Armenia is a country without access to the sea located in the Lesser Caucasus. This former Soviet republic is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east and Iran to the south. Although it is geographically located in Asia, Armenia is considered by some authors as being culturally, historically and politically a part of Europe, and sometimes even geographically. It is member of more than 35 international organizations, such as UN, Council of Europe, etc. It is also a permanent member of the international organization of La Francophonie
Going to Armenia is not very expensive, except for the plane ticket. Here are some price examples:
Basic products | Price in Euros / Armenian drams |
1L of water (bottle) | 0,3 € / 161 AMD |
1 meal (2 meals) | 6 € / 3 225 AMD |
1 bus ticket | 0,2 € / 107 AMD |
With a rich cultural heritage, it is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Although Armenia is a constitutionally secular country, Christian religion plays an important role. It is the first nation that adopted Christianity as state religion in 301. Armenia has always been economically at the forefront of the republics of the former USSR.
Only member of the Commonwealth of Independent States to present a positive economic balance sheet in 1994, it nevertheless remains weakened by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, region located in Azerbaijan and claimed by Armenia since 1918.
Armenia has 3.2 million inhabitants: Armenians (93.2%), Russians (1.6%), Kurds (1.6%) (the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has lead to the departure of almost the entire Azerbaijani population).
The population is 2/3 urban (69.8%) and is concentrated around urban areas, like Yerevan, the capital of the country, which concentrates nearly 37% of the total population.
Emigration was booming during the 20th century: 4 000 000 people moved between 1918 and 1929 to the Middle East, the United States and Europe, among others. It kept going at the end of the 1990s, with the departure, especially to Russia, of 700 000 to 1 million people who were constrained to leave the country to find a job.
Due to its geographical location and the different influences it has enjoyed throughout its history, Armenia has a long musical tradition of folk music, religious music, classical music and, more recently, of jazz and rap. The group System of a Down, for example, is a world-famous band, composed entirely of musicians of Armenian origin.
Vaccines and specific advice:
Find out about the vaccines you should make before going to this country and about the preventive and/or treatment measures for local diseases.
Checklist :
- Vaccine updates, specific vaccines: 1-3 months before departure
- Visit your doctor for any health problem, prescription renewal, contraception, etc. In addition, you will need to send your coordinator a certificate from your doctor certifying that you are well suited to take part in an international volunteering project.
- Dentist: a dental check-up can be useful before going!
We advise you to visit the website of your country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to consult the advice for every country.
Advice for American travellers: here
Advice for Canadian travellers: here
Advice for English travellers: here
Armenia travel advice
For more information, read the full article : Armenia travel advice
HUJ is an NGO created in 1965 that has organized international volunteers exchanges since 1992. After the earthquake that took place in Armenia in 1988, HUJ formed rescue teams that saved thousands of people from the ruins. The organization also worked actively between 1989 and 1993 to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the area affected by the earthquake.
Every summer, HUJ organizes 6-7 international workcamps where Armenian volunteers and 150 foreign volunteers take part in ecological and renovation work, take care of sick and disabled children, contribute to the education of orphans and abandoned children…
The NGO also organizes various seminars, group projects and long-term projects.
PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A VISA
British, American and EU passport holders no longer require a visa to visit Armenia. The entrance stamp is valid for a period of 180 days only. For a longer stay, we invite you to visit the website of the embassy before you go in order to be informed about potential modifications.
Canadians must have a visa to visit Armenia : transit visa (required for stays up to three days) or visitor visa (tourism and business travel, required for stays up to 120 days)
- Armenian embassy in the USA
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 USA
- Armenian embassy in Canada
7, Delaware Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0Z2, Canada
- Armenian embassy in the UK
25a Cheniston Gardens, Kensington, London W8 6TG