Armenia

Armenia is a country in the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia. It has no coast, so it is called a landlocked country. The land is full of mountains, lakes, and old churches. About 3 million people live in Armenia, and the capital is Yerevan.

A Very Old Country

Armenia has a long history that goes back thousands of years. It was the first country in the world to make Christianity its official religion, way back in the year 301. Armenians built many stone churches high in the mountains. Some of these churches are more than 1,500 years old. The Armenian alphabet was created in 405 and is still used today.

Land and Food

Armenia has a big, beautiful lake called Lake Sevan. Tall Mount Ararat can be seen from the capital, even though it is now across the border. Armenians love to eat a flat bread called lavash. They also enjoy stuffed grape leaves and apricots. Apricots are so important that Armenia is sometimes called the home of the apricot.

Fun Facts

• Yerevan is older than the city of Rome in Italy.
• Armenia has its own special alphabet with 39 letters.
• Chess is taught in Armenian schools as a regular class.

Did You Know?

Armenia is home to the world's oldest leather shoe, which is about 5,500 years old and was found in a cave.