Historical Overview
After the destruction of the Seleucid Empire, the first Armenian state was founded in
190 BC. At its zenith, from 95 to 55 BC, Armenia extended its rule over the area of what
is now eastern Turkey. For a time, Armenia was the strongest state in the Roman East. It
became part of the Roman Empire and adopted a Western political, philosophical, and
religious orientation.
In 301 AD, Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion,
establishing in the 6th century a church that still exists independently of
both the Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox churches. During its later political eclipsed,
Armenia depended on the church to preserve and protect its unique identity.
 Between
the 4th and 19th centuries, Armenia was conquered and ruled by,
among others, Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, and Turks. For a brief period from
1918 to 1920, it was an independent republic. In late 1920, the communists came to power,
and in 1922, Armenia became part of the Trans-Caucasian Soviet Socialist Republic. In
1936, it became the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. Armenia declared its independence
from the Soviet Union on September 23, 1991.
Armenia is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet republics. It is a
landlocked country between the Black and the Caspian Seas, bordered on the north and east
by Georgia and Azerbaijan and on the south and west by Iran and Turkey.
 The government is dominated by the
anti-communist, nationalist Armenian National Movement, which is the largest party in the
parliament. Opposition parties exist but have limited support.
The Government of Armenia's stated aim is to build a Western-style parliamentary
democracy as the basis of its form of government.
The United States has made a concerted effort to help Armenia and
the other NIS during their difficult transition from totalitarianism and a command economy
to democracy and open markets.
Sources
Text: US Department of State
Background Notes on Armenia
Map: Magellan
Flag: Encyclopedia Britannica |
Profile
of Armenia
Area
29,800 sq. km. (11,500 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Maryland.
Capital
Yerevan.
Terrain
High plateau with mountains, little forest land.
Climate
Highland continental, hot summers, cold winters.
Population
3.7 million; 700,000 people are estimated to have left Armenia during the last five years.
Ethnic groups
Armenian 96%; Kurd 2%; Russian, Greek, and other 2%.
Religion
Armenian Apostolic Church (more than 90% nominally affiliated).
Languages
Armenian (96%), Russian, other.
Education
Literacy--99%.
Health
Infant mortality rate: 20/1,000; Life expectancy: 72 years.
Work force
Total 1.6 million; Industry and construction: 30%; Agriculture and forestry: 35%;
Other: 35%.
Government Type
Republic.
Constitution
Approved in 1995 referendum.
Independence
1918 (First Armenian Republic); 1991 (from Soviet Union).
Economy (1995)
Per capita GDP: $450; Exchange rate: 402 dram=U.S.$1. |
