Yerevan

Armenia definition

Republic in extreme southwestern Asia, bordered by Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Iran to the south, and Turkey to the south and west. Yerevan is its capital and largest city.

Note: The former kingdom of Armenia included the present country, northeastern Turkey, and the northwest corner of Iran.

Note: Throughout their 2,500-year history, the Armenian people have been repeatedly invaded and oppressed by more powerful neighboring empires, which have included Greeks, Persians, Byzantines, Huns, Arabs, Mongols, Ottoman Turks, and Russians.

Note: Between 1894 and 1920, Armenians were the victims of a massacre organized by the Turks (see Armenian Massacres).

Note: In 1920, the Soviet Union annexed Armenia, but animosity remained strong between Armenians and Russians. When the Soviet Union began to crumble in 1991, Armenia was one of the first non-Baltic Soviet republics to declare its independence.

Note: Mainly Christian, Armenia has been involved in a bloody border dispute with neighboring Azerbaijan, which is mainly Muslim.