Geographical Location and Borders

Armenia is located in the north-eastern part of the Armenian plateau, occupying most of the mountainous area between the Rivers Kur and Arax. It lies between 38°50¢- 41°18¢ N and 43°27- 46°37¢ E and measures 400 km from north-west to south-east and at the widest point 200 km. In north-east it forms a projection that measures only 26 km at its narrowest point. The Republic has an area of 29,740 sq km (2974,259 ha), which is approximately one tenth of Ancient Armenia - the natural environment that formed the Armenian ethnicity and statehood of the Armenian plateau. It is located 145 km from the Black Sea, 175 km from the Caspian Sea, 750 km from the Mediterranean Sea and 960 km from the Persian Gulf. The length of Armenia's state borders with neighboring countries is 1,479 km. Armenia borders Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the east, Iran in the south and Turkey in the west.
Geology The territory of the Republic has undergone a complex process of geological development. It is located in the central part of the Alp-Himalayan mountain system. Formation of its surface began in the Paleozoic period - an early geological period. The main types of the Republic's surface have been formed as a result of miocene, pliocene and modern tectonic shifts and volcanism brought about by the earth's inner forces, as well as modern glacial processes. Armenia's territory is a classic example of volcanism. Such classic forms of volcanic surface of relief as lava flows, volcanic cones, craters, etc. are strongly pronounced here.
In mountains above 3,000 meters traces of ancient glacial period are preserved in the form of troughs, circuses, as well as morenas.
Relief The Republic of Armenia is a typically mountainous country, located at average altitude of 1,830 metres above sea level. The lowest point - 375 meters - is in the vicinity of the lower flow of the Debed River, while the highest point - 4,090 meters - is northern peak of Mount Aragats. In terms of topography, its territory includes north-eastern part of the system of Midland and Edge flexure-fragmented mountain ranges. From north to south of the territory of the Republic the following topographic regions are located, one after another:
1. northern flexure-fragmented mountain ranges and inter-mountain depressions segment, which occupies north-eastern part of the area, mainly the Kur River basin - the Lesser Caucasus Mountains System. Here, in low-level and mid-level altitude zones relief is characterized by strictly fragmented mountain slopes and deep and narrow river valleys. Canyons of the Debed and Dzoroget Rivers along with their numerous unique natural and cultural monuments and original natural ecosystems are especially noted for their geological, geomorphologic and nature picturesqueness.
2. volcano mountain shields (massifs) and highlands segment, which includes Central Armenia's volcanic region. Among volcano relief forms, volcano cones of Aragats and Ara Mounts, numerous cones and highlands of mountain massifs in Geghama, Vardenis, Syunik are of special importance. In high-level mountain zone there are numerous lakes of crater, inter-hill, and glacial origin.
3. southern flexure-fragmented mountain ranges and inter-mountain depressions segment, which includes flexure fragmented mountain ranges on the left bank of the Arax River. Extremely jagged rock exposures and deep gorges distinguish the Zangezur mountain range, while glacial relief forms typical of high-altitude zone such as lakes, unique valleys affected by glaciers give this mountain range a special originality. This topographic region is considered to be the main characteristic of Armenia's biodiversity: a unique center of endemism, genetic fund, rare and declining species; one of the biggest centers of interaction and merger of various plant and animal geographical kingdoms.
4. depression of the middle Arax, which includes the lowest part of the Ararat depression. This area is covered with lake alluvial and prolluvial sediments. It is characterized by intensive development of the region, drastic anthropogenic transformation of natural biodiversity. It is considered to be one of the ancient centers of the Armenian civilization.
Mineral Resources The Republic is rich in various mineral resources. Almost all types of metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources are found here. The Republic also has large masses of building materials such as tuff, basalt, limestone, marble, perlite and others. The republic also possesses such nonmetallic resources as sodium chloride (edible salt), phosphorites, mineral paints. Numerous mineral springs differing in composition and famous for their curative properties are one of the riches of the Republic.
Climate The Republic of Armenia is located in northern part of the sub-tropical zone and has typically continental dry sub-tropical climatic conditions. It is extremely abundant in solar energy. Day duration ranges from 9 hours 20 minutes to 15 hours. The average duration of sunshine is 1,930-2,780 per year. The intensity of solar radiation in June in Yerevan reaches 1.40 cal/sq sm per minute, while that in peak of Mount Aragats is 1.64 cal/ sq sm per minute. Fluctuation in average temperature between coldest and hottest months is 31°. Precipitations are distributed very unevenly throughout the Republic, with the greatest amount coming on May-June, and the smallest amount on winter months. The amount of precipitations fluctuates between 230-1,000 mm. In winter long-lasting snow exists in mountain areas above 1,300 meters (the maximum depth is 2 meters). One of the peculiarities of local climate is well-marked character of seasons and ascending order of climatic zones. Beginning from low-altitude plains, pastures, mountains, the following climatic types come one after another: dry sub-tropical, dry strictly continental, dry continental, temperate continental, temperate hot, temperate mountainous, cold mountainous, nival (snow adhering).
