GOKCHA (06K-CIAI; Armenian Sevanga;

See also:

• ANCIENT
• ANCIENT (also spelt ANTIENT; derived, through the Fr. ancien, old, from the late Lat. antianum, from ante, before)

ancient Haosravagha)  , the largest lake of Russian Transcaucasia, in the government of Erivan, in 4o° 9' to 40° 38' N. and 450 1' to 45° 40' E . Its altitude is 6345 ft., it is of triangular shape, and measures from north-west to south-east 45 m., its greatest width being 25 m., and its maximum depth 67 fathoms . Its area is S40 sq. m . It is surrounded by barren mountains of volcanic origin, 12,000 ft. high . Its outflow is the Zanga,a left bank tributary of the Aras (Araxes) ; it never freezes, and its level undergoes periodical oscillations . It contains four species of Salmonidae, and two of Cyprinidae, which are only met with in the drainage area of this lake .