Driving Directions Armenia
ARMENIA is the smallest republic of the former USSR and part of Armenia’s former kingdom divided between Turkey, Iran, and the former USSR. It declared independence from the USSR in 1991. It is a mountainous country dominated by the rugged peaks of the Southern Caucasus Mountains, with high plateaux and steep-sided valleys interspersed with numerous lakes. Many of the peaks are over 3,000 meters or 9,900 feet, and Lake Sevan is the largest lake. Lowland areas occur mainly in the river valleys and on the Ararat Plain in the west. Mount Ararat, now in eastern Turkey, has traditionally been essential to the people of Armenia.