchange for a three-year contract for the supply of gas at $ 110 each, an additional issue of shares has been carried out and Gazprom's share has been increased to 82%.

The Russian Federation owns the Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant, which supplies electricity not only to Armenia, but also to Iran and Georgia. The power plant, along with several other Armenian enterprises, was transferred to Russia in 2002 to pay off the state debt of Armenia.

Foreign policy of Armenia and Azerbaijan

Armenia and Azerbaijan are negotiating on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. It is often repeated in Baku that if the negotiations do not yield results, then Azerbaijan is ready to return the uncontrolled territories by military measures.

On November 2, 2008, the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia signed a declaration on the Karabakh conflict. The leaders of the three states agreed to work together to improve the situation in the Caucasus.

Azerbaijan's foreign policy is aimed at removing Armenia from regional projects. In 2006, in an interview with the Arabic-language TV channel Al-Jazeera, Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan is and will continue to pursue a policy aimed at driving Armenia into an energy and transport deadlock until it regains control over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Foreign policy of Armenia and Greece

Greece was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Armenia on September 21, 1991 and one of those to officially recognize the Armenian genocide. Greece is the second after Russia military partner of Armenia and the closest ally in NATO.

Armenian-Georgian relations

Since Armenia's border with Turkey and Azerbaijan is closed, and Armenia is landlocked, Georgia plays a crucial role for Armenia in terms of export and import of various products and goods. There is a railway between Armenia and Georgia. Armenia exports electricity to Georgia. In 2009, Armenia ranked fourth in terms of imports of Georgian goods (7.9% of all exports).

Armenian-Iranian relations

On the border of Iran and Armenia, there is a car crossing Karchevan, which has been actively operating since the early 1990s. There are projects and construction agreements railroad between the two countries.

In May 2004, the main contract for the construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was signed. The inauguration of the gas pipeline took place on March 19, 2007 in the presence of the Presidents of Armenia Robert Kocharian and Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Foreign policy of Armenia and the United States of America

The United States of America recognized the independence of Armenia on December 25, 1991, and opened an embassy in Yerevan in February 1992. Even before Armenia gained independence in 1991, the Armenian lobby of the United States represented the interests of Armenia. In 2005, the United States allocated $ 7 million to modernize the communications system of the Armenian Armed Forces.

Armenian-Turkish relations

Turkey officially recognized the independence of Armenia on December 24, 1991, but still refuses to establish diplomatic relations with it. Relations between Armenia and Turkey are complicated by what Armenia is demanding, and Turkey refuses to recognize the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. During the Karabakh conflict, Turkey announced a blockade of the Armenian-Turkish border, which is officially explained by the participation of Armenian troops in the Karabakh war. As a result, trade and economic relations between the two states are difficult and unofficial.

On September 6, 2008, Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid a visit to Armenia. On October 10, 2009, the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Armenia Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed in Zurich (Switzerland) the "Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations" and "The Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations"; the documents provide for the creation of a joint commission of "independent historians" to study the issue of the 1915 Armenian genocide. On October 11 of the same year, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry criticized Turkey for signing agreements without settling the Karabakh conflict.

Foreign policy of Armenia and Pakistan

Pakistan does not recognize Armenia. High-ranking Pakistani officials attribute this to Azerbaijan's support in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia include four types of troops - ground troops, Air Force, Air Defense Forces and Border Troops. The Armenian Armed Forces were formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the establishment of the Ministry of Defense in 1992. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is the President of Armenia (currently Serzh Sargsyan). Defense Minister - Colonel General Seyran Ohanyan. There are 48,570 people in the ranks. (2011). Armenian border guards are responsible for patrolling the borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan, while Russian troops continue to control the Armenian borders with Iran and Turkey.

Since 1992, Armenia has been a member of the CSTO and the CFE Treaty. The treaty sets limits on the main types of conventional weapons, such as tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, combat aircraft and helicopters, and provides for a reduction in the number of troops to the number stipulated in the agreement. The Armenian authorities, according to the terms of the agreement, comply with the restrictions. In 2011, the military budget of Armenia amounted to US $ 387 million.

At the moment, Armenia is taking part in the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. The government of the country also discussed the possibility of sending Armenian peacekeepers to Lebanon. Also, Armenian peacekeepers participate in the NATO mission in Afghanistan, and in 2005-2008 they were in Iraq.

Population of Armenia

In 2001, the first population census after the declaration of independence in 1991 was carried out in Armenia, according to the results of which the resident population of the country was 3,213,011 people.

The resident population in mid-2010, according to UN estimates, was 3 million 092 thousand people.

The population of Armenia, according to the results of the census on October 12, 2011, amounted to 2,871,771 people of the current population (recorded in the census in Armenia without temporarily leaving the country, a decrease of 130,823 people was noted in comparison with the 2001 census) or 3,018,854 permanent population ( including those temporarily absent from the country, there was a decrease in the resident population by 194,157 people in comparison with the 2001 census). As of July 1, 2012, Armstat estimated the resident population of the country at 3,277.0 thousand people, based on the results of the 2001 census. Subsequently, Armstat adjusted the current estimates of the so-called "permanent population" (taking into account the temporarily absent in the country of RA citizens), so on January 1, 2013 the population of Armenia was 3,026.9 thousand, and on April 1, 2013, 3,028 thousand people. As of January 1, 2014, the population was 3,017.1 thousand people.

In terms of population, Armenia ranks 135th. Population censuses indicate a decline in the country's population and a highly homogeneous ethnic composition; Armenia is the only country of the former USSR with a practically mono-ethnic population (98.11% of which are Armenians). An important factor influencing the dynamics of the country's population is emigration, primarily to Russia.

List of cities in Armenia

The country is highly urbanized (63.35%), however, the share of the urban population is decreasing, the decline of the urban population in the intercensal period 2001-2011 was -7.5%; over the same period, the decline in the rural population was -3.4%. In total, there were 49 cities in the republic as of 2013. The largest city is the capital of Armenia Yerevan (1,061.0 thousand people), the smallest is Dastakert with a population of 300 people.

Major cities of Armenia: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Vagharshapat, Hrazdan, Abovyan, Kapan, Armavir, Gavar, Artashat, Charentsavan, Sevan, Goris, Masis, Ashtarak, Ararat, Ijevan, Artik, Sisian, Alaverdi.

National composition of Armenia

Armenians, Yezidis, Russians, Assyrians, Kurds, Ukrainians, Greeks, Georgians, Persians.

Languages

The state language of Armenia is Armenian. In addition to the Armenian (more precisely, the Eastern Armenian) language, the country has Russian (it is spoken by about 70% of the population), English and Yezidi as the language of the largest national minority.

The Russian language functions in an informative role (in Armenia there are three Russian TV channels "Channel One (Russia)", "RTR-Planeta" and "Culture", as well as the interstate TV and radio company "MIR" and the newspapers "Republic of Armenia", " Voice of Armenia "and others and the first Armenian economic journal in Russian" Basis ") and continues to carry a humanitarian function: it is necessary for reading literature in Russian, including professional, which reflects its importance as a translator of scientific and special knowledge, and also provides an opportunity to familiarize yourself with Russian culture.

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia approved the regulation on the functioning of schools with in-depth teaching of the Russian language. There are more than 60 such schools in the republic. There are also 40 general education and 3 private schools in the country with Russian classes. In all such classes, teaching is carried out according to the programs and textbooks of the Russian Federation. In ordinary schools, Russian is taught at school from the second to the eleventh grades, while foreign languages ​​are taught only from the fifth.

Religiously, the majority of the believing population of Armenia (94%) are Christians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The fundamentals of the doctrine of the Armenian Apostolic Church are taught in schools in Armenia. In Yerevan, there is the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, which, along with the Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi, is the largest in the Caucasus.

There is a small Armenian community catholic church(36 parishes), the followers of which the rest of the Armenians call "Franks". There are also communities of Orthodox Christians - Russians, Greeks, Ukrainians, as well as a community of Russian-Molokans.

Followers of Islam live in Armenia - this religion is professed by Kurds, Persians, Azerbaijanis and other peoples. However, due to the exodus of Azerbaijanis as a result of the Karabakh conflict, the Muslim community has shrunk. There is a mosque for Muslims in Yerevan.

More than 40 thousand Yezidis (1.3% of the population) also live in Armenia, who mainly profess Yezidism. On September 29, 2012 in the Armavir region of Armenia the Yezidi temple "Ziarat" was solemnly opened. It is the first temple built outside of the original homeland of the Yezidis, Iraqi Kurdistan, designed to satisfy the spiritual beliefs of the Yezidis of Armenia.

Transport in Armenia

The total length of the railways in Armenia is 852 km (2001). The roads are electrified and have a high traffic capacity, but they need reconstruction.

The Armenian railway operating on the territory of Armenia has connections with the Georgian (the only open connection), as well as with the Azerbaijan and Turkish railway, which are not used due to the closed borders with these states.

