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Armenia is a landlocked mountainous country located in the South Caucasus region of Western Asia. Covering an area of 29,743 square kilometers with a population of approximately 2.95 million people, Armenia is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south. The capital and largest city, Yerevan, is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, founded in 782 BCE. Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since developed as a parliamentary republic with a rich historical and cultural heritage.

Armenia's geography is characterized by rugged mountainous terrain, with an average elevation exceeding 1,800 meters above sea level. The country is dominated by the Armenian Highlands, featuring extinct volcanoes, deep gorges, and high-altitude plateaus. Mount Aragats, at 4,090 meters, is the country's highest peak, while the biblical Mount Ararat, though now in Turkey, remains a powerful symbol in Armenian culture. Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in Eurasia, covers about 5% of Armenia's territory. The country experiences a highland continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, with significant temperature variations due to elevation differences.

Armenia's economy has transitioned from Soviet central planning to a market-based system, with a GDP per capita of approximately $4,700. The country has limited natural resources, with mining of copper, molybdenum, and gold being important economic activities. Agriculture, particularly fruit production, viticulture, and livestock farming, employs a significant portion of the population. The information technology sector has emerged as a rapidly growing industry, earning Armenia the nickname "Silicon Mountain." Remittances from the large Armenian diaspora contribute substantially to the national economy. The government has prioritized economic reforms, infrastructure development, and diversification to reduce dependence on agriculture and mining.

Armenian culture is one of the oldest in the world, with a rich heritage dating back thousands of years. Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 CE, and the Armenian Apostolic Church remains central to national identity. The Armenian alphabet, created in 405 CE, is still in use today and is celebrated as a cornerstone of cultural preservation. Armenia is renowned for its medieval monasteries, including Geghard and Haghpat, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Armenian cuisine features dishes like dolma and lavash bread, also recognized by UNESCO. The Armenian language belongs to its own independent branch of the Indo-European language family. Despite historical hardships, including the Armenian Genocide of 1915, Armenians worldwide maintain strong cultural connections and pride in their ancient heritage.

Major Cities

• Yerevan - The capital and largest city with 1.1 million people, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities founded in 782 BCE
• Gyumri - Second-largest city with 120,000 people, Armenia's cultural capital known for its architecture and arts scene
• Vanadzor - Northern city with 80,000 people, an industrial center in the Lori Province
• Vagharshapat - Historic city with 46,000 people, home to the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church
• Hrazdan - Central city with 40,000 people, located near Lake Sevan and known for its thermal power station

Interesting Facts

• Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301 CE, predating the Roman Empire
• The Armenian alphabet was created in 405 CE by Mesrop Mashtots and has 39 unique letters still in use today
• Mount Ararat, though now in Turkey, remains Armenia's national symbol and appears on the country's coat of arms
• Lake Sevan is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world at 1,900 meters above sea level
• Armenia is often called "Silicon Mountain" for its growing IT sector and tech startups
• The Armenian Genocide of 1915 resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians and created a large diaspora worldwide