The native Armenian name for the country is Hayk. The name in the Middle Ages was extended to Hayastan, by addition of the Iranian suffix -stan (land). The name has traditionally been derived from Hayk (Հայկ), the legendary patriarch of the Armenians and a great-great-grandson of Noah, who according to Moses of Chorene defeated the Babylonian king Bel in 2492 BC, and established his nation in the Ararat region. The further origin of the name is uncertain. The exonym Armenia is attested in the Old Persian Behistun inscription (515 BC) as Armina ( ). Ancient Greek Αρμένιοι Armenians is mentioned by Hecataeus of Miletus (476 BC). Xenophon, a Greek general serving in some of the Persian expeditions, describes many aspects of Armenian village life and hospitality. He relates that the people spoke a language that to his ear sounded like the language of the Persians. According to the histories of both Moses of Chorene and Michael Chamich, Armenia derives from the name of Aram, a lineal descendent of Hayk.
What is Armenia known for?
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Armenia
- Armenia, country of Transcaucasia, lying just south of the great mountain range of the Caucasus and fronting the northwestern extremity of Asia.
- To the north and east Armenia is bounded by Georgia and Azerbaijan, while its neighbours to the southeast and west are, respectively, Iran and Turkey.
- Naxçıvan, an exclave of Azerbaijan, borders Armenia to the southwest.
- The capital is Yerevan (Erevan).
Armenia has so much to offer, here are some of the things Armenia is known for.
- Yerevan: Lazing away a few days in the welcoming cafes, wine bars and restaurants of the capital.
- Noravank: Watching the sun slowly set over the dramatic reddish-gold cliffs surrounding picture-perfect church buildings.
- Dilijan National Park: Hiking through millions of springtime wildflowers.
- Geghard Monastery: Marvelling at the ancient rock-hewn churches at the World Heritage–listed monastery.
- Areni: Winery hopping in a region that's been producing wine for 6100 years.
- Goris: Exploring an abandoned cave city carved out of soft volcanic rock.
- Debed Canyon: Visiting magnificent medieval monasteries and fresco-covered churches in this dramatic canyon.
- Tatev: Floating to the fortified monastery on the world's longest cable car.
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