The Republic of Armenia, a small country of 29.800 sq. km, is situated in Southern Transcaucasia, a mountainous region in the north-eastern part of the Armenian Highland, bordering Georgia on the North and Azerbaijan on the East, while its neighbors to the West and South are Turkey and Iran. The original name of the country is Hayq, in native language translated as “the territory of the Hay(k)” – Armenians. According to the Christian legend, Haik was the lineal descendant of Noy whose Ark came to rest on the Biblical Mt. Ararat after the Great Flood. Haik, the forefather of all Armenians, just after the Babylonian Confusion, established himself at the foot of Mt Ararat, putting the core stone of our ancient nation.
Throughout centuries being the stage of political and religious rivalry, Armenians forged their national identity in obstinate and bloody struggle against enemies, trying to destroy it. In the reign of Tigran the Great, the 1st c. B.C., Armenia was already an Empire of Three Seas (Black Sea, Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean). Being the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 A.D., despite the historical difficulties Armenians did preserve their faith in purity as they got it from the apostles. Due to its geographical location, Armenia offers everybody a striking variety of natural beauties and microclimates ranging from sunburn to eternal snow on the mountain peaks, from verdant forests to alpine meadows. Situated at a cultural, historical, and religious intersection, Armenia is one of the oldest existing cultures of the world with a history dating back to the times of ancient Babylon, Assyria and Egypt. Visitors to Armenia will have a chance not only to see a country possessing a wealth of well-preserved historical sites, ancient cave villages and observatories (5 mil. B.C.), Urartian fortresses and cuneiform writings, Christian monasteries carved in hillside rocks and archaeological discoveries, some going back to 2000 B.C. but also walk on the famous Great Silk Road which stretched from China to Middle East and Rome, transporting rich caravans crossing Armenia at medieval times. If you want to learn about the glorious path of Armenia through the uneven and hazardous pages of history, enjoy the hospitality, wisdom and heartedness of the people, get in touch with the magnificent architecture and brilliant culture, just visit our fabulous country. Traveling through Armenia you will discover many other hidden facets of Armenian life, taste the famous Armenian bread - lavash, eat barbecue prepared in the tonyr (special ovens dug in the ground) and enjoy the marvelous taste of excellent wine and world-class cognac. This is a small country but like a drop of water taken from the ocean, it samples the rich cultural and historical background of the long history of mankind. It is a country which tempts you with a slow fascination and lodges for ever in your heart.