Armenia-Iran section

The Iran-Armenia railroad will allow Armenia to use an alternative way of transporting energy resources and other goods, gaining access to the outside world. Now the railway communications of Armenia with foreign countries provided only through the territory of Georgia. According to various sources, the cost of building the Armenia-Iran railway can range from $ 1 to 2 billion, the distance will be about 500 km (depending on the option chosen), and average speed will be 100 km / h.

There are three options for the construction of the Armenia-Iran railway. According to the first, the construction of the railway will start from Yeraskh station, which is located east of the city of Ararat, in the marz of the same name. Despite the fact that the station is not a dead end. Yeraskh is the terminal station of suburban electric trains on the Yerevan-Masis-Yeraskh section, and trains do not go further to Nakhichevan. According to this option, the length of the construction tracks through the territory of Armenia will be 443 km. According to the second option, construction will start from the Gagarin station, which is located between the cities of Hrazdan and Sevan, in the Gegharkunik marz on the Yerevan-Hrazdan-Sotk line. Freight trains pass through the station, and in the summer there is a suburban movement of electric trains, providing vacationers from Yerevan and its environs with access to rest on Lake Sevan. The length of the tracks from the Gagarin station to the Iranian border will be 449 km, and the construction will cover the cities of Sevan, Gavar and Martuni, and further the cities of Vayots Dzor region and Syunik region. According to the third option, construction is proposed to start from the penultimate station on the Yerevan-Hrazdan-Sotk dead-end branch, namely from the Vardenis station of the same name in the city of Vardenis, which is located in the southeast of Gegharkunik marz. Only freight trains pass through Vardenis station. The length of the tracks through the Armenian territory from the Vardenis station to the border with Iran will be 397 km. However, upon completion of construction, based on the total distance from the Iranian border to Yerevan, this route will be the longest of the listed ones. An 80 km line will be built across Iran to the Marand station, which is located in the north of Iran. Thus, the total length of the railway construction will be 523, 529 or 477 km, depending on the option chosen. The Armenian authorities are inclined to implement the second option.

Automobile transport

The length of paved roads is 8.4 thousand km. The roads are worn out. In mountainous areas and in the provinces, they are often simply absent, all transportation is carried out on gravel-crushed country roads, quite difficult to pass without the help of local residents. Lighting on the streets of cities is scarce, and often absent altogether.

In the near future, large-scale road construction work should begin in Armenia, including the first stage of construction of the North-South highway.

Air Transport

In the conditions of the closed border with Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as the unstable situation on the Georgian-Russian border, air transport is actually the main type of international passenger transportation. Regular passenger air transportation is carried out through two airports - "Zvartnots" (Yerevan) and "Shirak" (Gyumri). It is also planned to build a third airport.

Zvartnots International Airport is located 10 km west of Yerevan. It was built in 1961 as the Zapadny airport, then in 1980 it was rebuilt and renamed into Zvartnots. In 1998, a new cargo terminal was opened, and in the summer of 2007, a new international passenger terminal. From here, flights are made to 70 cities around the world.

"Shirak" airport is located 5 km from Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia, located in the northwestern part of the country. Regular passenger air transportation is carried out only to Moscow, Sochi and Rostov-on-Don. The airport is convenient for residents of northern Armenia and Javakheti (Georgia). Work is underway to modernize the airport and bring it in line with international standards.

Erebuni Airport is located in Yerevan, 7 km south of the city. It is mainly used for military needs: the aviation of the Armenian Air Force and the Russian Air Force is based here, which jointly conduct duty to protect the southern borders of the CSTO member countries. From the airport there are private passenger charter flights to the CIS countries, as well as an irregular tourist helicopter service with the Stepanakert airport located in the NKR.

Tatev ropeway

There are cable cars in Armenia in Yerevan, Tsaghkadzor (a tourist center in the Kotayk region), Jermuk (a tourist center in the Vayots Dzor region), Alaverdi (a tourist center in the Lori region). In 2010, the world's longest cable car was built to the Tatev Monastery (a tourist center in Syunik region). There are also commodity cable cars, for example, near the city of Kajaran (serves the mining industry in the Syunik region).

Pipeline transport

There is a network of gas pipelines in Armenia with a total length of 900 kilometers. At present, the Armenia-Georgia and Armenia-Iran gas pipelines operate, and there is an operating gas storage in Yeraskh. In 2009, the Iran-Armenia oil product pipeline was commissioned.

Culture of Armenia

Antiquity and antiquity

Armenian culture has its roots in ancient times. Statuettes, figurines, decorations, handicrafts dating back to the 2nd-1st millennia BC have been repeatedly found on the territory of Armenia. NS. By the beginning to the middle of the 1st millennium BC. NS. Armenian mythology is formed, which took an exceptional role in the formation of Armenian culture, and from the VI century BC. NS. the development of pagan architecture begins. The rule of the Macedonians and the Hellenistic era that followed it had their influence on culture. Garni is one of the most famous monuments of this era.

In 69 BC. NS. in the capital of Greater Armenia, in Tigranakert, an ancient Armenian theater emerged under the influence of Hellenistic traditions.

One of the main roles in the development and preservation of the Armenian culture and the consolidation of the Armenian identity was played by the adoption of Christianity by Armenia in 301 and the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405-406 by Mesrop Mashtots. The adoption of Christianity became the reason for the creation of one of the most important layers of Armenian culture - church architecture, and the creation of the alphabet marked the beginning of the development of Armenian literature and historiography.

In the Middle Ages, the art of sculptural relief, ornamental carving began to develop at a rapid pace in Armenia, the art of miniature reached a high level. A huge number of fairy tales, songs, epics have been created ("David of Sasunsky"). The art of church architecture reached its peak. Armenian literature continues its rapid development.

Fine Arts of Armenia

Frescoes

The earliest known examples of Armenian fresco painting date back to the middle of the 5th century; these are fragments of frescoes from the Pogos-Petros Church in Yerevan and the Kasakh Basilica. The following early examples mainly date back to the 7th century (Lmbatavank, Aruchavank, etc.) and testify to a strong tradition of interior painting. A fragment of frescoes from the Tatev monastery in Syunik that has survived to this day dates back to about 930, and fragments of frescoes with images of the halo of Christ in the apse, the figure of the seated Virgin Mary, as well as an unknown saint (artist Yeghishe) in the Gndevank monastery - to 914.

Sculpture

Early medieval Armenian sculpture is represented by stone steles, ornamental and subject reliefs of the 4th-5th centuries. The earliest are reliefs of the arcosol slabs of the tomb of the Armenian Arshakids in Akhts, dating back to 364. The capital of the memorial column in Kasakh (about the 4th century) and 2 reliefs of the end of the 4th century on the facade of the Echmiadzin Cathedral have been preserved. In general, early medieval Armenian sculpture is represented by three main schools - Ayrarat, Tashir and Syunik. In the 6th-7th centuries, a new flowering of sculptural art begins (round sculpture and reliefs), distinguished by the richness of decorative details, stylistic trends stand out. The temple of Zvartnots, built in 640-650s, became a masterpiece of architecture and fine art of this era. Subject figured reliefs (in the churches of Ptghni, Mrena), high-relief images of churchwardens (Sisian) appear.

In the 5th-7th centuries, the art of khachkars began to take shape - sculptural monuments representing a stone stele with a carved image of a cross. Khachkar art reaches its highest development in the XII-XIII centuries. In total, there are several thousand khachkars on the territory of Armenia, each distinguished by its unique pattern, although all patterns are usually kept in the same style.

Armenian miniature

In the history of the fine arts of medieval Armenia leading place occupied by book miniatures - the earliest examples date back to the 6th-7th centuries .. A feature of the Armenian miniature is the variety of styles of various local schools - Cilicia, Gladzor, Tatev, Vaspurakan, etc. 862), the Gospel (986), the Echmiadzin Gospel (989), the Gospel of Mughni (XI century), etc. a number of original local schools of Armenian miniature.

Arts and crafts

The applied art of medieval Armenia is represented by rich and varied ceramics: glazed ceramics with painting and engraving, non-glazed ceramics with in-depth and relief ornaments, painted earthenware vessels. Major centers ceramic production were located in the cities of Ani and Dvin, which flourished until the XII-XIII centuries. Preserved embroidery of the XIV century, metal art items, including chased silver gilded folds of the XIII-XIV centuries, church items, silver and gold frames for handwritten books (for example, the frame of the Gospel of Cilician work in 1255). In Ani, during the excavations of the Gagikashen church, a copper lampadophor chandelier was discovered dating back to the 11th century .. There are highly artistic examples of wood carving, the earliest examples of which date back to the 10th century. A separate place in this art is occupied by wooden doors of temples ( door from Mush, 1134, doors from Arakelots church on Lake Sevan, 1176, etc.).

In the Middle Ages, churches and temples were also decorated with mosaics. Some fragments of early Christian mosaics were found in the cathedrals of Echmiadzin, Zvartnots and Dvin.

Armenian carpet

Armenian carpet is a term that defines pile and napless carpets that were woven by Armenians living both in the territory of the Armenian Highlands and beyond from the pre-Christian period (up to the 4th century AD) to the present day. Carpet weaving, being one of the types of Armenian decorative and applied arts, is inextricably linked with other types of decorative and applied arts of Armenians, continuing the traditions of other types of national fine arts. The main difference between Armenian carpets and Persian, Azerbaijani and other carpets is that stylized images of animals and people are used as ornamental motives. Traditionally in Armenia, carpets are used to cover the floors, interior walls of houses, sofas, chests, seats and beds. Until now, carpets often serve as curtains for doorways, sacristy and altars in temples, they cover the altars themselves in churches. Developing since ancient times, carpet weaving in Armenia has been an integral part of everyday life since ancient times, since almost every Armenian family was engaged in carpet weaving, despite the fact that "carpet weaving was an ancient female occupation of Armenians everywhere."

Armenian theater

The theater of Armenia is, along with the Greek and Roman theaters, one of the oldest European theaters in the world.

In the 1st millennium BC. e., in the era of slave-owning society, the most ancient Armenian theater developed, associated with the cult of ancestors, the glorification of the heroic deeds, etc., the Armenian tragic theater of the dzainarku-gusans and vokhbergaks arose. With the cult of Gisane-Ara, with the celebration of the return of spring and bacchanals in honor of the goddess of fertility "Anahit", the ancient Armenian comedy theater is also associated, the actors of which were katakergaki and kataka-gusans.

The Armenian professional theater arose during the Armenian Hellenistic monarchies from the pagan mystery tragedy and folk comedy. According to the testimony of the Greek historian Plutarch in 69 BC. NS. King Tigran II the Great (95-55 BC) built in the southern capital of Great Armenia Tigranakert a building similar to the Hellenistic amphitheaters in Syria, where performances were given. It is also known that the son of Tigran, King Artavazd II (56-34 BC), who also wrote the tragedies, created a Hellenistic theater in the northern capital of Armenia, Artashat (which the Romans called "Carthage of Armenia"). Since the 1st century BC. NS. numerous historical facts confirm the continuity of the existence of the Armenian professional theater, diverse in genres and types. For example, in Armavir, the capital of ancient Armenia, inscriptions in Greek were found with excerpts from the tragedies of Greek authors or, possibly, the Armenian king Artavazd II. There is also evidence of theatrical performances in the first centuries of our era. The Armenian theater continued its development after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in the first years of the 4th century. The earliest surviving dramatic works (dramatic poem) date back to the 13th-14th centuries, the earliest surviving tragedy is from 1668. Armenian professional theater of modern times began to form in the 1840s.

Armenian music

In the III century. BC NS. the qualitative originality of Armenian music has already been formed. Some examples of pre-Christian Armenian musical creativity have been preserved in the works of ancient Armenian authors. The history of pre-Christian Armenian music is primarily associated with the gussans, who, in the Hellenistic era, originally served in the temple of the ancient Armenian god Gisane.

At the beginning of IV, Armenian Christian music appeared, which, along with Aramaic, Jewish, Cappadocian, underlies the common Christian musical culture. In the 5th century, the Armenian hymnography was formed - the creativity of the sharakans. At the turn of the 8th-9th centuries, the Armenian system of musical notation, the khazi, was formed. In the 10th century, tags appear - relatively voluminous monody of spiritual and secular content. In the era of the High Middle Ages, the Armenian musical notation was improved. From the middle of the 16th century, the art of Armenian ashugs began to take shape.

Armenian classical music began to take shape in the 19th century. In 1861, Grigor Sinanyan organized a symphony orchestra - the Sinanyan Orchestra. In 1868, Tigran Chukhadjyan created the opera "Arshak II" - the first Armenian national opera and the first opera in the musical history of the whole East. Since the end of the XIX century. In Armenian classical music, a new movement began to collect and process ancient folk songs by professional composers, the largest among whom was Komitas.

Armenian musical instruments

Armenia is rich in folk musical instruments. Their history goes back many centuries and millennia. One of the most ancient Armenian folk instruments is the duduk.

From the VI century BC. NS. in ancient Armenia pagan architecture developed, from the beginning of the 4th century - Armenian Christian architecture. Xenophon reports that the dwellings of the ancient Armenians had towers. The most significant monument of Armenian antique architecture is the Garni temple, built by the king of Great Armenia Trdat I in the 70s. NS.

From the beginning of the 4th century, Armenian Christian architecture began to develop. Among the earliest examples of Armenian church architecture are the one-nave hall churches of Shirvanjukh (5th century), three-nave basilical churches - Kasakh (4th century), Ereruk (5th century), etc. the church of St. Hripsime, Talin Cathedral, Aruchavank, Mren, Mastara, Sisavan, etc. The masterpiece of Armenian architecture of the 7th century is considered to be the Zvartnots temple, erected between 641-661. The next rise in Armenian architecture dates back to the 10th century, the period of development of the sovereign Armenian state. The churches of Tatev, (895-905), St. Cross in Akhtamar (915-921), Vaganavank (911), Gndevank (930), Sanahin (957-962), Haghpat (976-991), etc. The rise of the Armenian architecture of the late XII-XIII centuries is associated with the liberation of Armenia by the Zakaryans. A number of new stone structures were created, including overlapping overlapping arches. The most famous monuments of time: Harichavank (1201), Makaravank (1205), Tegher (1213-1232), Dadivank, (1214), Geghard (1215), Saghmosavank (1215-1235), Hovhannavank (1216), Gandzasar (1216-1238) ), Haghartsin (1281) and some others.

Tuff plays an important role in Armenian architecture - the most common building material in Armenia, where one of the two largest tuff deposits in the world is located (the other is in Italy). Tuff blocks have been used in construction since ancient times.

Vishaps

Vishaps (Armenian վիշապներ, Veshaps, Azhdahaki) are ancient mythological creatures, who were depicted as tall stone statues, menhirs. Vishaps are common in the mythologies of the countries of the Armenian Highlands and Western Asia. Peoples inhabiting the Armenian Highlands in the II millennium BC NS. or earlier, hewed images of vishaps out of stone and installed them near underground water sources. Over time, the mythological image of vishaps has undergone changes and in the mythologies of different peoples has become associated with evil spirits, dragons, etc., often retaining the original connection with water.

Armenian brandy

Arbun is the name of the brand of an alcoholic beverage produced in Armenia. During the times of the former USSR, Armenian cognacs won prizes, often first places, for which they gained fame in many countries of the world.

Old manuscripts and folk legends prove that winemaking and viticulture in Armenia have been practiced since ancient times, somewhere from the 15th century BC. NS. A mention of the fact that excellent wines were exported from the region to neighboring countries for sale can be found in the ancient Greek historians Herodotus, Xenophon, Strabo. The wines were high quality, aged and varied. Armenia is a country with the oldest tradition growing grapes.

Brandy production in Armenia was founded in 1887 by the first guild merchant Nerses Tairyan in Yerevan at the first winery, built ten years earlier on the territory of the former Yerevan fortress. At the improved plant, two fire distillation apparatus were installed for smoking cognac alcohol.

List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia

There are 3 groups of objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in Armenia:

• Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries
• Echmiadzin Cathedral and Churches (including Echmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime Church and St. Gayane Church) and the archaeological site of Zvartnots
• Geghard monastery and the headwaters of the Azat river

Social sphere of Armenia

The Republic of Armenia ensures the right to education - regardless of nationality, race, gender, language, religion, political or other views, social origin, property status or other circumstances.

According to the RA Constitution, every citizen, on a competitive basis, has the right to receive free higher or other professional education in state educational institutions.

In 1999, the RA National Assembly approved the law “On Education”. Education in Armenia is supervised by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Secondary education

Secondary education in Armenia is carried out in three-stage general education schools for 12 years in the following stages:

• primary school (grades 1-4)
• secondary school - the first cycle of secondary education lasting 5 years (grades 5-9)
• high school - the second cycle of secondary education, carried out for 3 years (10-12 grades)

The presence of a certificate of secondary (complete) general education or another certificate recognized as equivalent to it is a prerequisite for admission to universities. Admission to all higher education programs is carried out on a competitive basis based on the results of entrance examinations.

In educational institutions of the Republic of Armenia, a 10-point grading scale is used.

Higher education

One of the leading scientific centers in Armenia is the Yerevan State University. YSU was founded on May 16, 1919. The first classes began in February 1920. Today, about 13,000 students study at 22 faculties of the university. 200 out of 1,200 teachers have the academic title of Doctor of Science and more than 500 - Candidate. The position of the rector is now occupied by Aram Grachaevich Simonyan.

Yerevan State Linguistic University named after V. Ya. Bryusov is the leading university in Armenia specializing in linguistics and philology. Founded in 1935, the university has trained over 50,000 specialists in the field of Russian, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, political science, regional studies, international tourism, international journalism and other specialties.

International University "Eurasia" was founded in 1997, has branches in the cities of Noyemberyan, Ijevan (Armenia) and Rostov-on-Don (Russia), the university has three faculties: economics, law and foreign languages.

Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University was founded in 1998 at the initiative of the Russian government. Now more than three thousand students study in it. The university has become the third Russian-national (after the Kyrgyz and Tajik) in the CIS. Since 2001, the rector of the university is Armen Razmikovich Darbinyan.

The State Engineering University of Armenia was founded in 1933 and is the leader of the national technical education, providing multi-stage engineering education. SEUA has 3 branches in Gyumri, Vanadzor and Kapan. Since 2006 Vostanik Zavenovich Marukhyan has been the rector.

The Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory was founded in 1921, first as a music studio, and two years later as a higher musical educational institution. Since 2002, the pianist, professor Sergei Georgievich Sarajyan has become the rector of the YSC. The conservatory has a student symphony orchestra, chamber orchestras, an orchestra of folk instruments and a folklore choir, and various chamber ensembles.

The Yerevan State Medical University named after M. Mkhitar Heratsi, American University of Armenia, State Agrarian University of Armenia, Modern Humanitarian Academy, French University in Armenia and others.

Science in Armenia

The first evidence of human exploration of the surrounding reality on the territory of Armenia has been found since the third millennium BC - these are the stone observatories of Karahunj (Zorats-kar) and Metsamor, cuneiform records, engineering structures of the Urartian period.

The catalyst for the development of scientific thought was the creation in the 5th century by Mesrop Mashtots of the alphabet, which the Armenians use to this day. Subsequently, numerous schools were opened throughout Armenia, literary works, treatises on history, philosophy, linguistics, works on natural sciences, geography, astronomy, mathematics, etc. The most prominent representatives of the so-called "golden age of Armenia" are the historian Movses Khorenatsi (5th century), philosopher David Anhakht (6th century), geographer, astronomer and mathematician Anania Shirakatsi (7th century. ), poet and philosopher Grigor Narekatsi (X century), healer Mkhitar Heratsi (XII century), thinker Mkhitar Gosh (XII century), etc. In 1051 the great educator Grigor Magistros translated Euclidean geometry into Armenian.

The existence on the territory of Armenia of universities dates back to the same time: Ani (11th century), Gladzor (13th century), Tatev (14th century), Sanahin Academy (12th century), where, along with theology, secular disciplines were taught: history, philosophy, grammar, mathematics, medicine, music.

After the 1917 revolution, hundreds of representatives of the Armenian scientific intelligentsia returned to Armenia and joined the organization in new Armenia. high school and scientific institutions: numerous scientific research institutes, laboratories, centers conducting scientific research were created. On their basis, in 1935, the Armenian branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences was created, which in a short time became one of the major scientific centers of the country. In 1943, the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR was created on the basis of the branch.

Healthcare in Armenia

The primary health care system is primarily aimed at disease prevention and has received support The World Bank, which undertook the financing of the program for the establishment of the institution of family doctors. Within the framework of the credit program of the World Bank (WB), in 2002 alone, 47 outpatient clinics were built in the marzes and 14 were under construction. Currently, the third WB credit program is underway, according to which an outpatient clinic of family doctors will be built in the republic. Family doctors' offices are equipped with modern equipment and personnel who have undergone appropriate training and education.

Within the framework of the WB credit program, 2 departments for the training of family doctors were created in Armenia.

Residents of cities, at their discretion, can choose either a family doctor or a district therapist and a district pediatrician for children. As a result of the reform of primary health care, a new type of doctor should be formed. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the country's budget, and in 2006 the state took responsibility for the social health sector and introduced free medical assistance population in primary health care (polyclinics, outpatient clinics). Until 2006, in primary health care services by narrow specialists (except for district therapists and pediatricians) were paid. Laboratory and diagnostic tests were also paid. However, services to certain groups of socially unprotected segments of the population, as well as patients with social diseases, who are registered with dispensaries, were free of charge.

Human rights in Armenia

According to Freedom House, the situation with respect to human rights in Armenia is generally better than in most post-Soviet countries, but it has significant problems, and is somewhat similar to the situation in Georgia. According to the same organization, Armenia belongs to the so-called "partially free" countries.

Armenian media

All types of media are represented in Armenia - from newspapers and magazines to radio, television and the Internet. Censorship is prohibited in 2004 by the media law. However, libel is punishable and some journalists were sentenced to prison for libel. But for several years there have been no libel cases.

There is a lack of transparency in media ownership. This is the result of deficiencies in disclosure laws.

Television and Radio

Broadcast media are the most popular in Armenia. In general, there are 40 private channels and 2 public television networks, as well as Russian-language channels. There are many radio stations.

Limitations of pluralism are a serious problem in this area. The broadcast media, with the exception of a limited number of programs expressing alternative views, do not provide the public with consistent, objective and pluralistic information. Broadcast media can be characterized as predominantly pro-government, despite the transformation of state television into public television and the existence of a number of private channels. This is due to the current legislation. The current Law "On Television and Radio" provides for two bodies - the Council of Public Television and Radio (SOTR) and the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR). The members of both bodies are appointed by the president and therefore all broadcasters regulated or controlled by these bodies are subject to government influence.

Newspapers

Print media are much more pluralistic than broadcast media. The coverage of events is more versatile, and sometimes the state and its policies are openly criticized. However, since none of the print media has a daily circulation of more than 3000-4000 copies, the print media in Armenia do not play a special role in informing society.

Internet

The number of companies working in the near-network areas is at around 200. 35 of them provide a variety of services, 24 provide training.

Am is the country code top-level domain for Armenia. Anyone can register a domain in the .am zone - both resident and non-resident of Armenia. For religious and ethical reasons, the .am zone registry prohibits the delegation of obscene domain names. Also, restrictions on the registration of domains of well-known brands have been lifted.

According to Microsoft estimates, today in Armenia there are no more than 150-180 thousand computers (for 3 million people), but computer piracy is developed in Armenia. The republic was in the lead in the first global study of the International Association of Software Manufacturers (Business Software Allianse) among 123 countries in terms of piracy - 95%, but now piracy is at 89%. Local IT companies that develop original software become victims of such a high level of piracy, but their potential users choose pirated Russian or English versions simply because they are cheaper.

Telecommunications

The Internet is quite widespread throughout the country and is available in almost any city. The number of users is 30 thousand, which is about 1% of the population of Armenia, but there is an upward trend in this figure. Today there are about 20 Internet providers operating in Armenia.

Currently, there are three mobile operators operating in Armenia:

• Beeline (subsidiary of ArmenTel)
• Mobile TeleSystems (a subsidiary of K-Telecom operating under the VivaCell MTC brand)
• Orange

The first 3G network in Armenia was launched by Beeline in October 2008, the quality of which left much to be desired a year later. On April 17, 2009, 3G was launched by competitors from K-Telecom (or VivaCell, a subsidiary of MTS).

Sports in Armenia

Some of the most popular sports in Armenia are swimming, weightlifting, football, chess, boxing, judo, wrestling, skiing and rock climbing. Due to the lack of access to the sea, water sports in Armenia can be practiced only in lakes, in particular, in Sevan. At the international level, Armenian athletes are most successful in weightlifting and wrestling. Armenia is a member of:

• Union of European Football Associations (UEFA);
• International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF);
• International Federation of Basketball Associations (FIBA);
• The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and others.

Due to the recent lack of success in international competitions, 16 sports facilities built in Soviet times have been restored in recent years to educate young athletes in Armenia. Schools also provided equipment for a total of $ 1.9 million. The Armenian government also financed the restoration of regional schools. $ 9.3 million was invested in the restoration of the ski resort in Tsaghkadzor for the development of winter sports in Armenia. In 2005, a bicycle center was opened in Yerevan. The government is also promising a $ 700,000 cash reward for the Armenian athlete who wins a gold medal at the Olympics.

Armenia is particularly successful in chess. Armenian chess players are three-time champions of the Chess Olympiad.

The country also regularly hosts the Pan-Armenian Games.

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short info

Small Armenia connects Europe with Asia. Once upon a time, Armenia was one of the largest states in the Middle East and Transcaucasia, which rivaled the Parthian kingdom and Ancient Rome. Now Armenia is a modern country with hospitable people, ancient history, a huge number of historical monuments, rich culture, delicious food, beautiful nature. In addition, there are several ski and balneological resorts in Armenia.

Geography of Armenia

Armenia is located in the Transcaucasus. In the west, Armenia borders with Turkey, in the east - with Azerbaijan and Karabakh, in the north - with Georgia, and in the south - with Iran. The total area of ​​this country is 29,743 sq. km., and the total length state border- 1 254 km. Armenia has no outlet to the sea.

Armenia occupies a part of the territory of the Armenian Highlands. We can safely say that Armenia is a mountainous country. The highest peak in Armenia is Mount Aragats, whose height reaches 4,095 meters. Earlier, Mount Ararat belonged to Armenia, but now this peak is located on the territory of Turkey. The most beautiful mountains of Armenia are adjacent to numerous valleys. The largest of them is the Ararat Valley.

