The larger mountain pictured is Greater Ararat, located in eastern Turkey and visible from the Armenian capital of Yerevan. Standing at 16,854 feet, Greater Ararat is traditionally associated with the resting place of Noah’s Ark after the Flood (Genesis 8:4).
Look how deep the water must have been for the ark to land on that mountain! And if that valley is filled with people now, it was probably filled with people then, too, and … they were not on the Ark.
The smaller cone-shaped peak in the photo is Little Ararat at 12,782 feet.
- The Ararat peaks are located in the Armenian Highlands, the large mountainous plateau between Turkey, Armenia, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
- Several major rivers start there, including parts of the Tigris and Euphrates river systems.
- Greater Ararat is the highest mountain in Turkey.
- Previously part of Armenia, but currently inside the borders of modern Turkey; Greater Ararat appears on the Armenian coat of arms.
One more cool note about this particular photo: That is Yerevan’s Opera House in the center foreground, which is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Armenia.
