The highest elevation in Armenia is the loftiest peak in the Lesser Caucusus, Mount Aragats, at 13,420 feet or 4,090 meters.
Its Wikipedia article is unusually lengthy and interesting compared with most of the peaks covered in this series to date. Here are a few highlight notes:
- It’s volcanic, a quadruple-peaked massif.
- The name means “Ara’s Throne” in reference to famous Armenian figure Ara the Handsome.
- Petroglyphs and rock paintings can be found in the area.
- Aragats and the similarly named Ararat are by legend, quarreling sisters.
- To celebrate a national historic date, in 2005 a quarter of a million people encircled the mountain in a ring just over 100 miles in circumference.
- A scientific installation called the Aragats Cosmic Ray Research Station was established in 1943.
📷 Header Photo Credit: “Aragats from Gyumri” by Julian Nyča
Have a good Friday ⛰️