One of the oldest nations in the world, Armenia is mentioned in chronicles dating to the 14th century B.C. Mountainous and remote, the country is still recovering from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that ravaged the country in 1988.
More recently, Armenia found itself embroiled in a war with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. A cease-fire is in place, which hopefully will ease the crippling blockades and energy embargoes that have plagued Armenia during the war.
Despite its troubles, Armenia has attractions for travelers. About 70 km (43.5 miles) from Yerevan is stunning Lake Sevan, a huge, pristine lake deep in the mountains. Picturesque scenery is found throughout much of the country, as are ancient churches and monuments, and traditional Armenian hospitality.
Armenia's weather and climate carries hot and dry summer days with cool nights; winters are very cold with heavy snow. As evidenced by the 1988 temblor, Armenia experiences occasional severe earthquakes.
Inhabitants are 93 percent Armenian, with 3 percent ethnic Azeri and 2 percent Russian. Most people speak Armenian, an Indo-European language. English is spoken mostly by those who deal regularly with tourists in upscale hotels and resorts. Most Armenians are Eastern Orthodox.
Entry into Armenia is primarily by air into Yerevan, a city of about 1.2 million inhabitants. Yerevan is served by links with several European and Asian cities. Popular airlines include Armavia, Aeroflot, Lufthansa, Czech Airlines, British Airways, and Air France.
Armenia's train network is slow and dirty, but inexpensive. The road network is limited, hazardous and in poor repair.
The phone system is in bad shape: much of it is archaic and in disrepair, especially in the countryside. ATMs can be found only in the large cities, and credit cards are only accepted at the most upscale establishments in Yerevan.
Travelers and visitors to Armenia are objects of constant attention; the country is nominally secure, but travelers should always be vigilant that their perceived affluence, compared to the sometimes desperate poverty of many inhabitants, makes them targets for petty crime. Many criminals carry knives, and victims who have resisted have been harmed.
Staples of the Armenian diet are lamb dishes, including shashlik (a kind of shish kebob) and fruit such as grapes and apricots. The food is generally appetizing and safe, and Armenian wines and brandies are excellent.
Prices for Western-style amenities have largely been deregulated, so hotel and restaurant prices in Yerevan and other large cities can be just as expensive as in the West. Bargains exist for those who stray from the beaten path.
.
Intelligence Officers at iJET are currently monitoring local conditions in this country to provide a level of information that surpasses any available from other public sources, including the U.S. State Department. Free from political constraints or concerns, our data provides unfiltered information vital for every traveler.
Those considering travel or researching the country for business or school are strongly advised to purchase an Intelligence Brief for the most timely and concise information available on the country.
For only $7.50 you will receive the most complete intelligence available to the general public. Each Intelligence Brief contains data on 12 areas of concern for travelers (including Local weather, Security and Health advisories, Local Travel Alerts, Entry/exit requirements, Cultural and Business information, Transportation updates, Communications/Technology, the Legal and Financial situation, Environmental concerns and Language) plus an overview map and real-time updates from the world's leading private intelligence gathering organization.
To purchase and immediately download the latest Intelligence Brief for the country -- Click Here
Those traveling to this country or any other region are also advised to sign-up for a Destination Tracker to have there travels monitored and any relevant updates immediately forwarded to them, wherever they are in the world!
To sign-up for a Destination Tracker, which includes Intelligence Briefs for the countries you will visit --Click Here