Armenia

A landlocked country in West Asia, Armenia is situated in the South Caucasus region of the Caucasus, bordered on the north and east by Georgia and Azerbaijan and on the south and west by Iran, Azerbaijan's exclave Nakhchivan, and Turkey.

Capital is Yerevan.

Currency is the Armenian Dram.

Armenians belong mainly to the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church or the Armenian Catholic Church, in communion with Rome.

Languages include Armenian, Russian, English, Greek, Assyrian, and Yazidi Kurdish.

Major cities include Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, and Vagharshapat.

Population, 2,963,243. Size, 29,743.

National dish is Khash or Pacha, and Tolma. Principal crops include wheat, barely, potatoes, vegetables, and grapes.

Climate is continental, with cold winters and hot summers. Precipitation is usually not abundant. Armenia is a mountainous country, and only a small portion of its territory is located below 1,000 meters above sea level, while there are no plains. The climate becomes colder and wetter with increasing altitude, while at lower elevations, the rains are scarce and the summer is very hot.

The apricot is Armenia's national fruit. The pomegranate is the Armenian symbol of life. Yerevan is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. Etchmiadzin is considered the oldest cathedral in the world. Armenia has the most chess grandmasters per capita than any other country. Chess is part of the curriculum in all public schools. The world’s oldest winery was found in a cave in Armenia. The UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery is one of Armenia’s top attractions. Founded in the 4th century and carved out of a cliff, the monastery is named after the lance that pierced Jesus Christ’s side at his crucifixion.