TBILISI YEREVAN TOUR PACKAGES – ANCIENT AND MODERN ARMENIA 7N/8D

• Country:Armenia
• City:Yerevan
• Area:29,743 km²
• Weather:11°C, Wind
• Local time:Mon 12:19 am
• Currency:Armeniam Dram
• Language:Armenia
• Population:2.977 million

General Information About Armenia

Armenia is a nation, and former Soviet republic, in the mountainous Caucasus region straddling Asia and Europe. Among the earliest Christian civilizations, it’s defined by religious sites including the reconstructed Greco-Roman Temple of Garni and 4th-century Etchmiadzin Cathedral, headquarters of the Armenian Church. Another pilgrimage site is Khor Virap Monastery, in the foothills of Mt. Ararat, just across the border with Turkey.

One of the world's oldest civilizations, Armenia once included Mount Ararat, which biblical tradition identifies as the mountain that Noah's ark rested on after the flood. It was the first country in the world to officially embrace Christianity as its religion (c. A.D. 300). In the 6th century B.C. , Armenians settled in the kingdom of Urartu (the Assyrian name for Ararat), which was in decline. Under Tigrane the Great (fl. 95–55 B.C. ) the Armenian empire reached its height and became one of the most powerful in Asia, stretching from the Caspian to the Mediterranean seas. Throughout most of its long history, however, Armenia has been invaded by a succession of empires. Under constant threat of domination by foreign forces, Armenians became both cosmopolitan as well as fierce protectors of their culture and tradition. Over the centuries Armenia was conquered by Greeks, Romans, Persians, Byzantines, Mongols, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, and Russians.

Romans, Persians, Byzantines, Mongols, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, and Russians. From the 16th century through World War I, major portions of Armenia were controlled by their most brutal invader, the Ottoman Turks, under whom the Armenians experienced discrimination, religious persecution, heavy taxation, and armed attacks. In response to Armenian nationalist stirrings, the Turks massacred thousands of Armenians in 1894 and 1896. The most horrific massacre took place in April 1915 during World War I, when the Turks ordered the deportation of the Armenian population to the deserts of Syria and Mesopotamia. According to the majority of historians, between 600,000 and 1.5 million Armenians were murdered or died of starvation. The Armenian massacre is considered the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey denies that a genocide took place and claims that a much smaller number died in a civil war.

Yerevan

You are cordially invited to Armenia. Under the majestic backdrop of Mount Ararat, or at the millennia-old church of your choice, spend your most special day in the most special of all places. Armenia recently celebrated its 1700th anniversary as the first nation to embrace Christianity as a state religion. What better place to hold a holy ceremony of your own? Armenia is likewise becoming a more popular place for families to baptize their children. It is uplifting to see the resurgence of faith in a nation where people were ridiculed and persecuted for being religious. By christening your child in Armenia, you can plant the seed in him or her forever instilling the concepts of homeland, nation, faith, and the future. Yerevan is the capital of the Republic of Armenia. Yerevan is a modern, colorful city, situated in the Northeastern part of the Ararat Valley. It borders with RA Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Ararat and Armavir marzes. Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world. The fortress Erebuni was founded by King Argishty of Urartu in 782 BC. The Urartu Kingdom was a powerful & highly developed civilization. Thus, according to cuneiform 'passport' of Yerevan, it's almost 3000 years old. The reconstructed ruins of the fortress Erebuni & museum are located in the Southeastern part of the city.

. A fiest 'Erebuni Yerevan', devoted to the establishment of Yerevan city, are selebrated every year on October. Yerevan is a political, administrative, commercial & financial, as well as cultural & educational centre of Armenia. It occupies a territory of about 300 sq.km & its population is about 1.2 million. There is numerous state & private universities, a great number of schools, colleges & libraries in the city. Yerevan is a centre of international political, business & scientific events, such as conferences, congresses, symposia, forums, seminars, exhibitions, as well as cultural & sport events like festivals, sport competitions & artistic tours. It is the largest city not only among the present-day 48 cities of the Republic of Armenia but also among the capitals of historical Armenia. Yerevan is the residence of the president of the Republic of Armenia. RA National Assembly and the Government, all the ministries and principal departments, public and otherorganizations, different unions, foundations, commissions, legal-juridical bodies, the overwhelming majority of banks and exchanges, the large part of mass media are situated in the capital.

