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ARMENIA |
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Last Updated: Sunday 6 March 2005 National anthem |
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Armenia has over the centuries been ruled by various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman, even though there were times when it has also had its own periods of autonomy. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. From 1922 to 1936 Armenia formed part of the soviet Transcaucasian Republic, but in 1936 it was declared a republic in its own right.
In 1989, the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh began. It lasted intermittently for five years, escalating at the time both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. During the past decade, Armenia has supported ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region which has been in the hands of Azerbaijan since the 1920s. While Armenia is militarily occupying 16% of Azerbaijan, virtually all Azerbaijani moslems have emigrated from christian Armenia in the wake of this protracted conflict over territory. Many Azeri citizens were forced to flee their homes. Armenia has actually always experienced waves of emigration. During the 1915-1917 period, between 600,000 and 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or deported from their homeland in Anatolia to present-day Syria by the Ottoman government who had suspected them of having pro-Russian sympathies. Such population displacement is also voluntarily taking place at the present time with an exodus hitting some 20% of Armenia’s population in recent years as families leave for a better life abroad. 3.4 million on a land area of 29,800 sq km. Some 93% of the population are Armenians, 2% Russians, 4% Yezidi Kurds, 1% Azerbaijanians.Many turbulent rivers from which electric power is obtained scourge the mountainous terrain with little forest land. Azerbaijan lies to the east but has its Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave to the south of Armenia. Likewise, the predominantly Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh region lies to the east in Azerbaijan. Of the current population 94% are Armenian Apostolics, 4% other Christians and 2% Yezidi Zoroastrians and animists. Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity early in the 4th century. Yerevan is the country capital. Armenian, an independent branch of Indo-European languages, is spoken by 96% of the population. Russian is spoken by some 2%. Although Armenian nationalists won parliamentary elections in 1990 and independence was declared, this was nevertheless ignored by Moscow. In September1991, a referendum gave a 94% favourable result for the country to secede from the Soviet Union and on the 21st September independence was declared, now a national holiday. After in October Levon Ter-Petrossian was elected president, in December Armenia joined the Commonwealth of Independent States which was the successor to the Soviet Union and had its independence recognised by the US.In 1995 the powers of the president were widened by a Constitution adopted by nationwide referendum on the 5th July, so that in 1996 Ter-Petrossian was re-elected president. The incumbent president of the Hayastan, or Republic of Armenia, is Robert Kocharyan since the 30th March, 1998 and confirmed by popular vote for a second five-year term on the 6th March, 2003 with 67% of the votes. The 131-seat unicameral National Assembly, or Azgayin Zhoghov, is elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. While 56 are selected by direct election, 75 deputies are elected by party list.The incumbent Prime Minister since the direct and list elections held in May-June 2003 is Andranik Markaryan, who first held the post in May 2000. He heads the Republican Party with 23.5% of the vote. The main opposition movement, the Justice Block, obtained 13.6% of the vote. The administrative divisions of the country comprise 11 provinces, or marzer, being Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark’unik’, Kotayk’, Lorri, Shirak, Syunik’, Tavush, Vayots’ Dzor and Yerevan marz. The national anthem is Mer Hayreniq, azat, ankakh, Our Fathers’ Land, free and independent. It was adopted in 1991 from words taken from a poem by Miqayél Ghazari Nalbandyan (1829-1866) and music by Barsegh Kanachyan (1885-1967).Our Fathers’ Land, free and independent Our Fathers’ Land, free and independent, Enduring from age to age. Its sons and daughters do now proclaim: Armenia, sovereign and free! Its sons and daughters do now proclaim: Armenia, sovereign and free!
Brother, take this banner, I made with my own hands, During sleepless nights, Bathed in my own tears. During sleepless nights, Bathed in my own tears.
See, three colours it has; A single holy symbol. May it sparkle before the enemy, May Armenia flourish ever! May it sparkle before the enemy, May Armenia flourish ever!
In all places is death the same, Man is born only to die once, Yet blest is he who gives up his life To defend his nation’s freedom! Yet blest is he who gives up his life To defend his nation’s freedom! Aravot - privateAzg - founded by Liberal Democratic Party Yerkir - founded by Dashnaktsutyun National TV and Radio of Armenia - public TV Armenia TV - national, commercial National TV and Radio of Armenia Aragil News - news agency Arka - news agency Armenpress - news agency Snark - news agency Noyan Tapan - news agency Mediamax - news agency
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