country profile of armenia in english

8/20/2019 Country Profile of Armenia in English

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ARMENIACountry prole

Project number: UK/13/LLP-LdV/TOI-615



AREA 29 743 km2

3,02mln

POPULATION

GDP per capita

DRAM

Language ARMENIAN

CURRENCY

$3037

2 Country profle ARMENIA



MAIN INFORMATION

Locaon: Geographically the Republic of Armenia is a

country located in Southwest Asia, but polically and cul-turally it is accepted as part of Europe. It borders Turkey to

the west, Georgia to the north. It also shares borders with

Azerbaijan to the east and Iran to the south.

Capital: Yerevan

Climate: connental. Summers are dry and sunny and last

from June unl mid-September. Winters are very cold with

lots of snow.

Ethnicity: Ethnic Armenians make up 97.9% of the popu-

laon. Larger minories are: Yazidis – 1.3% and Russians -

0.5%, in addion, there are Assyrians, Ukrainians, Greeks,

Kurds, Georgians and Belarusians. There are also smaller

communies of Vlachs and others.

Religion: Chrisanity; about 93% of Armenian Chrisans

belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Government: presidenal republic.

Flag

Coat of arms

ARMENIA

Yerevan

TURKEY

IRAN

GEORGIA

AZERBAIJAN




Today Armenia maintains good diplomac relaons with almost all countries around the

world, except for the neighbouring countries Azerbaijan and Turkey. The tension between

Azerbaijan and Armenia began during the last years of the existence of the Soviet Union,

and in addion the Nagorno-Karabakh conict in the 1990s further complicated the re-

laons between the two countries. Till this very day the borders between the two are

closed, and there is no resoluon to this conict, despite the numerous aempts of inter-

naonal organizaon to cooperate in holding peaceful negoaons.

Turkey has also been in conict with Armenia for many years, because of its refusal to

recognize the Armenian Genocide. Although Turkey was among the rst countries to rec-

ognize Armenia aer its separaon from the Soviet Union in 1991, the relaons between

the two countries remain tense and they do not maintain ocial diplomac relaons.

During the Nagorno-Karabakh conict, Turkey illegally closed its border with Armenia and

the blockade remains acve ll today, despite the strong pressure from Turkish business-

men who are interested in the Armenian market opportunies. In October 2009 Armenia

and Turkey sign a protocol for establishing mutual diplomac recognion and opening of

the borders, but unl today it has not been reced by the parliament of the two states.

Due to its isolaon from Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia holds very close relaons with

the other neighbours, especially Iran. Due to its historic past of being part of the former

Soviet Union, Armenia connues maintaining good relaons with Russia. Armenia is a

member of the Council of Europe and maintains friendly relaons with the European

Union, especially with France and Greece. In 2011, Armenia negoated with the EU to be-

come its associate partner. If it meets the standard criteria, Armenia will have the right to

become an EU member, although for the me being Brussels does not ocially have such

plans. The Armenian government plans on becoming part of the union between Belarus,Kazakhstan and Russia and possibly to become a member of the future Eurasian Union.

Armenia is included in the European Neighbourhood Policy, aiming to strengthen the rela-

ons between the EU and the neighbouring countries.

Moreover, Armenia is a member of nearly 40 internaonal organizaons, the Organizaon

of the Black Sea Economic Cooperaon, NATO partnership for peace program, etc.

FOREIGN RELATIONS




FlagThe Armenian ag is a horizontal tricolour of red, blue,

and orange. The red symbolizes the mountains in Arme-

nia and the dicult struggle for survival of the Arme-

nian people, as well as the struggle for preserving their

independence, freedom and Chrisan faith. The blue is

the symbol of Armenia’s desire to live under a pure and

peaceful blue sky. The orange is the symbol of the cre-avity and the industriousness of the Armenians.

FACTS ABOUT ARMENIA

AlphabetDuring c. 404 – 406 AD, a former clergyman from the

Armenian royal court – Mesrop Mashtots rediscovers

rediscovered and newly adoptedadapts the old Arme-

nian alphabet, which had stopped being usedhad not

been used aer accepng Chrisanity was accepted in

Armenia in 301. The hypothesis for the modeling of that

the Armenian alphabet to awas modelled aer a foreign

alphabet diddoes not hold in the face of the discoveries

made by the Armenian professor and scienst Paris Her-

ouni, who provedes that the Armenian wrien language

hads its own history much before 5th century AD.

