The Geographies of the Armenian Nation

A 4,500 years-old nation, Armenians settled in various environments, especially after the calamitous 1915-1921 Genocide. Many found refuge in countless countries that welcomed them as refugees, though new arrivals quickly adapted to their new societies, learned local languages, integrated, and succeeded in their respective fields of interest. This paper highlights diaspora populations’ loyalties to their native nation as well as to their adopted countries. It identifies five major communities—India, China, Russia, France and the United States—and briefly discusses how diaspora Armenians in these selected countries protected and preserved their nations. It argues that it was hard work throughout their new geographic spreads that added value, sustained and encouraged creativity, and, above all else, ensured that this minority nation would survive.