Driving Directions Armenia
ARMENIA is the smallest republic of the former USSR and part of Armenia’s former kingdom divided between Turkey, Iran, and the former USSR. It declared independence from the USSR in 1991. It is a mountainous country dominated by the rugged peaks of the Southern Caucasus Mountains, with high plateaux and steep-sided valleys interspersed with numerous lakes. Many of the peaks are over 3,000 meters or 9,900 feet, and Lake Sevan is the largest lake. Lowland areas occur mainly in the river valleys and on the Ararat Plain in the west. Mount Ararat, now in eastern Turkey, has traditionally been essential to the people of Armenia.
The climate in Armenia varies according to location, with the lowlands having hot, dry summers and cold winters and even lower temperatures in the upland regions.
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Natural vegetation once included extensive areas of forest. Many of the trees were cut down during the Soviet-led drive towards developing a highly industrialized economy. In recent years, even more have been felled to provide fuel, made necessary by the economic blockade imposed by neighboring Azerbaijan. Hydroelectricity is produced from stations on the River Razdan as it falls 1,000 meters or 3,281 feet from Lake f Sevan to its confluence with the River Araks.
Natural vegetation once included extensive areas of forest. Many of the trees were cut down during the Soviet-led drive towards developing a highly industrialized economy. In recent years, even more have been felled to provide fuel, made necessary by the economic blockade imposed by neighboring Azerbaijan. Hydroelectricity is produced from stations on the River Razdan as it falls 1,000 meters or 3,281 feet from Lake f Sevan to its confluence with the River Araks.
Irrigation schemes allow for cultivation in lower-lying areas where agriculture is mixed. The main crops grown are grain, sugar beet, potatoes, and livestock reared, including cattle, pigs, and sheep. Mining of copper, zinc, and lead is important and, to a lesser extent, gold, aluminum, and molybdenum, and industrial development are increasing. Territorial conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh put a brake on economic development for many years.
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Armenia’s terrain is composed mainly of plateaus and rugged mountain ranges, except for a few fertile river valleys and the area around Lake Sevan, in the east-central part of the country. The geological formation known as the Armenia Plateau occupies the western part of the country. Armenia is landlocked and has no coast.
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