[21 september] Happy Independence Day Armenia!

Day 3,592, 20:56 • Published in Armenia Romania • by VampireA
Armenia


General information

*Due to its geographic location, some people consider Armenia part of Europe,others consider it part of Asia.To avoid arguments,I will only present the world rankings of different statistics.
Population : 2.9 milion people (134th in the World)
Total Area : 29.743km^2 (138th in the World)
Official language : Armenian
Official currency : Dram(AMD)
Capital : Yerevan
Population density : 101.5 people/km2 (99th in the World)
Top 5 biggest cities : Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Vagarshabat, Abovyan
Armenia is divided into 10 provinces (marzer,singular marz), with the capital, Yerevan, serving as its own administrative division. The chief executive of every marz is called a marzpet , and is appointed by the government.In Yerevan, the chief executive is the mayor, appointed by the president.
Within each province are communities (hamaynkner,singular hamaynk).Each community is self governing and consists of one or more settlements. These are classified as either towns or villages. There a total of 915 communities, of which 49 are considered urban and 866 are considered rural. Yerevan also has the status of community, and is additionally divided into 12 semi-autonomous districts.

National sport : Football



Weightlifting



National animal symbols : The Lion and The Eagle

National instrument : Duduk









The significance of the 21st of September

On the 21st of September 1991, Armenia officially declared independence from the Soviet Union ,after the failed August coup in Moscow. Levon Ter-Petrosyan was popularly elected the first President of the newly independent Republic of Armenia on 16 October 1991. He had risen to prominence by leading the Karabakh movement for the unification of the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh. On 26 December 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist and Armenia's independence was recognised.

There is another national holiday, on the 28th of May, which celebrates the creation of the Republic of Armenia after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in 1918.
*Coat of arms








Armenia is a fascinating country, with its own unique alphabet and language.It is the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD.With this is mind, Armenia is usually called the Land of Churches,having old places of worship scattered across the land.
Tatev Monastery

To add to this, the overwhelming majority of Armenians follow their own distinct Christian church called the Armenian Apostolic Church, regarded as the national church of the Armenian people.

Armenian mythology features many interesting characters, many of them from before the Christianisation of Armenia.
Hayk Nahapet,legendary patriarch and founder of the Armenian people
Legend has it that Hayk emigrated to a region around Mount Ararat to escape the new king of Babylon, Bel. When Bel’s requests for Hayk to return are refused, he prepares a massive army to march against Hayk. During the battle, Hayk slays Bel with a nearly impossible arrowshot from his longbow, sending the enemy forces into disarray and subsequent to the battle, establishing the fortress of Haykaberd.
Ara the Handsome

Legend says the Assyrian Queen Semiramis (Shamiram in Armenian) asked Ara, who was king of the Armenians to marry her, but he refused. Angered by this, Semiramis wages war against Armenia and orders her commanders to catch Ara alive. Events do not go according to plan, and Ara is slain by one of Semiramis’s sons.
David of Sassoun, hero of the national epic The Daredevils of Sassoun







Top 5 places most visited by tourists

Lake Sevan



Situated at an altitude of 1900m, Lake Sevan is the second largest lake in the world relative to its altitude, with a surface area of 1242 km^2.The lake plays an important part in the country’s economy and food supply, providing around 90% of Armenia’s fish. Its only island, which is now a peninsula is home to the Sevanavank monastic complex.


Noravank



One of the most beautiful churches in the country, constructed in the 13th century and surrounded by red rock cliffs.

Tshaghkadzor



Tsaghkadzor is Armenia’s top ski resort , situated on the southeast slope of mount Teghenis.It was opened in 1986, initally intended as a training base for Soviet Olympic athletes.

Amberd Fortress



Dating from the 7th century AD, this fortress used to be one of the Armenian Kingdom’s primary defensive points.

Gyumri





Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia, home to many museums, such as the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life and National Architecture of Gyumri, as well as the Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum and the Sergey Merkurov House-Museum.
Around the city, you can also find the Black Fortress and the Mother Armenia statue.







Locations suggested by the locals

Yerevan





As the capital of Armenia and of the oldest cities in the world(782 BC) , Yerevan has plenty of interesting places to visit and experience. Top spots would have to go to the Republic Square, the Armenian Genocide Memorial, Hrazdan Gorge, Vernissage flea market and the Cascade.

Geghard






Geghard is a medieval monastery situated in the Azat River gorge.It is partially carved out of the adjacent mountain and it, along with the surrounding cliffs constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.While the main chapel was built in 1215, the complex itself dates from the 4th century AD, being founded by Saint Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave.

Temple of Garni



The Temple of Garni is an Ionic temple, and the only standing Greco-Roman building in Armenia.It dates from the 1st century AD, when it was built as a shrine to the sun god Mihr.It then transitioned to a royal summer house. It was partially destroyed in 1679 by an earthquake, but was rebuilt between 1969 and 1975. It now also serves as the center of Armenian neopaganism.






Inventions Armenia gave to the world

*Plastic surgery - Varazdat Kazanjian




*ATM - Luther George Simidzhyan



*Hair dryer - Gabriel Kazanjian




*MRI - Raymond Vahan Damadyan









Famous Armenians

Cher - born Cherylin Sarkisian , is one of the most famous singers in the world, and paved the way for women in a male-dominated industry at that time. With a unique voice and a 5-decade long career, Cher is one the most successful musicians in history.

Atom Egoyan - director, known for films such as Exotica(1994), The Sweet Hereafter(1997) and Ararat(2002)


Anastas Mikoyan(1895-197😎 - Old Bolshevik and Soviet statesman during the mandates of Lenin, Stalin and Brezhnev. He was the only Soviet politician to remain at high levels of power within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union as the power bounced between the Central Committee and the Politburo

Aram Khachaturian(1903-197😎 - one of the leading composer and conductors in the Soviet Union, considered a “national treasure” in Armenia.Famous for Gayane,Spartacus and Sabre Dance

Artem Mikoyan(1905-1970) - one of the most important aircraft designers in the Soviet Union, famous for designing the MiG alongside Mikhail Gurevich








Traditional food

Harissa



Thick porridge made from dried wheat and fatty meat.

Khash



Khash is a dish similar to a soup, made with boiled cow/sheep feet and head.

Dolma



Grape leaves stuffed with minced meat. Common throughout the former Ottoman world.

Sujuk



Pastirma



Highly seasoned, air-dried cured beef.







5 interesting facts about Armenia:

1.Less than a third of Armenians live in Armenia.Their diaspora is estimated at 8 million, compared to the 3 million at home.
2.The national symbol of Armenia, Mount Ararat, which is also believed to contain the wreck of Noah’s Ark on its summit, is not actually in Armenia.It is in Turkey.
3.It has the longest non-stop double track cable car in the world at 5.752 m, connecting the Tatev Monastery to the village of Halizor.
4.Chess is a compulsory subject in school, which explains why they are so good at it.A famous chess player from Armenia is Tigran Petrosian.
5.A special type of Armenian flat bread, called lavash, is cooked in underground ovens called tonir.This bread can last over a year and is listed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.







My 5 words when I hear about Armenia:
#Ararat,#Yerevan,#Mkhitaryan,#Chess,#OGChristians


What are your 5?







Special thanks to KoKoAp , and I am still waiting for a message for the comunity:


Waiting for feedback , coments , opinions and if there is anyone that thinks I missed something , I could do something better or just wants to help me with this project , PM me !

Special thanks to Kariky for the spacers !!

Hope you enjoyed and see you next time!

P.S. Article 13/74!

P.S.2. Don't forget to push that flags !