Armenia

Much of Armenia is a rugged plateau of ridges, narrow valleys, extinct volcanoes, and small rivers and streams. The climate is varies: mild and cool in the highlands and hot in the semi-arid lowlands. Lake Sevan, the largest lake in Armenia, is surrounded by extinct volcanoes. Known as Armenia's Pearl, this lake serves as the main reservoir of Armenia's irrigation system. Armenia's main rives include the Araks River, which flows into the Caspian Sea, and the Hrazdan, which flows from Lake Sevan into the Araks River in a series of majestic waterfalls. The Araks and Hrazdan Rivers provide almost all of Armenia's electric power.

The Ararat plain is now the most densely populated area in Armenia, and, with irrigation, supports crops such as cotton, fruit trees, and the vineyards from which Armenia's famous cognacs are made. Armenia was once covered by many forests. During the industrialization drive of the Soviet er, most of these forests were cut down. Although reforestation has alleviated this ecological problem to some extent, the last few years have been disastrous. Due to the continuing blockade of energy supplies to Armenia from neighboring Azerbaijan, almost all the trees have been cut down to provide desperately needed fuel for heating and cooking.

The capital, Erevan, is home to over a third of the 3.7 million inhabitants of Armenia. It once had a flourishing manufacturing sector and was highly industrialized, but due to the economic hardships imposed by the blockade and continuing war in Nagorno-Karabakh, industry is almost entirely shut down.

Nearly 200 Armenian mineral springs attract tourists to local health resorts and spas; Arzni and Dzhermuk are especially popular areas for patients seeking to treat minor ailments. Mount Ararat (where Noah's ark is said to have landed), located in what is now modern Turkey and rising 7,000 feet, is visible from nearly every area of Armenia. Historically, the mountain has been the Armenian people's most treasured landmark.

In A.D. 301, Armenia converted to Christianity, becoming the world's first Christian state. Christianity provided Armenians with a national identity and consciousness, especially when Armenia was conquered and divided among regional powers. In the early thirteenth century, Armenia underwent a difficult period of Mongol rule, during which many Armenians were killed. Throughout the 1500s, the Ottoman Turks and Persians further ravaged Armenia with invasions.

In 1620 Armenia was divided between Turkey and Persia. The Persian half eventually fell to the Russian empire in 1828. Turkish Armenia was the scene of numerous massacres from 1892 to 1894, in which it is estimated that almost 300,000 Armenians were killed. This was merely a prelude to the final destruction of the Armenian nation from 1915 to 1922. During this period, 1.5 million Armenians perished in what is considered the first genocide of the twentieth century. Many of the survivors found refuge in Russian Armenia. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, Armenia declared its independence in May 1918. This precarious independence came to an end in December 1920, when the Red Army invaded and occupied the country. Armenia was rebuilt and industrialized during the Soviet period and remained a part of the USSR until it declared it independence in September 1991.

Although Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as a national religion, some older customs have persisted. For example, in ancient times, Armenians considered trees to be sacred plants with the power to grant special favors and requests. By tying strips of cloth to a tree, one could ask for help or heal sick relatives and friends. Some Armenians continue this practice today.

Armenians are a warm and generous people known for their hospitality. This hospitality extends to the table, where one should be prepared for a feast that lasts several hours. Among the meza (appetizers) are items such as spicy dried meats called basturma, stuffed vegetables and fruits called dolma, tasty meatballs with raising and pine nuts, and home cured olives.

Other popular dishes are plaki, a vegetable or fish stew containing tomatoes, onions, and olive oil; fluffy pastries, bourek, filled with meat, cheese, or spinach; and spicy sausages called sudjuk. The ever-popular yogurt and cucumber dip, jajik, accompanies practically any dish. Armenians often sip raki, and anise-flavored drink, or one of the fine cognacs or wines produced in Armenia.

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