There are more than 9 thousand rivers in Armenia, of course, most of them are small. But the most big river in Transcaucasia - Araks.

Lake Svan is located 2 hours drive from Yerevan. This lake is the pride of every Armenian.

Capital

Since ancient times, the capital of Armenia is Yerevan, which is now home to about 1.2 million people. Archaeologists claim that people in the territory of modern Yerevan lived already in the VIII century BC.

Official language of Armenia

The official language in Armenia is Armenian, which belongs to the Indo-European language family.

Religion

Most of the population of Armenia is Orthodox Christians (they belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church).

State structure of Armenia

According to the current Constitution of 1995, Armenia is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, who is elected for 5 years.

In Armenia, the local unicameral Parliament is called the National Assembly (131 deputies). Members of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote for a term of 5 years.

The main political parties in Armenia are Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia, Armenian National Congress, and Country of Legality.

Climate and weather

Almost the entire territory of Armenia is located in a continental, high-mountainous climate. Only in the south of Armenia the climate is subtropical. In the mountains in summer, the average air temperature ranges from + 10C to + 22C, and in winter - from + 2C to -14C. On the plains in January the average air temperature is -5C, and in July - + 25C.

The amount of precipitation depends on the altitude of the location of a particular region of Armenia. On average, Armenia receives from 200 to 800 mm of precipitation annually.

The best time to visit Armenia is from May to October.

Rivers and lakes of Armenia

More than 9 thousand rivers flow through the territory of Armenia. Most of them are small. The largest river in Armenia is the Araks, which is considered the largest in the entire Transcaucasia.

Relatively not far from Yerevan, about a 2-hour drive, there is Lake Svan. Every Armenian is proud of this lake, almost as much as Mount Ararat, although it now belongs to Turkey.

History of Armenia

People on the territory of modern Armenia already lived in the Bronze Age. In the VIII-VI centuries BC. NS. the state of Urartu existed on the territory of modern Armenia.

In the II century. BC NS. several Armenian states were formed - Sopena, as well as Great Armenia and Little Armenia.

In 301 BC. Christianity became the state religion of Armenia. In the early Middle Ages, Armenia was part of the Arab Caliphate.

In the 9th-11th centuries, several states existed on the territory of modern Armenia - the Ani kingdom, the Vaspurakan kingdom, the Kars kingdom, the Syunik kingdom, and the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom.

In the XI-XVI centuries, Armenia was part of the Seljuk Turks, the Georgian kingdom, and the Oguz tribal union. In the 16th-19th centuries, the territory of Armenia was divided between Iran and the Ottoman Empire.

According to the Turkmanchay Peace Treaty of 1828, most of Armenia was included in the Russian Empire. Only in 1918 was the independent Republic of Armenia formed, which then became part of the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. In 1922, Armenia became part of the USSR.

In the late 1980s, sentiments about secession from the USSR became strong in Armenia. As a result, in September 1991 Armenia declared its independence.

In 1992, Armenia became a member of the UN.

Culture

Armenia only in 1991 became an independent country. Before that, for many centuries it was part of the USSR, the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Iran, the Georgian kingdom, and the Seljuk Turks. All these states tried to "erode" the Armenian culture, to impose their cultural traditions on the inhabitants of Armenia. However, despite this, the Armenians managed to preserve their identity, their customs and traditions.

Every winter, Armenians celebrate Trndez, the holiday of lovers. On this day, Armenians, in order to be happy, need to jump over the fire.

Another interesting Armenian festival is the summer "holiday of water" Vardavar. On this day, Armenians splash water on each other, it is believed that in this way girls and boys attract the attention of each other (i.e. this is a holiday for lovers). The origins of the Vardavar holiday go back to the days when Armenia was not a Christian country.

Kitchen

Armenians are very proud of their cuisine, and it should be noted that they deserve it. The main food products are meat, vegetables, dairy products (especially salted cheese), fish, fruits, and lavash bread. In Armenian cuisine great attention given to spices.

When Armenians have nowhere to rush, they eat for a very long time. The main reason for this tradition is table conversation.

In Armenia, we definitely recommend that tourists (along with barbecue) try the following dishes:

- "Tolma" - lamb in a grape leaf;
- "Putuk" - mutton soup;
- "Khash" - beef soup;
- "Kufta" - meat balls;
- "Basturma" - beef jerky.

In addition, very tasty trout from Lake Svan is prepared in Armenia - try it. In general, fish dishes in Armenia are all very tasty.

Very tasty fruits and berries are grown in Armenia - peaches, plums, apples, pears, cherry plums, cherries, cherries, dogwoods, grapes.

Traditional non-alcoholic drinks in Armenia - "Tarhun", fruit juices, mineral water, milk drinks (kefir, yogurt).

Excellent wines and cognacs are made in Armenia. Try it and you will see for yourself.

Sights of Armenia

According to official data, there are now about 26 thousand historical and architectural monuments in Armenia. Since 2005, a national program for the restoration of architectural and historical monuments has been implemented in Armenia. So, only in 2012 in Armenia, at the expense of the state budget, 9 monuments of the Middle Ages were restored (for example, the Surb Hovhannes church and the Kobayravank monastery of the 12th century were restored). The Top 10 best Armenian attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:

1. Echmiadzin monastery
2. Ruins of the Zvartnots temple
3. Kecharis monastery near Tsaghkadzor
4. Garni fortress in Abovyan region
5. Amberd fortress of princes Pahlavuni
6. Harichavan monastery complex near Gyumri
7. Shatinvank monastery in southeastern Armenia
8. Church of St. Katoghike in Yerevan
9. Ruins of the temple of Avan in Yerevan
10. Sisavan Church in Zangezur

Cities and resorts

The largest Armenian cities are Gyumri, Vanadzor, and, of course, Yerevan.

There are a lot of mineral springs in Armenia and, as a result, balneological resorts. The most popular of them is Arzni, located 10 kilometers from Yerevan. Hankavan, Vanadzor, Arevik, Jermuk, Arevik, Tsaghkadzor, and Dilijan should be noted among other balneological and mountain climatic resorts in Armenia.

Since Armenia is a mountainous country, it is not surprising that there are several ski resorts in it. So, 40 kilometers from Yerevan is the Tsaghkadzor ski resort, which has 12 kilometers of slopes for skiing. By the way, the riding season ski resort Tsaghkadzor lasts from mid-November to mid-April.

Souvenirs / shopping

Tourists from Armenia usually bring folk art, Armenian musical instruments (zurna, tar, shvi, dool, duduk), Armenian hats, a wine horn, backgammon (for example, walnut backgammon), and, of course, Armenian brandy. and also wine.

The official name is the Republic of Armenia (Republica of Armenia). Located in the southern part of the Caucasus (Europe). The area is 29.8 thousand km2, the population is 3.2 million people. (2002). The state language is Armenian. The capital is the city of Yerevan (1.2 million people, 2002). State holiday - Anniversary of the independence referendum on September 21 (since 1991). The monetary unit is dram.

Member of the UN (since 1982), OSCE, EBRD, IBRD, IDA, IMF (since 1993), MIGA (since 1995), etc.

Sights of Armenia

Geography of Armenia

Located between 40 ° E and 46 ° N. It is not washed by the seas. Armenia borders on Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the east, Turkey in the west, and Iran in the south. The highest mountains: Aragatts (4090 m), Kaputjukh (3904 m), Azhdahak (3574 m). The main rivers (km) are Akhuryan (186), Vorotan (179), Debed (178), Araks (158), Rozdan (146), Aghstev (133); lakes (km2) - Sevan (1240), Arpi (4.5), North (2). In Armenia, there is a variety of soil types and their pronounced altitudinal zonality... At an altitude of 600-900 m there are salt marshes, salt licks, bog soils. In the foothills (up to 1300-1400 m) there are chestnut soils, common in the Srednearaksin depression and Zangezur.

The vegetation of the foothills is thorny shrubs and cushion plants. Deciduous forests (oak, hornbeam, beech) are located in regions with a mild climate and together with shrubs occupy 13% of the territory of Armenia. The fauna is diverse. In the reed thickets - wild boar, jungle cat, jackal; in the forests - roe deer, Syrian bear.

Mineral resources are represented by valuable deposits of copper-molybdenum, copper pyrite, gold, iron and polymetallic ores, lead, zinc, bentonite, rock salt, tuff, etc.

The climate is influenced by the proximity of the Black and Caspian Seas. The climate in the flat and foothill parts is dry, continental with hot summers and moderately cold winters. The average temperature in January is -5.2 ° С, in July + 15.3 ° С.

