The state of Armenia is located on the continent of Eurasia. It is located in the southern part of the geopolitical region of the South Caucasus (Transcaucasia). What is the size of Armenia? The area of the state is almost 30, 000 square meters. km The population is about 3.3 million people. Armenia declared independence in 1991. It borders on 4 states: in the west with Turkey, in the north with Georgia, in the south with Iran and in the east with Azerbaijan. The state does not have sea borders. The capital is the city of Yerevan. According to the form of government - the republic.
Between the inland Caspian Sea and the Black Sea lies the Armenian Highlands. In the north, it reaches the ridges of the Lesser Caucasus. And its northeastern part is the territory of the republic. Armenia, however, like other states of the Caucasus, is a mountainous country. Naturally, such a geographical location directly affects many factors. But on which, you can find out by reading this article.
Terrain Features
Armenia, as mentioned above, is a mountainous country located on a young Alpine folding. This is an area of mountains, the process of formation of which has not yet been completed. The most basic factor talking about the continuation of mountain building is earthquakes. It has been historically established that during its existence, Armenia was subjected to destructive actions many times. Very often, the strength of the shocks reached 10 points out of a maximum of 12.
Earthquakes are related to the fact that the territory of Armenia is located on the area where tectonic faults occur: Garni, Akhuryan and Pambak-Sevan. It is in them, at a depth of 20-35 km, centers of future tremors arise. The last largest earthquake in Armenia occurred in 1988. The shocks reached 10 points and covered the entire territory of the country, and a shuddering wave circled the entire Earth. As a result of this natural disaster, many cities were destroyed, about 25 thousand people died.
Relief
The territory of Armenia is occupied mostly by mountains. The republic is considered a highland country. More than 90% of the entire territory of the state is located at an altitude of about 1, 000 meters. The lowest sections are recorded in the river valley on the south side (380 m above sea level). The highest peak in Armenia is the Aragats massif. It is located in the west of the country. This massif is a mountain range of 4 high peaks with a total length of 40 km. The highest peak reaches more than 4 thousand meters.
Only 15% of the territory is occupied by plains. They have a small area and are mainly represented by intermountain basins and depressions. The largest plain of Armenia is Ararat, with an area of 3, 300 square meters. km It is located in the western region of the country. Despite the small area, the plains are of great importance for the life of the country. It is thanks to these areas that the opportunity to develop agriculture has appeared.
Climatic features
The territory of Armenia is completely located in the subtropical climate zone. But the weather conditions in the country vary significantly by region. It depends to a greater extent on the heights at which a certain area is located. The country has 6 climatic zones. They are distributed in the direction of altitudinal zonation. On the flat terrain, a subtropical climate prevails with hot summers and low snowy warm winters. The higher the territory rises, the hotter it becomes:
- in the low mountains - a dry climate with mild winters and warm comfortable summers;
- in the middle mountains - moderate with warm summers and cold winters;
- in the highlands, the climate is temperate cold with frosty winters and cold summers.
The amount of precipitation also increases with height: from 350 mm in the plains and up to 900 mm in the high mountains. Of great importance on the temperature regime are the winds. In winter, they come from the northern and western directions; in summer, southern and southeastern prevail.
Minerals
Armenia is a country with rich mineral deposits. In total, about 60 species have been explored and mined. Of the metal minerals, deposits of aluminum and molybdenum ores, as well as deposits of gold and platinum, are found. The mountainous territory of Armenia is rich in stone rocks. These are marble, pumice, tuff, dolomite, perlite, limestone rocks.
Inland waters
About 700 sources of underground mineral waters that have a therapeutic effect have been explored in the country. The unique properties of this water are known to all residents of the former Soviet Union. It was not for nothing that many sought to come to Armenia in order to improve their health.
This country is rich in water resources. About 9.5 thousand rivers flow through its territory, there are over 100 lakes. The largest rivers of Armenia are Akhuryan, Debed, Hrazdan, Arpa. The largest lake is Sevan.
