Armenia occupies a territory of 29,800 square kilometers. The average altitude of the territory is 1,800 meters above sea level, the highest peak has an altitude of 4,090 meters and the lowest point is the Debed canyon with an altitude of 380 meters.
Part of the chain of mountains situated within the Alps-Himalayas mountain system, the Armenian Plateau contains an endless chain of mountains, lakes hidden in the heights, mountain torrents and waterfalls, valleys, forests and isolated highlands.
Among all these, Lake Sevan unveils itself with constantly changing colors - harmoniously matching or contrasting itself to the sky. It is almost sinful to visit Armenia and to not see Lake Sevan. Sevan is a lake of mysteries, located at an altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level, and reaching a maximum depth is 99 meters. Twenty eight rivers merge into Sevan while only one - Hrazdan - flows out.
Elsewhere on the territory of Armenia [see map of regions of Armenia] there are ten natural lakes, fifteen swift rivers, and five canyons that form a common lacework of high and low peaks. On any visit to Armenia you will see natural wonders, and an embroidery of crosses carved into mountains. For centuries, artisans struggled and created the monastery of Geghard - a monument carved into the surrounding rock.
This country of lakes, rivers and springs is also rich in mineral waters. In Jermuk, Bjni, Dilijan and other resorts, treatment for different diseases in baths of mineral waters is available. The waterfall of Shaki is one of the aquatic beauties of Armenia, which falls from an altitude of 18 meters into the ravine and flows into the river Vorotan passing through Siunik to join the river Araks.
Armenia is beautiful in summer and winter when the mountains and valleys are covered with snow. In Tsakhkadzor you can journey to the top of Mount Teghenis, contemplate the magnificence of the highlands, drink a cup of oriental coffee prepared on hot sand and ski down the mountains. The Shirak valley can also offer you winter sport opportunities. In valleys and particularly on the shore of Sevan or on the banks of Araks you can watch the transmigration of birds in spring and fall, and enjoy the singing of flamingos and storks.
If you strain your imagination a little you might even notice Noah's Ark in the snow of the mountain. Mankind was reborn here, and populated the valley. Armenia was also the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official state religion in 301AD, and in 2001 celebrated the 1700th Anniversary of Christianity.
Armenian Culture has earned its place in the history of the world by virtue of the fact that it is one of the oldest, continuous civilizations today.
Throughout the centuries, Armenians have created a unique and remarkable culture at the intersection of east and west. Even though countless invaders attempted to destroy it, archaeological research testifies to its existence alongside that of the Babylonians and the Assyrians from at least the III Millennium BC, proven by excavations at Erebuni, Teyshebaini and Medzamor.
In 301AD, Armenians were the first nation to officially adopt Christianity as their national state religion, and this influenced many developments in Armenian culture, and specifically architecture. Replacing pagan temples with the first churches, Christian influences created architectural masterpieces such as the churches of Hripsime, Gayane and the gem of 7th Century Armenian architecture, Zvartnots.
In the 10-13th Centuries new architectural styles developed into the monastery complexes of Geghard, Sanahin, Haghpat, and Haghartsin. Armenian architecture had always been remarkable throughout the centuries, but the adoption of Christianity developed into what has become the most significant of all Armenian works of art. Stone crosses, khachkars, are scattered throughout the territory of historical Armenia, and are unique in their specific ornamental style.
Another revolutionary turning point in the history of Armenian culture occurred when the scholar and philosopher, Mesrob Mashtots, created the Armenian alphabet. This led to the development of Armenian literature and science, although the first book translated was The Holy Bible. Thousands of illuminated manuscripts written before decoration by artists are currently stored in the largest depository of illuminated manuscripts in the world, the Matenadaran, located in central Yerevan.
Armenian historians including Movses Khorantsi, Pavstos Buzand, and Yeghishe documented the history of the Armenian nation from its very beginning, based upon early references to Armenia and the Armenians by Greek and Assyrian historians. Agatangeghos even proposed the idea that the Earth was round centuries before Copernicus.
Art has always had its special place in Armenian culture, and many remarkable painters include the Hovnatanyan family, Nagash Hovnaton. Hakob and Mkrtum Hovnatanyan decorated the interior of Holy Etchmiadzin, and Hovhannes Ayvazovski is famous throughout the world for his seascapes.
The work of Martiros Saryan, Minas Avetisyan, and Vardges Surenyants are displayed at Yerevan's National Art Gallery, but the colorful and unique depiction of Armenian nature and village life define the work of one of Armenia's greatest painters, Martiros Saryan. Armenia also has an old established tradition of carpet weaving, and its rugs are unique.
Armenian music has a long history, and 'sharakans,' liturgies and sacred music are purely Armenian, and artistically priceless. Komitas is perhaps the most famous Armenian composer however, creating 'khazes,' the Armenian form of musical notation. He also wrote many religious and national songs before eventually going mad from his experiences during the 1915 Genocide of the Armenians living within the then Ottoman Empire.
Gusans and ashughs were singers in royal households and palaces in Armenia, and passed songs from one generation to the next. Many are still preserved to the present day and in particular the work of Sayat Nova, gusan Ahot, and Sheram Jiven. The 19th Century however, was to mark a new phase in Armenian music when Tigran Chukhajyan wrote the first Armenian Opera, "Arshak II."
"Anoush" by Armen Tigranyan however, is one of the most famous and popular operas, based on traditional Armenian folk songs and dances. The storyline and text is based on Tumanian's "Anush," and blends classical interpretations seamlessly with Armenian folk melodies. Aram Khachaturyan is of course, the most well known Armenian composer for foreign audiences, composing the ballets, "Spartacus" and "Gayaneh." In particular, he composed the well-known "Sabre Dance," familiar to almost everyone outside of Armenia.
Armenian folks songs sung by the ashughs and gusans are still alive today in Armenia, and Djivan Gasparian has taken the unique sound of the Armenian duduk to foreign audiences worldwide, collaborating with internationally renowned musicians such as the Kronos Quartet. Other Armenian instruments include the zoorna, dhol, tar and kanon.
Traditional music can still be heard today in restaurants such as Hin Erevan in the capital, or at cultural festivals held throughout the regions of Armenia during the summer. Musicians and singers such as Shushan Petrosyan, Ara Gevorgian, Alla Levonyan and others from the National Song Theatre of Armenia represent the development of contemporary Armenian music in the Republic, and have performed to much acclaim for foreign audiences.
Armenian dance is perhaps the most representative of the rich fabric of Armenian culture when accompanied by traditional or contemporary Armenian music. The graceful, although sometimes frantic, choreography of Armenian dance sets it apart from other oriental forms of dance, and Armenian ensembles win countless awards at competitions throughout the world.
Country Name: Republic of Armenia
Type: Republic
Capital: Yerevan
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (marser): Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Lorri, Kotaik, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Voyots Dzor and the city of Yerevan
Independence: 21 September 1991 (from USSR)
Geography Location: Southwestern Asia, Southern Caucasus
Geography Coordinates 40000 N, 45 000 E
Area: 29000 sq. km
Border: 1254 km
border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Climate: 0 km (landlocked)
Natural Resources: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Natural Hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Population: 3.336.000 (July 2001est.)
Population Growth: -0.21%
Religion: Christianity 98%
Languages: Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2% |