Population of Armenia

Population dynamics (thousand people): 1920 - 780; 1926 - 881; 1939-1289; 1959-1763; 1970 - 2493; 1997 - 3800. The number of births is 34 thousand. (2000). Child mortality 15.6 people. per 1000 newborns (2002). Average life expectancy 59 years (2002). Resident population by age groups (2000, thousand people): 0-14 years old - 921; 15-64 years old - 2545; 65 years and older - 337. In 2000, out of the total population of 3802 thousand people: men - 1848, women - 1954; urban population - 2532, rural - 1270 thousand people. According to the 1959 census: Armenians make up 88% of the population. According to 1997 data: Armenians - 93.3%, Russians - 15.5 thousand, Kurds - 36 thousand, Ukrainians - 8 thousand, Belarusians - 1 thousand, Georgians - 1.5 thousand, Greeks - 5 thousand. , Assyrians - 6 thousand. The majority of Azerbaijanis left Armenia as a result of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Since 1991, more than 1 million people have left the country.

In Armenia, the composition of the flock is practically homogeneous. 80% of the country's population are parishioners, monophisites. In 451 the Armenian Church received the official name - the Armenian Apostolic Church. Echmiadzin (1441) became the center of the church; the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians are located here. There are two monasteries in Etchmiadzin, a theological academy and a seminary, and a magazine is published that coordinates the activities of various dioceses of the Armenian Church.

A great contribution to the development of the Armenian Apostolic Church was made by the Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I. Since 1995, the church is headed by Goregin I.

History of Armenia

The Armenian Highland is one of the most ancient centers of world civilization. In the struggle against the expansion of Assyria (from the 13th century BC), the tribes of the Armenian Highlands united into alliances, on the basis of which, in the 9th century. BC. the state of Urartu was formed.

Armenia reached the greatest power under Tigiran II, who united the Armenian lands into a single state. In the 3rd century A.D. Armenia fell into dependence on the Sassanids of Iran and only in the 4th century. became independent. In 387 Byzantium and Iran divided Armenia among themselves. After Iran demanded that the Armenians renounce Christianity and accept the Iranian religion of Zaostrism (450), anti-Iranian protests began. In 1639, after the peace concluded between Turkey and Iran, Armenia was finally divided: Western Armenia went to Turkey, Eastern Armenia to Iran. The last remnants of the Armenian statehood were 5 meliksts of Nagorno-Karabakh, which existed until the end of the 18th century. In the 16-18 centuries. Russia opposed Ottoman expansionism and Persian influence with its offensive policy. By the early 19th century, Russia's influence in the Transcaucasus was predominant. According to the Gulistan Peace Treaty of 1813 and the Tukmanchay Peace Treaty of 1826, Eastern Armenia was annexed to Russia.

The Armenian question (giving statehood to Armenia) was put on the agenda by the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire. The Armenians advocated the creation of a constitutional order and the formation of an independent Armenian state. The desire of the Armenians to free themselves from Turkish rule turned into a national tragedy for them.

On May 20, 1916, Enver Pasha ordered the eviction of Armenians from Anatolia and Cilicia as potential accomplices of the enemy (Russia) to the Arabian desert. As a result of the genocide, which lasted until December 30, 1915, 1.5 million Armenians were killed. Soviet power was established on September 29, 1920. On December 30, 1922, Armenia, together with Azerbaijan and Georgia, entered the USSR, first as a part of the Transcaucasian Federation (TSFSR), from December 5, 1936 - as a union republic (Armenian SSR).

During the Great Patriotic War, 96 Armenian soldiers were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, about 70 thousand were awarded orders and medals. Talented commanders came forward - Marshal of the Soviet Union I.Kh. Baghramyan, Admiral of the USSR Fleet I.S. Isakov, Air Marshal S.A. Khudyakov (Khanferyan), Marshal of the Armored Forces A.Kh. Babafionyan and others. In the 1991 referendum, 99% of those who took part in it voted for the independence of Armenia. On September 25, 1991, the Supreme Council of the republic adopted the Declaration of Independence of Armenia.

The burden of unresolved national problems has led since 1988 to a serious conflict in the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations over Nagorno-Karabakh. On May 6, 1994, an armistice was established on the Karabakh front.

State structure and political system of Armenia

Armenia is a democratic state. The 1995 Constitution is in force.In 1995, the Law on the New administrative division, in accordance with which 11 regions (marzes), governed by governors, were created. Large cities: Yerevan, Gyumri, Echmiadzin, Kafan, Hrazdan, etc.

Basic principles government controlled reflected in the Declaration "On the Independence of Armenia" (August 23, 1990). The highest legislative body - the National Assembly - was elected in May 2003. The highest executive and administrative body is the government of the Republic of Armenia.

The head of state is the President, elected in February 2003, R. Kocharian became him. The head of the supreme executive body is Andronic Margaryan, the legislative one is Artur Baghdasaryan. The President of Armenia is elected for a term of 5 years. Any resident of the country 35 years of age, who has been a citizen of Armenia for the last 10 years and has permanently resided in Armenia for the last 10 years, as well as has the right to vote, can become one. One and the same person cannot be elected to the presidency more than 2 times in a row. Presidential elections are held on the basis of an absolute majority system (to win, you need to get 50% of the votes + 1 vote). Presidential candidates can be nominated by political parties, citizens through civil initiative.

The President of Armenia represents the state in international relations, carries out general management of foreign policy, concludes international treaties, signs international treaties ratified by the parliament.
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and appoints their highest command personnel.

The resignation of the president is adopted by parliament by a simple majority of votes from the total number of deputies. The president is not politically responsible. He can be removed from office only for high treason or other serious crime.

Legislative power in Armenia is exercised by a unicameral parliament. Anyone 25 years of age may be elected a member of parliament. At the same time, a number of qualifications are in force: for the last 5 years, you must be a citizen of Armenia, as well as permanently reside in Armenia for the last 5 years and have an active suffrage. According to the list, candidates for deputies are recognized as nominated if from 10,000 to 12,000 voters signed for their nomination. A candidate for deputy in the majoritarian electoral system is recognized as nominated if from 900 to 700 voters signed for his nomination. The peculiarity of the organization of the parliament is the presence of various committees, commissions, organizations within it. The right to initiate legislation in parliament belongs to the deputies and the government.

The prime minister is at the head of the government, the powers of the government are established by the Constitution and laws, and the structure and procedure of activity - by decree of the president on the proposal of the prime minister.

In May 2002, elections to the National Assembly were held in Armenia. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) won 22% of the vote, the opposition bloc of political forces "Justice" - 15.6%, followed by the parties "Country of Law", "Dashnaktsutyun", "National Unity", Liberal Democratic Union of Armenia The rest got 5% of the votes ... In total, there are about 50 parties in Armenia.

The leading organizations of entrepreneurs are the Union of Industrialists, the Union of Businessmen, and the Union of Rural Owners.

Public organizations - trade unions, the Association of Political Scientists of Armenia, the Russian-Armenian Community, the Union of Armenians of Russia, the Armenian Sociological Association, etc.

The prerequisites for the formation of an independent domestic policy in Armenia were independence and the creation of a multi-party system, the formation of opposition forces. The most massive movement was the Armenian National Movement (ANM).

The main factor that helped the national forces to exert a predominant influence on the population of the country, come to power and achieve independence of Armenia,
was the Karabakh conflict, initiated by the "Karabakh" committee, which requires the unification of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAO) with Armenia.

On June 15, 1988, the Supreme Council of Armenia made a decision to agree to the entry of NKAO into Armenia. The Supreme Council of Azerbaijan opposed it. This is how the Karabakh massacre began. Warming up the hysteria of the Armenians, "Karabakh" became the spokesman for the national aspirations of their majority. The new Supreme Soviet determined a number of main directions of the policy of the new leadership of the country (L. Ter-Petrosyan became the chairman of the parliament, V. Manukyan became the deputy prime minister): the introduction of a national currency, the creation of a national bank, an independent foreign policy.

A further development of the internal political situation in the country was the intensification of the political struggle between the government and the opposition, which included the country's main political organizations (except for the ANM), by 1994 there were more than 70 of them. After a ceasefire in 1994 between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani troops and the start of negotiations, the Karabakh problem was sidelined. The opposition (VAT) has shifted criticism of the government in a different direction - accusing leaders and officials of bribery, corruption, personal enrichment.

On February 12, after failing to reach a compromise with the VAT, the president appointed a new prime minister, a supporter of radical economic reforms. But this did not smooth over the contradictions between the government and the opposition, whose criticism spilled over to the economic situation in Armenia. After the collapse of the USSR, Armenia suffered more than all the republics - violated economic ties with the countries of the former USSR, a blockade was imposed on the part of Azerbaijan and Georgia, the railway communication with Russia was stopped, the earthquake of 1988 caused great damage, there was an influx of refugees from Azerbaijan, an energy crisis, etc.

In 1994, by his decree, the president banned the activities of the Dashnaktsutyun party due to the creation of the Dro organization with a military structure in this party. Since then, a confrontation began between the leadership of Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation "Dashnaktsutyun" (ARFD). Opposition criticism of the president increased after he expressed his agreement with the proposal of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group (RF, USA and France) on a stage-by-stage option for the settlement of the Karabakh problem. This was considered defeatism, which did not ensure the national self-determination of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. On February 3, 1998 L. Ter-Petrosyan announced his resignation.