The offices of representatives of international (intergovernmental, interstate) and other organizations in the Republic of Armenia are functioning in the capital. Yerevan is the largest economical center of the republic. Manufacturing is the main, principal trend of multi branch industry. In 2008 the share of economy main branches of the capital in total volume of correspondent branches of the republic comprised. industry 49.0 %, agriculture 1.1%, construction 87.6 %, retail trade 84.5%, services 90.9%. The main trends of industry are manufacture of food products, including alcoholic beverages and chemical and metallurgy industry. Agriculture is mainly specialized in animal husbandry and plant growing. Freight and passenger transportations in the marz are implemented by road and electric transports.

People Of Armenia

Armenians an ancient people living on an ancient land, call Armenia "Hayastan," and themselves "Hai." Oral history explains the lineage of the Armenian people as being the direct descendants of Noah's son Japheth. The indigenous people of the land of Ararat, Armenians forged their national identity with the rise of powerful Armenian kingdoms, the adoption of Christianity as Armenia's state religion, and the creation of the Armenian alphabet, which spurred the development of literature, philosophy, and science. While the Armenian state withstood foreign invasions and domination over the centuries, the population continued to inhabit the highlands in Asia Minor, centered around Mount Ararat, the national symbol of Armenia and resting place of Noah's Ark. This continual presence came to an abrupt halt when the Young Turk regime of the Ottoman Empire implemented the first genocide of the twentieth century against its Armenian citizenry beginning in 1915. As a result, the majority of the Armenian people were either killed outright or ethnically cleansed from their ancestral homeland, taking refuge in neighboring countries or finding sanctuary in what remained of Armenia, the soon-to-be Soviet Republic of Armenia.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Empire and the rebirth of the independent Armenian state, the Republic of Armenia reemerged as the latest embodiment of Armenia's perseverance as a nation. Overall, the population of Armenians world-wide is estimated to be 10 million, many comprising Diaspora communities in Russia, the US, Europe and the Middle East. Despite dispersion and effects of globalization which have drawn Armenians to the four corners of the world, Armenians continue to uphold strong cultural, religious, and historical customs and traditions, and have a rekindled spirit regarding their homeland.

When to go

Armenia has a tremendous climatic variety packed in a small physical area. From the sunny Ararat valley and its bountiful fruits to the idyllic snowcapped mountain ranges, which traverse the land, Armenia's diverse nature is a reflection of its broad climatic range. Moreover, several microclimates exist due to the country's mountainous terrain. A day that is sunny and hot in the Ararat Valley may be quite brisk near the windswept mountainous lakes, and snowing in the upper regions of Mount Aragats. The rolling hills and high flats seem as if they were sculpted for rugged cross-country skiing in the winter, while Lake Sevan in the summertime is a wonderful destination for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxation. Average temperatures in the country's capital, Yerevan, range from -5 oC in winter to 30 oC in summer, although extreme days can see the thermometer fall to -10 oC and the hottest summer days have topped out over 40 oC. Average precipitation ranges from less than 12 inches per year in the lower Arax River valley to about 36 inches per year at the highest altitudes.

Currency Of Armenia

The Armenian national currency is the dram AMD. Paper notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000 and 50000 Dram. All new Armenian Dram banknotes have been printed on high quality 100 % cotton fibre paper. Visible and invisible fibres for reasons of security are interwoven in the paper. The 50.000 dram banknote, in circulation since 2001, commemorates the 1700 anniversary of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia as a state religion, the first country to do so. Coins replace all banknotes less than 500 dram (10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500). Foreign bank notes can be exchanged at local banks and at exchange counters. There is no limitation on the amount of money exchanged. ATM machines in Yerevan function in accordance with the Plus Global Access Network, Visa, and MasterCard systems. The exchange rate in Yerevan has been quite stable and the monetary policies of the Central Bank have been acknowledged by the international community to be largely successful. Recently, the strong financial and economic results of the Armenian banking sector have led to regained confidence of population in the banking system, as well as a broadened scope and improved quality of banking services.

