This small province of Igdir, which recently was a district of Kars, lies as a fertile plain on which fruit and, unusually for this geographical region, cotton grow between two lofty locations in Eastern Anatolia. In the northwest, at a distance of 180 kilometers extends the high plateau of Kars province which previously comprised this district inside its borders. In the southeast, on the other hand, stands Mount Agri (Ararat), as the highest mountain in Turkey, rising magnificently beside this new province.
The Bible relates that when the flood waters receded, Noah and his family descended from Mount Ararat toward the fertile Igdir plain. From here, their progeny settled to the south and west along the Firat (Euphrates) and Dicle (Tigris) rivers, establishing the second generation of mankind. From this plain, you have the best view of Mount Agri with the ever present snow over its slopes and peaks.
Olive groves cover this area, and the dove, which allegedly brought an olive branch to Noah, is believed to have taken it from this wide grove.
Monuments to visit near the city include Urartian
rock monuments, a 13th century Seljuk Caravanserai
and the Karakale (Black Castle). In Karakoyun village, on the road between
Igdir and Aralik, you should stop at the impressive 15th century cemeteries
with Karakoyun (ram and ewe) monumental tombstones.
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