Armenian economy: history and development

After gaining independence Armenia "inherited" absolutely unviable economy from the Soviet system and found itself in the heaviest situation of all countries of Transcaucasia. From the agrarian-industrial country with developed metal working, mechanical engineering, chemical, light, the food-processing industry Armenia turned into a small state which could not boast neither rich natural resources nor favorable geographical position or fertile soils. Without own oil and gas the landlocked Armenia was under economic blockade since because of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict it was cut from Azerbaijan and Turkey, and because of Georgian-Abkhazian conflict – from Russia (the entire cargo transportation was used to be carried out via Abkhazian railway).

Today's Armenia is the industrial -agrarian country.

The leading industries are mechanical engineering and metal working, chemical and petrochemical, nonferrous metallurgy, manufacture of building materials (including the ones based on the deposits of tuffs, pearlites, limestones, granites and marbles), foodstuffs and light industries.

Agricultural grounds occupy about 44 % of all lands. The basic crops are melons and watermelons, potatoes, wheat, grapes, fruits, essential oil plants, tobacco, and sugar beet. Livestock sector specializes on dairy-meat cattle breeding, and sheep – breeding in the mountains.

Armenia is divided into 5 economic regions which differ in natural and economic-geographical conditions and industrial specialization.

Ararat (electric power, mechanical engineering, chemical industries, manufacture of building materials, and agriculture), Shirak (textile industry, mechanical engineering; livestock), Pridebed (copper, chemical industry; agriculture, mechanical engineering), Sevan-Agstevi (electric power, livestock, grains and tobacco), Syuniq (mining industry, agriculture, hydroelectric power industry and mechanical engineering).

The main industrial centre of Armenia is Yerevan followed by Gyumri and Vanadzor.

In the foreign trade import prevails. Main exports are processed brilliants, machinery and equipment, copper ore. Imported things are gas, oil, foodstuffs.

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia. 1,1 mln people live in Yerevan and it is the largest city in Armenia. Yerevan is the most important transport crossroad, as well as political, economic, cultural and scientific center. The city has 2 airports and Yerevan had a metro since 1981. The name of Yerevan originated from Urartian Erebuni fortress before it was called Yerevan city. Yerevan is more then 2800 year old. It has been the capital since 1918 and is the 12th in the history of Armenia. Yerevan is located from 900 to 1300 meters above the sea level. The climate is mild. Hot dry summers and relatively short but cold winters are typical for Yereavan. It is divided into 2 parts by the Hrazdan River.

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student B)

1)	What do you know about Armenia?
2)	What are your impressions of Armenia?
3)	How important is Armenia compared with other nations?
4)	What is Armenia most commonly in the news for?
5)	Why is s Armenia so good at wine industry and food industry?
6)	Is Armenia a convenient and safe country in which to live?
7)	Would you like to go to Armenia?
8)	What do you know of Armenian politics?
9)	Who is the most famous Armenian?
10)	How do you think Armenians would describe their country?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student A)

1)	What has Armenia given the world?
2)	What are the first three things that come to mind when you hear the country Armenia?
3)	What role does Armenia play in the region?
4)	What are relations like between your country and Armenia?
5)	Should Armenia have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council?
6)	What social problems does Armenia have?
7)	What would you like to do in Armenia on a three-week holiday?
8)	What do you think life is like in Armenia?
9)	What is your image of the typical Armenia?

Georgia

Georgia - the country of remarkable history and culture.

Its special geographical location justifies the cultural identity that distinguish Georgia from other countries. On the one hand it is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and at the same time, Georgia occupies a central place in the Caucasus between the Black and Caspian Seas, where it has always played a significant role.

According to archaeological excavations in the territory of Georgia there are the first hominids in Europe 1.8 million years ago. It is believed that they were the first Europeans, and that Georgia is a country where they have spread to other parts of Europe.

Study the unique culture Shulavery (6000 - 4000 BC. Er.) showed that in Georgia, the first in the world, began to grow vineyards and wineries. Based on these facts, Georgia is considered the birthplace of wine making. On the territory of Georgia are still encountered several dozen varieties of grapes, and Georgian wines are popular around the world.

Based on the special geographical location, Georgia from ancient times within the scope of interests of travelers and traders.

