Armenia

Situated at 1000 to 2500 meters above the sea level, Armenia lies in the south of the Trans-Caucasus, bordering Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. This country offers splendid views of mountainous valleys, lakes and mountain heights, which create numerous micro climates resulting in an ever-changing scenery ranging from lush forestland in the mountains to arid bushland in the lower valley. Mountain peaks reach as high as 4100 meters above sea level with the volcano Aragats , while the Lake Sevan (Sevana Lich) covers more than one fifth of the land.

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia and by far the largest city in the country boasting many cultural sites, with museums, religious centers and monasteries. The region of Lake Sevan is also encircled by churches, monasteries and ancient monuments, offering stretches of beaches with activities such as windsurfing and fishing to name a few. In this area there are many restaurants dotting the shoreline proposing fresh fish on the menu.

The mountainous region to the north of Armenia is scattered with magnificent isolated monasteries and churches, many of which are situated in the Debed River Canyon. This area of Armenia offers particularly breathtaking scenery with many Christian monuments and caves to explore as well as examples of petroglyph etchings on Ughtasar Mountain.

The climate during summer is almost tropical, while the winters are generally warmer than in most regions north of the Caucasus. However there are occasional cold spells especially in the mountains and the enclosed valleys.

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    Etchmiadzin Cathedral

    Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. According to scholars it was the first cathedral (but not the first church) built in ancient Armenia, and is considered the oldest cathedral in the world.

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    Haghpat Monastery

    Haghpat Monastery, also known as Haghpatavank, is a medieval Armenian monastery complex in Haghpat, Armenia. The monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, probably in 976. The nearby monastery at Sanahin was built around the same time.

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    Saint Gayane Church

    The Church of Saint Gayane is a 7th-century Armenian church in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), the religious center of Armenia. It is located within walking distance from the Etchmiadzin Cathedral of 301.

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    Saint Hripsime Church

    Saint Hripsime Church is a seventh century Armenian Apostolic church in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. It is one of the oldest surviving churches in the country.

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    Sanahin Monastery

    Sanahin Monastery is an Armenian monastery founded in the 10th century in the Lori Province of Armenia.

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    Shoghakat Church

    The Church of Shoghakat was erected in 1694 by Prince Aghamal Sorotetsi during the reign of Catholicos Nahabed I in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), in Armenia's Armavir Province.

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    Zvartnots Cathedral

    Zvartnots Cathedral is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type Armenian cathedral built by the order of Catholicos Nerses the Builder from 643-652. Now in ruins, it is located at the edge of the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin) in Armavir Province of Armenia.