Everyone who wants to book tours to Armenia should prepare for the maximum immersion in the original culture of this beautiful country, in the perfect combination of a measured flow of life and natural charm. Rest in Armenia is multifaceted, like this whole small original country, which in a small area was able to accommodate many historical and cultural eras with their sights, reserves and national parks. Tour operator in Armenia guarantees that it will be an unforgettable trip.
Currency: Armenian dram
Language: Armenian
Capital: Yerevan
GEOGRAPHY
The capital is Yerevan.
Armenia is a landlocked country in the Transcaucasus (South Caucasus). It is located in the north-east of the Armenian Highlands, also called historical Armenia, between the Black and Caspian Seas, from the north and east it is framed by the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus. It borders with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and with the territories considered since 1993 by the UN Security Council as territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenian forces and included in its composition by the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Largest cities: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor. The country is currently landlocked and has no navigable waterways, unlike historical Armenia, which, during the reign of King Tigran the Great, stretched from the Caspian to the Mediterranean and was more than ten times the size of today’s Armenia. 5165-meter Mount Ararat,
Many of the surviving historical monuments in Armenia are Christian churches and monasteries. Armenian “khachkars” are a unique part of the history of Armenia. The first true khachkar appeared in the 9th century. The oldest khachkar with a known date was carved in 879 (although earlier examples exist). Today, approximately 40,000 khachkars have been preserved.
CLIMATE
According to bridgat, the climate of Armenia is very diverse. This is due to the peculiarities of the geographical location, large elevation differences. On the plains, the average January temperature is −5 °C, July +25 °C; in the mountains -12 °C and +16 °C respectively. The minimum amount of precipitation in the Ararat valley is 200-250 mm per year, in the middle mountains – 500 mm, and in the highlands – 700-900 mm.
Despite the fact that Armenia is located at the latitude of the subtropical zone, the subtropical climate is observed only in the southern (Meghri) and northeastern (Noyemberyan) parts of Armenia. In other regions, the climate is continental – hot summers and cold winters, and temperate – moderate winters and moderate summers.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Armenian. Russian and English are widely used.
RELIGION
In Armenia, the overwhelming majority of the population professes Christianity. The form of government is Presidential. Armenia became the first state in the world to adopt Christianity as an official religion in the early years of the 4th century (the traditional date is 301 AD). Therefore, Armenia is often referred to as “the first Christian country”.
MONEY
Currency – Armenian dram. Banknotes of 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000 drams and coins worth 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 drams are used. The currency is freely convertible without any restrictions and commissions in numerous currency exchange offices, as well as in banks.
POPULATION
Armenia is the only country of the former USSR with a practically mono-ethnic population (98.6% of Armenians). Armenians are among the peoples, most of which live outside the borders of the Motherland (about 5 million Armenians live in 66 countries). The largest ethnic minorities in Armenia are Yezidis, Russians, Assyrians, Greeks, Ukrainians, Kurds, Georgians, Belarusians, Germans, Jews, Poles. Religiously, the majority (90%) of the population of Armenia are Christians belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church. As of January 1, 2014, the permanent population of Armenia amounted to 3 million 017.4 thousand people.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Entry into Armenia with a foreign passport. For citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, entry into Armenia is visa-free.
THE SHOPS
Armenia, first of all, is famous for its cognac. In any store, including duty free at the airport, you will see many different brands. However, it is best to buy cognac at a cognac factory.
Armenian dessert wines are good, you can try apricot, quince, the more widely known pomegranate wine and more. An interesting souvenir will be Armenian mulberry vodka, which, in addition to excellent taste, is also considered a healing drink.
In addition, you can bring dried fruits from Armenia – dried apricots and peaches, figs, persimmons, churchkhela, etc. – various nuts – real tasty hazelnuts, walnuts. Armenian herbs and spices are also brought in; on the market you will find dried chopped pomegranate, which will add a piquant taste to sauerkraut and many salads, and fragrant thyme, and various garlic spices, and other mixtures for any occasion. All seasonings and dried fruits are allowed to taste, you can always bargain.
On weekends in Yerevan, you can visit the popular city market, the so-called “Vernissage” – a paradise for those who want to buy souvenirs of any kind. This is a market immersed in the best works of Armenian (and not only) masters, where you will find unique jewelry, stunning painted dishes, clothes, carpets, antiques, music discs, instruments, real Caucasian daggers encrusted with precious stones, retro photographic equipment and more. The market is located just two hundred meters from the Republic Square – the central square of Yerevan.
KITCHEN
The cuisine of Armenia is as ancient as its history, as the land on which it was formed. Armenian culinary traditions date back over 2000 years. The abundance of meat on the Armenian table is the result of the ancient development of cattle breeding in the Armenian Highlands, which led to the diversity of livestock and poultry. Cattle breeding has also become a source of a variety of dairy products – mainly jug and wineskin pickled cheeses, as well as sour-milk products that are derivatives for traditional Armenian dishes and drinks. There are two actual national dishes in Armenian cuisine. Harissa -and Hash. The fame of Armenian cuisine has long spread beyond the borders of the country. There is no place where Armenian cuisine is not known, loved and cultivated. Juicy steaming barbecue exuding a breathtaking aroma, baked vegetables – khoravats, impregnated with the taste and smell of a fire, the most delicate dolma melting in your mouth, cooked without a gram of oil…. overeating. All dishes of Armenian cuisine are well known and, most importantly, loved.
For cooking, Armenian cuisine uses about 300 types of wild herbs and flowers, which are used as seasonings or even as a main dish.
TRANSPORT
Although the historical part of Yerevan can be explored on foot, there are main types of public transport in the city – metro, buses, trolleybuses and fixed-route taxis, with their help it is very convenient to see the sights of the capital.
The modern metro of Yerevan consists of one branch, uniting 10 stations. It runs trains of 2-3 wagons. The fare is 100 AMD. On the metro, it is possible to purchase a ticket for a period of a month or more.
The metro in Yerevan operates from 6:30 to 23:30.
The cost of ground travel is also 100 drams. Payment is made to the driver upon exit.
Taxi is another convenient and affordable way of transportation in Armenia. There are many private taxi companies in the country. All cars are equipped with meters that show how much you can pay per kilometer (0.25 USD per kilometer). However, the minimum amount is 1.5 USD, which the passenger must pay when getting into the car, this amount includes 4 kilometers, for each additional kilometer, the standard price of 0.25 USD is applied. Usually in the city center the amount does not exceed 2.5-3 USD.
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS
The communication system is quite outdated and has recently undergone intensive modernization. Some pay phones work with coins of small denominations, but in the capital there are more and more phones that work with magnetic cards. You can call abroad from a call center (located in large post offices), from a hotel or from special international-style payphones installed in the halls of large department stores, in banks and at call centers.
The international country code is 374, 10 is the city code of Yerevan.
