The Republic of Armenia is a landlocked country with a total area of 29,740 km2, which is located at the north-eastern part of the Armenian plateau. The territory of Armenia lies within the co-ordinates 38°50-41°18 latitude and 43°27-46°37 longitude. At its longest the country measures 400 km (north-west to south-east), and at its widest is 200 km (west to east). A narrow projection of land (Zangezour province) extends to the south-east, and in places this strip of land is as narrow as 26km wide. In total, the borders with neighbouring countries total 1,479 km. Armenia borders Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the north-east, east and south-west, Iran in the south, and Turkey in the west (Map 1). Armenia is land-locked and is located about 145 km from the Black Sea, 175 km from the Caspian Sea, 750 km from the Mediterranean Sea and 960 km from the Persian Gulf.

Armenia is a generally mountainous country, with an average altitude of 1,850m above sea level and varying as much as 2001m in a short distance. The highest point in the country reaches 4,095m above sea level (the northern peak of the mount Aragats), while the lowest point is at 375m above sea level (near the banks of the river Debed in the north). Such altitudinal variation results in a great diversity in climates and landscapes, relative to the size of the country.

Four main geological regions can be identified in Armenia:

· Mountainous ridges and valleys in the north-east of the country (highest altitude 3101m), which occur mainly in the basin of the River Kur (including the ranges of Virahajots, Bazumi, Pambak, Gougarats, Aregouni, and Sevan) and which are subject to extensive erosion.
· Regions of volcanic origin within Asia Minor, including the mountain ranges of Ashotsk, Aragats, Geghama, Vardenis, Sunik and Mount Aragats (4095m). These areas are covered by lava of relatively recent origin (upper Pliocene). Such regions are characterised by gentle slopes, and little evidence of erosion, although larger rivers have carved out deep gorges and canyons.
· A series of ridged mountains adjacent to the River Arax (ridges on the left bank along with the Urts-Eranossian, Teksar, Vaik, and Zangezour mountain ranges, including the peak of Kapoutdjugh at 3094m) constitute the Minor Caucasian system. This area is prone to intense erosion.
· The Ararat Valley represents the lowest part of the Ararat depression (which is still undergoing tectonic movement). This area is covered with sediments of different geological origins.

Within these regions, a range of landscapes are found, reflecting the different geological substrates and histories. Furthermore, there is clear zoning of landscapes with altitude. Seven key physio-geographical zones are recognised in Armenia: Shirak, Lori-Pambak, Agstev-Tavush, Sevan watershed, Ararat valley, Vaik and Zangezour.

A wide range of climatic zones have been recorded within Armenia. The country is located centrally in the sub-tropical zone, and thus is prone to arid (desert and semi-desert) conditions. However, the altitudinal variation within the country results in further variation in climatic zones, in addition to existing latitudinal clines.

In general, the country receives high levels of sunshine; ranging from 2600 hours per year (Yerevan) to 2800 hours per year (shore of Lake Sevan). The average temperature throughout the year varies geographically from 2.7°C (Mount Aragats) to 14°C (Meghri, in the north-east). The highest average monthly temperature is recorded in July-August; in low lying areas, such as the Ararat valley, average summer temperatures reach 24-26°C, while cooler temperatures are recorded at higher altitudes (averaging 15-20°C at mid-altitude, and 10-15°C at high altitude). Significant temperature variations are also recorded in winter, average January temperatures range from 0.3°C (Meghri) to -13°C (Mount Aragats). Average minimum temperatures in winter range from -18.9°C (Berdashen) to -3.1°C (Meghri), with an absolute minimum of -45°C recorded near Berdashen. Relative humidity averages around 60% (Yerevan), but varies with season and altitude. Highest levels of humidity are observed in winter (80% and above), while in summer recorded humidity is as low as 44% in some places.

Average annual precipitation is between 600mm and 1000mm, but varies in different altitudinal zones (from 250mm in semi-arid zones to 1100mm in alpine zones). Most rainfall occurs in the spring, while the second half of the summer is dry. Long-lasting snows exist on mountains over 1300m. In these places snow over may reach up to 2m in depth (for example on Mount Araragts), while snowfall is much sparser on the steppes (30-50cm deep).

The Armenian Plateau has been inhabited by man for many thousands of years, and archaeological and anthropological investigations have identified an Armenoid anthropological type which originated in this area, and later dispersed to Asia and southern Europe. One of the earliest recorded cultures in the region was the Urartu State (9th-6th centuries BC), under which many of the Armenian tribes unified, and from which later Armenian royal dynasties developed. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as the national religion (in 301 AD) and the Armenian alphabet was established in 405 AC. However, in later centuries this state weakened and much of its land was eventually invaded and conquered.

Since the 11th century, considerable changes have occurred to the population and the national boundaries on the Armenian Plateau. Invasions by foreign powers and increased ethnic diversity have been mirrored by emigration of Armenians to other nations. Despite these changes, Armenians have maintained their own spiritual and cultural individuality. Armenia has a strong history of architecture, urban construction and constructive art, medieval miniature painting, carpet making, poetry, music, painting, farming and livestock breeding. This culture has significantly contributed to cultural diversity in other states and to overall world culture.

Today around 3.8 million people live in Armenia, with an average population density of 232 people per km2. Most of the population is found in urban centres (67%), the greatest proportion of which (70%) live in the three major cities (Yerevan, Guimri and Vanadzor). Of the total population, around 97% are ethnically Armenians, other ethnic groups include Kurds (1.6%) and Russians (0.8%). Other ethnic Armenians are dispersed in communities elsewhere in the world (totalling around 4.2 million), and further migrations from Armenia have occurred in response to recent economic hardships.