Hayastani Hanrapetoutioun

Political Status: Armenian Republic established on November 29, 1920; joined the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) as part of the Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republic on December 30, 1922; became constituent republic of the USSR on December 5, 1936; independence declared September 23, 1991, following national referendum of September 21.

Area: 11,506 sq. mi. (29,800 sq. km.).

Population: 3,210,606 (2001C); 3,222,000 (2007E).

Major Urban Centers (2005E): YEREVAN (1,102,000), Gumayri (formerly Leninakan, 149,000).

Official Language: Armenian.

Monetary Unit: Dram (official rate November 1, 2008: 304.00 drams = $1US).

President: Serzh SARKISIAN (Republican Party of Armenia); directly elected in first round of balloting on February 19, 2008, and inaugurated for a five-year term on April 9 in succession to Robert KOCHARIAN (nonparty).

Prime Minister: Tigran SARKISIAN (nonparty); appointed by President Serzh ...