Nightlife Of Armenia

Yerevan is very beautiful in the evening and at night full of lighted streats and youths walking or sitting in open-air cafes with a vitalizing cup of coffee or aromatic tea. Besides there are a great number of places where you can enjoy your evening and night in other ways than just walking in the streets and listening to music in the open-air cafes. Yerevan has many Casions, Discoteques and Night clubs that correspond to the highest international standards. Foreigners usually feel very comfortable in these instutions as the locals traditionally treat them friendly. Casinos in Yerevan are located in the outskirts of Yerevan, mainly on the highway from the airport to Yerevan, as well as on other highways entering Yerevan from other directions. The Yerevan casions offer all kinds of services a modern casino should do: Sigma Poker, Crazy Monkey, Black Jack, etc.

There are plenty of discoteques in Yerevan spread mainly in the city-center of Yerevan. There is usually entrance fee required to access the discoteque ranging from 1500 to 2500 AMD (4-7 USD). The discoteques usually are packed by teenagers dancing under the crazy DJ music. The prices of the drinks in the menu are almost 50% higher than if bought from the shop, but anyway they are affordable. Night Clubs are also plenty in Yerevan and most of them are located in the city center, though there are also a number of other nightclubs located not in the city center of Yerevan. Usually there is entrance fee needed to access Yerevan night-clubs, from 1500 to 5000 AMD (4-15 USD). There you can enjoy strip-shows performed mainly by girls from Russia or the Ukraine, as well as some Armenian girls..

Night club Bar and Restaurant "Mezzo" Classic House

Address: 28 Isahakyan Str., Yerevan Phone: (+374 10) 524211

"Stop" Music Club

Address: 37 Moskovian Str., Yerevan Phone: (+374 10) 560780

12 Club

Address: 41 Abovyan Str., Yerevan Phone: (+374 10) 522350

Affect Club

Address: 26 Amiryan Str. , Yerevan

Language Of Armenia

Linguists theorize that 5,000-7,000 years ago the Proto-Indo-European language splintered into dialects, one of which was Armenian, a separate branch of the Indo-European language family. As Indo-European speakers spread throughout Eurasia from Iceland to India, many languages such as French and Spanish developed from a common intermediate source, like Latin, whereas the Armenian language evolved directly from its Proto-Indo-European roots. Before creating an Armenian alphabet, Armenians used Aramaic and Greek characters. Foreign language schools existed from the 2nd century BC on. Early Armenian churchmen sought knowledge and wisdom mainly in Assyrian and Greek. When Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion, the need of an indigenous language arose in order to translate the Bible. A devoted scholar and monk, Mesrop Mashtots, created a distinctly Armenian alphabet after traveling all over Armenia to gather the sounds of Armenian speech. In 405 AD he introduced the thirty six unique characters that make up the basis of the Armenian alphabet

During the Middle Ages, two additional characters were added to write words borrowed from foreign languages. St. Mesrop Mashtots went on to build schools across Armenia to teach the alphabet. He later developed the alphabets of neighboring nations. His contribution to Armenian culture was immense since the invention of the Armenian alphabet paved the way for the first Golden Age of Armenia. Armenian writers, philosophers, mathematicians, and scientists have achieved world acclaim, building on the seminal work of St. Mesrop Mashtots. Over the centuries, the Armenian language underwent grammatical and phonological changes. At least three different forms of the Armenian language are in use today - Classical Armenian, or Grabar, the scholarly form of the language used to this day by the Armenian Church; Western Armenian, commonly found in American, European and Middle Eastern Diaspora communities; and Eastern Armenian, the official language of the Republic of Armenia and the spoken language of Armenians in Iran and Russia. Russian is widely known in Armenia as well, and English is increasingly gaining prominence, followed by French, German and several oriental languages.