The duties of the president were entrusted to R. Kocharian. The first thing he did was legalize the ARF. On March 30, 1999, Kocharian was elected president. The changes in the power structures of Armenia did not affect its relations with the Russian Federation. In 1997, the parliaments of the two countries ratified an agreement on a Russian military base in Armenia, and in the same year an agreement on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance was signed between the Russian Federation and Armenia. In addition, a number of documents were signed expanding ties in the economic, legal and cultural fields. Special meaning had an Agreement between the Russian "Gazprom" and the Armenian Ministry of Energy on the creation of "ArmRosgazprom" for the purpose of supplying natural gas to Armenia, its transit through Armenia to Turkey and other countries.

The main principle of Armenia's foreign policy is complementarism, i.e. maintaining a balance in the country's ties with the East and West. The general line of Armenia's foreign policy did not provide for broad integration into those projects that are being developed in the CIS. Armenia is cautious about the CIS Customs Union and the creation of free trade zones. But the policy in the West is quite clearly defined. Armenia is an official participant of almost all strategic initiatives EU, hoping to become its full member. Having signed an agreement with NATO on participation in the Partnership for Peace program in 1995, Armenia spoke in favor of developing relations with NATO. Armenia took part in NATO exercises "Cooperative Best Effort 2002" in Georgia. In 2003, such a training took place in Armenia. In 2002 Armenia received the status of an associate member of the NATO Governmental Assembly. Since 2000, negotiations have been underway to restore military cooperation with the United States, for which the latter have allocated Armenia from 4 to 7 million dollars for military programs. To avoid friction between Russia and Armenia, the latter managed to persuade Russia to take part in the military exercise "Cooperative Best Effort-2003" in Armenia. The Russian-Armenian agreements within NATO were preceded by the signing of the Rome Declaration between Russia and NATO. This served as a basis for a tolerant attitude of the Russian Federation towards Armenia's steps towards rapprochement with NATO.

Armenia is developing ties with other countries, especially with Greece. An agreement on military cooperation was signed with Bulgaria, Romania, Syria, Egypt in case of aggravation of relations with Turkey. As part of Armed Forces 60,000 military personnel, incl. 1400 people in the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff; reservists 300 thousand people, heavy weapons 330 units, artillery weapons 225 units, 6 combat aircraft, 22 helicopters (1997). In addition to the army, there are troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Armenia, which include 4 battalions of about 1000 people.

In 1995, an agreement was signed between Armenia and the Russian Federation on the creation of a Russian military base in Armenia (for a period of 25 years) with its subsequent extension. 4300 servicemen, 74 tanks, 158 infantry fighting vehicles, 84 rocket launchers and 4 squadrons of MiG-23 aircraft.

On May 15, 1992, Armenia signed the Tashkent Treaty on Collective Security between the members of the CIS. February 10, 1995 Armenia joined the agreement between the CIS countries on the creation of a unified air defense. The command group of Russian units and a motorized rifle regiment are located in Yerevan. The Armenian side does not charge a fee for the deployment of the Russian military base. Armenia pays 75% of the costs associated with the stay of Russian troops. Since 1992, an agreement has been in effect on the status of border troops and joint protection of the external borders of the CIS.

The Armenian-Russian cooperation in the field of training military personnel is being fruitfully carried out. The United States is also showing interest in establishing cooperation with Armenia - Armenian servicemen go to study in this country. The NATO leadership is also showing a desire to involve Armenia in closer cooperation. However, Armenia is guided by the Russian Federation in ensuring its security. Armenia has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation since April 4, 1992.

Economy of Armenia

GDP 1357 billion drams, GDP per capita 423 drams (2002). The number of people employed in the economy (2002, thousand people) is 1282, including in industry and construction - 214, in agriculture, forestry, fisheries - 573, in the service sector - 495. The registered unemployed are 187 thousand people. (2002). The total number of pensioners is 553 thousand people. (2002).

Leading industries: mechanical engineering and metalworking, chemical, light industry (textile and leather and footwear), food (fruit canning and wine and brandy), non-ferrous metallurgy, processing of precious stones and metals, production of building materials.

Energy base: Armenian NPP, HPP of the North-Hrazdan cascade, GRES in Hrazdan, TPP in Yerevan, Kirovakan TPP, etc.

Agricultural products (all categories, current prices) US $ 378 billion (2002). Harvesting of major agricultural crops: grain 0.4 million tons, potatoes 0.4 million tons, vegetables 0.5 million tons, fruits and berries 82 thousand tons.

Transportation of goods by transport enterprises (excluding pipeline) 6.8 million tons, passengers 156.2 million people (2002). The length of the railways is 1.6 thousand km, the length of motor roads is 20.4 thousand km (2000).

Communication services: sent 10.1 million newspapers and magazines, 1.1 million letters, 4.4 thousand parcels, 4.9 million remittances and pension payments (2000).

Retail turnover through all sales channels (in current prices) 588.9 billion drams, paid services through all sales channels (in current prices) 195.3 billion drams (2002).

Due to territorial conflicts, tourism in Armenia does not actually exist. Separate groups of tourists leave Armenia for Iran, Egypt, Syria and other countries.

State budget (2002, billion drams): revenues 159.9, expenditures 162.3. Public external debt in 2000 amounted to 200% of the value of exports.

The average monthly nominal wage is 26 444 drams. The minimum wage is 5000 AMD. The average pension is 4574 drams (2001), the minimum old-age pension is 3000 drams, the minimum amount of scholarships for university students is 4000 drams (2002).

Foreign trade (2002, mln USD): export to CIS countries 88, to other countries 369; imports from the CIS countries 261, from other countries 616. The share of the CIS countries and other countries of the world in the total volume of export-import operations (2002,%): exports to the CIS countries 19.3; to other countries of the world 80.7; imports from the CIS countries 29.8; from other countries of the world 70.2. According to the EBRD, in 2002 US $ 80 million was attracted as foreign direct investment in Armenia.

Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Armenia is successfully developing. Since 1992, more than 170 treaties and agreements have been signed in all spheres of interstate cooperation. In 2002, an agreement was signed on the transfer of state property to Armenia to pay off the debt to the Russian Federation (USD 100 million). Its significance is that it is signed between the CIS members for the first time.

Science and culture of Armenia

The rapid development of scientific thought in Armenia began after the creation of the Armenian alphabet by M. Mashtots (in 405-06). In the 7th century. mathematics, astronomy, geography, medicine, etc. began to develop.

Modern natural science began to develop from the middle. 1920s, Yerevan University became the main center (1920). The Academy of Sciences (AS) was founded in 1943. Achievements in the field of astronomy and physics are associated with the bureaucratic astrophysical observatory of the Academy of Sciences, headed by V.A. Ambartsumyan. The Armenian scientists achieved certain successes in the field of mathematical research, the Computing Center of the Academy of Sciences of Armenia and the Institute of Computing Machines (development of problems of cybernetics, creation and application of high-speed computers) were established.

Economics was developed. A galaxy of scientists grew up under the leadership of A.A. Arzumanyan. A new education system has been created in Armenia. Secondary (or general) education is carried out in 3 stages: primary classes (3 years), secondary (5 years)
and seniors (2 years old). Higher education functions as a unified four-stage system, which implies the possibility of continuous learning: 1) initial, or preparatory, stage (colleges) (1-2 years), 2) bachelor's degree in universities or equivalent colleges that train junior and middle-level specialists (up to 4 years ), 3) Master's degree, which presupposes the specialization and training of highly qualified specialists (2 years), and finally, 4) postgraduate education - postgraduate studies that train personnel for universities and research institutes themselves (3 years). At the same time, an opportunity has been left for the traditional five-year university education.

In 2002, there were 1.4 thousand general education schools, 62 gymnasiums, 1 lyceum, 110 secondary specialized educational institutions, 101 higher educational institutions in Armenia. For 10,000 people of the population, 1,404 people studied in daytime general education schools, 81 in secondary specialized educational institutions, and 161 people in higher educational institutions.

Largest higher educational institutions: Yerevan State University (YSU), State Engineering University, Institute of National Economy, Agricultural Academy, Institute of Foreign Languages ​​named after V. Bryusova, Medical Academy, American University of Armenia (AUA) - a branch of the University of California, USA. The Russian-Armenian University was opened in Yerevan.

Among the libraries of Armenia, the world famous Matenadaran is one of the world's largest repositories of ancient manuscripts and archival documents on the history of Armenia.

The emergence of progressive romanticism in Armenian literature is associated with the name of Kh. Abovyan. It was replaced by the era of realistic drama. An exponent of the ideas of the national liberation movement of the 1870s-80s. became G. Artsruni. In the 1880s-90s. the leading direction is becoming critical realism.