GovernmentArmenia is a presidenal republic. The President of Ar-

menia is being elected for a period of 5 years and can-

not be reelectedre-elected for a more than two man-

dates consecuvely. The Naonal Assembly of Armenia

is the legislave body, which consists of 131 members,elected for a 4 year term.




FACTS ABOUT ARMENIA

YerevanYerevan is the capital and the largest city of Armenia. It

is situated along the Hrazdan River. Archeological re-

search shows that the in the 8th century BC, the for-

tress of Erebuni stood on the place of today’s Yerevan.

Since then, the place has a strategic importance for

the caravan routes between Europe and India. It holds

has held the name Yerevan at least since the 7th cen-tury, when it wasis Armenia’s capital during the Persian

reign. Today Yerevan is the leading industrial, cultural

and scienc center of the Caucasian region. It is also

the heart of a vast railway network and a major com-

mercial center for agricultural products. Other leading

sectors include metal extracon, metal working, chemi-

cal, texle and food industry.

In ancient mesThe Armenian state emerged in the 6th century BC,

on the territory of Asia Minor, where its predecessors

were: the kingdom of Urartu, Hite Empire, Phrygia

and a number of other small states and confedera-

ons like Hayasa. Armenia wasis the rst state to adoptChrisanity as a state religion in 301 AD. The last Ar-

menian kingdom encompasseds lands, today situated

in southeastern Turkey. Persia, Byzanum, the Arabs,

the Mongols and the Turks dominated the territory

unl the 19th century. In the end of In late 1920, Tur-

key invadeds Western Armenia, while the Red Army

occupieds Eastern Armenia, which later becameomes a

part of the Soviet Union. Aer its collapse, the country

regaineds its independence in 1991.




GeographyArmenia is a country in South Caucasus without a sea

coast. Most of the country’s territory is mountains, with

forests and fast owing rivers. About half of Armenia’s

territory is located 2000 meters above the sea level, and

just 3% is at an altude of under 650 meters. The Arme-

nian Plateau is located inIn the southwestern part of the

country, and its is located the Armenian Plateau whoseslopes descend to the southwest towards river Aras, on

the border with Turkey. On the territory of the plateau

rise sSeveral mountain ranges and exnct volcanoes

rise on the plateau territory. Most of the country’s pop-

ulaon lives in the western and northwestern regions,

where the two largest cies are located – Yerevan and

Gyumri.

EconomyBefore the country’s independence in 1991, the econ-

omy has mainly relied on heavy industry – chemical,

manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, machines

and synthec rubber – all industries requiring the

import of materials. Like the economies of manycountries which have been a part of the former Soviet

Union, aer the falling of the Union, the economy of

the country has suered from the consequences of

central planning and loss of tradional markets. The

government managed to lead a mass sale economic re-

form, which lead to lower levels of inaon and stable

growth. The new sectors include jewelry-making, in-

formaon and communicaon technologies, and even

tourism.

FACTS ABOUT ARMENIA




FACTS ABOUT ARMENIA

ReligionArmenia is the rst country in the world that adopted

Chrisanity as a state religion in year 301. Today the

main religion of the country is Chrisanity, and the rootsof the Armenian Church date back to the rst centu-

ry. According to legend, it was founded by two of the

twelve apostles of Jesus – Thaddaeus and Bartholomew

who preached Chrisanity in Armenia between years 40

and 60. It is due to its founders that the church in Arme-

nia is called today the Armenian Apostolic Church, and

93% of the Chrisans in the country belong to it.

Armenian diasporaThe naonal identy of the Armenians is mainly based

on their culture and by far exceeds the borders of the

country. Approximately 8 million Armenians (compared

to the populaon, which is 3 million) live outside the

country. The largest number of Armenians live in Russia,

France, Iran, the USA and Georgia. Despite the fact thatthey do not live in Armenia, they have preserved their

identy, culture and tradion.

Food independency72% of the territory of Armenia is agricultural land, but

most of it is used as pastures and only 16% for agricul-

ture. The most common crops are grain crops (wheat

and rye), potatoes, vegetables, and fruits such as pome-

granate, apricots, and peaches. Many vineyards areculvated on the lower slopes of the mountains.




Etchmiadzin CathedralThe Etchmiadzin Cathedral is located in the city of Vagharshapat

and is considered the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic

Church. According to most scholars, it is the rst cathedral built

in ancient Armenia and is considered the oldest cathedral in the

world. The original church was built in the early fourth centu-

ry between 301 and 303, according to tradion by Armenia’s

patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adopon ofChrisanity as a state religion by KingTiridates III. It replaced a

pre-exisng temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism

to Chrisanity. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the main spiritual

center of most Armenians worldwide, and has been an important

locaon in Armenia not only religiously, but also polically, econom-

ically and culturally. The cathedral was listed as a World Heritage Site

by UNESCO in 2000.

Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinSanahin Monastery is an Armenian monastery founded in the 10th

century in the Lori Province. Its name literally translates “this one

is older than that one”, being built earlier than the neighbouring

Haghpat Monastery. The two villages and their monasteries

are similar in many ways. They lie in plain view of each other

on a dissected plateau formaon separated by a deep “crack”formed by a small river owing into the Debed river. Hagh-

pat Monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife

of the Bagrad king Ashot III. It was built not on a peak, but

halfway up a hillside on a site chosen to aord protecon and

concealment from prying eyes, and also in response to a kind of

monasc humility. Unlike the other monasteries, in the country,

those in the Northern part of Armenia are not isolated, and usually

small villages emerged around them. Haghpat Monastery, together with

Sanahin Monastery, is surrounded by numerous villages. Today both monasteries are partof the historic complex, and placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

UNIQUE PLACES IN ARMENIA




ARMENIAN CUISINE

Armenian cuisine has been inuenced by

Turkish, Georgian and Persian cuisine. The

country has two typical naonal dishes:

Harissa – a type of porridge from wheat

and meat (lamb, beef or chicken), which

are boiled for a long period of me. Usually

the dish is prepared for certain holidays in a

single cooking pot and served to all guests.

Khash – in the past it was a dish for work-

ers, prepared by beef or lamb meat, which

are boiled slowly in water for the whole

night. It was served for breakfast with

crushed dried bread “lavash”, with scram-

bled garlic and vodka or other alcoholic

drink. It is usually eaten in winter. There

is a vegetarian version where the meat is

substuted with lenl, and the garlic with

braised onion.

A typical Armenian “everyday” dish is “dz-

hash” – a type of stew with meat or vegeta-

bles and spices. It is usually served on rice

or bulgur pilaf, somemes accompanied by

bread, pickles or fresh vegetables. Stued

vegetables are usually served on holidays – tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, aubergine,

onion, potatoes, as well as cabbage rolls

with vine or cabbage leaves or beat leaves.

Typically, the stung consists of rice or

bulgur, mixed with ground meat, season-

ings, and somemes dried fruits and nuts.

Byoreks are pies made with phyllo pastry

and stued with cheese or spinach. Theyare a popular snack and fast food, oen

served as appezer. “Su byorek” lit. “water

byorek” is a lasagna-style dish with sheets

of phyllo pastry briey boiled in a large pan

before being spread with llings. “Msov

byorek” is a bread roll stued with ground

meat, and it is similar to Russian pirozhki.

Grilling (barbecue) is very popular in Arme-

nia. The typical dish is called “Khorovats”,

which consists of chunks of meat grilled on

a skewer (with or without the bones).

“Gharsi khorovats” is similar to the donner

kebab – it is grilled meat rolled up in “la-

vash”. It takes its name from the city of Kars

(Armenian: Ghars) in eastern Turkey, close

to the Armenian border. The pomegranate

symbolizes ferlity and is considered a sym-

bol of the naon, and apricots are consid-

ered the naonal fruit.




ARMENIAN DRINKS

So drinksArmenian coee – strong black coee,

somemes sweet, Ker – a fermented milk

drink, Kvas - sweet, fermented bread drink;

usually addionally avoured with fruits

like strawberries or raisins, or with herbs

– most oen mint. Than – yogurt drink

(sll or carbonated), Tarkhun soda – tarra-

gon-avored green soda.

OghiOghi is an Armenian vodka, usually pre-

pared from fruits. “Artsakh” is a famous

brand of mulberry vodka, produced in Na-

gorno-Karabakh. In the Armenian Diaspora,

oghi refers to the aniseed-avored dislled

alcoholic drink like ouzo.

Wine

The alcoholic drink with the longest history

in Armenia is wine. The oldest winery in the

world was discovered in Armenia. Histor-

ically, wineries in Armenia were concen-

trated along the Ararat valley. Of parcular

note was the district of Koghtn, current

Nakhichevan area.

Today, Armenian wineries are concentrated

in the Areni region (district of Vayots Dzor).

Armenian wine is mostly made from local

varietals, such as Areni, Lalvari, Kakhet, etc.,

though some wineries mix in beer known

European varietals such as Chardonnay and

Cabernet.

Wine-making took a downward plunge

in the years following the collapse of the

Soviet Union, but in recent years it is un-

dergoing a revival. An annual wine fesval,

held in Areni, is popular with the locals and

features wines from ocial wineries as well

as homemade hooch of varying quality.

Armenian wines are predominantly red

and sweet, semi-sweet, or dry. In addion

to grapes, wines can be made with other

fruits, notably pomegranate, apricot and

quince.

Brandy

Armenian brandy, known locally as konyak

is perhaps Armenia’s most popular export-

ed alcoholic drink. It has a long produconhistory, even being served at the Yalta Con-

ference.

The most popular brands are Ararat and

Noy. It is claimed that the Armenian konyak

was Churchill’s most favourite drink.




PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1 January: New Year

Usually the holiday starts

from 31.12 and lasts for a

whole week. Holiday sweets

are prepared and people

exchange gis and greengs,

and their homes are open toall guests.

28 January: Army Day

The Armenian army was

founded in 1992.

8 March:

Internaonal Women’s Day

All women in Armenia re-

ceive gis and owers from

their family, friends and

colleagues.

7 April: The Day of Materni-

ty and Beauty

Mothers receive owers and

gis from their children. The

period between March 8and April 7 is considered a

month of the woman.

24 April: Genocide Remem-

brance Day

Each year on the 24th of

April the Armenians around

the world remember the 1.5

million vicms of the 1915

Genocide. On this day, tensof thousands of people in

Armenia go on a pilgrimage

to Tsitsernakaberd in re-

membrance of the vicms.

9 May:

Victory and Peace Day

The end of World War II is

commemorated and vic-

ms who died in the war are

remembered. Each year a

parade of the war veterans

is carried out at the Republic

Square.

28 May: Republic Day

In 1918, aer half a millenni-

um of foreign reign, Armeniagained its independence.

5 July: Constuon Day

The Constuon of the

Republic of Armenia was

adopted by a naonal refer-

endum on 5 July 1995.

21 September:Independence Day

On this date in 1991, aer

holding a naonal refer-

endum, Armenia declared

its independence from the

Soviet Union.

7 December: Day of mem-

ory of the vicms of theearthquake in 1988

On this very day a strong

earthquake lead to the

death of thousands of Arme-

nians and destroyed a large

part of the architecture of

the country.




The naonal identy of the Armenians is formed by their culture. The deep his-

toric roots of Armenian culture and the geographic dispersion of its contributors

bring richness and diversity, which can hardly be reached within the boundariesof a single country, but at the same me helps preserve its wholeness. Armenians

have a strong sense of naonal identy, which somemes contradicts the modern

concept of a naon – the country. The Armenian identy is strongly inuenced by

historic events, such as the adopon of Chrisanity as a state religion in 301, the

creaon of the Armenian alphabet in 406, and the violence exerted on the Arme-

nians during dierent historic periods.

THE PEOPLE IN ARMENIA

Meeng and greengA meeng between two men: the most

common greeng between two men in

Armenia is a hand shake.

If two men are close friends, the hand

shake can be followed by a kiss on both

cheeks. In most cases the hand shake is

enough. A meeng between two wom-

en: in Armenia, women usually greeteach other with a hug and a kiss on both

cheeks.

Even if this is your rst meeng, mostArmenian women would kiss you on the

cheek as a greeng.

A meeng between a man and a woman:

in village regions women usually wait for

the man to extend their hand rst. When

the meeng is between relaves, the tra-

dional greeng is a light hug and a kiss

on the cheek.




Marriage

Armenians are monogamous. In some cases, marriages are arranged. Marriages with

relaves are avoided (unl seventh generaon). During the years of the Soviet Union, due

to the lack of housing in the country, most young couples lived with the husband’s family.

Nowadays most spouses live separately in their own household.

Labour distribuon

There has always been a gender division in Armenia. For example, the household has

always been the woman’s responsibility. The oldest woman used to be the head of the

family and ran the enre household. Women and men have worked outside their home,

but even then all household responsibilies have been le to the woman. Today women

and men have equal access to all economic sectors. Despite this, only ve of 57 banks in

the country are managed by women. Regarding employment, most of the women workon equal terms with the men, and women receive equal salary for the same work as men.

Despite this, more women hold low-paid posions and the average salary for women in

Armenia remains two thirds of men’s salary. Women work mainly in the educaon and

health sectors. In the industrial sector, the percentage of hired women is 40-42%. 63.9%

of unemployed are women. Most of the people dealing with subsistence farming are also

women.

Comparave status of men and women

During the rst Armenian republic (1918–1920), women had the same rights to vote and

be elected as men. Four women entered the parliament, and Diana Abgar was sent as an

ambassador to Japan. During the Soviet Union, despite the laws that guaranteed equal

rights to men and women on all levels, it was dicult for women to parcipate in polics

and high-level decision-making. In 1991, during the rst democrac elecons in Armenia,

which had recently gained its independence, only 9 women out of 240 representaves

entered the Parliament, and not a single woman took part in the parliamentary commit-

tees.

THE PEOPLE IN ARMENIA




ПОЛЕЗНА ИНФОРМАЦИЯ

Personal space

When people speak, they usually stay close

to each other, which might make foreigners

coming from western countries feel a lile

uncomfortable.

When you speak with a colleague or a

business partner, usually an arm’s length is

acceptable, but when people speak to rela-

ves or close friends, the distance is closer.

The beer two people know each other,

the more likely it is that they will touch

each other during the conversaon.

Men and women usually don’t demon-

strate closeness with one another in public

places, regardless of their relaonship. In

bigger cies, like Yerevan and Gyumri, the

western style of communicaon is becom-

ing more popular, and it is more common

to have physical contact during conversa-

on.

Do not be surprised if somebody taps youon the back during a conversaon. This is

an expression of admiraon. Direct eye

contact is preferred.

Armenians are very direct and say what

they think directly. This is part of their cul-

ture, so do not be oended.

Time management

In most cases, events start with a

15-20-minute delay. But somemes “just

another ve minutes” can become one

hour. Transport is usually more regular, but

if buses get full earlier, they leave immedi-

ately, even before the scheduled departure

me.

To make sure you will not miss your trans-

port, get to the bus staon earlier, but do

not be surprised if you have to wait.

USEFUL INFORMATION




USEFUL ADVICE

If you have been invited to somebody’s

home for a dinner, it is advisable to go a lit-

tle later, but not more than 10-15 minutes.

Dress formally and wear long trousers

(even if it is hot outside).

Aer you enter the home you might be

asked at the door to take o your shoes.When you go inside, shake hands with ev-

erybody present.

When invited to visit, it is appropriate to

bring a small present – some chocolates or

foreign alcohol are a good choice.

You can bring owers for the housewife

and candy for the children.

Eang is relavely formal and follows the

European equee – the knife is held in

the right hand, and the fork in the le, the

wrists are placed on the table.

Avoid using your le hand during eat-

ing and touching food with it, especially

bread.

If you have been invited to a restaurant,

have in mind that some restaurants are

intended only for men.

There is no restricon for women to go in,

but women would feel uncomfortable in

such an environment.

Tipping is not typical for Armenia, but if

you are at an expensive restaurant, ps

are appreciated. Leave what you feel is

appropriate; 10% is considered a generous

p. In most cafeterias and restaurants or

taxis, you can just round up the bill.

Usually men let women go rst when en-

tering a room or geng onto a vehicle by

opening the door for them.

In addion, in public transportaon it is

customary to give place to elderly people.

Avoid talking about topics related to Azer-

baijan or the Armenian Genocide; conver-

saons about the former Soviet Union are

acceptable.

A clenched st with the thumb placedbetween the index and the middle nger is

considered an insulng gesture.




BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Dress Code

Business dress code is formal and in west-

ern style. A dark suit and a e is suitable

for the men, and a formal dark suit with a

knee-length skirt is suitable for the women.

Women in Armenia pay special aenon to

being well dressed. Casual daily clothes are

not acceptable at business meengs.

Titles

It is tradional for the Armenian host to

introduce you and not for you to introduce

yourself.

In Armenia, the tle is menoned rst, then

the family name and nally the rst name.

The tle for “Mr.” is “Baron”, for “Mrs.” –

“Deegeen”, and for “Miss” – “Oryort”.

Gis

Appropriate gis include pens and otheroce materials. It is always best to have

the gis wrapped.

Gis should not be opened immediately.

Negoaons

Building personal relaonships is the basis

of all meengs.

When meeng Armenians, make arrange-

ments in advance and be on me, although

it is possible that the host will be late.

It is acceptable to interrupt during conver-

saons, so be paent and do not get of -

fended.

It is possible for the meeng to start with a

conversaon on a dierent topic. Avoid per-

sonal quesons and religion. Appropriate

topics are food, sports, me and history.

Armenians are generally friendly and com-

municave. It is beer to let them start

and nish the conversaon. It is acceptable

to haggle, but not always desirable during

negoaons.

Armenians are very sensive when they

hear the answer “no”, so be tacul and give

the informaon in a so manner.

Taking decisions does not usually happen

immediately. Refrain from demonstrang

strong emoons during ne




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