Why in News?
Armenia has recently joined the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as its newest State Member, marking a significant step in its commitment to global biodiversity and conservation efforts.
🗺️ About Armenia
- Location: Armenia is a landlocked nation situated in the southern Caucasus region, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
- Neighbouring Countries:
- North: Georgia
- East: Azerbaijan
- Southeast: Iran
- West: Turkey
- Terrain: Dominated by the Lesser (Little) Caucasus Mountains, with rugged highlands and volcanic formations shaping its landscape.
- Soil: Formed partly from volcanic residues, it is rich in nitrogen, potash, and phosphates, making it fertile for agriculture in many regions.
- Highest Peak: Mount Aragats (4,090 m) — an extinct volcanic mountain and Armenia’s tallest point.
- Climate: Highland continental — marked by hot summers and cold winters with considerable temperature variation due to altitude
differences. - Major Rivers: Aras, Hrazdan, Arpa, and Vorotan — vital for hydropower generation and irrigation.
- Natural Resources: Small reserves of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, and bauxite.
- Important Lake: Lake Sevan — one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in Eurasia.
- Language: Armenian — the official and national language.
- Capital: Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.