Armenia Geography
What is the terrain and geography like in Armenia?
Overview:
The country rests on a high mountainous plateau cut by fast flowing rivers. The over-grazed hills boast little true forest, but many of the steeper slopes are dressed with small shrubs and second growth. Good soil is plentiful in the Ara River Basin, and sheltered valleys across the country host pastures and prolific fruit orchards. The scenery along the highways is often dramatic, with high mountains shadowing green pastures ribboned with clear, cold streams.Twenty-percent of Armenia’s land is given over to pasture and 17% to agriculture. Three thousand and fifty square kilometers is under irrigation. At 4,096 meters, Mount Aragats is the highest point in the country. The interesting geology consists mostly of young igneous and volcanic rocks including obsidian. Armenia is honeycombed with geologic faults and remains seismically active.
Geography - note:
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
Climate:
The climate is highland continental. It is dry, with an average of 550mm (21.6 inches) in annual rainfall. In the Ararat Valley, where Yerevan is located, there is far less rain; with an average range of from 200mm to 250mm (7.9 to 10 inches).
Seasonal extremes are pronounced in the Ararat Valley. Temperatures can approach the record summer high of 42°C (107.6°F) or plunge towards the record winter low of -30°C (-22°F). Mean temperatures are more temperate, however. July readings give an average high range of from 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F). The January low range averages from -5°C (23°F) to -7°C (19°F). Autumns are long and golden; Armenia enjoys around 2700 hours of sunshine each year. Drought is a perennial problem.
Armenia Use of Natural Resources
Armenia Environment
Climate:
The climate is highland continental. It is dry, with an average of 550mm (21.6 inches) in annual rainfall. In the Ararat Valley, where Yerevan is located, there is far less rain; with an average range of from 200mm to 250mm (7.9 to 10 inches).
Seasonal extremes are pronounced in the Ararat Valley. Temperatures can approach the record summer high of 42°C (107.6°F) or plunge towards the record winter low of -30°C (-22°F). Mean temperatures are more temperate, however. July readings give an average high range of from 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F). The January low range averages from -5°C (23°F) to -7°C (19°F). Autumns are long and golden; Armenia enjoys around 2700 hours of sunshine each year. Drought is a perennial problem.
Terrain:
Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Natural Resources:
small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina
Natural Hazards:
occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Irrigated Land:
1,056 Square Miles2,735 Square Kilometers
Environmental Issues:
soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone
Environment - International Agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Armenia Geography
| Geographic Location | Asia |
| Total Area |
11,484 Square Miles 29,743 Square Kilometers |
| Land Area |
10,889 Square Miles 28,203 Square Kilometers |
| Water Area |
595 Square Miles 1,540 Square Kilometers |
| Land Boundaries |
779 Miles 1,254 Kilometers |
| Irrigated Land |
1,056 Square Miles 2,735 Square Kilometers |
| Border Countries | Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km |
| Geographic Coordinates | 40 00 N, 45 00 E |
| Terrain | Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley |
| Highest Point | 4,090 Meters |
| Highest Point Location | Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m |
| Lowest Point | 400 Meters |
| Lowest Point Location | Debed River 400 m |
| Natural Resources | small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina |
| Time Zone | UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |