View source for Lake Van

{{Short description|Large salt lake in eastern Turkey}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name               = Lake Van
| image              = Lakevanlandsat.jpeg
| caption            = From space, 2000
| image_bathymetry   = 
| location           = [[Armenian highlands]]<br>
[[Western Asia]]
| caption_bathymetry = 
| pushpin_map        = Turkey
| coords             = {{coord|38|38|N|42|49|E|region:TR_type:waterbody|display=inline,title|format=dms}}
| type               = [[Lake#Tectonic lakes|Tectonic lake]], [[saline lake]]
| inflow             = Karasu, [[Hoşap River|Hoşap]], Bendimahi, Zilan and Yeniköprü streams{{sfn|Coskun|Musaoğlu|2004}}
| outflow            = none
| catchment          = {{convert|12500|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Coskun|Musaoğlu|2004}}
| basin_countries    = [[Turkey]]
| length             = {{convert|119|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width              = 
| area               = {{convert|3755|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}
| depth              = {{convert|171|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| max-depth          = {{convert|451|m|ft|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Degens|Wong|Kempe|Kurtman|1984}}
| volume             = {{convert|642.1|km3|cumi|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Degens|Wong|Kempe|Kurtman|1984}}
| residence_time     = 
| shore              = {{convert|430|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| elevation          = {{convert|1640|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| islands            = [[Akdamar Island|Akdamar]], [[Çarpanak Island|Çarpanak]] (Ktuts), [[Adır Island|Adır]] (Lim), [[Kuş Island|Kuş]] (Arter)
| cities             = [[Van, Turkey|Van]], [[Tatvan]], [[Ahlat]], [[Adilcevaz]], [[Erciş]]
}}

'''Lake Van''' ({{langx|tr|Van Gölü}}; {{langx|hy|Վանա լիճ|translit=Vana lič̣}}; {{langx|ku|Gola Wanê}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=Van Gölü – Turkey from the Inside |url=https://www.turkeyfromtheinside.com/?p=455 |access-date=2024-07-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref>) is the largest lake in [[Turkey]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Meiklejohn |first1=John Miller Dow |author-link1=John Meiklejohn |title=A New Geography on the Comparative Method, with Maps and Diagrams and an Outline of Commercial Geography |date=1895 |publisher=A. M. Holden |page=306 |edition=14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O-EU--rnpzQC&q=Armenian+Highlands+lake+van}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Olson |editor1-first=James S. |editor2-last=Pappas |editor2-first=Lee Brigance |editor3-last=Pappas |editor3-first=Nicholas C. J. |title=An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires |date=1994 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |location=[[Westport, Connecticut]] |isbn=0313274975 |page=40 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CquTz6ps5YgC&pg=PA40}}</ref> It lies in the [[Eastern Anatolia region]] of Turkey in the provinces of [[Van Province|Van]] and [[Bitlis Province|Bitlis]], in the [[Armenian highlands]]. It is a [[Salt lake|saline]] [[Soda lake|soda]] lake, receiving water from many small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. It is one of the world's few [[endorheic lake]]s (a lake having no outlet) of size greater than {{convert|3,000|sqkm}} and has 38% of the country's surface water (including rivers). A volcanic eruption [[volcanic dam|blocked]] its original outlet in prehistoric times. It is situated at {{convert|1640|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. Despite the high altitude and winter averages below {{convert|0|C}}, [[Brine|high salinity]] usually prevents it from freezing; the shallow northern section can freeze, but rarely.{{sfn|"Lake Van"|1998}}

==Hydrology and chemistry==
[[File:Akhtamar Island on Lake Van with the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Akdamar Island|Akdamar]] Island and the [[Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Aghtamar|Holy Cross Cathedral]], a 10th-century Armenian church and monastic complex. [[Mount Artos]] (Mt. Çadır) is seen in the background.]]

Lake Van is {{convert|119|km}} across at its widest point. It averages {{convert|171|m|ft}} deep. Its greatest known depth is {{convert|451|m|ft}}.{{sfn|Degens|Wong|Kempe|Kurtman|1984}} The surface lies {{convert|1640|m|ft}} above sea level and the shore length is {{convert|430|km|mi}}. It covers {{convert|3755|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and contains (has a volume of) {{convert|607|km3}}.{{sfn|Degens|Wong|Kempe|Kurtman|1984}}