One of the main representatives of the literary period of the 1920s. - E. Charents and others, representatives of the 1940-60s. - A. Orbeli, S. B. Kaputikyan and others. The leading type of fine art was book miniature. Applied art is represented by a variety of ceramics, embroidery, and chasing. In the 18th century. features of realism appear. In the 1830s and 70s. a galaxy of artists appears, headed by I.K.
Aivazovsky. In the 1920s and 1930s. an important role in the formation of the Armenian Soviet art school was played by M.S. Saryan. In the 1930s. the ballet "Gayane", "Spartacus" (A. Khachaturian) was created. Musical performing arts are developing (G.M. Gasparyan, P.G. Lisitsian, Z.A. Dolukhanova, A.M. Aydinyan, A.Sh. Melik-Pashaev). The Academic Opera and Ballet Theater has been operating since 1933. The philharmonic society includes a symphony orchestra, a chamber orchestra, a conservatory named after V.I. V.A. Komitas. Cinema is developing successfully, many artists and directors, well-known outside Armenia, appear. In 1995 the Union of Cinematographers of Armenia was established.

Armenia is a state in the Transcaucasus, located in the north of the geographic region of Western Asia and in the northeast of the Armenian Highlands. It has no outlet to the sea. It shares borders with Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the east. In the south-west from the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, which is part of Azerbaijan. Iran in the south, Turkey in the west and Georgia in the north. Armenia controls part of the territory of Azerbaijan (enclaves of Kyarka, Barkhudarly, Sofulu, Upper Askipara), Azerbaijan controls part of the territory of Armenia (exclave Artsvashen).

Official name of Armenia: Republic of Armenia.

Territory of Armenia: The total area of ​​the state of the Republic of Armenia is 29800 km².

Population of Armenia: The total population of Armenia is over 3 million inhabitants (3,018,854 people).

Ethnic groups in Armenia: According to the 2001 census, the ethnic composition of the Republic of Armenia is as follows: Armenians - 97.89%, Yezidis - 1.26%, Russians - 0.46%, Assyrians - 0.11%, Ukrainians - 0.05%, Kurds - 0.047 %, Greeks - 0.036%, others - 0.14%.

Average life expectancy in Armenia: The average life expectancy in Armenia is 74.37 years.

Capital of Armenia: Yerevan.

Major cities of Armenia: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor.

State language of Armenia: Armenian, Russian is also common.

Religion in Armenia: Armenia is one of the oldest states in the world and the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion. Currently, there are 57 religious organizations, a synagogue was opened, as well as churches and houses of worship of various religious minorities. At the same time, the status of the national church of the Armenian people is legally fixed for the Armenian Apostolic Church, and certain restrictions (for example, a ban on proselytism) are imposed on the religious freedom of representatives of other confessions.

Geographical position of Armenia: Armenia is a landlocked country in the Transcaucasus. Located in the northwest of the Armenian Highlands, called historical Armenia, between the Black and Caspian Seas. From the north and east it is framed by the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus. It shares borders with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.

Despite the fact that geographically Armenia is located in Asia, it has close political and cultural ties with Europe. Armenia has always been at the crossroads of the roads connecting Europe and Asia, therefore it is considered as a transcontinental state.

The relief of Armenia is mostly mountainous, with fast rivers and few forests. Armenia covers an area of ​​about 30,000 km², over 90% of which are located at an altitude of over 1000 m above sea level. The highest point, Mount Aragats, is 4095 m, and the lowest point is 400 m above sea level. The highest point of the region and the historical symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat - has been located in Turkey since the 1920s.

Rivers of Armenia: Araks - on the territory of Armenia 158 km. (total length 1072 km.), Akhuryan - on the territory of Armenia 186 km., Vorotan - on the territory of Armenia 119 km. (total length 179 km.), Debed - 152 km on the territory of Armenia. (total length 178 km.), Hrazdan - on the territory of Armenia 141 km., Agstev - on the territory of Armenia 99 km. (total length 133 km.).

- the state in The Transcaucasian region western Asia. In the north it borders on Georgia, in the east and south-west - with Azerbaijan, in the west - with Turkey, in the south - with Iran.

The name comes, according to legends, from the name of Armenak - the ancestor of the Armenians.

Official name: Republic of Armenia

Capital:

The area of ​​the land: 29.8 thousand sq. km

Total population: 3 million people

Administrative division: The country is divided into 11 regions (mazras).

Form of government: Parliamentary republic.

Head of State: President elected for a term of 5 years.

Population composition: 93% - Armenians, 2% - Russians, 4% - Kurds, Ukrainians, Georgians, Greeks.

Official language: Armenian, also many speak Russian.

Religion: 94% - Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church, 4% - Russian Orthodox Church.

Internet domain: .am

Mains voltage: ~ 230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +374

Country barcode: 485

Climate

Continental, mountainous. The weather, regardless of the time of year, often varies greatly even in nearby points, which is explained by enough great height above sea level and a strong dissection of the landscape. In general, summers are hot and dry, and winters, albeit short, but rather severe.

In the foothills, average temperatures in summer are from +24 to +26 C, in winter - about +5 C. In mountainous areas, the average temperature in summer is from +10 to +22 C, in winter - from +2 to -14 C, depending on the altitude of the place. Even within the same city, the temperature difference between two neighboring areas can reach 2-3 C. In the autumn-spring period, severe frosts are frequent, while the temperature on the soil can drop to -28 C.

Precipitation falls from 200 to 800 mm. per year depending on the height of the place. The maximum is observed in spring and early summer, the minimum is in the second half of summer and winter. In winter, a lot of snow (up to 100-150 mm) falls in mountainous regions, which remains on the slopes until March-April, and on the peaks - all year round.

Geography

A country in the Transcaucasia, in the northeastern part of the ancient volcanic Armenian Highlands, framed by the spurs of the Lesser Caucasus Range. In the north it borders on Georgia, in the east - with Azerbaijan, in the west and south - with Turkey, in the south - with Iran.

Most of the territory of Armenia is located at altitudes from 1000 to 2500 m above sea level (average altitude is 1800 m, the highest point is Mount Aragats, 4090 m), on the territory of lava plateaus and low mountain ranges of Pambak, Geghama, Vardenis and Zangezur ridges dissected by a dense network of valleys and deep gorges. The south-west of the country is occupied by the relatively flat Ararat valley (average height 850-1000 m.), In which most of the country's large settlements are concentrated. The total area is about 29.8 thousand square meters. km.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

The most common plant formations in Armenia are steppes and semi-deserts. At low altitudes, wormwood semi-deserts are developed, in places turning into saltwort and Achilles-dzhuzgun deserts. In the middle belt of the mountains, cereal and forb-cereal steppes dominate, which with height give way to meadow steppes and alpine meadows... Deciduous forests with a predominance of oak, beech and hornbeam occupy no more than 1/8 of the country's area and are confined to its northeastern regions. The plantations include poplar and walnuts. Large areas on the volcanic plateaus are occupied by stone placers practically devoid of vegetation.

Animal world

Among mammals in Armenia, wolf, bear, hare, fox, badger are ubiquitous, as well as bezoar goat, mouflon, roe deer, lynx, leopard, forest and jungle cat, wild boar, porcupine, squirrel, jackal, gopher, marten. Numerous bird species nest: crane, stork, partridge, quail, black grouse, eagle, vulture, snowcock. The crane (in Armenian krunk) is the national symbol of the country.

Among many reptiles, the poisonous Caucasian viper stands out. Scorpions are a great danger. Sevan trout, ishkhan, khramulya and barbel are characteristic of lake fish. Sika and red deer, as well as nutria are acclimatized in Armenia, and whitefish in Sevan.

sights

Armenia is the most ancient country, the first Christian state in the world and one of the earliest countries on Earth in general - already in the 9th-6th centuries. BC NS. on the territory of Armenia there was a powerful state of Urartu. Since then, all the eras that swept over this ancient land have left their traces on it. Therefore, by the number of historical and cultural monuments, this country can be considered one of the most interesting in the Old World. The main attractions are located in the vicinity of Yerevan - one of the oldest cities in the world, and are also scattered throughout the country, often even in the most "remote corner" you can find a monument worthy of being considered the heritage of all mankind.

Banks and currency

The national currency of Armenia is Dram. Using credit cards and traveller's checks is difficult, not possible in the provinces. In large hotels, private establishments and markets, the use of US dollars and Russian rubles is possible. Banks work from 9.00 to 16.00 on weekdays, on Saturday some banks accept clients from 10.00 to 14.00. Currency exchange is not difficult, it can be done at the airport, banks and exchange offices.

Banks work from 9.00 to 16.00 on weekdays, on Saturday some banks accept clients from 10.00 to 14.00. Currency exchange offices are usually open from 9.00 to 22.00-24.00, often open on weekends and holidays.

Useful information for tourists

In Armenia, the traditional norms of family and kinship mutual assistance, colorful family and calendar rituals are preserved. In July, the holiday Vardavar (Vard is the pagan god of water) is cheerfully celebrated: young people dance, pour water over each other, climb the flowering mountain meadows and springs. Feature the modern way of life of the Armenian people - a deep and lively interest in their cultural and historical traditions, the desire to preserve the continuity of generations.