Armenia

The Republic of Armenia is a landlocked country in southern Transcaucasia , between the BlackSea and the Caspian Sea , with Turkey to the west and Georgia to the north, andsharing borders with Azerbaijan in the east, and Iran and the Naxcivan exclave of Azerbaijan in the south.

History

Main article: History of Armenia

Armenia was a rich empire and had a rich culture before 1454, at one period controlling all the land between the Black andCaspian Seas. In 301 , Armenia was the first state to formally adopt Christianity as itsofficial state religion, twelve years before Rome. It also changed between various dynasties. But after Parthian , Roman , Mongol , Arab , Egyptian , and Persian occupation, Armenia weakened. In 1454 , Ottoman Empire andSafavid Persia divided Armenia among themselves.

In 1828 , Persian Armenia was incorporated into Russian Empire and the USSR in 1920 , after a short lived independentstate. The Armenians living in the western part of Armenia (Ottoman Armenia) were subjected to a Genocide in 1915 during which 1.5million Armenians were massacred and most of the remaining were deported.

Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh , a primarily Armenian-populated enclave of the Soviet Azerbaijan .Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the enclave in 1988 ; the struggle escalatedafter both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 . By May 1994 , when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also asignificant portion of Azerbaijan proper.

The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution, andthe Turkish economic blockade of Armenia.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Armenia

The Government of Armenia's stated aim is to build a Western-style parliamentary democracy as the basis of its form of government. However, international observershave questioned the inherent fairness of Armenia's parliamentary and presidential elections and constitutional referenda since 1995 , citing polling deficiencies, lack of cooperation by the electoral commission, andpoor maintenance of electoral lists and polling places.

The unicameral parliament (also called the National Assembly) is dominated by a coalition, called "Unity" (Miasnutyun),between the center-right, conservative Republican Party of Armenia and the center-left, socialist People's Party. A new party,the liberal Republic Party, is headed by ex-Prime Minister Aram Sargsian and has become the primary voice of the opposition.

Armenians voted overwhelmingly for independence in a September 1991 referendum. Levon Ter-Petrosian was president until January 1998 , when public demonstrations against his policies on Nagorno-Karabakh forced his resignation. In 1999 , the assassination of Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian , parliament Speaker Karen Demirchian , and sixother officials led to a period of political instability. President Robert Kocharian was successful in riding out the unrest, however. President Kocharian is a non-partisan(like many of the rulers of Soviet republics) and rules along with the ruling coalition. But Kocharian shows authoritariantendencies such as restricting the opposition party's activities, free speech, and freedom of the press. There have been numerousprotests for Kocharian to leave office, but he does not budge.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Armenia

Armenia is divided into 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz):

1. Aragatsotn
2. Ararat
3. Armavir
4. Geghark'unik'
5. Kotayk'
6. Lorri
7. Shirak
8. Syunik'
9. Tavush
10. Vayots' Dzor
11. Yerevan
    

Geography

Main article: Geography of Armenia

Armenia is a landlocked country located in south-west Asia , east of Turkey. The terrainis mostly mountainous , with fast flowing rivers and few forests. The climate ishighland continental : hot summers and cold winters. The landrises to 4,095 m at MountAragats , and no point is below 400m above sea-level. Pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT is not helping the already poor soil quality in many parts of the county. A Turkish energy blockade, the result ofthe conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to deforestation .

Economy

Main article: Economy of Armenia

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Armenia

Armenia is a primarily Eastern Orthodox Christian country.Armenia is considered the first nation to adopt Christianity, tracing itschurch 's roots back to the 3rd and 4th centuries. The country formally adopted the Christian faith in 301 A.D. Over 90% of Armenians belong to theArmenian Apostolic Church, a form of Eastern Orthodoxy, which is a very ritualistic, conservative church, comparable to theRussian and Greek Orthodox churches. Armenia also has a population of evangelical Protestants and Catholics. The Yezidi Kurds,who live in the western part of the country, practice Zoroastranism or Shamanism. Any ethnic Azeris living in the countrypractice Islam, but many were deported back to Azerbaijan after the Karabagh War.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Armenia

• Music of Armenia

Miscellaneous topics

• Armenian People
• List of Armenians
• Communications in Armenia
• Transportation in Armenia
• Military of Armenia
• Foreign relations of Armenia
• Holidays in Armenia

External links and references

• CIA - The World Factbook -- Armenia
• Armenian Portal in Europe (English & Deutsch)
• Extensive Armenia info and links (map includes the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh)
• The History of the Ancient Near East
• Armenianhistory.info
• ArmenianMinistry of Foreign Affairs
• Library of Congress Portals on the World - Armenia
• Armenia's brain drain
• Project Communis: bloggingfrom Armenia