top of page
Armenia
Hayasa – Hayk – Hayastan – Nairi – Urartu – Ararat – Biainili – Kingdom of Van – Armenia
A traveler interested in exploring different cultures, their history and art should visit this tiny country which is situated in between East and West and the name of which is Armenia.
First time Arminiya as the name of a country and Armina as the name of the nation is mentioned in a cuneiform inscription of Persian King Dareh I (522 – 486 BC), and in the 5th century BC Armenia for the first time appear on a Babylonian World map.
Armenia frequently is called an open-air museum. Over 5.000 monuments, all the way from prehistoric cave paintings, stonehenges (karahunj in Armenian), irrigation systems and fortresses to Medieval monasteries and secular buildings and cross-stones which survived to our days are scattered all over modern Armenia.
The English poet Byron wrote “there is no other land in the world so full of wonders as the land of Armenians…”
To mention just a few of these wonders: Garni temple of Hellenistic period (1st c. AD), Edjmiadzin monastery built after the adoption of Christianity in 301, St. Hripsime church (7th c.), Zvartnots (7th c.), Geghard monastery carved in rock (13th c.).
Armenian Language
The Armenian language has two major branches: Eastern and Western. It belongs to the Indo-European family of languages and forms a separate group in it. Its unique modern alphabet was invented by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD.
Eastern Armenian is the official language of the country and is considered as native by 96% of its population.
Western Armenian is spoken by approximately 50% of over 10 million Armenians worldwide.
Highlander’s Country – “the roof for the snowy summit”
Armenia is the historical-geographical region, where the Armenian people were shaped as a nation, have been living over centuries up to present days, creating a rich heritage of unique history and culture.
The territory of the present-day Republic of Armenia is about 1/10 of the territory of Historic Armenia.
“Armenia is a land with a mystical air that will at once capture your imagination, evoking centuries past while awakening your sense to the present. It has a rich and colorful history, interwoven with legends and lore such as the landing of Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat and Marco Polo’s voyages along the Silk Road. Armenians are an ancient people with a strong sense of cultural identity. They have preserved their unique culture through the centuries, keeping Old World traditions alive by integrating them into a modern way of life, so that the two compliment and enrich each other.
Armenia offers something new for every explorer. From the Hellenistic temple of Garni and the rock-carved churches of Geghard to ancient cave dwellings, mountain monasteries, fortresses and thousands of unique khachkars (stone crosses), Armenia’s fascinating history is etched into its very landscape.
The wide range of natural beauty in this tiny country is astounding. You will encounter mountainous landscapes, deep forests and fertile plains. With rugged and widely unspoiled landscapes, each region of Armenia offers a unique experience to nature-lovers, hikers, and anyone with a desire to explore.
Armenia’s strongest charm lies in the hearts of its people. The kindness and hospitality of Armenians is sure to leave a lasting impression and make your visit an unforgettable experience. Come and feel the warmth of an Armenian welcome. Come, and discover Armenia!”
By Ararat Valley © Hrair Hawk
Geographical Location
Our country is situated at the gateway between Asia and Europe. The Highland served as an economic and political bridge between the East and the West.
The favorable position of the country adversely affected Armenia, making it attractive for foreign invaders and an apple of discord between competing powers and an arena of military operations for centuries.
The Armenian Highland is situated between the Iranian and Asian Minor Plateaus. It has 1500 – 1800 m average height above sea level. It has higher position than its neighboring countries and was called “Mountainous Island”.
Mountains
High mountains and mountain chains intersperse the whole plateau. The majestic Biblical Mount of Ararat (Masis) is the highest mountain of the Highland. It has two peaks: Great Ararat or Masis which is always covered with snow (5165 m above sea level) and Little Ararat or Sis (3925 m above sea level). Armenians call the Mountain “Masis the Free” or “Noble Masis” and make it the dwelling place of the spirits in their legends. According to the Bible, the Noah’s Ark rested on Masis in the time of the Deluge (Flood). The Biblical Mountain – Ararat is the highest summit (4300 m) in the world by the relative altitude.
