General issues: Democratic republic 1918-1920, Soviet socialist republic 1920-1923, Republic 1991-Present
Country name on general issues: None, Monograms, Armenia in Latin or Armenian script
Currency: 1 Ruble = 100 Kopeks 1918-1923 and 1991-1993, 1 Dram = 100 Luma 1993-Present
Population: 1 034 000 in 1915, 2 977 000 in 2013
Political history Armenia
Armenia is located in western Asia. In the late 19th and early 20th century Armenia is a region partly in Turkey and partly in Russia. In the wake of the Russian revolution in 1917 and the civil war that follows, Russian Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, in 1918, proclaim independence of Russia as the Transcaucasian Federation. The federation breaks up the same year upon which the democratic republic of Armenia is proclaimed. A period of conflicts with both Georgia – 1918 – and Azerbaijan – 1918-1920 – follows. Particularly in the conflict with Azerbaijan, territories change hands several times. In 1920, Russia invades Armenia and the Soviet socialist republic of Armenia is established.
During and directly after WWI, Armenia is contested by Russia and Turkey. The borders of Armenia are discussed by the Allied powers. At the treaty of Sèvres – an attempt to settle the future of the Ottoman Empire after its defeat in WWI – a larger Armenia is proposed which includes both the Russian and Turkish parts of Armenia. The reality proves to be different. Russia and Turkey agree upon the borders in the treaty of Kars in which the border between Russia and Turkey is defined as we still know it today. Russia at this occasion cedes part of Russian Armenia to Turkey. The population of Turkish Armenia has by then been decimated. An event – called the Armenian diaspora or the Armenian genocide – that still reverberates today. A border correction with Georgia is effected in 1931.
From 1922 until 1936, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are united in the Transcaucasian Soviet socialist republic. As the Soviet Union disintegrates in 1991 Armenia proclaims its independence as the republic of Armenia. Shortly after Armenia and Azerbaijan – that equally has become an independent republic – face each other in an – armed – conflict over the region of Nagorno Karabakh. A final solution is still subject of negotiations between the two countries.
Postal history Armenia
In Armenia, Russian stamps were used before the country issued its first stamps as an independent nation in 1919. All stamps issued by Armenia are hand stamped overprints on Russian stamps. The overprint may be just a new value or a monogram or both. Of these overprints many varieties exist. And many forgeries. Several sets of stamps designed for Armenia were prepared but eventually not issued. In 1923, the stamps of Armenia are used concurrently with those of Transcaucasia. All these to be superseded by the stamps of the Soviet Union in 1923. The republic of Armenia has issued stamps as of its independence in 1991.