Van Hakkında
About Van
General Information
Van, one of the largest and most developed cities in the Eastern Anatolia Region, is the most important culture, art, and trade center of the region with its thousands of years of history, unique nature, and its quality as the "Pearl of the East". Located on the eastern shore of the huge lake it is named after (Lake Van), the city has a geography that combines the deepest shades of blue with the splendor of steep mountains.
Known as the "Capital of the Sun", Van is a meeting point of civilizations with its history of approximately 7,000 years. Especially its being the capital of the Urartu Kingdom under the name Tushpa in the 9th century BC gives the city a historical importance worldwide. The city, which Evliya Çelebi praised in his travelogue, summarizes its place in the hearts of the people of the region with the saying "Van in the world, faith in the afterlife".
Van Castle, the symbol of the city, is the most magnificent example of Urartu architecture. Akdamar Island and Church, located off the coast of Gevaş district, host thousands of tourists every year as a masterpiece of medieval Armenian art. Van is one of the brightest faces of modern Turkey in the east with its world-famous amber-eyed cat, silver processing art (Savat), hand-woven carpets, and rich breakfast culture.
Geographic Region: Eastern Anatolia
Province Center: Van
Surface Area: 20.921 km²
Altitude: 1.727 m
Province Area Code: 432
Province Plate Code: 65
Climate
Van has a harsh continental climate, but the huge water mass of Lake Van softens the climate in the city center compared to the surrounding provinces. Winters are very cold and snowy, while summers are hot and dry. The coldest months are January and February, and the hottest months are July and August. Due to the high altitude, the temperature differences between day and night are quite significant. The city deserves the title of "City of the Sun" to the fullest extent as it is one of the cities with the most sunshine in Turkey.
Vegetation
The general vegetation of the province is steppe (grassland). Due to the high altitude and climatic conditions, forest presence is quite low (mainly concentrated in Bahçesaray and Çatak districts). Grasses that turn green with spring rains and turn yellow in summer form vast pastures. Poplar and willow trees along the streams, and wild fruit trees and endemic plant species such as the reverse tulip are seen on the foothills.
Geography
Van is surrounded by Ağrı in the north, Bitlis in the west, Siirt in the southwest, Şırnak and Hakkâri in the south, and Iran in the east. Its most important geographical feature is Lake Van (3.713 km²), Turkey's largest lake. The region's stream network generally consists of rivers that flow into the closed basin of Lake Van.
Bendimahi Stream: It also houses the Muradiye Waterfall and flows from the north of the lake.
Karasu and Hoşap Stream: These are important streams that irrigate the city's agricultural lands and flow into the lake.
Çatak Stream: It is a branch of the Tigris River and is known for its flow suitable for rafting.
Landforms
Van has a very rugged and high terrain. The city consists of high mountain ranges and fertile plateaus squeezed between these mountains.
Mountains: Süphan Mountain in the north (although on the Bitlis border, it dominates the view), İspiriz Mountain on the Iranian border in the east, and Artos Mountain (3.550 m) in the southeast determine the city's silhouette. Tendürek Mountain symbolizes the volcanic activity history in the north.
Plains and Plateaus: The alluvial plains around Lake Van (Van Plain, Erciş Plain) are the heart of agriculture. A large part of the rest of the city consists of high plateaus (such as Norduz Plateau); these are vital for animal husbandry.
Lake Van Basin: This basin, which is a geological depression area, is covered with Lake Van, which has the characteristics of a volcanic dam lake. The soda water of the lake is the biggest factor affecting the erosion rate and chemical structure of the surrounding landforms.