Armenia
 

22 Feb 1828 - 22 Apr 1918	22 Apr 1918  -  2 Apr 1921	30 Dec 1922 - 25 Dec 1991
Re-adopted 23 Aug 1991

Map of Armenia Hear National Anthem "Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland) Text of National Anthem   Adopted 1991 Constitution  (5 Jul 1995) Capital: Yerevan Currency: Dram (AMD) National Holiday: 21 Sep (1991) Independence Day Population: 2,968,586 (2008) GDP: $18.92 billion (2008) Exports: $1.22 billion (2008) Imports: $3.54 billion (2008) Ethnic Groups: Armenian 97.9%, Kurdish 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001)  Total Active Armed Forces: 48,160 (2006) Russian Forces: 3,500 (2006) Merchant marine: None (2008) Religions: Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) 72.9%, Roman Catholic 4%, Sunni Muslim 2.4%, other  Christian 1.3%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 1.3%, other and nonreligious 18.1% (2005) International Organizations/Treaties: ADB, BSEC, BTWC, CE, CFE, CIS, CSTO, CTBT, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ENMOD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, ICSID, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISA, ISO, ITSO, ITU, KP, MIGA, NAM (observer), NPT, NTBT, OAS (observer), OIF (associate), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Armenia Index Chronology   2107 BC - 347 BC           Armenia (Hayastan) under the legendary                               Hayk dynasty. 331 BC                     Part of Persia. 401 - 200 BC               Independent under the Erowandeank dynasty. 200 - 189 BC               Seleucid (Syrian) occupation. 188 - 87 BC                Division into "Armenia Major" and "Armenia                               Minor." 165 - 162 BC               Armenia Minor under Seleucid occupation. 87 BC                      Armenian state reunified. 41 - 47 AD                 Roman occupation. 114 - 116                  Roman occupation. 238 - 244                  Roman occupation.  252 - 256                  Occupied by Parthian (Persian) Empire. 294 - 298                  Occupied by Parthian Empire. 261 - 272                  Palmyrene occupation. 423 - 428                  Interregnum. 428                        Incorporated into Parthian Empire. 635 - 697                  Incorporated into Byzantine Empire. 635 - 885                  Rulers from various families with style                               "Armenian Prince of Princes." 697 - 700                  Under Islamic rule. 700 - 711                  Byzantine rule restored. 711 - 885                  Under Islamic Caliphate and other Islamic powers. 885                        Independence under the Bagrationi dynasty                               (Kingdom of Armenia): five other Armenian                              polities are also founded in parallel to, or                              as successor to, the main Armenian state, they                              are: Vaspurakan (914 - 1021); Vanand (Kars)                              (962 - 1064); Siwnik (310 - 970); Lori                              (982 - 1260); and Tarawn (705-851, 858 - 968). 1045 - 1064                Part of the Byzantine Empire. 1064 - 1242                Under Sultanate of the Rum Saljuq Turks and                              other Islamic powers. 1080                       Armenian state (Principality or Duchy from                               1198, Kingdom) founded in Cilicia region,                              sometimes called "Lesser" or "Little" Armenia                               (1137 - 1145 under Byzantine occupation). 1242 - 1295                Mongol occupation. 1295                       Part of Persia. 1375                       Kingdom of Lesser Armenia falls to the Mameluke                              Sultanate of Egypt, from 1517 part of Ottoman                               Empire (note: several European kings                               incorporated the title "king of Armenia" into                              their royal styles after 1375). 1514                       Western Armenia part of the Ottoman Empire. 1580                       Yerevan (eastern Armenia) part of the Ottoman                              Empire. 1604                       Khanate of Eriwan (Irevan/Erevan). 1618                       Yerevan (eastern Armenia) part of Persia. 1634 - 1636                Ottoman occupation of Yerevan. 17 May 1639                Final division between Persia (east) and                               Ottoman Empire (west Armenia) Treaty of Zuhab. 1722 - 1730                Principality of Kapan (Ghapan), uniting meliks                              of Siunik into one state, in rebellion                              against both the Persian and Ottoman empires. 1724 - 1736                Ottoman occupation of Yerevan. 1734                       Semi-independent dynastic derebeys or "valley                               lords" established in western Ottoman Armenia. 1795                       Khanate of Eriwan part of Persia. 1808 - 1849                Ottomans gradually suppress the Armenian derebeys                              in western Armenia.  1 Oct 1827                Yerevan occupied by Russia. 22 Feb 1828                Eastern Armenia (Yerevan) ceded to Russia by                              Persia according to Treaty of Turkmanchai,                              Khanate of Eriwan abolished. 1828 - 1840                Armianskaya oblast (Armenian province) formed                               from Yerevan district and the former Khanate                               of Nakhichevan (see Azerbaijan). 1844 - 1917                Part of the Viceroyalty of the Caucasus (Armenia,                              Azerbaijan, and Georgia [see under Georgia]). 1845                       Russian province Erivan (modern Armenia) created. 1864                       Six Armenian vilayets (provinces) created in                              Ottoman (western) Armenia. 16 May 1915 -  7 Apr 1918  Russian occupation of western (Ottoman) Armenia;                              from Dec 1917 under Transcaucasian occupation. Jun 1916 -  7 Apr 1918     Separate administration for western Armenia                               (see under Turkey). 22 Apr 1918 - 26 May 1918  Part (with Azerbaijan and Georgia) of Democratic                              Federative Republic of Transcaucasia                               (see under Georgia). 30 May 1918 -  2 Dec 1920  Republic of Armenia (1919-1920 including                              Turkish Armenia).  4 Jun 1918 - Nov 1918     Ottoman occupation. 28 May 1919                Former Russian (eastern) and Ottoman (western)                              proclaimed united. 29 Nov 1920                Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic  9 Dec 1920                Former Ottoman portion of Armenia re-incorporated                              into Turkey. 16 Mar 1921                Kars and Ardahan restored to Turkey. 12 Mar 1922                Part (with Azerbaijan and Georgia) of the                              Federative Union of Socialist Soviet Republics                               of Transcaucasia (see Georgia) 13 Dec 1922                Part of the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative                               Soviet Republic (see Georgia). 30 Dec 1922                T.S.F.S.R. founding component of the Soviet Union                             (see Russia).  5 Dec 1936                T.S.F.S.R. dissolved; Armenian S.S.R. becomes a                              full union republic. 23 Aug 1990                Republic of Armenia (state sovereignty declared). 23 Sep 1991                Independence declared. 25 Dec 1991                Independence effective (dissolution of U.S.S.R.).  6 Jan 1992                Nagorno-Karabakh declares independence from                              Azerbaijan (recognized only by Armenia). Provinces (since 1995) Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (1920-1991) Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Armenian Apostolic Church Armenian Catholic Church

Princes
1722 - 1728                David Bek                          (d. 1728)
1728 - 1730                Mkhitar Sparapet                   (d. 1730)
Khans of Eriwan
1736 - 1740                Tahmasp Qulu Khan
1745 - 1748                Mekhti QKhan Qasimli
1748 - 1750                Hasan Ali Khan
1752 - 1755                Khalil Khan
1755 - 1762                Hasan Ali Khan Qajar
1762 - 1783                Huseyn Ali Khan
1783 - 1784                Qulam Ali
1784 - 1804                Muhammed Khan
1804 - 1806                Mekhti Qulu Khan 
1806 - 1807                Muhammed Khan Maragai
1807 - 1828                Huseyn Qulu Khan Qajar
Governors (Nachalnik)
1828 - 1831                Aleksandr Chavchavadze
1831 - 1838                Yegor Rozen                        (b. 1800 - d. 1860)
1838 - 1840                Yevgeniy Golovin                   (b. 1782 - d. 1858)
Chairman of the National Council
30 May 1918 -  1 Aug 1918  Avetis Arakeli Aharonyan           (b. 1866 - d. 1949)  HHD
                             (in Tbilisi, Georgia until 19 Jul 1918)
Chairman of the Council of Armenia
 1 Aug 1918 -  5 Aug 1919  Avetik Hovhannesi Sahakyan                              HHD
Chairman of Parliament
 5 Aug 1919 -  2 Dec 1920  Avetis Arakeli Aharonyan           (s.a.)               HHD
Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces
 2 Dec 1920 -  4 Dec 1920  Drastamat "Dro" Kanayan            (b. 1884 - d. 1956)  Mil
Chairmen of the Military Revolutionary Committee
29 Nov 1920 -  5? May 1921 Sarkis Hovhannesi Kasyan           (b. 1876 - d. 1937)  HKK
18 Feb 1921 - Jun 1921     Simeon Nazari Vratsyan             (b. 1882 - d. 1969)  HDD
                             (chairman Committee for the Salvation of the Fatherland;
                             in Yerevan to 2 Apr 1921, then in dissidence)
 5?May 1921 - 21 May 1921  Aleksandr Teodorosi Miasnikyan     (b. 1886 - d. 1925)  HKK
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars
21 May 1921 -  2 Feb 1922  Aleksandr Teodorosi Miasnikyan     (s.a.)               HKK
Chairman of the Central Executive Committee
 2 Feb 1922 - 24 Jun 1925  Sarkis Sahaki Ambartsumyan         (b. 1880 - d. 1944)  HKK
Chairman of the Supreme Council
 4 Aug 1990 - 11 Nov 1991  Levon Hakobi Ter-Petrosyan         (b. 1945)            HHS
Presidents
11 Nov 1991 -  3 Feb 1998  Levon Hakobi Ter-Petrosyan         (s.a.)               HHS
 4 Feb 1998 -  9 Apr 2008  Robert Sedraki Kocharyan           (b. 1954)            Non-party
                             (acting to 9 Apr 19980
 9 Apr 2008 -              Serzh Azati Sarkisyan              (b. 1954)            HHK

