Armenia - acknowledged as one of the cradles of civilization - is a beautiful country with a sophisticated people and a long and cultured history. Being one of the world's oldest civilizations, Armenia was the first country in the world to officially embrace Christianity as its religion (c. 301). Armenians claim Urartians (6th century B.C.), to be their ancestors (the Assyrian name for Urartu is Ararat). Under Tigran the Great (fl. 95-55 B.C.) the Armenian Empire reached its height and became one of the most powerful in Asia, starting from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Seas. Throughout most of its long history, however, Armenia has been invaded by a succession of empires. Under constant threat of domination by foreign forces, Armenians became both cosmopolitan as well as fierce protectors of their culture and tradition.
Between the 4th and 19th centuries, the traditional area of Armenia was conquered and ruled by Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, and Turks, among others. Historic Armenia remained under the Ottoman yoke from, until parts of Armenia gained independence from the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire after the collapse of these two empires in the wake of the First World War. The independent Republic of Armenia was established on May 28, 1918, but survived only until 1920, when it was annexed by the Soviet Army. In 1922 the Soviets joined Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to form the Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became part of the U.S.S.R. In 1936, after reorganization, Armenia became a separate constituent republic of the U.S.S.R.
Armenia declared its independence from the collapsing Soviet Union on September 21, 1991. Immediately after independence, Armenia plunged into a period of economic crisis caused by the devastating combination of the 1988 earthquake, armed conflict and an energy crisis as a result of which the country became regionally isolated. Armenia began to recover in 1994 with the adoption of a comprehensive reform programme aimed at establishing a liberal market economy and democratic regime. Although starting from an exceptionally low base, Armenia's turn-around has been remarkable. Economic growth has averaged 7.8 percent per year the past 8 years, reaching nearly 14 percent during 2003, one of the highest in the world. Government institutions have been restructured and the basic institutions of democracy have helped to reorient relations between the public and private sectors.
Armenia is a member of various international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe (CoE), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), NATO's Partnership for Peace, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
