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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

the Ministry of Communications oversees the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications; the national operator is Armentel; the Greek Telecoms Company owns 90% of Armentel and will provide a $60 million eight-year loan; Armenia has about 4,000 Internet users on one satellite channel domestic: local--350,000 telephones are located in Yerevan; a fiber-optic loop provides digital service to 80,000 of Yerevan's customers; GSM cellular is available in Yerevan, as is paging; intercity--the former Soviet system provides service to 380,000 numbers mostly governmental international: Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe line through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave, land line, and satellite through the Moscow switch; 1 INTELSAT earth station

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

730,000 (1998 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

3 (in addition, programs are received by relay from Russia; 100% of the population receive Armenian and Russian TV programs) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock

Budget [time series]

revenues: $322 million expenditures: $424 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million (1998 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 dram = 100 luma

Debt - external (Debt--external) [time series]

$820 million (of which $75 million to Russia) (1997 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

$245.5 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet area. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-98. Armenia also managed to slash inflation and to privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in recent years have been largely offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. The Russian financial crisis generated concerns about Armenia's economic performance in 1998. Although inflation dropped to 10% and GDP grew about 6%, the industrial sector remained moribund. Much of Armenia's population remains heavily dependent on remittances from relatives abroad, and remittances from Russia fell off sharply in 1998.

Electricity - consumption (Electricity--consumption) [time series]

7.6 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - exports (Electricity--exports) [time series]

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity - imports (Electricity--imports) [time series]

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity - production (Electricity--production) [time series]

7.6 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production by source (Electricity--production by source) [time series]

fossil fuel: 46.05% hydro: 26.32% nuclear: 27.63% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

dram per US$1--535.62 (January 1999), 504.92 (1998), 490.85 (1997), 414.04 (1996), 405.91 (1995), 288.65 (1994)

Exports [time series]

$230 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

gold and jewelry, aluminum, transport equipment, electrical equipment, scrap metal

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity--$9.2 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP--composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 35% industry: 30% services: 35% (1998 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP--per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity?$2,700 (1998 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP--real growth rate) [time series]

6% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$840 million (c.i.f., 1998 est.)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

grain, other foods, fuel, other energy

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia, US, EU

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

much of industry is shut down; metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, washing machines, chemicals, trucks, watches, instruments, microelectronics

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

10% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.6 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

manufacturing, mining, and construction 25%, agriculture 38%, services 37%

Population below poverty line [time series]

50% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

20% (1998 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 29,800 sq km land: 28,400 sq km water: 1,400 sq km

Area - comparative (Area--comparative) [time series]

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate [time series]

highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerr 4,095 m

Environment - current issues (Environment--current issues) [time series]

soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; energy blockade, the result of conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant without adequate (IAEA-recommended) safety and backup systems

International environmental agreements (Environment--international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geographic coordinates [time series]

40 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography - note (Geography--note) [time series]

landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

2,870 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 17% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland: 15% other: 41% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey

Map references [time series]

Commonwealth of Independent States

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

Natural resources [time series]

small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

10 provinces (marzer, singular--marz) and 1 city* (k'aghak'ner, singular--k'aghak'); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan*

Capital [time series]

Yerevan

Constitution [time series]

adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael LEMMON embassy: 18 General Bagramian Avenue, Yerevan mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7020

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Rouben R. SHUGARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Armen DARBINYAN (since 10 April 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; special election last held 30 March 1998 (next election to be held March 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Robert KOCHARIAN elected president; percent of vote--Robert KOCHARIAN 59%, Karen DEMIRCHYAN 41%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and gold

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

28 May 1918-2 December 1920 (First Armenian Republic); 23 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

BSEC, CCC, CE (guest), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (190 seats; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 July 1995 (next to be held in the spring of 1999) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--Republican Bloc 159 (ANM 63, DLP-Hanrapetutyun Bloc 6, Republic Party 4, CDU 3, Intellectual Armenia 3, Social Democratic Party 2, independents 78), SWM 8, ACP 7, NDU 5, NSDU 3, DLP 1, ARF 1, other 4, vacant 2; note--seats by party change frequently

National holiday [time series]

Referendum Day, 21 September

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Armenian National Movement or ANM

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Armenia was one of the 15 successor republics to the USSR in December 1991. Its leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Although a cease-fire has been in effect since May 1994, the sides have not made substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. In January 1998, differences between President TER-PETROSSIAN and members of his cabinet over the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process came to a head. With the prime minister, defense minister, and security minister arrayed against him, an isolated TER-PETROSSIAN resigned the presidency on 3 February 1998. Prime Minister Robert KOCHARIAN was elected president in March 1998. Concerns about Armenia's economic performance have continued since 1997 with a slowdown in growth and the serious impact of the 1998 financial crisis in Russia.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Air Force and Air Defense Aviation, Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures--dollar figure) [time series]

$72.1 million (1999)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures--percent of GDP) [time series]

4% (1999)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower--availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 922,124 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower--fit for military service) [time series]

males age 15-49: 732,495 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower--military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower--reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 32,052 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 25% (male 442,117; female 425,561) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,100,334; female 1,148,595) 65 years and over: 9% (male 122,170; female 170,457) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.53 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.03 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Armenian 93%, Azeri 3%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 2% (1989) note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from Armenia

Infant mortality rate [time series]

41.12 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 66.56 years male: 62.21 years female: 71.13 years (1999 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 98% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian

Net migration rate [time series]

-8.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

3,409,234 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.38% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

Armenian Orthodox 94%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.68 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes--international) [time series]

Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government; traditional demands on former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided

Illicit drugs [time series]

illicit cultivator of cannabis mostly for domestic consumption; increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs--mostly opium and hashish--to Western Europe and the US via Iran, Central Asia, and Russia

Transportation

Airports [time series]

11 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports--with paved runways) [time series]

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports--with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 8,580 km paved: 8,580 km unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas 900 km (1991)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

none

Railways [time series]

total: 825 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 825 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)

Waterways [time series]

NA km