Moving to Armenia: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

2,976,765

Population Growth Rate

-0.42%

Population Distribution

most of the population is located in the northern half of the country

the capital of Yerevan is home to more than five times as many people as Gyumri, the second largest city in the country

Urban Population

• population: 63.7% of total population rate of
• urbanization: 0.23% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

1.095 million YEREVAN (capital)

Population: Male/Female

• male: 1,456,415
• female: 1,520,350

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Age Structure

• years: 17.7% (male 275,589/female 250,630) 15-64
• years: 67% (male 991,490/female 1,004,101) 65 years and
• over: 15.3% (male 189,336/female 265,619)

Median Age

• total: 38.9 years
• male: 37.6 years
• female: 40.3 years

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

11

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

9.6

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.65

Gross reproduction rate

1

Child Marriage

women married by age 15: 0% women married by age 18: 5.3% men married by age 18: 0.4%

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

57.1%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

57.1%

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

64.8%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

25.2

Mother's mean age at first birth

25.2

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

• birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14
• years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64
• years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and
• over: 0.71 male(s)/female total
• population: 0.96 male(s)/female

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Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-5.2

Demographic profile

Armenia’s population peaked at nearly 3.7 million in the late 1980s but has declined sharply since independence in 1991, to just over 3 million in 2021, largely as a result of its decreasing fertility rate, increasing death rate, and negative net emigration rate.

The total fertility rate (the average number of children born per woman) first fell below the 2.1 replacement level in the late 1990s and has hovered around 1.6-1.65 for over 15 years.

In an effort to increase the country’s birth rate, the government has expanded its child benefits, including a substantial increase in the lump sum payment for having a first and second child and a boost in the monthly payment to mothers of children under two.

Reversing net negative migration, however, remains the biggest obstacle to stabilizing or increasing population growth.

Emigration causes Armenia not only lose individuals but also the children they might have.

The emigration of a significant number of working-age people combined with decreased fertility and increased life expectancy is causing the elderly share of Armenia’s population to grow.

The growing elderly population will put increasing pressure on the government’s ability to fund the pension system, health care, and other services for seniors.

Improving education, creating more jobs (particularly in the formal sector), promoting labor market participation, and increasing productivity would mitigate the financial impact of supporting a growing elderly population.

Armenia has a long history of migration, some forced and some voluntary.

Its large diaspora is diverse and dispersed around the world.

Widely varying estimates suggest the Armenian diaspora may number anywhere from 5-9 million, easily outnumbering the number of Armenians living in Armenia.

Armenians forged communities abroad from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome to Russia and to the Americas, where they excelled as craftsmen, merchants, and in other occupations.

Several waves of Armenian migration occurred in the 20th century.

In the aftermath of the 1915 Armenian genocide, hundreds of thousands of survivors fled to communities in the Caucasus (including present day Armenia), Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Europe, and Russia and established new communities in Africa and the Americas.

In the 1930s, the Soviets deported thousands of Armenians to Siberia and Central Asia.

After World War II, the Soviets encouraged the Armenian diaspora in France, the Middle East, and Iran to return the Armenian homeland in order to encourage population growth after significant losses in the male workforce during the war.

Following Armenian independence in 1991, the economic downturn and high unemployment prompted hundreds of thousands of Armenians to seek better economic opportunities primarily in Russia but also in the US, former Soviet states, and Europe.

In the early 1990s, hundreds of thousands of Armenians fled from Azerbaijan to Armenia because of the ongoing Nagorno-Karbakh conflict, but many of them then emigrated again, mainly to Russia and the US.

When the economy became more stable in the late 1990s, permanent emigration slowed, but Armenians continued to seek temporary seasonal work in Russia.

The remittances families receive from relatives working abroad is vital to Armenian households and the country’s economy.

Ethnic Groups

Armenian 98.1%, Yezidi 1.1%, other 0.8%

Language Note

Armenian (official) 97.9%, Kurmanji (spoken by Yezidi minority) 1%, other 1.1%; note - Russian is widely spoken

Nationality Noun

• noun: Armenian(s)
• adjective: Armenian

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Literacy - total population

99.8%

Literacy - male

99.8%

Literacy - female

99.7%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

2.8%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

• total: 13 years
• male: 13 years
• female: 14 years

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Life Expectancy at Birth

• population: 76.7 years
• male: 73.4 years
• female: 80.1 years

Infant Mortality Rate

• total: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 10 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

• total: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 10 deaths/1,000 live births

