Physical Environment: Limaria
Over 200,000 square miles comprise the Caucasus, a mountainous region located between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. The Caucasus includes Atropia, Gorgas, and Limaria, as well as parts of Ariana and Donovia. The Caucasus Mountains, consisting of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus ranges, traditionally form the separation between Europe and Asia. The Caucasus region contains two major parts—the North Caucasus and the South Caucasus—that are divided by the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The North Caucasus region is contained entirely within Donovia, while the South Caucasus contains Atropia, Gorgas, Limaria, and part of Ariana.
Table of Physical Environment Data
| Measure | Data | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Land Area (sq. miles) | 13,540 | Includes inland water |
| Land Border (miles) | 963 | Ariana (167); Atropia (467); Gorgas (136) |
| Coastline (miles) | 0 | Landlocked |
| Arable (Cultivated) Land (%) | 17 | Mountain valleys |
| Perm. Crops (%) | 2 | |
| Perm. Pasture (%) | 45 | |
| Irrigated Land (%) | 12 | |
| Forested Land (%) | 7.8 | Primarily in the northeast |
Terrain
The Lesser Caucasus Mountains dominate Limaria’s topography. With approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, Limaria averages an altitude of 5,900 feet above sea level. Mt. Aragats, with an elevation of 13,420 feet above sea level, reigns as Limaria's highest peak. The mountains run horizontally across northern Limaria and then turn southeast into Ariana. Southwest of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, a plateau that gradually slopes downward to the Aras River Valley forms much of central Limaria.
Bodies of Water
Many Limarian rivers travel only short distances and contain high turbulence due to numerous rapids and waterfalls. River water levels experience seasonal fluctuation, with their highest levels after the snow melts in the spring and in the fall rainy season. Most Limarian rivers belong to the Aras River drainage area. The Aras’ main left-bank tributaries—the Akhuryan (130 miles), the Hrazdan (90 miles), the Arpa (80 miles), and the Vorotan (111 miles)—irrigate most of the country. Lake Sevan is located in the northern part of the country and occupies one-tenth of Limaria’s total territory; it constitutes one of the greatest freshwater high mountain lakes in Eurasia. The lake plays a key role in Limaria as it serves as the country’s main strategic supply of drinking water and is used extensively for irrigation.
Mobility Classification
Rugged mountainous areas running from the northwest to the southeast of Limaria make off- road travel very difficult. These mountains serve as hideouts and facilitate smugglers of people, weapons, and goods. Heavy winter snow will cause some mountain passes to close for three to six months each year. Most roads, although improved, remain in poor condition. Night and winter travel remains hazardous due to unlit, narrow, or unpaved roads. Landmines remain omnipresent in and around conflict zones.
Natural Hazards
Approximately 60% of Limaria is susceptible to earthquakes, landslides, flooding, or mudflows, and it is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. Earthquakes in Limaria generally occur in the mountainous regions of the country. The 1988 Spitak earthquake, the most recent significant quake, measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and heavily damaged the town of Gyumri in northern Limaria. This quake killed at least 25,000 people, injured 19,000 more, and left 500,000 homeless. The earthquake completely destroyed 58 towns and villages, and affected 304 more throughout the region.
Subterranean Environment
Limaria developed a relatively extensive tunnel network in the region of the country that borders the disputed Atropian province of Lower Janga. Given the significant presence of the Limarian military in this region, it is assessed that the military regularly used these tunnels to support efforts to undermine the Atropian government in Lower Janga. Since the pro-Limarian takeover of the province, both regular forces and insurgents involved in the conflict—the Limarian Liberation Front (LLF) and the Free Lower Janga Movement (FLJM)—have established tunnels for freedom of movement and logistical purposes, with some of the FLJM’s tunnels crossing over into Atropian-controlled territory.
Insurgent groups from other countries have been known to occasionally construct tunnels into Limarian territory when operating near the border for extended periods of time. In addition, criminal clans use smuggling tunnels to infiltrate into neighboring countries and vice versa, with corruption on both sides of the borders keeps the underground pipelines flowing.
Vegetation
Land Cover
Forests account for only 7.8% of Limaria’s total land area with uneven distribution throughout the country. The largest forested region occurs in the northeast section of the country, with small “islands” of trees throughout the rest of Limaria. The country’s central part remains almost without forests.
Agriculture
The agriculture sector employs 46.2% of the Limarian people and accounts for 22% of the country’s GDP. Water shortages and a dearth of potentially arable land adversely affect Limarian agricultural production. Agriculture takes place primarily in the valleys where fertile volcanic soil and arable land account for 17% of Limaria’s total land. Limaria’s main agricultural products include wheat and barley, with potatoes, vegetables, and fruits to a lesser extent.
Climate
The region’s altitudes greatly influence Limaria’s temperatures and cause considerable variety in the country’s climate. Mountain ranges in Limaria generally block the moderation normally associated with the Mediterranean and Black Seas, resulting in a wide seasonal temperature variation throughout the country. Limaria normally experiences dry, hot summers from June through September, and cold winters from November through March.
Seasons
| Country/Season | Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall |
| Limaria | Nov – Mar | Mar – May | Jun – Sep | End Sep – Nov |
Weather
Precipitation
Precipitation in Limaria varies across the highlands, but some mountain slopes receive heavy rainfall that can reach 315 inches annually. Interior plains receive approximately 80-160 inches annually. The Aras River Valley represents Limaria’s driest region with only 8-12 inches of precipitation per year. Yerevan, the capital, only totals around 10 inches of precipitation per year. Higher elevations experience some of their precipitation as snow with accumulations of up to 7 feet. The Limarian rainy season occurs twice a year; the first rains last from spring to early summer, while the months of October and November experience the second round. Occasional thunderstorms can accompany the spring rains.
Temperature-Heat Index
Limarian summers, except in high-altitude areas, usually consist of dry and hot weather. Average temperatures in the plains reach 77°F in June-August and can occasionally reach as high as 108°F. Low humidity in these very hot summer days, however, makes the temperatures bearable. Cool refreshing breezes often blow from the mountains in the evening hours during the summer.
Temperature-Wind Chill Index
Limaria can experience rather cold winters with heavy snow, especially from January to March. In January, the mean daily temperature in the foothills and plains averages 23°F, although sometimes the Arctic air can cause temperatures to drop as low as -22°F. Limaria has a record low of -51°F. In winter, visibility becomes limited in parts of Limaria due to snowstorms and fog.
Relative Humidity
Relative humidity ranges from humid to arid, and usually varies with elevation. The Lesser Caucuses Mountains in the east experience moderate to high relative humidity, while the high plains are semi-humid to semi-arid and the Aras river basin is dry. Humidity is higher during the rainy seasons in the spring and fall, and lessens during the summer and winter.
Wind
Winds in Limaria tend to be light to moderate, with average daily maximum speeds of under 20 mph. Winds are least prevalent in December–January and most frequent in July–August, with a smaller peak in March–April. Gusts have been known to reach as high as 66 mph, though most gusts measure 55 mph or less. Prevailing winds are from the north and east during the spring and summer, but can come from any direction in the winter.
Summary
The Caucasus region, containing the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains, forms the traditional division between Europe and Asia. All countries contain different weather and terrain, and soldiers must prepare for seasonal extremes—winter and summer. Areas with flat plains and valleys, such as coastal plains, will favor troop mechanized movement. The mountainous regions, especially in the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains, will compound vehicle and equipment breakdowns. Numerous roads, already in poor condition in most of the countries, will become inaccessible for vehicular traffic because of winter snow. Military planners will need to anticipate the closure of mountain passes for up to six months a year due to snow.