The Facts About Armenia (written by Doug Parks)

1.  Armenia became an independent Republic after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.  A million people live in Yerevan, the capital, and three million more live in rural villages throughout this very mountainous country in the Southern Caucasus.  Notably, there are eight million more Armenians living all over the world, including half a million in the United States.

2.  Armenia is located at the midpoint between the Middle East and Europe, making it an area of historical drama, both religiously and politically.

3.  The population is 98% Armenian, and only 0.5% Russian.  The people take great pride in their culture, language and beautiful countryside of rugged mountains and valleys.

4.  This was the first country in the world to accept Christianity as a state religion when the people converted en masse in 301 A.D.

5.  In 1915, Turkey invaded Armenia and massacred 1.5 million Armenians.  This led to the diaspora of millions of Armenian survivors to all parts of the world.  In 2015, visitors could see large billboards all over Yerevan and beyond remembering the 100th anniversary of this holocaust.  The billboards were very graphic spelling out 1915 with a sword, a noose, a rifle and a hammer and saber from left to right with dramatic impact.

6.  Armenia is bordered on the north by Georgia, Turkey to the west, Iran to the south and Azerbaijan to the east.  The borders with both Turkey and Azerbaijan are closed, so Armenians can travel only north to Georgia or south to Iran where oil is traded for goods.

7.  Russia has been invited to maintain a base in the northwestern part of the country to protect Armenia from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

8.  Yerevan is the cultural heart of the country, boasting excellent museums, art galleries and a large flea market.  There is also an eternal flame monument to those who died in 1915.

9.  This is a big sports country.  Besides mountaineering and trekking, the major sports are weight lifting, judo, wrestling, boxing, football and chess.

10.  The food here is quite tasty.  Skewered pork or lamb (khoravats) is the national dish, and cognac (konyak) is the national drink.  One can hear multiple toasts at any restaurant in the evening.

11.  Directly west of Yerevan, toward the Turkish border, lies the famous snowcapped Mt. Ararat, which used to be part of Armenia before the Turks invaded.  Continuing on to Echmiadzin, is the Holy seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church.  Home to a seminary and beautiful churches, Echmiadzin’s main church contains colorful icons and wonderful medieval manuscripts.

12.  One hour to the east of Yerevan is beautiful Lake Sevan, where intrepid travelers can climb up 6,000 feet to a monastery overlooking the lake for thrilling views.

The facts about Georgia (Written by Doug Parks)

1.  If you are looking for a wonderful small country to visit with spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and terrific food, fine wines and a rousing nightlife, then Georgia is for you.

2.  With a population of 3,750,000 including 1.25 million in the charming capital Tbilisi, Georgia is in the very mountainous Caucasus region of Eurasia.  It is bordered on the West by The Black Sea, where the country has a number of resorts.  Turkey and Armenia lie to the South, and Azerbaijan to the East.  Russia hovers on the Northern border and has played a major role in Georgia’s recent history.

3.  The population of Georgia is 84% Georgian, 7% Azeri, 6% Armenian and 1.5% Russian.

4.  Depending on which historian you read, Georgia was either the second or third country in the world to establish Christianity as the state religion in 327 A.D.  As you might expect, there are many beautiful Christian churches throughout the nation.

5.  The dramatic mountain ranges of Georgia are excellent for mountaineering and hiking. Cliff dwelling Pagans lived for thousands of years in the caves of the high cliffs before they were driven out by the Christians. Significant rivers race through steep gorges enticing photographers to get out their cameras.

6.  Georgians are super friendly and have the reputation of celebrating life with gusto.  That gusto includes making and drinking large quantities of fine red wines especially from their spectacular Saperavi red grapes.

