"NOAH" Ethnographic District ARUP | Page 22

Noah Etnographic District Ararat valley Region Geographical features Ararat valley is relatively spacious in the foothills of the country, at an altitude of 800-1400 meters. Climate features The climate difers from the climate in steppe areas by a damper and warmer summer in the case of a comparatively even distribution of precipitation during the vegetation period. In the lower sub-zone the unevenness of precipitation levels is rather apparent. The annual precipitation level exceeds 600 mm, in the upper zone it reaches up to 700 mm. In summer, thunderstorms accompanied by hail are frequent. The frost-free period continues for up to 4 – 4.5 months. Frosts start from September and last till the end of May. Further analysis The particular architectural, materials, landscape, cultivation and product feature of every region is expanded in detail for a more comprehensive understanding and further analysis. 22 Khor Virap. Astvatsatsin Church in Ararat province Pink tufa Architecture Materials Here the architecture is more colorful using mainly the local pink tufa. Buildings are made this stone with lat roofs and stone wide porches surrounded by beautiful the beautiful valley of Ararat. Big monumental buildings dominate the region. Most of the architectural elements are made of stone. The main material used is the local pink tufa combined with diferent stones from other regions. Frescos of marble or another stone were often aixed to the side of the traditional building enriching the local architectural identity. Architectural ornaments are usually made by carved tufa.