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Armenia

Revision as of 16:04, 30 December 2011 by Podz (talk | contribs)

Earth > Asia > Western Asia > Armenia


Armenia is a country in Western Asia.

Flag of Armenia Armenia
Information
Language: Armenian (Eastern Dialect)
Capital: Yerevan
Population: 3,231,900
Currency: Dram (AMD)
Hitchability: <rating country='am' />
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<map lat='40.212440718286466' lng='45.2197265625' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' />

Hitchhiking here is very easy, and safer in comparison to Turkey. Hitchhiking here is done by waving your hand to an oncoming car, not by sticking your thumb up as drivers will look at you like you're an idiot. Some drivers might want to charge some money - however, if before you get into the car you make clear you are not going to pay you can avoid misunderstandings at the end of the ride.

The main point of consideration is the poor road conditions.

Sleeping

In most of Armenia one can put up a tent and sleep comfortably. It is sometimes possible to stay with Armenians, but they are often unwilling hosts. The nation's Kurdish population, on the other hand, is extremely hospitable.

Cheap but adequate hotels cost 5,000 to 6,000 dram, and it is possible to bargain at hotels.

Monasteries are more often than not mere cultural monuments, and not permanently inhabited by monks. At night, guards makes sure everyone leaves.

Border Crossings

There are three border crossings with Georgia, through the towns of Ninotsminda (Georgia), Dmanisi (Georgia) and Bagratashen (Armenia). It is not possible to cross the border to Turkey or Azerbaijan. Near the border to Azerbaijan there can be unsecured fields of landmines and sometimes the conflict at this border escalates.

Armenia has one border crossing with Iran. You have to be a bit careful on this border, if you are hitchhiking from Iran, as there is 5 kilometers of forbidden zone, which means that it's only possible to move there by transport. I was stopped by Armenian border military guys, when i was just walking on the road, they took me back to the border, and MADE me to take taxi out of this zone! So don't walk too much after border, as soon as you will see army tower, stop or go back and try to hitchhike.