Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920.

Entrance of the Monastery of Geghard.

Sevan Monastery, Lake Sevan.

People

Population: 3.0 million (July 2004 est.).

Population growth rate: -0.32 % (2004 est.).

Life expectancy at birth: 71.2 years.

Religions: Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 2%.

Ethnic groups: Armenian 93%, Azeri 1%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4% (2002). Nnote: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from Armenia.

Language: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%.

Nationality: Armenian(s).

Roman-built temple at Garni, outside Yerevan. Built by the Armenian King Trdates I in the 1st century AD and dedicated to Helios, the Roman god of the sun.

Geography

Country name: Republic of Armenia (local: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun).

Capital: Yerevan.

Government type: republic. Constitution adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995.

Independence: 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union).

Administrative divisions: 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan.

Terrain: Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley. landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range

Total area: 29,800 km².

Highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m (lowest point: Debed River 400 m).

Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters.

Geography

Country name: Republic of Armenia (local: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun).

Capital: Yerevan.

Government type: republic. Constitution adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995.

Independence: 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union).

Administrative divisions: 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan.

Total area: 29,800 km².

Highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m (lowest point: Debed River 400 m).

Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters.

Main source: CIA - The World Factbook 2004.

Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Economy

Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2003. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is under international pressure to close. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector.

Currency: dram (AMD). Drams / US dollar = 578.76 (2002).

GDP (purchasing power parity): US$ 11.8 billion (2003 est.).

GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): US$ 3,900 (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line: 50% (2002 est.).

By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.