
Armenia Geography
Armenia Geography: A summary of information about Armenia Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Armenia: Geography
Location
Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey
Geographic coordinates
40 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references
Commonwealth of Independent States
Area
total: 29,800 sq km land: 28,400 sq km water: 1,400 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries
total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Terrain
Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerr 4,095 m
Natural resources
small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina
Land use
arable land: 17% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland: 15% other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land
2,870 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards
occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Environment - current issues
soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; energy blockade, the result of conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant without adequate (IAEA-recommended) safety and backup systems
Environment - international agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note
landlocked