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

27

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

4.4

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

4.2

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

12.2%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.2%

Tobacco Use

• total: 25.5%
• male: 49.4%
• female: 1.5%

Alcohol consumption per capita

• total: 3.77 liters of pure alcohol
• beer: 0.52 liters of pure alcohol
• wine: 0.46 liters of pure alcohol
• spirits: 2.78 liters of pure alcohol other
• alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 100% of population
• rural: 100% of population
• total: 100% of population

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 100% of population
• rural: 84.6% of population
• total: 94.4% of population
• unimproved: urban: 0% of population
• rural: 15.4% of population
• total: 5.6% of population

Underweight - percent of children under five years

2.6%

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Economic Overview

Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy.

Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agro-industrial complexes of the Soviet era.

Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenia joined the World Trade Organization in January 2003.

The government has made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been largely ineffective.

Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and strengthen the rule of law in order to raise its economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to volatility in the global commodity markets and the economic challenges in Russia.

Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support, as most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector.

Remittances from expatriates working in Russia are equivalent to about 12-14% of GDP.

Armenia joined the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union in January 2015 but has remained interested in pursuing closer ties with the EU as well, signing a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU in November 2017.

Armenia’s rising government debt is leading Yerevan to tighten its fiscal policies – the amount is approaching the debt to GDP ratio threshold set by national legislation.

Industries

Diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging and pressing machines, electric motors, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry, software, food processing, brandy, mining

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,900.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$37,310,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$8,900.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$10,750,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• Consumption: 72.5% Government
• Consumption: 13.9% Investment in Fixed
• Capital: 20% Investment in
• Inventories: 2.5% Exports of Goods and
• Services: 31.6% Imports of Goods and
• Services: -40.5%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

19.6%

GDP by Sector- Industry

29.1%

GDP by Sector- services

51.3%

Industrial Growth Rate

4.2%

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Inflation Rate

-0.4%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

492.7

Currency Name and Code

Armenian Dram (AMD)

Fiscal Year

Calendar Year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

17.5%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate - note

Average lending rate on loans up to one year

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Labor Force

1,559,000

Unemployment Rate

18.1%

Major Industries

Diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging and pressing machines, electric motors, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry, software, food processing, brandy, mining

Agriculture Products

Fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock

Population Below Poverty Line

32%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

19,596

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

4%

Child Labor - note

note: data represents children ages 7-17

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

39%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

17%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

44%

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Annual Budget

$2,445,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

53.4%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-4.9%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

22.7%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Armenia

Country Name

Armenia

Local - Long

Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun

Local - Short

Hayastan

Former Name

Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic

Etymology- history of name

• the etymology of the country's name remains obscure
• according to tradition, the country is named after Hayk, the legendary patriarch of the Armenians and the great-great-grandson of Noah
• Hayk's descendant, Aram, purportedly is the source of the name Armenia

Independence

21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 321 B.C.

(Kingdom of Armenia established under the Orontid Dynasty), A.D. 884 (Armenian Kingdom reestablished under the Bagratid Dynasty); 1198 (Cilician Kingdom established); 28 May 1918 (Democratic Republic of Armenia declared)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1991)

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Government Type

parliamentary democracy; note - constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 transformed the government to a parliamentary system

Constitution

• history: previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995
• amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by the president, by the National Assembly, and by a referendum with at least 25% registered voter participation and more than 50% of votes; constitutional articles on the form of government and democratic procedures are not amendable; amended 2005, 2015, last in 2020; the Constitutional Reform Council formed in 2019 was dissolved in December 2021, and replaced by a new Constitutional Reform Council, whose members were officially appointed in late January 2022; the new council is expected to address the form of government, i.e. presidential or semi-presidential or parliamentary, and whether to merge the Court of Cassation with the Constitutional Court

Legal System:

civil law system

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Vahagn KHACHATURYAN (since 13 March 2022)
• head of government: Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN (since 10 September 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers Mher GRIGORYAN (since 3 August 2021) and Tigran KHACHATRYAN (since 19 December 2022); note - Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN resigned on 25 April 2021 in advance of the 20 June 2021 parliamentary election; he was reappointed by the president on 2 August 2021 and sworn in on 10 September 2021
• cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
• elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly in 3 rounds if needed for a single 7-year term; election last held on 2-3 March 2022; prime minister indirectly elected by majority vote in 2 rounds if needed by the National Assembly
• election results: 2022: Vahagn KHACHATURYAN elected president in second round; note - Vahagn KHACHATURYAN ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 71-0 2018: Armen SARKISSIAN elected president in first round; note - Armen SARKISSIAN ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 90-10
• note: Nikol PASHINYAN was first elected prime minister on 8 May 2018 and reelected on January 2019; in response to a political crisis that followed Armenia's defeat in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in late 2020, PASHINYAN called an early legislative election for June 2021; his party won the election and PASHINYAN was elected to the prime ministership for a third time; his election was confirmed by the president on 2 August 2021, and he was sworn in on 10 September 2021

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (minimum 101 seats, with additional seats allocated as necessary and generally changing with each parliamentary convocation; current - 107; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms; four mandates are reserved for national minorities; no more than 70% of the top membership of a party list can belong to the same sex; political parties must meet a 5% threshold and alliances a 7% threshold to win seats; at least three parties must be seated in the Parliament)
• Elections: last held early on 20 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2026)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party/coalition - Civil Contract 53.9%, Armenia Alliance 21%, I Have Honour Alliance 5.2%, other 19.9%; seats by party/coalition - Civil Contract 71, Armenia Alliance 29, I Have Honour Alliance 7; composition as of January 2024 - men 68, women 39, percent of women 36.5%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body of selected judges and legal scholars; judges appointed by the president; judges can serve until age 65; Constitutional Court judges - 4 appointed by the president, and 5 elected by the National Assembly; judges can serve until age 70
• subordinate courts: criminal and civil appellate courts; administrative appellate court; first instance courts; specialized administrative and bankruptcy courts

Regions or States:

11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz) Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan

Political Parties and Leaders:

• 5165 National Conservative Movement Party [Karin TONOYAN]
• Alliance of Democrats [Arman BABAJANYAN]
• Armenia Alliance or HD [Robert KOCHARYAN] (formerly known as the Armenian Revolutionary Federation)
• Armenian National Congress or ANC [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN] (bloc of independent and opposition parties)
• Bright Armenia [Edmon MARUKYAN]
• Civil Contract or KP [Nikol PASHINYAN]
• Country To Live In [Mane TANDILYAN]
• Homeland of Armenians [Artak GALSTYAN]
• Homeland Party [Artur VANETSYAN]
• I Have Honor Alliance (formerly known as the Republican Party of Armenia, [Serzh SARGSIAN]
• Liberal Party [Samvel BABAYAN]
• National Democratic Party [Vahe GASPARYAN]
• Prosperous Armenia or BHK [Gagik TSARUKYAN]
• Republic Party (Hanrapetutyun Party) [Aram SARGSYAN]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 3 years

Capital Name

Yerevan

Capital - geographic coordinate

40 10 N, 44 30 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ADB
• BSEC
• CD
• CE
• CIS
• CSTO
• EAEC (observer)
• EAEU
• EAPC
• EBRD
• FAO
• GCTU
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• MIGA
• NAM (observer)
• OAS (observer)
• OIF
• OPCW
• OSCE
• PFP
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNIFIL
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Kristina A. KVIEN (since 21 February 2023)
• Embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082
• Mailing Address: 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020
• Telephone: [374] (10) 464-700
• FAX: [374] (10) 464-742
• Email: acsyerevan@state.gov
• Website: https://am.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Lilit MAKUNTS (since 15 September 2021)
• Chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976
• FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982
• Email: armembassyusa@mfa.am
• Website: https://usa.mfa.am/en/
• Consulate(s) General: Glendale (CA)

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Geographic Location

Asia

Geographic Coordinates

40 00 N, 45 00 E

Total Area

11,484 Square Miles 29,743 Square Kilometers

Land Area

10,889 Square Miles 28,203 Square Kilometers

Water Area

595 Square Miles 1,540 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

779 Miles 1,254 Kilometers

Border Countries

Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

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Terrain

• Armenian Highland with mountains
• little forest land
• fast flowing rivers
• good soil in Aras River valley

Highest Point

4,090 Meters

Highest Point Location

Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m

Lowest Point

400 Meters

Lowest Point Location

Debed River 400 m

Natural Resources

Small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina

Irrigated Land

1,056 Square Miles 2,735 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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Climate

The climate is highland continental.

It is dry, with an average of 550mm (21.6 inches) in annual rainfall.

In the Ararat Valley, where Yerevan is located, there is far less rain; with an average range of from 200mm to 250mm (7.9 to 10 inches).

Seasonal extremes are pronounced in the Ararat Valley.

Temperatures can approach the record summer high of 42°C (107.6°F) or plunge towards the record winter low of -30°C (-22°F).

Mean temperatures are more temperate, however.

July readings give an average high range of from 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F).

The January low range averages from -5°C (23°F) to -7°C (19°F).

Autumns are long and golden; Armenia enjoys around 2700 hours of sunshine each year.

Drought is a perennial problem.

Terrain

• Armenian Highland with mountains
• little forest land
• fast flowing rivers
• good soil in Aras River valley

Location

Southwestern Asia, between Turkey (to the west) and Azerbaijan

Total Area

11,484 Square Miles 29,743 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

Environment - Current Issues

• Soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT
• the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood
• pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers
• the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), as a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies
• restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone

Environment - International Agreements

Party To: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

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Exports

$1,678,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$2,638,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, gold, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy

Major Imports

Natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, cars

Top Export Partners

Russia 15.2%, China 11.1%, Germany 9.8%, Iraq 8.8%, Georgia 7.8%, Canada 7.6%, Bulgaria 5.3%, Iran 5.3%

Top Import Partners

Russia 29.1%, China 9.7%, Germany 6.2%, Iran 6.1%, Italy 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%

Export Partners

Russia 15.2%, China 11.1%, Germany 9.8%, Iraq 8.8%, Georgia 7.8%, Canada 7.6%, Bulgaria 5.3%, Iran 5.3%

Import Partners

Russia 29.1%, China 9.7%, Germany 6.2%, Iran 6.1%, Italy 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%

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Country Description

Armenia is a constitutional republic with a developing economy.

Tourist facilities, especially outside the capital city of Yerevan, are not very developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries may be difficult to obtain.

Safety & Security

Separatists, with Armenia’s support, continue to control most of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other Azerbaijani territories.

The final status of Nagorno-Karabakh remains the subject of international mediation by the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by Russia, France, and the United States, and a cease-fire has been in effect since 1994.

Be extremely cautious near the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian positions in and around Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, as intermittent gunfire continues, often resulting in injuries and/or deaths.

Because of the existing state of hostilities, consular services are not available to U.S. citizens in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Please consult the Country-Specific Information for Azerbaijan for supplemental information.

Armenia has land borders with Turkey, Iran, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

The borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan remain closed and continue to be patrolled by armed troops and/or border guards who stop all people attempting to cross.

Although de-mining operations have been largely completed, isolated land mines remain in some areas in and near the conflict zones with Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Traveling to the region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding occupied areas via Armenia without the consent of the Government of Azerbaijan could make you ineligible to travel to Azerbaijan in the future.

Political rallies often occur around elections and other political events; there have been no such violent confrontations since 2008.

Visitors should be mindful that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful could turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

Information regarding demonstrations that have been brought to the attention of the U.S.

Embassy can be found on the Messages for U.S.

Citizens section of the Embassy website.

Armenia is an earthquake- and landslide-prone country.

A Soviet-era nuclear power plant is located in Metsamor, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Yerevan.

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Crime

Crime against foreigners is relatively rare in Armenia.

Break-ins-- particularly of vehicles-- and theft are the most common crimes, but there have been instances of violent crime.

While the incidence of violent crime remains lower than in most U.S. cities, you should exercise caution.

Several U.S. investors have also reported being involved in disputes over property ownership, and have had to seek legal recourse through long, and often unsuccessful, court proceedings.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, but if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Armenia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country.

There are some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States; for instance, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Armenia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It is very important to know what is legal and what is not where you are traveling.

Armenia strictly enforces its laws relating to the possession, trafficking, and use of illegal drugs, including marijuana.

Further, Armenia prohibits the receipt of packages that contain illegal drugs, including small amounts of marijuana.

Persons arrested for violating Armenia’s drug laws may be detained for lengthy periods of time while the investigations proceed, and if convicted, face significant prison sentences.

Authorities of Armenia are required to notify the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Though there are many competent physicians in Armenia, medical care facilities are limited, especially outside the major cities.

The U.S.

Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking physicians in the area.

Most prescription medications are available, but the quality varies.

Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.

Traffic Safety

While in Armenia, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Traveling in Armenia requires caution.

Public transportation, while very inexpensive, may be unreliable and uncomfortable.

Minibusses are more dangerous than other forms of public transportation.

These vehicles are often overcrowded and poorly maintained, commonly lack safety measures, including seatbelts, and are frequently involved in accidents.

Drivers in Armenia frequently ignore traffic laws, making roadways unsafe for unsuspecting travelers.

Those driving in towns at night should be especially cautious.

Pedestrians often fail to take safety precautions, and in cities at night, it is common for pedestrians in dark clothing to cross unlighted streets in the middle of the block. “Road rage” is becoming a serious problem on Armenian streets and highways.

To reduce your risk of being a victim of aggression, yield to aggressive drivers.

Though crime along roadways is rare, the police sometimes seek bribes during traffic stops and sometimes harass drivers using U.S. or international driver’s licenses.

We recommend that U.S. citizens not travel at night due to poor road conditions.

Winter travel can also be extremely hazardous, especially in mountain areas and higher elevations.

Areas near the line of contact with Azerbaijan remain potentially dangerous.

The previous restriction on travel via the Ijevan-Noyemberyan Highway by U.S. citizen employees of the U.S.

Government and their family members was recently lifted.

Individuals traveling between Nerkin Voskepar and Baghanis should use the “new road,” which is about 5 km longer.

On weekends, the number of intoxicated drivers on Armenian roads increases.

Be extra careful on the main highway from Yerevan to the resort areas of Tsaghkadzor and Sevan.

Traffic police will attempt to stop individuals driving erratically and dangerously, but the police presence outside of Yerevan is limited.

With the exception of a few major arteries, primary roads are frequently in poor repair with sporadic stretches of missing pavement and large potholes.

Some roads shown as primary roads on maps are unpaved and can narrow to one lane in width, while some newer road connections have not yet been marked on recently produced maps.

Secondary roads are normally in poor condition and are often unpaved and washed out in certain areas.

Signage is poor to nonexistent.

Truck traffic is heavy on the main roads linking Yerevan to Iran and Georgia.

Police and emergency medical services may take considerable time to reach remote regions.

The quality of gasoline in Armenia ranges from good at some of the more reliable stations in cities to very poor.

The gasoline and other fuels sold out of jars, barrels, and trucks by independent roadside merchants should be considered very unreliable.

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Airports - total

11

Airports with Paved Runways

10

Railways

540 Miles 869 Kilometers

Roadways- total

4,788 Miles 7,705 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

None

1 facts — expand for details.

Pipelines: Gas

1,388 Miles 2,233 Kilometers

7 facts — expand for details.

Telephones

630,000

Cell Phones

1,185,400

Internet Users

172,800

Internet Country Code

.am

Internet Hosts

65,279

Broadcast Media

• Note: 2 public TV networks operating alongside more than 40 privately-owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage
• major Russian broadcast stations are widely available
• subscription cable TV services are available in most regions
• Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside about 20 privately owned radio stations
• several major international broadcasters are available

Telephone System

• Assessment: telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005
• Domestic: reliable modern fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas
• International: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3

7 facts — expand for details.

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

4,776,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

451,300,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

418,700,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

5,584,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,100,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

2,100,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

45,300

3 facts — expand for details.

Anthem History

The words to "Mer Hayrenik", taken from a poem by Miqayél Ghazari, were set to music long before Armenia adopted it as her anthem upon regaining her independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The present anthem is a modified version of the original song, which consisted of five clauses.

Some of the words have also been changed appropriately to reflect the freedom and independence of the country.

Anthem Lyrics

Mer hayrenik‘, Azat Ankakh, Vor aprel eh tareh tar, Yoor vorik‘e ard kanchum eh Azat, Ankakh Hayastan.

Aha‘, yeghpayr, kez mi drosh, Vor im dzerkov gortsetsi, Gishernere yes koon cheghah, Artasukov lvatsi.

Nayir nran yerek guynov, Nvirakan mer nshan, Togh poghpoghi t‘shnamu dem, Togh misht pandsah Hayastan.

Amenayn tegh mah‘e mi eh, Mard mi angam pit merni, Bayts yerani ovr yur azgi Azatutyan k‘e zohvi.

Anthem Lyrics English

Land of our fathers, free, independent, Which has endured from age to age.

Its sons and daughters now proclaim Armenia, sovereign and free.

Its sons and daughters now proclaim Armenia, sovereign and free.

Brother, take this banner, Made with my own hands, During sleepless nights, And bathed in my tears.

During sleepless nights, And bathed in my tears.

See, it has three colours; A single hallowed symbol.

May it sparkle before the foe, May Armenia flourish ever!

May it sparkle before the foe, May Armenia flourish ever!

Death is everywhere the same, Man is born just once to die, But blest is he who gives his life To defend his nation's freedom.

But blest is he who gives his life To defend his nation's freedom.