Name: Ani Mirakian

Age: 13 years old

Hometown: Yerevan (Armenia’s capital)

Languages spoken: Armenian, Russian and some English

Family: Ani lives with her parents and younger brother.

Parents’ Jobs: Ani’s mom works at an electricity station and her dad works with rescue crews in salt mines.

Favorite foods: “My favorite food is pizza!”

Favorite school subject: Armenian history

What do you want kids in the U.S. to know about life in Armenia? “I want kids in the U.S. to know about Armenian history and about games our children play.”

Favorite activities: Going to dance class, reading and listening to music

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Armenia at a Glance

Location: Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey

Population: 2,967,004

People: Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3%

Languages: Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4%

Political Structure: Armenia is a republic. It gained its independence from the Soviet Union on September 21, 1991. Armenia’s legal system is based on constitutional rights and all citizens can vote starting at age 18.

History: Armenia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Armenians settled at the foot of Mt. Ararat in the 6th Century B.C.E. Their empire, at its peak, reached from the Mediterranean to the Caspian Seas, making it one of the most powerful in Asia. From 1915-1923, Armenians were subjected to genocide by the Ottoman Empire, but they survived to found the first Armenian Republic from 1918-1921. Armenia was part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, when it gained its second independence.

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Learn a Little Armenian!

Parev: Hello

Inch bes es?: How are you?

Lav em: I am well

Pari yegar: Welcome

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Profile interview by Zoya Stepanyan

“Armenia at a Glance ”and “Learn a Little Armenian” by Sossi Essajanian

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More on Armenia:

Armenian Struggle for Truth in History

My Thoughts on the Armenian Genocide