Caravan-Serai Tours

Handbook

Introduction

The whole country of Armenia is like an open-air museum. It is rich in stone structures, temples and churches created through the ages. More specifically, the stone carvings left on the rock formation of the Geghama Mountains, situated near Lake Sevan, serve as evidence of early civilization. These carvings are the reflection of the early mythological thought, lifestyle, hunting practices, astronomical knowledge and other features of local prehistory. In the Ararat Valley, one comes across the remnants of the Medzamour Bronze and Iron Age settlements - symbols of early urban civilization in Armenia.

The Armenians trace their history to the Sixth Century B.C. Throughout history, Armenia has been a battlefield for many invaders, contending empires, and a bridge for many cultures and civilizations. During the past 2,700 years, Armenia was conquered by the Persians, Alexander the Great, Rome, Byzantium , the Ottoman Turks and Russia. Invaders such as Arabs, Seljuks, Mongols, Tatars and Safavids also crossed Armenia.

Throughout the city of Yerevan, there are more than 40 museums and galleries presenting fine arts. Armenia has over 4,000 historical monuments, which cover various periods of the country's development from the prehistoric to Hellenistic eras, and from the early to medieval Christian eras.

Armenia is an upland country located within the Alpian-Himalayan mountain system. It is 1.12 miles above sea level. Ancient geographers called Armenia "Mountain Island" or the "Roof of Asia Minor". A biodiversity of inspiring richness is squeezed into this tiny country of 29,800 thousand square miles. Armenia offers an intoxicating amount of incredible photo opportunities including rock sculptures, waterfalls, mountain rivers, forests, springs, as well as unique natural formations.

In 1991, Armenia became an independent Republic following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Subsequently, by special referendum held on July 5. 1995, Armenia adopted its new constitution, which is based largely on the French model of presidential government.

Armenia is a cradle of Christianity in modern times. In 301 AD, Armenia adopted Christianity, becoming the first country in the world to proclaim it as its state religion. (It was 13 years later that the Roman Empire legalized Christianity by the Edict of Milan.) Since then, Christianity has flourished in the country . There are more than 160 active monasteries in present day Armenia. These monasteries have functioned as places of worship, libraries, schools and public gatherings.

The Armenian people survived the first genocide of the twentieth century. The Ottoman Turks massacred 1.5 million Armenians in 1915. Today, a monument stands in the capital city of Yerevan in memory of those who perished in the genocide. Adjacent to this monument is a museum, which stands as a testament to the massacres and deportations of Armenians during these years.

From centuries of being at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, arts and crafts in Armenia are indicative of the influences between Indo-China and European cultures, though distinctive national styles are clear. An Armenian folk song can sound hauntingly oriental; a Chalabert or "Sun burst" carpet pattern may evoke that of a Kazakh; a stone carved cross may recall the Middle Ages. Armenia n art is a visual and auditory delight in the interpretation of East-West cultural interactions. In Yerevan the sounds of world-known composers, such as Aram Khachatouryan and Komitas, make for delightful evenings at the Philharmonic, Chamber Music Hall, Opera and Ballet House.

Today, Armenia is in the process of transitioning from a Soviet-style planned economy to a democratic society supported by a free market economy. Political reforms are under way and the increasing number of private business and international organizations that have come to Armenia have contributed significantly to the changing economic landscape.