Middle East :: Armenia
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of Armenia
Location of Armenia
 
Map of Armenia
Introduction ::Armenia
Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in at least 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey closed the common border with Armenia in 1994 in support of Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, further hampering Armenian economic growth. In 2009, senior Armenian leaders began pursuing rapprochement with Turkey, aiming to secure an opening of the border, but the rapprochement effort faltered.
Geography ::Armenia
Southwestern Asia, between Turkey (to the west) and Azerbaijan
40 00 N, 45 00 E
total: 29,743 sq km
country comparison to the world: 143
land: 28,203 sq km
water: 1,540 sq km
slightly smaller than Maryland
total: 1,254 km
border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
0 km (landlocked)
none (landlocked)
highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
lowest point: Debed River 400 m
highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m
small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite
arable land: 16.78%
permanent crops: 2.01%
other: 81.21% (2005)
2,740 sq km (2003)
10.5 cu km (1997)
total: 2.95 cu km/yr (30%/4%/66%)
per capita: 977 cu m/yr (2000)
occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
People and Society ::Armenia
noun: Armenian(s)
adjective: Armenian
Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001 census)
Armenian (official) 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census)
Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3%
2,970,495 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
0-14 years: 17.4% (male 275,915/ female 239,873)
15-64 years: 72.7% (male 1,014,321/ female 1,146,333)
65 years and over: 9.9% (male 109,360/ female 184,693) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
total: 32.6 years
male: 29.9 years
female: 35.4 years (2012 est.)
0.107% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
12.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
8.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
-3.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
urban population: 64% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
YEREVAN (capital) 1.11 million (2009)
at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
30 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 123
total: 18.21 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 100
male: 22.63 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
total population: 73.49 years
country comparison to the world: 118
male: 69.85 years
female: 77.56 years (2012 est.)
1.38 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
4.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 144
3.697 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
4.07 beds/1,000 population (2007)
improved:
urban: 95% of population
rural: 80% of population
total: 90% of population
unimproved:
urban: 5% of population
rural: 20% of population
total: 10% of population
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
1,900 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
4.2% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 92
3% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 133
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.6%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.4% (2010 est.)
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2009)
total: 57.6%
country comparison to the world: 1
male: 47.2%
female: 69.4% (2007)
Government ::Armenia
conventional long form: Republic of Armenia
conventional short form: Armenia
local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
local short form: Hayastan
former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic
republic
name: Yerevan
geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan
21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005
civil law system
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
21 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Tigran SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
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elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 19 February 2008 (next to be held 18 February 2013); prime minister appointed by the president based on majority or plurality support in parliament; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program
election results: Serzh SARGSIAN elected president; percent of vote - Serzh SARGSIAN 52.9%, Levon TER-PETROSSIAN 21.5%, Artur BAGHDASARIAN 16.7%, other 8.9%
unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party list and 41 by direct vote; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 6 May 2012 (next to be held in the spring of 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - RPA 44%, Prosperous Armenia 30.1%, ANC 7.1%, Heritage Party 5.8%, ARF (Dashnak) 5.7%, Rule of Law 5.5%, other 1.8%; seats by party - RPA 69, Prosperous Armenia 37, ANC 7, Heritage Party 5, ARF (Dashnak) 5, Rule of Law 6, independent 2
Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)
Armenian National Congress or ANC (bloc of independent and opposition parties) [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABIAN]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARIAN]; Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISIAN]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHIAN]; Prosperous Armenia [Gagik TSARUKIAN]; Republican Party of Armenia or RPA [Serzh SARGSIAN]; Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]
Aylentrank (Impeachment Alliance) [Nikol PASHINIAN]; Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]
ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN
chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
chief of mission: Ambassador John HEFFERN
embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082
mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020
telephone: [374](10) 464-700
FAX: [374](10) 464-742
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it
Mount Ararat; eagle; lion
name: "Mer Hayrenik""(Our Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN
note: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics
Economy ::Armenia
After several years of double-digit economic growth, Armenia faced a severe economic recession with GDP declining more than 14% in 2009, despite large loans from multilateral institutions. Sharp declines in the construction sector and workers' remittances, particularly from Russia, led the downturn. The economy began to recover in 2010 with 2.1% growth, and picked up to 4.6% growth in 2011, before slowing to 3.8% in 2012. Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. Since August 2011, Armenia experienced a sharp 15 percent currency depreciation and an increase in the unemployment rate. Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to the sharp deterioration in the global economy and the economic downturn in Russia. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1994 as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support and most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's RAO-UES in 2005. Natural gas is primarily imported from Russia but construction of a pipeline to deliver natural gas from Iran to Armenia was completed in December 2008, and gas deliveries expanded after the April 2010 completion of the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. The government made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been ineffective and the economic downturn has led to a sharp drop in tax revenue and forced the government to accept large loan packages from Russia, the IMF, and other international financial institutions. Amendments to tax legislation, including the introduction of the first ever "luxury tax" in 2011, aim to increase the ratio of budget revenues to GDP, which still remains at low levels. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and to strengthen the rule of law in order to regain economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
$18.95 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
$18.26 billion (2011 est.)
