Armenia. Caucasus Mountains - what do we know about them?

Geographic region of Asia, or rather its northern part, the location of the most interesting country - Armenia. Mountains and extinct volcanoes are not exotic for it, but an ordinary landscape. Although how can you call such beauty usual? It attracts and fascinates, opening up new faces.

The Armenian Highlands

Armenia is located on the territory of the Armenian Highland, which is one of the three Upper Asian uplands. 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 most powerful mountainous sites in the region. In the second period of the Cenozoic era, the highlands began to split, resulting in the formation of a system of ridges and deflections. The erupting volcanoes left on the surface layers of lava, from which formed basalt thickets, somewhat smoothed the relief. Today, the Armenian Highlands are characterized as basalt-tuff plateaus with elevations ranging from 1500 m to 3000 m, as well as 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 uplands - Mount Ararat. However, connoisseurs of geography have a natural question: where is Mount Ararat, except in Armenia? Alas, but part of the territory, including the national symbol of the country, was transferred under the peace treaty in 1921 in Turkey. This decision was adopted and fixed by the government of the USSR in the Moscow Treaty and confirmed additionally in the Kars Treaty by the governments of the Armenian, Georgian and Azerbaijani SSR.

It so happened that the place where Mount Ararat is located now belongs to the Muslim country, but this peak remains the most important Christian symbol, because here, according to biblical legends, could moor Noah's ark after the Flood.

Armenians have not reconciled to the loss of the main symbol of their state until today. They do not recognize his belonging to Turkey and sincerely believe that Ararat will return to "original owners".

Relief of Armenia

The highest mountain in the Transcaucasus is Armenia. Mountains, ridges and plateaus occupy almost 90% of its territory. Even the lowest point, the Debed River, is 375 meters above sea level. And the highest point is the summit of Mount Aragats, which will be discussed in more detail.

The average height of the territory of Armenia above sea level is 1850 m. By origin, the relief is divided into 4 main types:

1. Folding-blocky mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. This is the north-eastern part of the state in the region of the Kura river basin. Highest point - Tejler (3101 m)
2. Areas of volcanic coverings. Here the young lavas of the Pliocene and the Quaternary period predominate. The relief is characterized by milder forms, and erosional dissection is much weaker than in other areas. Here is the highest mountain in Armenia. It is the peak of Aragats with a height of 4095 m.
3. Folded mountains of the Apmaraksin system. This type of relief is characteristic of the left bank of the Araks River. The erosional dismemberment of this area is very intense. The highest point is Kaputjukh with a peak height of 3904 m.
4. Plain part of the Armenian highlands, that is, the Ararat valley. This site is subject to tectonic depressions.

Handsome Aragats

Mount Aragats is an isolated high mountain massif consisting of four peaks. The highest point was already designated, but the lowest point is 3879 m. Aragats is a stratovolcano, which has the shape of a cone and consists of a heap of numerous layers of hardened lava. The volcano has not worked 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 height lovers. However, for the conquest of the northern, highest peak, professional training is necessary. Therefore, for the "inhabitants" built routes on the slopes of the southern peak.

In addition to natural beauty on the slopes of Aragats there are man-made monuments. 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 Buratakan. The castle is the ancestral nest of the princes of Pahlavuni.

And a little more about the tops and not only

Azhdahak, Spitakosar, Artavaz, Armagan - all this is Armenia, the mountains, where there will be a busy and well-trained mountaineer, and an ordinary lover of outdoor activities. Although why only climbing? Here you can practice hiking (trekking) on small differences in altitude, along the gorges, rafting on mountain rivers on inflatable boats (rafting), and to be engaged in speleology.

Armenia, whose mountains are discussed in the article, will not deceive your expectations by combining the beauty of nature with the beauty of the soul of the local population.