World Factbook
Armenia
Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange meaning: red stands for the blood shed for liberty, blue for the Armenian skies and hope, and orange for the land and the courage of the workers who farm it
Capital
name
Yerevan
etymology
name origin is unclear; it may derive from the name of a local ethnic group, or from the ancient fortress of Erebuni that was built on the current site of Yerevan in 782 B.C.
time difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
40 10 N, 44 30 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
3 years
Constitution
history
previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995
amendment process
proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by the president, the National Assembly, and a referendum with at least 25% registered-voter participation and more than 50% of votes; constitutional articles on the form of government and democratic procedures are not amendable
Country name
former
Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic
etymology
the etymology of the country's name remains obscure; according to tradition, the local name for the country, Hayastan, comes from Hayk, the legendary patriarch of the Armenians and the great-great-grandson of Noah; the name Armenia was first recorded in a rock inscription from A.D. 521 in modern-day Iran
local long form
Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
local short form
Hayastan
conventional long form
Republic of Armenia
conventional short form
Armenia
Independence
21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 321 B.C. (Kingdom of Armenia established under the Orontid Dynasty), A.D. 884 (Armenian Kingdom reestablished under the Bagratid Dynasty); 1198 (Cilician Kingdom established); 28 May 1918 (Democratic Republic of Armenia declared)
Legal system
civil law system
Government type
parliamentary democracy; note - constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 transformed the government to a parliamentary system
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Cassation or Appeals Court (consists of the Criminal Chamber with a chairman and 5 judges and the Civil and Administrative Chamber with a chairman and 10 judges – with both civil and administrative specializations); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
subordinate courts
criminal and civil appellate courts; administrative appellate court; first instance courts; specialized administrative and bankruptcy courts
judge selection and term of office
Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body of selected judges and legal scholars; judges appointed by the president; judges can serve until age 65; Constitutional Court judges - 4 appointed by the president, and 5 elected by the National Assembly; judges can serve until age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
chief of state
President Vahagn KHACHATURYAN (since 13 March 2022)
election results
2022: Vahagn KHACHATURYAN elected president in second round; note - Vahagn KHACHATURYAN (independent) ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 71-0 2018: Armen SARKISSIAN elected president in first round; note - Armen SARKISSIAN (indpendent) ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 90-10
head of government
Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN (since 10 September 2021)
most recent election date
3 March 2022
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by the National Assembly in 3 rounds, if needed, for a single 7-year term; prime minister indirectly elected by majority vote in two rounds, if needed, by the National Assembly
expected date of next election
2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
National color(s)
red, blue, orange
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (3 cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin; Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley; Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin
Political parties
Armenia Alliance or HD Armenian National Congress or ANC Bright Armenia or BA Civil Contract or KP Hanrapetutyun Party or HP Heritage I Have Honor Alliance (formerly known as the Republican Party of Armenia) PUD Orinats Yerkir or OY Prosperous Armenia or PAP
Legislative branch
note
note 1: additional seats allocated as necessary; the numbers usually change with each parliamentary convocation note 2: four mandates are reserved for national minorities; no more than 70% of the top membership of a party list can belong to the same sex; political parties must meet a 5% threshold and alliances a 7% threshold to win seats; at least three parties must be seated in the Parliament
term in office
5 years
number of seats
107 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
National Assembly (Azgayin Zhoghov)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
6/20/2021
expected date of next election
June 2026
percentage of women in chamber
38.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Civil Contract Party (71); Armenia Alliance (29); I Have the Honour Alliance (7)
National anthem(s)
title
"Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland)
history
adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922), but with different lyrics
lyrics/music
Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN
National symbol(s)
Mount Ararat, eagle, lion
Administrative divisions
11 provinces ( marzer , singular - marz ); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 319-2982
chancery
2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 319-1976
chief of mission
Ambassador Narek MKRTCHYAN (since 19 September 2025)
consulate(s) general
Glendale (CA)
email address and website
armembassyusa@mfa.am https://usa.mfa.am/en/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[374] (10) 464-742
embassy
1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082
telephone
[374] (10) 464-700
mailing address
7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020
chief of mission
Ambassador Kristina A. KVIEN (since 21 February 2023)
email address and website
acsyerevan@state.gov https://am.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt