Fact 1: First Christian Nation
Armenia was the first country in the world to officially embrace Christianity as its state religion. This remarkable piece of history took place in the year 301 AD, even before the Byzantine Empire, which declared Christianity as its state religion in 380 AD.
Fact 2: The Homeland of Apricot
Apricots are more than just a fruit in Armenia; they are a part of the country's heritage and identity. Armenia is known worldwide for its mouth-watering apricots, and scientific evidence suggests that these delicious fruits actually originated from Armenia around 6000 years ago.
Fact 3: A Country With A Pink City
Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is also known as the “Pink City”. The buildings in Yerevan were built using naturally colored volcanic rocks of varying shades of pink, giving the city a unique charm and warmth.
Fact 4: The Legendary Mount Ararat
Mount Ararat is a national symbol for Armenia, recognized and revered by Armenians worldwide even though it's technically on Turkish soil. Believed to be the resting place of Noah's ark according to biblical accounts, the mount can be seen in the coat of arms of Armenia.
Fact 5: The Mysterious Stone Henge of Armenia
Located in Armenia is the Zorats Karer archaeological site, otherwise known as the Armenian Stonehenge. This prehistoric monument consists of hundreds of vertically arranged two-meter stones, which are believed to have been used for astronomical observation around 5500 years ago.
Fact 6: The World's Oldest Leather Shoe
In 2008, the world's oldest known leather shoe was discovered in a cave in Armenia. At 5,500 years old, the perfectly preserved shoe predates Stonehenge by 400 years and the Pyramids of Giza by 1000 years.
Fact 7: The Invention of the Color TV
Many people don't realize that the first color television was invented by an Armenian named Hovannes Adamian back in 1928. His innovative breakthrough in broadcasting actually predates the invention of color TV in America by nearly two decades.
Fact 8: Unique Alphabet
The Armenian alphabet is one of a kind. Created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD, its 39 beautiful characters have a rich history and deep cultural meaning. UNESCO celebrated the Armenian alphabet's 1600 anniversary in 2005 by declaring it as a part of the world's intangible heritage.
Fact 9: The Longest Non-Stop Double Track Cable Car
The Wings of Tatev, a 5.7 km (3.5 mi) cableway between Halidzor and the Tatev Monastery in Armenia, is recorded by the Guinness World Records as the world's "longest non-stop double track cable car."
Fact 10: Home to a Lake Older Than the Bible
Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world is located in Armenia. This stunning natural wonder, is over one million years old and has a depth of nearly 95 meters (312 feet).
Fact 11: A Population That Loves Chess
Armenia mandates chess lessons in schools, making it the first country in the world to include chess in the school curriculum. Armenia holds the highest number of grandmasters per capita in the world.
Fact 12: A 1,700-Year-Old Winery
Armenia is home to the world's oldest winery. In 2011, archaeologists discovered a 1,700-year-old winery complete with a wine press, fermentation vats, and jars for storage in the Areni-1 cave complex.
Fact 13: Remarkable Healing Water
Jermuk, a spa town in Armenia, is known for its curative mineral waters. People from around the globe travel to this region to heal and rejuvenate their health with the natural therapeutic spring water.
Fact 14: The Birthplace of Coffee Culture
Armenia has a long historical connection with coffee. The country played a substantial role in the spread of coffee culture across Europe. Armenian coffee, also known as "Soorj", is internationally acclaimed for its unique taste and preparation method.
Fact 15: The UNESCO-recognized Traditional Dance
The Kochari dance from Armenia became a part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list in 2018. This dance is a symbolic ritual performed in a group during public gatherings, reflecting the Armenian spirit and strength.
Fact 16: The world’s oldest bread
Carbon-dated to be over 5,000 years old, the world's oldest preserved bread was found in Armenia. Known as "Lavash," this delicious and incredibly thin bread has a significant place in the country's traditions and daily life.
Fact 17: The Extraordinary Music Instrument
The Duduk, a double-reed woodwind instrument, is indigenous to Armenia and has an incredible music history of over 1,500 years. With its soulful sound, the Duduk has become a symbol of Armenian music worldwide.
Fact 18: The Land of Pomegranates
Armenia is often symbolized by the pomegranate, which holds historical and cultural significance for the country. The pomegranate represents fertility, abundance, and marriage and is widely used in Armenian literature and art.
Fact 19: The Mysterious Underground City
Armenia is home to Khndzoresk, a stunning ancient cave city that was inhabited until the 1950s. This awe-inspiring city, carved from the side of a hill, could house an amazing 15,000 people in its numerous artificial and natural caves.
Fact 20: The Armenian Diaspora
Armenia has an unbelievable diaspora, with Armenian communities worldwide from Los Angeles to Paris. Interestingly, the Armenian diaspora outnumbers the actual population of Armenia by a considerable margin. This worldwide network of Armenians nurtures their unique heritage and strengthens their global identity.