Armenia
Acknowledged as one of the cradles of civilization, Armenia is a beautiful country with a sophisticated people and long and cultured history. As a result, Armenia is an intriguing tourist destination. Numerous monuments and masterpieces of the Ancient era and Middle Ages can be found throughout the country. Tourism in Armenia is rooted in the country's historical landmarks and natural attractions such as the water resorts of Lake Sevan, the hot springs of Arzni and Jermuk, the forests of Dilijan, Aghveran, Tsaghkadzor, Bjurakan and Gugark, and the mountainous natural caves and cliffs of the Southeast region. The 5165-meter Mount Ararat, geographically located in Turkey, is a national symbol of Armenia and is visible from much of the Southwest region.
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 dissolution of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agro industrial complexes of the Soviet era. Privatization of industry has occurred at a relatively slow pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current government. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (gold, bauxite) are small.
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 program that has resulted in positive growth. Armenia also managed to slash inflation and to privatize most medium-sized enterprises.
Geography
Armenia is a landlocked country located in southwest Asia, east of Turkey. The terrain is mostly mountainous, with fast flowing rivers and few forests. The land rises to 4,095m at Aragats Lerr, and no point is lower than 400m above sea level.
Climate
The climate in Armenia is markedly continental. Summers are dry and sunny, lasting from June to mid-September. Springs are short, while falls are long. Autumns are remarkable for their spectacularly colorful foliage. Winters are quite cold with plenty of snow, with temperatures ranging between -5° and -10°C. People Ethnic Armenians make up about 93% of the total population of the republic. Ethnic Russians number about 3%, and various other nations make up the rest of the population. Armenian (the official language) is a complex and beautiful language. Except for a transition into middle Armenian during the 10th-12th centuries and into a modern form in the 19th century, it has been continuously used for more than 1500 years as it was first created, borrowing traces of words and expressions from Hindu, Persian, Arabic, Greek and Latin along the way.
Government
The Government of Armenia's stated aim is to build a Western-style parliamentary democracy as the basis of its form of government. Armenia is considered one of the most pro-democratic nations in the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The unicameral parliament (also called the National Assembly) is controlled by a coalition of three political parties: the conservative Republican party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and the Country of Law party.
Armenians voted overwhelmingly for independence in a September 1991 referendum.
Religion
The Armenian Church is an independent Christian church, also known as the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. Its head is the Catholicos, who resides at Holy Etchmiadzin, near Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Christianity was declared the state religion of Armenia in AD 301.
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