Armenia : The Bradt Travel Guide

by Nicholas Holding

• ISBN13: 9781841620817
• ISBN10: 1841620815
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2004-02-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

This new Bradt guide will be the first English-language guide to cover the Caucasian country of Armenia in depth. Armenia was the world's first nation to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (in 301 A.D.), resulting in an astonishingly well-preserved legacy of monastic buildings, often set in magnificent locations--such as clinging to the side of steep gorges. Other historic attractions include Bronze Age standing stones, believed to have been used for astronomical observations and medieval castles. These are just some of the wonders of a country which for much of the last 2,000 years has been ruled by outsiders, with Persians, Ottomans, Arabs, and Russians all having left their imprint. Armenia is more than an add-on country for visitors to Georgia or Azerbaijan. Author Nicholas Holding shows that Armenia is a destination worth visiting in its own right. His guide has thorough coverage of accommodations, eating out, and sightseeing in the capital, including half-day and full-day excursions from Yerevan, visits to the enclave of Nagorno Karabagh, plus both an introduction to the natural history and an in-depth section on the history of Armenia.

Author Biography

Nicholas Holding is a consultant engineer who has traveled widely with his job. His personal interest in eastern European history, natural history, and religion has led to extensive travel in the region, including a number of visits to Armenia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	v
Introduction	vii
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information	3	(42)
History	3	(15)
Economy	18	(1)
Geology and geography	19	(2)
Climate	21	(1)
Conservation	21	(1)
Natural history	21	(5)
The people	26	(1)
ducation	27	(1)
Religion	28	(4)
Architecture	32	(3)
The arts	35	(10)
Chapter 2 Practical Information	45	(30)
When to visit	45	(1)
Public holidays	45	(1)
Opening times	46	(1)
Highlights	46	(1)
Suggested itineraries	46	(1)
Information	47	(1)
Tour operators	47	(3)
Red tape	50	(2)
Getting there and away	52	(4)
Travel within Armenia	56	(2)
Health	58	(3)
Safety	61	(2)
What to take	63	(1)
Money	63	(3)
Budgeting	66	(1)
Accommodation	66	(1)
Eating and drinking	67	(5)
Media and communications	72	(1)
Cultual dos and don'ts	73	(1)
Giving something back	73	(2)
PART TWO THE GUIDE	75	(130)
Chapter 3 Yerevan	77	(28)
Embassies and consulates in Yerevan	82	(1)
Getting around Yerevan	82	(1)
Accommodation	83	(3)
Eating	86	(1)
Entertainment	87	(1)
What to see	88	(17)
Chapter 4 The Central Provinces	105	(36)
Aragotsotn	105	(9)
Ararat	114	(2)
Armavir	116	(8)
Gegharkunik	124	(8)
Kotayk	132	(9)
Chapter 5 The Northern Provinces	141	(30)
Shirak	141	(8)
Lori	149	(14)
Tavush	163	(8)
Chapter 6 The Southern Provinces	171	(22)
Vayots Dzor	171	(12)
Syunik	183	(10)
Chapter 7 Nagorno Karabagh	193	(12)
Introduction	193	(1)
History	193	(4)
Visiting Nagorno Karabagh	197	(1)
Government	198	(1)
Accommodation	198	(1)
Getting there	199	(1)
What to see	199	(6)
Appendix 1 Language	205	(5)
Appendix 2 Further Reading	210	(3)
Index	213