The western portion of the lake is deepest, with a large basin deeper than {{convert|400|m|ft|abbr=on}} lying northeast of [[Tatvan]] and south of [[Ahlat]]. The eastern arms of the lake are shallower. The Van-Ahtamar portion shelves gradually, with a maximum depth of about {{convert|250|m|ft|abbr=on}} on its northwest side where it joins the rest of the lake. The Erciş arm is much shallower, mostly less than {{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=on}}, with a maximum depth of about {{convert|150|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Wong|Degens|1978}}{{sfn|Tomonaga|Brennwald|Kipfer|2011}}

The lake water is strongly [[alkaline]] ([[pH]] 9.7–9.8) and rich in [[sodium carbonate]] and other salts. Some is extracted in [[salt evaporation pond]]s alongside, used in or as [[detergent]]s.{{sfn|Sarı|2008}}

==Geology==
{{image frame|content={{Van lake map|font-size=85%}}|width=370|align=right|caption=Lakes near Lake Van.}}
Lake Van is primarily a [[Lake#Tectonic lakes|tectonic lake]], formed more than 600,000 years ago by the gradual subsidence of a large block of the [[Earth's crust]] due to movement on several major faults that run through this portion of Eastern Anatolia. The lake's southern margin demarcates: a metamorphic rock zone of the Bitlis Massif and volcanic strata of the [[Neogene]] and [[Quaternary]] periods. The deep, western portion of the lake is an antidome basin in a tectonic depression. This was formed by [[normal fault|normal]] and [[strike-slip fault|strike-slip]] faulting and thrusting.{{sfn|Toker|Sengör|Filiz|Demirbağ|2017|p=166}}

The lake's proximity to the [[Karlıova triple junction]] has led to molten fluids of the Earth's [[mantle (geology)|mantle]] accumulating in the strata beneath, still driving gradual change.{{sfn|Toker|Sengör|Filiz|Demirbağ|2017|p=166}} Dominating the lake's northern shore is the [[stratovolcano]] [[Mount Süphan]]. The broad crater of a second, dormant volcano, [[Nemrut (volcano)|Mount Nemrut]], is close to the western tip of the lake. There is hydrothermal activity throughout the region.{{sfn|Toker|Sengör|Filiz|Demirbağ|2017|p=166}}

For much of its history, until the [[Pleistocene]], Lake Van has had an outlet towards the southwest (into the [[Murat River]] and eventually into the [[Euphrates river]]). However, the level of this threshold has varied over time, as the lake has been blocked by successive [[lava flows]] from [[Nemrut (volcano)|Nemrut]] volcano westward towards the [[Muş Plain]]. This threshold has then been lowered at times by erosion.

===Bathymetry===
The first acoustic survey of Lake Van was performed in 1974.{{sfn|Wong|Degens|1978}}{{sfn|Toker|Sengör|Filiz|Demirbağ|2017|p=167}}

Kempe and Degens later identified three physiographic provinces comprising the lake: 
*a lacustrine shelf (27% of the lake) from the shore to a clear gradient change
*a steeper lacustrine slope (63%)
*a deep, relatively flat basin province (10%) in the western center of the lake.{{sfn|Kempe|Degens|1978}}

The deepest part of the lake is the Tatvan basin, which is almost completely bounded by faults.{{sfn|Toker|Sengör|Filiz|Demirbağ|2017|p=167}}

===Prehistoric lake levels===
[[File:Old beach lines shown on section of north rim of Sheikh Ora volcano near Tatvan Felix Oswald Geology of Armenia 1906 p103f-b (cropped).png|thumb|Section of north rim of the Sheikh Ora crater, showing old beach lines, drawn by Felix Oswald, 1906]]
Land terraces (remnant dry, upper banks from previous shorelines) above the present shore have long been recognized. On a visit in 1898, geologist [[Felix Oswald (archaeologist)|Felix Oswald]] noted three raised beaches at 5, 15, and 30 m (15, 50 and 100&nbsp;ft) above the lake then, as well as recently drowned trees.{{sfn|Oswald|1906|pp=102–103}} Research in the past century has identified many similar terraces, and the lake's level has fluctuated significantly during that time. Land terraces (remnant dry, upper banks from previous shorelines) above the present shore have long been recognized. On a visit in 1898, geologist [[Felix Oswald (archaeologist)|Felix Oswald]] noted three raised beaches at 5, 15, and 30 m (15, 50 and 100&nbsp;ft) above the lake then, as well as recently drowned trees.{{sfn|Oswald|1906|pp=102–103}} Research in the past century has identified many similar terraces, and the lake's level has fluctuated significantly during that time.

