Armenia, located in the Caucasus Mountains at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, gained independence from the former USSR in 1991. One of the first Christian countries, Armenia’s major attractions include a large number of monasteries. Mount Ararat can be seen from the capital, Yerevan, on a clear day. Archeological digs have recently discovered the world’s oldest winemaking facility, 6000 years old, and Armenia is currently developing a thriving wine industry. Yerevan, Armenia’s largest city as well as its capital, is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country. Situated along the Hrazdan River and marked by Soviet-era architecture, Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, and has undergone major transformation and new construction with shopping, restaurants, and street cafes. Students have been completing projects in Yerevan since 2017.