$17.46 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$10.55 billion (2012 est.)
3.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
4.6% (2011 est.)
2.1% (2010 est.)
$5,600 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
$5,500 (2011 est.)
$5,300 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
agriculture: 19.2%
industry: 40.8%
services: 40% (2012 est.)
1.194 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
agriculture: 44.2%
industry: 16.8%
services: 39% (2008 est.)
7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
5.9% (2011 est.)
35.8% (2010 est.)
lowest 10%: 3.7%
highest 10%: 25.4% (2008)
30.9 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 111
44.4 (1996)
37.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
revenues: $2.2 billion
expenditures: $2.507 billion (2012 est.)
20.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
-2.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
42.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
41.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
7.7% (2011 est.)
8% (11 January 2012)
country comparison to the world: 38
7.25% (2 December 2008)
note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy instrument of the Armenian National Bank
18.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
17.76% (31 December 2011 est.)
note: average lending rate on loans up to one year
$1.249 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$1.341 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$3.555 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
$4.261 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$2.807 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
$3.364 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$43.52 million (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 117
$27.99 million (31 December 2010)
$140.5 million (31 December 2009)
fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock
14.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
-$1.163 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
-$1.12 billion (2011 est.)
$1.495 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
$1.518 billion (2011 est.)
pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy
Russia 16.7%, Germany 11.8%, Bulgaria 11.4%, Netherlands 8.8%, Iran 8%, US 7.5%, Spain 6.2%, Belgium 5.3%, Canada 5.3%, Georgia 4.6% (2011)
$3.269 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
$3.614 billion (2011 est.)
natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds
Russia 20.1%, China 8.2%, Ukraine 6.9%, Iran 6.5%, Germany 5.9%, Italy 4.7%, Turkey 4% (2011)
$2.016 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$1.932 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$6.435 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$6.417 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
drams (AMD) per US dollar -
404.8 (2012 est.)
372.5 (2011 est.)
373.66 (2010 est.)
363.28 (2009)
303.93 (2008)
calendar year
Energy ::Armenia
7.432 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
5.8 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
1.36 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
291 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
3.173 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
53.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
11.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
34.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
0.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
45,300 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
9,698 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
2.077 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
2.077 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
11.56 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Communications ::Armenia
577,500 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 92
3.211 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 123
general assessment: telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005
domestic: reliable modern fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas
international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2008)
2 public TV networks operating alongside more than 40 privately-owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; major Russian broadcast stations are widely available; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside about 20 privately-owned radio stations; several major international broadcasters are available (2008)
.am
194,142 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 73
208,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 138
Transportation ::Armenia
11 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 155
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2012)
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
gas 2,233 km (2010)
total: 869 km
country comparison to the world: 96
broad gauge: 869 km 1.520-m gauge (818 km electrified)
note: some lines are out of service (2009)
total: 7,705 km (2012)
country comparison to the world: 144
Military ::Armenia
Armenian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense; "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic": Nagorno-Karabakh Self-Defense Force (NKSDF) (2011)
18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2010)
males age 16-49: 805,847
females age 16-49: 854,296 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 644,372
females age 16-49: 717,272 (2010 est.)
male: 23,470
female: 21,417 (2010 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 50
Transnational Issues ::Armenia
the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability; residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan; Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley; in 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders; ethnic Armenian groups in the Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian Government
IDPs: 8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2009)
illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe