Country Information on Armenia 

Terrain

Armenia is a mountainous country with high peaks and volcanic plateaus, less than 10% of the country lies below 1,000 m., at an average height of 1,800m. Mt. Aragats (4,090 m) is the country's highest peak. The countryside changes from desert-like foothills to alpine country within a few kilometres. The mountainous areas include deep valleys and the rivers there have very strong currents. The Araks River is the most important river, which forms a natural border with Iran and part of the border with Turkey.

Climate

The Caucasus Mountains in the north protect Armenia from the worst of Russia's harsh winters and the climate is mainly influenced by the climate in the south. The wettest season is from November to May, although Armenia does not get as much rain as neighbouring countries. The mountains in the south are usually covered with snow during winter, but the lower areas such as the Ararat Valley have a moderate climate and are very hot in the summer.

Fauna/Flora

Since the country does not produce enough energy to meet the population's needs, a great portion of the forests have been felled, which is why only about 10% of the country is covered by woods with beech and oak trees, about 18% is plains and over 30% is pastureland. A great variety of wild flowers grow during the spring and summer. Armenian wildlife includes the tur (wild goat), the mouflon (a wild sheep), and the chamois.

History/Politics

The first inhabitants of present-day Armenia settled there in about 6000 BC. In the 13th century BC, the Uratu Kingdom formed and after its fall in 9th century BC, Assyrian and Proto-European peoples migrated to the region, which brought a wave of change. Armenia's golden era started in the 2nd century BC, when it became the centre of Hellenic culture and it reached its peak in the 1st century BC under the reign of Tigran the Great.

In 30 BC, the Armenian Kingdom became a vassal of Rome, and in AD 428, it was shared out between the Byzantine and Persian Empires. In the 7th century the Arabs conquered Armenia, which was the first of a series of occupations. The Mongols, Persians, Turks and Russians also went on to occupy Armenia. During the 19th century, the Russian Empire repeatedly annexed Armenian territories which were under Turkish rule, leaving the Armenian people divided between the two countries. Since the Armenians sought their independence, they were persecuted, deported, and in some cases massacred between 1890 and 1912 in Turkey and in Russia.

In 1917, after the fall of the Russian Empire, the Independent Republic of Armenia was established, which was incorporated into the Transcaucasian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic in 1922. In an effort to avoid ethnic tensions between the Armenians and the Muslim Azerbaijanis, the Soviet government created different political and administrative entities, which resulted in entire populations being moved and territory being redistributed.

In 1936, the Transcaucasian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic was dissolved and Armenia became a Soviet Socialist Republic. Even though Armenia was part of the Soviet Union over the 45 years that followed, the sense of national pride remained strong.

The first demonstrations took place during the 1960s, when Armenians demanded the return of Nagorno-Karabakh, an area that had been given to Azerbaijan. This led to violent confrontations. Over the two decades that followed, popular unrest became worse, until in 1988, during Gorbachov's reforms, the Armenians in Azerbaijan decided to join Armenia in a plebiscite. The Soviet government prevented this with force.

In 1991, a plebiscite was held, which meant that Armenia was given its independence from the Soviet Union and Levon Ter-Petrosian was elected president. At the same time, the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh declared their independence, which resulted in a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. There was a ceasefire in 1994, but a solution to the problem still has not been found.

In 1996, Ter-Petrosian was re-elected president, but in 1998 he was forced to step down, as he was accused of being a "pact maker" and "submissive" with regard to the matter of Nagorno-Karabakh. Robert Kocharian was elected his successor and was re-elected in the presidential elections of 2003.

Economy

Under the old Soviet economic plan, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, which however was dependent on the cheap import of raw materials and the export of its products to the Soviet Union. Armenia's economy was badly affected by the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991, which is why it has replaced the great agro-industrial complexes of the Soviet era with small agriculture industries. However, although agriculture expanded to represent 25% of the GNP, production could not satisfy internal demand, which is why it was necessary to import food.

Since 1994, a programme has been implemented which has resulted in the stabilization and growth of the country's economy. This programme provides for the privatization of state-run companies, among other issues. Industry employs 43% of the workforce and 18% are employed in agriculture. In 2003, the unemployment rate was 20% and inflation was 2.2%.

Culture

Church architecture, which is often adorned with intricate stone carving, is the most visible art form. It reached its peak in the 7th century. One of the country's most famous modern painters is Hakob Hakobyan, who is originally from Egypt, and who settled in Armenia in 1962.

Composer Aram Khachaturian and sculptor Khorem Der Harootian are known internationally. Armenian literature has many fables and folk tales. Novels and poetry have also made a significant contribution to literature. Khachatour Apovian is considered to be the founder of modern Armenian literature.