Armenia

Introduction

Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman.

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons: chart

World Factbook: "After several years of double-digit economic growth, Armenia faced a severe economic recession with GDP declining more than 14% in 2009, despite large loans from multilateral institutions. Sharp declines in the construction sector and workers' remittances, particularly from Russia, led the downturn."

Economic growth rate
2011: 4.6%
2010: 2.1%

Unemployment rate
2011: 5.9%

Income Distribution – gini index
Ranks 114th among 140 countries (higher rank number is more equal, lower rank number is less equal). More equal than Britain, which ranks 94th, and the US, which ranks 45th.

Exports commodities
pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy

Export partners
2011: Russia 16.4%, Germany 12.1%, Bulgaria 11.7%, Netherlands 9%, Iran 8.3%, US 7.8%, Belgium 5%, Canada 5%, Georgia 4.6%

Export/import ratio
2011: exports $1.39 billion, imports $3.538 billion

Armenia remains closely tied in trade to Russia, especially for its supply of energy. It has a negative trade imbalance offset somewhat by international aid and foreign investment.

Heath expenditures
2009: 4.7% of GDP

People

Living in an urban area
2010: 64%

Net migration rate
2012: A net loss of 3.35 persons per 1,000 population per year

Ethnic groups
2001 census: Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3%

Religions
Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3%

Geography

Mountainous, fast flowing rivers, landlocked and just east of Turkey.

Government

Chief of state: Serzh Sargsyan (president) since 9 April 2009, Amernian Apostolic, Republican Party (right-wing). Head of government: Tigran Sargsyan (prime minister) since 8 June 2011, Republican Party

A republic and a constitution parlimentarly democracy – a unicameral legislature

Armenia is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, former republics within the Soviet Union that today are closely associated with Russia economically, in defense and foreign policy,

Capital: Yerevan

Recent History

Acquired independence on September 21, 1991 with the break up of the Soviet Union.

SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/