[[Image:Çadır Dağı seen from the island of Akdamar in lake Van.jpg|right|thumb|The dormant volcano [[Mount Artos|Mount Çadır]] viewed from [[Akdamar Island]]]]
In 1989 and 1990, an international team of geologists led by Stephan Kempe from the University of Hamburg{{efn|Later Professor at the Technische Universität Darmstadt}} retrieved ten sediment cores from depths up to {{convert|446|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Although these cores only penetrated the first few meters of sediment, they provided sufficient [[varves]] to give proxy climate data for up to 14,570 years [[Before Present|BP]].{{sfn|Landmann|Reimera|Lemcke|Kempe|1996}}

The PALEOVAN project has studied in detail the paleolimnology, paleoclimatology, and sedimentology of Lake Van over the last 600,000 years by using seismic reflection and continuous cores recovered from deep borings.{{sfn|Litt|Anselmetti|Baumgarten|Beer|2012}} These techniques along with investigation of the chronology and sedimentology of associated onshore terraces have been used to reconstruct past climatic, volcanic, and tectonic activity since the formation of Lake Van about 600,000 years ago when a single pull-apart basin was separated into Van and Mus basins by the eruptions of the Nemrut Volcano which also blocked Lake Van's outlet.{{sfn|Cukur|Krastel|Schmincke|Sumita|2014}}

[[File:Prehistoric Lake Levels Paleoclimates 90ka Lake Van Turkey.jpg|thumb|Lake levels (blue line) and paleoclimates of Lake Van, Turkey, for the past 90,000 years. Compiled and created from data of Cukur et al. (2014),{{sfn|Cukur|Krastel|Schmincke|Sumita|2014}} Çağatay et al. (2014),{{sfn|Çağatay|Öğretmen| Damcı|Kempe|2014}} and Sarıkaya et al. (2011).{{sfn|Sarıkaya|Çiner|Zreda|2012}}]]
The PALEOVAN project found that the lake level of Lake Van has varied by as much as {{convert|600|m|ft|abbr=on}} during the past 600,000 years. During this period of time, five major lowstands of lake level occurred circa 600, 365–340, 290–230, 150–130, and 30–14 ka BP. Between 600 and 230 ka BP, the lake varied dramatically, by hundreds of meters. The occurrence of major lowstands of Lake Van during glacial periods suggest regional paleoclimate, i.e. greatly reduced precipitation, was the dominant cause for the dramatic changes in lake level of Lake Van. However, volcanic and tectonic forcing factors may have contributed to lake level changes as well.{{sfn|Cukur|Krastel|Schmincke|Sumita|2014}}{{sfn|Çağatay|Öğretmen| Damcı|Kempe|2014}}

Over the last 90,000 years, significant variations in the lake level of Lake Van have been inferred based on the presence of lowstand deltas and onlap sequences in seismic reflection profiles; the analysis of data extracted PALEOVAN cores; and studies of coastal terraces of differing elevations. First, a major lowstand of {{convert|120|m|ft|abbr=on}} below modern lake level occurred between 71 and 59 ka BP as inferred from the presence of lowstand deltas and onlap sequences in seismic reflection profiles. Between 60 and 34 ka BP., the lake level of Lake Van was in general lower than the modern lake level with highstands at 57, 53, 46 and 35 ka BP. About 34 ka BP, a dramatic rise in lake level to about {{convert|90|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the present lake level occurred as indicated by the formation of terraces circa {{convert|85|m|ft|abbr=on}} above present-day lake level and the presence of onlapping seismic onlap sequences. This rapid rise in lake level was likely either the result of increased melt water delivery or the deposition of a large quantities of tephra and lahars (Nemrut Formation) created during a caldera forming eruption of Mount Nemrut. Two terraces dated at 26 to 24.5 and 21 to 20 ka BP reaching {{convert|13|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the present lake level and the occurrence of lowstand deltas and onlap sequences in the seismic reflection profiles indicate high lake levels during the end of Last Glacial period (30 to 15 ka BP). These two terraces were likely deposited during the interstadial events. Between 16 and 15 ka BP, the complete desiccation of Lake Van dropped lake levels to {{convert|200|m|ft|abbr=on}}m below modern levels. By the Bøllinge-Allerød period (14.7 to 12.8 ka BP), lake levels were possibly similar to or little lower than the modern lake level. During the Younger Dryas cold period lake levels dropped to {{convert|45 to 95|m|ft|abbr=on}} lower than the modern level. The early Holocene was characterized by variable lake levels above and below modern with amplitudes of a few tens of meters. These variations in lake levels during the Holocene are indicated by the presence of early to middle Holocene terraces near river mouths,{{sfn|Cukur|Krastel|Schmincke|Sumita|2014}}{{sfn|Çağatay|Öğretmen| Damcı|Kempe|2014}}

