View source for Armenia

{{about|the country}}
{{redirect2|Hayastan|Hayasdan}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{short description|Landlocked country in the Caucasus}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Armenia
| common_name            = Armenia
| native_name            = {{unbulleted list|class=nowrap|{{native name|hy|{{small|Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն}}|italics=off}}|''Hayastani Hanrapetut’yun''}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Armenia.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Armenia.svg
| national_motto         ={{nowrap|{{big|{{lang|ar|Մեկ Ազգ, Մեկ Մշակույթ}}}}}}<br />"{{transl|ar|Mek Azg, Mek Mshakouyt}}" <br />{{small|"One Nation, One Culture"}}  
| national_anthem        = [[Mer Hayrenik|Մեր Հայրենիք]]<br />''Mer Hayrenik''<br />{{smaller|("Our Motherland")}}<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:Mer Hayrenik instrumental.ogg|center]]</div>
| image_map              = Armenia (orthographic projection).svg
| image_map2             = 
| capital                = [[Yerevan]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|40|11|N|44|31|E|type:city|display=inline,title}}
| largest_city           = capital
| official_languages     = [[Armenian language|Armenian]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of Armenia, Article 20|url=http://www.president.am/en/constitution-2015/|publisher=president.am|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223102232/http://www.president.am/en/constitution-2015/|archive-date=23 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| national_languages     = 
| languages2_type        = 
| languages2_sub         = 
| languages2             = 
| ethnic_groups          = {{Unbulleted list |98.1% [[Armenians]] |1.2% [[Yazidis in Armenia|Yazidis]] |0.4% [[Russians in Armenia|Russians]] |0.3% other<ref>Asatryan, Garnik; Arakelova, Victoria (Yerevan 2002). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110511044234/http://www.hra.am/file/minorities_en.pdf The Ethnic Minorities in Armenia]. Part of the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110511044234/http://www.hra.am/file/minorities_en.pdf Archived copy] at [[WebCite]] (16 April 2010).</ref><ref>Ministry of Culture of Armenia [http://mincult.am/datas/media/azg.poqr.%20ev%20xorhurd%20mshak.nax.%20(1).doc "The ethnic minorities in Armenia. Brief information"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010143439/http://mincult.am/datas/media/azg.poqr.%20ev%20xorhurd%20mshak.nax.%20(1).doc |date=10 October 2017 }}. As per the most recent census in 2011. [http://mincult.am/national_minority.html "National minority"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216082403/http://mincult.am/national_minority.html |date=16 February 2017 }}.</ref>}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2011
| religion               = [[Christianity]] ([[Armenian Apostolic Church]])<ref name="Article 18">{{Cite web|url=https://www.president.am/en/constitution-2015/|title=Constitution of the Republic of Armenia - Library - The President of the Republic of Armenia|website=www.president.am|access-date=7 March 2020|archive-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404152021/https://www.president.am/en/constitution-2015/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| demonym                = [[Armenians|Armenian]]
| government_type        = {{nowrap|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]]}} [[republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Armenia|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Armen Sarkissian]]
| leader_title2          = [[Prime Minister of Armenia|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Nikol Pashinyan]]
| leader_title3          = [[President of the National Assembly of Armenia|President of the National Assembly]]
| leader_name3           = [[Ararat Mirzoyan]]
| legislature            = [[National Assembly (Armenia)|National Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Armenia|Establishment]]
| established_event1     = [[Orontid dynasty]]
| established_date1      = 6th century BC
| established_event2     = {{nowrap|[[Artaxiad Dynasty]]<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=de Laet |editor1-first=Sigfried J. |editor2-last=Herrmann |editor2-first=Joachim |title=History of Humanity: From the seventh century B.C. to the seventh century A.D. |date=1996 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=978-92-3-102812-0 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=WGUz01yBumEC&pg=PA128 128] |edition=1st |quote=The ruler of the part known as Greater Armenia, Artaxias (Artashes), the founder of a new dynasty, managed to unite the country...}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia Americana: Ankara to Azusa |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaamer02scho |url-access=registration |date=2005 |publisher=[[Scholastic Library Publishing]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaamer02scho/page/393 393] |quote=It was named for Artaxias, a general of Antiochus the Great, who founded the kingdom of Armenia about 190 B.C.}}</ref><!--end nowrap:-->}}
| established_date2      = 190 BC
| established_event3     = [[Arsacid dynasty of Armenia|Arsacid dynasty]]
| established_date3      = 52–428
| established_event4     = [[Bagratid Armenia]]
| established_date4      = 885–1045
| established_event5     = [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia|Kingdom of Cilicia]]
| established_date5      = 1198–1375
| established_event6     = [[First Republic of Armenia|Republic]] [[Declaration of Independence of Armenia (1918)|declared]]
| established_date6      = 28 May 1918
| area_km2               = 29,743
| area_rank              = 138th
| area_sq_mi             = 11,484 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| percent_water          = 4.71<ref name="cia-fact">{{cite web|title=The World Fact Book – Armenia |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |accessdate=17 July 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719074837/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html |archivedate=19 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_estimate    = 2,956,900 {{decrease}} <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=12&id=19001&submit=Search |title=Archived copy |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726083844/https://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=12&id=19001&submit=Search |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_census      =  3,018,854 {{nowrap|{{decrease}} <ref name="Armenia information">{{cite web |url=http://www.armstat.am/file/doc/99475033.pdf |title=Statistical Service of Armenia |publisher=Armstat |accessdate=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010144321/http://www.armstat.am/file/doc/99475033.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="News.am">{{cite news |title=Armenia Population |url=http://countrymeters.info/en/Armenia |agency=countrymeters.info |access-date=24 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626115837/http://countrymeters.info/en/Armenia |archive-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref><!--end nowrap:-->}}
| population_estimate_year = 2020
| population_estimate_rank = 137th
| population_census_year = 2011
| population_census_rank = 
| population_density_km2 = 101.5
| population_density_sq_mi = 262.9 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| population_density_rank = 99th
| GDP_PPP                = {{nowrap|$32.893 billion<ref name="IMF GDP">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2018/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=62&pr.y=6&sy=2016&ey=2020&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=911&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2018|publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |access-date=23 February 2019}}</ref><!--end nowrap:-->}}
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2019
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = $10,995<ref name="IMF GDP"/>
| GDP_nominal            = {{nowrap|$13.444 billion<ref name="IMF GDP"/>}}
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2019
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 127th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $4,527<ref name="IMF GDP"/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 104th
| Gini                   = 34.4 <!--number only-->
| Gini_year              = 2018
| Gini_change            = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name=WB1>{{cite web |url= https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=AM |title= GINI index (World Bank estimate) - Armenia |publisher= [[World Bank]] |accessdate=22 March 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181121041937/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=AM |archive-date= 21 November 2018 |url-status=live |df= dmy-all }}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI                    = 0.760 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year               = 2018 <!--Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2019-human-development-index-ranking|title=Human Development Report 2019|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=10 December 2019|accessdate=10 December 2019|format=PDF|archive-date=22 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322121226/http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/ROU.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 81st
| currency               = [[Armenian dram|Dram]]&nbsp;([[Armenian dram sign|֏]])
| currency_code          = AMD
| time_zone              = [[Armenia Time|AMT]]
| utc_offset             = +4
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Armenia|+374]]
| cctld                  = {{unbulleted list |[[.am]] |[[.հայ]]}}
| religion_year          = 
| today                  = 
| established_event8     = [[1991 Armenian independence referendum|Independence]] from<br>the [[Soviet Union]]
| established_date8      = 23 September 1991
}}

'''Armenia''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Armenia.ogg|ɑr|ˈ|m|iː|n|i|ə}};<ref>"[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/armenia?s=t Armenia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210220614/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/armenia?s=t |date=10 December 2015 }}." Dictionary.com Unabridged. 2015.</ref> {{lang-hy|Հայաստան|translit=Hayastan}}, {{IPA-hy|hɑjɑsˈtɑn|IPA}}), officially the '''Republic of Armenia''' ({{lang-hy|Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն|translit=Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun}}, {{IPA-hy|hɑjɑstɑˈni hɑnɾɑpɛtutʰˈjun|IPA}}), is a [[landlocked]] country in the [[South Caucasus]] region of [[Eurasia]]. Located in [[Western Asia]],<ref>{{cite book|author=Central Intelligence Agency|title=The CIA World Factbook 2015|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xutfBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT5241|year=2014|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|isbn=978-1-62914-903-5|page=5241}}</ref><ref>The [[UN]] [http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm classification of world regions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020625192322/http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm |date=25 June 2002 }} places Armenia in Western Asia; the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] [[The World Factbook|World Factbook]] {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html |title=Armenia |work=The World Factbook |publisher=[[CIA]] |accessdate=2 September 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010101707/https://cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html |archivedate=10 October 2010 |url-status=live  }} {{cite web |url=http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=armeni&Mode=d&SubMode=w |title=Armenia |publisher=[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] |access-date=16 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808084113/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=armeni&Mode=d&SubMode=w |archive-date=8 August 2007 |url-status=live  }}, {{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/35178/Armenia |title=Armenia |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |access-date=16 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401081831/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/35178/Armenia |archive-date=1 April 2009 |url-status=live  }}, {{cite book|title=Calendario Atlante De Agostini|date=2015|publisher=Istituto Geografico De Agostini|location=Novara|language=Italian|isbn=9788851124908|page=sub voce|edition=111}} and ''Oxford Reference Online'' {{Cite journal |title=Oxford Reference |publisher=Oxford Reference Online |doi=10.1093/acref/9780199546091.001.0001 |year=2004 |isbn=9780199546091 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/worldencyclopedi00oxfo }} also place Armenia in Asia.</ref> on the [[Armenian Highlands]], it is bordered by [[Turkey]] to the west, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] to the north, the ''de facto'' independent [[Republic of Artsakh]] and [[Azerbaijan]] to the east, and [[Iran]] and Azerbaijan's [[exclave]] of [[Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic|Nakhchivan]] to the south.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0-19-510507-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/oxfordencycloped0000unse/page/156 156]|via=|url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordencycloped0000unse/page/156}}</ref>

Armenia is a unitary, multi-party, democratic [[Nation state|nation-state]] with an ancient cultural heritage. [[Urartu]] was established in 860 BC and by the 6th century BC it was replaced by the [[Satrapy of Armenia]]. The [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Kingdom of Armenia]] reached its height under [[Tigranes the Great]] in the 1st century BC and became the first state in the world to adopt [[Christianity]] as its [[State religion|official religion]] in the late 3rd or early 4th century AD.<ref>({{cite book |last=Garsoïan|first=Nina|authorlink=Nina Garsoïan|title=Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times|editor=R.G. Hovannisian|publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]]|year=1997|page=81|volume=1}})</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Stringer|first=Martin D.|title=A Sociological History of Christian Worship|url=https://archive.org/details/sociologicalhist00stri|url-access=limited|year=2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=978-0-521-81955-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/sociologicalhist00stri/page/n101 92]}}</ref><ref>Smaller nations that have claimed a prior official adoption of Christianity include [[Osroene]], the [[Silures]], and [[San Marino]]. See [[Timeline of official adoptions of Christianity]].</ref> The official date of state adoption of Christianity is 301.<ref>{{cite book|first=René|last=Grousset|title=Histoire de l'Arménie|publisher=Payot|year=1947|edition=1984|page=122}}. Estimated dates vary from 284 to 314. Garsoïan (''op.cit.'' p. 82), following the research of Ananian, favours the latter.</ref> The ancient Armenian kingdom was split between the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] and [[Sasanian Empire]]s around the early 5th century. Under the [[Bagratuni dynasty]], the [[Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia]] was restored in the 9th century. Declining due to the wars against the Byzantines, the kingdom fell in 1045 and Armenia was soon after invaded by the [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuk Turks]]. An Armenian principality and later a kingdom [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia|Cilician Armenia]] was located on the coast of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the traditional Armenian homeland composed of [[Eastern Armenia]] and [[Western Armenia]] came under the rule of the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] and [[Persian Empire|Persian]] empires, repeatedly ruled by either of the two over the centuries. By the 19th century, Eastern Armenia had been conquered by the [[Russian Empire]], while most of the western parts of the traditional Armenian homeland remained under Ottoman rule. During [[World War I]], 1.5 million Armenians living in their ancestral lands in the Ottoman Empire were systematically exterminated in the [[Armenian Genocide]]. In 1918, following the [[Russian Revolution]], all non-Russian countries declared their independence after the Russian Empire ceased to exist, leading to the establishment of the [[First Republic of Armenia]]. By 1920, the state was incorporated into the [[Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic]], and in 1922 became a founding member of the [[Soviet Union]]. In 1936, the Transcaucasian state was dissolved, transforming its constituent states, including the [[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic]], into full [[Republics of the Soviet Union|Union republics]]. The modern Republic of Armenia became independent in 1991 during the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]].

Armenia is a [[developing country]] and ranks 81st on the [[Human Development Index]] (2018).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/ARM.pdf|title=Human Development Report|date=2019|publisher=United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)|access-date=27 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716153627/http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/ARM.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Its [[Economy of Armenia|economy]] is primarily based on industrial output and mineral extraction. While Armenia is geographically located in the South Caucasus, it is generally considered [[geopolitically]] European. Since Armenia aligns itself in many respects geopolitically with [[Europe]], the country is a member of numerous European organizations including the [[Council of Europe]], the [[Eastern Partnership]], [[Eurocontrol]], the [[Assembly of European Regions]], and the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]]. Armenia is also a member of certain regional groups throughout [[Eurasia]], including the [[Asian Development Bank]], the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]], the [[Eurasian Union]], and the [[Eurasian Development Bank]]. Armenia supports the ''de facto'' independent [[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]], which was proclaimed in 1991. Armenia also recognises the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], the world's oldest national church, as the country's primary religious establishment.<ref>The republic has [[separation of church and state]]</ref><ref name="Article 18"/> The unique [[Armenian alphabet]] was created by [[Mesrop Mashtots]] in 405 AD.

== Etymology ==
{{Main|Name of Armenia}}
The original native [[Armenian language|Armenian]] name for the country was {{lang|hy|Հայք}} (''{{lang|hy-Latn|[[wikt:Հայք|Hayk’]]}}''); however, it is currently rarely used. The contemporary name {{lang|hy|Հայաստան}} (''[[wikt:Հայաստան|Hayastan]]'') became popular in the [[Middle Ages]] by addition of the [[Persian language|Persian]] suffix ''[[-stan]]'' (place).{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}. However the origins of the name Hayastan trace back to much earlier dates and were first attested in circa 5th century in the works of [[Agathangelos]],<ref>Ագաթանգեղոս §§ 13 (ի Հայաստան աշխարհէս), 16 (Հայաստան աշխարհիս 2x, ի Հայաստան աշխարհիս), 35 (Հայաստան աշխարհին), 160 (Հայաստան աշխարհիս), 249 (Հայաստան աշխարհիս), 715 (Հայաստան աշխարհիս), 776 (Հայաստան աշխարհին), 784 (Հայաստան աշխարհին), 796 (ի մէջ Հայաստան աշխարհի), 808 (հասանէին ի Հայաստան աշխարհն)։</ref><ref>Ագաթանգեղոս § 885 (ի Հայաստան երկրին)</ref> [[Faustus of Byzantium]],<ref>Փաւստոս Բուզանդ 1883=1984, էջ 1 (Հայաստան աշխարհին)</ref><ref>Փաւստոս Բուզանդ 1883=1984, 4.բ, էջ 56 (Հայաստան երկրին)</ref> [[Ghazar Parpetsi]],<ref>904=1985, էջ 2 (Հայաստան աշխարհիս), 110 (կանայս ի Հայաստան աշխարհիս)</ref> [[Koryun]],<ref>Կորիւն 1994, էջ 83 (Հայաստան աշխարհի), 93 (Հայաստան աշխարհին), 103 (ի Հայաստան աշխարհին), 120 (ի Հայաստան աշխարհէս)</ref> and [[Sebeos]].<ref>ժը (սեռ. Հայաստանեայց, բացառ. ի Հայաստանեայց), տես Աբգարյան 1979, էջ 66, 90</ref>

The name has traditionally been derived from [[Hayk]] ({{lang|hy|Հայկ}}), the legendary patriarch of the [[Armenians]] and a great-great-grandson of [[Noah]], who, according to the 5th-century AD author [[Moses of Chorene|Moses of Chorene (Movsis Khorenatsi)]], defeated the [[List of Kings of Babylon|Babylonian king]] Bel in [[3rd millennium BC|2492&nbsp;BC]] and established his nation in the [[Ararat, Armenia|Ararat]] region.<ref>Razmik Panossian, The Armenians: From Kings And Priests to Merchants And Commissars, [[Columbia University Press]] (2006), {{ISBN|978-0-231-13926-7}}, p. 106.</ref> The further origin of the name is uncertain. It is also further postulated<ref>Rafael Ishkhanyan, "Illustrated History of Armenia," Yerevan, 1989</ref><ref name="Bauer">Elisabeth Bauer. ''Armenia: Past and Present'' (1981), p. 49</ref> that the name ''Hay'' comes from one of the two confederated, Hittite vassal states{{snd}}the [[Hayasa|Ḫayaša]]-Azzi (1600–1200 BC).

The [[exonym and endonym|exonym]] ''Armenia'' is attested in the [[Old Persian]] [[Behistun Inscription]] (515 BC) as ''[[wikt:𐎠𐎼𐎷𐎡𐎴#Old Persian|Armina]]'' ([[File:Old Persian a.png|30x20pxpx]] [[File:Old Persian ra.png|30x20pxpx]] [[File:Old Persian mi.png|30x20pxpx]] [[File:Old Persian i.png|30x20pxpx]] [[File:Old Persian na.png|30x20pxpx]]). The [[Ancient Greek]] terms {{wikt-lang|grc|Ἀρμενία}} (''Armenía'') and {{wikt-lang|grc|Ἀρμένιος|Ἀρμένιοι}} (''Arménioi'', "Armenians") are first mentioned by [[Hecataeus of Miletus]] (c. 550 BC – c. 476 BC).<ref>"{{lang|grc|Χαλύβοισι πρὸς νότον Ἀρμένιοι ὁμουρέουσι}} (The Armenians border on the [[Chalybes]] to the south)".
{{cite book|last=Chahin|first=Mark|title=The Kingdom of Armenia|publisher=[[Routledge]]|year=2001|location=London|page=fr. 203|isbn=978-0-7007-1452-0}}</ref> [[Xenophon]], a Greek general serving in some of the Persian expeditions, describes many aspects of Armenian village life and hospitality in around 401 BC.<ref>{{cite book |last=[[Xenophon]]|title=Anabasis|pages=IV.v.2–9|title-link=Anabasis (Xenophon)}}</ref>

Some scholars have linked the name ''Armenia'' with the Early Bronze Age state of ''[[Armani (kingdom)|Armani (Armanum, Armi)]]'' or the Late Bronze Age state of ''[[Shupria|Arme (Shupria)]]''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3WqaAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA42|title= Armenia Country Study Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments|author= Ibp Inc| page=42|isbn= 978-1438773827|date= 1 September 2013}}</ref> These connections are inconclusive as it is not known what languages were spoken in these kingdoms. Additionally, while it is agreed that Arme was located to the immediate west of [[Lake Van]] (and therefore in the greater Armenia region), the location of the older site of Armani is a matter of debate. Some modern researchers have placed it in the same general area of Arme, near modern [[Samsat]],<ref>{{cite journal|last=Archi|first=Alfonso|title=Egypt or Iran in the Ebla Texts?|journal=Orientalia|date=2016|volume=85|page=3 |url=https://www.academia.edu/34915656}}</ref> and have suggested it was populated, at least partially, by an early Indo-European-speaking people.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kroonen|first=Guus; Gojko Barjamovic; Michaël Peyrot|title=Linguistic supplement to Damgaard et al. 2018: Early Indo-European languages, Anatolian, Tocharian and Indo-Iranian|date=9 May 2018|page=3|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1240524|journal=|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629152739/https://zenodo.org/record/1240524|url-status=live}}</ref> It has also been speculated that the land of ''Ermenen'' (located in or near ''[[Mannaeans|Minni]]''), mentioned by the Egyptian pharaoh [[Thutmose III]] in 1446 BC, could be a reference to Armenia.

According to the histories of both Moses of Chorene and Michael Chamchian, ''Armenia'' derives from the name of [[Aram (given name)|Aram]], a lineal descendant of Hayk.<ref>Moses of Chorene,[http://www.vehi.net/istoriya/armenia/khorenaci/index.html ''The History of Armenia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030419093358/http://www.vehi.net/istoriya/armenia/khorenaci/index.html |date=19 April 2003 }}, Book 1, Ch. 12 {{in lang|ru}}</ref><ref name=battles>''History of Armenia'' by Father Michael Chamich from B.C. 2247 to the Year of Christ 1780, or 1229 of the Armenian era, Bishop's College Press, Calcutta, 1827, p. 19: "[Aram] was the first to raise the Armenian name to any degree of renown; so that contemporary nations... called them the Aramians, or followers of [[Aram (given name)|Aram]], a name which has been corrupted into Armenians; and the country they inhabited, by universal consent, took the name of Armenia."</ref> The [[Table of Nations]] lists [[Aram, son of Shem|Aram]] as the son of [[Shem]], to whom the [[Book of Jubilees]] attests, <blockquote>"And for Aram there came forth the fourth portion, all the land of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and the Euphrates to the north of the Chaldees to the border of the mountains of Asshur and the land of 'Arara.<ref name="pseudepigrapha">{{cite web |title=Charles, R.H. (1913). The Book of Jubilees 9:5 from The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament. Clarendon Press |url=http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/jubilees/8.htm |website=www.pseudepigrapha.com |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614031249/http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/jubilees/8.htm |archive-date=14 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="digitalcommons.andrews.edu">{{cite web |title=Charles, R.H. (1913). The Book of Jubilees 8:21 from The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament. Clarendon Press. |url=https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=papers |website=digitalcommons.andrews.edu |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613134227/https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=papers |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>"</blockquote> Jubilees 8:21 also apportions the Mountains of Ararat to [[Shem]], which Jubilees 9:5 expounds to be apportioned to [[Aram, son of Shem|Aram]].<ref name="pseudepigrapha"/><ref name="digitalcommons.andrews.edu"/>

The historian Flavius Josephus also states in his [[Antiquities of the Jews]], <blockquote>"Aram had the Aramites, which the Greeks called [[Syrians]];... Of the four sons of Aram, Uz founded [[Trachonitis]] and [[Damascus]]: this country lies between [[Palestinian territories|Palestine]] and [[Celesyria]]. Ul founded Armenia; and Gather the [[Bactrians]]; and Mesa the Mesaneans; it is now called [[Charax Spasini]]."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Josephus|first1=Flavius|title=Antiquities of the Jews|page=Book 1, section 143|url=http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0146:book=1:section=143&highlight=aram|access-date=13 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014101850/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0146:book=1:section=143&highlight=aram|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Arshakuni Armenia 150-en.svg|thumb|Historical Armenia, 150 BC]]

== History ==
{{Main|History of Armenia}}

=== Antiquity ===
{{Main|Prehistoric Armenia|Prehistory of the Armenians|Satrapy of Armenia|Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Roman Armenia|Sasanian Armenia|Lesser Armenia|Armenian archeology}}[[File:Zorats Karer 2008, part of the stone circle.jpg|right|thumb|Bronze Age archeological site [[Zorats Karer]] (also known as [[Zorats Karer|Karahunj]]).]]
[[File:Tigranes four Kings.jpg|245px|thumb|right|The King of Kings Tigranes the Great with four vassal Kings surrounding him]]
Armenia lies in the highlands surrounding the mountains of [[Mount Ararat|Ararat]]. There is evidence of an early civilisation in Armenia in the [[Bronze Age]] and earlier, dating to about 4000 BC. Archaeological surveys in 2010 and 2011 at the [[Areni-1 cave complex]] have resulted in the discovery of [[Areni-1 shoe|the world's earliest known leather shoe]],<ref name="CNNc">{{cite news |publisher=[[CNN]] |title=Armenian cave yields what may be world's oldest leather shoe |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/06/09/armenia.old.shoe/ |date=9 June 2010 |access-date=28 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128074651/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/06/09/armenia.old.shoe/ |archive-date=28 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> skirt,<ref name=strawskirt>{{cite web |url = http://news.am/eng/news/73915.html |title = 5,900-year-old women's skirt discovered in Armenian cave |work = News Armenia |date = 13 September 2011 |accessdate = 14 September 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171010142655/https://news.am/eng/news/73915.html |archive-date = 10 October 2017 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }}</ref> and [[Areni-1 winery|wine-producing facility]].<ref name="National Geographic">{{cite web|publisher=[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]]|title=Earliest Known Winery Found in Armenian Cave|url=https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110111-oldest-wine-press-making-winery-armenia-science-ucla/|date=12 January 2011|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108093549/https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110111-oldest-wine-press-making-winery-armenia-science-ucla/|archive-date=8 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the story of [[Hayk]], the legendary founder of Armenia, around 2107 BC Hayk fought against [[Belus (Babylonian)|Belus]], the Babylonian God of War, at [[Çavuştepe]] along the Engil river to establish the very first Armenian state. Historically, this event coincides with the destruction of [[Akkadian Empire|Akkad]] by the [[Gutian dynasty of Sumer]] in 2115 BC,<ref>De Mieroop, Marc Van. (2004). A History of the Ancient Near East: c. 3000-323BC. (pp.67) Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing</ref> a time when Hayk may have left with the "more than 300 members of his household" as told in the legend, and also during the beginning of when a Mesopotamian Dark Age was occurring due to the fall of the [[Akkadian Empire]] in 2154 BC which may have acted as a backdrop for the events in the legend making him leave Mesopotamia.<ref>Movses Khorenatsi, History of Armenia. Ed. by G. Sargsyan. Yerevan: Hayastan, 1997, (pp. 83,286)</ref>

Several [[Bronze Age]] cultures and states flourished in the area of Greater Armenia, including the [[Trialeti culture|Trialeti-Vanadzor culture]], [[Hayasa-Azzi]], and [[Mitanni]] (located in southwestern historical Armenia), all of which are believed to have had Indo-European populations.<ref>John A. C. Greppin and I. M. Diakonoff, ''Some Effects of the Hurro-Urartian People and Their Languages upon the Earliest Armenians'' Journal of the American Oriental Society
Vol. 111, No. 4 (Oct. - Dec. 1991), pp. 721 [https://www.jstor.org/stable/603403?read-now=1&seq=2#metadata_info_tab_contents] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518232234/https://www.jstor.org/stable/603403?read-now=1&seq=2#metadata_info_tab_contents |date=18 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>Joan Aruz, Kim Benzel, Jean M. Evans, ''Beyond Babylon: Art, Trade, and Diplomacy in the Second Millennium B.C.'' Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_gr5BgOwEJicC/page/n179] (2008) pp. 92</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://docplayer.net/108120425-The-mushki-problem-reconsidered.html|title=The Mushki Problem Reconsidered|date=1997|first=Aram V.|last=Kossian|access-date=31 August 2019|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829005531/https://docplayer.net/108120425-The-mushki-problem-reconsidered.html|url-status=dead}} pp. 254</ref><ref>Peter I. Bogucki and Pam J. Crabtree [http://lukashevichus.info/knigi/ancient_europe_encycl_bogucki_crabtree_1.pdf ''Ancient Europe, 8000 B.C. to A.D. 1000: An Encyclopedia of the Barbarian World''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109082658/http://lukashevichus.info/knigi/ancient_europe_encycl_bogucki_crabtree_1.pdf |date=9 January 2016 }} Charles Scribner's Sons, 2004 {{ISBN|978-0684806686}}</ref><ref>Paul Thieme, The 'Aryan' Gods of the Mitanni Treaties. JAOS 80, 1960, 301-17</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Petrosyan|first=Armen|title=Towards the Origins of the Armenian People: The Problem of Identification of the Proto-Armenians: A Critical Review (in English)|journal=Journal for the Society of Armenian Studies|date=2007|volume=16|pages=49–54|url=https://www.academia.edu/3657764|access-date=30 August 2019|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004180224/https://www.academia.edu/3657764/Towards_the_Origins_of_the_Armenian_People_The_Problem_of_Identification_of_the_Proto_Armenians_A_Critical_Review_in_English_|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Nairi]] confederation and its successor, [[Urartu]], successively established their sovereignty over the [[Armenian Highlands]]. Each of the aforementioned nations and confederacies participated in the ethnogenesis of the [[Armenians]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Vahan|last=Kurkjian|title=History of Armenia|location=Michigan|publisher=[[Armenian General Benevolent Union]]|year=1958|edition=1964|url=http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Asia/Armenia/_Texts/KURARM/home.html|accessdate=22 July 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527052930/http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Asia/Armenia/_Texts/KURARM/home.html|archive-date=27 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia|page=v. 12|location=Yerevan|publisher=Armenian Encyclopedia|year=1987|title-link=Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Artak|last=Movsisyan|title=Sacred Highland: Armenia in the spiritual conception of the Near East|publisher=Yerevan|year=2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Martiros|last=Kavoukjian|title=The Genesis of Armenian People|publisher=Montreal|year=1982|authorlink=Martiros Kavoukjian}}</ref> A large cuneiform lapidary inscription found in [[Yerevan]] established that the modern capital of Armenia was founded in the summer of 782&nbsp;BC by King [[Argishti I of Urartu|Argishti I]]. Yerevan is the world's oldest city to have documented the exact date of its foundation.

[[File:Xerxes I tomb Armenian soldier circa 470 BCE.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5|Armenian soldier of the Achaemenid army, circa 470 BC. [[Xerxes I]] tomb relief.]]
During the late 6th century BC, the [[Satrapy of Armenia|first geographical entity that was called Armenia]] by neighbouring populations was established under the [[Orontid Dynasty]] within the [[Achaemenid Empire]], as part of the latters' territories. The kingdom became fully sovereign from the sphere of influence of the [[Seleucid Empire]] in 190 BC under King [[Artaxias I]] and begun the rule of the [[Artaxiad dynasty]]. Armenia reached its height between 95 and 66&nbsp;BC under [[Tigranes the Great]], becoming the most powerful kingdom of its time east of the [[Roman Republic]].

In the next centuries, Armenia was in the [[Persian Empire]]'s sphere of influence during the reign of [[Tiridates I of Armenia|Tiridates I]], the founder of the [[Arsacid dynasty of Armenia]], which itself was a branch of the [[Parthian Empire]]. Throughout its history, the kingdom of Armenia enjoyed both periods of independence and periods of autonomy subject to contemporary empires. Its strategic location between two continents has subjected it to invasions by many peoples, including [[Assyria]] (under [[Ashurbanipal]], at around 669–627 BC, the boundaries of Assyria reached as far as Armenia and the [[Caucasus Mountains]]),<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.ancient.eu.com/assyria/|title=Assyria|author=Joshua J. Mark|encyclopedia=Ancient History Encyclopedia|access-date=13 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501060335/http://www.ancient.eu.com/assyria/|archive-date=1 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Medes]], [[Achaemenid Empire]], [[Greeks]], [[Parthian Empire|Parthians]], [[ancient Rome|Romans]], [[Sasanian Empire]], [[Byzantine Empire]], [[Arabs]], [[Seljuk Empire]], [[Mongols]], [[Ottoman Empire]], the successive [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid]], [[Afsharid dynasty|Afsharid]], and [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar]] dynasties of Iran, and the [[Russians]].

[[File:Garni Temple 02.JPG|thumb|The pagan [[Garni Temple]], probably built in the first century, is the only "Greco-Roman [[colonnade]]d building" in the [[post-Soviet states]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Archaeology of Power and Politics in Eurasia: Regimes and Revolutions|date=2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-01652-1|page=65|editor1=Charles W. Hartley |editor2=G. Bike Yazicioğlu |editor3=Adam T. Smith |quote=...the unique temple-tomb at Garni, just east of Yerevan – the only Greco-Roman colonnaded building anywhere in the Soviet Union.}}</ref> ]]

Religion in ancient Armenia was historically related to a set of beliefs that, in Persia, led to the emergence of [[Zoroastrianism]]. It particularly focused on the worship of [[Mithra]] and also included a pantheon of gods such as [[Aramazd]], [[Vahagn]], [[Anahit]], and [[Astghik]]. The country used the solar [[Armenian calendar]], which consisted of 12 months.

Christianity spread into the country as early as AD 40. [[Tiridates III of Armenia]] (238–314) made Christianity the [[state religion]] in 301,<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] |title=The World Factbook: Armenia |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html |accessdate=15 November 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114000914/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html |archivedate=14 November 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="almanac">{{cite book|last=Brunner|first=Borgna|title=Time Almanac with Information Please 2007|page=[https://archive.org/details/timealmanac2007w00brun/page/685 685]|isbn=978-1-933405-49-0|year=2006|publisher=Time Home Entertainment|location=New York|url=https://archive.org/details/timealmanac2007w00brun/page/685}}</ref> partly, in defiance of the [[Sasanian Empire]], it seems,<ref name="books.google.nl">Mary Boyce. [https://books.google.com/books?id=a6gbxVfjtUEC&pg=PA84 ''Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919131431/https://books.google.com/books?id=a6gbxVfjtUEC&pg=PA84 |date=19 September 2015 }} Psychology Press, 2001 {{ISBN|0-415-23902-8}} p. 84</ref> becoming the first officially Christian state, ten years before the [[Roman Empire]] granted Christianity an official toleration under [[Galerius]], and 36&nbsp;years before [[Constantine the Great]] was baptised. Prior to this, during the latter part of the Parthian period, Armenia was a predominantly Zoroastrian country.<ref name="books.google.nl"/>

After the fall of the Kingdom of Armenia in 428, most of Armenia was incorporated as a [[Sasanian Armenia|''marzpanate'' within the Sasanian Empire]]. Following the [[Battle of Avarayr]] in 451, Christian Armenians maintained their religion and Armenia gained autonomy.

=== Middle Ages ===
{{more citations needed section|date=September 2016}}
{{Main|Medieval Armenia}}
[[File:Etchmiadzin cathedral.jpg|thumb|The [[Etchmiadzin Cathedral]], Armenia's Mother Church traditionally dated 303 AD, is considered the oldest cathedral in the world.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East|year=2008|publisher=[[Infobase Publishing]]|location=New York|isbn=978-1-4381-2676-0|page=65|editor=Stokes, Jamie|quote=Etchmiatzin is located in the west of modern Armenia, close to the border with Turkey, and its fourth-century cathedral is generally regarded as the oldest in the world.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Bauer-Manndorff|first=Elisabeth|title=Armenia: Past and Present|year=1981|publisher=Reich Verlag|location=Lucerne|oclc=8063377|quote=Etchmiadzin, with the world's oldest cathedral and the seat of the Catholicos, draws tourists from all over the world.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Utudjian|first=Édouard|title=Armenian Architecture: 4th to 17th Century|year=1968|publisher=Editions A. Morancé|location=Paris|oclc=464421|page=7|authorlink=Édouard Utudjian|quote=...the oldest cathedral in Christendom, that of Etchmiadzin, founded in the 4th century.}}</ref>]]

After the [[Sasanian Armenia|Sasanian period]] (428–636), Armenia emerged as [[Arminiya]], an autonomous principality under the [[Umayyad Caliphate]], reuniting Armenian lands previously taken by the [[Byzantine Empire]] as well. The principality was ruled by the Prince of Armenia, and recognised by the [[Caliphate|Caliph]] and the [[List of Byzantine emperors|Byzantine Emperor]]. It was part of the administrative division/emirate ''[[Arminiya]]'' created by the Arabs, which also included parts of Georgia and [[Caucasian Albania]], and had its centre in the Armenian city, [[Dvin (ancient city)|Dvin]]. Arminiya lasted until 884, when it regained its independence from the weakened [[Abbasid Caliphate]] under [[Ashot I of Armenia]].

The reemergent Armenian kingdom was ruled by the [[Bagratuni dynasty]] and lasted until 1045. In time, several areas of the Bagratid Armenia separated as independent kingdoms and principalities such as the Kingdom of [[Vaspurakan]] ruled by the House of [[Artsruni]] in the south, Kingdom of [[Syunik Province|Syunik]] in the east, or [[Kingdom of Artsakh]] on the territory of modern [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], while still recognising the supremacy of the Bagratid kings.

[[File:Cilician Armenia-en.svg|thumb|The [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia]], 1198–1375]]

In 1045, the Byzantine Empire conquered Bagratid Armenia. Soon, the other Armenian states fell under Byzantine control as well. The Byzantine rule was short lived, as in 1071 the [[Seljuk Empire]] defeated the Byzantines and conquered Armenia at the [[Battle of Manzikert]], establishing the Seljuk Empire.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Holt |first1=Peter Malcolm |last2=Lambton |first2=Ann Katharine Swynford |last3=Lewis |first3=Bernard |name-list-style=amp |title=The Cambridge History of Islam |year=1977 |pages=231–32 |ref=harv }}</ref> To escape death or servitude at the hands of those who had assassinated his relative, [[Gagik II of Armenia]], King of [[Ani]], an Armenian named [[Ruben I, Prince of Armenia]], went with some of his countrymen into the gorges of the [[Taurus Mountains]] and then into [[Tarsus, Mersin|Tarsus]] of [[Cilicia]]. The Byzantine governor of the palace gave them shelter where the [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia]] was eventually established on 6 January 1198 under [[Leo I, King of Armenia]], a descendant of Prince Ruben.

Cilicia was a strong ally of the [[Crusades|European Crusaders]], and saw itself as a bastion of [[Christendom]] in the East. Cilicia's significance in Armenian history and statehood is also attested by the transfer of the seat of the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the spiritual leader of the Armenian people, to the region.

The Seljuk Empire soon started to collapse. In the early 12th century, Armenian princes of the Zakarid family drove out the Seljuk Turks and established a semi-independent principality in northern and eastern Armenia known as [[Zakarid Armenia]], which lasted under the patronage of the [[History of Georgia (country)|Georgian Kingdom]]. The [[Orbelian Dynasty]] shared control with the Zakarids in various parts of the country, especially in Syunik and [[Vayots Dzor Province|Vayots Dzor]], while the [[House of Hasan-Jalalyan]] controlled provinces of [[Artsakh (historic province)|Artsakh]] and [[Utik]] as the Kingdom of Artsakh.

=== Early Modern era ===
{{further|Iranian Armenia (1502–1828)|Armenians in the Ottoman Empire|Russian Armenia}}
[[File:Map Safavid persia.png|thumb|In 1501–02, most of the [[Eastern Armenia]]n territories including Yerevan were conquered by the emerging [[Safavid dynasty]] of Iran led by Shah [[Ismail I]].]]
During the 1230s, the [[Mongol Empire]] conquered Zakarid Armenia and then the remainder of Armenia. The Mongolian invasions were soon followed by those of other Central Asian tribes, such as the [[Kara Koyunlu]], [[Timurid dynasty]] and [[Ağ Qoyunlu]], which continued from the 13th century until the 15th century. After incessant invasions, each bringing destruction to the country, with time Armenia became weakened.

In the 16th century, the [[Ottoman Empire]] and the [[Safavid dynasty]] of Iran divided Armenia. From the early 16th century, both [[Western Armenia]] and [[Eastern Armenia]] fell to the Safavid Empire.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rayfield|first=Donald|title=Edge of Empires: A History of Georgia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PxQpmg_JIpwC&pg=PA165|year=2013|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-78023-070-2|page=165|access-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205172633/https://books.google.com/books?id=PxQpmg_JIpwC&pg=PA165|archive-date=5 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ward2014">{{cite book|last=Ward|first=Steven R.|title=Immortal, Updated Edition: A Military History of Iran and Its Armed Forces|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MOuVAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA43|year=2014|publisher=Georgetown University Press|isbn=978-1-62616-032-3|page=43|access-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205171942/https://books.google.com/books?id=MOuVAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA43|archive-date=5 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Owing to the century long [[Ottoman–Safavid relations|Turco-Iranian geopolitical rivalry]] that would last in Western Asia, significant parts of the region were frequently fought over between the two rivalling empires during the [[Ottoman–Persian Wars]]. From the mid 16th century with the [[Peace of Amasya]], and decisively from the first half of the 17th century with the [[Treaty of Zuhab]] until the first half of the 19th century,<ref name="HerzigKurkchiyan2004">{{cite book|last1=Herzig|first1=Edmund|last2=Kurkchiyan|first2=Marina|title=The Armenians: Past and Present in the Making of National Identity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B8WRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA47|year=2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-79837-6|page=47|access-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111210219/https://books.google.com/books?id=B8WRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA47|archive-date=11 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Eastern Armenia was ruled by the successive Safavid, [[Afsharid dynasty|Afsharid]] and [[Qajar dynasty|Qajar]] empires, while Western Armenia remained under [[Ottoman Turkey|Ottoman]] rule.

From 1604, [[Abbas I of Persia|Abbas I of Iran]] implemented a "[[scorched earth]]" policy in the region to protect his north-western frontier against any [[Ottoman–Safavid War (1603–1618)|invading Ottoman forces]], a policy that involved a [[History of Armenia#Persian Armenia|forced resettlement]] of masses of Armenians outside of their homelands.<ref>H. Nahavandi, Y. Bomati, ''Shah Abbas, empereur de Perse (1587–1629)'' (Perrin, Paris, 1998)</ref>

[[File:Capture of Erivan Fortress by Russia, 1827 (by Franz Roubaud).jpg|thumb|[[Capture of Erivan]] fortress by Russian troops in 1827 during the [[Russo-Persian War (1826–28)]] by [[Franz Roubaud]]]]
In the 1813 [[Treaty of Gulistan]] and the 1828 [[Treaty of Turkmenchay]], following the [[Russo-Persian War (1804–13)]] and the [[Russo-Persian War (1826–28)]], respectively, the [[Qajar dynasty]] of Iran was forced to irrevocably cede [[Eastern Armenia]], consisting of the [[Erivan Khanate|Erivan]] and [[Karabakh Khanate]]s, to [[Imperial Russia]].<ref name="Mikaberidze2011">{{cite book|last=Mikaberidze|first=Alexander|authorlink=Alexander Mikaberidze|title=Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBBYD2J2oE4C&pg=PA351|year=2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-337-8|pages=33, 351|access-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205173031/https://books.google.com/books?id=jBBYD2J2oE4C&pg=PA351|archive-date=5 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dowling2014">{{cite book|last=Dowling|first=Timothy C.|title=Russia at War: From the Mongol Conquest to Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Beyond &#91;2 volumes&#93;|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA728|year=2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-948-6|pages=728–|access-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208103437/https://books.google.com/books?id=KTq2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA728|archive-date=8 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> This period is known as [[Russian Armenia]].

While Western Armenia still remained under Ottoman rule, the Armenians were granted considerable autonomy within their own [[enclave]]s and lived in relative harmony with other groups in the empire (including the ruling Turks). However, as Christians under a strict Muslim [[social structure]], Armenians faced pervasive discrimination. When they began pushing for more rights within the Ottoman Empire, Sultan [[Abdul Hamid II]], in response, organised state-sponsored massacres against the Armenians between 1894 and 1896, resulting in an estimated death toll of 80,000 to 300,000 people. The [[Hamidian massacres]], as they came to be known, gave Hamid international infamy as the "Red Sultan" or "Bloody Sultan".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Minahan|first1=James|title=The complete guide to national symbols and emblems|date=2010|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|isbn=978-0-313-34497-8|page=310|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jfrWCQAAQBAJ|access-date=27 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025182604/https://books.google.com/books?id=jfrWCQAAQBAJ|archive-date=25 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 1890s, the [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation]], commonly known as ''Dashnaktsutyun'', became active within the [[Ottoman Empire]] with the aim of unifying the various small groups in the empire that were advocating for reform and defending Armenian villages from massacres that were widespread in some of the Armenian-populated areas of the empire. Dashnaktsutyun members also formed [[Armenian fedayi]] groups that defended Armenian civilians through armed resistance. The Dashnaks also worked for the wider goal of creating a "free, independent and unified" Armenia, although they sometimes set aside this goal in favour of a more realistic approach, such as advocating autonomy.

The Ottoman Empire began to collapse, and in 1908, the [[Young Turk Revolution]] overthrew the government of Sultan Hamid. In April 1909, the [[Adana massacre]] occurred in the [[Adana Vilayet]] of the Ottoman Empire resulting in the deaths of as many as 20,000–30,000 Armenians. The Armenians living in the empire hoped that the [[Committee of Union and Progress]] would change their second-class status. The [[Armenian reform package]] (1914) was presented as a solution by appointing an [[inspector general]] over Armenian issues.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kirakosian|first=J. S.|title=Hayastane michazkayin divanakitut'yan ew sovetakan artakin kaghakakanut'yan pastateghterum, 1828–1923 |trans-title=Armenia in the documents of international diplomacy and Soviet foreign policy, 1828–1923 |publisher=Yerevan|year=1972|pages=149–358|language=Armenian}}</ref>

=== World War I and the Armenian Genocide ===
{{Main|Armenian Genocide}}
[[File:Morgenthau336.jpg|thumb|[[Armenian Genocide]] victims in 1915]]
The outbreak of World War I led to confrontation between the [[Ottoman Empire]] and the [[Russian Empire]] in the [[Caucasus Campaign|Caucasus]] and [[Persian Campaign]]s. The new government in [[Istanbul]] began to look on the Armenians with distrust and suspicion, because the [[Imperial Russian Army]] contained a contingent of [[Armenian volunteer units|Armenian volunteers]]. On 24 April 1915, [[Deportation of Armenian intellectuals on 24 April 1915|Armenian intellectuals were arrested by Ottoman authorities]] and, with the [[Tehcir Law]] (29 May 1915), eventually a large proportion of Armenians living in [[Anatolia]] perished in what has become known as the [[Armenian Genocide]].

The genocide was implemented in two phases: the wholesale killing of the able-bodied male population through massacre and subjection of army conscripts to forced labour, followed by the deportation of women, children, the elderly and infirm on [[death march]]es leading to the [[Syrian desert]]. Driven forward by military escorts, the deportees were deprived of food and water and subjected to periodic robbery, rape, and massacre.<ref>{{Citation|first1=Hans-Lukas|last1=Kieser|first2=Dominik J.|last2=Schaller|language=German|title=Der Völkermord an den Armeniern und die Shoah|trans-title=The Armenian genocide and the Shoah|publisher=Chronos|year=2002|isbn=978-3-0340-0561-6|page=114}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title = Armenia: The Survival of A Nation |first = Christopher J. |last = Walker |publisher = Croom Helm |place = London |year = 1980 |pages = 200–03}}</ref> There was local [[Armenian resistance during the Armenian Genocide|Armenian resistance]] in the region, developed against the activities of the Ottoman Empire. The events of 1915 to 1917 are regarded by Armenians and the vast majority of Western historians to have been state-sponsored mass killings, or genocide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umd.umich.edu/dept/armenian/facts/gen_bib1.html|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20011116212954/http://www.umd.umich.edu/dept/armenian/facts/gen_bib1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 November 2001|title=Extensive bibliography by University of Michigan on the Armenian Genocide |publisher=Umd.umich.edu |accessdate=30 December 2010}}</ref>

Turkish authorities deny the genocide took place to this day. The Armenian Genocide is acknowledged to have been one of the first modern [[genocide]]s.<ref name="24.04.1998">{{cite web |url = http://www.armenian-genocide.org/Affirmation.153/current_category.7/affirmation_detail.html |title = Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Resolution |publisher = Armenian genocide |accessdate = 10 February 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171925/http://www.armenian-genocide.org/Affirmation.153/current_category.7/affirmation_detail.html |archive-date = 3 March 2016 |url-status=live |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Ferguson">{{Cite book |authorlink = Niall Ferguson |last = Ferguson |first = Niall |title = The War of the World: Twentieth-Century Conflict and the Descent of the West |place = New York |publisher = Penguin Press |year = 2006 |isbn = 978-1-59420-100-4 |page = [https://archive.org/details/warofworldtwenti00nial/page/177 177] |url = https://archive.org/details/warofworldtwenti00nial/page/177 }}</ref> According to the research conducted by [[Arnold J. Toynbee]], an estimated 600,000 Armenians died during deportation from 1915–16. This figure, however, accounts for solely the first year of the Genocide and does not take into account those who died or were killed after the report was compiled on 24 May 1916.<ref>Robert Melson, ''Revolution and Genocide: On the Origins of the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust'', University of Chicago Press, 15 October 1992, p. 147</ref> The [[International Association of Genocide Scholars]] places the death toll at "more than a million".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6045182.stm Q&A: Armenian genocide dispute] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301211630/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6045182.stm |date=1 March 2007 }}. BBC News. 10 July 2008.</ref> The total number of people killed has been most widely estimated at between 1 and 1.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|title = Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex|url = http://www.genocide-museum.am/eng/Description_and_history.php|publisher = [[Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute]]|accessdate = 10 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160120092829/http://www.genocide-museum.am/eng/Description_and_history.php|archive-date = 20 January 2016|url-status=live|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

Armenia and the Armenian diaspora have been campaigning for [[Recognition of the Armenian Genocide|official recognition]] of the events as genocide for over 30&nbsp;years. These events are traditionally commemorated yearly on 24 April, the Armenian Martyr Day, or the Day of the Armenian Genocide.{{cn|date=September 2020}}

=== First Republic of Armenia ===
{{Main|First Republic of Armenia}}
[[File:First Republic of Armenia.png|thumb|{{legend|#FF7F00|Territory held by [[First Republic of Armenia|Armenia]] and the [[Karabakh Council]] at some point}} {{legend|beige|Area given to Armenia by the [[Treaty of Sèvres]], which was never entered into force.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hille|first=Charlotte Mathilde Louise|title=State Building and Conflict Resolution in the Caucasus|url=https://archive.org/details/statebuildingcon00hill|url-access=limited|year=2010|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden, Netherlands|isbn=978-90-04-17901-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/statebuildingcon00hill/page/n165 151]}}</ref>}}]]
[[File:Yerevan Hanrapetutyan street 02.jpg|thumb|The Government house of the [[First Republic of Armenia]] (1918–1920)]]

Although the [[Russian Caucasus Army (World War I)|Russian Caucasus Army]] of Imperial forces commanded by [[Nikolai Yudenich]] and Armenians in volunteer units and Armenian militia led by [[Andranik Ozanian]] and [[Tovmas Nazarbekian]] succeeded in gaining most of Ottoman Armenia during World War I, their gains were lost with the [[October Revolution|Bolshevik Revolution of 1917]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} At the time, Russian-controlled [[Eastern Armenia]], Georgia, and [[Azerbaijan]] attempted to bond together in the [[Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic]]. This federation, however, lasted from only February to May 1918, when all three parties decided to dissolve it. As a result, the Dashnaktsutyun government of Eastern Armenia declared its independence on 28 May as the [[First Republic of Armenia]] under the leadership of [[Aram Manukian]].

The First Republic's short-lived independence was fraught with war, [[territorial dispute]]s, and a mass influx of refugees from Ottoman Armenia, bringing with them disease and starvation. The [[Allies of World War I|Entente Powers]] sought to help the newly founded Armenian state through relief funds and other forms of support.

At the end of the war, the victorious powers sought to divide up the Ottoman Empire. Signed between the [[Allies of World War I|Allied and Associated Powers]] and [[Ottoman Empire]] at [[Sèvres]] on 10 August 1920, the [[Treaty of Sèvres]] promised to maintain the existence of the Armenian republic and to attach the former territories of Ottoman Armenia to it. Because the new borders of Armenia were to be drawn by United States President [[Woodrow Wilson]], Ottoman Armenia was also referred to as "[[Wilsonian Armenia]]". In addition, just days prior, on 5 August 1920, [[Mihran Damadian]] of the Armenian National Union, the de facto Armenian administration in Cilicia, declared the independence of [[Cilicia]] as an Armenian autonomous republic under French protectorate.<ref>Hovannisian, Richard, and Simon Payaslian. Armenian Cilicia. Costa Mesa: Mazda Publishers, Inc., 2008. 483. Print.</ref>

There was even consideration of making Armenia a mandate under the protection of the United States. The treaty, however, was rejected by the [[Turkish National Movement]], and never came into effect. The movement used the treaty as the occasion to declare itself the rightful [[Politics of Turkey|government of Turkey]], replacing the monarchy based in [[Istanbul]] with a republic based in [[Ankara]].

[[File:11thRedArmyYerevan.jpg|thumb|left|Advance of the [[11th Army (RSFSR)|11th Red Army]] into the city of Yerevan]]
In 1920, Turkish nationalist forces invaded the fledgling Armenian republic from the east. Turkish forces under the command of [[Kâzım Karabekir|Kazım Karabekir]] captured Armenian territories that Russia had annexed in the aftermath of the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–78)|1877–1878 Russo-Turkish War]] and occupied the old city of Alexandropol (present-day [[Gyumri]]). The violent conflict finally concluded with the [[Treaty of Alexandropol]] on 2 December 1920. The treaty forced Armenia to disarm most of its [[Armed forces|military forces]], cede all former Ottoman territory granted to it by the [[Treaty of Sèvres]], and to give up all the "Wilsonian Armenia" granted to it at the Sèvres treaty. Simultaneously, the [[11th Army (RSFSR)|Soviet Eleventh Army]], under the command of [[Grigoriy Ordzhonikidze]], invaded Armenia at Karavansarai (present-day [[Ijevan]]) on 29 November. By 4 December, Ordzhonikidze's forces entered Yerevan and the short-lived Armenian republic collapsed.

After the fall of the republic, the [[February Uprising]] soon took place in 1921, and led to the establishment of the [[Republic of Mountainous Armenia]] by Armenian forces under command of [[Garegin Nzhdeh]] on 26 April, which fought off both Soviet and Turkish intrusions in the Zangezur region of southern Armenia. After Soviet agreements to include the [[Syunik Province]] in Armenia's borders, the rebellion ended and the Red Army took control of the region on 13 July.

=== Armenian SSR ===
{{Main|Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic}}
[[File:Emblem of the Armenian SSR.svg|thumb|The coat of arms of [[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|Soviet Armenia]] depicting [[Mount Ararat]] in the centre]]

Armenia was annexed by the [[Red Army]] and along with [[Democratic Republic of Georgia|Georgia]] and [[Azerbaijan Democratic Republic|Azerbaijan]], was incorporated into the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] as part of the [[Transcaucasian SFSR]] (TSFSR) on 4 March 1922.<ref name="main1">{{cite web |url=http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/azerbaijan/history/the_soviet_period.htm |title=The Soviet Period – History – Azerbaijan – Asia |accessdate=25 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929150339/http://www.countriesquest.com/asia/azerbaijan/history/the_soviet_period.htm |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="BSE">[https://web.archive.org/web/20150925080238/http://bse.chemport.ru/zakavkazskaya_federatsiya.shtml Закавказская федерация]. ''Большая советская энциклопедия'', 3-е изд., гл. ред. А. М. Прохоров. Москва: Советская энциклопедия, 1972. Т. 9 ({{cite book|section = Transcaucasian Federation |title = Great Soviet Encyclopedia |editor = A. M. Prokhorov|language = Russian |publisher = Soviet Encyclopedia |location = Moscow |year = 1972 |volume = 9|display-editors=etal|title-link = Great Soviet Encyclopedia }})</ref> With this annexation, the Treaty of Alexandropol was superseded by the Turkish-Soviet [[Treaty of Kars]]. In the agreement, Turkey allowed the Soviet Union to assume control over [[Adjara]] with the port city of [[Batumi]] in return for sovereignty over the cities of [[Kars]], [[Ardahan]], and [[Iğdır]], all of which were part of Russian Armenia.<ref name="main1"/><ref name="BSE"/>

The TSFSR existed from 1922 to 1936, when it was divided up into three separate entities ([[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|Armenian SSR]], [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|Azerbaijan SSR]], and [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Georgian SSR]]). Armenians enjoyed a period of relative stability within USSR. They received medicine, food, and other provisions from Moscow, and communist rule proved to be a soothing balm in contrast to the turbulent final years of the Ottoman Empire. The situation was difficult for the church, which struggled with [[Religion in soviet union|secular policies of USSR]]. After the death of [[Vladimir Lenin]] and events occurred during [[Russian Civil War]], [[Joseph Stalin]] became the general secretary of the [[CPSU]], the most powerful position in the USSR of the time.<ref>Ronald G. Suny, James Nichol, Darrell L. Slider. <u>Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia</u>. Federal Research Division, [[Library of Congress]]. 1995. pp. 17 and following</ref>

Armenia was not the scene of any battles in [[Eastern Front (World War II)|World War II]]. An estimated 500,000 Armenians (nearly a third of the population) served in the [[Red Army]] during the war, and 175,000 died.<ref>C. Mouradian, ''L'Armenie sovietique'', pp. 278–79</ref>

It is claimed that the freedom index in the region had seen an improvement after the [[State funeral of Joseph Stalin|death of Joseph Stalin]] in 1953 the and emergence of [[Nikita Khrushchev]] as the new general secretary of the [[CPSU]]. Soon, life in Armenia's SSR began to see rapid improvement. The church, which was limited during the secretaryship of Stalin, was revived when [[Catholicos of All Armenians|Catholicos]] [[Vazgen I]] assumed the duties of his office in 1955. In 1967, a memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide was built at the [[Tsitsernakaberd]] hill above the [[Hrazdan]] [[Canyon|gorge]] in [[Yerevan]]. This occurred after [[1965 Yerevan demonstrations|mass demonstrations]] took place on the tragic event's fiftieth anniversary in 1965.

