Page 6 - 2003-2004

INTRODUCTION TO ARMENIA
GEOGRAPHY
Armenia is a country located on the southern side of the Caucasus massif at the
crossroads of Europe and Asia. The neighbouring countries are: Turkey in the
west, Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the east, Nakhichevan (an exclave of
Azerbaijan in the southwest), and Iran in the southeast.
The CLIMATE of Armenia is highland continental. The average temperature fluctu-
0
0
0
0
ates between +18 C and + 32 C in July-August and between –13 C and +1 C in January.
The type of land is as follows: 37.2 % mountains, 29.8 % pasture, 21% arable land
and 12% woodland.
Armenian mountains are rich in iron, molybdenum, gold, lead, silver, clay,
limestone, as well as semi-precious and ornamental stones.
Armenia is rich in natural mineral waters. There are hundreds of natural wells
throughout the country, 10 natural lakes, 5 canyons and numerous springs and
torrents. Lake Sevan is the world’s largest highland fresh water lake (1,400
square kilometers). The country’s highest peak is Mount Aragats (4,090 metres).
KEY INFORMATION
OFFICIAL NAME Republic of Armenia
HEAD OF STATE President
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT Prime Minister
NATIONAL LEGISLATURE National Assembly
CAPITAL Yerevan
MAJOR CITIES Gyumri, Vanadzor, Ashtarak, Artashat, Goris
TOTAL LAND AREA 29,800 square kilometers
POPULATION 3.2 million
LABOR FORCE 56%
LITERACY (%) 99%
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Armenian
DATE OF INDEPENDENCE September 21, 1991
RELIGION Armenian Apostolic (adopted in 301 A.D.)
CURRENCY Dram (AMD)
TIME ZONE GMT +4
POPULATION
Based on latest official estimates, Armenia’s population is 3.2 million with an
annual growth rate of 0.7%. Ethnically, Armenia is a homogeneous country with 93%
Armenians. The next biggest ethnic group are the Russians with 1.5%.
LABOR FORCE
The majority of people are between the ages of 17 and 59 (56%). Education
continues to be one of the main values for the Armenian society. Today, there are
about 60 universities with more than 60,000 students. 27 of the universities are
state owned and 8 are foreign: the American University of Armenia, the French
University, the European University and 5 Russian universities.
The unemployment rate was reduced to 9.4% in 2002 compared with 10.3% registered
in 2001.

ARMENIAN DIASPORA
Armenia has a worldwide Diaspora comprising about 5 million Armenians. The
largest Diaspora communities are in the United States, France, Germany, Russia
and Iran.

LANGUAGE
Armenian is the official language and it is spoken by 99% of the population.
Russian dominates as the second language. English is the third spoken language as
a consequence of the country’s integration into the world economy.

STATE STRUCTURE
Due to the Constitution adopted through a national referendum in 1995, Armenia is
an independent and democratic country with a presidential form of government. The
executive body is the Government of Armenia headed by the Prime Minister, who is
appointed by the President. The National Assembly is the legislative body of the
country.

6 6 6 6 6