Prime ministers
30 Jun 1918 - 28 May 1919  Hovhannes Kachaznuni               (b. 1868 - d. 1937)  HHD
                             (in Tbilisi, Georgia until 19 Jul 1918)
28 May 1919 -  5 May 1920  Aleksandr I. Khatisyan             (b. 1876 - d. 1945)  HHD
 5 May 1920 - 25 Nov 1920  Hamazasp Ohandzhanyan              (b. 1873 - d. 1947)  HHD
25 Nov 1920 -  2 Dec 1920  Simeon Nazari Vratsyan             (s.a.)               HHD
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars
21 May 1922 - 24 Jun 1925  Sergey Lukyanovich Lukashin        (b. 1885 - d. 1937)  HKK
Prime ministers
13 Aug 1990 - 25 Sep 1991  Vazgen Mikaelovich Manukyan        (b. 1946)            AZM
Oct 1991 - 22 Nov 1992     Hrant Araratovich Bagratyan        (b. 1958)            HHS
                             (1st time)
22 Nov 1991 - 30 Jul 1992  Gagik Garushevich Arutyunyan       (b. 1948)            Non-party
30 Jul 1992 -  2 Feb 1993  Khosrov Melikovich Arutyunyan      (b. 1948)            Non-party
 2 Feb 1993 -  4 Nov 1996  Hrant Araratovich Bagratyan        (s.a.)               HHS
                             (2nd time)
 4 Nov 1996 - 20 Mar 1997  Armen Vartanovich Sarkisyan        (b. 1953)            Non-party
20 Mar 1997 - 10 Apr 1998  Robert Sedraki Kocharyan           (s.a.)               Non-party
                             (1st time)
10 Apr 1998 - 11 Jun 1999  Armen Razmikovich Darbinyan        (b. 1965)            Non-party
11 Jun 1999 - 27 Oct 1999  Vazgen Savenovich Sarkisyan        (b. 1959 - d. 1999)  Non-party
29 Oct 1999 -  3 Nov 1999  Robert Sedraki Kocharyan           (s.a.)               Non-party
                             (2nd time) (acting)
 3 Nov 1999 -  2 May 2000  Aram Savenovich Sarkisyan          (b. 1961)            HHK
 2 May 2000 - 12 May 2000  Robert Sedraki Kocharyan           (s.a.)               Non-party
                             (3rd time) (acting)
12 May 2000 - 25 Mar 2007  Andranik Nakhapetovich Markaryan   (b. 1951 - d. 2007)  HHK
26 Mar 2007 -  9 Apr 2008  Serzh Azati Sarkisyan              (s.a.)               HHK 
                             (acting to 4 Apr 2007)
 9 Apr 2008 -              Tigran Sarkisyan                   (b. 1960)            HHK
  

Territorial Disputes: Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since 1990's has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan (Nakhichevan) exclave; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy.

