Armenia is a scenic and mountainous country bordering Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east and Iran and Turkey to the south and west. The dramatic and magnificent landscape is one of Armenia’s great attractions, but the country also has a lot of culture to offer. Armenia is the world’s oldest Christian community and the country also has an exciting pre – Christian cultural history. The climate is pleasant, the population hospitable and the food exciting.

See trips to Armenia

Residents: 2.9 million

Capital: Yerevan

Language: Armenian

That Winston Churchill preferred Armenian to French cognac?

That eight million Armenians live outside Armenia’s borders and only three million inside?

About Yerevan

Yerevan has been inhabited by humans since the Bronze Age. Today it is a modern city with a well-developed café culture and many theaters, galleries, concert halls and music venues. There are many memorials around Republiktorget, formerly Lenintorget. The 23-meter-high statue of Mother Armenia also sits here. Near the square we find the memorial and the museum of the Armenian genocide. The city’s market hall, which is housed in an impressive cathedral-like building, sells locally produced food.

Nature

Armenia is located in the southern Caucasus and is an incomparably beautiful and peaceful country. There is a total silence that is only interrupted by singing and chirping from the area’s many birds. The country is about as big as three Scania, but the many rivers and mountains make the landscape somewhat inaccessible in places. Everywhere in the beautiful mountain and valley landscape there is an abundance of over a thousand year old stone churches and monasteries, several of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Large parts of northeastern and southeastern Armenia are covered by forest, but during the war years 1988-94 the forests were devastated because the trees were the country’s only source of heat. Today, a project has been started with the aim of raising money for the care and regrowth of the forest.

History

The Kingdom of Armenia was formed as early as 5,000 BC. and as the world’s first country, in 301 Christianity was introduced as the state religion. In the 16th century, Armenia was divided between Persia and the Ottoman Empire, and as a Christian minority, Armenians fell victim to discrimination, persecution, and murder. Something that would haunt the country change until the end of the 20th century. It is estimated that about one million Armenians were murdered between 1915-17 and many were forced to flee and settle in other countries. Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan were united in 1922 in the Transcaucasian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic under the USSR. The union was dissolved in 1936 and the various republics were incorporated into the Soviet Union. The Nagorny Karabakh region became a point of contention between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and in connection with reforms in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, fighting flared up again. Armenia became an independent republic after a democratic referendum in 1991. Azerbaijan responded with an economic and military blockade of Nagorny Karabakh. This was the beginning of armed fighting between two republics during which two million people lost their lives and millions were forced to flee. The war ended in 1995, followed by some politically turbulent years. It all culminated in 1999 when an armed group with no connection to any of the political parties broke into parliament and assassinated the prime minister and several members of parliament. In recent years, the country has been dominated by political calm and has had the same president for the past six years.

Facts Armenia

Below you will find a number of practical information in connection with trips to Armenia.

• Language: Armenian

• Capital: Yerevan

• Residents: 2, 9 million

• Religion: Armenian Christian

• Currency: Armenian dram

• Area29,800 km2

Worth knowing

Time difference

+2 hours.

Armenia is two hours ahead of Sweden, which means that we present at two hours.

Transport in Armenia

The buses we travel with in Armenia have the highest possible standard and air conditioning whenever possible.

Economy

The price level in Armenia is very reasonable. A meal costs about 60 kronor at an average restaurant.

Currency and credit cards

In Armenia, you pay with Armenian dram (AMD). There are ATMs in Yerevan and other major cities where Visa and Mastercard can be used. There are also good opportunities to exchange cash (US dollars, euros or Russian rubles).

Tip

Many restaurants in Yerevan automatically add tips to the bill, but the staff is not allowed to partake of it and a little extra tip in addition to this is therefore welcome.

Electricity

Armenia has 220 volts and the sockets are of European standard.

Telephone and internet

Armenia’s international country code is +374. It is expensive to call home, so you may inquire with your mobile operator about coverage and price for calls from Armenia. There are several internet cafes in Yerevan and larger hotels have internet connection for a fee.

Drinking water and hygiene

Hotels and larger restaurants have modern toilet facilities. However, the standard of public toilets in cities and in the countryside may seem somewhat primitive. Bring your own toilet paper / wet wipes and any hand sanitizer. Then you can do without water if there is no such thing.

You should not drink tap water. Instead, buy bottled water.

Smoking

During flight and transport, there is of course a smoking ban. In Armenia, a law against smoking is being introduced, but more than half of the adult population smokes, so they have not come very far in this area. In some places there is a smoking ban, in others not.

Customs and traditions

Armenia is a Christian Orthodox country and outside the capital the population is more conservative. Covering clothing is recommended and when visiting churches, the clothing should cover both knees and shoulders.

Climate and weather in Armenia

Here you can read about the weather in Armenia

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	CHRISTMAS	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Yerevan
Daytime temperature	1	4	11	19	24	29	33	32	28	21	12	4
Night temperature	-8	-6	-2	6	10	14	17	17	12	7	1	-4
Precipitation (mm)	22	25	30	37	44	21	9	8	8	27	23	23

The climate in Armenia is very continental with dry and sunny summers lasting from June to September. Spring is short but autumn is long and characterized by beautiful and colorful leaves. The winters are fairly cold with lots of snow. Visit petwithsupplies for Armenia Travel Guide.