Top facts about Armenia
1. Armenians were among the pioneers of wine-making in the world.
Archeologists state that the excavations held in 2011 in Armenia lead to finding the most ancient winery in the world. To be more precise the winery was found in caves of Areni. Here also the world's most ancient shoe was found.
2. Armenia is home to lots of churches and monasteries.
Armenia is very rich in religious sites. All of the are very old and some of them today are just ruins of once-magnificent architectural sites. This is why Armenia is also called to be a land of churches. It is hard to tell the precise amount of churches or monasteries that can be found in Armenia. It is also hard to say which one is the best. However, in the city of Vagharshapat or how the locals refer: Echmiadzin you can visit the world's most ancient Christian Cathedral.
3. Chess is in the school curriculum in Armenia.
Armenians have always been good at Chess even before having it as an obligatory class at school. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union Armenia marked itself as a top leader in the sphere: men's team won the European Championship in 1999, the world championship in 2011 as well as some Chess Olympiads in 2006, 2008, 2012. At the same time, the women's team became the Europe champion in 2003.
See more: Chess in Armenia
4. 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the 1915 Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.
In 1915 the Ottoman Empire having the Young Turks as leaders started mass murders in Western Armenia (now Turkey). Today the act is known to the world as the Armenian Genocide. Turkey being the heir of the Ottoman empire denies the fact of the Genocide committed by their ancestors. However 28 countries around the world, including Great Britain, Russia, France, etc. have accepted and noted that the mass kills held in 1915 were Genocide.
5. The majority of the Armenian nation lives abroad.
After 1915 many Armenians had to seek a life abroad thus creating strong diasporas in the USA, Russia, France, Argentina etc. In Armenia live just 3 million Armenians meanwhile abroad the diaspora counts up to 10 million people.
6. Celebrities of Armenian descent are very popular.
Armenia is the historical home of famous singer Cher, tennis player Andre Agassi, lead singer of System of a down rock band Serj Tankian, French Chanson singer Charles Aznavour, movie director Henry Vernoy as well as famous model Kim Kardashian.
8. Armenia is the land where Noha's arch landed.
According to the Bible Noha's arch landed on the Ararat mountain. The Ararat mountain is also the national symbol of Armenia and is considered to be holy by the locals. The mountain is in Turkey but it still appears in Armenian art and literature and is depicted on the national emblem.
9. The capital city of Armenia is one of the most ancient cities around the world.
Yerevan is the capital city of Armenia and in 2019 it turned 2901 years old. It is 29 years older than Rome. Here one can find many historical sites as well as various museums.
The modern city was constructed by Alexander Tamanyan during the Soviet Era. Because of the pink volcanic stones, known as tuff, used in the buildings Yerevan has gained the status of a pink city.
10. Armenian brandy was the favorite of Winston Churchill.
During the 2 World War, Iosif Stalin sent several boxes of Armenian brandy to Winston Churchill. The prime minister's love for brandy was never a secret, however after discovering Armenian brandy: Ararat, the later made it his favorite.
11. You can ski in Armenia!
The main ski resort of Armenia is Tsaghkadzor, which has 27 kilometers of slopes and six ski lifts. A subscription for the whole day will cost 8.5 thousand drams (about £ 17).
To be continued...