7.  Tbilisi is known for its fine restaurants and cafes featuring delicious meats and stews.  Don’t miss the khachapuri, a cheese pie that looks somewhat like a pizza. It is a national institution.  Khachapuri is available to eat nightly or daily (and some do)!  Go into most restaurants and you will see long tables with friends singing, eating, drinking and making continuous toasts to life, love and friendships.  An extremely colorful city, the capital also has a number of markets, mansions and galleries in the Old Town and considerable nightlife is available to tourists and locals alike.

8.  After independence in December 1991, Georgia suffered an economic crisis and civil unrest until The Rose Revolution in 2003 when the Government introduced Democratic and economic reforms.  In 2008, Russia invaded and there was a one week Russo-Georgian War.  Russia gained very few friends from this event.

9.  A couple hours Northwest of Tbilisi is the birthplace of Joseph Stalin (1889-1953). You can visit the house where Stalin was born spent his first four years.  Here also you can find the Stalin Museum providing a thorough look at his life, especially the early years when he went to seminary for four years. (He was kicked out for preaching Marxism.)  Also on the grounds is the railroad car Stalin used to travel throughout Russia and down to Yalta to meet with Churchill and Eisenhower.

The facts about Azerbaijan (written by Doug Parks)*

1.  Some say that historically, Azerbaijan was the setting for the Garden of Eden.  But sure doesn’t look like any Garden of Eden now!  Rarely visited Azerbaijan offers the gritty reality of Caspian seashore oil rigs, unpleasant odors, and a callous disregard for the environment.

2. Located at the Southern end of the Caucasus Mountains with its Eastern shores facing the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan marks the transition from Central Asia towards Europe.  It feels considerably more European than “the Stans,” in Central Asia.

3. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed its independence in 1918 and became the first Muslim-majority democratic and secular republic. It was also the first Muslim-majority country to have operas, theaters and modern universities. The country was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920 as the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on 30 August 1991, before the official dissolution of the USSR.

4.  This Eur-Asian country has a population of 9.6 million Azeris with four million living in its stately capital Baku.

5.  With the Caspian Sea to the East, its other borders are Iran to the South, Turkey and Armenia to the West, Georgia to the Northwest and Russia on the Northern border.  The fabric of the country is an incongruous mixture of Russian, Persian and Turkic influences.

6.  The Capital, Baku, is a fascinating city with oil baron mansions on its seaside, both Stalinist and neoclassical Russian buildings, Islamic architecture, a huge city square with modern restaurants and night life and a medieval walled portion of the city.

7.  The contemporary Azeris are a hospitable and passionate group who are well versed in Persian poetry and Turkic legends.   Religiously, most of the locals are Muslim of the Shiite branch of Islam.  Backgammon is a major game played outside the cafes while sipping on a glass of cay (tea).

8.  The economy of Azerbaijan is largely based on their rich supply of oil and gas. It is considered one of the most important spots in the world for oil exploration and development. If you drive by the downtown center of Baku, you will pass many Gucci type shops.  This city feels more like Europe then central Asia.

9.  Baku is home to the world’s largest carpet museum, which is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea.  It is believed that the Azeri and the Persians make the best carpets in the world!  This museum was recognized by UNESCO in 2012.

10.  Baku is quite a hilly town.  On the top of the city, there is a mass memorial to Azeris who were killed by the Russians in 1990 before the USSR collapsed.

11.  Thirty miles outside Baku to the southwest lies the city of Oobustan where there are ancient Bronze-Age petroglyphs and an impressive museum.

12.  You can also visit a Zoroastrian Center established in 1000 B.C. and that remained a religious center involving Hindus and Zoroastrians right up until the Russians arrived in the 1880’s.

13.  Azerbaijan has no relations with Armenia.  So if you want to head up through the Caucasus, you must fly to Tbilisi, in the Republic of Georgia.  The Azeris have a fine brand new airport and planes that can get you there in just one hour.

* Doug Parks is a serious traveler, teacher and adventurer who has journeyed to 170 countries over the course of his life to this point, including trips to Europe, South America and Middle Asia with Pablo.