A look at Armenia
Armenia
What race is Armenian?
The Armenians are the
descendants of a branch of the Indo-Europeans. The ancient Greek historians
Herodotus and Eudoxus of Rhodes related the Armenians to the Phrygians—who
entered Asia Minor from Thrace—and to the peoples of the ancient
kingdom upon whom the Phrygians imposed their rule and language.
Is Armenia a safe country?
Armenia is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world for
solo travelers as well as for families. Low crime levels
and the hospitality of the locals allow tourists to enjoy their time here
without any fear for their safety.
Is Armenia an Islamic country?
Azeris and Kurds living in Armenia traditionally
practiced Islam, but most Azeris have fled
the country due to the
Nagorno-Karabakh War. In 2009, the Pew Research Center estimated that less than 0.1% of the
population, or about 1,000 people, were Muslims. The 18th century Blue
Mosque is open for Friday prayers.
25 amazing things you probably didn’t know about Armenia
1. It’s home to the world's oldest winery
At least that’s what the archaeologists claim: in 2011 they discovered what is thought to be the oldest winery on the planet, found, of all places, in a cave near the village of Areni.
2. It was the first nation to adopt Christianity
Christianity spread to the now-defunct Kingdom of Armenia soon after the
death of Jesus, though it took until the early 4th century for it to be
adopted as the state religion. Still, that was earlier than any other
country on the planet.
3. ...And it has the churches to prove it
From millennia-old monasteries to crumbling cathedrals, Armenia is scattered with Christian places of worship: they don’t call this the “land of churches” for nothing. It’s impossible to identify the best basilica in the land, but one of our favorites is the 9th-century Tatev Monastery; a stunning building in an area of unremitting beauty.
4. Chess is part of the curriculum
Which explains why Armenians are so good at it. Indeed, since breaking free
from The Soviet Union, the country has proven itself to be a world-beater at the sport: the men’s team have won the European Team Championships (1999), the World
Team Championship (2011), and the Chess Olympiad (2006, 2008, 2012), while
the women’s team has scooped the European Championship (2003).
5. It lost 1.5 million people in the Armenian Genocide
In 1915 the Ottoman government orchestrated the systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians, an act known as the Armenian Genocide. Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire denies it was genocide, but governments of 28 countries – including Britain, Russia, and France – recognize the events as an act of genocide.
The Armenian Genocide memorial complex is located in Tsitsernakaberd CREDIT: ALAMY
6. 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. There are
thought to be some 5.6 million people of Armenian descent living abroad,
which is greater than the population of Armenia (3 million).
7. It has celebrity connections
Armenia is the ancestral homeland of Cher, Andre Agassi, and Serj Tankian, the frontman of American metal band, System of a Down, one of the groups at the forefront of publicizing the injustices of the Armenian Genocide. Armenia is also partly responsible for the Kardashians - dad Robert was a second-generation Armenian American.
8. Armenians think they know where Noah’s Ark is
There’s a widely-held belief in Armenia that Noah’s Ark is embedded in ice atop Mount Ararat. Despite many expeditions, said ark has never been found, but that doesn’t stop it from appearing on Armenia’s coat of arms.
9. Its national symbol is in Turkey
Snow-capped Mount Ararat is the principal national symbol of Armenia and is
considered by many Armenians to be sacred. The massif has featured
prominently in Armenian art and literature and is depicted on the country’s
coat of arms, however, it is 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.
10. It has one of the world’s oldest capitals…
The Armenian capital, Yerevan, is one of the world’s oldest inhabited
cities, constructed as it was 29 years before Rome. Overlooked by the
snow-capped Mount Ararat, the capital has a bewildering number of historic
buildings, not to mention a clutch of excellent museums.
11. ...Which is known as the “Pink City”
Yerevan gets its pretty pink hue (and moniker) from the rosy volcanic rock that was used to construct many of the city’s buildings.
12. Churchill had a taste for Armenian cognac…
During the Second World War, Joseph Stalin shipped several dozen cases of Armenian cognac to Winston Churchill, which the then-British prime minister consumed with gusto. His love for brandy was no secret: by his own estimate, he had drunk enough brandy to fill three railway carriages by the time he was 71.
13. In fact, Armenian cognac oiled the wheels of Yalta
The Yalta Conference – a meeting in the Crimea between Winston Churchill,
Joseph Stalin, and Franklin D Roosevelt to discuss Europe’s post-war
reorganization – is believed to have been largely fuelled by Armenian cognac
and wine. One of Churchill's aides at Yalta famously wrote about the
then-British prime minister “drinking buckets of Caucasian champagne which
would undermine the health of any ordinary man”.
14. It has a record-breaking cable car
According to Guinness World Records, the longest non-stop double track of the cable car is the Tatev Aerial Tramway, which clocks in at 5,752 m (18,871ft) long. The spectacular cable car connects the village of Halizor with the aforementioned Tatev Monastery, offering spectacular views across the Vorotan River Gorge en route.
15. It’s technically at war
Relations between Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan have been fraught for
years and the two countries are technically still at war. The issue centers
around Nagorno-Karabakh, an area of southwestern Azerbaijan populated
largely by ethnic Armenians. Supported by Armenia, it tried to break away
from Azerbaijan in 1994 sparking a bloody war between the two nations. A
Russian brokered ceasefire was signed in 1994, but fresh fighting broke out this year.
16. You can go skiing there
The main ski resort in Armenia is Tsakhkadzor, which has some 27km of
slopes, plus six lifts to get you up there. Expect to pay around 8500
Armenian drams (about £17) for a day ski pass.
17. It’s big on birds
Armenia is a twitchers delight, home as it is to 345 of Europe's estimated 530 bird species. Highlights include falcons, swans, and eagles, which also feature on the Armenian coat of arms.
18. The people are as hard as nails
Armenia won one gold and three silver medals at the Rio Olympics, all of
which were in wrestling or weightlifting. Enough said.
19. They like Shakira (sort of)
Many Armenians were delighted to hear about Shakira’s stunning faux pas at
a concert in neighboring Azerbaijan, whereby the Colombian singer walked on
stage carrying her national flag upside down, thus turning it into the
Armenian standard. Oops.
20. Its bread is Unesco-listed
Dinner tables are rarely without huge piles of lavash, a tasty flatbread that is the cornerstone of Armenian cuisine. So important is this humble dish that was placed on Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014.
Bakers traditionally make Unesco-listed lavash.
21. It boasts the largest lake in the Caucasus
And what a beauty she is, too. Covering one-sixth of Armenia’s territory, Lake Sevan is overlooked by the stunning Sevanavank monastic complex, which is one of the country’s top attractions.
22. Its women are the sexiest in the world
At least that’s according to a dubious poll of 44,000 US men, who voted
Armenian women the world’s sexiest. The results were perhaps skewered by the
ubiquity of Kim Kardashian, who famously “broke the internet” with her nude
photoshoot for Paper magazine.
23. They don’t have much luck with the footy
Despite being Armenia’s national sport, football is not something it
performs particularly well at – at least not on the international stage.
Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, the country has failed to
qualify for either the UEFA European Football Championships or the FIFA
World Cup.
24. It has three Unesco World Heritage Sites
Which are: the monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin; the cathedral and
churches of Echmiatsin and the archaeological site of Zvartnots; and the
monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley.
25. There’s an Armenian alphabet monument
When the Armenian alphabet celebrated its 1,600th birthday in 2005, the
authorities erected 39 stone statues depicting its letters near the final
resting place of the man who created it, Mesrop Mashtots. Visitors can visit
the giant letters, which stand proud in the town of Aparan.
What do Armenians speak?
Armenia is an ethnically homogeneous country, in which Armenian is the
official language and is spoken as a first language by the majority of its
population. As of today, Russian is still, by far, the best-known foreign language among the Armenian population.
Is Armenian a nationality?
Armenians (Armenian: հայեր, hayer [hɑˈjɛɾ]) are an ethnic group native
to the Armenian Highlands of Western
Asia. Armenians constitute the main population
of Armenia and the de facto independent Artsakh.
U.S. citizens are allowed visa-free entry
to Armenia for up to 180 days per year. For visits of
longer than 180 days, you must apply for a residency permit through
the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Can you fly to Armenia?
Can I travel to Armenia right
now? Armenia is partially open to travelers. Check our life
COVID-19 map for Armenia travel restrictions, and to find
out if you'll need to quarantine on arrival. ... The
average flight time between the United States and Yerevan
(Armenia's capital), is 15h 0min.
What is the national dish of Armenia?
Harissa
Harissa is a porridge made of wheat
and meat cooked together for a long time, originally in the
toner but nowadays over a stove. Ardashes Hagop Keoleian called it the
"national dish" of Armenians. Traditionally, harissa was
prepared on feast days in communal pots.
Is Armenia part of NATO?
Armenia. ... However, Armenia is unlikely to join NATO as its policies often align it closer with Russia and it
remains a member of the Commonwealth of The Independent
States and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
What do Armenians look like?
The main physical characteristics of Armenians are short
and round skull, long and curved nose, dark brown or black hair, dark eyes,
thick eyebrows, and light skin. Armenians are an ancient
nation and have a rich history and are more varied; you can
meet Armenians with lighter or blonde hair, green or blue
eyes.
What is the currency of Armenia?
Armenian dram
Armenian dram
How do I get an Armenian nationality?
Citizenship
1. Any person 18 years or older can apply for Armenian citizenship. ...
2. General requirements are legal residence in Armenia for
the last 3 years, good knowledge of Armenia, acquaintance with
the Constitution of Armenia.
How much is the Armenia visa fee?