Hydrography The water resources of the Republic are limited. The average annual amount of precipitations in the water balance is 18.5 billion cubic meters, almost 2/3 of which evaporates. The annual surface flow is 7.5 billion cubic meters.
The river system belongs to basins of the Kur (24 %) and the Arax (74%) Rivers. The Debed, Aghstev, Voskepar, Hakhum, Tavush, Khndzorut Rivers with a catchment basin of 7,890 sq km belong to the Kur River basin.
The Akhurian, Kasakh, Hrazdan, Azat, Vedi, Vorotan, Voghji, Meghri Rivers with a catchment basin of 2,190 sq km belong to the Arax River basin. Rivers are fed by melted snow, rainwater and underground waters. They flood in spring. All rivers are mountainous, fast flowing and have deep narrow valleys.
With the aim of water resources rational using and river flow regulating, a number of reservoirs, of which16 big and numerous small ones, have been built.
The Republic's lakes are not numerous. They have tectono-volcanic, glacial and crater origins. Volcanic, crater and lava origin lakes like Kare, Akna, Arpi, Aghmaghan, Al, Alagjoz, Nazeli, Tagavorats, Vanki, etc, as well as glacial origin lakes like Kapuit, Tsakhkar, Gazana, etc. are especially noted for their unique beauty and clean drinking water reserves. Lakes of residue origin in Lori and landslide origin lakes like Pars, Gosh, Tsover, Zhangot (Taush marz), Piros, Martiros, Kapuit, Hartavan (Vaik marz) are famous for their landscape uniqueness and give this forest zone great value.
Lake Sevan Lake Sevan, which is one of the world's largest fresh water lakes is located in the center of the Geghama, Vardenis, Sevan and Areguni mountain ranges and lies at an altitude of 1,916 meters. It has a tectono-volcanic origin. As the saying goes Sevan is a piece of sky that descended on Earth. It is a gem of Armenia's nature, one of its national symbols, so it is everyone's duty to protect and preserve its natural state.
In natural state the absolute altitude of the lake's mirror is 1,916 meters, the maximum depth is 99 meters, the area is 1,416 sq km. At present the lake's water level has dropped by 20 meters, the depth has decreased by the same amount, the area is now 1,238 sq km, while the water volume has decreased from 58 to 38 million cubic meters. 26 big and small rivers flow into Lake Sevan, whereas only the Hrazdan River flows out of it. The annual temperature of water at the surface is + 9°, in summer it reaches + 18+19°. Due to the water level drop, every year in winter the lake freezes.
Lake Sevan has unique biodiversity. As a result of artificial decrease in the water level, negative ecological changes have taken place in Sevan, its surface and annual average heat capacity have decreased, the average annual temperature of water has risen, oxygen conditions have deteriorated. Favorable conditions have been created for algae growth and development; the lake has "flourished" with sea-green algae. Changes have also taken place in land and water flora and fauna. These changes have affected in a very negative way the lake's unique and endemic fish world: they have had a destructive effect on Sevan trout, two races of which have disappeared, while two others, as well as koghak are on the verge of extinction.
Soil, plant and animal world. The Republic's soil cover is characterized by a great diversity, which can be explained by a complex mountainous relief, fluctuation in altitudes and resultant climate and plant diversity, a great variety of soil-producing rocks, human activity. There are 14 types, 27 sub-types and 67 kinds of soil, which are included in 8 soil altitude zones. Humus contents fluctuate from 2-3 percent to 9-12 percent.
Most of soil in mid and low-level altitude zones that is not covered by forest has been cultivated. There are also azonal saline wetlands, wetlands, gypsum and limestone containing soil types in low altitude zones.
The plant world is amazingly diverse for such a small Republic. More than 3,500 high quality plant species, of which 120 species are endemic and cannot be found elsewhere, are found here.
Armenia is the home for numerous culture plants such as wheat, barley, as well as for fruits - grapes, apricot, pear, fig, almond, and quince. Like soil, the vegetation varies according to vertical zones.
The animal world of the Republic is also diverse. It has been affected by relief, climate, soil and plant diversity. Many species are peculiar to the Armenian Upland (the Armenian wild sheep, the Caucasian pheasant, the Armenian horned snake, gyurza, etc).
Approximately 17,000 animal species, including 75 mammal, 302 bird, 43 reptile and more than 16,500 insect and invertebrate species are found on the territory of Armenia.
Ascending landscape zonality Variations in landscape components like geological substrata, relief, climate, waters, plant and animal world have contributed to a well-pronounced ascending landscape zonality on the territory of the Republic. One of the most important characteristics of this is a succession of zones from north to south, which is a result of more arid climatic conditions and establishment of biodiversity itra-zonality.
On the territory of Armenia there are two types of vertical zonality structure: the Minor Caucasian mesophile and Central xerophile. The following distinct types of vertical landscape zones are described on the territory of Armenia: desert and semi-desert, dry steppe, steppe, forest, sub alpine, alpine.
Deserts and semi-deserts zone occupies bottom of the Ararat depression and adjacent foothills up to an altitude of 1,200-1,300 meters, low altitude areas of Vaik, the narrow part of the Meghri gorge (Southern Armenia). In sub-Arax part, sand accumulations occasionally exist and the landscape is that of forests. In saline lowlands, saline wetland deserts have developed. The climate here is dry continental, with hot summers and moderately cold winters.
The soils are predominantly of the semi-desert gray type, and in the course of millennia have been cultivated by means of artificial irrigation and have become cultivated-irrigated soils. Humus contents are 1-3 percent.
In semi-desert zone agricultural farming, fruit growing, vegetable growing are possible only in conditions of artificial irrigation. The main cultivated plants are grapes, fruit-bearing plants, geranium, etc.
This zone is the most transformed by human activity. The Ararat valley is the cradle of ancient civilization, and in the course of millennia has been transformed by human economic activity into an area covered by gardens. In cultivated areas cultural irrigated soils have appeared that are fertile and rich in organic substances. The saline wetlands of the Ararat valley occupy an area of 30,000 ha that has been developed by artificial irrigation.
Dry steppe zone represents a transitional zone from deserts and semi-deserts to mountainous steppe. It includes steppes in north-eastern areas of the Republic and Zangezur up to 900 meters, as well as those in the Arax depression up to 1,700-1,800 meters under conditions of continental climate.
The climate is characterized by hot and dry summers and moderately cold winters. Soils represent a variety ranging from the gray type to the brown type, their capacity is not great, humus contents are 3-4.5 percent, and in the Ararat valley lands are stony.
Natural conditions of dry steppe landscapes' foothill subzone are the most favorable ones for growing subtropical cultures (pomegranate, fig, olive, peach, grapes, etc). Under irrigation conditions, areas in the Arax depression are conducive to pomiculture, as well as the culture of grain, tobacco, and sugar beet.
Mountainous steppe zone is the vastest zone on the territory of Armenia; it begins from 1,500-1,600 meter altitudes and rises up to 2,000 meters in north and 2,400-2,500 in south.
The most typical mountainous steppe landscapes are located in north-west, on slopes of the Aragats and Geghama mountain shields, in the Sevan basin and Zangezur. This type of landscapes is mainly developed on gently sloping valleys and slopes of volcano uphills and massifs.
In southern regions of the Republic, steppe landscapes are characterized by extensive rock accumulations, which have formed under the influence of physical weathering. The lands of mountainous steppes are widely used and are completely covered by crops of grain, forage and root crops. Conditions here are favorable for human life and activities, and from old times the area has been inhabited. There are all conditions here for creation of a wide network of health resorts and tourist centers.
The climate is temperate, with hot and cool summers and temperate or cold winters. Soils are of the black type, in low-altitude zone (1,500-1,800 meters) of the brown type, humus contents are 6-7 percent.
Forest zone spreads from 500-700 meters up to 2,100 meters (in north) and 2,500 meters (in soutt). It occupies mid-level altitudes of flexure-fragmented mountains. These areas are Lori and Tavush marzes and eastern slopes of the Zangezur mountain range in south. In Central Armenia forest landscapes do not form one single zone, but represent small isolated islands. From forest zone of the past, forest landscapes in the Ararat depression and Vaik are preserved in certain river valleys on wind exposed, relatively inaccessible to people slopes.
Lands at low altitudes are of the brown type, while those at higher altitudes are of the forest gray type.
Alpine and subalpine meadow zone begins from 1,900-2,000 meters in north of the Republic, and only from 2,300 meters in south. These are typical of high mountainous zone of the Aragats and Geghama mountain shields, of the Zangezur and other mountain ranges where glacial relief forms are quite well pronounced. The climate is inclement, with long-lasting winter and snow cover remaining for 8-9 months. Soils are typical of forest meadows, without great capacity, at upper boundaries become skeleton-shaped.
Vegetation cover is represented by meadows that are used as pastures in summer.
Nival (snow adhereing) zone includes snow adhering landscapes located on the highest peaks of the Republic (Aragats, Kaputjugh and others) above the alpine zone, with streaks of permanent snow and ice on bare rocks. Due to continental climate the boundaries of permanent snow in the Republic are located at 4,000-4,100 meters, and the permanent snow and ice zone has only been formed on Great Ararat peak. The presence of snow and insignificant glaciers on some mountain peaks of the Republic has been the result of their topographical characteristics and location. The climate is severe, with very cold long winter, deep snow cover. Soil cover has not been formed, since now the preliminary stage of soil formation process is occurring here. Soil usually represents a mix of sand and mosaic, is almost devoid of organic substances, and even this is found only in rock cracks. Biological processes are insignificant, while plant and animal world is extremely poor.
Azonal landscapes On the territory of Armenia, against a background of ascending landscape zones, also landscapes of azonal type are distinguished that compose about 10 percent of the territory. The most spacious of these are saline and alkaline lands that cover almost 25,000 ha, especially in the Ararat valley where underground waters come very close to the earth surface. Capillary rise of saline waters takes place here, as a result of which water evaporates, and salts precipitate. Wetlands have azonal character and are of two types: high altitude and low altitude. Sand accumulations occasionally found near the Arax River and covered with sand loving bushes, as well as alluvial meadows also have azonal character.