GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

Republic of Armenia (RA) is a country in Western Asia.

Its territory (29.8 thousand sq. km) occupies the northwestern part of the Armenian Highlands, about 1/10 of the territory of historical Armenia.

The territory of the Republic is located between 38.5′ and 41.18′ north latitude and 43.3′ and 46.37′ east longitude. The maximum length from the northwest to the southeast edge is 360 km, and from west to east — 200 km.

In terms of area and population, Armenia belongs to the group of small (55 countries) but not the smallest countries in the world. Armenia is smaller in area and population than about 130 countries worldwide.

It borders Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Iran to the south, and Turkey and the Nakhchivan Republic (part of Azerbaijan) to the west.

The Republic of Armenia inherited its current state borders from the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (Armenian SSR), which was part of the USSR. The borders are land-based. The total length of the state border is 1,422 km.

Armenia has no access to the sea. The distance from the RA border to the Caspian Sea is 193 km, to the Black Sea — 163 km, to the Mediterranean — 750 km, to the Persian Gulf — about 1,000 km.

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

The Republic of Armenia represents the national statehood of the Armenian people.

The system of state governance operates based on the Basic Law — the Constitution. It was adopted on July 5, 1995, following a referendum. Amendments were made in 2005 and 2015.

State power is exercised in accordance with the Constitution and laws, based on the separation and mutual balance of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

According to the Constitution, power in the Republic of Armenia belongs to the people, who exercise it through free elections, referendums, state and local government bodies, and officials.

Legislative Power

It is exercised by the representative body of the people — the unicameral National Assembly. It oversees the executive branch, approves the state budget, and performs other functions stipulated by the Constitution.

The National Assembly consists of at least 101 deputies, elected for a five-year term using a proportional electoral system.

President

The Head of State is the President of the Republic. He ensures compliance with the Constitution. The President is elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term.

Executive Power

The highest executive body is the Government. Based on its program, it develops and implements the internal and foreign policy of the state and exercises general management of the state governance system. The Government consists of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, and ministers.

The President appoints the Prime Minister — the candidate elected by the parliamentary majority.

Justice

In the Republic of Armenia, justice is carried out by the Constitutional Court, the Court of Cassation, appellate courts, courts of general jurisdiction of the first instance, and the administrative court. In cases provided by law, specialized courts may also be established.

POPULATION

The average population density of Armenia is 110 people per 1 sq. km. The Ararat Valley is the most densely populated area, housing more than 50% of the population. The least populated is the Vayots Dzor region.

Urban population is about 1.9 million, rural — 1.81 million. Yerevan hosts 37% of the total population or 57.5% of the urban population. It is the only city with over one million residents (1.136 million). A major city is Gyumri (157.3 thousand), a medium-sized city is Vanadzor (105 thousand).

The largest rural settlement is the village of Aghuryan. About twenty villages have populations exceeding 5,000. The average village population is 1,100. The lowest settlement is Debedavan (400 m), the highest — Verin Shorja (2,350 m).

Men make up 47% of the total population, women — 53%. Almost 19% are under working age (0–15), 60% are of working age (16–63), and 17% are older than working age. The natural growth rate fluctuates between 4–5% and is nearly 2.5 times lower than the world average.

By ethnicity, Armenia is one of the most homogeneous countries in the world: Armenians constitute more than 97% of the population. Representatives of 25 nationalities live here, including notable communities of Yazidis, Russians, Assyrians, Kurds, and Greeks.

91% of Armenia’s population are followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church..

ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL DIVISION

Since 1995, the administrative-territorial units of the Republic of Armenia have been marzes (regions) and communities.

The capital Yerevan received community status in 2009.

Marzes of RA: Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Lori, Kotayk, Shirak, Syunik, Vayots Dzor, and Tavush.

The territory of a marz consists of the territories of its constituent communities, as well as land and water areas owned by the state. Marzpet (Governor of the region) heads are appointed by the RA Government.

The status of a community (secondary administrative unit) is held by all urban settlements and most rural ones (over 90%). Local self-government is carried out in urban and rural communities, and the heads of communities are elected by the population of the respective communities.

Settlements are territorial units with a permanent population, built-up area, territorial integrity, and are separated from other settlements by territorial, economic, or historical characteristics.

All settlements of the Republic of Armenia — individually or together with others — are part of communities. Armenia has 71 communities and 1,002 settlements.

To ensure effective local self-government and territorial management in Yerevan, as well as to increase accessibility of local government bodies to the population, the city is divided into 12 administrative districts.

NATURE