Among them were the Argonauts - Greek sailors, a story about journeys which have survived to this day thanks to the Greek myths. The aim of the expedition of the Argonauts in Georgia has been associated with the task they are even seize the Golden Fleece. Myth of the Golden Fleece reflects the history of the early bonds of ancient Greece and Georgia. According to legend, the gold on the slopes of the Caucasus, in Georgia, was extracted by immersing in a sheep's skin gold-water river. This method of gold mining still occurs in the mountains of Georgia - Svaneti region.

In ancient times, after the collapse of the Achaemenid Empire of Iran and Alexander of Macedon, Silk Road which connects Asia with Europe, was under threat. This influenced the fact that this road bypassing Syria and Iran, runs across Georgia. Influence from the west - first from Rome, and then her right heir to the Byzantine Empire, and at the same time, the influence from the East - from Iran and the Islamic Caliphate, as the spread of other oriental civilizations has enabled Georgia to be dedicated to the incredible cultural values. In Georgia, was created a unique alphabet, which is one of the 14 original scripts, known to date throughout the world. At the same time, Georgian architecture has reached unprecedented peaks, which is primarily manifested in a variety of churches and monasteries, most of which are still standing in Georgia. Next to the Georgian Orthodox Church can be seen Gregorian and Catholic churches, as well as Jewish synagogues and Muslim minarets.

In Georgia, in some cities, you can meet each other at a distance of less than 100 meters of churches of different religious denominations that historically characteristic of Georgian culture and a peaceful co-existence of different religions emphasizes tolerance of Georgian culture.

Zenith of Georgian culture and statehood is the period of King David IV the Builder (1089-1125) and Queen Tamara (1184-1210), when the Georgian art, architecture and literature reached their highest recognition. XII century in the history of Georgia called Golden Era.

Despite the political disintegration and partial loss of independence in the XIII-XVIII centuries, Georgian culture remain to be selected for its rich tradition and revival of regional centers, in different ways reflected in all the historical parts of Georgia.

From 1801 to 1991, despite the first conquest of Georgia by the Russian Empire and then the Soviet regime, Georgian culture has preserved its traditions and protect themselves from extinction.

In 1991, Georgia regained its independence (from the first it happened in 1918, but that time only three years), and 2003 after the Rose Revolution, it became the path of economic development, as well as reconstruction and establishment of the European tradition culture. This in turn led to a revival of tourism in Georgia. [Tbilisi, Georgia]

Rich Georgian culture makes it even more interesting traditional distinction and diversity of historical regions of the country. Culture of these regions in Georgia that are in the same time historical provinces of the country, they differ from each other with life and traditions. But at the same time they add each other and together create a multiface Georgian culture. For example, Kakheti known for ancient tradition of wine making; Kartli region – for many ancient and medieval cities (Uplistsikhe, Dzalisi, Mtskheta, Tbilisi, Samshvilde); Javakheti - unique healing spas and mineral waters, Abkhazia and Adjara - the seaside resorts; Samegrelo - a variety of beautiful dishes; Imereti - historical monuments, Svaneti - unique medieval towers, Racha-Lechkhumi - unforgettable mountains, etc.

And all these historic regions of Georgia unites the rich history and unique cultural heritage, the variety of recipes and widely known of all Caucasians, hospitality - all these features for centuries was admired and still admire visitors to Georgia.

Nature of Georgia

According to the folk legend, when God share lands among people, where those were supposed to live, Georgians were late because they had banquet. When they appeared in front of Him they were told that no free lands were left. And Georgians replied that they were late while they were drinking for His health and invited Him to banquet. Got spend a great time and decided to give them land, which left for Himself. Indeed Georgia is a divine country! Georgian Landscape

The northern part of Georgia is occupied with the mountain range of the Big Caucasus with heights up to 4500-5000 meters above sea level. The highest peak is mountain Shkhara (5068m), a bit lower – Kazbek (5047 m). Caucasus belongs to the young infolded systems, which means that tectonic processes here are not complete. Most part of Georgia cost slowly goes down. In average ground drowning of Kolkhida plain is 13cm per century. High seismic activity of the territory is observed (earthquakes up to 5-7 points, especially on the east)

For high mountain part ice-flows are typical, on the west – karstik phenomenon, and on the east – young volcanic forms. Here is located the deepest (1370 m) cave on the territory of all the former Soviet Union – Snow Linn on Bzybskiy range. Snow and ice can be met in it on the depth of 200 meters. Widely known is New-Aphon cave in Abkhazia, which was very popular among tourists before Georgia-Abkhazian war. It is the longest (3285 m) and the biggest by square (49 565 m2). In general, there were discovered about 500 caves on the Big Caucasus Ranges.

There is a Kolkhida plain between Big and Small Caucasus having shape of the triangle with base directed to the Black Sea, and on the east there is cavity, where Kura River flows. Kolkhida is described by Konstantin Paustovsky in his same-name novel. Before Argonauts were sent here to get Golden Fleece. Rivers and Lakes

Rivers of Georgia belong to two basins – Black Sea and Caspian. Almost all Caspian basin flow is brought out with the biggest in Transcaucasia river Kura (in Georgian - Mtkvari) on which the Mingechaur water dam. The rivers of the Black Sea basin (Western Georgia) do not form a single system flowing into the sea separately. Main from them is Rioni, flowing on the lower part of Kolhida cavity. There are not many lakes in Georgia, they are mainly situated on Dzhavakhet highland. The most famous from them is high mountain lake Ritsa in Abkhazia (depth – up to 116m, square - 1,4 m2, 882 m above sea level) Flora and Fauna

Flora of Georgia is very abundant and various. The number of flower plants counts more than 4500 kinds. Here are relicts and typical for this area plants (dioskeria, Pontic and Caucasus Rhododendron, boxwood, persimmons etc.). Forests cover more than one third of territory. Vast alp meadows stretching from the top forest border for 2800-3500 m. among specific landscape zones of Georgia worth of pointing out are Kolkhida broadleaved climber forests with always green trees and bushes and also forest massive from Pitsunda pine-tree in Pitsunda, Caucasian pine-tree in Borjomi cleft, Eldar pine-tree in the Eastern Georgia. About 200 ha thousand of Kolkhida cavity are covered with swamps. In Georgia there are 15 reservations, main of which are – Lagodekhskiy, Borjomi and Ritsinskiy.

Animal world in Georgia is represented with more than 100 species of mammals, 330 species of birds and 160 kinds of fish. Fauna of the Easter Georgia is rather specific.

It was possible up until recently to see Persian gazelle, left only in separate areas of Shirak steep. From predatory birds, included to the Red Book of Georgia, can be met (mostly in reservations) lammergeier, golden eagle, griffon, black vulture and others. In some areas of Kolkhida and Kakhetia pheasant can be seen as well. High Mountain fauna is better preserved within Main Caucasus chain. In its western part there is Caucasian tur (from his horns people here drink wine) and in eastern - Dagestan tur. Mineral deposits

Georgia is rich in mineral resources – oil, coal, bog muck, ore, copper, zinc, mercury, sardonyx, granite, granular limestone etc. But its main natural resources are numerous mineral and thermal springs (Borjjomi, Utsera, Dzau, Nabeglavi, Sairme, Zvare, Nunisi). On their bases there were created 50 resorts, the most popular of which are Borjomi and Tskhaltubo.

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student B)

1)	What do you know about Georgia?
2)	What are your impressions of Georgia?
3)	How important is Georgia compared with other nations?
4)	What is Georgia most commonly in the news for?
5)	Why is Georgia so good at wine-making and hospitality?
6)	Is Georgia a convenient and safe country in which to live?
7)	Would you like to go to Georgia?
8)	What do you know of Georgian politics?
9)	Who is the most famous Georgian?
10)	How do you think Georgians would describe their country?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student A)

1)	What has Georgia given the world?
2)	What are the first three things that come to mind when you hear the country Georgia?
3)	What role does Georgia play in the region?
4)	What are relations like between your country and Georgia?
5)	Should Georgia have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council?
6)	What social problems does Georgia have?
7)	What would you like to do in Georgia on a three-week holiday?
9)	What do you think life is like in Georgia?
10)	What is your image of the typical Georgian?

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan - a miraculous country with its rich natural resources such as oil and gas. There are nine of the eleven world climatic zones. More than 9 million people live there. The history and lifestyle presents a unique and harmonious combination of the traditions and ceremonies of different cultures and civilizations.

Azerbaijan is the geographical name of the country. On one the hand this name is linked to the ancient population which lived in this region thousands of years ago, who were fire-worshippers. Azerbaijan means "The Land of Fires".

There are more than 6 thousands historical monuments. The natural climatic conditions of Azerbaijan are also unique. One of the riches is a rare type of oil. This rare kind of oil does not burn and it is used for medicinal purposes.

Azerbaijan has the Caspian sea. The sea is located on the capital if the country, Baku city. Azerbaijan has many attractions, but one on the most famous attractions in Baku the " Maiden Tower". This tower was built in 2 stages . The bottom part of the monument had been constructed in the 5th century, and the upper part was completed in the 12th century. Inside the tower is a museum. Since 2000 it has been on the list of UNESCO monuments.

Music of Azerbaijan builds on folk traditions that goes back nearly a thousand years.Among national musical instruments there are 14 string instruments, eight percussion instruments and six wind instruments.

There are dozens of Azerbaijani folk dances. They are performed at formal festivals. The dancers wear national clothes like the Chokha. Most dances have a very fast rhythm.

Sport in Azerbaijan is very old. Even now, both traditional and modern sports are still practiced. Freestyle wrestling has been traditionally said to be Azerbaijan's national sport.

Azerbaijan has many beautiful lakes and one of the most beautiful and famous lakes is called "Goy Gol", which is located in Ganja town. In the Azerbaijan language this beautiful and serene lake means "Blue Lake". The scenic beauty of the place, the musty ambience and the calmness is paradise for all tourists. The Blue Lake is one of the finest and beautiful lakes in the world.

Business Economy: Political upheaval especially the war in Nagorno-Karabakh and disruption of trading links within the former Soviet Union resulted in a dramatic fall in production levels in Azerbaijan.

Since the late 1990s, the economy has undergone a mild recovery. Agriculture is an important part of the economy in terms of both employment and production. Cotton, grain, fruit and vegetables are the major products; livestock rearing is the other main contributor to the sector.

Traditionally, heavy industry, in the form of chemicals, steel and metal products, dominated the industrial sector but there are now also important light industrial operations devoted to food processing and textiles. However, the oil and gas industry offers the greatest promise for Azerbaijan's future economic development. Most of the reserves are located in the Caspian Sea basin and the Azeri government signed a number of major deals with a variety of consortia for the exploration and development of various offshore fields; the state oil corporation retains a partial share in all of these.

In the last few years, the contribution of the service sector, especially transportation, telecommunications and trade-related activities, has grown sharply and now accounts for a large part of economy.

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student B)

1)	What do you know about Azerbaijan?
2)	What are your impressions of Azerbaijan?
3)	How important is Azerbaijan compared with other nations?
4)	What is Azerbaijan most commonly in the news for?
5)	What is Azerbaijan good at?
6)	Is Azerbaijan a convenient and safe country in which to live?
7)	Would you like to go to Azerbaijan?
8)	What do you know of Azerbaijan politics?
9)	Who is the most famous Azerbaijan person?
10)	How do you think the people would describe their country?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student A)

1)	What has Azerbaijan given the world?
2)	What are the first three things that come to mind when you hear the country Azerbaijan?
3)	What role does Azerbaijan play in the region?
4)	What are relations like between your country and Azerbaijan?
5)	Should Azerbaijan have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council?
6)	What social problems does Azerbaijan have?
7)	What would you like to do in Azerbaijan on a three-week holiday?
8)	What do you think life is like in Azerbaijan?
9)	What is your image of the typical Azerbaijan person?

Turkmenistan

What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you hear the word Turkmenistan?

Is it "I don't even know where it is"? Or if you know the location do you have questions? "Does your country harbor terrorists? Does you country have roads? Are all women covered in your country? Does your country chop off peoples' hands for robbery?"

The history of Turkmenistan indicates that the Turkmens were nomadic people who lived on their own, never trying to conquer any land. In the 8th century Turkmens were forced to accept Islam by the Arabs. The Muslim influence lasted till the late 18th century. In the early 19th century Russians invaded the Turkmen lands, and Turkmens were forced to join the Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics. Then in 1925 Turkmens formed the Republic of Turkmenistan. It is bordered on the south by Afghanistan and Iran, on the north by Kazakhstan, on the northeast by Uzbekistan, and on the West by the Caspian Sea.

At present it is an independent and neutral country. It has a population of less than 5 million, and a land size slightly large than California. It is oil rich country with about 100 trillion cubic meters of oil reserves, and it's a 10th largest cotton producer in the world.

