“Armenia is the cradle of civilization, one of the leading and most developed states of the Ancient World.”

On September 21, 1991 by means of referendum, the Republic of Armenia proclaimed its independence and at the end of the same year Armenia entered the Commonwealth of Independent Countries (CIS). Now the Republic of Armenia is an independent democratic country with a population of around 3.2 million. It has very large Diaspora, an average of 8 million Armenians live worldwide. The Republic of Armenia is a member of the United Nations, Council of Europe and other international organizations.

The capital of the Republic of Armenia is Yerevan. It is one of a few modern cities in the world which is 2798 years old, but in spite of its age it is modern and dynamic. There are many historical and cultural museums as well as art galleries in Yerevan but one of the most precious treasures of the Armenian nation is the collection of ancient manuscripts being kept in Matenadaran (the Institute of Ancient manuscripts named after Mesrop Mashtots).