armenian

Armenian refers to things related to the Armenian people, their language, and the culture of the Armenian nation. The Armenian people are an ethnic group native to the Armenian Highlands, now primarily concentrated in the Republic of Armenia and a global diaspora that includes Russia, the United States, France, Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, and other countries.

The Armenian language is an independent branch of the Indo-European language family. It uses its own writing system, the Armenian alphabet, created by Mesrop Mashtots in the early 5th century CE. The original alphabet had 36 letters; the modern alphabet comprises 39 letters. There are two primary standard forms: Eastern Armenian, used in Armenia and many former Soviet states, and Western Armenian, spoken by diaspora communities. Armenian literature spans medieval to modern periods and has contributed to regional culture and education.

Most Armenians belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the oldest Christian churches. Christianity has been central to Armenian identity since the 4th century. Armenian culture is known for distinctive architecture, such as monasteries and churches, as well as music, folk traditions, and cuisine, including lavash bread and khorovats (barbecued meat).

Armenia became an independent republic in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Armenian genocide, carried out during 1915–1923 in the Ottoman Empire, is a defining historical event for Armenians and their descendants. Contemporary issues include regional diplomacy, memory and education about the genocide, and the ongoing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.