During my stay in Colorado, I've noticed that very few people know about my country. I've witnessed quite often that about people I talk to have misconceptions about Turkmenistan. Probably about 80% of the people I've talked to have some kind of misconception. The most common misconception they have is viewing Turkmenistan as a Muslim state. Whenever I tell them about the location of Turkmenistan, they start thinking of a Muslim ruled state; a state that doesn't allow women to dress openly, that chops off peoples' hands for robbery. There are many questions they might want to ask of a person representing an uncivilized Muslim state. But Turkmenistan is completely different from what most people think. Even though Turkmens were forced to receive Islam as their primary religion, they didn't fight for Islam. The respected elders of the Turkmen community tried to inspire people to defend their country, rather than defend their religion. In their poems they talked about Heaven as something that no one has seen, or been inside, and that they would rather stay on earth instead of going to Heaven. Another example of this could be a Turkmen mythical story, almost like of venerable Bede's "Beowulf". But unlike Bede's writing in which he describes monster Grendel as something God has sent, the Turkmen story called "Gorogly (son of the grave)" has no mention of a God who is in charge of everything that is happening on earth. It does have some creatures like dragons and monsters with one eye. The main point of the story is not to inspire people to believe in God, but to awaken their patriotic feelings.

On the other hand I would be wrong to say Turkmenistan doesn't interact with its neighbors. We have 125 diplomatic missions abroad including 2 consulates in Afghanistan. We import gas and electricity to Iran and Afghanistan. All these relationships are based on mutual economic benefits only. Turkmenistan receives some help in training of its military personnel from Pakistan. The United Nations allows this type of basic training for a neutral country. The training is meant only for defense of a country, not an attack or spying on any country.

Another misconception, mainly held by people with a higher level of awareness about current events in the area, is that Turkmenistan doesn't allow the U.S. military to use its air space or territory for retaliation against Afghanistan, even though Turkmenistan would be the second best place to carry out U.S. attacks, after Pakistan. The rules set by United Nations on neutrality status don't allow Turkmenistan's territory to be used for military actions. It can only be used for humanitarian aid. Turkmenistan is allowing humanitarian aid to pass through its territory, it is allowing airplanes of humanitarian aid to land and take off from its airport.

Another misconception that I have a hard time explaining is that Turkmenistan is not Russia, even though it used to be part of the Soviet Union for 70 years. When I tell people that Turkmenistan was part of the Soviet Union, they still think of Turkmenistan as Russia, and therefore I am usually asked questions that they would ask a native Russian. "Does your country have nuclear bombs? Why were you guys making nuclear weapons against the United States?» I have to explain that Turkmenistan doesn't have any nuclear weapons because Russia reclaimed all of its nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union. As a neutral country Turkmenistan is not involved in it. The United Nations knows all the military power Turkmenistan has. It would be naive to believe that neither the United States nor Russia have spies in Turkmenistan, but it seems to me very unlikely that Turkmenistan has spies in the United States.

Turkmenistan is a country with an annual growth of 9% in the Gross Domestic Product over the past 10 years. Economically Turkmenistan still relies heavily on Russia because of the industry of gas exportation. The only gas pipelines that were built during the Soviet era passed through Russia, and Turkmenistan has to rely only on those pipelines now. But if the war in Afghanistan will stop, a new pipeline will be built through Afghanistan to Europe. This pipeline would be the most beneficial for Turkmenistan.

The economy of Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan is one of the world's fastest-growing economies. It is largely a desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated areas, and huge gas and oil resources. In terms of natural gas reserves, it is ranked 4th in the world. Regarding agriculture, the two largest crops are cotton, most of which is produced for export, and wheat, which is domestically consumed.^[4] Turkmenistan is among the top ten producers of cotton in the world.

From 1998-2005, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by an average of roughly 15% per year from 2003–08, largely because of higher international oil and gas prices. As in the Soviet era, central planning and state control pervade the system, and the Niyazov government (in power 1991–2006) consistently rejected market reform programs. The state subsidizes a wide variety of commodities and services.

Since his election in 2007, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow unified the country's dual currency exchange rate, ordered the redenomination of the manat, reduced state subsidies for gasoline, and initiated development of a special tourism zone (Avaza) on the Caspian Sea.