If you
aren’t a homebody and willing to pass comfort for excitement and the thrill of the
unexpected – welcome to Armenia in East Europe on the isthmus of the Black and the
Caspian Sea ! This is not a country for the visitor in a hurry. There are many jewels to
be discovered by the traveller. Armenia has had a hard time for most of its existence.
It’s been run over time and again and almost vanished in the early part of the 20th
century.
Then the erstwhile Soviet Union
walked in and held it in a vice like grip for close to 70 years. All that they
left on their departure is ugly architecture and a garrison mentality among the people.
Now, though independent of Soviet Russia, Armenia hasn’t fared too well – an
ongoing battle with neighbouring Azerbaijan and a relentless economic blockade has drawn
too much blood out of the economy.
But there are treats in store for the
traveller in a country that is not exactly traveller-friendly. The countryside is a
breathtaking bedspread of wildflowers, tall snowy mountains stand proud in the background,
and you are assured of historical exploration of 4000 odd churches and monuments. Amazing
that so many still stand after years of fighting and wars!.
F A C
T B O X
Country Name
Republic of Armenia
Area
29,800 sq km.
Population
29,800 sq km.
Capital City
Yeravan
People
Caucasian
Religion
94% are Armenian Orthodox
Language
Armenian (belongs to the school of Indo-European languages)
