Economic and Social Development

Economic Development

Armenia's economy was based mainly on chemical, machinery, electronic, synthetic rubber, and textile products while it was still part of the Soviet Union. After Armenia's independence from the Soviet Union, those industries greatly suffered, Soviet investment into Armenia was just about gone entirely. Since 1995, Armenia has registered strong economic growth.  The International Monetary Fund, World Bank, EBRD, and foreign countries are extending grants and loans to Armenia.  These loans are targeted at reducing the budget deficit, stabilizing the local currency, developing private businesses, energy, agriculture, food processing, transportation, and health and education sectors; and ongoing rehabilitation work in the earthquake zone. The estimated GDP growth of 2012 was 3.8%. 

Social Development 

The retirement age for men living Armenia is 62 while the women's is age 57. Retirees usually receive a base pension plus bonuses depending on years of employment. Women in Armenia usually hold traditional roles, and despite employment law that formally prohibits discrimination based on sex, women do not have the same opportunities as men do in the workforce. The Armenian constitution protects freedom of assembly and religion. People of different ethnic backgrounds such as, Russians, Kurds, Yezids, Georgians, Greeks, and Assyrians have the right to preserve their cultural practices. In 1992 a law passed allowing them to study in their native language. Discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, sex, religion, language disability or social status.

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Armenia-SOCIAL-DEVELOPMENT.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Armenia

Geopolitical Framework

Armenia Under Soviet Rule

In 1920, Armenia was declared a Soviet Republic. The rise of Stalin changed Armenia's society and economy for the worse. Armenia was industrialized and educated under very strict conditions where nationalism was suppressed. The Armenian Church, weakened by the Armenian Genocide and Russification policies was hurt even more by Stalin's persecution of the church; priests were harassed and private property was confiscated.

During World War ll

During World War ll, Armenia did not suffer the mass destruction that the western part of the Soviet Union did. Armenia however served a very important role during the role, providing food and manpower. It is estimated that 300 to 500,000 Armenians served in the war. Stalin wanted to build up popular support for the war, so he allowed some nationalism expression to take place, which led to the re-publication of Armenian novels and films, and easing restrictions on the Church. 

Armenia suffered huge losses after the war, Stalin allowed an open immigration policy, inviting Armenians living in other countries to return back to their homeland with all expenses paid by the Soviet government. It is estimated that 150,000 Armenians immigrated back to Soviet Armenia. 

Independence

Armenia was not happy with the way the Soviet Union handled the relief effort of the major earthquake that hit Armenia, as well as the struggling economy. On September 21, 1991, Armenia officially declared independence from the Soviet Union. On  July 5, 1995, the new constitution of the Republic of Armenia was adopted. While gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Armenia's tensions with Azerbaijan were rising over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in a war. Despite the ceasefire in 1994, the conflict still continues to this day. 

Politics of Today

Armenia today has a presidential representative democratic republic. The President is the head of government and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Soviet_Socialist_Republic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia

Environmental Geography

Armenia is a landlocked country surrounded by Turkey, Iran, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Armenia's total area is total: 29,800 sq km with 28,400 sq km of it being land, and 1,400 sq km being water. The terrain is mostly mountainous, with rivers, and few forests, and rich soil. The lands lowest point is Debed River 400 m and the highest point being Aragats Lerrnagagat' at 4,090 m.  This small country has a small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, and alumina, and natural hazards of earthquakes and droughts. 

Climate

The climate in Armenia is a highland continental, summers being dry and sunny, while winters are cold and have plenty of snow. Yerevan, the capital city, features varies in temperature. In the winter, the temperature of Yerevan may go down to 10 degree centigrade, while in extreme summer the temperature rises above 40 degree centigrade. The climate in Armenia also has variations of rainfall pattern. The yearly precipitation in the low-lying regions is significantly lower than that of the mountainous terrains. The Arax River valley receives 12 inches of rainfall yearly on average, and the mountain ranges of the Armenian Territory receive heavy rainfall all through the year. The rainy season occurs twice a year; the first one lasting from spring to early summer while the months of October and November experience the second half of the rain.

