Here are  interesting and fun facts about Armenia .

Armenia is one of the most fascinating yet underrated countries, is an ancient country known for its 3,500-year-old history, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.there are so many Armenia tourist attractions and there are so manyplaces to visit in Armenia.
The locals are warm and hospitable and do their best to make visitors feel welcome in their beloved motherland. 

Armenia worships Mt Ararat which is also the national symbol of Armenia.

Armenia worships Mt Ararat which is also the national symbol of Armenia.

Mount Ararat is a snow-capped and dormant compound volcano in the extreme east of Turkey. It consists of two major volcanic cones.
Even today, Ararat's two dormant volcanic cones, referred to as Greater and Little Ararat, dominate the views  from Yerevan.
Mt Ararat It is the principal national symbol of Armenia and has been considered a sacred mountain by Armenians.
The mountain has been called by the name Ararat since the Middle Ages, as it began to be identified with "mountains of Ararat" They also believe that the peak of Mt Ararat was where Noah’s ark was found.

The ark has never been found, but that doesn’t stop it appearing on Armenia’s coat of arms.
Mt Ararat actually located within Turkey. It hasn’t always been that way: the holy mountain has been passed between the Kingdom of Armenia, Persia, Russia and Turkey.  

Armenia Makes Chess Compulsory in School.

Armenia,  is one of the first countries in the world to have made chess as a compulsory subject in schools,for every child over the age of 6.
In Armenia say the move is aimed at fostering independent strategic thinking among future generations at school, at work, and in society.
The decision was taken in 2011
Today Armenia already is one of the world's leading chess nations.

The first church in the world was built in Armenia  .

Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church in the city of Vagharshapat Armenia.
According to most scholars it was considered the oldest cathedral in the world.

The initial construction of the  cathedral dates back to the early 4th century, and was ordered by St. Gregory the Illuminator, patron saint of Armenia.
The foundations of the current building, however, were built at the end of the 5th century, after the initial building suffered major damage after a Persian invasion. 

Along with several important early medieval churches located nearby, The cathedral was designated as  a UNESCO World Heritage in 2000.

Yerevan one of the world’s oldest capital.

Yerevan is also known as the “pink city” and capital one of the world’s oldest capital.

Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, founded in 782 BC,
It has been the capital since 1918, the fourteenth in the history of Armeni.
A popular nickname for Yerevan is “The Pink City”  from the rosy volcanic rock that was used to construct many of the city’s buildings.

 

Armenia was the first country to have adopted Christianity as its state religion.

Most historians believe that in 301 AD, it became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity.
The spiritual leaderAccording to legend, the first head of the Armenian Apostolic Church was Gregory the Illuminator
Christian communities have been established  by two of Jesus' twelve apostles – Thaddeus and Bartholomew – who preached Christianity in Armenia. Because of these two founding apostles, the official name of the Armenian Church is Armenian Apostolic Church.  
Today,  almost 95% of the population today are Christians.

An estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed during the Genocide

The genocide refers to the mass killings of Armenians that began under Ottoman rule in 1915. (Sometimes called the first genocide of the twentieth century).
By the early 1920s, when the massacres and deportations finally ended,  1.5 million Armenians were dead in massacres and killings, or from systematic ill treatment, exposure, and starvation.
Many  forcibly removed from the country, and  tens of thousands of Armenian children were forcibly removed from their families and converted to Islam.
However, the Turkish government still does not acknowledge the scope of these events.

Armenia is one of the oldest wine producing country in the world

Thanks to its generous soil and 300 days of sunshine a year, Armenia is an unexpected treasure trove of fine wine,from the freshest of whites to the red, with plenty of unique flavors between them. 
It’s attributed to its blessed location of being on the fertile valleys of Mt Ararat where high quality grapes could be grown.

The eighth-century BC kings of Urartu referred to ancient Armenia as “the land of the vineyards” and Assyrian armies marveled at its vast quantities of fruit trees and vines.
Researchers  unearthed archeological evidence of the world's oldest known winery.  
Dating back over 6,000 years, the cave is located in the Arpa Canyon near Areni, Vayots Dzor.
They found wine presses, containers for storing and fermenting the wine, and cups and jars that people would drink out of.
People used to perform ancient winemaking rituals at this cave.

The apricot is one of the symbols of Armenia

Each country has its own symbols,the apricot is a symbol of Armenia.
Armenian apricot is considered to be one of the best-known symbols of Armenia, after Mount Ararat,Some people believe that each colour of the Armenian flag has its own meaning. The red one is a symbol of blood, the blue is a symbol of peace, and the yellow one symbolizes the apricot.
Armenian apricots are very famous within the tourists who have visited Armenia even once.
In fact even the scientific name of this fruit – Prunus Armeniaca and  the Romans called the apricot "the Armenian apple."

The World's Longest Cable Car.

Wings of Tatev is a 5.7 km (3.5 mi) cableway between Halidzor and the Tatev monastery in Armenia.

Located in Syunik region, 250 km to the south of Yerevan. 

It is the longest reversible aerial tramway built in only one section, and holds the record for Longest non-stop double track cable car.The  tramway is supported by three towers between its two terminals.

There are six cables altogether (three per cabin, with two cables suspending and one cable pulling each cabin), each uniquely built for the specifications of this project.

Total ride time from Halidzor station to Tatev monastery is about 12 minutes, with its deepest drop at 360 meters aboveground. 

Each cabin accommodates 30 passengers and one steward. 

Construction was finished on 16 October 2010.

Intersting Facts about Armenian cuisine

Armenian cuisine reflects the traditions and the history of ancient Armenia.The Armenian cuisine is a combination of different tastes and aromas, various spices, vegetables, fish and meat. 
The Armenian cuisine is so rich and varied that it will satisfy the tastes and preferences of any tourist.
The fish has its special place in Armenian cuisine. 

Armenians have a special festival dedicated to fish, on Easter eve considering fish the symbol of Christianity. During festival villagers have opportunity to show their product.

Lavash - Traditional Armenian Bread

Armenian cuisine is quite popular with its traditional bread called lavash. They are especially delicious warm from the oven wrapped with cheese and fresh greens . 
It can be dried and kept for quite a long time. 

More Armenians live abroad than in Armenia.

The events of 1915 forced millions of Armenians to flee abroad, where they established strong communities in the US,  Russia  and  France .
The total number of Armenians residing in Armenia, is around 3 million1, whereas the number of those outside is estimated to be, according to different sources, 5-6 million. 

Distinctive feature is the Armenian Diaspora. Armenians, along with Jews, represent a rare example of a nation, the majority of whose representatives live outside the homeland. 

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