The Haikakan Par (the Armenian Chain) starts from Ararat and extends to west. This chain is in the middle of the Highland. Among the highest summits of the Armenian Highland are Sipan (4434 m, the second highest peak of the Highland) – to the north of Lake Van, Npat, Nemrut, the mountains of Byurakn (means “Ten thousands springs”), etc.
Mount Aragats (between the rivers Kour and Arax) is the highest mountain in the territory of the present-day Republic of Armenia. Armenians often call Aragats the “White Glory”. Mount Aragats is shaped like an oval shield. A circle of four peaks rises in the middle of the shield. The highest of the peaks is of 4090 m height. The others are only a few meters lower. The circle of the summits is the remains of a crater from a big volcano. It is worth mentioning that the Indian Vedas contain interesting information about Mount Aragats.
Rivers and Lakes
Highland is also rich in water storage.
Armenia is famous for its rivers. The Rivers Euphrates, Tigris, Kour, Arax are among them. According to the Bible, four rivers of the Armenian Highland – the Euphrates (the longest river), Tigris (the most full-flow river), Gihon (Arax) and Pison are watering the Paradise.
All the rivers of the Armenian Highland belong to four basins: the Persian Gulf, Caspian Sea, Black Sea and Inner Basin.
The real Armenian river is the Arax (also the Araz, Eraskh, Gihon) because it springs in the Armenian Highland and flows through almost the whole territory of Armenia (about 1000 km). The Armenians call this river “Mair Arax” (“Mother Arax”).
Many of the small rivers of the Highland (Hrazdan, Vorotan, Arpha, Akhurian and others) are the tributaries of the Arax.
There are three major lakes on the Armenian Highland – the Urmia, Van and Sevan, which Armenians refer to as “tsov” (“sea”).
Lake Urmia (“Kaputan”) is the largest yet the swallowest of three lakes, with 4 – 15 m depth. The water of the lake is blue and clear, but extremely salty; no representative of fauna and flora can exist in it. The lake has many small islands.
Lake Van (also “Tosp”, “The Sea of Bznuni” and “The Sea of Country of Nairi”) is the second largest and the first deepest lake of the Highland. Its maximum depth is 451 m. The water is very salty and bitter (contains borax); yet there is a species fish known as “tarekh” living in it. In the past it had 7 islands. Now there are only 4 islands there. One of them is Akhtamar, noted for its unique architectural monuments.
Lake Sevan (“the Sea of Geghama”) lies at the altitude of 1900 m above sea level. It is known not only for its natural beauty, but also for sweet water and fish varieties (very popular trout, called “Ishkhan” – “Prince Fish”). The deepest point of the lake is 99 m (in the north-east of the lake). About 30 tributaries flow into the lake, yet, its only outlet is the River Hrazdan.
Among the small lakes of the Armenian Highland are the Parvana, Tsovk, Nazik, Archak, Childir, Metsamor and others.
Climate
With seven different climate zones, Armenia has variable landscape areas, including deserts, semi-deserts, dry steppes, steppes, woodlands, sub-alpine and alpine lands. This diversity in climate and landscape creates a wide range of temperatures depending on the region of the country and the altitude. Winter temperatures can reach as low as -40°C (-40ºF) or lower around the upper reaches of Mount Ararat, whereas Yerevan, which is surrounded by mountains on the edge of the Ararat Valley, generally does not have winter temperatures much below -10°C (-14ºF). Conversely, summer temperatures in Yerevan may sometimes reach 40°C (104ºF), while the mountains maintain a pleasant 20°C (68ºF).
Summer lasts from the end of April until the end of October, slowly graduating into winter, with most of the snow coming in the early months of the year, followed by a short spring in April and May. While summertime brings high temperatures to Yerevan, many travelers find the cooler temperatures at Lake Sevan a pleasant change.
bottom of page