The Azat ( hy, Ազատ) is a river in the
Kotayk Province
Kotayk ( hy, Կոտայք, ), is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. It is located at the central part of the country. Its capital is Hrazdan and the largest city is Abovyan. It is named after the Kotayk canton of the historic Ayrarat province ...
of
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ''O ...
. Its source is on the western slope of the
Geghama mountains
Gegham mountains (or Gegham Ridge, ISO 9985: Geġam), hy, Գեղամա լեռնաշղթա (''Geghama lernasheghta'') are a mountain range , range of mountains in Armenia. The range is a tableland-type watershed basin of Sevan Lake from east, inf ...
. It flows through
Garni,
Lanjazat
Lanjazat ( hy, Լանջազատ, also Romanized as Landzhazat and Lendzhazat) is a town in the Ararat Province of Armenia.
See also
* Ararat Province
Ararat ( hy, Արարատ, ), is a province ('' marz'') of Armenia. Its capital and larges ...
and
Arevshat
Arevshat ( hy, Արևշատ) is a village in the Artashat Municipality of the Ararat Province of Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.Th ...
. It flows into the
Aras near
Artashat
Artashat ( hy, Արտաշատ); Hellenized as Artaxata ( el, Ἀρτάξατα) and Artaxiasata ( grc, Ἀρταξιάσατα), was a large commercial city and the capital of ancient Armenia during the reign of king Artaxias I; the founder of t ...
. The main purpose of the Azat dam is to serve for irrigation and hydro power generation. Its hazard potential is ranked to be high.
The Azat is known in Armenia for its beauty. It flows for 55 kilometers and has a basin that occupies 578 square kilometers. The Azat passes through the
Khosrov State Reserve
Khosrov Forest State Reserve ( hy, Խոսրովի անտառ պետական արգելոց), is a nature reserve in Ararat Province of Armenia. The reserve is one of the oldest protected areas in the world having a history of about 1700 years. ...
. In its lower reaches, the river flows into the Ararat valley. The Azat is known for its numerous spectacular waterfalls and its rock choked river bed.
Symphony of Stones
One section of the Azat, where it meets River Goght, is particularly fascinating. It is a canyon known as Canyon of Garni. The canyon's formation is so unique that it almost looks artificial. The canyon is composed of regular hexagonal prisms. Near its end, the gorge's beautiful formation has prompted the name "Symphony of Stones".
Gallery
Image:Ազատի ջրամբար ու կղզիներ.JPG, Azat Reservoir
Image:Azat at Garni.jpg, Azat river at Garni
Image:Azat(River).jpg, An old bridge on the Azat River
Image:Azat(River) Bridge.jpg, The Azat River passing under an old style bridge
See also
*
Geography of Armenia
*
List of rivers of Armenia
The rivers of Armenia are part of either the Caspian Sea or Lake Sevan watersheds. Throughout history Armenia has been called Nairi by the Assyrians meaning the "Land of the lakes and rivers" There are 16 rivers over long in or bordering Arme ...
*
List of lakes of Armenia
This is a list of lakes of Armenia. Lake Sevan, in Gegharkunik Province, is the largest body of water in Armenia and the entire Caucasus region.
Armenia has one very large lake called Lake Sevan and more than 100 small mountain lakes. None of ...
References
Rivers of Armenia
{{Armenia-river-stub