Yerevan is the capital of the Republic of Armenia. Yerevan is one of the most ancient cities in the world, has almost the same age as Rome and Babylon. It was founded in 782 BC. Last year in October the city was celebrating its 2780th birthday. Yerevan is situated in the northwest of Ararat Valley. Yerevan is one of the highest capitals from the sea level: the northern part of the city is 1360 meters high and the southern part- 880 meters. The city is divided into two parts by the Hrazdan river.
In the northwest of the city you can see Aragats Mountain, in the south- Big and Small Ararats, and in the northeast – the Gegama Mountains. Yerevan is situated in a warm and sunny region. Two hundred and sixty eight days out of the whole year are sunny in Yerevan.
Summers here are dry and hot, winters cold but short. Autumns are long, but usually with warm and clear days.
Twenty percent of the city is covered with green. For its geographical situation and its mild climate Yerevan was populated since long time ago. One of the oldest populated districts in Yerevan is Shengavit- a castle built in the Stone Age. A little later were built bronze castles like Tsitsernakaberd and Berdadzor, which were placed by Erebuni and Teyshebayn castle-cities during the first thousand years, BC. In the 9th century BC a new slave-kept nation called Urartu was formed in Armenian Highlands. Studying the history of this nation made it easier for the scientists and historians to find out why and when the city was named Yerevan. As the inscription found on Arin-Berd Hill goes, the Erebuni castle was built by Argishti, The First King of Urartu. And with the help of other inscriptions, they discovered that today’s Yerevan is the same as Erebuni in the 9th century and was founded in 782 BC. Yerevan is the transcript version of Erebuni.
After becoming the part of the Soviet Union, the most popular architect in Armenia was Alexander Tamanian, who drew the New Yerevan. Narrow streets with small houses were replaced by wide highways, streets, parks, and architectural buildings. Today’s Yerevan is one of the most beautiful and specific cities in the world.