{"id":84927,"date":"2015-03-26T14:01:49","date_gmt":"2015-03-26T14:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.armgeo.am\/geghamamountains\/"},"modified":"2024-01-29T12:01:21","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T08:01:21","slug":"geghamamountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.armgeo.am\/en\/geghamamountains\/","title":{"rendered":"Geghama Mountains Range"},"content":{"rendered":"

Length: 72 km<\/em>
\nHighest peak: Mount Azhdahak (3,597 m)<\/em>
\nCoordinates: 40\u2024132978, 44\u2024565568<\/em><\/p>\n

Geghama mountains range has a volcanic origin, as it consists of many extinct volcanoes. The length of the range is 70 km, and the width is 48km. The highest peak is Mount Azhdahak<\/a><\/span> (3597 m).<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a>

Mount Azhdahak<\/p><\/div>\n

At the base of the mountain range, there are heterogeneous Cretaceous and Paleogene rocks, while on the surface, Pliocene and anthropogenic volcanic formations predominate. The structure of the massif is uneven. The eastern slopes, gently descending, gradually transition into the near-Sevan lava fields. Steep western slopes descend into the Razdan Valley, forming a foothill zone with volcanoes such as Atis, Gutanasar, Menakasar, and others. The watershed zone is a hilly plateau, with an elevation of 2800-3000 meters, featuring volcanic cones (Ajdaak, Sevqatar) and residual domes of eruptions (Spitakasar, Geghasar, Gndasar).<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a>

Mount Spitakasar and lake Nazeli<\/p><\/div>\n

The climate is moderately continental, characterized by cool and brief summers, as well as cold winters. The high peaks experience a cold mountain climate. The average annual temperature ranges from -2\u00b0C to +4\u00b0C, varying from lowlands to mountain tops. The overall annual precipitation ranges from 500 to 900 mm. Rivers such as Azat, Vedi, Argichi, Gavaraget, Bakhtak, and others originate from the mountain slopes. Of particular interest in the Geghama Range is Lake Akna.<\/p>\n

\"Geghama<\/a>

Geghama Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n

The southwestern slopes of the Geghama Mountains are part of the Khosrov Forest Reserve<\/a><\/span>. The vegetation on these slopes follows a zonal pattern, characterized by changes in altitude. Up to an elevation of 2800 meters, mountain steppes prevail, while above this level, subalpine and marshy meadows dominate. Oak and juniper forests can be found on the western slopes. Among the animals, there are hares, wolves, foxes, bears, as well as reptiles such as lizards and snakes. The region is also home to a diverse range of bird species.<\/p>\n

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Origin of the name<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The range is named after Patriarch Gegham, one of the ancestors of the Armenian nation. According to tradition, Gegham, who was a handsome man of giant stature, ruled for 50 years, his name being associated with a number of toponyms of the Armenian Highland such as Geghama Tsov (Gegham\u2019s Sea, namely Lake Sevan), Geghama Mountains, Geghamabak, Geghamashen, Geghamavan, Geghami and Gegharkuni.<\/p>\n

Petroglyphs<\/h3>\n

The Geghama Mountains are rich in petroglyphs<\/a><\/span> that were created several millennia ago and are unique in the world in terms of number, large variety of images, diversity of themes and used techniques. The scenes presented in these petroglyphs reflect the world outlook as well as the material and spiritual life of the ancient inhabitants of the Armenian Highland, helping form an idea about their everyday life, habits and beliefs.<\/p>\n

\"Petroglyphs<\/a>

Petroglyphs of Geghama Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n

Scholars hold that part of the images carved on rocks are ideograms or symbols which later formed the basis for alphabet-based writing systems. Many petroglyphs of the Geghama Mountains are carved on gigantic rocks, mostly on surfaces with metallic lustre (the main tools were mallets and cutters).<\/p>\n\n