Armenia is a nation, and former Soviet republic, in the mountainous Caucasus region straddling Asia and Europe.
Armenia’s official name is Republic of Armenia.
Located between the Black and Caspian Seas, Armenia is bordered on the north and east by Georgia and Azerbaijan, and on the south and west by Iran and Turkey.
Official language is Armenian.
As of 1 January 2016, the population of Armenia was estimated to be 3,022,866 people.
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia, and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities (for over 2,700 years).
Lake Sevan is the largest body of water in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in Eurasia. The lake is situated in the central part of Armenia, in the Gegharkunik Province, at the altitude of 1,900 m (6,200 ft) above sea level.
The whole country is 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level, and is mainly mountainous with a few forests.
Mount Aragats is an isolated four-peaked volcano massif in Armenia. Its northern summit, at 4,090 meters (13,420 feet) above sea level, is the highest point of the Lesser Caucasus and Armenia.
The country’s national symbol is Mt. Ararat. But Mt. Ararat is actually located in Turkey. And while it may actually be inside of Turkey, Armenians get a phenomenal view of it. Most famously, from Khor Virap.
The Khor Virap is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat plain in Armenia, near the border with Turkey, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of Artashat, Ararat Province. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholicos.
The Tatev monastery is a 9th-century Armenian Apostolic monastery located on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev village in Syunik Province in southeastern Armenia.
Wings of Tatev, a cableway from Tatev to Halidzor village was opened in October 2010. It was included in the Guinness World Records as world’s “longest non-stop double track cable car.”
Geghard is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.While the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave.
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, two Byzantine monasteries in the Tumanian region from the period of prosperity during the Kiurikian dynasty (10th to 13th century) were important centres of learning. Haghpat monastery and Sanahin monastery, was placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1996.
Haghpat Monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, probably in 976.
Sanahin Monastery is believed to be built in the 930s by King Abas Bagratuni.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. According to scholars it was the first cathedral (but not the first church) built in ancient Armenia, and is considered the oldest cathedral in the world.
The Temple of Garni is a classical Hellenistic temple in Garni, Armenia. It is perhaps the best-known structure and symbol of pre-Christian Armenia.It was probably built by king Tiridates I in the first century AD as a temple to the sun god Mihr.
Armenia was the first country to be officially converted to Christianity (301 traditional date, 314 revised date: both dates predate 391, the year the Roman Empire became officially Christian).
Armenian language is the continuation of Aramean language which Jesus was speaking.
97% of the people living in Armenia are Armenians and the remaining small percentage is made up of different ethnic minorities such as the Yazidis, Russians, Ukranians, Kurds, and more.
Chess champion Garry Kasparov, gambling mogul and part-Chrysler owner Kirk Kerkorian, retired pathologist Jack Kevorkian, singer Charles Aznavour, and Cher are all Armenians.
The Armenian eternity sign is an ancient Armenian national symbol and a symbol of the national identity of the Armenian people. It is one of the most common symbols in Armenian architecture, carved on khachkars and on walls of churches.
The oldest-known winery was discovered in the “Areni-1” cave in Vayots Dzor, Armenia. Dated to c. 4100 BC, the site contained a wine press, fermentation vats, jars, and cups. Archaeologists also found V. vinifera seeds and vines.
Armenian cuisine is as ancient as the history of Armenia, a combination of different tastes and aromas. The food often has quite a distinct aroma. The preparation of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes in an Armenian kitchen requires stuffing, frothing, and puréeing. Lamb, eggplant, and bread (lavash) are basic features of Armenian cuisine.
A wide array of sports are played in Armenia, the most popular among them being wrestling, weightlifting, judo, association football, chess, and boxing.
Since the 2011–12 school year, chess lessons have been made part of the curriculum in every public school in Armenia, making it the first country in the world to make chess mandatory in schools.