Armenia

Overview

Armenia is the oldest Christian state in the world. The landlocked state in the Caucasus has quite a few sites that testify of its early Christian origins. This together with the great mountain scenery and some good wines make it a interesting destination. Armenia has only acquired its independence from the Soviet Union recently and the start of the new republic has been a bumpy one. A war with neighbouring Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabach being the main problem. If you fly in your trip will probably start in Yerevan , the capital city. Culturally and economically it is the most important place in Armenia. Garni and Geghard are excellent daytrips from the capital. Echmiadzin is the religious capital of Armenia and is the place of residence of the leader of the Aremenian Church. While Alaverdi in the northern province of Lorri is not particularly interesting, two breathtaking monasteries, Sanahin and Haghpat , and a basilica in Odzun , all three just above the town, are really worth a visit. Armenian is the native language of nearly everyone in Armenia, which is one of the most monoethnic states in the world. However, Russian is almost universally spoken as well, and English is becoming much more common throughout the country.

History

Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after 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 a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.