In Armenia, there are few holidays, covered with such spirit of mischief and childishness, as Vardavar. Despite its serious origin (a holiday is the church one, and it is called the Transfiguration of the Lord), Vardavar is considered the funny and amusing holiday, because the main rite of this day is the sprinkling water on everything and everyone!
The social and economic upheavals that followed the earthquake of 1988 combined with the political collapse of the Soviet Union to create a catastrophic public health situation in Armenia.
Armenian Dram (AMD) = 100 luma. Dram notes are printed in denominations of AMD50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of AMD500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10.