[[File:Karabakh movement demonstration at Yerevan Opera square (4).jpg|thumb|Armenians gather at [[Freedom Square, Yerevan|Theater Square]] in central [[Yerevan]] to claim unification of [[Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast]] with the [[Armenian SSR]].]]
During the [[Mikhail Gorbachev|Gorbachev]] era of the 1980s, with the reforms of [[Glasnost]] and [[Perestroika]], Armenians began to demand better environmental care for their country, opposing the pollution that Soviet-built factories brought. Tensions also developed between Soviet Azerbaijan and its autonomous district of [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], a majority-Armenian region. About 484,000 [[Armenians in Azerbaijan|Armenians]] lived in Azerbaijan in 1970.<ref>"[http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Azerbaijan+Soviet+Socialist+Republic Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103114602/http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Azerbaijan+Soviet+Socialist+Republic |date=3 November 2011 }}". The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979).</ref> The Armenians of Karabakh demanded unification with Soviet Armenia. Peaceful protests in Yerevan supporting the Karabakh Armenians were met with [[Sumgait pogrom|anti-Armenian pogroms]] in the Azerbaijani city of [[Sumgait]]. Compounding Armenia's problems was a [[1988 Armenian earthquake|devastating earthquake]] in 1988 with a [[moment magnitude scale|moment magnitude]] of 7.2.<ref>Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia 2004. p. 74 by Imogen Gladman, [[Taylor and Francis|Taylor & Francis]] Group</ref>

Gorbachev's inability to alleviate any of Armenia's problems created disillusionment among the Armenians and fed a growing hunger for independence. In May 1990, the New [[Armenian Army]] (NAA) was established, serving as a defence force separate from the Soviet [[Red Army]]. Clashes soon broke out between the NAA and [[Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs|Soviet Internal Security Forces]] (MVD) troops based in Yerevan when Armenians decided to commemorate the establishment of the 1918 First Republic of Armenia. The violence resulted in the deaths of five Armenians killed in a shootout with the MVD at the railway station. Witnesses there claimed that the MVD used excessive force and that they had instigated the fighting.

Further firefights between Armenian militiamen and Soviet troops occurred in [[Nubarashen|Sovetashen]], near the capital and resulted in the deaths of over 26 people, mostly Armenians. The [[pogrom of Armenians in Baku]] in January 1990 forced almost all of the 200,000 Armenians in the Azerbaijani capital [[Baku]] to flee to Armenia.<ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/pp021603.shtml Notes from Baku: Black January] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827072157/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/pp021603.shtml |date=27 August 2009 }}. Rufat Ahmedov. EurasiaNet Human Rights.</ref> On 23 August 1990, Armenia declared its sovereignty on its territory. On 17 March 1991, Armenia, along with the [[Baltic states]], Georgia and [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldova]], boycotted a nationwide [[1991 Soviet Union referendum|referendum]] in which 78% of all voters voted for the retention of the Soviet Union in a reformed form.<ref name="NewsBrief">{{cite web|url=http://soviethistory.org/index.php?action=L2&SubjectID=1991march&Year=1991 |title=The March Referendum |accessdate=10 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015092843/http://www.soviethistory.org/index.php?action=L2&SubjectID=1991march&Year=1991 |archivedate=15 October 2006}}</ref>

=== Restoration of independence ===
{{Main|History of Armenia#Independent Armenia (1991-today)}}
[[File:NKR war.JPG|thumb|Armenian soldiers during the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]]]]

On 21 September 1991, Armenia officially declared its [[statehood]] after the [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt|failed August coup]] in Moscow, [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|RSFSR]]. [[Levon Ter-Petrosyan]] was popularly elected the first President of the newly independent Republic of Armenia on 16 October 1991. He had risen to prominence by leading the [[Karabakh movement]] for the unification of the Armenian-populated [[Nagorno-Karabakh]].<ref name="Croissant"/> On 26 December 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist and Armenia's independence was recognised.

Ter-Petrosyan led Armenia alongside Defense Minister [[Vazgen Sargsyan]] through the [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] with neighbouring Azerbaijan. The initial post-Soviet years were marred by economic difficulties, which had their roots early in the Karabakh conflict when the [[Azerbaijani Popular Front Party|Azerbaijani Popular Front]] managed to pressure the Azerbaijan SSR to instigate a railway and air [[blockade]] against Armenia. This move effectively crippled Armenia's economy as 85% of its cargo and goods arrived through rail traffic.<ref name="Croissant">{{cite book
|last=Croissant
|first=Michael P.
|title=The Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict: Causes and Implications
|publisher=Praeger
|year=1998
|location=London
|isbn=978-0-275-96241-8
|url=https://archive.org/details/armeniaazerbaija00croi
}}</ref> In 1993, Turkey joined the blockade against Armenia in support of Azerbaijan.<ref name=GHF>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalheritagefund.org/news/GHF_in_the_news/economist_ties_that_divide_june_17_06.asp |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820170846/http://www.globalheritagefund.org/news/GHF_in_the_news/economist_ties_that_divide_june_17_06.asp |archivedate=20 August 2006 |publisher=[[Global Heritage Fund]] |title=The Ties That Divide |date=17 June 2006 |accessdate=22 July 2009}}</ref>

[[File:September 21, 2011 parade, Yerevan.jpg|thumb|upright|left|21 September 2011 parade in Yerevan, marking the 20th anniversary of Armenia's re-independence]]
The Karabakh war ended after a Russian-brokered [[Ceasefire|cease-fire]] was put in place in 1994. The war was a success for the Karabakh Armenian forces who managed to capture 16% of Azerbaijan's internationally recognised territory including Nagorno-Karabakh itself.<ref name="DeWaal">{{cite book |first=Thomas|last=De Waal|title=Black Garden: Armenia And Azerbaijan Through Peace and War|location=New York|publisher=New York University Press|page=240|isbn=978-0-8147-1945-9 |year=2004}}</ref> Since then, while Armenia and Azerbaijan have held peace talks mediated by the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE), they have not reached a conclusion and the status of Karabakh has yet to be determined. The economies of both countries have been hurt in the absence of a complete resolution and Armenia's borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan remain closed. By the time both Azerbaijan and Armenia had finally agreed to a ceasefire in 1994, an estimated 30,000 people had been killed and over a million had been displaced.<ref>[http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1283/conflict_that_can_be_resolved_in_time.html A Conflict That Can Be Resolved in Time: Nagorno-Karabakh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001192200/http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1283/conflict_that_can_be_resolved_in_time.html |date=1 October 2008 }}. International Herald Tribune. 29 November 2003.</ref>

As it enters the 21st century, Armenia faces many hardships. It has made a full switch to a [[market economy]]. One study ranks it the 41st most "economically free" nation in the world, {{As of|2014|lc=y}}.<ref name="economic-index">{{cite web|url=http://www.heritage.org/Index/ranking|title=Heritage Index of Economic Freedom|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=[[The Heritage Foundation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720010300/http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking.aspx|archive-date=20 July 2009|access-date=22 July 2009}}</ref> Its relations with Europe, the [[Arab League]], and the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] have allowed Armenia to increase trade.<ref name="EPP Group">{{cite web|url=http://eppgroup.eu/press-release/Georgia-and-Armenia%3A-EU-reaches-trade-deal|title=EU negotiations with Armenia and Georgia on Free Trade Agreements successfully concluded|publisher=EPP Group|accessdate=10 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120092829/http://www.eppgroup.eu/press-release/Georgia-and-Armenia:-EU-reaches-trade-deal|archive-date=20 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Arka news agency">{{cite web|url=http://arka.am/en/news/interview/armenia_will_significantly_increase_its_revenues_by_reinforcing_its_role_of_a_transit_country_betwee/|title=Armenia will significantly increase its revenues by reinforcing its role of a transit country between Europe, CIS and Middle East|publisher=Arka News Agency|accessdate=10 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216041554/http://arka.am/en/news/interview/armenia_will_significantly_increase_its_revenues_by_reinforcing_its_role_of_a_transit_country_betwee/|archive-date=16 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Gas, oil, and other supplies come through two vital routes: Iran and Georgia. Armenia maintains cordial relations with both countries.<ref name="European Dialogue">{{cite web|url=http://eurodialogue.eu/676|title=Europe Could Draw Gas Through Iran–Armenia Pipeline|publisher=European dialogue|accessdate=10 February 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217042353/http://eurodialogue.eu/676|archivedate=17 February 2016}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Armenia}}
Armenia is a [[landlocked country]] in the [[geopolitical]] [[Transcaucasus]] (South [[Caucasus]]) region, that is located in the Southern [[Caucasus Mountains]] and their lowlands between the [[Black Sea]] and [[Caspian Sea]], and northeast of the [[Armenian Highland]]s. Located in [[Western Asia]],<ref>{{cite book|author=Central Intelligence Agency|title=The CIA World Factbook 2015|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xutfBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT5241|year=2014|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|isbn=978-1-62914-903-5|page=5241}}</ref><ref>The [[UN]] [http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm classification of world regions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020625192322/http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm |date=25 June 2002 }} places Armenia in Western Asia; the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] [[The World Factbook|World Factbook]] {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html |title=Armenia |work=The World Factbook |publisher=[[CIA]] |accessdate=2 September 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010101707/https://cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html |archivedate=10 October 2010 |url-status=live  }} {{cite web |url=http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=armeni&Mode=d&SubMode=w |title=Armenia |publisher=[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] |access-date=16 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808084113/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=armeni&Mode=d&SubMode=w |archive-date=8 August 2007 |url-status=live  }}, {{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/35178/Armenia |title=Armenia |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |access-date=16 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401081831/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/35178/Armenia |archive-date=1 April 2009 |url-status=live  }}, {{cite book|title=Calendario Atlante De Agostini|date=2015|publisher=Istituto Geografico De Agostini|location=Novara|language=Italian|isbn=9788851124908|page=sub voce|edition=111}} and ''Oxford Reference Online'' {{Cite journal |title=Oxford Reference |publisher=Oxford Reference Online |doi=10.1093/acref/9780199546091.001.0001 |year=2004 |isbn=9780199546091 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/worldencyclopedi00oxfo }} also place Armenia in Asia.</ref> on the [[Armenian Highlands]], it is bordered by [[Turkey]] to the west, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] to the north, the ''de facto'' independent [[Republic of Artsakh]] and [[Azerbaijan]] to the east, and [[Iran]] and Azerbaijan's [[exclave]] of [[Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic|Nakhchivan]] to the south.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0-19-510507-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/oxfordencycloped0000unse/page/156 156]|via=|url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordencycloped0000unse/page/156}}</ref> Armenia lies between latitudes [[38th parallel north|38°]] and [[42nd parallel north|42° N]], and meridians [[43rd meridian east|43°]] and [[47th meridian east|47° E]].

=== Topography ===
[[File:Armenien topo.jpg|thumb|Armenia's mountainous and volcanic [[topography]]]]

Armenia has a territorial area of {{convert|29743|km2|sqmi|0}}. The terrain is mostly mountainous, with fast flowing rivers, and few forests. The land rises to {{convert|4090|m|ft|0|abbr=off}} [[Metres above sea level|above sea level]] at [[Mount Aragats]], and no point is below {{convert|390|m|ft|0}} [[Metres above sea level|above sea level]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Geographic Characteristic of The Republic of Armenia|work=Marzes of the Republic of Armenia in Figures, 2002–2006|publisher=National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia|url=http://www.armstat.am/file/article/marz_07_e_2.pdf|year=2007|accessdate=22 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325034102/http://www.armstat.am/file/article/marz_07_e_2.pdf|archive-date=25 March 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> [[List of countries by average elevation|Average elevation of the country]] area is 10th highest in the world and it has 85.9% mountain area, more than [[Switzerland]] or [[Nepal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://farm1.staticflickr.com/779/30949572663_37d588c515_o.jpg|title=Percentage of Mountain Area per Country (map)|website=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109155517/https://farm1.staticflickr.com/779/30949572663_37d588c515_o.jpg|archive-date=9 January 2019|url-status=live|access-date=}}</ref>

;Mount Ararat
[[Mount Ararat]], which was historically part of Armenia, is the highest mountain in the region. Now located in Turkey, but clearly visible from Armenia, it is regarded by the Armenians as a symbol of their land. Because of this, the mountain is present on the [[Coat of arms of Armenia|Armenian national emblem]] today.<ref name="Azarian2007">{{cite book|author=Natasha May Azarian|title=The Seeds of Memory: Narrative Renditions of the Armenian Genocide Across Generations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QJDLYMq7ZuAC&pg=PA96|accessdate=28 April 2013|year=2007|isbn=978-0-549-53005-3|page=96|quote=Mount Ararat is considered the 'heart' of historical Armenia as it is Armenian folklore which considers the majestic mountain to be the place where Noah's Arc landed. Armenian businesses, households, and schools almost ubiquitously have at ...|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528131920/http://books.google.com/books?id=QJDLYMq7ZuAC&pg=PA96|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Adalian2010">{{cite book|author=Rouben Paul Adalian|title=Historical Dictionary of Armenia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QS-vSjHObOYC&pg=PA85|accessdate=28 April 2013|date=13 May 2010|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-7450-3|page=85|quote=Although the mythology associated with the pagan worship of the mountain is now lost to popular belief, Mount Ararat has played a very ...|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528164521/http://books.google.com/books?id=QS-vSjHObOYC&pg=PA85|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Minahan1998">{{cite book|author=James Minahan|title=Miniature empires: a historical dictionary of the newly independent states|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RSxt-JB-PDkC&pg=PA2|accessdate=28 April 2013|year=1998|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-30610-5|pages=2–3|quote=Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, is located in what is now modern Turkey. Situated near the border, the peak is visible from nearly every area of Armenia. Historically, the mountain has been the Armenian people's most ...|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528125621/http://books.google.com/books?id=RSxt-JB-PDkC&pg=PA2|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
{{Main|Climate of Armenia}}

[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map ARM present.svg|thumb|[[Köppen-Geiger climate classification]] map for Armenia.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Beck |first1=Hylke E. |last2=Zimmermann |first2=Niklaus E. |last3=McVicar |first3=Tim R. |last4=Vergopolan |first4=Noemi |last5=Berg |first5=Alexis |last6=Wood |first6=Eric F. |title=Present and future Köppen-Geiger climate classification maps at 1-km resolution |journal=Scientific Data |date=30 October 2018 |volume=5 |pages=180214 |doi=10.1038/sdata.2018.214 |pmid=30375988 |pmc=6207062 |bibcode=2018NatSD...580214B |url=https://www.research-collection.ethz.ch/bitstream/20.500.11850/302311/2/sdata2018214.pdf |access-date=6 September 2019 |archive-date=4 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004180229//bitstream/handle/20.500.11850/302311/sdata2018214.pdf;jsessionid=65665A2C93110E4FCFCF1D01F6392834?sequence=2 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

The climate in Armenia is markedly highland [[Continental climate|continental]]. Summers are hot, dry and sunny, lasting from June to mid-September. The temperature fluctuates between {{convert|22|and|36|C|F}}. However, the low humidity level mitigates the effect of high temperatures. Evening breezes blowing down the mountains provide a welcome refreshing and cooling effect. Springs are short, while autumns are long. Autumns are known for their vibrant and colourful foliage.

Winters are quite cold with plenty of snow, with temperatures ranging between {{convert|-10|and|-5|°C|°F}}. [[Winter sport]]s enthusiasts enjoy skiing down the hills of [[Tsakhkadzor]], located thirty minutes outside Yerevan. [[Lake Sevan]], nestled up in the Armenian highlands, is the second largest lake in the world relative to its altitude, at {{convert|1900|m|ft|0}} [[Metres above sea level|above sea level]].

=== Environmental protection ===
[[File:CO2 emissions per capita in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Germany, Italy, USA in 2000-2012.jpg|thumb|Carbon dioxide emissions in metric tons per capita in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Germany, Italy, USA in 2000–2012. World Bank data.]]
Armenia ranked 63rd out of 180 countries on [[Environmental Performance Index]] (EPI) in 2018. Its rank on subindex Environmental Health (which is weighted at 40% in EPI) is 109, while Armenia's rank on subindex of Ecosystem Vitality (weighted at 60% in EPI) is 27th best in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/epi-country-report/ARM|title=Environmental Performance Index|website=epi.envirocenter.yale.edu|language=en|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016193854/https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/epi-country-report/ARM|url-status=dead}}</ref> This suggests that main environmental issues in Armenia are with [[Armenia#Health|population health]], while environment vitality is of lesser concern. Out of sub-subindices contributing to Environmental Health subindex ranking on Air Quality to which population is exposed is particularly unsatisfying.

[[Waste management in Armenia]] is underdeveloped, as no waste sorting or recycling takes place at Armenia's 60 landfills. A waste processing plant is scheduled for construction near [[Hrazdan]] city, which will allow for closure of 10 waste dumps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gov.am/en/news/item/9338/|title="We have good reasons to boast economic growth in the coming years" – Karen Karapetyan Pleased with 2017 Indices in Kotayk Marz|website=www.gov.am|language=en|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204522/http://www.gov.am/en/news/item/9338/|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Despite the availability of abundant renewable energy sources in Armenia (especially [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] and [[wind power]]) and calls from EU officials to shut down the [[Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant|nuclear power plant at Metsamor]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/433776.html|title=EU: Armenia nuclear plant should be shut down as soon as possible|website=news.am|language=en|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204447/https://news.am/eng/news/433776.html|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Armenian Government is exploring the possibilities of installing new small modular nuclear reactors. In 2018 existing nuclear plant is scheduled for modernization to enhance its safety and increase power production by about 10%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://arka.am/en/news/technology/modernization_to_increase_the_capacity_of_armenian_nuclear_power_plant_by_10/|title=Modernization to increase the capacity of Armenian nuclear power plant by 10%|website=arka.am|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216143937/http://arka.am/en/news/technology/modernization_to_increase_the_capacity_of_armenian_nuclear_power_plant_by_10/|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/922486/armenian-nuclear-power-plant-upgrading-program-to-continue-in-2018.html|title=Armenian Nuclear Power Plant upgrading program to continue in 2018|work=armenpress.am|access-date=16 February 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204336/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/922486/armenian-nuclear-power-plant-upgrading-program-to-continue-in-2018.html|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection introduced taxes for air and water pollution and solid-waste disposal, whose revenues are used for environmental protection activities.

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Government of Armenia|Politics of Armenia}}

[[File:2014 Erywań, Budynek Zgromadzenia Narodowego Republiki Armenii.jpg|thumb|The [[National Assembly (Armenia)|National Assembly]] in [[Yerevan]]]]

Armenia is a [[Representative democracy|representative parliamentary democratic]] republic. The Armenian constitution adhered to the model of a [[Semi-Presidential Republic|semi-presidential republic]] until April 2018.

According to the current [[Constitution of Armenia]], the [[President of Armenia|President]] is the [[head of state]] holding largely representational functions, while the [[Prime Minister of Armenia|Prime Minister]] is the [[head of government]] and exercises [[Executive (government)|executive power]].

[[Legislature|Legislative power]] is vested in the [[National Assembly of Armenia|Azgayin Zhoghov]] or ''[[National Assembly of Armenia|National Assembly]]'', which is a [[unicameral parliament]].

[[Fragile States Index|Fragile states index]] since its first report in 2006 until most recent in 2019 consistently ranked Armenia better than all its neighboring countries (with one exception in 2011).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fragilestatesindex.org/data/|title=Global Data {{!}} Fragile States Index|website=fragilestatesindex.org|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715052132/https://fragilestatesindex.org/data/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Armenia has universal [[suffrage]] above the age of eighteen.

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Armenia|Armenia and the European Union|Armenia–Turkey relations}}
[[File:Armen Sarkissian with Mike Pompeo.jpg|thumb|U.S. Secretary [[Mike Pompeo]] with Armenian President [[Armen Sarkissian]]]]
Armenia became a member of the [[United Nations]] on 2 March 1992, and is a signatory to a number of its organizations and other international agreements. It is also a member of  international organisations such as the [[Council of Europe]], the [[Asian Development Bank]], the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]], the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]], the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[World Trade Organization]], the [[World Customs Organization]], the [[Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation]] and [[Organisation internationale de la Francophonie|La Francophonie]]. It is a member of the [[Collective Security Treaty Organisation|CSTO]] military alliance, and also participates in [[NATO]]'s [[Partnership for Peace]] program and the [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council]]. In 2004 its forces joined [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]], a NATO-led international force in [[Kosovo]]. Armenia is also an observer member of the [[Arab League]],<ref name="Armenia">{{cite web| title = Armenia invited as observer for Arab League| publisher = Azad Hye| date = 19 January 2005| url = http://azad-hye.blogspot.ca/2005/01/observer-status-for-armenia-in-arab.html| accessdate = 20 May 2014| archive-date = 21 April 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170421002247/http://azad-hye.blogspot.ca/2005/01/observer-status-for-armenia-in-arab.html| url-status = live}}</ref> the [[Organization of American States]], the [[Pacific Alliance]], the [[Non-Aligned Movement]], and a dialogue partner in the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]]. As a result of its historical ties to France, Armenia was selected to host the biennial [[Organisation internationale de la Francophonie|Francophonie summit]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leblanc |first1=Daniel |title=Prime Minister Trudeau has last shot to help Michaëlle Jean stay on as Francophonie leader |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-prime-minister-trudeau-has-last-shot-to-help-michaelle-jean-stay-on-as/ |accessdate=9 October 2018 |work=Globe and Mail |publisher=The Globe and Mail Inc. |date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009065544/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-prime-minister-trudeau-has-last-shot-to-help-michaelle-jean-stay-on-as/ |archive-date=9 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Armenia has a difficult relation with neighbouring countries [[Armenia–Azerbaijan relations|Azerbaijan]] and [[Armenia–Turkey relations|Turkey]]. Tensions were running high between Armenians and Azerbaijanis during the final years of the [[Soviet Union]]. The [[Nagorno-Karabakh War]] dominated the region's politics throughout the 1990s.<ref name="CFR-9148">{{cite web |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: The Crisis in the Caucasus |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/nagorno-karabakh-crisis-caucasus |accessdate=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060721165228/http://www.cfr.org/publication/9148/ |archive-date=21 July 2006 |url-status=live  }}</ref> To this day, Armenia's borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan are under severe blockade. In addition, a permanent solution for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has not been reached despite the mediation provided by organizations such as the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]].

Turkey also has a long history of poor relations with Armenia over its refusal to acknowledge the [[Armenian Genocide]], even though it was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Armenia (the 3rd republic) after its independence from the USSR in 1991. Despite this, for most of the 20th century and early 21st century, relations remain tense and there are no formal diplomatic relations between the two countries due to Turkey's refusal to establish them for numerous reasons. During the Nagorno-Karabakh War, and citing it as the reason, Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993. It has not lifted its blockade despite pressure from the powerful Turkish business lobby interested in Armenian markets.<ref name="CFR-9148"/>

[[File:Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan (2018-05-14) 02.jpg|thumb|left|Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] shakes hands with Armenian Prime Minister [[Nikol Pashinyan]]]]
On 10 October 2009, Armenia and Turkey [[Zurich Protocols|signed protocols]] on the normalisation of relations, which set a timetable for restoring diplomatic ties and reopening their joint border.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091010/ts_nm/us_turkey_armenia_9 |title=Armenia and Turkey sign peace deal |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014080048/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091010/ts_nm/us_turkey_armenia_9 |archivedate=14 October 2009}}</ref> The ratification of those had to be made in the national parliaments. In Armenia, before sending the protocols to the parliament, it was sent to the Constitutional Court to have their [[constitutionality]] to be approved. The Constitutional Court made references to the preamble of the protocols underlying three main issues.<ref name="iaireport" /> One of them stated that the implementation of the protocols did not imply Armenia's official recognition of the existing Turkish-Armenian border established by the [[Treaty of Kars]]. By doing so, the Constitutional Court rejected one of the main premises of the protocols, i.e. “the mutual recognition of the existing border between the two countries as defined by relevant treaties of international law".<ref name="iaireport">{{cite web |author1=Nona Mikhelidze |title=The Turkish-Armenian Rapprochement at the Deadlock |url=https://www.iai.it/sites/default/files/iai1005.pdf |website=IAI Istituto Affari Internazionali |accessdate=2 June 2020 |page=3 |date=5 March 2010 |archive-date=16 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516101433/http://www.iai.it/sites/default/files/iai1005.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of. Turkey and the Republic of Armenia |url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/site_media/html/zurih-protokolleri-en.pdf |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey |accessdate=2 June 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726083609/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/site_media/html/zurih-protokolleri-en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This was for the Turkish Government the reason to back down from the Protocols.<ref>{{cite web |title=Relations between Turkey and Armenia |url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkey-and-armenia.en.mfa |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey |accessdate=2 June 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726091256/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkey-and-armenia.en.mfa |url-status=live }}</ref> The Armenian President had made multiple public announcements, both in Armenia and abroad, that, as the leader of the political majority of Armenia, he assured the parliamentary ratification of the protocols if Turkey also ratified them. Despite this, the process stopped, as Turkey continuously added more preconditions to its ratification and also "delayed it beyond any reasonable time-period".{{Citation needed|date=June 2020|reason=Unclear which preconditions were added by Turkey}}

Due to its position between two unfriendly neighbours, Armenia has close security ties with Russia. At the request of the Armenian government, Russia maintains a [[Russian 102nd Military Base|military base]] in the city of [[Gyumri]] located in Northwestern Armenia<ref name="Armenia-base">
{{cite news
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|url-status=dead

}}
</ref> as a deterrent against Turkey.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} Despite this, Armenia has also been looking toward Euro-Atlantic structures in recent years. It maintains good relations with the United States especially through its [[Armenian diaspora]]. According to the [[United States Census|US Census Bureau]], there are 427,822 Armenians living in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Ancestry Data |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |year=2006 |accessdate=22 July 2009 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804222046/http://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }} [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/ETO/Table1.cfm?Lang=E&T=501&GV=1&GID=0 The 2001 Canadian Census] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409060848/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/ETO/Table1.cfm?Lang=E&T=501&GV=1&GID=0 |date=9 April 2013 }} determined that there are 40,505 persons of Armenian ancestry currently living in Canada. However, these are liable to be low numbers, since people of mixed ancestry, very common in North America tend to be under-counted: the 1990 census US [https://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/language/table5.txt indicates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724134730/https://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/language/table5.txt |date=24 July 2017 }} 149,694 people who speak the Armenian language at home. {{cite web |url=http://www.armembassycanada.ca/diaspora/diaspora6.htm |archivedate=26 August 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060826182306/http://www.armembassycanada.ca/diaspora/diaspora6.htm |title=The Armenian Embassy in Canada |url-status=dead |accessdate=1 June 2016 }} estimates 1&nbsp;million ethnic Armenians in the US and 100,000 in Canada. The Armenian Church of America makes [https://web.archive.org/web/20030202125735/http://www.armenianchurch.org/heritage/history/america.html a similar estimate]. By all accounts, over half of the Armenians in the United States live in California.</ref>
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev at Armenian Genocide memorial-2.jpg|thumb|Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] at [[Tsitsernakaberd|Armenian Genocide memorial]] in Yerevan]]
Because of the illicit border blockades by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Armenia continues to maintain solid relations with its southern neighbour Iran especially in the economic sector. Economic projects are being developed between the two nations, including a gas pipeline going from Iran to Armenia.

Armenia is a member of the Council of Europe and maintains friendly relations with the [[European Union]]; especially with its member states such as France and Greece. In January 2002, the [[European Parliament]] noted that Armenia may enter the EU in the future.<ref>{{Citation | url = https://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+REPORT+A5-2002-0028+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN | title = European Parliament on the European Union's relations with the South Caucasus | access-date = 4 October 2020 | archive-date = 2 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200702131223/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2F%2FEP%2F%2FTEXT+REPORT+A5-2002-0028+0+DOC+XML+V0%2F%2FEN&language=EN | url-status = live }}</ref> A 2005 survey reported that 64% of Armenia's population would be in favour of joining the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armeniaforeignministry.am/news/inthenews/050107_eu.html |title=RFE/RL Caucasus Report |publisher=Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=7 January 2005 |accessdate=22 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120111039/http://armeniaforeignministry.am/news/inthenews/050107_eu.html |archivedate=20 November 2010}}</ref> Several Armenian officials have also expressed the desire for their country to eventually become an EU member state,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arminfo.am/political-issue22.html |title=Interview with RA National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasaryan |publisher=ArmInfo News Agency |date=26 October 2005 |accessdate=22 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113164842/http://www.arminfo.am/political-issue22.html |archivedate=13 January 2009}}</ref> some{{who|date=January 2016}} predicting that it will make an official bid for membership in a few years.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

[[Armenian SSR|A former republic]] of the [[Soviet Union]], Armenia is an [[Emergent democracy|emerging democracy]] and {{As of|2011|lc=y}} was negotiating with the European Union to become an associate partner. Legally speaking, it has the right to be considered as a prospective EU member provided it meets necessary standards and criteria, although officially such a plan does not exist in Brussels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.libertas-institut.com/de/PDF/Armenia%20ante%20portas.pdf |title=How Armenia Could Approach the European Union |accessdate=12 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428045333/http://www.libertas-institut.com/de/PDF/Armenia%20ante%20portas.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/955&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |title=EU launches negotiations on Association Agreements with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia |work=Europa (web portal) |date=15 July 2010 |accessdate=21 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204144048/http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP%2F10%2F955&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |archive-date=4 December 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.am/eng/news/22489.html |title=Armenia-EU association agreement may be concluded shortly &#124; Armenia News |publisher=News.am |accessdate=21 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008143723/http://news.am/eng/news/22489.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/delegations/armenia/press_corner/all_news/news/2010/20101215_01_en.htm |title=3rd Plenary Round of the EU–Armenia Negotiation on the Association Agreement |publisher=Ec.europa.eu |date=15 December 2010 |accessdate=28 August 2012}}</ref> The Government of Armenia, however, has joined the [[Eurasian Customs Union]]<ref>{{cite web|title = Eurasian Economic Commission|url = http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/Pages/default.aspx|website = www.eurasiancommission.org|accessdate = 13 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151008032729/http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date = 8 October 2015|url-status=live|df = dmy-all}}</ref> and the [[Eurasian Union|Eurasian Economic Union]].<ref>{{cite web|title = ДОГОВОР О ПРИСОЕДИНЕНИИ РЕСПУБЛИКИ АРМЕНИЯ К ДОГОВОРУ О ЕВРАЗИЙСКОМ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОМ СОЮЗЕ ОТ 29 МАЯ 2014 ГОДА (Минск, 10 октября 2014 года)|url = http://www.customs-code.ru/pravovbaza/18429-dogovor-arm|website = www.customs-code.ru|accessdate = 13 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141225011034/http://www.customs-code.ru/pravovbaza/18429-dogovor-arm|archive-date = 25 December 2014|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Armenia To Join Russian-Led Customs Union|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/armenia-customs-union/25094560.html|accessdate=13 September 2013|date=3 September 2013|agency=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913013339/http://www.rferl.org/content/armenia-customs-union/25094560.html|archive-date=13 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Armenia is included in the European Union's [[European Neighbourhood Policy]] (ENP) and participates in both the [[Eastern Partnership]] and the [[Euronest Parliamentary Assembly]], which aims at bringing the EU and its neighbours closer. The [[Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement]] (CEPA) was signed on 24 November 2017. The agreement further develops cooperation in economic, trade and political areas, aims to improve investment climate, and is designed to bring Armenian law gradually closer to the [[Acquis communautaire|EU acquis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/36141/new-agreement-signed-between-european-union-and-armenia-set-bring-tangible-benefits-citizens_en|title=New agreement signed between the European Union and Armenia set to bring tangible benefits to citizens – EEAS – European External Action Service – European Commission|website=EEAS – European External Action Service|language=en|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116140943/https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/36141/new-agreement-signed-between-european-union-and-armenia-set-bring-tangible-benefits-citizens_en|archive-date=16 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52017JC0037|title=EUR-Lex - 52017JC0037 - EN - EUR-Lex|website=eur-lex.europa.eu|access-date=16 September 2020|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205075846/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52017JC0037|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euneighbours.eu/en/east/stay-informed/news/eu-and-armenia-take-stock-comprehensive-and-enhanced-partnership-agreement|title=EU and Armenia take stock on Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement implementation &#124; EU Neighbours|website=www.euneighbours.eu|access-date=16 September 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917004251/https://www.euneighbours.eu/en/east/stay-informed/news/eu-and-armenia-take-stock-comprehensive-and-enhanced-partnership-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Human rights and freedom ===
{{Main|Human rights in Armenia}}
[[File:Raffi-kojian 20180423 190358284.jpg|thumb|In April 2018, a quasi-authoritarian [[Serzh Sargsyan|regime]] collapsed as a result of a nationwide [[2018 Armenian revolution|protest movement in Armenia]]]]
Human rights in Armenia tend to be better than those in most [[Post-Soviet states|former Soviet republics]] and have drawn closer to acceptable standards, especially economically.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} Nonetheless, there are still several considerable problems.

Armenia scored 4.79 on [[Economist Intelligence Unit|The Economist Intelligence Unit]] [[Economist Intelligence Unit#Democracy Index|Democracy Index]] published in January 2019 (data for 2018). Although still classified as "[[hybrid regime]]", Armenia recorded the strongest improvement among European countries<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/304923142131023876/532840963408920587/IMG_20190110_083908.jpg|title=Change in democracy index score from 2017 to 2018 in Europe|website=|access-date=|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004180223/https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/304923142131023876/532840963408920587/IMG_20190110_083908.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> and reached its ever-best score since calculation began in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2019/01/08/the-retreat-of-global-democracy-stopped-in-2018|title=The retreat of global democracy stopped in 2018|date=8 January 2019|work=The Economist|access-date=9 January 2019|issn=0013-0613|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109053748/https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2019/01/08/the-retreat-of-global-democracy-stopped-in-2018|archive-date=9 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Armenia is classified as "partly free" in the 2019 report (with data from 2018) by [[Freedom House]], which gives it a score of 51 out of 100,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/armenia|title=Armenia|date=31 January 2019|website=freedomhouse.org|language=en|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015026/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2019/armenia|archive-date=7 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> which is 6 points ahead of the previous estimate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/armenia|title=Armenia|website=freedomhouse.org|language=en|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073546/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/armenia|archive-date=6 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Armenia has recorded an unprecedented progress in the 2019 [[Press Freedom Index|World Press Freedom Index]] published by [[Reporters Without Borders]], improving its position by 19 points and ranking 61st on the list. The publication also confirms the absence of cases of killed journalists, citizen journalists or media assistants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rsf.org/en/armenia|title=Armenia : A revolution live-streamed {{!}} Reporters without borders|website=RSF|language=en|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423152125/https://rsf.org/en/armenia|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/971810/|title=Armenia improves positions in World Press Freedom Index by 19 points: Pashinyan confident in continuation of progress|website=armenpress.am|language=en|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418151639/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/971810/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Armenia ranks 54th in the 2017 report The Human Freedom Index (with data from 2016) published by Canada's [[Fraser Institute]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/human-freedom-index-2017|title=The Human Freedom Index 2017|date=25 January 2018|work=Fraser Institute|access-date=6 November 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107010401/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/human-freedom-index-2017|archive-date=7 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Armenia ranked 29th for economic freedom and 76th for personal freedom among 159 countries in the 2017 [[List of freedom indices|Human Freedom Index]] published by the [[Cato Institute]] .<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/human-freedom-index-files/2017-human-freedom-index-country-profiles.pdf|title=COUNTRY PROFILES|website=|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185410/https://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/human-freedom-index-files/2017-human-freedom-index-country-profiles.pdf|archive-date=26 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index|title=Human Freedom Index|work=Cato Institute|access-date=26 January 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201014922/https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

These classifications may improve when data from 2018, including the period of the [[2018 Armenian Velvet Revolution|velvet revolution]] and thereafter, is analyzed.

