The geographical region of Western Asia, or rather its northern part, is the location of an interesting country - Armenia. Mountains and extinct volcanoes for her are not exotic, but the usual landscape. Although how can you call such beauty ordinary? It attracts and fascinates, revealing more and more new faces.
Armenian highlands
Armenia is located on the territory of the Armenian Highlands, which is one of the three Central Asian highlands. In addition to it, Turkey, part of Iran, Georgia and Azerbaijan is located here. The territory of Armenia includes 309 mountains and volcanoes in the composition of forty-two mountain ranges.
The Armenian Highlands are one of the powerful mountain nodes of the region. In the second period of the Cenozoic era, the highlands began to split, resulting in a system of ridges and troughs. Erupting volcanoes left lava layers on the surface, from which basalt strata were formed, which somewhat smoothed the relief. Today, the Armenian Highlands are characterized by both basalt-tuff plateaus with a vertical drop of 1,500 m to 3,000 m, and giant volcanic cones several thousand meters high.
Symbol of Armenia
Armenians have always been considered a patient and wise people. With their symbol, they chose the highest point of the Armenian Highlands - Mount Ararat. However, experts in geography have a logical question: where is Mount Ararat, is it on the territory of Armenia? Alas, part of the territory, including the national symbol of the country, was transferred to Turkey in 1921 under a peace treaty. This decision was adopted and enshrined in the Moscow Treaty by the Government of the USSR and further confirmed in the Kars Treaty by the governments of the Armenian, Georgian and Azerbaijani SSRs.
It so happened that the place where Mount Ararat is located now belongs to a Muslim country, but this peak remains the most important Christian symbol, since here, according to biblical legends, the ark of Noah was able to moor after a worldwide flood.
To this day, the Armenians have not come to terms with the loss of the main symbol of their state. They do not recognize his belonging to Turkey and sincerely believe that Ararat will return to the "original owners."
Relief of Armenia
The highest country in the Caucasus is Armenia. Mountains, ranges and plateaus occupy almost 90% of its territory. Even the lowest point - the Debed River, is located 375 m above sea level. And the highest point is the peak of Mount Aragats, which will be discussed in more detail.
The average height of the territory of Armenia above sea level is 1850 m. The origin of the relief is divided into 4 main types:
- Block-shaped mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. This is the northeastern part of the state in the Kura River Basin. The highest point - Tezhler (3101 m.)
- Volcanic coating areas. Young lavas of the Pliocene and the Quaternary period prevail here. The relief is characterized by milder forms, and erosion dissection is much weaker than in other areas. Here is the highest mountain in Armenia. This is the peak of Aragats with a height of 4095 m.
- Folded mountains of the Apmaraxin system. This type of relief is characteristic of the left bank of the Araks River. The erosive dissection of this area is very intense. The highest point is Kaputjuh with a peak height of 3904 m.
- The plain part of the Armenian Highlands, that is, the Ararat Valley. This site is subject to tectonic decline.
Handsome Aragats
Mount Aragats is an isolated high mountain range consisting of four peaks. The highest point has already been designated, but the lowest - 3879 m. Aragats is a stratovolcano having the shape of a cone and consisting of a heap of numerous layers of hardened lava. The volcano has not been active for a long time and most likely will never wake up again.
Four peaks around a deep volcanic crater represent an incredibly beautiful natural ensemble. Armenia, whose mountains are not considered too difficult for mountaineering, attracts many lovers of heights. However, to conquer the northern, highest peak, training is necessary. Therefore, for the "inhabitants" built routes on the slopes of the southern peak.
In addition to natural beauty, there are man-made monuments on the slopes of Aragats. One of them is Ambred Castle. This old fortress with an interesting history is located at an altitude of more than 2300 m. It is located near the village of Burokan. The castle is a family nest of the princes of Pahlavuni.
And a little more about the peaks and not only
Azhdahak, Spitakosar, Artavaz, Armagan - all this is Armenia, mountains, where a trained climber and an ordinary outdoor enthusiast will find something to do for themselves. Although why only mountaineering? Here you can go hiking (trekking) along small elevations, along ravines, rafting along mountain rivers on inflatable ships (rafting), and caving.
Armenia, the mountains of which are considered in the article, will not deceive your expectations, combining the beauty of nature with the beauty of the soul of the local population.