English: This astronaut photograph, taken from the
International Space Station, highlights a segment of the international border between
Armenia and
Turkey. The
Aras River separates the two countries, with Armenia to the north-north-east and Turkey to the south-south-west. Extensive green agricultural fields are common on both sides of the river (upper part of image), as well as a number of gray-to-tan urban areas including
Yerevan (image top, slightly left of centre) and
Artashat and
Armavir in Armenia, and
Iğdır in Turkey. While there have been efforts to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries in recent years, the Armenia-Turkey border remains officially closed.
The dominant geographic feature in the region is Mt. Ararat, also known as Agri Dagi. The peak of Ararat, a large stratovolcano that last erupted in 1840 according to historical records, is located approximately 40 kilometres to the south of the Armenia-Turkey border. A lower peak to the east, known as Lesser or Little Ararat, is also volcanic in origin. Dark gray lava flows to the south of Mt. Ararat are located near the Turkish border with Iran. While this border is also closed along much of its length, official crossing points allow relatively easy travel between the two countries.
The white,
glacier-clad peak of Mt. Ararat is evident at image centre; dark green areas on the lower slopes indicate where vegetation cover is abundant. A large lake, Balik Golu or Fish Lake, is visible to the west (image lower left).