Armenia: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Armenia

Armenia is a small, mountainous, landlocked country in the South Caucasus, just south of the Caucasus mountain range. Much of the land sits high above sea level, with volcanic peaks, deep gorges and the large Lake Sevan. It is known for its ancient stone monasteries, its own alphabet and its apricots.

About Yerevan

Yerevan lies on the Hrazdan River, and snowy Mount Ararat can be seen from across the city. It grew from the fortress of Erebuni, founded in 782 BC, and is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Fun facts about Armenia

1. The Armenian alphabet was created by the scholar Mesrop Mashtots around the year 405.
2. In 2011, Armenia became the first country to make chess a compulsory subject in schools.
3. Lake Sevan sits about 1,900 metres above sea level and is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.
4. The world's oldest known leather shoe, more than 5,000 years old, was found in Armenia's Areni-1 cave.
5. The apricot is Armenia's national fruit, and its scientific name, Prunus armeniaca, refers to Armenia.
6. At the Monastery of Geghard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, many churches and tombs are cut right into the rock.