Armenia

Armenia is a Eurasian nation in the South Caucasus, bordered by Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and an apparent country called the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It has a very old Christian culture. The monasteries are well worth seeing. Repression under Russia and the genocide of Armenians living in what’s now Turkey made the 20th century a challenging era. Now, Armenia is an emerging democracy and has been ranked as one of the top 50 most economically free nations in recent years. There are many renewable energy resources in Armenia, but activities such as recycling are pretty limited.

In Armenia, summers are dry, autumns have impressive foliage, and winters are cold enough to support skiing half an hour away from Yerevan. Spring is short. Lake Sevan is over 6,000 feet above sea level, and is the second largest lake in the world relative to its altitude. Mt. Aragats is also worth a visit. If you want to sample some art and culture, find some Duduk music, Armenian chant, or traditional dance performances. If you like less lively pursuits, maybe you can see some renowned chess masters at their game.

Lamb, eggplant, yogurt, walnuts, legumes, lavash bread, and cracked wheat are Armenian staples. Fruits include quince, sour cherries, and apricots, dried or fresh. You can stuff almost any kind of leaf (presumably with a rice mixture)ÔÇöradish in addition to cabbage, strawberry as well as grape. Wine is a big business, but you can also try distinctive liquors like mulberry oghi (like a vodka). Yerevan has a few vegan-friendly establishments, offering both local flavor and American/Continental cafe items.