Armenia, first state to adopt Christianity, is one of the oldest countries in the world. Armenian state of Urartu, founded in IX-VI centuries BC is famous for its great culture, whose letters so far no one managed to decode.
All ages have left their mark on this ancient land, as evidenced by the huge number of monuments of history and culture, through which Armenia can be considered as one of the most interesting countries in the Old World.
Armenia - is not only Ararat and Sevan, three thousand years of gastronomic tradition, the oldest in the world nodular carpet and duduk, it’s delicious apricots and brandy, lavash, barbecue and churchkhela. Armenia – it is hospitality, smiles and toasts, modern restaurants, clubs and events.
But as they say, better to see something once than hear about it hundred times.
- Armenian population: 3,018,854 people
- Area: 29,743 km².
- Capital: Yerevan
- Official Language: Armenian.
- Religion: Christianity
- Currency - Armenian Dram (averaged rate for 2014 - 385 drams per 1 US dollar).
- Time zone: GMT + 4
Where is
Armenia?
Armenia is located in the South Caucasus to the south of Russia between the
Black and Caspian seas, occupying most of the interfluve of the Kura and Araks.
Neighboring countries of Armenia are Georgia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey. The
current territory of the Republic is 29800 square kilometer. It is located at
an altitude of 1800m above sea level. The highest point in the country is
Aragats (4090 m.), The lowest - ravine of Debet (400 m.).
Official Name:
Republic of Armenia (Hayastani Hanrapetutyun)
Capital City:
Yerevan
Official Language:
Armenian is the official language of the Republic of Armenia.
Most of the population also speaks Russian. Younger generation knows English as well.
Religion:
The absolute majority is the follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Currency unit:
The currency unit of the RA is dram (AMD), introduced in 1993.
Paper notes are issued in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100000. Coins are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. For exchange rates see Central Bank of Armenia website: www.cba.am. Credit cards are accepted in the majority of shops and hotels of Yerevan. Foreign bank notes can be easily exchanged at numerous exchange bureaus and banks in Yerevan and other cities of Armenia. Large supermarkets also have 24-hour money exchange office. Main currencies that can be easily exchanged are USD, EUR, RUB, GBP.
Population
3.004.600
Ethnic composition
Armenians` 96%
Minorities: Russians, Yezidis, Assyrians, Greeks, Ukrainians, Jews, Kurds and others.
Natural Resources:
Armenia is rich in copper, coal, iron, bauxite, molybdenum, gold, silver, lead and zinc. Substantial deposits of pumice, marble, tufa, perlite, limestone, basalt and salt exist. Precious and semi-precious stones are also abundant.
Territory:
29.8 thousand square kilometers
Average Altitude Above Sea Level:
1,800 meters
Highest Mountain Peak:
Aragats (4 095 meters)
Climate:
Located on the eastern part of Armenia, in the northeastern part of the Ararat Plateau, Yerevan enjoys relatively continental, dry climate with long, sunny summers and short, sharp winters on the plains. The city experiences very low levels of humidity throughout the year due to its deep location in the northern part of the subtropical zone. The highest amount of atmospheric precipitation occurs in May with an average of 1.7 inches, while the lowest precipitation occurs in August. The average rainfall throughout the year is around 11 inches.
Summer and Summer Temperatures in Yerevan
June gives start to the summer season, which is the warmest and hottest period of the year. In June the daytime temperatures reach around 30 degrees Celsius and drop down to about 15 degrees Celsius at night. The humidity level lowers to around 49 percent. Throughout the months of July and August the city experiences the highest temperatures of the year: around 34 degrees Celsius in July with the peak temperature ever recorded 42 degrees Celsius and around 35 degrees Celsius in August with the highest temperature ever recorded 48 degrees Celsius.
Safety
Armenia is one of the safest countries of CIS with a low crime rate. Tourists are safe to travel all over the country and walk in the streets of Yerevan at any time of the day and night. The only issue of concern is traffic - visitors are highly encouraged to pay close attention when crossing the streets, even at green lights.
Telephone connection
SIM cards for mobile phones can be easily purchased at the stores of any of the three operators of mobile connection: “Beeline”, “VivaCell-MTS” and “Ucom”. Mobile connection covers nearly the entire country, with exception of some canyons and mountains. To call a landline phone in Armenia dial: 00+374+city code+phone number. To call a mobile phone in Armenia dial: 00+374+code of mobile operator+phone number.
Important phone numbers
Fire department 101
Police department 102
Ambulance 103
Gas department 104
Information Service of Yerevan City Telephone Network 109
Exact time 110
Yerevan railway station 184
Weather forecast 186
“Zvartnots” International Airport 187
Time
Armenia standard time is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+4), it does not observe daylight saving time (DST).
Postal services
Post offices offer a variety services such as sending and receiving letters and packages, telephone calling within Armenia and abroad, money exchange, international and public pay phone calling cards. There are numerous post offices throughout Yerevan. Work hours are: 09:00-19:00.
Electricity
Standard voltage in Armenia is 220V. Electric outlets use European plugs with 2 round pins.
YEREVAN - CAPITAL OF ARMENIA
Yerevan - the capital of Armenia, is one
of the oldest cities in the world, which was founded over 2800 years ago.
Modern city attracts tourists with an impressive architecture, attractions and
museums. Yerevan lives and breathes around the clock, cafes and clubs offer to
spend a wonderful evening, enjoy not only delicious food, but also live music
for all tastes.
Yerevan, Erebuni the same, was founded in 782 BC. According to the cuneiform rock in Van, a city of Erebuni was built by king of Urartu Argishti I in the fifth year of the reign.
Found in 1950 on Arin-Berd inscription on a stone slab runs: «By the greatness of the God Khaldi, Argishti, son of Menua, built this mighty stronghold and proclaimed it Erebuni for the glory of Biainili (Urartu) and to instill fear among the king’s enemies. Argishti says: The land was a desert, before the great works I accomplished upon it. By the greatness of Khaldi, Argishti, son of Menua, is a mighty king, king of Biainili, and ruler of Tushpa».
According to the Armenian legend, Noah gave the name of the city Yerevan exclaiming “Yerevats!” (“it appeared!”) when he saw the top of the Lesser Ararat, showing from under the water.
Jean Chardin, the famous traveler of the XVII century, writes: «Erivan, according to the Armenians, is the world’s oldest town. As they claim Noah and his family settled here after the Flood, when he came down from the mountain on which the ark abode».