Geographic region of the Near East, or rather itsthe northern part, the location of the most interesting country - Armenia. Mountains and extinct volcanoes for her are not exotic, but an ordinary landscape. Although how can you call such beauty usual? It attracts and fascinates, opening up new faces.
Armenia is located on the territory of the ArmenianHighlands, which is one of the three Upper 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 Highland is one of the most powerful mountain knotsregion. 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. To date, the Armenian Highlands are characterized as basalt-tuff plateaus with elevations ranging from 1500 m to 3000 m, and giant volcanic cones several thousand meters high.
Armenians have always been considered patient and wisepeople. 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 to 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 the mountain is locatedArarat, now belongs to a Muslim country, but this peak remains the most important Christian symbol, because here, according to biblical legends, could moor Noah's ark after a worldwide flood.
Armenians have not reconciled to the loss of the main symbol of their state to this day. They do not recognize his belonging to Turkey and sincerely believe that Ararat will return to the "original owners".
The highest mountain country of Transcaucasia 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:
Mount Aragats - isolated high mountainan array of four vertices. 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 volcanicCraters are 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 Aragatsthere are man-made monuments. One of them is the castle of Ambred. 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.
Azhdahak, Spitakosar, Artavaz, Armagan - all thisArmenia, the mountains, where the occupation and the prepared mountaineer will find, and the usual fan of productive leisure. Although why only climbing? Here you can do 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 considered in the article, will not deceive your expectations, combining the beauty of nature with the beauty of the soul of the local population.