FACTS

Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey

Area (only Total) total: 29,743 sq km

Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Terrain: Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley

Population: 2,968,586 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Armenian

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Yerevan

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Independence: 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1991)