Armenians
387816
226129689
2008-07-16T23:11:37Z
Moosh88
208165
no source, and uses weasel words.
{{sprotected2}}
{{Infobox Ethnic group
|group = Armenians<br/>(Հայեր ''Hayer'')
|image =
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td>[[Image:Tigranes the Great 60x95.png|Tigranes the Great]]</td>
<td>[[Image:Mesrob Mashtots 60x95.png|St. Mesrob Mashtots]]</td>
<td>[[Image:Vartan Mamikonian 60x95.png|Vartan Mamikonian]]</td>
<td>[[Image:Levon V Lusignan 60x95.png|Levon V Lusignan]]</td>
<td>[[Image:Ivan Aivazovsky 60x95.png|Ivan Aivazovsky]]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[Image:Aram Khachaturian 60x95.png|Aram Khachaturian]]</td>
<td>[[Image:William Saroyan 60x95.png|William Saroyan]]</td>
<td>[[Image:Tigran Petrosian 60x95.png|Tigran Petrosian]]</td>
<td>[[Image:Charles Aznavour 60x95.png|Charles Aznavour]]</td>
<td>[[Image:Isabel Bayrakdarian 60x95.png|Isabel Bayrakdarian]]</td>
</tr>
</table>
<small>Top row (left to right)<br/>[[Tigranes the Great]] • [[Saint Mesrob|St. Mesrob Mashtots]] • [[Vartan Mamikonian]] • [[Levon V Lusignan of Armenia|Levon V Lusignan]] • [[Ivan Aivazovsky]] <br /> Bottom row (left to right)<br/>[[Aram Khachaturian]] • [[William Saroyan]] • [[Tigran Petrosian]] • [[Charles Aznavour]] • [[Isabel Bayrakdarian]]</small>
|population = '''8-10 million'''<ref name=MiniatureEmpires>Miniature Empires: A Historical Dictionary of the Newly Independent States - Page 3 by James B Minahan</ref>
|region1 = {{flagcountry|Armenia}}
|pop1 = 3,229,900
|ref1 = {{lower|<ref>2005 estimate. The [http://www.nationmaster.com/country/am/People Nationmaster.com page on Armenia] gives 93% ethnic Armenians in an estimated national population of 3,326,448 (July 2003 estimate), which would yield 3,093,000. It also notes that the population of [[Azeri]]s in Armenia has been rapidly dropping in recent years. The ''National Geographic Atlas of the World, Seventh Edition'' (1999) puts the population of Armenia at 3,800,000. <!--Does it make an assessment of ethnic breakdown? If so, please add here.--> 93% would yield a total around 3,500,000. However, [http://aol.countrywatch.com/aol_topic.asp?vCOUNTRY=8&SECTION=COVER&TOPIC=KEYDATA Countrywatch] gives a total national population of only 2,935,400 (2004). [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html The CIA gives a similarly low 2,982,904 (July 2005 estimate)]. We have gone approximately with the latter estimates as more recent and at least comparably authoritative.</ref>}}
|region2 = {{flagcountry|Russia}}
|pop2 = 1,130,491
|ref2 = {{lower|<ref>The [http://www.perepis2002.ru/content.html?id=11&docid=10715289081463 2002 Russian census] recorded 1,130,491 Armenians (0.78% of the population).</ref>}}
|region3 = {{flagcountry|United States}}
|pop3 = 1,000,000
|ref3 = {{lower|<ref name="euro">See [[Armenian-American]]; [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_QTP13&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-_lang=en&-_sse=on 2000 American Census] presents official data from the 2000 U.S. Census (including state-by-state data), which states that there are 385,488 people of Armenian ancestry currently living in the United States. [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/ETO/Table1.cfm?Lang=E&T=501&GV=1&GID=0 The 2001 Canadian Census] determined that there are 40,505 persons of Armenian ancestry currently living in Canada. However, these are liable to be low numbers, since people of mixed ancestry, very common in North America tend to be under-counted: the 1990 census U.S. [http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/language/table5.txt indicates] 149,694 people who speak Armenian at home. [http://www.armembassycanada.ca/diaspora/diaspora6.htm The Armenian Embassy in Canada] estimates 1 million ethnic Armenians in the U.S. and 100,000 in Canada. The Armenian Church of America makes [http://www.armenianchurch.org/heritage/history/america.html a similar estimate]. By all accounts, over half of the Armenians in the United States live in California.</ref>}}
|region4 = {{flagcountry|France}}
|pop4 = 500,000
|ref4 = {{lower|<ref name="ed">The [http://www.e4d.org/about.htm Education for Development Institute] maintains [http://www.3noor.org/ an extensive site about Armenia] that includes information about the [http://www.3noor.org/nnp00/armwmap.html Armenian diaspora in various countries]. Their numbers generally agree with other sources when those are available; where we don't have a more authoritative source, we are following their numbers.</ref>}}
|region5 = {{flagcountry|Iran}}
|pop5 = 400,000
|ref5 = {{lower|<ref>The [http://i-cias.com/e.o/iran_4.htm Encyclopedia of the Orient] states that there are 400,000 ethnic Armenians living in Iran.</ref>}}
|region6 = {{flagcountry|Turkey}}
|pop6 = 40,000-300,000
