GEOGRAPHY / Nature / Flora & Fauna


GEO Coordinates:
Latitude 40^°11'N / Longitude 44^°30'E.


  Armenia is situated in the South Trans-Caucasus region where the Great Caucasus Mountain range meets Western Asia. It occupies the small Northeastern part of Armenian Plateau & can be called 'an island of mountains'. About two-thirds of the territory of Armenia is covered by mountains & solid rocks. It is intersected by over 20 mountain ridges, over 900 large & small mountain peaks. The highest peak is Mt. Aragats - the extinct volcano. Armenia is rich in stone structures, semi-precious & ornamental stones. Here one can find every type of building stones - marble, granite, basalt, tuffa, pumice, perlite. It's a great 'symphony of stone'.
  The type of land is as follows: 37.2% mountains, 29.8% pasture, 21% arable land & 12% woodland. Armenia is called Sunny, sun shines there more than 250 days/year. It is famous for its unique & fascinating nature, contrasts of landscape & climate, large diversity of flora & fauna. Because of its mountainous relief there exist almost all climate zones from dry subtropical to cold mountain weather. There are more than 100 mountain lakes, numerous natural wells of mineral water, mountainous pure springs throughout the country. ' The pearl of Armenia' Lake Sevan, the largest lake of the Trans-Caucasus & one one of the highest sweet lakes in the world. The best time of the year in Armenia is a dry, sunny & long autumn with unimaginable colors & variety of fruits & vegetables.
  Because of complex relief & different altitudes of Armenian highland, there is unique natural & climate conditions, high diversity of ecosystems & microclimates ranging from sunburn deserts in the mountain valleys to alpine meadows, from lush forests to eternal snow on the mountain peaks. Moreover, Armenia is located at the crossroads of the different floristic regions. These factors have resulted in striking variety of flora & fauna in Armenia. Armenia is an ecologically clean country, where the natural world has been preserved in its primitive state.
  More than 3000 species of different plants grow in Armenia. Forests compose 12% of the territory: oaks. birch-trees, linden-trees, etc. There are also wild fruit-bearing trees: pear, apple, walnut, etc. The local endemic flora comprises more than 100 species.
  Fauna is presented in Armenia by more than 450 species of vertebrate animals & 17000 of invertebrates, more than 12000 species of insects, including about 2000 species of butterflies. There is also a high diversity of herpetofauna, such as snakes, lizards, tortoises & amphibians. The Armenian highland is populated by more than 850 species of birds. Moreover, Armenia is located on the migratory routs of birds & in autumn you can observe more than 1000 species of birds.



ARMENIA ECONOMY


   The major sectors of Armenian economy are industry, construction, agriculture, trade, transport & communication.
  The main branches of industry are represented by 1.energy/gas/water production & distribution, 2.food processing & packaging (beverages, juices, mineral water, soft drinks, wines, spirits & brandies, beer, dairy & meat products, sweets, tobacco, etc.), 3.metallurgy, 4.mining industry, 5.jewelry & diamond processing, 6.chemicals & pharmaceuticals, 7.machinery & equipment, 8.light industry, 9.electronics, 10.wood processing & furniture production.
  The main export commodities of RA are as follows: 1.precious & semi-precious stones, 2.precious / non-precious metals & finished products, 3.foodstaffs, 4.mining products, 5.light industry items, 6.machinery & equipment, etc.
  The Government of RA attaches special significance to the support of branches with high export potential. The spheres of high technologies, mining & services are the most developed ones in RA. Armenia is the only country in the region that exports IT products with 30% growth per annum. Armenia has very skilled workforce for this sector.
  Agriculture of Armenia was traditionally highly developed. Armenian fruits, vegetables & other agri-products are especial delicious due to unique natural & climatic conditions. There is a fast growth of agricultural sector during the last number of years.
  Food processing, including fruit & vegetables canning, quick frozen fruits, vegetables & berries, natural juices, beverages, meet & fish products, milk & other dairy products, tobacco & cigarettes has a great export potential. Armenia has started to export mineral water, beer, wines & brandies, dry fruits, sweets, cannery, tomato paste, natural juices, dairy products, cigarettes.
  Tourism sector would play one of the key roles in Armenian economy & has also a good potential for growth. The favorable climate, exclusive mountainous landscape of Armenia, its rich natural recources, historic & cultural heritage, as well as development of tourism infrastructure, provide an excellent opportunities to create a positive image of country & position Armenia as an attractive travel destination.