Armenia history
Armenia has an extremely long and assorted history dating back thousands of years. The prosperity and freedoms of modern day Armenia came at a great cost. Russian, Persian, and Ottoman control of Armenian lands constituted years of war and conflict. The Armenian people however kept centuries of traditions and cultural customs alive.
Quick fact!
Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, was founded 2800 years ago making it one of the oldest cities in the world.
1826 – 1896
Armenia was split between Russia and the Ottoman Empire for the majority of the 19th century. The Russo-Persian War between 1826-1828 soon lead to tensions between the Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The Russian desire to reach the Mediterranean was only possible through control of Armenia. The Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829 led to the Ottoman Empire seceding Eastern Armenia to Russia, while Western Armenia was still under Ottoman control. The Armenian national liberation movement was an attempt during this period to recover the Eastern Anatolia (a region in modern day Turkey), the native homeland of Armenians.
The Ottoman regions of Armenia suffered greatly under mandatory Islamic laws. In 1839 Armenian and Ottoman relations improved under the reorganization and reforms of Abdul Mejid I. It wasn’t until the later part of the 19th century that relations between Ottoman rulers and Armenian nationals became increasingly violent. Abdul Hamid II had an assassination attempt on his life and carried out the Hamidian massacres of 1895-1896.
1909 – 1990
There were many mass killings by the Ottoman Empire of Armenian people in 1909 and the Armenian genocide of 1915-1921. World War I was raging throughout Europe, and as the Ottoman Empire saw Armenians leaning towards Russian policies and control, they treated all Armenians as enemies of the Empire. The estimated number of deaths is around 1.5 million people that perished in the genocide. To this day, the majority of Turkish government officials deny that the genocide was government sponsored, however it was a direct desire of the Ottoman Empire.
The beginning of the 20th century was wrought with war and conflicts within Armenian borders. The Georgian-Armenian War of 1918 was fought to ward off an Ottoman invasion of Western Armenia. Disagreements surrounding land claims brought about the Armenian-Azerbaijan War between 1919-1920. The years of conflict finally lead to the Treaty of Sèvres in Sèvres, France where President Woodrow Wilson determined the final borders of Armenia in November of 1920. The treaty however did not stop Turkey from invading Armenia in late November of 1920. Russia helped to defend Armenia from the Turks, therefore leading to Armenia’s inclusion in the Soviet Union in 1922. Armenia fought for Russia in World War II, and remained a part of the Soviet Union until 1990.
1991 – present
The Republic of Armenia has been an independent state since its formal recognition on December 21, 1991. Democracy has not been an easy road to travel for Armenia, with several elected officials accused of voter fraud and public manipulation, but the Armenian people continue to strive towards religious, social and economic freedoms. History only supports the fact that the Armenian people are vibrant and greatly respect the culture and nation of Armenia.
Armenian language and culture
Culture of Armenia
Located in Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Armenia is a landlocked country bordered by Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. It is characterized by a continental climate and mountainous terrain, which favor the practice of winter sports like skiing and trekking during the cold season.
Music and dance
Traditional music and dance are the most important part of Armenian culture. Dancers wear costumes of different designs (but usually of deep red color), specific to certain regions and to the religious beliefs or family methods in the respective part of the country. Dancing is always accompanied by singing, instrumental music or clapping. Traditional folk dances are accompanied by regional dances originating in Arabkir, Kesab, Syria and Sasun.
Art and architecture
Armenian medieval churches have influenced the architecture of Western churches, and several medieval features can also be seen in modern churches built in the 19th century. Pointed domes, tall, narrow windows, tall structural arches and the sculptural decoration of outer walls are all representative to the Armenian architecture.
Armenian miniature painting has enjoyed a constant evolution during the past few centuries, along with many other types of visual art – sculptures, mosaics, ceramics, engravings and textiles. The National Gallery of Armenia in Yerevan hosts a collection of over 26,000 artworks, including works of classic Armenian artists such as Hakob Hovnatanian, Ivan Ayvazovski and Panos Terlemezian.
Sport
Football is the most popular sport in Armenia, while various other sports are encouraged: boxing, wrestling, judo, ice hockey, basketball, tennis and chess. The country’s mountainous terrain is excellent for skiing and rock climbing (the latter is inadvisable during winter), and Lake Sevan is a popular tourist destination for water sports.
Languages of Armenia
Armenian is Armenia’s official language spoken by a vast majority of the population while Russian is the most popular foreign language. English and French are also steadily gaining popularity, while Kurdish remains the most spoken minority language. Other minority languages are Assyrian and Greek.
Armenia weather
Armenia experiences a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters with plenty of snow.Spring is the wettest season of the year, particularly towards the end of May, when temperatures start to increase and the capital receives plenty of sunlight. The country is widely appreciated for its stunning landscapes and winter sport resorts such as the hills of Tsakhkadzor, located within a 30 minute drive from the capital. The mountains are a great destination for hiking during summer.
Spring in Armenia
Frosts are very common in spring, especially in the highlands. You’ll definitely have to bring a pair of boots, a few warm sweaters and a jacket to protect you from cold, even in April and May. Given these conditions, it is very dangerous to go hiking, so try to stick to the main sights, landscapes and cultural events for the time being.
Summer in Armenia
The country receives a lot of sun during this time of the year, with temperatures fluctuating between 24°C and even 40°C in the lowlands. Tourists can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking, sunbathing, long walks and sightseeing. Since Armenian summers are quite dry, you don’t have to stress over packing an umbrella, although the contents of your suitcase should vary according to the part of the country you’re visiting.
Autumn in Armenia
Autumn lasts longer than spring, and is a great occasion to admire a truly unique landscape with very colorful falling leaves. Temperatures start out at about 20°C but can drop below 10°C as the season goes on. The mountain breeze can be a bit chilly near the capital, so its advisable to bring a jacket or a thick sweater as a precaution.
Winter in Armenia
The average low temperature stands at -3°C in the lowlands and snowfalls are quite commonirrespective of altitude. Bring a pair of boots, sweaters and a coat, and be prepared for more cold if you’re travelling to the highlands: near Lake Sevan (1900 meters altitude), where temperatures can drop to -14°C!
Average temperatures in Yerevan
Average rainfall in Yerevan
No comments:
Post a Comment