|ref6 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web |last=Turay |first=Anna |title=Tarihte Ermeniler |publisher=[http://www.bolsohays.com Bolsohays:Istanbul Armenians] |url=http://www.bolsohays.com/webac.asp?referans=1 |accessdate=2007-01-04}}</ref>}}<ref>''A Different Tradition: Hamshen Armenians Struggle for Identity and Recognition.''Julia Hakobyan, March 02, 2007. ArmeniaNow. http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=2040&CID=2106&IID=&lng=eng&PHPSESSID=0f2c6b8e1 </ref>
|region7 = {{flagcountry|Georgia}}
|pop7 = 248,900
|ref7 = {{lower|<ref>Georgia: ''[http://www.statistics.ge/index_eng.htm The State Department for Statistics of Georgia]'': 248,900 represents 5.7 % ethnic Armenians in an estimated national population of 4,371,500 (The Official data of 2002). ''[[The World Factbook]]'': 267,000 represents 5.7 % ethnic Armenians in an estimated national population of 4,693,892 (July 2004 est.). [http://www.nationmaster.com/country/gg/People Nationmaster.com: Georgia]: 400,000 represents 8.1% ethnic Armenians in an estimated national population of 4,934,413 (The Official data of 1989).</ref>}}
|region8 = {{flagcountry|Syria}}
|pop8 = 190,000
|ref8 = {{lower|<ref>The [http://i-cias.com/e.o/syria_4.htm Encyclopedia of the Orient] states that 160,000 Apostolic Armenians and 30,000 Catholic Armenians live in Syria. That number together makes up 190,000.</ref>}}
|region9 = {{flagcountry|Lebanon}}
|pop9 = 140,000
|ref9 = {{lower|<ref>The [http://i-cias.com/e.o/lebanon_4.htm Encyclopedia of the Orient] states that 120,000 Apostolic Armenians and 20,000 Catholic Armenians live in Lebanon. That number together makes up 140,000.</ref>}}
|region10 = ''{{flagcountry|Nagorno-Karabakh}}<br/>{{spaces|7}}<small>(''[[de facto]]'' an independent republic,<br/>''[[de jure|officially]]'' part of [[Azerbaijan]])</small></div>
|pop10 = 130,000
|ref10 = {{lower|<ref>[http://www.nationmaster.com/country/aj/People Nationmaster.com:Azerbaijan]: 156,000 represents 2% ethnic Armenians in an estimated national population of 7,830,764 (July 2003 est.) combined with the note "almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region".</ref>}}
|region11 = {{flagcountry|Argentina}}
|pop11 = 130,000
|ref11 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com">{{cite web|title=Armenian popiulation in the world|url=http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/followup/population.html|publisher=Armeniandiaspora.com}}</ref>}}
|region12 = {{flagcountry|Ukraine}}
|pop12 = 100,000
|ref12 = {{lower|<ref>The [http://www.ukrcensus.gov.ua/eng/results/general/nationality 2001 census Ukrainian census held in 2001] recorded 99,894 Armenians.</ref>}}
|region13 = {{flagcountry|Jordan}}
|pop13 = 70,000
|ref13 = {{lower|<ref>The [http://i-cias.com/e.o/jordan_4.htm Encyclopedia of the Orient] states that 70,000 Armenians live in Jordan.</ref>}}
|region14 = {{flagcountry|Uzbekistan}}
|pop14 = 70,000
|ref14 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region15 = {{flagcountry|Germany}}
|pop15 = 42,000
|ref15 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region16 = {{flagcountry|Canada}}
|pop16 = 40,505
|ref16 = {{lower|<ref name="euro"/>}}
|region17 = {{flagcountry|Brazil}}
|pop17 = 40,000
|ref17 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region18 = {{flagcountry|Greece}}
|pop18 = 35,000
|ref18 = {{lower|<ref>The [http://www.armenians.gr/english/index1024_en.html Armenian-Greek Community website] estimates 35,000.</ref>}}
|region19 = {{flagcountry|Australia}}
|pop19 = 15,791
|ref19 = {{lower|<ref> [http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?action=404&documentproductno=0&documenttype=Details&order=1&tabname=Details&areacode=0&issue=2006&producttype=Census%20Tables&javascript=true&textversion=false&navmapdisplayed=true&breadcrumb=TLPD&&collection=Census&period=2006&productlabel=Ancestry%20(full%20classification%20list)%20by%20Sex&producttype=Census%20Tables&method=Place%20of%20Usual%20Residence&topic=Ancestry& 2006 Census] </ref>}}
|region20 = {{flagcountry|Turkmenistan}}
|pop20 = 30,000
|ref20 = {{lower|<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=40929&SelectRegion=Central_Asia Turkmenistan: Focus on Armenian migrants]</ref>}}
|region21 = {{flagcountry|Hungary}}
|pop21 = 30,000
|ref21 = {{lower|<ref>[http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/europe/hongriegeneral.htm Demographic information of Hungary].</ref>}}
|region22 = {{flagcountry|Belarus}}
|pop22 = 25,000
|ref22 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region23 = {{flagcountry|Kazakhstan}}
|pop23 = 25,000
|ref23 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region24 = {{flagcountry|Iraq}}
|pop24 = 60,000-20,000
|ref24 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region25 = {{flagcountry|Uruguay}}
|pop25 = 19,000
|ref25 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region26 = {{flagcountry|UK}}
|pop26 = 18,000
|ref26 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region27 = {{flagcountry|Bulgaria}}
|pop27 = 10,832
