General Information about Armenia.

Armenia is a mountainous country with an average elevation of 1,800m above sea level. The lowest elevations are more than 400m above sea level. Located in a subtropical zone, Armenia is within the same geographical latitude as Spain, Italy and Greece. With over 5,000 cultural and architectural monuments throughout the country, Armenia has been described as an open air museum. Armenia is a land of stark contrasts and home to a resilient, industrious people with great love for the arts and sciences. Armenians are well-known for their hospitality and visitors will find a pleasant and friendly atmosphere everywhere they go.

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia and the center of Armenian culture. Located in a mountainous area on the Hrazdan river, 14 miles from the Turkish border, Yerevan is home to the National Academy of Sciences as well as the Matendaran, which contains thousands of ancient manuscripts. Several institutes of higher learning as well as museums and concert halls can also be found in the capital. Republic Square is in the center of the city and is dominated by government buildings. Singing fountains of colored jets of water are a major attraction in the square, along with the Museum of the History of Armenia, the National Gallery of Art and the Armenia Hotel.

One of the world�s oldest cities, Yerevan is nearly 2,800 years old. Recent archaeological findings have shown that the city can trace its origins to the fortress of Yerebuni, built in 783 BC.

The pride of Armenia and of all Armenian culture is the Matendaran, named after St. Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet. One of the world�s largest depositories of ancient manuscripts, it invariably attracts the attention of the many guests visiting Armenia each year. The collections housed there include more than 15,000 manuscripts on history, philosophy, law, medicine, mathematics, literature and other branches of knowledge. Among the manuscripts are works of Greek, Syrian and other authors whose writings have been preserved only in Armenian translations.

Echmiadzin

Echmiadzin is a city of ancient monuments. It is the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In fact there are 5 Churches in Echmiadzin.
You see the main Church in the picture, also named Mother Chear.
Two years after Christianity became the state religion of Armenia (301), a cathedral was built in Echmiadzin on the site of a pagan temple. This cathedral is one of the first Christian churches in the world..

Two kilometers from Echmiadzin tourists can see the ruins of Zvartnots, a 7th century church uniquely designed in three multi-sided tiers 49m high.

Garni, the pagan temple of the sun, is picturesquely located outside of Yerevan and has been completely restored. Once the summer residence of the kings of Armenia, it originally stood within a fortress of which only massive ruins remain. the Garni temple is an outstanding monument of Hellenistic culture in Armenia.

The thirteenth century monastic complex of Geghard is within an hour�s drive from Yerevan. It consists of the Katogike Cathedral, several chapels, and monks cells cut into rock. The complex is a special example of Armenian architecture.

Lake Sevan is an hour and a half drive from Yerevan and the largest natural body of water in Armenia. The lake is situated 2,000 meters above sea level and has unknown origins. Sandy beaches, pure cool water and an abundance of sunshine provide excellent conditions for swimming and sun bathing. A monastery consisting of two churches dating to the 9th century is situated on the lake�s shores.