21st September: Armenia Independence Day

Armenia achieved Independence from the Soviet Union on this date in 1991. Here are 10 things you might not know about Armenia:

Yerevan Opera House

1. Armenia was the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion, in the 4th century. The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest national church. It claims to have originated in the missions of Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus in the 1st century.
2. The capital and largest city is Yerevan. The buildings there are made from volcanic rock which is naturally coloured Pink, giving the city the nickname "Pink City".
3. The highest point is Mount Aragats at 4,090 metres (13,419 ft) above sea-level. Nowhere in Armenia is below 390 metres (1,280 ft) above sea level.
4. Mount Ararat is a symbol of Armenia and appears on their coat of arms, although it is actually situated in Turkey. It was part of Armenia historically, though, and can be seen from there.
5. Armenia is home to the world’s longest non-stop double track cable car. The Wings of Tatev is 5.7 km (3.5 mi) long and connects the village of Halizor to the isolated Tatev Monastery.
6. It is also home to the world's oldest winery. During excavations in 2011, scientists concluded that Areni winery in central Armenia is over 6000 years old.
7. The national fruit is the Apricot, and Armenian apricots are said to be the best in the world.
8. The Flag consists of three horizontal bands, red, blue and Orange. Red for survival, blue for peaceful skies and orange for creative talent and hard work (not to mention apricots).
9. The Armenian alphabet was invented in AD 405 by Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist and ecclesiastical leader, and originally contained 36 letters. Two more letters were added in the middle ages.
10. Famous people of Armenian descent include Cher, Dita Von Teese and the Kardashians. Although Steve Jobs was of Syrian decent, his adoptive parents Paul and Clara Jobs were Armenian.