Climate of the Republic of Armenia

The Republic of Armenia occupies the northeastern part of the vast Armenian Highlands. Geographical location from the south - 38° 50' north latitude, from the north - 41° 18' north latitude, from the west - 43° 27' east longitude, from the east - 46° 37' east longitude. The territory of Armenia is 29,740 sq. km. The lowest point of the country is in the north, in the Debed Gorge (375 meters above sea level), and the highest is the northern peak of Aragats (4,090 meters). 90% of the country's territory is located at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, and the average altitude is 1,800 meters. Armenia's neighboring countries are: Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the east, Iran in the south, and Turkey in the west.

Armenia is landlocked and is separated from the oceans and seas, in particular, from the Mediterranean Sea by 750 km, the Black Sea by 163 km, and the Caspian Sea by 193 km. The relief is complex and mountainous. Here, folded, folded-fragmentary and volcanic mountains, alluvial plains and high-altitude lava plateaus, narrow river valleys and intermountain basins are combined. Almost the entire territory of Armenia is surrounded by high mountain ranges, which extend for about 3000 km.

Conventionally, the country is divided into 4 main mountain-forming zones:
1. North-eastern marginal zone (mountain ranges extend from northwest to southeast: the Virahayots Mountains with the Lalvar peak at 2545 m, the Lejan massif, the Bazum mountain range, the Javakhk mountains, the Halab, Ijevan, Gugarats mountain ranges, the Papakar, Shirak mountains, the Pambak, Tsaghkunyats mountain ranges, the Areguni mountains, the Sevan mountain range, the Eastern Sevan and Miapor mountains),
2. The zone of volcanic plateaus and plateaus (the Javakhk mountains, the Yeghnagragh mountain range, Mount Aragats, Mount Arai (volcanic cone), Geghama, the Vardenis mountains, the Artsakh mountain range),
3. The zone of mountain ranges of the southern part (Zangezur, Bargushat, Meghri, Vayk, Yeranos and Urts mountains),
4. The middle course of the Araxes River depression (between the Aragats massif, Geghama, Zangezur mountains, Mount Ararat, the Hayots and Gharadagh mountain ranges is the Middle Araxes intermountain depression, the northwestern part of which is called the Ararat plain).

The climate in Armenia is subtropical, arid and continental. Along with its geographical location, the country's relief and protection by mountain ranges play a major role in shaping the climate. The Greater Caucasus mountain system, the proximity of the Caspian and Black Seas, and the proximity of the Iranian and Asia Minor plateaus are significant.

The southern latitude of Armenia allows for a large amount of solar radiation, and the relief contributes to the fluctuation of the radiant energy balance. This explains the large fluctuations in atmospheric air and soil temperatures in the country.
The air circulation over the Armenian Highlands is of great importance in the formation of temperature and humidity regimes. In this area, the movement of air masses in the westerly direction mainly prevails, as a result of which moisture inflow occurs in the territory of Armenia. At the same time, fluctuations in the air circulation over time cause both seasonal and secular precipitation changes, as a result of which the water flow changes.
When moving, air masses, meeting the mountain ranges, are forced to bypass gorges and river valleys. Under these conditions, vertical flows arise, as a result of which the meteorological regime changes, in particular air temperature and precipitation.
The average annual temperature in Armenia ranges from 13.8° C (Meghri: 527 m) to -2.7° C (Aragats: 3229 m). Thus, with a difference in altitude of 2700 meters, the average annual temperature variation in the country is 16.5, and the average aerothermal gradient is 0.6 for every 100 meters of altitude. The extreme temperatures recorded in the country are: the absolute minimum air temperature - 46° C (Paghakn village, Shirak region), the absolute maximum: +42° C (Areni village, Vayots Dzor region).

Soil and vegetation cover

The natural conditions of the Republic of Armenia, due to the relief, are characterized by pronounced vertical zonation. The following zones are distinguished:

1. Desert - semi-desert zone, which is formed in the middle reaches of the Araks River, at an altitude of up to 1300 m. In the Ararat Valley, a complex of saline soils is formed in lacustrine-alluvial deposits. At the same time, semi-desert gray soils prevail in a significant part of the valley. The formation of meadow soils is almost absent in this zone, and sparse vegetation does not impede the flow of water and, consequently, soil erosion.

2. Dry steppe zone: It is formed on open slopes, in the valleys of Zangezur and the northeastern region, at an altitude of 900 m, and in the middle reaches of the Araks River at an altitude of 1300-1800 m, in places up to 2000 m. Brown soils with a humus content of 3-4% are formed here. The steppes are covered with a variety of cereal vegetation.

3. Mountain steppe zone: covered with humus-rich black soil, which best regulates the temperature and humidity of the soil. Volcanic plateau steppes are similar in their natural characteristics to the steppes of Eastern Europe. Feather grass vegetation is typical for these soils, and in slightly higher positions, various cereal plants.

4. Forest landscape zone: It is widespread in the northern regions at an altitude of 600-1800 m, and in the southern regions at an altitude of up to 2300 m. The soil cover in the forest zone is characterized by gray-mountain-forest (brown carbonate), dark-colored mountain-forest and herbaceous carbonate soils. Forests are widespread in the northeast and southeast of the republic, where beech, hornbeam and oak predominate. In total, forests occupy 12% of the country's territory.

5. Subalpine-alpine zone: It occupies the altitudes of 1900-2500 m in the northern part of Armenia, and 2000-3500 m in the southeastern part. The lower part of this zone adjoins mountain steppes and forests, and the upper part is the subalpine (snowy) zone of primitive soils. Here, alpine meadow subalpine and meadow soils are formed, sparse forests stretch along a narrow strip, turning into high subalpine grassland. Alpine vegetation is widespread - carpets and meadows.

6. In the summit zone, near-nival and nival landscapes are developed, which are characterized by primitive soils and snow-water ponds, and on the peaks of Aragats and Kaputjugh - large-grained snow fields and glaciers. High-altitude lakes have also formed in this area, forming the most important part of the landscapes. The sources of numerous rivers of the republic are located in the summit zone.