# Mount Ararat


By [Ashxarh](https://paragraph.com/@ashxarh) · 2024-01-17

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**Mount Ararat** ([/ˈærəræt/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English), [_ARR-ə-rat_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key); [Armenian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_language): Արարատ, [romanized](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanization_of_Armenian): _Ararat_), also known as **Mount Ağrı** ([Turkish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_language): _Ağrı Dağı_); or **Masis** ([Armenian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_language): Մասիս), is a snow-capped and dormant [compound volcano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compound_volcano) in eastern [Turkey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey). It consists of two major volcanic cones: Greater Ararat and [Little Ararat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Ararat). Greater Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and the [Armenian Highland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Highland) with an elevation of 5,137 m (16,854 ft); Little Ararat's elevation is 3,896 m (12,782 ft).[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ararat#cite_note-YilmazOther1998a-4) The Ararat [massif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massif) is about 35 km (22 mi) wide at ground base.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ararat#cite_note-5) The first recorded efforts to reach Ararat's summit were made in the Middle Ages, and [Friedrich Parrot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Parrot), [Khachatur Abovian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khachatur_Abovian), and four others made the first recorded ascent in 1829.

In Europe, the mountain has been called by the name Ararat since the [Middle Ages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages), as it began to be identified with "[mountains of Ararat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountains_of_Ararat)" described in the Bible as the resting place of [Noah's Ark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah%27s_Ark), despite contention that [Genesis 8:4](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_\(King_James\)/Genesis#8:4) does not refer specifically to a Mount Ararat.

Despite lying outside the borders of modern [Armenia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenia), the mountain is the principal national symbol of Armenia and has been considered a sacred mountain by Armenians. It has featured prominently in Armenian literature and art and is an icon for [Armenian irredentism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Armenia). It is depicted on the [coat of arms of Armenia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Armenia) along with Noah's Ark.

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*Originally published on [Ashxarh](https://paragraph.com/@ashxarh/mount-ararat)*