Lake Sevan is the largest alpine lake in Armenia and the entire Caucasus, as well as one of the largest freshwater alpine (alpine) lakes in Eurasia. The lake is located in the Gegharkunik region, 60 kilometers northeast of Yerevan, at an altitude of 1990 meters above sea level. The area of the lake is 1242 square kilometers, its average depth is 26.8 meters, and the maximum depth reaches 80 meters.
The lake owes its origin to volcanic activity in the Quaternary period of the formation of our planet. An eruption of lava along the northern spurs of the Geghama Range blocked the valley of an ancient river. The resulting basin began to be filled with meltwater of glaciers and snowfields of the ridges surrounding it, and later with river water.
The landscapes here are distinguished by beauty and diversity - mountain steppes pass into alpine meadows and mountain forests. And the peaks of the mountains are covered with snow until the beginning of summer.
28 rivers flow into the lake, the largest of which reaches a length of 50 km. Only one river flows from Sevan - Hrazdan, which flows into Araks.
In 1949, a tunnel was drilled under the source of the Hrazdan River and part of the water reserves began to flow out for the needs of the cascade of power plants and for irrigation. As a result, the lake level dropped by almost one meter per year. Currently, the lake level lies about 18 meters below the pre-launch mark, and the island, in front of the eyes of residents for several years, has turned into a peninsula.
But thanks to the Arpa-Sevan tunnel, the construction of which began in 1981, part of the water of the Arpa River began to flow into the lake, and in recent years the level of the mirror has not decreased. On the contrary, it increased by one meter.
On the shores of Sevan, archaeologists have discovered wedge-shaped inscriptions and Urats fortifications. In the Urartian cuneiform records, the lake is called “Suiniya”. It is believed that the name "Sevan" came from this word. Another suggestion connects the word "Sevan" with a black tufa monastery built on the island. “Black Monastery” in Armenian is “Sev Vank”, which is also consonant with the name of the lake.
Built in the 9th century through the efforts of the pious princess Mariam, daughter of Tsar Ashot I Bagratuni, Sevan Monastery consists of two temples. Above the slope, the Main Temple flaunts - Astvatsatsin (Virgin Mary), and a little lower - the church of Arakelots (Apostles).
Located on the coast of the northwestern bay of the lake, the city of Sevan grew up on the site of the former village of Elenovka, founded by Molokans in the second half of the 19th century. Due to its favorable geographical position, the village quickly turned into a city.
The lake is not rich in fish, but the local breed of Ishkhan trout (from the salmon family) was in great demand due to the excellent taste of its tender pink meat. But lowering the level of the lake led to the drainage of those parts of the bottom that had the best conditions for spawning and fish development. Inhabits the lake and whitefish brought from Ladoga in 1920.
Today, hotels, motels and hostels of various levels and comfort operate on the entire coast of the lake: from elegant to simple. In the summer, especially on weekends, the number of vacationers increases sharply. However, Sevan is beautiful in any weather and at any time of the year (the average air temperature in January is only minus 8C).