Discover Armenia: 13 Amazing Fun Facts to Spark Your Wanderlust

1. Chess Grandmasters Galore

In the land where pawns become kings and strategic warfare is conducted in silence, the battleground is a checkered board: Armenia has the highest number of chess grandmasters per capita, with chess being a national obsession since the Soviet era. This love for the game even led the country to make chess a mandatory part of the school curriculum for second, third, and fourth graders in 2011, with over $1.5 million invested in the program, making them a force to reckon with in the world of chess championships.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Climbing Mount Ararat

When Friedrich and Khachatur went hiking, they said, "Ararat? I hardly know her!": In 1829, naturalist Friedrich Parrot and Armenian writer Khachatur Abovian were the first to climb Mount Ararat, a gargantuan volcanic icon in modern-day Turkey, composed of the majestic Greater and Lesser Ararat, but best known for its alleged Noah's Ark connection—though there's absolutely no solid proof of that ever having happened.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

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=> Fun Facts about Azerbaijan

3. Churchill's Beloved Brandy

When Stalin rolled out the red carpet and a sippin' surprise for dear old Winston: Armenia's ArArAt brandy wooed Churchill's taste buds at the Yalta conference in February 1945. So smitten was he, that the Soviet leader arranged for 400 bottles to be sent to him annually post-WWII. This rare liquid privilege, however, remained exclusive to the Communist Party elite, far from British lips. Thanks to Pernod Ricard's acquisition and a 10,000-bottle London invasion by Vinorium, it now flows in specialist wine merchants like Gerry's of Soho, retailing at around £29.
Source => winstonchurchill.org

4. Mesrop Mashtots' Alphabet Masterpiece

When Saint Mesrop Mashtots was faced with a language crisis, he didn't say "Alphabet-a go-go!" – he went and invented a 39-letter Armenian alphabet instead: In the 5th century AD, Mesrop crafted this unique script as a means to preserve national identity, adapting a long-lost older alphabet to keep the Armenian culture alive amid fears of assimilation after losing their independence in 387 AD. This linguistic masterpiece not only bolstered their identity but opened the gateway for translations of biblical and literary works, solidifying Armenian culture and legacy.
Source => ancient-origins.net

5. Ancient Humor and Language

Why did the chicken cross the Ararat Valley? To learn a bit of ancient humor, of course: Armenia proudly boasts one of the oldest alphabets still in use today, crafted over 1,600 years ago to translate the Christian Bible, proving that the Armenian language truly knows how to stand the test of time.
Source => study.com

6. The Delicious Flag of Armenia

Did you know that Armenia's flag is a red carpet, a blue sky, and a ripe apricot? It's a sweet and tangy tribute to the nation's zest for life: Comprising three equal horizontal stripes, the vivid red symbolizes the Armenian Highlands and their relentless fight for survival, the serene blue signifies peaceful skies, and the refreshing apricot echoes the country's creativity and diligence, as enshrined in the Constitution of Armenia and the Law on the National Flag of Armenia.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Stargazers and the Byurakan Observatory

When the stars align and you feel like your horoscope is finally giving you the clarity you've been searching for, it might just be the work of some stargazers nestled in the mountains of Armenia: The Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory has made immense contributions to astronomy, such as detecting star clusters, supernovae, and over 1,500 galaxies with ultraviolet excess known as Markarian galaxies. As a regional hub for astronomical research, it's no wonder they've hosted major conferences on SETI and wield a 2.6 m Cassegrain reflector telescope to keep an eye on the cosmos.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Holy Mosh Pits and Yazidi Temples

Armenia: the trailblazing hotspot for ancient holy mosh pits and an obscure-but-awesome temple scene. Did you know: the country has, since 301 AD, been rocking the Christian vibes like no other, proudly being the first-ever nation to adopt Christianity as the official state religion! Plus, as a cherry on top, it's also home to the world's largest Yazidi temple in the village of Aknalich. Amen to that, you religious rockstars!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Ancient Cowhide Cinderella

If Cinderella had been Armenian, her glass slipper might have been made of cowhide instead: In a 5,500-year-old cave, preserved by sheep dung, lies a single piece of cowhide fashioned into a shoe fitting a modern women's size seven (U.S.). This ancient accessory was likely tailor-made for its owner's right foot and showcases the "whole cut" technique, still adored by shoe enthusiasts today.
Source => nationalgeographic.com

10. Kochari: Inclusive Dance Tradition

Dancing the night away without an age restriction or fancy footwork required: Armenia boasts the Kochari, a traditional dance inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2017, which unites everyone in a rhythmic trance and transcends social boundaries, preserving its cultural roots through curricular inclusions and spontaneous dance entourages.
Source => ich.unesco.org

11. Bride's Shoe Name Ritual

Before you tell a lie and break her heart, you might want to consult the sole of an Armenian bride's shoe: In Armenian wedding traditions, the bride's unmarried female friends write their names on the sole of her shoe for good luck, and as each one ties the knot themselves, the bride crosses off their names, symbolizing the unbreakable bond between friends and their quests for lasting love.
Source => beau-coup.com

12. Armenian-American Heroes

As if making the world's most scrumptious baklava wasn't enough, Armenians had to go and become heroes and lifesavers too: With outstanding individuals such as Anna Der-Vertanian, the first woman promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, and Ernest Dervishian, a Medal of Honor recipient in World War II, as well as medical pioneers like Dr. Raymond Damadian, inventor of the MRI, and Dr. John Najarian, a transplant expert, the Armenian-American community has made remarkable contributions to the Armed Forces and medical professions.
Source => news.va.gov

13. Powerhouse Combo: Soujuk Treat

Move over, Popeye: Walnuts and grape juice are the real powerhouse combo! These crunchy nuts and sweet sips are the main ingredients in Armenian Soujuk: a winter sweet that's not only delectably toothsome but jam-packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and immune-boosting goodies.
Source => yummway.com