|ref27 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web |year=2001 |url=http://www.nsi.bg/Census/Ethnos.htm |title=Population as of 1 March 2001 divided by provinces and ethnic group |publisher=National Statistical Institute |language=Bulgarian |accessdate=2006-07-10}}</ref>}}
|region28 = {{flagcountry|Belgium}}
|pop28 = 10,000
|ref28 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region29 = {{flagcountry|Czech Republic}}
|pop29 = 10,000
|ref29 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region30 = {{flagcountry|Venezuela}}
|pop30 = 2,500
|ref30 = {{lower|<ref name="Armeniandiaspora.com" />}}
|region31 = Other regions
|pop31 = 100,000
|ref31 = {{lower|<ref name="ed"/>}}
|languages = [[Armenian language|Armenian]]
|religions = [[Christianity]], predominantly [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic]], as well as [[Armenian Catholic Church|Armenian Catholicism]], [[Armenian Evangelical Church|Armenian Evangelism]] and various [[Protestant]] denominations, especially in the [[Armenian diaspora|diaspora]]. Small [[Muslim]] minority, principally the [[Hamshenis]].
}}
{{about|Armenians as an ethnic group|people living in [[Armenia]]|Demographics of Armenia}}
The '''Armenians''' ({{lang-hy|Հայեր}}, ''Hayer'') are a [[nation]] and [[ethnic group]] originating in the [[Caucasus]] and in the [[Armenian Highland]]s. A large concentration of them has remained there, especially in [[Armenia]], but many of them are also scattered elsewhere throughout the world (see [[Armenian diaspora]]).
The Armenians have had a significant presence in countries such as [[Georgia(country)|Georgia]], [[Iran]], [[Russia]], and [[Ukraine]] due to their proximity to Armenia. After the [[Armenian Genocide]], a large influx of survivors fled to [[France]], the [[United States]], [[Argentina]], the [[Levant]] and other countries that welcomed the Armenians. There are an estimated 8 to 10 million Armenians around the world.<ref name="MiniatureEmpires"/>
Christianized in the early 4th century, [[Arsacid Armenia]] became the first Christian nation, although Christianity had began to spread in Armenia soon after Christ's death, due to the efforts of two of his apostles, [[St. Jude]] and [[St. Bartholomew]] <ref name="HistofChrist">see {{cite book |first = Adrian | last = Hastings | title = A World History of Christianity | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing | pages = p. 289 | year = 2000 | id = ISBN 0802848753 }}</ref><ref name="ncccusa">{{cite web | url= http://www.ncccusa.org/news/01news36a.html |title= Armenia first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion.|accessdate=2007-02-27}}</ref>, thus most Armenians adhere to the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], a [[Monophysitism|Monophysite]] church. They speak two different, but mutually intelligible dialects of [[Armenian language|their language]]: [[Eastern Armenian]], spoken mainly in Armenia, Iran and the former Soviet republics, and [[Western Armenian language|Western Armenian]], spoken primarily in the Armenian diaspora.
==Etymology==
{{main|Armenia (name)}}
Historically, the name ''Armenian'' has come to internationally designate this group of people. It was first used by neighboring countries of ancient [[Armenia]]. However, Armenians call themselves ''Hay'' (Հայ, pronounced ''Hye''; plural: Հայեր, ''Hayer''). The word has traditionally been linked to the name of the legendary founder of the Armenian nation, [[Haik]], which is also a popular Armenian name.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.ezilon.com/about-armenia.htm |title= Haik and Hayastan|accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.statoids.com/uam.html |title= Armenia Provinces|accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref>
==Origins==
[[Image:Urartu743.png|thumb|250px|left|The Kingdom of [[Urartu]] during the time of [[Sarduris II]] in 743 BC.]]
{{see|Prehistoric Armenia}}
In the [[Bronze Age]], several states flourished in the area of Greater Armenia, including the [[Hittite Empire]] (at the height of its power), [[Mitanni]] (South-Western historical Armenia), and [[Hayasa-Azzi]] (1600-1200 BC). Soon after the Hayasa-Azzi were the [[Nairi people|Nairi]] (1400-1000 BC) and the [[Kingdom of Urartu]] (1000-600 BC) successively established their sovereignty over the Armenian Highlands. Each of the aforementioned nations and tribes participated in the ethnogenesis of the Armenian people.<ref> Vahan Kurkjian, "History of Armenia", Michigan, 1968, [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Asia/Armenia/_Texts/KURARM/home.html]; Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, v. 12, Yerevan 1987; Artak Movsisyan, "Sacred Highland: Armenia in the spiritual conception of the Near East", Yerevan, 2000; Martiros Kavoukjian, "The Genesis of Armenian People", Montreal, 1982 </ref> [[Yerevan]], the modern capital of Armenia, was founded in 782 BC by the Urartian king [[Argishti I]].
