3 GeoFroggy

Country Name

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

Administrative Divisions

11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan

Independence

21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1991)

Constitution

Adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995

Legal System

based on civil law system

International Law Organization Participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998)

Head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARGARYAN (since 12 May 2000)

Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program

Election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5%

Legislative Branch

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 75 members elected by party list, 56 by direct vote)

Elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of 2007)

Note: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak) 11, National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party change frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves independent

Judicial Branch

Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)

Political Parties and Leaders

Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Harutyun MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and the People's Party) [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Albert BAZEYAN and Aram SARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN, chairman]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]

Flag Description

Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange

National Anthem

Year

Government Type

  • Republic

Capital

    Yerevan

Diplomatic Representation in the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN
  • Chancery
    2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
  • Telephone
    [1] (202) 319-1976
  • FAX
    [1] (202) 319-2982
  • Consulate(s) General
    Los Angeles

Diplomatic Representation from the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Ambassador John M. EVANS
  • Embassy
    18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019
  • Mailing Address
    American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020
  • Telephone
    [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-117, 542-132, 524-661, 527-001, 524-840
  • FAX
    [374](1) 520-800

International Organization Participation

  • BSEC
  • CE
  • CIS
  • EAPC
  • EBRD
  • FAO
  • IAEA
  • IBRD
  • ICAO
  • ICCt (signatory)
  • ICRM
  • IDA
  • IFAD
  • IFC
  • IFRCS
  • ILO
  • IMF
  • Interpol
  • IOC
  • IOM
  • ISO
  • ITU
  • MIGA
  • NAM (observer)
  • OAS (observer)
  • OPCW
  • OSCE
  • PFP
  • UN
  • UNCTAD
  • UNESCO
  • UNIDO
  • UPU
  • WCO
  • WFTU
  • WHO
  • WIPO
  • WMO
  • WToO
  • WTO