Party abbreviations: ARP = Azadagan Ramgavar Party (Democratic Liberal Party, liberal); AZM = Azgayin Zhoghovrdavarakan Miutyun (National Democratic Union Armenia, centrist); HHD = Hay Heghapokhakan Dashnaktsutyun (Armenian Revolutionary Federation, "Dashnak", socialist, nationalist); HHK = Hayastani Hanrapetakan Kusaktsutyun (Republican Party of Armenia, conservative, nationalist, est.1990); HHS = Hayots Hamazgain Sharzhum (Pan-Armenian National Movement, liberal, est.1989); HKK = Hayastani Komunistakan Kusaktsutyun (Armenian Communist Party, communist); M = Miasnutiun (Unity, [People's Party and Republican Party of Armenia coalition])

13 Dec 1922 -  5 Dec 1936  Part of the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet
                             Republic (see under Georgia).

First Secretaries of the Communist Party of Armenia (HHK)
Dec 1920 - Apr 1921        Gevork Sarkisovich Alikhanyan       (b. 1897 - d. 1937)
Apr 1921 - Jan 1922        Askanaz A. Mravyan (acting)
29 Jan 1922 -  6 Jul 1927  Ashot Gareginovich Hovhannisyan     (b. 1887 - d. 1972)
 6 Jul 1927 -  8 Apr 1928  Haik Aleksandrovich Osepyan         (b. 1891 - d. 1937)
 8 Apr 1928 -  7 May 1930  Aykaz Arkadyevich (Arshakovich)     (b. 1897 - d. 1938)
                             Kostanyan       
 7 May 1930 -  9 Jul 1936  Agasi Gevondovich Khandzhan         (b. 1901 - d. 1936)
13 Jul 1936 - 21 Sep 1937  Amatuni Semyonovich Vartapetyan     (b. 1900 - d. 1937)
                             (Amatuni Semyonovich Amatouni)
24 Sep 1937 - Nov 1953     Grigory Artyomovich Arutyunov       (b. 1900 - d. 1957)
                             (Arutyunyan)
Nov 1953 - 28 Dec 1960     Suren Akopovich Tovmasyan           (b. 1909 - d. 1980)
28 Dec 1960 -  5 Feb 1966  Yakov Nikitovich Zarobyan           (b. 1903 - d. 1980)
 5 Feb 1966 - 27 Nov 1974  Anton Ervandovich Kochinyan         (b. 1913 - d. 1989)
27 Nov 1974 - 21 May 1988  Karen Serobovich Demirchyan         (b. 1932 - d. 1999)
21 May 1988 -  6 Apr 1990  Suren Gurgenovich Arutyunyan        (b. 1939)
 6 Apr 1990 - 30 Nov 1990  Vladimir Migranovich Movsisyan      (b. 1933)
30 Nov 1990 - 14 May 1991  Stepan Karapetovich Pogosyan        (b. 1932)
14 May 1991 -  7 Sep 1991  Aram Gasparovich Sarkisyan          (b. 1949)

