Mount Miapor

Miapor Mountains

Length: 63 km

Highest summit: Miapor (2,993 m)

Coordinates: 40°43’4.80, 45°15’25.67

Located on the border between the Gegharkunik and Tavush provinces, the Miapor Mountain Range extends eastward from Aghstev Valley to Mount Kashatagh. The Paitasar, Varag, Tavush, Kenats and Khndzorut sub-ranges branch out from the northern and eastern slopes of the Miapor range, and the Varagajur, Tavush and Khndzorut rivers all emerge from these slopes. The landscape in the highland belt consists largely of mountain meadows. The southwestern slopes of the range form part of the territory of Dilijan National Park.

Mount Miapor

The peak of Mount Miapor is located on the border between the provinces of Tavush and Gegharkunik, 5 km to the north of Martuni village. The left tributary (Titeghajur) of the Khndzorut River emerges from the northern slope of Mount Miapor, the right tributary (Khoroch) of Varagajur River emerges from the northwestern slope, while the Great Arkayun tributary (the right tributary of the Getik River) begins from the southern slope. Mount Miapor is a rocky mountain with a sharp peak, and its slopes are covered with alpine and sub-alpine vegetation. The western slope is largely covered with rock. Mount Miapor forms part of the Getik sanctuary.

In Armenian, the words por (“belly”) and porak (“gutter, drainage channel”) are often synonymous with the words dzor (“gorge”) and dzorak (“gulch, gully”). In Armenia, one often encounters historical toponyms that make use of the words por and porak (i.e. Berdats Por, Tsobepor, Aseats Por, Chorapor, Yotnporakian Bagink).

Consequently, the word “Miapor” has the same meaning as “Miadzor” (One Gorge). The right tributary (Getik) of the Aghstev River flows through this gorge, and based on historical sources, we are able to match the basin of the Getik River with the historic Miapor Province.