Time Zone |
Africa/Addis_Ababa |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+3 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Asia/Yerevan |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+4 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Assale or Asale is a salt lake and surrounding area in the Danakil Depression of the Afar region of Ethiopia, near the Eritrean border. At an altitude of 116 meters below sea level, it is known for its extremely hot and dry climate, with summer temperatures often exceeding 50°C, making it "one of the harshest environments on earth".
Lake Assale is at the heart of the Danakil Depression's salt flats, where the local Afar people have been harvesting salt by hand for thousands of years using camel caravans. The tradition of cutting salt blocks into slabs and transporting them to the highlands to be traded by "salt caravans" has been inscribed on the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage Candidate List.
The region is a popular destination for adventure tourism, with its moon-like landscapes, sulphur springs and colorful salt pools. The active volcano in the vicinity of Asale, together with the sulphuric hot springs of Dalol, constitute a unique geological landscape, but trips need to be accompanied by a professional guide in order to cope with the rigors of the environment.
Sevan is a small town in the Armenian province of Gegharkunik, located in the eastern part of the country on the shores of Lake Sevan, about 66 kilometers from the capital city of Yerevan. The town is famous for its eponymous alpine lake, Lake Sevan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Eurasia, at an altitude of about 1,900 meters above sea level, which is known as the "Pearl of Armenia".
Lake Sevan is surrounded by magnificent landscapes and crystal clear waters, making it an important tourist and recreational destination in Armenia. The town boasts historical monuments such as the Sevan Monastery, a 9th-century monastery situated on a peninsula overlooking the lake, which attracts many tourists and pilgrims. The local economy is based on fishing, tourism and agriculture, and the climate is cool enough for summer vacations.
With a population of around 20,000, the town of Sevan retains its traditional Armenian culture, while the infrastructure is constantly being improved to provide accommodation and catering services. It is an ideal starting point for exploring the nature and history of the Caucasus and is easily accessible for short trips.