On 11 October, 2020, Kim Kardashian West donated $1 million to the Armenia Fund, amid the ongoing conflict in the country. She posted a short video on her [[Instagram]] to mention her donation, where she also encouraged her fans to support Armenia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/kim-kardashian-west-armenia-donation-azerbaijan-1234800606/ |title= Kim Kardashian West Donates $1 Million to Armenia Fund Amid Ongoing Conflict With Azerbaijan |accessdate= 11 October 2020 |website= Variety}}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{Main|Armed Forces of Armenia}}
{{See also|Military history of Armenia}}
[[File:Armenian Air force (896484593).jpg|thumb|[[Armenian Air Force]] [[Su-25]]'s during a military parade]]
[[File:2010 Moscow Victory Day Parade-8.jpeg|thumb|Armenian soldiers at the [[2010 Moscow Victory Day Parade]]]]
The [[Armenian Army]], [[Armenian Air Force|Air Force]], [[Armenian Air Force|Air Defence]], and [[Armenian Border Guard|Border Guard]] comprise the four branches of the Armed Forces of Armenia. The Armenian military was formed after the [[History of the Soviet Union (1985–91)|collapse of the Soviet Union]] in 1991 and with the establishment of the Ministry of Defence in 1992.

The [[Commander-in-chief|Commander-in-Chief]] of the military is the [[Prime Minister of Armenia]], [[Nikol Pashinyan]]. The Ministry of Defence is in charge of political leadership, headed by [[David Tonoyan|Davit Tonoyan]], while military command remains in the hands of the general staff, headed by the [[Chief of the General Staff (Armenia)|Chief of Staff]], who is Lieutenant-General [[Onik Gasparyan]].

Active forces now number about 81,000 soldiers, with an additional [[Military reserve force|reserve]] of 32,000 troops. Armenian border guards are in charge of patrolling the country's borders with [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Azerbaijan]], while Russian troops continue to monitor its borders with [[Iran]] and [[Turkey]]. In the case of an attack, Armenia is able to mobilize every able-bodied man between the age of 15 and 59, with military preparedness.

The [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe]], which establishes comprehensive limits on key categories of military equipment, was ratified by the Armenian parliament in July 1992. In March 1993, Armenia signed the multilateral [[Chemical Weapons Convention]], which calls for the eventual elimination of chemical weapons. Armenia acceded to the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] (NPT) as a non-nuclear weapons state in July 1993.

Armenia is member of [[Collective Security Treaty Organisation]] (CSTO) along with [[Russia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]] and [[Tajikistan]]. It participates in NATO's [[Partnership for Peace]] (PiP) program and in [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council]] (EAPC).

Armenia has engaged in a peacekeeping mission in [[Kosovo]] as part of non-NATO [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] troops under Greek command.<ref>{{cite web |title=KFOR Contingent: Armenia |url=http://www.nato.int/kfor/structur/nations/armenia.htm |publisher=Official Web Site of the Kosovo Force |date=23 March 2007 |accessdate=27 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114033555/http://www.nato.int/kfor/structur/nations/armenia.htm |archive-date=14 January 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Armenia also had 46 members of its military [[peacekeeping]] forces as a part of the [[International Security Assistance Force|Coalition Forces]] in [[Iraq War]] until October 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Last shift of Armenian peacekeepers in Iraq returns home |url=http://www.mil.am/eng/index.php?page=2&p=0&id=633&y=2008&m=10&d=29 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |date=7 October 2008 |accessdate=29 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515101803/http://www.mil.am/eng/index.php?page=2&p=0&id=633&y=2008&m=10&d=29 |archivedate=15 May 2011 }}</ref> In 2019 Armenia has sent 83 soldiers to Syria for mine-cleaning and humanitarian mission there.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eurasianet.org/armenia-sends-military-deminers-and-medics-to-support-russian-mission-in-syria|title=Armenia sends military deminers and medics to support Russian mission in Syria|website=Eurasianet|language=en|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200801203245/https://eurasianet.org/armenia-sends-military-deminers-and-medics-to-support-russian-mission-in-syria|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Armenia}}
{{Armenia Labelled Map|float=right}}
[[File:Գեղարդ.jpg|thumb|[[Geghard]] monastery, [[Kotayk Province]]]]
Armenia is divided into ten [[Administrative divisions of Armenia|provinces]] (''marzer'', singular ''marz''), with the city (''kaghak'') of [[Yerevan]] ({{lang|hy|Երևան}}) having special administrative status as the country's capital. The chief executive in each of the ten provinces is the ''marzpet'' (''marz'' governor), appointed by the government of Armenia. In Yerevan, the chief executive is the mayor, elected since 2009.

Within each province there are [[List of municipalities of Armenia|communities]] (''hamaynkner'', singular ''hamaynk''). Each community is self-governing and consists of one or more settlements (''bnakavayrer'', singular ''bnakavayr''). Settlements are classified as either towns (''kaghakner'', singular ''kaghak'') or villages (''gyugher'', singular ''gyugh''). {{As of|2007}}, Armenia includes 915 communities, of which 49 are considered urban and 866 are considered rural. The capital, Yerevan, also has the status of a community.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regional Administration Bodies |url=http://www.gov.am/en/regions/ |publisher=The Government of the Republic of Armenia |accessdate=11 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211012350/http://www.gov.am/en/regions |archive-date=11 February 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Additionally, Yerevan is divided into twelve semi-autonomous districts.

{|class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:left;"
!colspan="2"|Province
!colspan="2"|Capital
! Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! Population †
|-
|[[Aragatsotn Province|Aragatsotn]] ||{{lang|hy|Արագածոտն}}
|[[Ashtarak]] ||{{lang|hy|Աշտարակ}}
|style="text-align:right"|2,756
|style="text-align:right"|132,925
|-
|[[Ararat Province|Ararat]] ||{{lang|hy|Արարատ}}
|[[Artashat, Armenia|Artashat]] ||{{lang|hy|Արտաշատ}}
|style="text-align:right"|2,090
|style="text-align:right"|260,367
|-
|[[Armavir Province|Armavir]] ||{{lang|hy|Արմավիր}}
|[[Armavir, Armenia|Armavir]] ||{{lang|hy|Արմավիր}}
|style="text-align:right"|1,242
|style="text-align:right"|265,770
|-
|[[Gegharkunik Province|Gegharkunik]]&nbsp;&nbsp; ||{{lang|hy|Գեղարքունիք}}&nbsp;&nbsp;
|[[Gavar]] ||{{lang|hy|Գավառ}}
|style="text-align:right"|5,349
|style="text-align:right"|235,075
|-
|[[Kotayk Province|Kotayk]] ||{{lang|hy|Կոտայք}}
|[[Hrazdan]] ||{{lang|hy|Հրազդան}}
|style="text-align:right"|2,086
|style="text-align:right"|254,397
|-
|[[Lori Province|Lori]] ||{{lang|hy|Լոռի}}
|[[Vanadzor]] ||{{lang|hy|Վանաձոր}}
|style="text-align:right"|3,799
|style="text-align:right"|235,537
|-
|[[Shirak Province|Shirak]] ||{{lang|hy|Շիրակ}}
|[[Gyumri]] ||{{lang|hy|Գյումրի}}
|style="text-align:right"|2,680
|style="text-align:right"|251,941
|-
|[[Syunik Province|Syunik]] ||{{lang|hy|Սյունիք}}
|[[Kapan]] ||{{lang|hy|Կապան}}
|style="text-align:right"|4,506
|style="text-align:right"|141,771
|-
|[[Tavush]] ||{{lang|hy|Տավուշ}}
|[[Ijevan]] ||{{lang|hy|Իջևան}}
|style="text-align:right"|2,704
|style="text-align:right"|128,609
|-
|[[Vayots Dzor]] ||{{lang|hy|Վայոց Ձոր}}
|[[Yeghegnadzor]]&nbsp;&nbsp; ||{{lang|hy|Եղեգնաձոր}}&nbsp;&nbsp;
|style="text-align:right"|2,308
|style="text-align:right"|52,324
|-
|[[Yerevan]] ||{{lang|hy|Երևան}}
|style="text-align:center"|– ||style="text-align:center"|–
|style="text-align:right"|223
|style="text-align:right"|1,060,138
|}
† 2011 census<br />Sources: Area and population of provinces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armstat.am/file/doc/99475033.pdf|title=Armstat:Provinces, area and population|access-date=26 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010144321/http://www.armstat.am/file/doc/99475033.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Armenia}}

The economy relies heavily on investment and support from Armenians abroad.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/19/AR2007101901471.html |title=Armenian Eyes, Ears on US Genocide Vote |work=The Washington Post |date=19 October 2007 |accessdate=7 July 2009 |first=Avet |last=Demourian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425123241/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/19/AR2007101901471.html |archive-date=25 April 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Before independence, Armenia's economy was largely industry-based – [[chemical substance|chemicals]], [[electronics]], machinery, [[food processing|processed food]], [[synthetic rubber]], and textile – and highly dependent on outside resources. The republic had developed a modern [[Secondary sector of the economy|industrial sector]], supplying [[machine tool]]s, textiles, and other [[Final goods|manufactured goods]] to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy.<ref name="CIA"/>

Agriculture accounted for less than 20% of both [[net material product]] and [[Full employment|total employment]] before the [[History of the Soviet Union (1985–1991)|dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991. After independence, the importance of agriculture in the economy increased markedly, its share at the end of the 1990s rising to more than 30% of GDP and more than 40% of total employment.<ref name=agri>Z. Lerman and A. Mirzakhanian, ''Private Agriculture in Armenia'', Lexington Books, Lanham, MD, 2001.</ref> This increase in the importance of agriculture was attributable to food security needs of the population in the face of uncertainty during the first phases of [[transition economy|transition]] and the collapse of the non-agricultural sectors of the economy in the early 1990s. As the economic situation stabilised and growth resumed, the share of agriculture in GDP dropped to slightly over 20% (2006 data), although the share of agriculture in employment remained more than 40%.<ref name=yb2007>[http://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=179 Statistical Yearbook 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003060915/http://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=179 |date=3 October 2008 }}, Armenia National Statistical Service, Yerevan</ref>

[[File:Mount Ararat and the Yerevan skyline.jpg|thumb|[[Yerevan]] is the economic and cultural centre of Armenia.]]
Armenian mines produce copper, zinc, gold, and lead. The vast majority of energy is produced with fuel imported from Russia, including gas and nuclear fuel (for its one nuclear power plant); the main domestic energy source is hydroelectric. Small deposits of coal, gas, and petroleum exist but have not yet been developed.

Access to [[biocapacity]] in Armenia is lower than world average. In 2016, Armenia had 0.8 global hectares <ref name=footprintdata>{{cite web|url=http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends?cn=1&type=BCpc,EFCpc|title=Country Trends|publisher=Global Footprint Network|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-date=8 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808050235/http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends?cn=1&type=BCpc,EFCpc|url-status=live}}</ref> of biocapacity per person within its territory, much less than the world average of 1.6 global hectares per person.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lin|first1=David|last2=Hanscom|first2=Laurel|last3=Murthy|first3=Adeline|last4=Galli|first4=Alessandro|last5=Evans|first5=Mikel|last6=Neill|first6=Evan|last7=Mancini|first7=MariaSerena|last8=Martindill|first8=Jon|last9=Medouar|first9=FatimeZahra|last10=Huang|first10=Shiyu|last11=Wackernagel|first11=Mathis|date=2018|title=Ecological Footprint Accounting for Countries: Updates and Results of the National Footprint Accounts, 2012-2018|url=https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/7/3/58|journal=Resources|language=en|volume=7|issue=3|pages=58|doi=10.3390/resources7030058|via=|doi-access=free|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-date=2 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702151319/https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/7/3/58|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016 Armenia used 1.9 global hectares of biocapacity per person - their [[ecological footprint]] of consumption. This means they use double as much biocapacity as Armenia contains. As a result, Armenia is running a biocapacity deficit.<ref name=footprintdata/>

Like other [[Post-Soviet states|newly independent states]] of the former Soviet Union, Armenia's economy suffers from the breakdown of former Soviet trading patterns. Soviet investment in and support of Armenian industry has virtually disappeared, so that few major enterprises are still able to function. In addition, the effects of the [[1988 Armenian earthquake|1988 Spitak earthquake]], which killed more than 25,000 people and made 500,000 homeless, are still being felt. The conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has not been resolved. Shutdown of the nuclear power plant in 1989 lead to the [[Armenian energy crisis of 1990s]]. The GDP fell nearly 60% between 1989 and 1993, but then resumed robust growth after the power plant was reopened in 1995.<ref name=agri/> The national currency, the dram, suffered hyperinflation for the first years after its introduction in 1993.

Nevertheless, the government was able to make wide-ranging economic reforms that paid off in dramatically lower inflation and steady growth. The 1994 cease-fire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has also helped the economy. Armenia has had strong economic growth since 1995, building on the turnaround that began the previous year, and inflation has been negligible for the past several years. New sectors, such as precious-stone processing and jewelry making, information and communication technology, and even tourism are beginning to supplement more traditional sectors of the economy, such as agriculture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/armenia-becoming-world-class-hiking-destination-180965096/|title=How Armenia Plans to Become the Next World-Class Hiking Destination|first=Laura|last=Kiniry|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205000848/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/armenia-becoming-world-class-hiking-destination-180965096/|archive-date=5 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

This steady economic progress has earned Armenia increasing support from international institutions. The [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF), [[World Bank]], [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] (EBRD), and other [[Global financial system|international financial institutions]] (IFIs) and foreign countries are extending considerable grants and loans. Loans to Armenia since 1993 exceed $1.1&nbsp;billion. These loans are targeted at reducing the budget deficit and stabilising the currency; developing private businesses; energy; agriculture; food processing; transportation; the health and education sectors; and ongoing rehabilitation in the earthquake zone. The government joined the World Trade Organization on 5 February 2003. But one of the main sources of foreign direct investments remains the Armenian diaspora, which finances major parts of the reconstruction of infrastructure and other public projects. Being a growing democratic state, Armenia also hopes to get more financial aid from the Western World.

A liberal foreign investment law was approved in June 1994, and a law on privatization was adopted in 1997, as well as a program of state property privatization. Continued progress will depend on the ability of the government to strengthen its macroeconomic management, including increasing revenue collection, improving the investment climate, and making strides against corruption. However, unemployment, which was 18.5% in 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=126&id=08010|title=Unemployment Armenia|publisher=Armenian Statistical Service of Republic of Armenia|accessdate=6 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507095233/http://www.armstat.am/en/?id=08010&nid=126|archive-date=7 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> still remains a major problem due to the influx of thousands of refugees from the Karabakh conflict.

=== International rankings ===
In the 2020 report of [[Index of Economic Freedom]] by [[The Heritage Foundation|Heritage Foundation]], Armenia is classified as "mostly free" and ranks 34th, improving by 13 positions and ahead of all other [[Eurasian Economic Union]] countries and many [[EU]] countries including Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Belgium, Spain, France, Portugal and Italy.<ref name="economic-index" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heritage.org/index/country/armenia|title=Armenia Economy: Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade, FDI, Corruption|website=www.heritage.org|language=en|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208184131/https://www.heritage.org/index/country/armenia|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2019 report (data for 2017) of [[Economic Freedom of the World]] published by [[Fraser Institute]] Armenia ranks 27th (classified most free) out of 162 economies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/economic-freedom-of-the-world-2018-annual-report|title=Economic Freedom of the World: 2018 Annual Report|date=25 September 2018|work=Fraser Institute|access-date=6 November 2018|language=en|archive-date=16 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116035239/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/economic-freedom-of-the-world-2018-annual-report|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/economic-freedom|title=You are being redirected...|website=www.fraserinstitute.org|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110082628/https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/economic-freedom|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2019 report of [[Global Competitiveness Index]] Armenia ranks 69th out of 141 economies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/reports/how-to-end-a-decade-of-lost-productivity-growth/|title=Global Competitiveness Report 2019|website=World Economic Forum|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=14 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214165925/https://www.weforum.org/reports/how-to-end-a-decade-of-lost-productivity-growth|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2020 report (data for 2019) of [[Ease of doing business index|Doing Business]] Index Armenia ranks 47th with 10th rank on "starting business" sub-index.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/armenia|title=Doing Business in Armenia – World Bank Group|website=www.doingbusiness.org|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112163741/http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/armenia/|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2018 report (data for 2017) of  [[Human Development Index]]  by [[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]]  Armenia ranked 83rd and is classified into "high human development" group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/composite/HDI|title={{!}} Human Development Reports|website=hdr.undp.org|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120074644/http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/table-1-human-development-index-and-its-components|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2019 report of [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] by [[Transparency International]] Armenia ranked 77 of 179 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/cpi2018|title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2018|last=e.V|first=Transparency International|website=www.transparency.org|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015083639/https://www.transparency.org/cpi2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the "Freedom on the Net 2019" report by [[Freedom House]] Armenia scored best in the region and was classified as a free country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freedomonthenet.org/country/armenia/freedom-on-the-net/2019|title=Armenia {{!}} Freedom House|website=www.freedomonthenet.org|language=en|access-date=5 November 2019|archive-date=5 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105075259/https://www.freedomonthenet.org/country/armenia/freedom-on-the-net/2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freedomonthenet.org/explore-the-map|title=Freedom on the Net Map {{!}} Freedom House|website=www.freedomonthenet.org|language=en|access-date=5 November 2019|archive-date=5 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105192245/https://www.freedomonthenet.org/explore-the-map|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Science, technology and education ==
=== Science and technology ===
{{Main|Science and technology in Armenia}}
Research spending is low in Armenia, averaging 0.25% of GDP over 2010–2013. However, the statistical record of research expenditure is incomplete, as expenditure by privately owned business enterprises is not surveyed in Armenia. The world average for domestic expenditure on research was 1.7% of GDP in 2013.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002354/235406e.pdf|title=Countries in the Black Sea basin. In: UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030|last1=Erocal|first1=Deniz|last2=Yegorov|first2=Igor|publisher=UNESCO|year=2015|isbn=978-92-3-100129-1|location=Paris|pages=324–41|access-date=13 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630025557/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002354/235406e.pdf|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:GERD GDP ratio for the Black Sea countries, 2001–2013.svg|thumb|Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD)to GDP ratio for the Black Sea countries, 2001–2013. Source: UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030 (2015), Figure 12.3]]
The country's ''Strategy for the Development of Science 2011–2020'' envisions that 'by 2020, Armenia is a country with a knowledge-based economy and is competitive within the European Research Area with its level of basic and applied research.' It fixes the following targets:<ref name=":0" />
* Creation of a system capable of sustaining the development of science and technology;
* Development of scientific potential, modernization of scientific infrastructure;
* Promotion of basic and applied research;
* Creation of a synergistic system of education, science and innovation; and
* Becoming a prime location for scientific specialization in the European Research Area.
Based on this strategy, the accompanying ''Action Plan'' was approved by the government in June 2011. It defines the following targets:<ref name=":0" />
* Improve the management system for science and technology and create the requisite conditions for sustainable development;
* Involve more young, talented people in education and research, while upgrading research infrastructure;
* Create the requisite conditions for the development of an integrated national innovation system; and
* Enhance international co-operation in research and development.
[[File:GERD in the Black Sea region by sector of performance, 2005 and 2013.svg|thumb|GERD in the Black Sea region by sector of performance, 2005 and 2013. Source: UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030 (2015), Figure 12.5]]
Although the ''Strategy'' clearly pursues a 'science push' approach, with public research institutes serving as the key policy target, it nevertheless mentions the goal of establishing an innovation system. However, the main driver of innovation, the business sector, is not mentioned. In between publishing the ''Strategy'' and ''Action Plan'', the government issued a resolution in May 2010 on ''Science and Technology Development Priorities for 2010–2014''. These priorities are:<ref name=":0" />
* Armenian studies, humanities and social sciences;
* Life sciences;
* Renewable energy, new energy sources;
* Advanced technologies, information technologies;
* Space, Earth sciences, sustainable use of natural resources; and
* Basic research promoting essential applied research.
The Law on the National Academy of Sciences was adopted in May 2011. This law is expected to play a key role in shaping the Armenian innovation system. It allows the National Academy of Sciences to extend its business activities to the commercialization of research results and the creation of spin-offs; it also makes provision for restructuring the National Academy of Sciences by combining institutes involved in closely related research areas into a single body. Three of these new centres are particularly relevant: the Centre for Biotechnology, the Centre for Zoology and Hydro-ecology and the Centre for Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry.<ref name=":0" />

