Geography
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is located in the south-eastern part of the Minor Caucasus. The relief of the republic is typically mountainous; it covers the east part of the Karabakhian upland and goes down obliquely from the west to east. The territory of the Republic is characterized by strongly cut up mountainous relief. The average height above sea level is 1100 m. Almost all the rivers of Nagorny Karabakh, except Araks, flow from the west and south-west mountains to the valley of Artsakh, transforming the relief of the mountainous territory into deep gorges and picturesque valleys. The vastest from them is the valley of the River Tartar in the Martakert region and the valley of Araks in the Lower Karabakh.
From north to south the uplands of Syunik and the mountain ridge of Vardenis stretch out all along the western border of the Nagorny Karabakh, giving birth to some branches of the range, which stretch from west to the east part of the territory.
By the northern side stretches out the Mrov Ridge, on which the highest mountain tops Gomshasar (3724m) and Mrov (3343m) are located. The Karabakhian ridge is composed of the mountain tops Forty Girls (in arm. “Qarasun Aghjikner”)(2828m), Big Kirs (in arm. “Mets Qirs”)(2725m) and Dizapayt (2480m). Big Kirs is located at the place of the junction of the regions of Shoushi and Hadrout, and Dizapayt is in Hadrout region.
Karabakhian upland, like the whole Armenian upland, is characterized by its active seismicity. There is a great amount of plutonites appeared in the ancient times, such as limestone, some other types of sediments referring to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Climate
Climate in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is mild and temperate, close to dry subtropical. Annual average temperature is +10.5 degrees centigrade. The hottest months are July and August, when the average temperature is about 22 degrees centigrade.
Zones of Lower Karabakh are distinguished with relatively high temperature. During the cold period, in the months of January and February, the average temperature in the region fluctuates between -0.2 to -0.9 degrees centigrade.
On the territory of the republic there aren’t long-term cold or hot weather. The coldest temperature in the lowland doesn’t drop lower than 0-2, on the foothills it drops down to -10 degrees centigrade and between 10-20 degrees centigrade in the highlands. The highest temperature rises up to +40 degrees centigrade in the lowlands and +32-37 degrees centigrade in the highlands. Mountainous-valley winds dominate on the territory of the republic. In spring and winter months there happen thunderstorms. Annual average rainfall fluctuates between 480 and 700 mm depending on the zone. The most part of rain is in May-June and September-October. Torrential rains and hail are common in this period, too.
Natural resources. In the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic there is a number of metals and non-metals, however from the geological-research aspect its territory is relatively little investigated.
Since ancient times in Karabakh there have been discovered coal fields, numerous kinds of metals, particularly zinc, lead, copper, gold, sulphurous pyrites, iron. Artsakh is also rich in non-metals. Particularly, there many fields of marble and Limestone of different colour shades.
There are also deposits of granite, basalt, tufa, limestone on the territory of the republic, as well as deposits of raw materials for the production of cement, graphite, lithographic stone, gypsum, sand and clay of high quality.
Since 2002 in Drmbon mine (Martakert region) gold has been extracted.
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is also home to mineral water springs. Some of them have been famous since ancient times. Mineral water springs, situated 16-18 km from Shoushi, at the motorway Goris-Stepanakert, are of especial practical importance. They are rich in iron and are appreciated for their healing properties. Salubrious mineral springs, mild climate, clean air and clear rivers, forests rich in various fruits, picturesque valleys and waterfalls are the wealth of the Nagorny Karabakh – the perfect place for rest.