Chairmen of the Military Revolutionary Committee
 7? May 1920 - 1920        Avetis (Akop) Sogomonovich          (b. 1896 - d. 1937)  HKK
                             Nuridzhanyan
29 Nov 1920 - May 1921     Sarkis Ivanovich Kasyan             (b. 1876 - d. 1937)  HKK
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars
21 May 1921 -  2 Feb 1922  Aleksandr Fyodorovich Miasnikyan    (b. 1886 - d. 1925)  HKK
Chairmen of the Central Executive Committee
 2 Feb 1922 - 24 Jun 1925  Sarkis Saakovich Ambartsumyan       (b. 1880 - d. 1944)  HKK
24 Jun 1925 - Jul 1928     Artashes Balasyevich Karinyan       (b. 1886 - d. 1982)  HKK
Jul 1928 - Dec 1930        Sarkis Ivanovich Kasyan             (b. 1876 - d. 1937)  HKK
Dec 1930 - 14 Jan 1935     Armenek Artyomovich Ananyan         (b. 1893 - d. 1958)  HKK
14 Jan 1935 - Nov 1936     Sergo Nikolayevich Martikyan        (b. 1874 - d. 1957)  HKK
 5 Dec 1936 - Oct 1937     Gevorg Saribekovich Anesoglyan      (d. 1938)            HKK
Nov 1937 - 12 Jul 1938     Matsak Petrosovich Papyan (acting)  (b. 1901 - d. 1962)  HKK
Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
12 Jul 1938 - 14 Jul 1938  Khachik M. Akopdzhanyan             (d. 1943/44)         HKK
Chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
14 Jul 1938 -  1 Apr 1954  Matsak Petrosovich Papyan           (s.a.)               HKK
 1 Apr 1954 -  4 Apr 1963  Shmalon Minasovich Arushanyan       (b. 1903 - d. 1982)  HKK
 4 Apr 1963 -  3 Jul 1975  Nagush Khachaturovich Arutyunyan    (b. 1912 - d. 1993)  HKK
 3 Jul 1975 -  3 Dec 1985  Babken Yesayevich Sarkisov          (b. 1913 - d. 1999)  HKK
 6 Dec 1985 -  4 Aug 1990  Grant Mushegovich Voskanyan         (b. 1924 - d. 2005)  HKK
Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
 4 Aug 1990 - 11 Nov 1991  Levon Akopovich Ter-Petrosyan       (b. 1945)            HHS

Chairmen of the Council of People's Commissars
21 May 1922 - 24 Jun 1925  Sergey Lukyanovich Lukashin         (b. 1885 - d. 1937)  HKK
                             (Srapionyan)  
24 Jun 1925 - 22 Mar 1928  Sarkis Saakovich Ambartsumyan       (s.a.)               HKK
                             (1st time) 
22 Mar 1928 - 10 Feb 1935  Sahak Mirzoyevich Ter-Gabrielyan    (b. 1886 - d. 1937)  HKK
10 Feb 1935 - Feb 1937     Abram Abramovich Guloyan            (b. 1893 - d. 1938)  HKK
Mar 1937 - May 1937        Sarkis Saakovich Ambartsumyan       (s.a.)               HKK
                             (2nd time) 
May 1937 - 21 Sep 1937     Stepan Yegorovich Akopov (Akopyan)                       HKK
23 Nov 1937 - Oct 1943     Aram Sergeyevich Piruzyan           (b. 1907 - d. 1996)  HKK
Oct 1943 - 1946            Agasi Solomonovich Sarkisyan        (b. 1905 - d. 19..)  HKK
Chairmen of the Council of Ministers
1946 - 29 Mar 1947         Agasi Solomonovich Sarkisyan        (s.a.)               HKK 
29 Mar 1947 - Nov 1952     Saak Karapetovich Karapetyan        (b. 1906 - d. 1987)  HKK
20 Nov 1952 -  5 Feb 1966  Anton Ervandovich Kochinyan         (s.a.)               HKK
 5 Feb 1966 - 21 Nov 1972  Badal Amayakovich Muradyan          (b. 1915 - d. 1991)  HKK
21 Nov 1972 - 28 Nov 1976  Grigory Agafonovich Arzumanyan      (b. 1919 - d. 1976)  HKK
28 Nov 1976 - 17 Jan 1977  Gerasim Aramaisovich Martirosyan                         HKK
                             (acting)
17 Jan 1977 - 16 Jan 1989  Fadey Tachatovich Sarkisyan         (b. 1923 - d. 2010)  HKK
16 Jan 1989 - 13 Aug 1990  Vladimir Surenovich Markaryants     (b. 1934 - d. 2000)  HHK
13 Aug 1990 - 25 Sep 1991  Vazgen Mikaelovich Manukyan         (b. 1946)            AZM

Party abbreviations: AZM = Azgayin Zhoghovrdavarakan Miutyun (National Democratic Union of Armenia, centrist); HKK = Hayastani Komunistakan Kusaktsutyun (Armenian Communist Party, communist, only legal party to 1990)