Motorcycle trip

Armenia

Armenia’s Geography

A small country sandwiched between Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran, Armenia has a population of around three million. With no lowlands, most of the country lies at more than 1,000 metres altitude. On the crossroads between Europe and Asia, Armenia is nestled among the Caucasus Mountains and north Iranian peaks. During a motorcycle tour in Armenia, you will discover contrasting landscapes and a varied climate, which is surprising for such a small country. Lake Sevan, an immense freshwater lake, is some miles east of the capital, Yerevan. Volcanoes dot the country and Mount Aragats (4,090 m) is the country’s highest point since Mount Ararat (5,137 m) was conceded to Turkey by the Soviet Union. You will cross beautiful plains that lie between 1,500 and 2,000 m altitude or ride along the longest river in the country, the Araxes, which creates a natural border with Iran and part of Turkey.

Armenia’s history and culture

During a motorcycle tour in Armenia, you will discover one of the oldest countries in the world, as attested by its spectacular monuments and vestiges dating back to prehistoric times, now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Zvartnots archaeological site and Geghard monastery. At the start of the fourth century, Christianity became the state religion. Even today, most of the population practices Christianity and the Armenian Apostolic Church still plays a very important role in the everyday lives of locals. Armenia then experienced several centuries of invasions from all directions since it was on the crossroads of many great empires (Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Mongol and Russian). The Armenian Genocide of 1915-1916, perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire with around 1.2 million victims, marked the twentieth century. The First Republic of Armenia was declared in 1918 but some years later, the country was annexed by the Soviet Union. In December 1988, a devastating earthquake struck the country. Armenia declared its independence in 1991 and became a UN member a year later. It was not until 2001 that the French parliament recognised the Armenian genocide.