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ARMENIA
A traveller interested in exploring different cultures, their history and art should visit this tiny country which is situated in between East and West and the name of which is Armenia. First time Arminiya as the name of a country and Armina as the name of the nation is mentioned in a cuneiform inscription of Persian king Dareh 1 (522-486 B.C.), and in the 5th century B.C. Armenia for the first time appear on a Babylonian World map. Armenia frequently is called an open-air museum. Over 5,000 monuments, all the way from prehistoric cave paintings, stonehenges (karahunj in Armenian), irrigational systems and fortresses to Medieval monasteries and secular buildings and khachkars which survived to our days are scattered all over modern Armenia. The English poet Byron wrote "there is no other land in the world so full of wonders as the land of Armenians…” To mention just a few of these wonders: Garni temple of the Hellenistic period (1st century A.D), Edjmiadzin monastery built after the adoption of Christianity in 301, St. Hripsime church (7th century), Zvartnots (7th century), Geghard monastery carved in rock (13th century), etc… -
ARMENIAN LANGUAGE
The Armenian language has two major branches: Eastern and Western. It belongs to the Indo-European family of languages and forms a separate group in it. Its unique modern alphabet was invented by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 A.D. Eastern Armenian is the official language of the country and is considered as native by 96% of its population. Western Armenian is spoken by approximately 50% of over 10 million Armenians worldwide. In Armenia second most spoken language is Russian.
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GENERAL FACTS
Official name: Republic of Armenia (RA)
Area: 29.800 sq. km (11.490 sq. miles)
Population: 3.2 million (census of 2003)
Capital: Yerevan, 1.2 million
Official language: Armenian
Alphabet: Mesropian
Religion: Christian (Armenian Apostolic) adopted as state religion in 301 A.D.
Religious center: Edjmiadzin
Political structure: Presidential Republic
Independence day: 21th of September
Currency: Armenian Dram (AMD)
Time: GMT + 4
Weights and measurements: metric
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz
Visa: Visa required
Climate: Continental -
YEREVAN CHRONICLES
782 B.C. Erebuni (Yerevan) Founded14th c. Yerevan Mint Established1582 Farhad Pasha Built the Yerevan Fortress1864 First Telegraphic Line Between Tiflis and Yerevan Established1865 Yerevan Theater Founded1874 First Printing House Established1895 Yerevan Baths Opened1895 First Hotel Orient Opened1899 Amirian-Yeghiazarian Grocery Store Opened1902 Railway Between Yerevan and Alexandrapol Started Operating1906 Horsea-Tram Line Opened1913 First 80 Telephones Distributed1913 First Automobile Entered the City
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HOLIDAYS
1, 2 January New Year's Day
6 January Christmas
28 January Army Day
8 March Women's Day
7 April Mothers' & Beauty Day
24 April Genocide Remembrance Day
1 May Labour Day
9 May Victory Day
28 May Republic Day
5 July Constitution Day
21 September Independence Day
31 December New Year's Eve