Facts about Armenia

Have you ever wondered what secrets lie tucked away in the heart of the South Caucasus? Today, we're embarking on a journey into the depths of a country steeped in history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Welcome to Armenia, a gem that's so much more than meets the eye. Brace yourself as we reveal 58 astonishing facts about Armenia that will leave you in awe.

Armenia is situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, nestled in the South Caucasus region. It's bordered by Turkey to the West, Georgia to the North, Azerbaijan to the East, and Iran to the South.

Dilijan National Park, 100 kilometers northeast of Yerevan, is the greenest place in Armenia. The peaceful rolling hills and mountain ranges that make up most of the national park's territory are covered in endless forest with streams coursing through the undergrowth. The park features several cultural locations such as Goshavank Monastery, Haghartsin Monastery, and Jukhtakvank.

Along with Iran, China, Greece, Egypt, and Japan, Armenia is among the six ancient countries that have survived for thousands of years. Armenia was first mentioned in King Darius's Behistun Inscription in 520 BC. The country was also mentioned by ancient Greek authors Herodotus and Xenophon in the 5th century BC.

Lake Sevan is a large, high-altitude lake located in Eastern Armenia at a height of 1,900 meters. Lake Sevan is one of the highest freshwater lakes globally. It is known for its unique sandy and pebble beaches, some of which are framed by dense woods, adding untouched wilderness to the scenery.

How many countries can say that they have their own alphabet? Well, Armenia has one, and their alphabet was created around 400 A.D. The Armenian script is a system of 38 letters - 31 consonants and 7 vowels.

The Armenian alphabet was created in 405 A.D. by Mesrop Mashtots. This was 100 years after Armenia had adopted Christianity as the national religion. However, the Bible was not yet available in the local language, leading to the creation of the alphabet primarily to translate the Bible for the local people.

We have all heard about the tale of Noah's Ark and the resting place of the Ark being Mount Ararat, which is why it is known to be a sacred place. However, Mount Ararat is not part of Armenia anymore, as in 1923, a peace treaty drafted between Turkey and the Soviet Union allotted the area to Turkey. But local Armenians still revere this mountain, and some even believe that the country doesn't experience strong earthquakes thanks to the mountain's protection.

There's a village in Armenia called Paris, and it even has an Eiffel Tower, though it's a bit smaller than the original.

While Armenia may not be the first country that comes to mind when considering wine, it houses the world's oldest winery, discovered a decade ago and estimated to be more than 6,000 years old. Wines produced from indigenous grapes, some from vines up to 70 years old, include a range of reds and whites. The country also produces wine from apricots, pomegranates, and more - worth a try when visiting.

Armenian brandy, also known as Armenian cognac, is extremely popular. The history of Armenian brandy started in 1887 when Nerses Tairyants, a renowned Armenian trader, founded the first wine and brandy factory in Yerevan. The brandy gained such fame that Winston Churchill reportedly was an avid drinker of it.

The Armenian language is rich in humorous expressions and sayings. Here are a few examples: "Vacharutyan tarr" translates to "iron the head." This phrase typically refers to someone who is talking nonsense. "Tsutsnem yerkus" means "let it snow on your brain." This is often used when someone is expressing something unreasonable, suggesting that they need to reconsider their thoughts. "Tzitats chgitem" means "nose hair" and is used towards individuals who tend to be picky, often delaying processes due to their meticulousness.

Lada, a car brand, is a common sight throughout Armenia. In fact, they make up roughly a quarter to a third of all vehicles in the country, demonstrating their widespread popularity among Armenians.

The Khosrov Forest State Reserve is one of the oldest protected areas in the world, dating back to the 4th century. It's home to leopards, bears, and a wide variety of endemic plant species.

The Noravank Canyon, also known as the Amaghu Valley, is home to the stunning Noravank Monastery. The surrounding rugged red cliffs and verdant valleys create an unforgettable panorama.

Armenia is home to an incredible variety of bird species, including the rock ptarmigan, European goldfinch, bearded vulture, Eurasian magpie, and many others.

Goris, one of the most charming towns in southern Armenia, is located on the way to Nagorno-Karabakh. The town itself is set along a river and surrounded by lush green mountains. What sets it apart from other towns are the breathtaking rock formations on the edges of Goris. Visitors also head to the ancient nearby cave village known as Old Khndzoresk. However, the must-see in the region is the beautiful Tatev Monastery. To reach the monastery located on an 850-meter-high cliff, you can take a ride on the longest cable car in the world while gazing at the most stunning natural landscapes from above.

Armenians celebrate Trndez, a tremendous holiday every last Saturday of February, which involves jumping over a bonfire for good luck.

The Symphony of Stones are basalt rocks formed into straight pipes about 100 meters high. The rock formation is called Symphony of Stones because it resembles a musical instrument (organ) from afar. Such rocks are formed during a sharp freezing of lava, suggesting the Symphony of Stones resulted from the collapse of volcanic rocks.

The Armenian currency, the dram, is not available for purchase or sale outside the country.

One of the most traditional Armenian dishes is khash, a soup made from cow hooves, often enjoyed for breakfast. The dish was traditionally considered poor man's food, as the hooves were discarded by the wealthy and retrieved by less affluent people to make soup.

The Jermuk waterfall, also known as Mermaid's Hair, is one of the most exquisite waterfalls in Armenia. It is situated in the spa town of Jermuk, renowned for its hot springs and health resorts.

Armenia has made it mandatory for children to learn and play chess in schools as part of the curriculum. Because of this, people play chess every day and have produced many chess champions, such as Gabriel Sargissian, Tigran Petrosian, Levon Aronian, and Anastasian Ashot.

Armenia boasts a number of celebrity connections, including the Kardashians, Cher, Andre Agassi, and Garry Kasparov, often regarded as the greatest chess player of all time, who are of Armenian descent.

Although Armenia is landlocked, it has a significant beach culture during the summer due to its popular lakes and rivers. The best beaches include Sevan Shore, Lake Arpi, Martuni Beach, and Drakhtik Beach.

In Armenia, newborns are not permitted to meet anyone outside of immediate family for the first 40 days of their lives. Interestingly, this belief isn't unique to just Armenian culture.

Armenia is named after Aram, a great-great-grandson of Noah from the Bible and a descendant of Haig. Aram was also a leader and is considered the progenitor of all Armenians according to Armenian tradition.

Yerevan is one of the most picturesque "pink cities" you could visit, with buildings constructed from naturally colored volcanic rocks of varying shades of pink, earning it the name "Pink City."

Apricots are important to the country, and you will notice this even in the flag, which is orange. One of the most famous Armenian musical instruments, the duduk, is traditionally also made from apricot wood, known as "seranq po," meaning "apricot pipe" in Armenian. It produces a unique and warm sound.

Did you know that Armenians even have an Apricot Festival? This event isn't just about the fruit but also includes the Golden Apricot International Film Festival held annually in Yerevan.

The Aras River Valley, a narrow region marking Iran's northern border with Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, and Nakhchivan, boasts castles, tombs, stepped villages, and breathtaking mountain scenery all devoid of tourists. It makes for an interesting day trip.

The Armenian bread known as lavash has made it onto the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Locals traditionally bake this bread underground, and it can be stored for up to a year. The history of lavash dates back to early innovations of cooking thin flatbreads on terracotta griddles. As ovens developed, breads could be made thicker without burning, like the bread described in the Bible.

Armenian women were once known for wearing enormous headdresses, which symbolized the wealth and status of their husbands.

The first church in the world, Holy Etchmiadzin, was built in Armenia back in the early 4th century. This place serves as the headquarters of all the churches in Armenia and is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.

Armenia has a rich and unique heritage that is fascinating to explore. For instance, the Ughtasar petroglyph, dating back to 12,000 BC, and the world's oldest known leather shoe, dating back to 3,500 BC, was discovered in Armenia.

Armenia has a historical connection with Russia, which is why locals often speak Russian. It was a language preferred by the older generation since Armenia was a part of the Soviet Union for nearly 70 years.

Lake Arpi is a wonderful destination for a quiet retreat, offering a more relaxed atmosphere than Lake Sevan during the high season. The lake was transformed into a reservoir in 1951, significantly enlarging its natural state.

Armenia has a long-standing rivalry with its neighboring country Azerbaijan. So when Shakira once accidentally held Azerbaijan's flag upside down during a concert, it caused quite a stir. However, Armenians found satisfaction in the incident, even though it was unintentional.

Tsaghkadzor is a renowned ski resort in Armenia, boasting around 27 kilometers of slopes served by six different lifts.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Tatev Aerial Tramway is the world's longest non-stop cable car, spanning 5,752 meters (18,871 feet) and connecting the Tatev Monastery with the Vorotan River Gorge.

Armenia boasts a deep Soviet-style metro that operates within its capital city. This metro is used daily by both Armenian citizens and tourists who regularly visit the country.

An old Armenian belief posits that if you don't wear a hat in cold weather, you may catch a cold "in your teeth."

Armenia is often referred to as a sunny country due to its climate, which provides sunshine for the majority of the year.

As befits the oldest Christian nation in the world, one of the key symbols in Armenian culture is a cross-stone or "khachkar," a carved memorial stone bearing a cross. The first khachkars appeared in the 9th century, and today about 40,000 of them survive globally.

Trchkan Waterfall is situated on the border of Shirak and Lori regions on the Trchkan River, which is the left tributary of the Pambak River. The waterfall, located 10 kilometers from Shirakamut Village in the Shirak region, is the highest in Armenia, dropping from a height of 23 meters (75 feet).

Armenia mandates compulsory military service, drafting Armenian men for two years when they turn 18.

Many Armenian surnames end in "yan" or "ian," which means "son of" in the Armenian language.

Traditionally, Armenian families used carpets to cover floors and decorate interior walls and furniture. Diverse in colors and motifs, carpets were a family necessity. Armenian women wove rugs according to strict rules and preserved them as family heirlooms. Many researchers consider the 5th-century BC Pazyryk carpet, excavated from a frozen tomb in Siberia, to be of Armenian origin. The oldest surviving Armenian carpet discovered within Armenian territory dates back to the early 13th century.

Armenian rugs were renowned by foreigners who traveled to the area. Travelers such as Arab geographer and historian Al-Masudi and Marco Polo praised them for their unique colors and quality. Florentine merchants imported these rugs to Europe via the Armenian cities of Ayas and Sis.

At the Geological Museum of Armenia, you can see the skeleton of a "stronotherium" elephant dating back one million years. This fossil was found in semi-gravel in the vicinity of Garmri.

The world's first mathematics textbook was created by an Armenian mathematician, David the Invincible. The textbook is now housed in the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Matenadaran.

Unfortunately, many citizens have fled the country and live abroad because of the Armenian Genocide, as well as political and economic issues. Nearly six million people have left the country, with the second largest community of Armenians living in Los Angeles. By comparison, only three million Armenians still live in the region.

Armenians celebrate New Year twice, once on January 1st and again on January 13th in accordance with the old Julian calendar.

Ivan Aivazovsky was a Russian painter born into an Armenian family living in Crimea. He enjoyed popularity within the Russian Empire and held many solo exhibitions in Europe and the United States throughout his artistic career. He created around 6,000 paintings, the vast majority of which were seascapes. Today, Aivazovsky's marine art frequently appears on postage stamps worldwide, from Nigeria and Mozambique to Moldova and Ukraine.

Armenia was a significant stop along the ancient Silk Road trade route, connecting Europe and Asia. This historical connection contributed to the country's cultural diversity and the exchange of goods, ideas, and traditions.

Dolma is a traditional Armenian dish that you need to try while you are in the country. The dish, made of rice and meat, is wrapped in cabbage or grape leaves. Moreover, many spices go into the making of this dish to ensure it is delicious.

Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion. Today, 97 percent of Armenia's population is Christian.

One of the most unique sports in Armenia is Kokh, a traditional Armenian wrestling style that dates back to ancient times.

During the Tehran Conference in 1943, when Germany was planning an assassination attempt on the "Big Three" (Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill), codenamed "Long Jump," Moscow assigned terrorism prevention to a group led by the 19-year-old Armenian intelligence officer Gevork Vartanian. They executed their task brilliantly.

Engineer Hovhannes Adamian was one of the inventors of color television with his tri-color principle. His first experimental color television was showcased in London in 1928.