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Armenia

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Armenia is a country located in the Armenian highlands of West Asia.

Armenien topo
Armenien topo

It sits in the Caucasus region and is a landlocked nation. This means it has no direct access to an ocean. The country is surrounded by several neighbors. To the west lies Turkey, and Georgia is to the north. Azerbaijan borders the east, while Iran and Nakhchivan are to the south.

Satellite image of Armenia in May 2003
Satellite image of Armenia in May 2003

The land is very mountainous and has many volcanoes.

Mount Ararat and the Yerevan skyline
Mount Ararat and the Yerevan skyline

Life in Armenia has a very deep history. People have lived in these highlands for a very long time. Some human tools found here are over one million years old.

Zorats Karer 2008, part of the stone circle
Zorats Karer 2008, part of the stone circle

In the Bronze Age, people built many early settlements. One special place is the Areni-1 cave complex. Scientists found the world's oldest leather shoe and skirt there.

Bull Petroglyph Ukhtasar Volcano
Bull Petroglyph Ukhtasar Volcano

They even found an early place for making wine. This shows how much people have achieved in this land.

Many different groups and kingdoms once ruled this area. The state of Urartu was established in 860 BC. Later, the Kingdom of Armenia grew very strong. It reached its highest point under Tigranes the Great in the 1st century BC.

Coin of Tigranes II the Great, Antioch mint
Coin of Tigranes II the Great, Antioch mint

A very important moment happened in AD 301. Armenia became the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion.

Etchmiadzin cathedral
Etchmiadzin cathedral

The country still honors the Armenian Apostolic Church today.

Armenia has seen many changes through the centuries. The land was once split between the Byzantine and Sasanian Empires. For a long time, the Ottoman and Persian empires ruled parts of the homeland.

Map Safavid persia
Map Safavid persia

In the 20th century, the country went through very hard times. During World War I, up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a genocide.

Morgenthau336
Morgenthau336

After the Russian Revolution, the First Republic of Armenia was declared in 1918.

First Republic of Armenia
First Republic of Armenia

Later, it became part of the Soviet Union.

Today, the Republic of Armenia is an independent and democratic nation. It became independent again in 1991.

Government-House-of-Republic-of-Armenia-1918-1920
Government-House-of-Republic-of-Armenia-1918-1920

The capital city is Yerevan, which is a large financial center.

2014 Erywań, Budynek Zgromadzenia Narodowego Republiki Armenii
2014 Erywań, Budynek Zgromadzenia Narodowego Republiki Armenii

The economy works through making goods in factories and mining minerals.

Armenien topo
Armenien topo

Even though it is in Asia, Armenia views itself as part of Europe. It belongs to many European groups and organizations. The country remains a place where ancient history meets modern life.

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🖼️ Images & Media (48)
Mer Hayrenik instrumental.ogg
File:Zorats Karer 2008, part of the stone circle.jpg
Zorats Karer 2008, part of the stone circle.jpg
File:Bull Petroglyph Ukhtasar Volcano.jpg
Bull Petroglyph Ukhtasar Volcano.jpg
File:Arshakuni Armenia 150-en.svg
Arshakuni Armenia 150-en.svg
File:Darius I the Great's inscription.jpg
Darius I the Great's inscription.jpg
File:Coin of Tigranes II the Great, Antioch mint.jpg
Coin of Tigranes II the Great, Antioch mint.jpg
File:Garni Temple 02.JPG
Garni Temple 02.JPG
File:Etchmiadzin cathedral.jpg
Etchmiadzin cathedral.jpg
File:Map Safavid persia.png
Map Safavid persia.png
File:Siege of Erivan Fortress on 1 October 1827.jpg
Siege of Erivan Fortress on 1 October 1827.jpg
File:ErevanKhanate.gif
ErevanKhanate.gif
File:Morgenthau336.jpg
Morgenthau336.jpg

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