Republic Of Armenia
Armenia is situated at a cultural, historical, and religious intersection and located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. The country spans 29,743 square kilometers of mountainous terrain centered on the Ararat Valley, the heart of the Armenian nation since biblical times. The average altitude of the country is over a mile high, at about 1800 meters above sea level. Armenia has borders with Georgia to the north, with Turkey to the west and south, with Azerbaijan to the east and southwest, and with Iran to the south.
Armenia’s landscapes offer boundless beauty. More than 200 rivers and streams traverse Armenia, with steep falls, rapids and swift currents. Armenia has 5 scenic canyons. In addition, there are over 200 therapeutic mineral springs, differing in composition and temperature.
Armenia is often referred to as an open-air museum. Tourists find over 4,000 historical monuments throughout Armenia, covering various periods of the country’s history from prehistoric to Hellenistic times, and from the early to medieval Christian era. The Armenians created their masterpieces during rare periods of peace and relative prosperity over the centuries. Within Yerevan alone there are more than 40 fine arts museums and galleries.
Armenia became the first nation to declare Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD.