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'''Armenia''' is a landlocked nation in [[Asia]] which gained its independence as part of the breakup of the former [[Soviet Union]].   

'''Armenia''' is a small rugged, mountainous landlocked nation in [[Asia]] which gained its independence as part of the breakup of the former [[Soviet Union]].  Present-day Armenia comprises Eastern Armenia, only half the historic homeland.  The Armenians Western Armenia, with its iconic Mount Ararat, were driven out and mostly killed by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1915 in a genocide that to this day chills relations between Armenia and Turkey.  In addition many Armenians live in other countries, in the "Armenian Diaspora."

==Cities==

==Cities==

[[Yerevan]] (pop. 1,100,000 in 2006), founded in the eighth century BC, is the capital and has always been the chief city. Gyumri, or Kumayri (called Leninakan from 1924 to 1992), with a population of 120,000 in 1989, was the second largest city until it was devastated by an earthquake in December 1988; it has now recovered with a population of 148,000. Vanadzor (formerly Kirovakan) is third with a population of 106,000.

[[Yerevan]] (pop. 1,100,000 in 2006), founded in the eighth century BC, is the capital and has always been the chief city. Gyumri, or Kumayri (called Leninakan from 1924 to 1992), with a population of 120,000 in 1989, was the second largest city until it was devastated by an earthquake in December 1988; it has now recovered with a population of 148,000. Vanadzor (formerly Kirovakan) is third with a population of 106,000.

Birth rates are low, at 11.7 births per 1000 population and a total fertility rate (births per childbearing woman) of only 1.33

Birth rates are low, at 11.7 births per 1000 population and a total fertility rate (births per childbearing woman) of only 1.33

===Diaspora===

===Diaspora===

The Armenian diaspora over many centuries has created Armenian settlements in many parts of Russia, Poland and the Balkans, as well as in the cities of the former [[Ottoman Empire]] and in the Unitred States.   

The Armenian diaspora over many centuries has created Armenian settlements in many parts of Russia, Poland and the Balkans, as well as in the cities of the former [[Ottoman Empire]] and in the United States.   

===Religion===

===Religion===

After decades of eclipse, religion has become an increasingly important part of life, and many religious groups have emerged.  

After decades of eclipse, religion has become an increasingly important part of life, and many religious groups have emerged.  

Being part of Russia opened up new market opportunities and allowed the emergence of capitalism, which brought about socioeconomic changes in almost all the regions of Eastern Armenia, including Zangezur and Kazakh. By the end of the 19th century both Zangezur and Kazakh had become major grain producers, and while Zangezur was also engaged in sericulture, an important ocupation in Kazakh was hog raising. The rising class of Armenian businessmen and bankers were centered not so much in Yerevan but in Baku and Tiflis (Tbilisi, Georgia), and sent younger sons to set up business connections in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Being part of Russia opened up new market opportunities and allowed the emergence of capitalism, which brought about socioeconomic changes in almost all the regions of Eastern Armenia, including Zangezur and Kazakh. By the end of the 19th century both Zangezur and Kazakh had become major grain producers, and while Zangezur was also engaged in sericulture, an important occupation in Kazakh was hog raising. The rising class of Armenian businessmen and bankers were centered not so much in Yerevan but in Baku and Tiflis (Tbilisi, Georgia), and sent younger sons to set up business connections in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, Russians occupied the six Armenian vilayets, and Armenian nationalism was stimulated. In 1880, a revolutionary organization known as the Defenders of the Fatherland was organized in Erzurum. A few years later, in 1885, the Armenakan society was organized, and in 1887 the Hunchagian Party appeared. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktzutun) was formed in 1890.  The Dashnaks were socialists who sought to overthrow the Tsarist  system and create an independent state. They also wanted to acquire the Armenian areas in the Ottoman Empire by force.  

Following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, Russians occupied the six Armenian vilayets, and Armenian nationalism was stimulated. In 1880, a revolutionary organization known as the Defenders of the Fatherland was organized in Erzurum. A few years later, in 1885, the Armenakan society was organized, and in 1887 the Hunchagian Party appeared. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktzutun) was formed in 1890.  The Dashnaks were socialists who sought to overthrow the Tsarist  system and create an independent state. They also wanted to acquire the Armenian areas in the Ottoman Empire by force.  

[[File:Armenia2.jpg|thumb|550px|Ethnicity in Armenia and Caucasus]]

[[File:Armenia2.jpg|thumb|550px|Ethnicity in Armenia and Caucasus]]

The most serious problem between the short-lived Transcaucasian republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan was over the republics' claims to a mountainous region called Karabagh (now the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast). Great Britain, which occupied Transcaucasia after World War I, decided in favor of Azerbaijan in the summer of 1919. The settlement remained in force after the Red army took over both republics in 1920, but the Soviets were never able to resolve the dispute, which exploded into war as soon as both nations became independent. <ref> Artin H. Arslanian, "Britain and the Question of Mountainous Karabagh," ''Middle Eastern Studies'' 1980 16(1): 92-104. </ref>  

The most serious problem between the short-lived Transcaucasian republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan was over the control of a mountainous region called Nagorno-Karabakh, located inside Azerbaijan  but with a 75% Armenian population. Britain, which occupied Transcaucasia after World War I, decided in favor of Azerbaijan in the summer of 1919. The settlement remained in force after the Red army took over both republics in 1920, but the Soviets were never able to resolve the dispute, which exploded into war as soon as both nations became independent. <ref> Artin H. Arslanian, "Britain and the Question of Mountainous Karabagh," ''Middle Eastern Studies'' 1980 16(1): 92-104. </ref>  

Armenia regained its independence with the breakup of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1989.  Communism was overthrown but there were tensions with neighboring [[Georgia]] and a  war broke out with the Muslim nation of [[Azerbaijan]].  The '''[[Nagorno-Karabakh War]]''' was fought over the [[Nagorno-Karabakh]]. It is a small region inside Azerbaijan, but the population was three-fourths Armenian and they refused to be ruled by Azerbaijan. The war lasted from February 1988 to May 1994, with the heaviest fighting occurring in the spring of 1992. Some 17,000 people were killed in the conflict.  The region, now 95% Armenian, is controlled by Armenia and has a population of 140,000.<ref> see [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/nagorno-karabakh.htm Analysis of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict], and [http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_280.shtml Air War over Nagorniy-Kharabakh, 1988-1994]</ref>

Armenia regained its independence with the breakup of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1989.  Communism was overthrown but there were tensions with neighboring [[Georgia]] and a  war broke out with the Muslim nation of [[Azerbaijan]].  The '''[[Nagorno-Karabakh War]]''' was fought over the [[Nagorno-Karabakh]]. It is a small region inside Azerbaijan, but the population was three-fourths Armenian and they refused to be ruled by Azerbaijan. The war lasted from February 1988 to May 1994, with the heaviest fighting occurring in the spring of 1992. Some 17,000 people were killed in the conflict.  The region, now 95% Armenian, is controlled by Armenia and has a population of 140,000.<ref> see [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/nagorno-karabakh.htm Analysis of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict], and [http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_280.shtml Air War over Nagorniy-Kharabakh, 1988-1994]</ref>