Armenia Geography 1997

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, Georgia164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

Coastline 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims none (landlocked)

Climate highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Terrain high Armenian Plateau with mountains; little forest land; fast flowingrivers; 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, theresult of conflict with Azerbaijan, has led to deforestation when citizensscavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; thedraining of Sevana Lich, a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatensdrinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant without adequate(IAEA-recommended) safety and backup systems

Environment - international agreements
party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Desertification

Geography - note landlocked

NOTE: The information regarding Armenia on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Armenia Geography 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Armenia Geography 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.