Is the Schengen visa valid for Armenia?
Armenia is only one of several world countries trying to reach
a visa liberalization agreement with
the Schengen countries, among others also Kosovo, Turkey,
Bahrain, and Kuwait. According to Schengen visa statistics, in 2018, the Schengen consulates located
in Armenia received 59,012 Schengen visa applications.
Is Armenia a European country?
Since 2004, Armenia and the other South Caucasus states
have been part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
... Regardless, on January 12, 2002,
the European Parliament noted
that Armenia and Georgia may enter
the EU in the future, as
both countries are considered European.
Is Armenian Church Orthodox?
Armenian Apostolic Church, independent Oriental Orthodox Christian church, and the
national church of Armenia. According to
tradition, Armenia was evangelized by the apostles
Bartholomew and Thaddeus. Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity about 300 CE when St. Gregory the Illuminator converted the Arsacid king Tiridates III. The new Armenian church soon struck a course independent of the founding church
at Caesarea Cappadocia (now Kayseri, Turkey), though it developed in close relationship with
the Syrians, who provided it with scriptures and liturgy and much of its
basic institutional terminology. The Armenian church’s dependence on
the Syriac alphabet ended in the 5th century when Mesrop Mashtots invented an Armenian alphabet and undertook numerous translations of the scriptures into
Armenian.
Who supports Armenia?
Armenia has diplomatic relations with 172 separate entities (including the
African Union, Arab League, European Union, the Order of Malta, and the
Vatican City).
Where is Armenia's country?
A landlocked country with Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, and Azerbaijan to the east, Armenia boasts a history longer than most European countries. Armenia was annexed by Bolshevist Russia and along with Georgia and Azerbaijan, it was incorporated into the Soviet Union as part of the Transcaucasian SFSR (TSFSR) on 4 March 1922.
Is Armenia developed?
In the 2019 report (data for 2018) of the Human Development Index by
UNDP Armenia ranked 81st and is classified in to a "high
human development" group. In the 2018 report (data for 2017) of the
Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency
International Armenia ranked 105 of 180 countries.
Are Armenians considered Russian?
Armenians in Russia or Russian Armenians are
one of the country's largest ethnic minorities and the
largest Armenian diaspora community
outside Armenia. ... Armenians populate
various regions, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnodar Krai in the
North Caucasus, and as far as Vladivostok in the East.
How strong is the Armenian passport?
As of 7 January 2020, Armenian citizens had visa-free or
visa on arrival access to 62 countries and territories, ranking the Armenian passport 81st in terms of travel freedom according to the
Henley Passport Index.
How many countries can enter with an Armenian passport without a visa?
62 countries
The index is the original ranking of all the world's passports according to
the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
Armenian citizens can visit 62 countries without a
visa
Which countries you can travel to with an Armenian passport?
Armenian passport is a valuable document allowing visa-free travel to
62 countries, including places with limited access to nationals
of Western countries, such as Russia, China, Iran, Uzbekistan,
etc.
Is travel insurance required for Armenia?
Travel insurance is essential for trips to Armenia. Considering the
country's political climate, potential danger zones, and proximity to other
countries in similar situations, travel insurance gives you
the peace of mind in knowing you can get travel assistance
if you need it.
How can I check my visa status in Armenia?
You can check the status of
your visa application on ceac.state.gov. If
your visa has been denied, you may find useful information
on Ineligibilities and Waivers on travel.state.gov.
Is Armenia part of Turkey?
Western Armenia (Western Armenian: Արեւմտեան
Հայաստան, Arevmdian Hayasdan), located in Western Asia, is a term used to
refer to eastern parts of Turkey (formerly the Ottoman
Empire) that were part of the historical homeland of
the Armenians. ... The area then became known
as Turkish Armenia or Ottoman Armenia.
Why do Armenian names end in yan?
Typical
modern Armenian last names (family names) end with
the originally patronymic suffix -յան (reformed orthography) or -եան
(classical orthography), transliterated as -yan, -ian, or less often
'-Jan'. Example: Petrosyan, meaning "issued from Petros", akin to the
English name Peterson.
What was Armenia before?
The existence of two major segments in the Armenian people is best of all illustrated by the fact that Armenians call themselves "Hay" and their country "Hayastan" after Hayasa, while other peoples call themselves Armenians and their country Armenia after the Armens.
Is Armenia an Islamic country?
25 amazing things you probably didn’t know about ArmeniaWhat do Armenians speak?
What is the national dish of Armenia?
What is the currency of Armenia?
How do I get an Armenian nationality?
How much is the Armenia visa fee?
Is the Schengen visa valid for Armenia?
Is Armenia a European country?
Are Armenians considered Russian?
How strong is the Armenian passport?
How many countries can enter with an Armenian passport without a visa?
which countries you can travel to with an Armenian passport?
Is travel insurance required for Armenia?
How, can I check my visa status in Armenia?
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