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Armenia

The Republic of Armenia, a landlocked country is located in Eurasia at the juncture of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in the Southern Caucasus. It is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan to the south. Armenia shares the memberships of more than 40 international organizations including United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Asian Development Bank, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the World Trade Organization, the Organization of the Black Sea, the Economic Cooperation, the NATO's Partnership for Peace, the Union of European Football Associations and the International Ice Hockey Federation. Armenia is the first country to embrace Christianity in 301. The country has invented its separate alphabet comprising 38 letters and its own language. Armenian defense force is consisted of Armenian Army, Air Force, Air Defence, and Border Guard.

HISTORY:- According to the Biblical references, Armenia was located at the Ararat mountains, where Noah’s ark rested after the flood. Armenian kingdom flourished under the Orontid Empire. Later the land was invaded by the Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, Persians, Ottoman Turks and Russians. After the downfall of the empire in 451 AD, Armenia became a part of Sassanid Empire. The Ottoman Turks reigned the region until World War I. The collapse of brutal Ottoman Empire began in 1908 with the Young Turk Revolution. During World War I, 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered by the Turks. It was considered as the first genocide of 20th century. In the World War I, the Turks were defeated. Armenia enjoyed a very short lived independence from 1918 to 1920. In 1982, Soviet army started an occupation in Armenia. In 1922, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan were merged with the soviets to form the Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1936, Armenia was granted with separate constituent republic- Armenian SSR of the USSR. After the fall of Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia declared its independence.

GEOGRAPHY:- Armenia is located at 40 00 N, 45 00 E in Southwestern Asia, occupying total 28,400 sq km land area and 1,400 sq km water area. It is a landlocked country, surrounded by Lesser Caucasus Mountains. The lowest point is Debed River (400 m) and the highest point is Aragats Lerrnagagat' (4,090 m). Armenian highlands are composed of mountains. There is a little wood land in the country with fast flowing rivers. Fertile land lies in the Aras River valley.

CLIMATE:- Armenian climate is highland continental with hot summers and cool winters.

GOVERNMENT:- Armenia is a Unitary Republican country. The constitution was adopted in 1995. The three branches of the government are:

Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government) and cabinet. Council of Ministers of the Cabinet is appointed by the Prime minister.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Assembly (131 seats).

Judicial branch comprises the Constitutional Court, Court of Cassation.

Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun, Country of Law, and the Heritage Party participate in the National Assembly. Suffrage is universal at 18.

President Serzh Sargsyan

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Armenia is decomposed into 10 marzes or provinces- Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, and a capital city Yerevan.

CULTURE:- The National Art Gallery of Yerevan possess over 16000 works of middle ages. Classical music is very popular in the country. Apart from that, jazz is also very popular. There are many opera houses in Armenia- the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia and the Serenade Orchestra. Jewellery craft is very famous in Armenia.

ECONOMY:- In privatization, price reforms, and prudent fiscal policies, Armenia has gained a significant improvement after the downfall of soviet Union. It has a steady economic growth. Armenia ranks 83rd in the world and 1st among the Transcaucasian republics in the 2007 UNDP Human Development Index. In 2008, Armenia ranks 28th in the Index of Economic Freedom. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) grant several funds and loans to the country.

GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $16.83 billion; per capita $5,700.

Real growth rate: 13.7%.

Inflation: 6.6%.

Unemployment: 7.1% (2007 est.).

Arable land: 16.78%.

Agriculture: fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock.

Labor force: 1.2 million; agriculture 46.2%, industry 15.6%, services 38.2% (2006 est).

Industries: diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy. Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina.

Exports: $1.157 billion f.o.b. (2007): diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy.

Imports: $3.281 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds.

Budget:

Revenues: $1.648 billion

Expenditures: $1.645 billion

Major trading partners: Russia, Ukraine, Belgium, Turkmenistan, Italy, Germany, Iran, Israel, U.S.%, Georgia (2006)

Monetary unit: Dram

LANGUAGE:- Armenian is the official language spoken by 98%. Other languages are Yezidi, and Russian.

CITIES:- Armenia comprises 48 cities. The capital city Yerevan is the largest one. Other large cities are Vanadzor, Gyumri, Abovian.

POPULATION:- The estimated Armenian population is 2,968,586 with a growth rate of –0.1%.

Density per sq mi: 258

Literacy rate: 99.4% (2001 est.)

RACE:-

Armenian 97.9%

Russian 0.5%

Kurds 1.3%

Other 0.3% (2001)

RELIGION:-

Armenian Apostolic 95%

Other Christian 4%

Yezidi 1%

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 12.53 births/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 8.34 deaths/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 20.94 deaths/ 1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.4 years

Total fertility rate: 1.35 children born/ woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 (2003 est.)

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 270

UNICEF:- UNICEF in Armenia has shortened iodine deficiency by providing iodized salt to 97% houses, immunized 90% children against measles. To protect children health, two ‘Baby friendly’ hospitals are set up and parental education is generated. Awareness campaigns are being organized in spite of low HIV cases. To fight against child prostitution, child pornography, children in armed conflict and child labour, UNICEF and the government ratify the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: total: 839 km (2006).

Highways: total: 7,700 km; paved: 7,700 km (2006).

Waterways: none

Ports and harbors: none.

Airports: 12 (2007).