Lake Sevan is the largest lake not only in Armenia but in the entire Caucasus region. Twenty-nine rivers flow into Lake Sevan, while only one river flows out — the Hrazdan River, which runs through Yerevan and divides the city into two parts.
The lake is situated at an altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level, about a 1.5-hour drive from Yerevan, in the Gegharkunik Region. The total surface area of its basin is approximately 5,000 square km, which makes up nearly one-fifth of the country’s territory.
The lake itself covers an area of 1,242 square km, with a length of 74 kilometers and a maximum width of 32 km. The average depth of Lake Sevan is 26.8 meters, while the maximum depth reaches 79.4 meters.
Sevan holds major economic, cultural, and recreational value. It provides around 90% of Armenia’s fish and 80% of its crayfish catch.
During the Soviet era, the lake was heavily exploited for irrigation (mainly for the Ararat Valley) and hydroelectric power generation, which led to a drastic drop in water level — nearly 20 meters — and a 40% reduction in its volume. As a result, the once-famous Sevan Island became a peninsula.
According to archaeologists, during the Middle Ages the name “Sevan” referred specifically to the island, and it meant “Sev Vank” or “Black Monastery” named after the 9th-century monastery built there from dark volcanic stone tuff by the order of King Ashot Yerkat’s daughter, Princess Mariam.
There are also other legends and folk stories about the origin of the lake’s name, but this explanation is the most widely accepted — especially since the Sevanavank Monastery is still visible from many parts of the region and remains one of its key landmarks.
Lake Sevan also has the only natural beaches in Armenia. Although the water temperature rarely rises above 24°C, it still attracts many locals and visitors who swim and relax here during the hot summer months.
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