Van, Turkey
Metropolitan municipality in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey Van Metropolitan municipality From top to bottom: Van Lake, Hoşap Castle, Akdamar Church, Van Lake, Akdamar Island, Tushba A mosque Van Coordinates: 38°29′39″N 43°22′48″E / 38.49417°N 43.38000°E / 38.49417; 43.38000 Coordinates: 38°29′39″N 43°22′48″E / 38.49417°N 43.38000°E / 38.49417; 43.38000 Country Turkey Region Eastern Anatolia Province Van Government • Mayor Bekir Kaya (DBP) • Governor İbrahim Taşyapan Area [1] • District 1,938.14 km 2 (748.32 sq mi) Elevation 1,730 m (5,680 ft) Population (2012) [2] • Urban 370,190 • District 472,069 • District density 240/km 2 (630/sq mi) Van (Turkish: Van ; Armenian: Վան ; Kurdish: Wan ; Ottoman Turkish: فان ; Medieval Greek: Εύα , Eua ) is a city in eastern Turkey's Van Province, located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city has a long history as a major urban area. It has been a large city since the first millennium BC, initially as the capital of the k...