Brief information
Small Armenia connects Europe with Asia. Once upon a time, Armenia was one of the largest states in the Middle East and Transcaucasia, which competed with 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. Armenia borders Turkey in the west, Azerbaijan and Karabakh in the east, Georgia in the north, and Iran in the south. The total area of this country is 29,743 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 1,254 km. Armenia has no access to the sea.
Armenia occupies 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. Previously, Mount Ararat belonged to Armenia, but now this peak is located in 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 largest river in Transcaucasia, the Araks, flows through the territory of Armenia.
Lake Svan is a 2-hour drive from Yerevan. This lake is the pride of every Armenian.
Capital
Since ancient times, the capital of Armenia has been Yerevan, which is now home to about 1.2 million people. According to itypemba.com, archaeologists claim that people lived on the territory of modern Yerevan already in the 8th century BC.
Official language of Armenia
The official language in Armenia is Armenian, belonging to the Indo-European language family.
Religion
Most of the population of Armenia are 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, elected for 5 years.
In Armenia, the local unicameral Parliament is called the National Assembly (131 deputies). Deputies of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote for 5 years.
According to equzhou.net, the main political parties in Armenia are the Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia, the Armenian National Congress, and the Land of Law.
Climate and weather
Almost the entire territory of Armenia is located in a continental, high-mountain 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 height of the location of one or sometimes the region of Armenia. On average, from 200 to 800 mm of precipitation falls annually in Armenia.
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 Transcaucasus.
Relatively close to Yerevan, about 2 hours drive, 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 lived already in the Bronze Age. In the VIII-VI centuries BC. e. on the territory of modern Armenia there was a state of Urartu.
In the II century. BC e. several Armenian states were formed – Sophena, as well as Greater Armenia and Lesser Armenia.
In 301 BC Christianity became the state religion of Armenia. In the era of 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 kingdom of Ani, the kingdom of Vaspurakan, the kingdom of Kars, the kingdom of Syunik, and the kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget.
In the XI-XVI centuries, Armenia was part of the empire of the Seljuk Turks, the Georgian kingdom, and the Oguz tribal union. In the XVI-XIX 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. Prior to that, for many centuries it was part of the USSR, the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Iran, the Kingdom of Georgia, and the empire of the Seljuk Turks. All these states tried to “blur” 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 the holiday of lovers Trndez. On this day Armenians need to jump over the fire to be happy.
Another interesting Armenian festival is the summer “water festival” Vardavar. On this day, Armenians splash water on each other, it is believed that in this way girls and boys attract each other’s attention (that is, this is the holiday of lovers). The origins of the Vardavar holiday go back to the times when Armenia was not a Christian country.
Kitchen
Armenians are very proud of their cuisine, and it should be noted that it is quite deserved. The main food products are meat, vegetables, dairy products (especially salty cheese), fish, fruits, lavash bread. In Armenian cuisine, great attention is paid to spices.
When the Armenians have nowhere to hurry, they dine for a very long time. The main reason for this tradition is table talk.
In Armenia, we definitely (along with barbecue) recommend tourists to try the following dishes:
– “Tolma” – lamb in a grape leaf;
– “Putuk” – lamb soup;
– “Khash” – beef soup;
– “Kyufta” – meat balls;
– “Basturma” – dried beef meat.
In addition, in Armenia they cook very tasty trout from Lake Svan – 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, cornelian cherry, grapes.
Traditional non-alcoholic drinks in Armenia are Tarragon, fruit juices, mineral water, milk drinks (kefir, yogurt).
Armenia makes excellent wines and cognacs. Try it and you will see for yourself.
Sights of Armenia
According to official data, there are now about 26,000 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 church of St. Hovhannes and the monastery of Kobayravank of the 12th century were restored). The Top 10 best Armenian attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:
- Etchmiadzin Monastery
- Ruins of Zvartnots temple
- Kecharis Monastery near Tsaghkadzor
- Garni fortress in Abovyan region
- Amberd fortress of Pahlavuni princes
- Harichavan monastery complex near Gyumri
- Shatinvank monastery in southeastern Armenia
- Church of St. Katoghike in Yerevan
- Ruins of Avan temple in Yerevan
- 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. Among other balneological and mountain climatic resorts of Armenia, Hankavan, Vanadzor, Arevik, Jermuk, Arevik, Tsakhkadzor, and Dilijan should be noted.
Since Armenia is a mountainous country, it is not surprising that it has several ski resorts. So, 40 kilometers from Yerevan is the ski resort of Tsaghkadzor, which has 12 kilometers of slopes for skiing. By the way, the skiing season in the ski resort of Tsaghkadzor lasts from mid-November to mid-April.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Tourists from Armenia usually bring folk art products, Armenian musical instruments (zurna, tar, shvi, dool, duduk), Armenian headdresses, wine horn, backgammon (for example, backgammon made of walnut), and, of course, Armenian cognac, as well as wine.
Office Hours
Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:30-17:30
Shops:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-18:00
Offices:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-18:00
Visa
Ukrainians do not need to apply for a visa to visit Armenia (if the trip does not exceed 90 days).
Currency
The official currency in Armenia is the Armenian dram (its international designation is AMD). One Armenian dram = 100 lumas. Credit cards are common in big cities, while Armenians still prefer cash in small settlements and villages.
Customs restrictions
Foreign currency can be brought into (or taken out of) Armenia without restrictions, but it must be included in the declaration. But the local currency cannot be exported from Armenia at all (however, it can also be imported). Customs rules are practically no different from the customs rules of other countries.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
Address of the Armenian Embassy in Ukraine:
Zip code: 01901, Kiev, st. Vladimirskaya, 45
T: (044) 234-90-05
Email. email: [email protected]
Address of the Embassy of Ukraine in Armenia:
Index – 375033, Yerevan, st. Arabkir, 29, d.5/1
T: (10-3741) 22 97 27
Email. mail: [email protected]
Emergency numbers
122 – Fire brigade
133 – Police
144 – Ambulance
Time
The difference with time in Kyiv is +2 hours. those. if in Yerevan, for example, it is 08:00 in the morning, then in Kyiv it is only 06:00 in the morning.
Tips
In Yerevan, many restaurants include a service fee in the bill. However, it is not customary to leave for “tea” in Armenia. Instead, change is left. In the markets, we recommend bargaining with sellers, this will give them pleasure and save some money.
The medicine
No special vaccinations are required to enter Armenia.
Security
The crime rate in Armenia is quite low, but foreign tourists still need to be careful and careful there. Do not demonstrate once again your wealth. In places where there are a lot of people (for example, in the markets), you can sometimes “meet” a pickpocket. In general, Armenians are very hospitable people.