The government is focusing its support on selected industrial sectors. More than 20 projects have been cofunded by the State Committee of Science in targeted branches: pharmaceuticals, medicine and biotechnology, agricultural mechanization and machine building, electronics, engineering, chemistry and, in particular, the sphere of information technology.<ref name=":0" />

Over the past decade, the government has made an effort to encourage science–industry linkages. The Armenian information technology sector has been particularly active: a number of public–private partnerships have been established between companies and universities, in order to give students marketable skills and generate innovative ideas at the interface of science and business. Examples are Synopsys Inc. and the Enterprise Incubator Foundation.<ref name=":0" />

=== Education ===
[[File:Old building of Yerevan State University2.jpg|thumb|[[Yerevan State University]] building]]
{{Main|Education in Armenia|List of universities in Armenia}}
In medieval times, the [[University of Gladzor]] and [[Tatev Monastery#Tatev University|University of Tatev]] took an important role for whole Armenia.

A literacy rate of 100% was reported as early as 1960.<ref name="loc">Curtis, Glenn E. and Ronald G. Suny. "Education". [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/amtoc.html Armenia: A Country Study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912060405/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/amtoc.html |date=12 September 2009 }}. [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (March 1994). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.''</ref> [[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|In the communist era]], Armenian education followed the standard Soviet model of complete state control (from Moscow) of [[curriculum|curricula]] and teaching methods and close integration of education activities with other aspects of society, such as politics, culture, and the economy.<ref name="loc" />

In the 1988–89 school year, 301 students per 10,000 were in specialized secondary or higher education, a figure slightly lower than the Soviet average.<ref name="loc" /> In 1989, some 58% of Armenians over age fifteen had completed their secondary education, and 14% had a higher education.<ref name="loc" /> In the 1990–91 school year, the estimated 1,307 primary and secondary schools were attended by 608,800 students.<ref name="loc" /> Another seventy specialised secondary institutions had 45,900 students, and 68,400 students were enrolled in a total of ten postsecondary institutions that included universities.<ref name="loc" /> In addition, 35% of eligible children attended [[preschool education|preschools]].<ref name="loc" /> In 1992 Armenia's largest institution of higher learning, [[Yerevan State University]], had eighteen departments, including ones for social sciences, sciences, and law.<ref name="loc" /> Its faculty numbered about 1,300 teachers and its student population about 10,000 students.<ref name="loc" /> The [[National Polytechnic University of Armenia]] is operating since 1933.<ref name="loc" />

In the early 1990s, Armenia made substantial changes to the centralised and regimented Soviet system.<ref name=loc/> Because at least 98% of students in higher education were Armenian, curricula began to emphasise [[History of Armenia|Armenian history]] and culture.<ref name=loc/> [[Armenian language|Armenian]] became the dominant language of instruction, and many schools that had taught in Russian closed by the end of 1991.<ref name=loc/> Russian was still widely taught, however, as a second language.<ref name=loc/>

In 2014, the National Program for Educational Excellence embarked on creating an internationally competitive and academically rigorous alternative educational program (the Araratian Baccalaureate) for Armenian schools and increasing the importance and status of the teacher's role in society.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://araratbaccalaureate.am/en/about-us|title=About us|website=araratbaccalaureate.am|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202130722/http://araratbaccalaureate.am/en/about-us|archive-date=2 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://foundation.ayb.am/frontend/images/ck/files/Armenia%20Araratian%20Baccalaureate%20Briefing.pdf|title=The Araratian Baccalaureate: A guide for universities|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004180225/https://foundation.ayb.am/frontend/images/ck/files/Armenia%20Araratian%20Baccalaureate%20Briefing.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for regulation of the sector. Primary and secondary education in Armenia is free, and completion of secondary school is compulsory.<ref name="loc" /> Higher education in Armenia is harmonized with the [[Bologna Process|Bologna process]] and the [[European Higher Education Area]]. The [[Armenian National Academy of Sciences]] plays an important role in postgraduate education.

Schooling takes 12 years in Armenia and breaks down into primary (4 years), middle (5 years) and high school (3 years). Schools engage a 10-grade mark system. The government also supports [[List of Armenian schools#Schools outside Armenia|Armenian schools outside of Armenia]].

Gross enrollment in [[tertiary education]] at 44% in 2015 surpassed peer countries of the South Caucasus but remained below the average for Europe and Central Asia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=school_enrollment&fdim_y=education_level:4&fdim_y=gross_net:1&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=region:ECS&idim=country:ARM:GEO:AZE&ifdim=region&tstart=888264000000&tend=1424721600000&dl=en&ind=false|title=Chart – World Development Indicators (Google Public Data Explorer)|website=www.google.com|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref> However, public spending per student in tertiary education in GDP-ratio terms is one of the lowest for post-USSR countries (for which data was available).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=expenditure_per_student&fdim_y=education_level:4&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=region:ECS&idim=country:ARM:RUS:LVA:AZE:BLR:EST:GEO:KAZ:KGZ:MDA:TJK:UKR&ifdim=region&tstart=888264000000&tend=1424721600000&dl=en&ind=false|title=Chart – World Development Indicators (Google Public Data Explorer)|website=www.google.com|access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref>
{{clearleft}}

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Armenia|Armenians}}
[[File:Bevölkerungspyramide Armenien 2016.png|thumb|Population pyramid 2016]]
Armenia has a population of {{UN_Population|Armenia}} ({{UN_Population|Year}} est.){{UN_Population|ref}} and is the third most densely populated of the former Soviet republics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ny_gdp_mktp_cd&dl=en#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=en_pop_dnst&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:ARM:GEO:AZE:MDA:KAZ:BLR:EST:LVA:LTU:RUS:TJK:TKM:UKR:UZB&ifdim=region&tstart=319579200000&tend=1455652800000&dl=en&ind=false|title=World Development Indicators – Google Public Data Explorer|website=www.google.com|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004180229/https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ny_gdp_mktp_cd&dl=en#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=en_pop_dnst&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:ARM:GEO:AZE:MDA:KAZ:BLR:EST:LVA:LTU:RUS:TJK:TKM:UKR:UZB&ifdim=region&tstart=319579200000&tend=1455652800000&dl=en&ind=false|url-status=live}}</ref> There has been a problem of [[population decline]] due to elevated levels of [[emigration]] after the break-up of the [[USSR]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Paul |first=Amanda |title=Armenia's disappearing population |url=http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-251720-armenias-disappearing-population.html |accessdate=27 July 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727030616/http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-251720-armenias-disappearing-population.html |archivedate=27 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the past years emigration levels have declined and some population growth is observed since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ny_gdp_mktp_cd&dl=en#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=sp_pop_grow&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:ARM&ifdim=region&tstart=319579200000&tend=1455652800000&dl=en&ind=false|title=World Development Indicators – Google Public Data Explorer|website=www.google.com|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004180235/https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ny_gdp_mktp_cd&dl=en#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=sp_pop_grow&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:ARM&ifdim=region&tstart=319579200000&tend=1455652800000&dl=en&ind=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:ArmenianDiaspora.png|thumb|The [[Armenian diaspora|Armenian population around the world]]]]
Armenia has [[Armenian diaspora|a relatively large external diaspora]] (8&nbsp;million by some estimates, greatly exceeding the 3&nbsp;million population of Armenia itself), with communities existing across the globe. The largest Armenian communities outside of Armenia can be found in [[Russia]], [[France]], [[Iran]], the [[United States]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]],
[[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Greece]], [[Cyprus]], [[Israel]], [[Poland]], [[Ukraine]] and [[Brazil]]. 40,000 to 70,000 Armenians still live in [[Turkey]] (mostly in and around [[Istanbul]]).<ref>{{cite web
 |last=Turay
 |first=Anna
 |title=Tarihte Ermeniler
 |publisher=Bolsohays:Istanbul Armenians Like many other ethnicities [[Armenians in India]] too have played a role historically and had an impact historically. Today however the community has been reduced to about a hundred living in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]].
 |url=http://www.bolsohays.com/webac.asp?referans=1
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209171028/http://www.bolsohays.com/webac.asp?referans=1
 |archivedate=9 February 2008
|accessdate=4 January 2007
|url-status=live

}}</ref>

About 1,000 Armenians reside in the [[Armenian Quarter]] in the [[Old City (Jerusalem)|Old City]] of [[Jerusalem]], a remnant of a once-larger community.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/armenianq.html|encyclopedia=[[Jewish Virtual Library]]|title=Jerusalem – The Old City: The Armenian Quarter|accessdate=22 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121182041/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_%26_Culture/geo/armenianq.html|archive-date=21 November 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Italy is home to the [[San Lazzaro degli Armeni]], an island located in the [[Venetian Lagoon]], which is completely occupied by a monastery run by the [[Mechitarists]], an Armenian Catholic congregation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/san_lazzaro_degli_armeni.htm |title=San Lazzaro degli Armeni – Venice for Visitors |publisher=Europeforvisitors.com |accessdate=30 December 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122040326/http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/san_lazzaro_degli_armeni.htm |archivedate=22 November 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Approximately 139,000 Armenians live in the de facto independent country [[Republic of Artsakh]] where they form a majority.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat-nkr.am/2002_2007/0_2%20himcuc_6-10.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331153541/http://www.stat-nkr.am/2002_2007/0_2%20himcuc_6-10.pdf |archivedate=31 March 2010 |title=Population in Nagorno-Karabakh 2007 |publisher=National Statistical Service of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic |accessdate=22 July 2009 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

=== Ethnic groups ===
[[File:Armenian distribution map.png|thumb|'''Historical and modern distribution of Armenians.<br />'''Settlement area of Armenians in early 20th century:<br />{{legend inline|#967117|>50%}}{{nbsp|5}}{{legend inline|#FFA700|25–50%}}{{nbsp|5}}{{legend inline|#FBEC5D|<25%}}{{legend|#FF0000|Armenian settlement area today.}}]]
Ethnic [[Armenians]] make up 98.1% of the population. [[Yazidi]]s make up 1.2%, and [[Russians]] 0.4%. Other minorities include [[Assyrian people|Assyrians]], [[Ukrainians]], [[Pontic Greeks|Greeks]] (usually called [[Caucasus Greeks]]), [[Kurdish people|Kurds]], [[Georgians]], [[Belarusians]], and [[History of the Jews in Armenia|Jews]]. There are also smaller communities of [[Vlachs]], [[Mordvins]], [[Ossetians]], [[Udi people|Udis]], and [[Tat people (Caucasus)|Tats]]. Minorities of [[Poles]] and [[Caucasus Germans]] also exist though they are heavily [[Russification|Russified]].<ref name="minorities">{{Cite journal |first1=Garnik|last1=Asatryan|first2=Victoria|last2=Arakelova|title=The Ethnic Minorities of Armenia|publisher=[[Routledge]]|year=2002 }}, part of the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]]</ref> {{As of|2016}}, there are an estimated 35,000 Yazidis in Armenia.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/worlds-largest-yazidi-temple-under-construction-in-armenia |title=World's largest Yazidi temple under construction in Armenia |last1=Sherwood |first1=Harriet |date=25 July 2016 |website=The Guardian |access-date=31 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728164410/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/worlds-largest-yazidi-temple-under-construction-in-armenia |archive-date=28 July 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

During the [[Soviet era]], [[Azerbaijanis]] were historically the second largest population in the country (forming about 2.5% in 1989).<ref name="1989census">{{in lang|ru}} [http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng_nac_89.php?reg=13 The All-Union Population Census of 1989] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104081804/http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/sng_nac_89.php?reg=13 |date=4 January 2012 }}. ''Demoscope.ru''</ref> However, due to the conflict over [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], virtually all of them emigrated from Armenia to Azerbaijan. Conversely, Armenia received a large influx of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan, thus giving Armenia a more homogeneous character.

According to Gallup research conducted in 2017 Armenia has one of the highest migrant acceptance (welcoming) rates in eastern Europe.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.gallup.com/poll/216377/new-index-shows-least-accepting-countries-migrants.aspx?g_source=link_newsv9&g_campaign=item_224375&g_medium=copy|title=New Index Shows Least-, Most-Accepting Countries for Migrants|last=Inc.|first=Gallup|work=Gallup.com|access-date=19 January 2018|language=English|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119175602/http://news.gallup.com/poll/216377/new-index-shows-least-accepting-countries-migrants.aspx?g_source=link_newsv9&g_campaign=item_224375&g_medium=copy|archive-date=19 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Armenia}}
[[File:WIKITONGUES- Irina speaking Artsakh Armenian.webm|thumb|Irina speaking Armenian, recorded for [[Wikitongues]].]]
[[Armenian language|Armenian]] is the only official language. The main foreign languages that Armenians know are Russian and English. Due to its Soviet past, most of the old population can speak Russian quite well. According to a 2013 survey, 95% of Armenians said they had some knowledge of Russian (24% advanced, 59% intermediate) compared to 40% who said they knew some English (4% advanced, 16% intermediate and 20% beginner). However, more adults (50%) think that English should be taught in public secondary schools than those who prefer Russian (44%).<ref name="2012 knowledge">{{cite web|title=The South Caucasus Between The EU and the Eurasian Union|url=http://www.css.ethz.ch/publications/pdfs/CAD-51-52.pdf|work=Caucasus Analytical Digest #51–52|publisher=Forschungsstelle Osteuropa, Bremen and Center for Security Studies, Zürich|accessdate=3 July 2013|pages=22–23|date=17 June 2013|issn=1867-9323|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210003/http://www.css.ethz.ch/publications/pdfs/CAD-51-52.pdf|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Cities ===
{{See also|Municipalities of Armenia}}
{{Largest cities of Armenia}}

=== Religion ===
{{See also|Religion in Armenia}}

[[File:Kohrvirab.jpg|thumb|The 7th-century [[Khor Virap]] monastery in the shadow of [[Mount Ararat]], the peak on which [[Noah's Ark]] is said to have landed during the [[Genesis flood narrative|biblical flood]].]]
Armenia was the first nation to adopt [[Christianity]] as a [[state religion]], an event traditionally dated to AD 301.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/neareast/f/1stchristian.htm |title=Armenia – Which Nation First Adopted Christianity? |publisher=Ancienthistory.about.com |date=29 October 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918080327/http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/neareast/f/1stchristian.htm |archive-date=18 September 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitarmenia.org/ |title=Visit Armenia, It is Beautiful |publisher=Visitarmenia.org |accessdate=25 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328005031/http://www.visitarmenia.org/ |archive-date=28 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welcomearmenia.com/main.php?page=armeniainformation&sid=104&lang=eng |title=Armenia Information – Welcome to Armenia |publisher=Welcomearmenia.com |accessdate=25 January 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206222352/http://www.welcomearmenia.com/main.php?page=armeniainformation&sid=104&lang=eng |archivedate=6 February 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

The predominant [[religion in Armenia]] is Christianity. Its roots go back to the 1st century AD, when it was founded by two of Jesus' twelve [[Twelve Apostles|apostles]] – [[Jude the Apostle|Thaddaeus]] and [[Bartholomew the Apostle|Bartholomew]] – who preached Christianity in Armenia between AD 40–60.

Over 93% of Christians in Armenia belong to the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], which is in communion only with the churches comprising [[Oriental Orthodoxy#Oriental Orthodox Communion|Oriental Orthodoxy]]—of which it is itself a member.

Catholics also exist in Armenia, both [[Latin Church|Latin rite]] and [[Armenian rite]]. The latter group, the [[Armenian Catholic Church]], is headquartered in [[Bzoummar]], [[Lebanon]]. Of note are the [[Mechitarists]] (also spelled "Mekhitarists" {{lang-hy|Մխիթարեան}}), a congregation of [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictine]] monks in the Armenian Catholic Church, founded in 1712 by [[Mekhitar of Sebaste]]. They are best known for their series of scholarly publications of ancient [[Armenians|Armenian]] versions of otherwise lost ancient Greek texts.

The [[Armenian Evangelical Church]] has several thousand members throughout the country.

Other Christian denominations in Armenia are the Pentecostal branches of Protestant community such as the Word of Life, the [[Armenian Brotherhood Church]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcy.org/ |title=Armenian Brotherhood Church of Yerevan |access-date=31 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331181252/http://abcy.org/ |archive-date=31 March 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> the [[Baptists]] which are known as of the oldest existing denominations in Armenia and were permitted by the authorities of Soviet Union,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://armbaplife.am/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825192643/http://www.armbaplife.am/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 August 2007 |title=Armenian Evangelical Christian Baptist |publisher=Armbaplife.am |accessdate=28 August 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodnewsadvertising.com/biblical_recorder.pdf |title=Despite poverty, Baptists prosper in Armenia |work=[[Biblical Recorder]] |publisher=Baptist State convention of North Carolina |date=17 July 2004 |accessdate=28 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119232701/http://www.goodnewsadvertising.com/biblical_recorder.pdf |archivedate=19 November 2008}}</ref> and [[Presbyterians]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79125406.html |title=Armenian Presbyterian Church to Commemorate 1700th Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia with Concert and Khachkar Dedication |work=[[The Armenian Reporter]] |date=20 October 2001 |accessdate=21 May 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510012451/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79125406.html |archivedate=10 May 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

Armenia is also home to a [[Russians in Armenia|Russian]] community of [[Molokan]]s which practice a form of Spiritual Christianity originated from the Russian Orthodox Church.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lane|first1=Christel|title=Christian religion in the Soviet Union : a sociological study|date=1978|publisher=State univ. of New York P.|location=Albany|isbn=978-0-87395-327-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/christianreligio0000lane_y2b9/page/107 107]|url=https://archive.org/details/christianreligio0000lane_y2b9|url-access=registration|access-date=27 August 2015}}</ref>

The Yazidis, who live in the western part of the country, practice [[Yazidism]]. {{As of|2016}}, the world's largest Yazidi temple is under construction in the small village of Aknalish.<ref name="Guardian"/> There are also Kurds who practice [[Sunni Islam]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

There is a [[History of the Jews in Armenia|Jewish community in Armenia]] diminished to 750 persons since independence with most emigrants leaving for Israel. There are currently two synagogues in Armenia – in the capital, Yerevan, and in the city of [[Sevan (city)|Sevan]] located near [[Lake Sevan]].

=== Health care ===
{{Main|Health in Armenia}}

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Armenia}}
[[File:THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET, OSHAKAN, ARMENIA.jpg|thumb|
[[Armenian alphabet]]
]]
Armenians have their own distinctive [[Armenian alphabet|alphabet]] and [[Armenian language|language]]. The alphabet was invented in AD 405 by [[Mesrop Mashtots]] and consists of thirty-nine letters, three of which were added during the [[Kingdom of Cilicia|Cilician period]]. 96% of the people in the country speak Armenian, while 75.8% of the population additionally speaks Russian, although English is becoming increasingly popular.

=== Media ===
{{Main|Media of Armenia}}
Television, magazines, and newspapers are all operated by both state-owned and for-profit corporations which depend on [[advertising]], [[subscription]], and other sales-related revenues. The [[Constitution of Armenia]] guarantees freedom of speech and Armenia ranks 61st in the 2020 [[Press Freedom Index]] report compiled by [[Reporters Without Borders]], between [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Poland]].<ref name=FH>[[Freedom House]], [https://rsf.org/en/armenia]|date=14 October 2020 }}, 2020 Press Freedom report</ref> Armenia's press freedom rose considerably following the 2018 Velvet Revolution.

As of 2020, the biggest issue facing press freedom in Armenia is judicial harassment of journalists, specifically defamation suits and attacks on journalists' right to protect sources,<ref>"Concern about judicial harassment of Armenia’s media." Reporters Without Borders. February 18, 2020. https://rsf.org/en/news/concern-about-judicial-harassment-armenias-media</ref> as well as excessive responses to combat disinformation spread by social media users. Reporters Without Borders also cites continued concerns about lack of transparency regarding ownership of media outlets.<ref name=FH>[[Freedom House]], [https://rsf.org/en/armenia]|date=14 October 2020 }}, 2020 Press Freedom report</ref>

=== Music and dance ===
{{Main|Music of Armenia}}
{{multiple image
|footer = [[Djivan Gasparyan]] (left), [[Sirusho]] (middle) and [[Charles Aznavour]] (right) are among most popular musicians of Armenia.
|image1 = Djivan Gasparyan 2009.jpg
|width1 = 198
|image2 = Sirusho Harutyunyan at Eurovision 2008 8.jpg
|width2 = 180
|image3 = 2014.06.23. Charles Aznavour Fot Mariusz Kubik 09.jpg
|width3 = 177
}}
Armenian music is a mix of indigenous folk music, perhaps best-represented by [[Djivan Gasparyan]]'s well-known [[duduk]] music, as well as light pop, and extensive [[Christian music]].

Instruments like the duduk, [[dhol]], [[zurna]], and [[Kanun (instrument)|kanun]] are commonly found in Armenian folk music. Artists such as [[Sayat Nova]] are famous due to their influence in the development of Armenian folk music. One of the oldest types of Armenian music is the [[Armenian chant]] which is the most common kind of religious music in Armenia. Many of these chants are ancient in origin, extending to pre-Christian times, while others are relatively modern, including several composed by Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet. Whilst under [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] rule, the Armenian classical music composer [[Aram Khatchaturian]] became internationally well known for his music, for various ballets and the [[Sabre Dance]] from his composition for the ballet [[Gayane (ballet)|Gayane]].
[[File:Armeniapedia dance2.jpg|thumb|Traditional [[Armenian dance]]]]

The Armenian Genocide caused widespread emigration that led to the settlement of Armenians in various countries in the world. Armenians kept to their traditions and certain diasporans rose to fame with their music. In the post-Genocide Armenian community of the United States, the so-called "kef" style Armenian dance music, using Armenian and Middle Eastern folk instruments (often electrified/amplified) and some western instruments, was popular. This style preserved the folk songs and dances of [[Western Armenia]], and many artists also played the contemporary popular songs of Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries from which the Armenians emigrated.

[[Richard Hagopian]] is perhaps the most famous artist of the traditional "kef" style and the Vosbikian Band was notable in the 1940s and 1950s for developing their own style of "kef music" heavily influenced by the popular American [[Big Band]] Jazz of the time. Later, stemming from the Middle Eastern Armenian diaspora and influenced by Continental European (especially French) pop music, the Armenian pop music genre grew to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with artists such as [[Adiss Harmandian]] and [[Harout Pamboukjian]] performing to the Armenian diaspora and Armenia; also with artists such as [[Sirusho]], performing pop music combined with Armenian folk music in today's entertainment industry.

Other Armenian diasporans that rose to fame in classical or international music circles are world-renowned [[List of French-Armenians|French-Armenian]] singer and composer [[Charles Aznavour]], pianist [[Sahan Arzruni]], prominent opera sopranos such as [[Hasmik Papian]] and more recently [[Isabel Bayrakdarian]] and [[Anna Kasyan]]. Certain Armenians settled to sing non-Armenian tunes such as the heavy metal band [[System of a Down]] (which nonetheless often incorporates traditional Armenian instrumentals and styling into their songs) or pop star [[Cher]]. In the Armenian diaspora, [[Armenian Revolutionary Songs|Armenian revolutionary songs]] are popular with the youth. These songs encourage Armenian patriotism and are generally about Armenian history and national heroes.

=== Art ===
{{Main|Armenian art}}
{{See also|List of museums in Armenia}}
[[File:Khachkar-raffi kojian-IMG 0513.JPG|thumb|upright|Ancient Armenian [[Khachkar]]s (cross-stones)]]
[[Yerevan Vernissage]] (arts and crafts market), close to Republic Square, bustles with hundreds of vendors selling a variety of crafts on weekends and Wednesdays (though the selection is much reduced mid-week). The market offers woodcarving, antiques, fine lace, and the hand-knotted wool carpets and kilims that are a Caucasus speciality. [[Obsidian]], which is found locally, is crafted into assortment of jewellery and ornamental objects. Armenian gold smithery enjoys a long tradition, populating one corner of the market with a selection of gold items. Soviet relics and souvenirs of recent Russian manufacture – nesting dolls, watches, enamel boxes and so on – are also available at the Vernisage.

[[File:Zabel return.jpg|left|thumb|''[[Isabella, Queen of Armenia|Queen Zabel]]'s Return to the Palace'', [[Vardges Sureniants]] (1909)]]

Across from the Opera House, a popular art market fills another city park on the weekends. Armenia's long history as a crossroads of the [[ancient history|ancient world]] has resulted in a landscape with innumerable fascinating [[archaeological site]]s to explore. [[Middle Ages|Medieval]], [[Iron Age]], [[Bronze Age]] and even [[Stone Age]] sites are all within a few hours drive from the city. All but the most spectacular remain virtually undiscovered, allowing visitors to view churches and fortresses in their original settings.

The National Art Gallery in Yerevan has more than 16,000 works that date back to the [[Middle Ages]], which indicate Armenia's rich tales and stories of the times. It houses paintings by many [[Ethnic groups in Europe|European]] masters as well. The Modern Art Museum, the Children's Picture Gallery, and the [[Martiros Saryan]] Museum are only a few of the other noteworthy collections of fine art on display in Yerevan. Moreover, many private galleries are in operation, with many more opening every year, featuring rotating exhibitions and sales.

On 13 April 2013, the Armenian government announced a change in law to allow [[freedom of panorama]] for 3D works of art.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=4717 |title=Legislation: National Assembly of RA |publisher=Parliament.am |accessdate=26 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701073128/http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=4717 |archive-date=1 July 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
{{clearleft}}

===Cinema===
{{Main|Cinema of Armenia}}
Cinema in Armenia was born on 16 April 1923, when the Armenian State Committee of Cinema was established by a decree of the Soviet Armenian government.

However, the first Armenian film with Armenian subject called "Haykakan Sinema" was produced earlier in 1912 in [[Cairo]] by Armenian-Egyptian publisher Vahan Zartarian. The film was premiered in Cairo on 13 March 1913.<ref>Armenian Cinema 100, by [[Artsvi Bakhchinyan]], Yerevan, 2012, pp. 111–112</ref>

In March 1924, the first Armenian film studio; ''[[Armenfilm]]'' ({{lang-hy|Հայֆիլմ}} "Hayfilm," {{lang-ru|Арменкино}} "Armenkino") was established in Yerevan, starting with a [[documentary film]] called ''Soviet Armenia''.

''[[Namus (film)|Namus]]'' was the first Armenian [[silent film|silent]] [[black-and-white]] film, directed by [[Hamo Beknazarian]] in 1925, based on a play of [[Alexander Shirvanzade]], describing the ill fate of two lovers, who were engaged by their families to each other since childhood, but because of violations of ''[[namus]]'' (a tradition of honor), the girl was married by her father to another person. The first [[sound film]], ''[[Pepo (film)|Pepo]]'' was shot in 1935 and directed by [[Hamo Beknazarian]].

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sport in Armenia|Chess in Armenia}}
[[File:Tsaghkadzor Olympic Sports complex.jpg|thumb|The Tsaghkadzor Olympic Sports complex]]
[[File:Ireland Armenia teams.jpg|thumb|The [[Armenia national football team]] in Dublin, Ireland]]

A wide array of sports are played in Armenia, the most popular among them being wrestling, weightlifting, judo, association football, chess, and boxing. Armenia's mountainous terrain provides great opportunities for the practice of sports like skiing and climbing. Being a landlocked country, water sports can only be practised on lakes, notably [[Lake Sevan]]. Competitively, Armenia has been successful in chess, weightlifting and wrestling at the international level. Armenia is also an active member of the international sports community, with full membership in the Union of European Football Associations ([[UEFA]]) and International Ice Hockey Federation ([[IIHF]]). It also hosts the [[Pan-Armenian Games]].

Prior to 1992, Armenians would participate in the Olympics representing the USSR. As part of the Soviet Union, Armenia was very successful, winning plenty of medals and helping the USSR win the medal standings at the Olympics on numerous occasions. The first medal won by an Armenian in modern Olympic history was by [[Hrant Shahinyan]] (sometimes spelled as Grant Shaginyan), who won two golds and two silvers in gymnastics at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] in Helsinki. To highlight the level of success of Armenians in the Olympics, Shahinyan was quoted as saying:

"Armenian sportsmen had to outdo their opponents by several notches for the shot at being accepted into any Soviet team. But those difficulties notwithstanding, 90 percent of Armenian athletes on Soviet Olympic teams came back with medals."<ref name="ArmeniaNow.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.armenianow.com/features/6903/ambassadors_in_sport_independent |title=Ambassadors in Sport?: Independent Armenia far below the glory of Soviet times on the pitch, mat |publisher=[[ArmeniaNow]] |date=15 December 2006 |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128074613/https://www.armenianow.com/features/6903/ambassadors_in_sport_independent |archive-date=28 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Armenia first participated at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in Barcelona under a unified CIS team, where it was very successful, winning three golds and one silver in weightlifting, wrestling and sharp shooting, despite only having five athletes. Since the [[1994 Winter Olympics]] in [[Lillehammer]], Armenia has participated as an independent nation.

Armenia participates in the Summer Olympic Games in boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, judo, gymnastics, track and field, diving, swimming and sharp shooting. It also participates in the Winter Olympic Games in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and figure skating.

[[File:Levon Aronian 2011.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Chess Grandmaster [[Levon Aronian]] is a [[FIDE]] No. 2 rated player and the [[Comparison of top chess players throughout history#Elo system|fourth highest rated player in history]]]]
[[Football in Armenia|Football]] is also popular in Armenia. The most successful team was the [[FC Ararat Yerevan]] team of the 1970s who won the [[Soviet Cup]] in 1973 and 1975 and the [[Soviet Top League 1973|Soviet Top League]] in 1973. The latter achievement saw FC Ararat gain entry to the [[1974–75 European Cup|European Cup]] where – despite a home victory in the second leg – they lost on aggregate at the quarter final stage to eventual winner [[FC Bayern Munich]]. Armenia competed internationally as part of the [[USSR national football team]] until the [[Armenian national football team]] was formed in 1992 after the split of the Soviet Union. Armenia have never qualified for a major tournament although recent improvements saw the team to achieve 44th position in the [[FIFA World Rankings]] in September 2011. The national team is controlled by the [[Football Federation of Armenia]]. The [[Armenian Premier League]] is the highest level football competition in Armenia, and has been dominated by [[FC Pyunik]] in recent seasons. The league currently consists of eight teams and relegates to the [[Armenian First League]].

Armenia and the Armenian diaspora have produced many successful footballers, including [[Youri Djorkaeff]], [[Alain Boghossian]], [[Andranik Eskandarian]], [[Andranik Teymourian]], [[Edgar Manucharyan]] and [[Nikita Simonyan]]. Djokaeff and Boghossian won the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] with [[France national football team|France]], Andranik Teymourian competed in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] for [[Iran national football team|Iran]] and Edgar Manucharyan played in the Dutch [[Eredivisie]] for [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]].

[[Wrestling]] has been a successful sport in the Olympics for Armenia. At the [[Armenia at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta]], [[Armen Nazaryan]] won the gold in the Men's [[Greco-Roman wrestling|Greco-Roman]] Flyweight (52&nbsp;kg) category and [[Armen Mkrtchyan]] won the silver in Men's [[Freestyle wrestling|Freestyle]] Paperweight (48&nbsp;kg) category, securing Armenia's first two medals in its Olympic history.

Traditional Armenian wrestling is called Kokh and practised in traditional garb; it was one of the influences included in the Soviet combat sport of [[Sambo (martial art)|Sambo]], which is also very popular.<ref>{{cite book|last=Green|first=ed. by Thomas A.|title=Martial arts of the world : en encyclopedia|year=2001|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, Calif.|isbn=978-1-57607-150-2|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=v32oHSE5t6cC&pg=PA718 718]}}</ref>

The [[Politics of Armenia|government of Armenia]] budgets about $2.8&nbsp;million annually for sports and gives it to the National Committee of Physical Education and Sports, the body that determines which programs should benefit from the funds.<ref name="ArmeniaNow.com"/>

Due to the lack of success lately on the international level, in recent years, Armenia has rebuilt 16 Soviet-era sports schools and furnished them with new equipment for a total cost of $1.9&nbsp;million. The rebuilding of the regional schools was financed by the Armenian government. $9.3&nbsp;million has been invested in the resort town of [[Tsaghkadzor]] to improve the [[winter sport]]s infrastructure because of dismal performances at recent [[winter sport]]s events. In 2005, a cycling centre was opened in [[Yerevan]] with the aim of helping produce world class Armenian cyclists. The government has also promised a cash reward of $700,000 to Armenians who win a gold medal at the Olympics.<ref name="ArmeniaNow.com"/>

Armenia has also been very successful in chess, winning the [[World Team Chess Championship|World Champion]] in 2011 and the [[Chess Olympiad|World Chess Olympiad]] on three occasions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004j7zg |title=Armenia: the cleverest nation on earth |publisher=[[BBC World Service]] |date=18 October 2009 |access-date=28 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024030523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004j7zg |archive-date=24 October 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Armenian cuisine}}
[[File:KibehwithYoghutSoup.jpg|thumb|Armenian cuisine]]
[[File:Gandzak Armenia Wine.jpg|right|thumb|160px|Armenian wine]]

Armenian cuisine is closely related to eastern and [[Mediterranean cuisine]]; various [[spice]]s, [[vegetable]]s, [[fish]], and [[fruit]]s combine to present unique dishes. The main characteristics of Armenian cuisine are a reliance on the quality of the ingredients rather than heavily spicing food, the use of herbs, the use of wheat in a variety of forms, of legumes, nuts, and fruit (as a main ingredient as well as to sour food), and the stuffing of a wide variety of leaves.

The [[pomegranate]], with its symbolic association with fertility, represents the nation. The [[apricot]] is the national fruit.
{{clearleft}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Asia|Europe}}
* [[Outline of Armenia]]
* [[Index of Armenia-related articles]]
* {{books-inline|Armenia}}

== Sources ==
{{Free-content attribution

| title = UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030
| author = UNESCO
| publisher = UNESCO Publishing
| page numbers = 324–26
| source =
| documentURL = http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002354/235406e.pdf
| license statement URL =
| license = CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Armenia|Armenia}}
* [https://www.e-gov.am/en/ Electronic Government of Armenia]
* [https://armenia.travel/ The official tourism website of Armenia]
* [https://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?&lng=en The Armenian Church]
* [https://www.himnadram.org/ Hayastan All Armenian Fund]
* {{Twitter}}
* {{CIA World Factbook link|am|Armenia}}
* {{curlie|Regional/Asia/Armenia}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17398605 Armenia profile] from the [[BBC News]]
* {{Wikiatlas|Armenia}}
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=AM Key Development Forecasts for Armenia] from [[International Futures]]
* [http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Armeniapedia.org]

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{{Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)}}
{{World Trade Organization}}}}
{{National personifications}}
{{States with limited recognition}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Armenia| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Caucasus]]
[[Category:Transcaucasia]]
[[Category:Eastern European countries]]
[[Category:Western Asian countries]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
[[Category:Republics]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States]]
[[Category:Member states of the Council of Europe]]
[[Category:Member states of the United Nations]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1918]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1920]]
[[Category:1918 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:1918 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:1920 disestablishments in Asia]]
[[Category:1920 disestablishments in Europe]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1991]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Armenian-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Russian-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Countries in Asia]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Christian states]]
[[Category:Republics of the Soviet Union]]