Armenia

Armenia

area:	29,800sq km (11,506sq mi)
population:	3,336,100
capital (population):	Yerevan (1,247,200)
government:	Multiparty republic
ethnic groups:	Armenian 93%, Azerbaijani 3%, Russian, Kurd
languages:	Armenian (official)
religions:	Christianity (mainly Armenian Apostolic)
currency:	Dram = 100 couma

Republic in the s Caucasus; the capital is Yerevan.

Land and climate

Armenia is a rugged mountainous republic, the highest peak is Mount Aragats, 4090m (13,420ft). Armenia has severe winters and cool summers, but the total yearly rainfall is generally low (between 200 and 800mm (8–31in). The lowest land is in the ne and nw, where Yerevan is situated. Armenia has many fast-flowing rivers, which have cut deep gorges in the plateau. The major river is the Araks. The largest lake is Lake Sevan, containing 90% of all Armenia's standing water. Vegetation ranges from tundra to grassy steppe. Oak forests are found in the se, beech in the ne. Originally it was a much larger independent kingdom, centred on Mount Ararat; incorporating present-day ne Turkey and parts of nw Iran.

History and politics

Armenia was an advanced ancient kingdom, considered to be one of the original sites of iron and bronze smelting. A nation was established in the 6th century bc, and Alexander the Great expelled the Persians in 330 bc. In 69 bc, Armenia was incorporated into the Roman Empire. In ad 303, Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion. From 886 to 1046 Armenia was an independent kingdom. From the 11th to 15th centuries, the Mongols were the greatest power in the region. by the 16th century Armenia was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. Despite religious discrimination, the Armenians generally prospered under Turkish rule. Eastern Armenia was the battleground between the rival Ottoman and Persian Empires. In 1828 Russia acquired Persian Armenia, and (with promises of religious toleration) many Armenians moved into the Russian-controlled area. In Turkish Armenia, British promises of protection encouraged nationalist movements. The Turkish response was uncompromising, killing c.200,000 Armenians in 1896 alone. In the Russian sector, a process of Russification was enforced. During World War I, Armenia was the battleground for the Turkish and Russian armies. Armenians were accused of aiding the Russians, and Turkish atrocities intensified. More than 600,000 Armenians were killed by Turkish troops, and 1.75 million were deported to Syria and Palestine. In 1918 Russian Armenia became the Armenian Autonomous Republic, the w part remained part of Turkey, and the nw became part of Iran. In 1922 Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia federated to form the Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republic (one of the four original republics in the Soviet Union). In 1936 Armenia became a separate republic. Earthquakes in 1984 and 1988 killed more than 80,000 people and destroyed many cities. In 1988 war broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh (an Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan). In 1990 Armenian voted to break from the Soviet Union, and in 1991 joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In 1992 Armenia invaded Azerbaijan and occupied Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1994 an uneasy cease-fire left Armenia controlling c.20% of Azerbaijan. In 1998 Robert Kocharian, a former leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, became president. In 1999, gunmen stormed parliament, killing the prime minister.

Economy

Armenia is a lower-middle-income nation (2000 GDP per capita US$3000). The economy, badly hit by earthquakes and war with Azerbaijan, is in a state of transition. Poverty, corruption, and political assassinations contributed to Armenia losing 20% of its population in the 1990s. The country is highly industrialized, with production dominated by mining and chemicals. Copper is the chief metal, but gold, lead, and zinc are also mined. Agriculture (centred on the River Araks) is the second-largest sector, with cotton, tobacco, fruit, and rice the main products. Despite significant increases in production, Armenia is still dependent on food imports.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.president.am/en/; http://www.armeniaemb.org