Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Culture of Armenia

The culture of Armenia encompasses many elements that are based on the geography, literature, dance, music, and religion of the people. Armenian culture has strong influences from both its eastern neighbors, as well as an underlying influence from Europe to the west.

Literature

Armenians literature began 401 A.D. The majority of the the literacy arts were created by Moses of Khorene, in the 5th century. In the late 17th century, Alexander Tertzakian was a renowned Armenian writer who created several works considered to be among Armenia's classics. Nalbadian's poem "Song of the Italian Girl" may have been inspiration for the Armenian national anthem, Mer Hayrenik.

Dance

The Armenian dance heritage has been one of the oldest, richest and most varied in the near east. The dances were probably accompanied by certain kind of songs or instrument.

Art

The national art gallery in Yerevan has more then 16,000 works that date back to the middle ages.

Languages

Armenian is one of the oldest living languages. people of their country been speaking it since 600s B.C. Their languages belong to a large belong to a large Indo-European family of languages. Armenian language has split into different dialect, or variations

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

History of Armenia


Armenia has a very interesting history. For example it was the first country in the world to officially embrace Christianity as its religion in A.D.300. The independent Republic of Armenia was established on May 28, 1918. Sadly though the Soviet Army took over Armenia on November 29, 1920. On March 12, 1922 Armenia joined the USSR. In 1936 it broke apart from the USSR, but was conquered by Greeks, Romans, Persians, Byzantines, Mongols, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, and Russians. The Russian Empire also took over it in the 1700s. Gladly in 1918 the Armenians created an independent republic.

(The man to the right was a famous poet that wrote many poems about Armenia and about its history.)










Physical Geography and Natural resources of Armenia


   Physical Environment       By Vanessa Acuna. (: 

Armenia is located in Southern Transcaucasia, the region in southwest of Russia between the black sea and the Caspian Sea. It is a landlocked country. It's bordered on the North and East by Georgia and Azerbaijan. Its bordered on the South and West by Iran and Turkey. 

  Climate

Armenia has a highland continental climate. They have hot summers and cool winters. Average precipitation in Armenia per year ranges from 250 mm in the lower Araks River Valley to 800 mm in the highest altitude. 

Environmental Problems

Chemical pollution has made a lot of the soil in Armenia  not farmable. Azerbaijan has formed a blockade of  electricity from the outside world. Lake Sevan, one of the highest lakes in the world, has had its water level decreased a lot due to irrigation. 

Natural Resources

Armenia has many natural resources. Some of their mined material is copper, iron, Bauxite, gold, and silver. There have been some oil deposits, but not many. They also have semiprecious gemstones, and a number of other resources. 

Websites: Wikipedia, InfoPlease, and Country Studies.com  




Monday, March 15, 2010

Armenia Government

Government

Armenia is an emerging Democracy.

Political Party

Armenia for seventy years was a Soviet Republic, only one party , the communist Party of Armenia, was allowed illegal status. Branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, was ruled under the leadership of Moscow.

Human Rights

In 1991, Armenia signed the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and accepted it is a Domestic Law. In 1993, several human rights organizations were active in Armenia. The Helsinki Assembly, which represented the International Helsinki Watch; The League of Human Rights. Parliaments Committee on Human Rights; a national group called Avangard .  And a branch of the international Sakharov fund.

Foreign Relations

In early 1900's, Foreign policy determined strongly by Nagorno. Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan. Some rapprochement with traditional enemy Turkey and Iran. Limited relations established with Western Europe. Close ties with Russia and accords with members of Common Wealth of Independent states (CIS). World wide Armenian diaspora facilities foreign support.

Allies

Armenia's largest Alie is Russia. Some other allies are Iran and historically, Armenia had strong friendships with Greece and France are still quite close, especially with Greece