In 1984, it was suggested by [[Thomas Gamkrelidze]] and [[Vyacheslav V. Ivanov]] that the [[Proto-Indo-Europeans|Proto-Indo-European]] [[urheimat|homeland]] is located in the [[Armenian Highland]].<ref>''The Early History of Indo-European Languages'', Thomas V. Gamkrelidze and V. V. Ivanov Scientific American, March 1990, P.110</ref>
==History==
{{Armenia}}
{{main|History of Armenia}}
By 860 BC the Iron Age kingdom of [[Urartu]] had been founded, which lasted until 585 BC. The ruling dynasty of Urartu was replaced by the [[Orontid dynasty]], which established itself at around the time of the Scythian and Median invasion in the 6th century BC. According to [[Herodotus]], in 440 BC the ''Armenioi'' were armed like the [[Phrygia]]ns.<ref>[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0126&layout=&loc=7.73.1 Herodotus, The Histories, VII.73]</ref><ref>[http://www.osi.hu/cpd/ete/armenia/nogokhayos.html#4 East Translates East<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite book
|author = Anne Elizabeth Redgate
|authorlink =
|coauthors =
|editor =
|others =
|title = The Armenians
|origdate =
|origyear =
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|url = http://books.google.com/books?id=e3nef10a3UcC&printsec=frontcover#PPA14,M1
|format =
|accessdate = 2008-02-10
|accessyear =
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|edition =
|series =
|date =
|year = 1998
|month =
|publisher = Blackwell Publishing
|location =
|language = English
|isbn = 0631220372
|oclc =
|doi =
|id =
|pages = pp. 14
|chapter =
|chapterurl =
|quote =
|ref =
}}</ref> The [[Graeco-Armenian language|Graeco-Armenian hypothesis]] is a possible ancestry of the Armenian people, but it is as of yet, not a certain theory. The first state that was called Armenia by neighboring peoples ([[Hecataeus of Miletus]] and [[Behistun Inscription]]) was established in the early [[6th century BC|sixth century BC]]. At its zenith (95–65 BC), the state extended from northern Caucasus all the way to what is now central [[Turkey]], [[Lebanon]], and north-western [[Iran]]. The imperial reign of [[Tigranes the Great]] is thus the span of time during which Armenia itself conquered areas populated by other peoples. Later it briefly became part of the [[Roman Empire]] (AD 114–118).
[[Image:Armenianpersepolis.jpg|thumb|left|A relief of Armenian tribute bearer carrying a metal vessel with [[Homa (mythology)|Homa]] (griffin) handles. From the eastern stairs of the [[Apadana]] at [[Persepolis]], [[6th century BC|sixth century BC]].]]
The [[Arsacid Armenia|Arsacid Kingdom of Armenia]] was the first state to adopt [[Christianity]] as its religion (it had formerly been adherent to Hellenistic [[pagan]]ism--the [[Ancient Greek religion]] and then the [[Ancient Roman religion]]).<ref>''"The conversion of Armenia to Christianity was probably the most crucial step in its history. It turned Armenia sharply away from its Iranian past and stamped it for centuries with an intrinsic character as clear to the native population as to those outside its borders, who identified Armenia almost at once as the first state to adopt Christianity"''. (Nina Garsoïan in ''Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times'', ed. R.G. Hovannisian, Palgrave Macmillan, 1997, Volume 1, p.81).</ref> in the early years of the 4th century, likely AD 314<ref>traditionally dated to 301 following [[Mikayel Chamchian]] (1784). 314 is the date favoured by mainstream scholarship, so Nicholas Adontz (1970), p.82, following the research of Ananian, and Seibt ''The Christianization of Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Albania) '' (2002).</ref>.
This ushered a new era in the history of the Armenian people (''see [[#Religion|Religion]]'').<ref name="HistofChrist"/><ref name="ncccusa"/> Later on, in order to further strengthen the Armenian national identity, [[Mesrop Mashtots]] invented the Armenian alphabet. This event ushered the [[Golden Age of Armenia]], during which many foreign books and manuscripts were translated to Armenian by Mesrop's pupils. Armenia lost its sovereignty in 428 to the Byzantine and Persian Empires.
In 885 the Armenians reestablished themselves as a sovereign entity under the leadership of [[Ashot I]] of the [[Bagratuni Dynasty|Bagratid Dynasty]]. A considerable portion of the Armenian nobility and peasantry fled the Byzantine occupation of Bagratid Armenia in 1045, and the subsequent invasion of the region by [[Seljuk Turks]] in 1064. They settled in large numbers in [[Cilicia]], an Anatolian region where Armenians were already established as a minority since Roman times. In 1080, they founded an independent [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia|Armenian Principality then Kingdom of Cilicia]], which became the focus of Armenian [[nationalism]]. The Armenians developed close social, cultural, military, and religious ties with nearby [[Crusader States]], but eventually succumbed to the [[Mamluk]] invaders.
