Yerevan is the capital city of the Republic of Armenia since September 21, 1991. Located in the north, eastern part of Aravat Valley in Eastern Armenia, Yerevan has a long and turbulent past of suffering and recovery. Today it is the center of Armenian culture and a major trading center. Yerevan is an industrial city producing metal and rubber products, machine tools, textiles, chemicals, electrical products and processed foods.
The Opera House and the ruins of the Urartu and Roman fortresses are among few remnants of its past. When Yerevan fell to the Soviets in 1921, many of its buildings suffered total or irreparable damage. The city redesigned and rebuilt became the modern city it is today with over one million inhabitants. It is home to higher education facilities such as Yerevan State University, the Armenian Academy of Sciences, Yerevan Medical University, and a Music Conservatory. Yerevan has several stadiums, a concert hall and a sports complex.
Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport is ten kilometers from the city center and opened a new modern terminal in 2007. The transportation network includes inner city trolleys, a rapid transit system and train system. The best time to visit is May through September. The winters are short with January being the coldest month. There are many hotels and over one hundred restaurants, offering local as well as international cuisine, including fast food restaurants. All tourists need passports, however not all need a visa. Check for information regarding visa requirements, registration and other necessary requirements.