General Information

Official Name: Republic of Armenia – Hayastany Hanrapetoutyun (Hayastan)
Capital City: Yerevan
Major Cities: Gyumri, Vanadzor
Official Language: Armenian
Religion: Christian, Armenian Apostolic Church
Currency Unit: Armenian Dram, introduced in 1993
Population: 3,219,400 (as of 1 July 2006)
Ethnic Breakdown: Armenians – 96%
Minorities: Russians, Yezidis, Kurds, Assyrians, Greeks, Ukrainians, Jews and others
Territory: 29.74 thousand square kilometers
Avg. Altitude Above Sea Level: 1,800 meters
Highest Mountain Peak: Aragats (4,095 meters)
Natural Resources: Armenia is rich in copper, iron, bauxite, molybdenum, gold, silver, lead and zinc. Substantial deposits of pumice, marble, tufa, perlite, limestone, basalt and salt also exist. Precious and semi-precious stones are abundant.

Geographic Coordinates:

in the South: 38o 50’ Northern Latitude;
in the North: 41o 20’ Northern Latitude:
in the West: 43o 30’ Eastern Longitude;
in the East: 46o 00’ Eastern Longitude
Neighboring Countries:
in the North: Georgia;
in the East: Azerbaijan;
in the South: Iran;
in the South-West: Nakhijevan (Azerbaijan);
in the West: Turkey.

Abstract

15,000 monuments of history and culture are spread all over the territory of the Republic of Armenia making this country a unique open-air museum. The fact that Armenia is the oldest Christian state, the existence of early Christian monuments and strong traditions make Armenia a fascinating country for tourists interested in religious and cultural tours. Armenians built magnificent churches in the most inaccessible places and carved unique cross stones which have become one of the symbols of the nation.
The presence of nearly all climatic zones, variety in relief, diversity in flora and fauna attract the people who prefer ecological tourism, bird watching, geological and adventure tours. The sights of Armenian nature – the Armenian Plateau containing an endless chain of mountains, lakes hidden in the heights, mountain torrents and waterfalls, valleys and forests leave deep impressions in people who visit Armenia. Being a country of contrasts in this small piece of land Armenia has sultry summer and eternal winter existing almost side by side. The valleys can be as hot as tropics while mountains are covered with snow all year around.
One of the most ancient cities of the world – Yerevan, is of special interest for visitors. Downtown Yerevan is full of open-air cafes, restaurants, parks and entertainment. Original architecture bearing the signs of various epochs, and safe streets make the city pleasant for walks. The view on the Biblical Mt. Ararat, which is 50 km from Yerevan, is very beautiful.

Currency, Travelers check

The Dram is the Armenian national currency. Paper notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000 and 50000 Dram. All banknotes that are less than 500 dram (10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500) are replaced by coins. Foreign bank notes can be exchanged at local banks and at exchange counters.
ATM machines work in accordance with the Plus Global Access Network, Visa, and MasterCard systems. The exchange rate in Yerevan has been quite stable and the monetary policies of the Central Bank have been acknowledged by the international community to be largely successful.
For current exchange rate please refer to the official web site of the Central Bank of Armenia: www.cba.am

Medical Services

No obligatory immunizations are required for travelers who visit Armenia. Armenia’s climate is usually pleasant and does not pose unusual health risks. Water in Armenia is clean and safe, though those who have sensitive stomachs may take a few days before fully adjusting to the different food and drink intake.
As for medical facilities, they differ in quality and breadth. There are many qualified doctors and dentists practicing in all specialties. You will be required to make cash deposits and payments in local currency for health care at local health facilities. Almost no hospitals or clinics accept credit card payments at this time.

Climate

Armenia has a rather dry climate with little humidity in winter or summer. The country’s climate is continental with four distinct seasons, although high mountain peaks may see snow late into the spring. All four seasons are present in Armenia.
Spring (March to May) can bring showers and sudden snowstorms, but it’s usually sunny with temperatures from 10°C to 26°C. Summer (June to August) is hot and dry with temperatures between 21°C and 37°C. Autumn (September to November) has warm days, but cooler evenings, and can remain warm all the way through to mid-November. Winter (December-February) can be cold with temperatures from -30°C to -10°C.