The Republic of Armenia is located in the northeastern part of the Armenian Highlands. The surface of its territory represents a folded–block structure that has been fragmented into separate units as a result of recent tectonic movements formed within the Kura–Arax intermontane basin.
This structural “framework” of the relief within the republic is expressed by several nearly parallel structural zones, extending in the form of arcs convex toward the northeast, generally oriented from southeast to northwest.
The average elevation of the republic’s territory above sea level is about 1,800 m. The distribution of the surface by elevation is as follows: 9.9% lies below 1,000 m, 18.3% between 1,000 and 1,500 m, 31.3% between 1,500 and 2,000 m, 24.5% between 2,000 and 2,500 m, and 16% exceeds 2,500 m.
The lowest points of the republic are 375 m (the Debed River valley, 2 km north of the village of Bagratashen) and 380 m (the Araks River valley, the village of Nrnadzor). The highest point is the summit of Mount Aragats at 4,095 m. Thus, the difference between the maximum and minimum absolute elevations of the country exceeds 3,700 m.
Such a rugged relief also hampers the mechanization of agriculture. Under the mountainous conditions of the republic, mudflows, rockfalls, landslides, and snow avalanches are widespread, requiring the development of costly protective measures. Economic activity, especially construction, is further complicated by high seismic activity.
Naturally, the strongly dissected mountainous relief has a significant impact on population distribution. The foothill plains and gently sloping areas of the middle-mountain zone are relatively more densely populated.
Scientists divide the diverse surface of the republic into four orographic regions: the northeastern folded–block mountains, volcanic mountain massifs and plateaus, the southern folded–block mountains, and the Middle Araks Depression.
 ABOUT TOURUNION |
 MEMBERSHIP |
