Armenian Diaspora Communities
ARMENIAN DIASPORA
For centuries the Armenian nation has been a unique bridge between the east and the west. Due to the loss of Armenian statehood and numerous foreign invasions, Armenian communities have formed in neighboring countries and regions since the Middle Ages. As a result of the Armenian Genocide, hundreds of thousands of survivors found refuge in various parts of the world, forming what is known today as the "traditional Armenian Diaspora." The Diaspora further expanded due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the ensuing economic and regional turmoil.
Today, an estimated 7 million Armenians live in more than 100 countries around the world. There are dozens of pan-Armenian and spiritual organizations, hundreds of community and patriotic groups, around 1,000 daily and weekly schools, scientific and educational institutions, sports and cultural associations, charities, and socio-political entities actively working in the Diaspora. The Diaspora is diverse and complex, spread through 24 time zones, living in countries with different political systems, languages, and cultural traditions. Each community adds to the vibrant makeup of the Armenian nation.