Environmental Issues

Waste management in Armenia is underdeveloped, with no waste sorting, or recycling takes place in Armenia's landfills, air, water, and soil pollution are other issues that of which are concerning. Armenia was faced with an energy crises in the 1990s which people scavenged for firewood ultimately led to deforestation. 

Resources
http://www.mapsofworld.com/armenia/armenia-climate.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia#Location
http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcarmenia.htm

Population and Settlement

Population

Armenia's estimated population of 2012 is 2,970,495. The capital of Armenia, Yerevan, is the largest and most populated city in Armenia with an estimated 1,100,000 people in the metropolitan area. The Armenian emigration has been heavy since their independence from the Soviet Union. An estimated 60% of the total 8 million Armenians worldwide live outside the country, with 1 million each in the United States and Russia. Other countries which have large Armenian communities are Georgia, France, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Argentina, and Canada. 

Settlement

Most of Armenia's population settlements are in the urban areas. Armenia's capital Yerevan, and other cities such as Vanadzor, Gyumri, and Abovian has the most density of people, with the rural areas having the least population density. Armenia Population density per square mile is estimated to be around 258. .95 percent of Armenia Population is made up of ethnic Armenians. Besides the indigenous people, Armenia Population also features Kurds, Yezidis, Russian, Assyrians and Greeks. Georgians, Belarusians, Ukrainians are the other minorities living in the Republic of Armenia.

Growth Rate: 0.11%

Birth Rate: 12.9/1000

Infant Mortality Rate: 18.21/1000

Life Expectancy: 73.49

Density per sq mi: 258

Resources

http://www.mapsofworld.com/armenia/armenia-population.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia#Diaspora

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107292.html?pageno=2

Cultural Coherence and Diversity

A landlocked country located in the South Caucasus part of Eurasia, Armenia has a rich history and is one of the worlds oldest civilizations. Armenia's history extends for over 3,000 years and have for the most part inhabited  the "Armenian Highlands", a vast section of mountains and valleys across eastern Anatolia and the Southern Caucasus. Throughout its history Armenia has been under Roman, Greek, Mongol, Persian, and Ottoman Turkish rule, but despite all that Armenians managed to hold on to their language, religion, literature, and art. 

Language 

Armenian is the official language of Armenia. The Armenian language has it's own script and alphabet, linguists classify Armenian as an independent branch of the Indo European language family. Besides from Armenian, Russian is the second most popular language in Armenia. 

Religion

Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion, which is dated back to AD 301. The Armenian church goes back all the way to the 1st century, which according to tradition, the Armenian church was founded by two of Jesus' twelve apostles Thaddaeus and Bartholomew who were said to be preaching Christianity in Armenian between AD 40-60. The official name of the church in Armenia is the Armenian Apostolic Church, which over 93% of Armenians belong too. The Armenian Apostolic Church is known to be very ritualistic and conservative. The Armenian Apostolic Church has their own religious leader called the Catholicos, which is like the Pope for Catholics. Baptists, Presbyterians, and Catholics can also be found in Armenia. 

Music

Folk, classical, and religious music has a long history and tradition in Armenia. During the Ottaman time of rule, folk music was very popular, and while Armenia was under Soviet rule, folk music was taught in state sponsored conservatoires. Instruments such as davul, a double headed hand drum, kanun, a dulcimer, and a duduk are traditional instruments used to play Armenian folk music. Along with folk music, classical music is also very popular in Armenia and dates back to when Armenia was under Ottoman rule. Armenian chant, is the most common kind of religious music in Armenia. 

Dance 

The origins of Armenian dance derives from pre Christian period of pagan worship, stemming from pagan rituals and games. Armenian dance is an important form of expression in Armenia, which is practiced everyday. in weddings, and rituals. 

Reources
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107292.html?pageno=1
http://wikitravel.org/en/Armenia
http://www.bert.am/html/arm_folk_dans_en.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Armenia#Folk_music