Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey

40 00 N, 45 00 E

Commonwealth of Independent States

total: 29,800 sq km
land: 28,400 sq km
water: 1,400 sq km

slightly smaller than Maryland

total: 1,254 km
border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan
exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast
flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley

lowest point: Debed River 400 m
highest point: Aragats Lerr 4,095 m

small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc,
alumina

arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: 24%
forests and woodland: 15%
other: 41% (1993 est.)

2,870 sq km (1993 est.)

occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

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

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

landlocked