In the 16th century, Eastern Armenia was conquered by the Persian [[Safavid Empire]], while Western Armenia fell under Ottoman rule. In the 1820s, parts of historic Armenia under Persian control centering on [[Yerevan]] and [[Lake Sevan]] were incorporated into the [[Russian Empire]], but Western Armenia remained in the Ottoman Empire. During these tumultuous times, Armenians depended on the Church to preserve and protect their unique identity.
The [[ethnic cleansing]] of Armenians during the final years of the Ottoman Empire is widely considered a [[genocide]], an estimated 1.5 million victims, with one wave of persecution in the years 1894 to 1896 culminating in the events of the [[Armenian Genocide]] in 1915 and 1916. With [[World War I]] in progress, the Turks accused the (Christian) Armenians as liable to ally with [[Imperial Russia]], and used it as a pretext to deal with the entire Armenian population as an enemy within their empire. The exact numbers of deaths in the latter period is hard to establish. Turkish governments since that time have consistently rejected charges of genocide, typically arguing either that those Armenians who died were simply in the way of a war or that killings of Armenians were justified by their individual or collective support for the enemies of the Ottoman Empire{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. The recent decision by the French lower house on [[October 12]], [[2006]] to pass a bill making it illegal to deny the Armenian genocide has provoked intense reactions in the Turkish media{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. Note, however, that the decision has yet to be ratified by the French Senate to fully become law.
Following the breakup of the Russian Empire in the [[aftermath of World War I]] for a brief period, from 1918 to 1920, Armenia was an [[Democratic Republic of Armenia|independent republic]]. In late 1920, the [[communist]]s came to power following an invasion of Armenia by the [[Red Army]], and in 1922, Armenia became part of the [[Transcaucasian SFSR]] of the [[Soviet Union]], later forming the [[Armenian SSR|Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic]] (1936 to [[September 21]], [[1991]]). In 1991, [[Armenia]] declared independence from the [[USSR]] and established the second Republic of Armenia.
==Geographic distribution==
=== Armenia ===
Armenians have had a presence in the [[Armenian Highland]] for over four thousand years, since the time when [[Haik]], the legendary patriarch and founder of the first Armenian nation, led them to victory over [[Bel]] of [[Babylon]]. Today, with a population of 3.5 million, they not only constitute an overwhelming majority in Armenia, but also in the disputed region of [[Nagorno-Karabakh]]. Armenians in the diaspora informally refer to them as ''Hayastantsi''s (Հայաստանցի), meaning those that are from Armenia (that is, they or their ancestors were not forced to flee in 1915). They, as well as the Armenians of Iran and Russia speak the Eastern dialect of the Armenian language. The country itself is secular as a result of Soviet domination, but most of its citizens are Apostolic Armenian Christian.
=== Diaspora ===
{{main|Armenian diaspora}}
[[Image:Armenians.jpg|thumb|300px|Armenian-populated regions in [[Anatolia]] and the [[Transcaucasus]] in the year [[1896]].]]
[[Image:ArmenianDiaspora.png|thumb|300px|Map of the [[Armenian diaspora]].]]
Small Armenian trading communities have existed outside of Armenia for centuries. For example, a community has existed for over a millennium in the [[Holy Land]], and one of the four quarters of the walled old city of [[Jerusalem]] has been called the [[Armenian Quarter]].<ref name="Jerusalem">{{cite web | url= http://www.holyland.org/ |title= Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem|accessdate=2007-02-27}}</ref> There are also remnants of formerly populous communities in [[Armenians in India|India]], [[Armenians in Myanmar|Myanmar]], and [[South East Asia]]. However, most Armenians have scattered throughout the world as a direct consequence of the genocide of 1915, constituting the [[Armenian diaspora]].
[[Image:Vic the Armenian Ceramist by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|left|An Armenian ceramicist in the [[Armenian Quarter]] of Jerusalem.]]
Within the diasporan Armenian community, there is an unofficial classification of the different ''kinds'' of Armenians. For example, Armenians who originate from Iran are referred to as [[Armenian-Iranian|''Parskahay'']] (Պարսկահայ), while Armenians from Lebanon are usually referred to as [[Armenians in Lebanon|''Lipananahay'']] (Լիբանանահայ). Armenians of the Diaspora are the primary speakers of the Western dialect of the Armenian language. This dialect has considerable differences with Eastern Armenian, but speakers of either of the two variations can usually understand each other. Eastern Armenian in the diaspora is primarily spoken in Iran, Russia and former Soviet states such as [[Ukraine]] and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] (where they form a majority in the [[Samtskhe-Javakheti]] province). In diverse communities (such as in Canada and the U.S.) where many different kinds of Armenians live together, there is a tendency for the different groups to cluster together.
Since the arrival of [[Martin the Armenian]] to the [[Jamestown Colony]] around 1618,<ref name="Martin">{{cite web | url= http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/faculty/kouymjian/articles/us_armenians.htm |title= Armenians in the Unites States|accessdate=2007-02-27}}</ref> Armenians have dispersed all throughout the United States. [[Watertown, Massachusetts]]; [[Fresno, California]]; [[Detroit, Michigan]]; [[Glendale, California]]; and [[Los Angeles, California]] are centers of Armenian population in the United States; there is also a significant concentration in [[New York City]]. In Canada, large numbers of Armenians can be found in [[Toronto, Ontario]], and [[Montreal, Quebec]]. Armenians are also present in every country in Latin America, with the largest concentrations being found in [[Brazil]], [[Argentina]], [[Uruguay]], [[Chile]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Venezuela]], and [[Mexico]].
[[Glendale, California|Glendale]], California, in particular, is famous for its high concentration of Armenians; there are approximately 78,000 Armenians, according to the 2000 U.S. census. Armenian residents of the city are active members in the municipal government and chamber of commerce. In [[Hollywood, California]], a small portion is known as "[[Little Armenia, Los Angeles, California|Little Armenia]]", extending east to west from Wilton Avenue to Vermont Avenue and north and south from Hollywood Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard.
== Genetic Relations ==
The geographical distribution of the [[R1b]] haplotype is such that it is shared by Armenians and two other populations from the Caucasus.<ref>Flemish DNA and Ancestry: History of Three Families Over Five Centuries ... - Page 261
by Guido Deboeck</ref> Moreover, it is lacking in most other populations from the Caucasus, as well as in the other populations from further east. On the other hand, it is more frequently found in Europe, where as we know, haplogroup R1b tends to have higher frequencies as well.
{{cquote|The Armenian modal haplotype is also the modal R1b3 haplotype observed by Cinnioglu in Anatolia. According to him, apparently it entered Anatolia from Europe in Paleolithic times, and diffused again from Anatolia in the Late Upper Paleolithic.}}
==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Armenia|Armenian cuisine|List of Armenians}}
===Language and literature===
{{main|Armenian language|Armenian literature}}
[[Image:Mastoc.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Saint Mesrob|St. Mesrob Mashtots]] invented the [[Armenian alphabet]] in the year 406.]]
Armenian is a sub-branch of the [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] family, and with some 8-10 million speakers one of the smallest surviving branches, comparable to [[Albanian language|Albanian]] or the somewhat more widely spoken [[Greek language|Greek]], with which it may be connected (see [[Graeco-Armenian]]).
Five million Eastern Armenian speakers live in the Caucasus, Russia, and Iran, and approximately two to three million people in the rest of the [[Armenian diaspora]] speak Western Armenian. According to US Census figures, there are 300,000 Americans who speak Armenian at home. It is in fact the twentieth most commonly spoken language in the United States, having slightly fewer speakers than [[Haitian Creole language|Haitian Creole]], and slightly more than [[Navajo language|Navajo]].
Armenian literature dates back to 400 AD, when Mesrob Mashdots first invented the [[Armenian alphabet]]. This period of time is often viewed as the [[Golden Age]] of Armenian literature. Early Armenian literature was written by the "father of Armenian history", [[Moses of Chorene]], who authored ''The History of Armenia''. The book covers the time-frame from the formation of the Armenian people to the fifth century A.D. The nineteenth century beheld a great literary movement that was to give rise to modern Armenian literature. This period of time, during which Armenian culture flourished, is known as the Revival period (Zartonki sherchan). The Revivalist authors of [[Constantinople]] and [[Tiflis]], almost identical to the Romanticists of Europe, were interested in encouraging Armenian nationalism. Most of them adopted the newly created Eastern or Western variants of the Armenian language depending on the targeted audience, and preferred them over classical Armenian (grabar). This period ended after the [[Hamidian massacres]], when Armenians experienced turbulant times. As Armenian history of the 1920s and of the Genocide came to be more openly discussed, writers like [[Paruyr Sevak]], [[Gevork Emin]], [[Silva Kaputikyan]] and [[Hovhannes Shiraz]] began a new era of literature.
===Religion===
{{main|Armenian Apostolic Church|Religion in Armenia}}
[[Image:Armenian-clergyman.jpg|thumb|220px|An [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic]] clergyman.]]
Before Christianity, Armenians were predominantly Zoroastrian and pagan. Even after the adaption of Christianity many pockets of Armenians maintained non-Christian beliefs.
