Armenia

Description of Armenia

Armenia is called the Republic of Armenia, officially. Armenia is a mountainous country in the South Caucasus part of Eurasia. Armenia is situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and it is bordered by Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran. 

Armenia is a democratic nation with a rich and ancient cultural past. The rich cultural heritage should be explored if you visit the region. It is truly fascinating. The ancient Kingdom of Armenia was set up in the 6th century BC (not AD), after Urartu fell. Let that sink in for a moment. It was established in the 6th century BC. That predates the advent of Christianity. However, it is was the first nation state in the world to take Christianity as the official state religion. It adopted Christianity at the beginning of the 4th century. Armenia has been called the “first Christian nation.” 

Between the 16th and 19th century, the Armenian homeland made up of Western Armenia and Eastern Armenia came under the rule of the rivaling Persian and Ottoman Empires, and it was passed in between the two kingdoms throughout those centuries, with all of its own people inside it. 

By the mid-1800s, Russia had conquered Eastern Armenia and taken it over from Persia. Most of the western area of Armenia was still under rule of the Ottoman empire. In World War I, the native Armenians that were living in their traditional lands were killed in the Armenian Genocide. After nearly 600 years of being stateless, Armenia became independent in 1918. Unfortunately, the First Republic of Armenia was bounded by hostile enemies that ended its independence just two years later. Armenia was a part of the Soviet Union from 1920 to 1991. The current Republic of Armenia became fully independent in 1991. 

Armenia currently recognizes the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is the most ancient national church in the world. it is the main religious establishment of the country. Armenians created their own distinct alphabet.

Tourism In Armenia 

Tourism in Armenia has been an important part of the Armenian economy since the early 1990s as roughly 500,000 people visit Armenia each year, mostly ethnic Armenians from around the world. Most of the tourists come from Russia, Georgia, Iran, and the United States. 

Armenia has been investing heavily in new hotels to help jumpstart tourism. Some of the most important attractions seem to be outdoor recreational activities and scenery. Lake Sevan, which is the world’s biggest mountain lake, is a popular tourist destination in the summer. The Tsakhkadzor ski resort is open for skiing and hiking, depending on the time of the year, summer and winter. Mt. Ararat, the traditional site of Noah’s Ark’s landing, is located in Turkey. The capital of Armenia, Yerevan, has opera, cultural attractions, and theater. The casinos are also a big tourist draw. 

Tourism has been increasing in Armenia since the turn of the millennium. Armenia gets more than 750,000 tourists each year, and the number is increasing. Armenia draws people in with its sense of history, culture, and adventure. A number of new hotels are going to be built in the city, including the Kempinski, InterContinental, and Hilton. 

Tourist Attractions In Armenia 

There are a number of tourist attractions in Armenia that would be very interesting and appealing to historians, scholars, and believers of the Christian faith. 

Mt. Ararat 

Mt. Ararat is possibly the place where Noah’s Ark landed, if the story is to be believed. Armenia was also the first country to adopt Christianity in 301 A.D. It was evangelized by Thaddeus and Bartholomew. There are a number of ancient monasteries and churches in the country worth seeing. Looking at monasteries and churches from the ancient past, that were created even before the Middle Ages, is interesting for people of all faiths, as well as scholars. 

Armenia might not be one of the top tourist destinations in the world right now, because of the trouble of getting there, but it could be emerging as one of the top religious tourist destinations in the world. Armenia is an ancient kingdom that has been passed from kingdom to kingdom until it gained independence from the Soviet Union. 

If you’re a Christian, don’t you think it would be interesting to see where Noah landed his Ark? You can get a good view of this spot from the Khor Virap Monastery. It is a church built in the 1600s that offers a stunning view of Mt. Ararat. Khor Virap Monastery has an interesting history of its own, and seeing Mt. Ararat from that spot makes it even more fulfilling and meaningful as a Christian. 

Garni Temple 

Garni Temple is the best preserved and oldest Pagan temple that the world has. It has played a major role in the formation of Armenia, and it has been preserved, even though a lot of pagan temples were destroyed because of the proponents of Christianity and Islam. This pagan temple is nearly 2,000 years old. 

Etchmiadzin Cathedral 

Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the oldest state-created church in the world. This is a beautiful Christian temple with a gigantic cross. The original basilica was built in 301 with the help of the king after Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Armenian Genocide Complex 

The Armenian Genocide Complex has an eternal pillar and flame pointing toward the sky. Many Armenian families make the journey to this place, and it is very personal for them. There was a systematic extermination of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in Eastern Turkey in the early part of the 20th century. More than one million people died. 

Yerevan Republic Square 

The Republic Square is the site where ceremonies and meetings happen. There used to be a statue of Lenin in the southern part of the square, but Armenia took the statue down when they gained their independence. Armenia used to be a Soviet republic. The square is surrounded by seven important buildings like the National Gallery and the History Museum building, the “Mariott Armenia” hotel, and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

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