Yerevan

　　Yerevan means "the land of the Eri tribe," formerly translated as "Erevan." It is the capital of Armenia and the country's economic and cultural center, and one of the world’s famous ancient cities. Located on the banks of the Hrazdan River, it sits on a hillside surrounded by beautiful scenery. Built on the slopes, Yerevan offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped Mount Ararat and Mount Aragats, their towering icy peaks clearly visible. Mount Ararat is a national symbol of the Armenian people, and its image is featured on the Armenian national emblem.

　　Yerevan lies on the Hrazdan River in southwestern Armenia, about 20 kilometers from the Turkish border. To the north and south of the city stand the biblical Mount Ararat and Mount Aragats, rich in multicolored granite and marble. Most buildings in Yerevan are constructed from these mountain stones, giving the city’s architecture a vibrant and colorful appearance. The city is also well known for its stone-carved architectural art. The newer part of the city is built on the hillsides, where lush green slopes are dotted with splendid residences, creating a remarkably beautiful landscape. Yerevan is an important cultural hub of Armenia, home to universities and various other higher education institutions. The Academy of Sciences was established here, along with archives, theaters, a history museum, a folk art museum, and a national gallery that houses over 20,000 oil paintings. The Matenadaran Museum of Ancient Manuscripts is world-famous, containing more than 17,000 ancient Armenian manuscripts and nearly 40,000 precious texts written in Arabic, Persian, Greek, Latin, and other languages. Many of the manuscripts were written directly on specially prepared parchment.