In 301 AD, Armenia adopted [[Christianity]] as a state religion, becoming the first nation to do so.<ref name="HistofChrist"/> It established a Church that still exists independently of both the [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox]] churches, having become so in 451 AD as a result of its [[excommunication]] by the [[Council of Chalcedon]].<ref name="HistofChrist"/> Today this church is known as the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], which is a part of the [[Oriental Orthodox]] communion, not to be confused with the [[Eastern Orthodox]] communion. During its later political eclipses, Armenia depended on the church to preserve and protect its unique identity. The original location of the Armenian Catholicosate is Echmiadzin. However, the continuous upheavals, which characterized the political scenes of Armenia, made the political power move to safer places. The Church center moved as well to different locations together with the political authority. Therefore, it eventually moved to [[Cilicia]] as the [[Holy See of Cilicia]].<ref name="Prelacy">{{cite web | url= http://www.armenianprelacy.ca/history2.htm |title= A Migrating Catholicosate|accessdate=2007-02-27}}</ref>
The Armenians collective has, at times, constituted a Christian "island" in a mostly [[Muslim]] region. There is, however, a minuscule minority of ethnic Armenian Muslims, known as [[Hamshenis]]. The [[Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia]] had close ties to European [[Crusader States]]. Later on, the deteriorating situation in the region led the bishops of Armenia to elect a Catholicos in Etchmiadzin, the original seat of the Catholicosate. In 1441, a new Catholicos was elected in Etchmiadzin in the person of Kirakos Virapetsi, while Krikor Moussapegiants preserved his title as Catholicos of Cilicia. Therefore, since 1441, there have been two Catholicosates in the [[Armenian Church]] with equal rights and privileges, and with their respective jurisdictions. The primacy of honor of the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin has always been recognized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia.<ref name="Prelacy2">{{cite web | url= http://www.armenianprelacy.ca/history3.htm |title= Two Catholicosates within the Armenian Church|accessdate=2007-02-27}}</ref>
While the Armenian Apostolic Church remains the most prominent church in the Armenian community throughout the world, Armenians (especially in the diaspora) subscribe to any number of other Christian denominations. These include the [[Armenian Catholic Church]] (which follows its own liturgy but recognizes the [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]] [[Pope]]), the [[Armenian Evangelical Church]], which started as a reformation in the Mother church but later broke away, and the [[Armenian Brotherhood Church]], which was born in the Armenian Evangelical Church, but later broke apart from it. There are other numerous Armenian churches belonging to Protestant denominations of all kinds.
Through the ages many Armenians have collectively belonged to other faiths or Christian movements, including the [[Paulicians]] which is a form of Gnostic and Manichaean Christianity. Paulicians sought to restore the pure Christianity of Paul and in c.660 founded the first congregation in Kibossa, Armenia.
Another example is the [[Tondrakians]], who flourished in medieval Armenia between the early 9th century and 11th century. Tondrakians advocated the abolishment of the Armenian Church, denied the immortality of the soul, did not believe in an afterlife, supported property rights for peasants, and equality between men and women.
There are also a number of Muslim Armenians, known as [[Hamshen]], and the [[history of the Jews in Armenia]] dates back 2000 years.
=== Sports ===
{{main|Sport in Armenia}}
[[Image:Armenian children.jpg|thumb|200px|Armenian children at the UN Cup Chess Tournament in 2005.]]
Many types of sports are played in Armenia, among the most popular being [[football(soccer)|football]], [[chess]], [[boxing]], [[basketball]], [[hockey]], [[sambo]], [[wrestling]], [[weightlifting]] and [[volleyball]].<ref name="Sport">{{cite web | url= http://www.worldinfozone.com/country.php?country=Armenia&page=2 |title= Sport in Armenia|accessdate=2007-02-27}}</ref> Since independence, the Armenian government has been actively rebuilding its sports program in the country.
During Soviet rule, Armenian athletes rose to prominence winning plenty of medals and helping the [[USSR]] win the medal standings at the Olympics on numerous occasions. The first medal won by an Armenian in modern Olympic history was by [[Hrant Shahinian]], who won two golds and two silvers in gymnastics at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] in [[Helsinki]]. In football, their most successful team was [[FC Ararat Yerevan|Yerevan's FC Ararat]], which had claimed most of the Soviet championships in the 70s and had also gone to post victories against professional clubs like [[FC Bayern Munich]] in the Euro cup.
Armenians have also been successful in chess, which is the most popular mind sport in Armenia. Some of the most prominent chess players in the world are Armenian such as [[Tigran Petrosian]], [[Levon Aronian]] and [[Garry Kasparov]]. Armenians have also been successful in weightlifting and wrestling, winning medals in each sport at the Olympics.
=== Music ===
{{main|Music of Armenia}}
[[Image:Musicians.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Armenian Folk Musicians]]
Armenian music is a mix of indigenous folk music, perhaps best-represented by [[Djivan Gasparyan]]'s well-known [[duduk]] music, as well as light pop, and extensive [[Christian music]].
Instruments like the duduk, the [[dhol]], the [[zurna]] and the [[kanun]] are commonly found in Armenian folk music. Artists such as [[Sayat Nova]] are famous due to their influence in the development of Armenian folk music. One of the oldest types of Armenian music is the [[Armenian chant]] which is the most common kind of religious music in Armenia. Many of these chants are ancient in origin, extending to pre-Christian times, while others are relatively modern, including several composed by Saint Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet. Whilst under [[Soviet]] rule, Armenian classical music composer [[Aram Khatchaturian]] became internationally well known for his music, for various ballets and the [[Sabre Dance]] from his composition for the ballet [[Gayaneh]].
The Armenian Genocide caused widespread emigration that led to the settlement of Armenians in various countries in the world. Armenians kept to their traditions and certain diasporans rose to fame with their music. In the post-Genocide Armenian community of the United States, the so called "kef" style Armenian dance music, using Armenian and Middle Eastern folk instruments (often electrified/amplified) and some western instruments, was popular. This style preserved the folk songs and dances of [[Western Armenia]], and many artists also played the contemporary popular songs of Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries from which the Armenians emigrated. [[Richard Hagopian]] is perhaps the most famous artist of the traditional "kef" style and the [[Vosbikian Band]] was notable in the 40s and 50s for developing their own style of "kef music" heavily influenced by the popular American [[Big Band]] Jazz of the time. Later, stemming from the Middle Eastern Armenian diaspora and influenced by Continental European (especially French) pop music, the Armenian pop music genre grew to fame in the 60s and 70s with artists such as [[Adiss Harmandian]] and [[Harout Pamboukjian]] performing to the Armenian diaspora and Armenia. Other Armenian diasporans that rose to fame in classical or international music circles are world renown [[List of French-Armenians|French-Armenian]] singer and composer [[Charles Aznavour]], [[Hasmik Papian]], pianist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahan_Arzruni Sahan Arzruni] and more recently [[Isabel Bayrakdarian]]. Certain Armenians settled to sing non-Armenian tunes such as the heavy metal band [[System of a Down]] (which nonetheless often incorporates traditional Armenian instrumentals and stylings into their songs) or pop star [[Cher]]. In the Armenian diaspora, [[Armenian Revolutionary Songs|Armenian revolutionary songs]] are popular with the youth. These songs encourage Armenian patriotism and are generally about Armenian history and national heroes.
===Food===
{{main|Armenian cuisine}}
Armenians enjoy many different native and foreign foods. [[Lavash]] is a very popular Armenian rollable bread, and Armenian [[baklava]] is a special treat. Other famous Armenian foods include the [[kabob]] (a skewer of marinated roasted meat and vegetables), [[t'pov dolma]] (minced lamb meat and rice wrapped in grape leaves), [[kaghambi dolma]] (minced meat and rice wrapped in cabbage), [[amarayin dolma]] (cored tomatoes, eggplants and green peppers stuffed with minced mixed meats and rice), and [[pilaf]], a tasty rice dish. Fruits play a large part in the Armenian diet. [[Apricots]] (also known as [[Armenian Plum]]) originate from this area and have really unique taste, [[peaches]] are native too and are very popular; also common are [[grapes]], [[fig]]s, [[pomegranates]], and [[melons]].
==Institutions==
The nation-state of [[Armenia]] is the most prominent Armenian institution today. Other important institutions include:
* The [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]
* The [[Armenian Catholic Church]]
* The [[Armenian Evangelical Church]] The community was formally recognized in 1846 by the Ottoman Empire.
* The [[Armenian General Benevolent Union]] (AGBU) founded in 1906 and the largest Armenian non-profit organization in the world with educational, cultural and humanitarian projects on six continents.
* The [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation]] was founded in 1890. It is generally referred to as the ''Dashnaktsutyun'', which means ''Federation'' in Armenian. The ARF is the strongest worldwide Armenian political organization and the only diasporan Armenian organization with a significant political presence in the [[Republic of Armenia]].
* The [[Armenian Relief Society]], founded in 1910.
* [[Hamazkayin]], an Armenian cultural and educational society founded in [[Cairo]] in 1928, and responsible for the founding of Armenian secondary schools and institutions of higher education in several countries.
* [[Homenetmen]], an Armenian scouting and athletic organization founded in 1910 with a worldwide membership of about 25,000.
==See also==
*[[List of Armenians]]
*[[Armenian diaspora]]
*[[Hamsheni]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
==References==
<div class="references-small">
* {{CIAfb}}{{-}}
* {{StateDept}}
* The categorization of Armenian churches in Los Angeles used information from [http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/news/exhibits/armenian/ Sacred Transformation: Armenian Churches in Los Angeles] a project of the [[University of Southern California|USC]] School of Policy, Planning, and Development.
* Some of the information about the history of the Armenians comes from the multi-volume ''History of the Armenian People,'' Yerevan, Armenia, 1971.
</div>
== Further reading ==
*George A. Bournoutian, ''A History of the Armenian People'', 2 vol. (1994)
*George A. Bournoutian, ''A Concise History of the Armenian People'' (Mazda, 2003, 2004).
*I. M. Diakonoff, ''The Pre-History of the Armenian People'' (revised, trans. Lori Jennings), Caravan Books, New York (1984), ISBN 0-88206-039-2.
*Russell D. Gray and Quentin D. Atkinson, "Language-tree divergence times support the Anatolian theory of Indo-European origin", Nature, 426, 435-439 (2003)
== External links ==
{{commons|Category:People of Armenia}}
*[http://un.cti.depaul.edu/Countries/Armenia/1133483520.pdf History of Armenia]
*[http://www.armenianhighland.com/main.html Armenian History]
*[http://www.faces-foundation.org/component/option,com_dbquery/Itemid,82/task,ExecuteQuery/qid,2/previousTask,PrepareQuery/ FACES Project - Armenian population worldwide]
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{{Armenia topics}}
{{Armenian diaspora}}
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