Day of Lake Sevan in Armenia (28/08)

Since 1999, the last Sunday of August has been declared Lake Sevan Day in Armenia. This decision was made by the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia, including in the program for the conservation of Lake Sevan measures aimed at improving the environmental conditions of the lake and adjacent areas. They take place under the control of employees of the Sevan National Park. These events, one of which is the — cleanup of the Sevan coast, involve environmental and scouting teams.

Sevan (arm. արանա եի) — is a high-mountain lake in Armenia, the largest in the Caucasus.

Sevan is located at an altitude of 1900 meters; area 1240 square kilometers, the depth of the lake reaches 83 meters. 28 rivers flow into the lake, and the Hrazdan River (a tributary of the Araks) flows out. Lake of a tectonic dammed nature. The basin is of tectonic origin, and the dam was formed relatively recently, due to the outpouring of Holocene lavas. Sevan is surrounded by mountain ranges: from the northwest — Pambak, from the northeast — Sevan and Areguni, from the west and south — Geghama and Vardenis ranges.

Lake Sevan — is freshwater, the water surface has an azure blue color. Mineralization of water is about 700 mg/l, the dry residue is 0.5 g/l.

Lake Sevan is known for its cultural monuments and recreational resources located on the coast: mineral springs, clean air, ultraviolet rays, beautiful nature. An artificial forest (pine, broadleaf and sea buckthorn) grows on the shore of the lake.

Of the historical monuments on the coast of Sevan, the most famous is the Sevanavank Monastery, located on a peninsula near the city of Sevan in the northwestern part of the lake. The monastery was originally located on an island, but a drop in water level created an isthmus that connected the island to land. Another monastery — is located on the western slope of Airivank.

On the shore of the lake is the village of Noraduz, known for the largest cemetery of khachkars («hach» — cross and «kar» — stone, a special art form — decorative and architectural sculptures), numbering about 900 khachkars of different eras and styles. There are also Khachkars in the village of Nerkin Getashen on the southern coast. After the water level dropped, numerous archaeological artifacts dating back 2,000 years or more were discovered (some of them — Bronze Age). Most of these artifacts are in museums in Yerevan.

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