Armenia,as a country with an ancient civilization and rich cultural heritage, present for all its visitors as a ''Museum Under The Open Sky''. In different periods the royal thrones of the oldest cities, memorable with its architectural structures and as a country, who has the most capital cities of the world are the one, whose doors are always open for every visitor, accepting their hospitality and warm salutation.

Armenia

Official Name - Republic of Armenia (RA)

Flag - The flag is tricolor with three horizontal and equal alternating stripes of red, blue and orange.

Location - Middle East

Territory - 29,800 square kilometres

Population - 3.2 million

Capital City - Yerevan

Political System - Parlamental

Administrative divisions -10 provinces ( Marz )

Currency / Dram - the international recognition of AMD

Religion - Christian /Armenian Apostolic

Language - Armenian is the state language. Russian and English are widely spoken.

Telephone /Calling Code - +374

Time zone - GMT + 4

Transport - Public transportation of Armenia includes buses, trolleybuses, taxis and mini buses. Metro in Yerevan operates from 6:30-23:30

Climate - Armenia is a sunny country with 333 sunny days during the year.Highland continental, relatively hot summers and cold winters, lasting from June to mid-September.

Geography - Area 29743 km2, Average Altitude Above Sea Level, 1800 m (76.5% of the republican territory is on the height of 1000-2500 m above sea level)

State border - In the North with Georgia -164 km, In the East with Azerbaijan - 787 km, In the West and South-West with Turkey - 268 km, In the South with Iran – 35 km

The highest elevation - Peak of Aragats mountain 4090 m

Terrain - Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers and natural lakes

Visa - For visa regulations for different nationalities please check the official webpage of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RA: http://www.mfa.am/en/visa/

Who are Armenians ?

Armenia became the world's first Christian country more than 1,700 years ago in 301 AD and has a large diaspora all over the world . They history extends for over 3,000 years. Armenians have historically inhabited the "Armenian Highlands", a vast section of mountains and valleys across eastern Anatolia and the Southern Caucasus. Armenia's vassal states, principalities, kingdoms and empires have risen and fallen in different parts of this highland throughout history. They were only unified once, just before the time of Christ in the empire of Tigran the Great, an empire that stretched from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea. Much of Armenia's history has been spent under the domination of the great powers of the region. The western parts of Armenia were under Byzantine or Ottoman Turkish rule for long periods, while the eastern parts were under Persian or Russian rule. These empires often fought their wars on Armenian territory, using Armenian soldiers. It was a rough neighborhood, but Armenians managed to hold onto their language and church and prosper whenever given a chance.

Armenia was located on the silk road, and Armenians built a network of merchant communities and ties extending from eastern Asia to Venice. Eventually, with the rise of nationalism. As Armenia straddles Europe and Asia, East and West, so does Armenian culture.

Many Armenians refer to Armenia as a European nation, but their social conservatism in some realms hasn't been seen in Europe proper for a few decades. The collapse of the Soviet Union has opened up many channels with the West again and change is coming rapidly, although much more so in Yerevan than in the rest of the country.

Armenia's small, very homogeneous population is strongly family-oriented. All across the land, people place a lot of pride in their hospitality. Show up in a village without a penny, and food and a place to stay will come to you along with drinks and endless toasts.