Vol. 54 No. 3 (253) (2020)

The Armenian highlands are characterized by the presence of potentially seismic zones that form the level of seismic hazard in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. In particular, the Van strong earthquake (M=7.2) on October 23, 2011 was manifested in Yerevan by seismic shaking (J=5–6 points). From this point of view, the analysis of the seismic-geodynamic situation in the study area during the given earthquake preparation is of particular interest. This stage of the analysis is devoted to the study of M≥ 4.0 seismicity of the region with coordinates (φ°Ν 38.0–42.0; λ°Ε 42.0–48.0) for the time period 2000–2011. The analysis of the spatio-temporal distribution of earthquakes with a magnitude of M ≥ 4.0 makes it possible to distinguish chronological chain series of epicenters associated with the seismogeodynamics of the Van focal zone. In particular, we have identified stages (2001–2003 and 2011), in which the seismicity course (M ≥ 4.0) confirms a certain relationship between the southwestern (Van) and northeastern (Zaqatala) focal zones of the studied area.

In this work, the elastic properties of rocks in the focal zones of strong earthquakes and volcanoes, as well as possible changes in gravity, which converge with the arising variations due to such processes, are theoretically calculated and compared.

For the first time, a diagram of Paleo-Urmia was drawn up – a lake that existed in the Late Pliocene-Pleistocene and at a water level of 1570 m had a connection with the Caspian Sea basin in the Pleistocene. Fluctuations in the lake level in the past and up to the 90s of the XX century were mainly associated with a natural factor (tectonics, climate change), and its catastrophic drying out, starting in 1998, is mainly due to the careless use of water resources of the lake’s drainage basin.

The paper analyzes and evaluates the regularities of the spatial distribution of agroclimatic resources of the Ararat Valley and the foothill zone, the long-term course and tendency of change, and suggests ways of regulating the consequences of their change.

One of the priority tasks of the socio-economic develeopment of the Republic of Armenia is its balanced territorial development. The solution to this strategic problem also depends on the identification of existing trends and changes in the placement and redistribution of the RA population. The article presents the territorial differences in the distribution of the population, caused by its dynamics, which took place over the past three decades, and the resulting aggravation of the problems of balanced territorial development, and indicates the ways of their solution.

The main goal of the article is to expose the opportunities of the Kasagh River basin tourism-recreational resources. It is targeted to estimate the natural historic-cultural values of the basin. The service infrastructures have been studied and estimated. Besides, the role of ethnic minorities settled in Kasagh basin is very important in the context of tourism sector development.

Comparison of perceptions according to the definitions of the notion "tourism destination" is carried out in this article. The tourism destination is presented as a key component of tourism development, as a spatial system that summarizes, coordinates, carries and expresses this development. A tourism destination is viewed as a spatial basis that is itself considered a tourist resource and contains tourist resources in itself. In this context, the article theorizes the geographical basis of a tourism destination and substantiates the components of its practical manifestation/significance. The article provides answers to the following questions: is a tourism destination a kind of geographical space and what kind of variety is it?

The article proposes general theoretical provisions of the policy of proportional territorial development of tourism as a separate direction of regional policy (objects, subjects, goals, methodology, justification of the necessity, etc.). The aforementioned provisions were localized on the example of the Republic of Armenia, substantiating the urgent need for a state policy of proportional territorial development of tourism in Armenia․

The paper scientifically proves the role and significance of small business in development of service industry, trough application of geographical and economic innovative approaches and methods. The issue is diccussed in the context of application of new types of service for satistying the newly formed demands of peole. Scientific analysis has revelaled the great potential of small business and the ways of its application.