===Recent lake level change===
Similar but smaller fluctuations have been seen recently. The level of the lake rose by at least {{cvt|3|m|ft}} during the 1990s, drowning much agricultural land, and (after a brief period of stability and then retreat) seems to be rising again. The level rose approximately {{cvt|2|m|ft}} in the 10 years immediately prior to 2004.{{sfn|Coskun|Musaoğlu|2004}} But in the early 2020s it fell.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recession continues in Turkey's largest lake |url=https://bianet.org/haber/recession-continues-in-turkey-s-largest-lake-283991 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=[[Bianet]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Climate==
Lake Van is in the highest and largest [[Eastern Anatolia Region|region]] of Turkey, which has a Mediterranean-influenced [[humid continental climate]]. Average temperatures in July are between 22 and 25&nbsp;°C, and in January between −3&nbsp;°C and −12&nbsp;°C. On some cold winter nights the temperature has reached −30&nbsp;°C.

The lake, particularly on its urban townscape shore, tempers the climate in the city of Van, where the average temperature in July is 22.5&nbsp;°C, and in January −3.5&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall in the basin ranges from 400 to 700&nbsp;mm.<ref name="Матвеев">Матвеев: Турция [что значительно ниже установленной позже корректной цифры в 161,2 метра] {{in lang|ru}}</ref>{{sfn|Warren|2006}}

==Ecology==
[[File:Lake Van, Turkey from STS-41G.jpg|thumb|Lake Van viewed from the [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'']] during flight [[STS-41-G]]. Southwest is at top.]]
Prior to 2018, the only fish known to live in the [[brackish water]] of Lake Van was ''[[Alburnus tarichi]]'' or Pearl Mullet ({{langx|tr|inci kefali}}), a [[Cyprinid]] fish related to [[European chub|chub]] and [[Common Dace|dace]], which is caught during the spring floods.{{sfn|Danulat|Kempe|1992}} In May and June, these fish migrate from the lake to less alkaline water, spawning either near the mouths of the rivers feeding the lake or in the rivers themselves. After spawning season it returns to the lake.{{sfn|Sarı|2006}} In 2018, a new species of fish, which is deemed as ''[[Oxynoemacheilus ercisianus]]'', has been discovered inside a [[microbialite]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-fish-species-found-in-turkeys-lake-van-138137 |title=New fish species found in Turkey's Lake Van |work=Hürriyet Daily News |date=22 October 2018 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://zse.pensoft.net/article/62120/ |title=The discovery of a microbialite-associated freshwater fish in the world's largest saline soda lake, Lake Van (Turkey) |journal=Zoosystematics and Evolution |first1=Mustafa |last1=Akkuş |first2=Mustafa |last2=Sarı |first3=F. Güler |last3=Ekmekçi |first4=Baran |last4=Yoğurtçuoğlu |volume=97 |issue=1 |pages=181–189 |date=16 March 2021 |doi=10.3897/zse.97.62120 |access-date=28 March 2021|doi-access=free }}</ref>

103 species of [[phytoplankton]] have been recorded in the lake including [[cyanobacteria]], [[flagellate]]s, [[diatom]]s, [[green algae]], and [[brown algae]]. 36 species of [[zooplankton]] have also been recorded including [[Rotatoria]], [[Cladocera]], and [[Copepoda]] in the lake.<ref>Selçuk 1992</ref>

In 1991, researchers reported the discovery of {{convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall [[microbialites]] in the lake. These are solid towers on the lake bed formed by coccoid [[cyanobacteria]] (''[[Pleurocapsaceae|Pleurocapsa]]'' group), which create mats of [[aragonite]] that combine with [[calcite]] precipitating out of the lake water.{{sfn|Kempe|Kazmierczak|Landmann|Konuk|1991}}

The region hosts the rare [[Van cat]] breed of cat, having &ndash; among other things &ndash; an unusual fascination with water. The lake is mainly surrounded by fruit orchards and [[cereal|grain]] fields, interspersed by some non-agricultural trees.

==Monster myth==
{{main|Lake Van Monster}}
According to legend, the lake hosts the mysterious [[Lake Van Monster]] that lurks below the surface, {{convert|30|to|40|ft|m|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} long with brown scaly skin, an elongated reptilian head and flippers. Apart from some inconclusive amateur photographs and videos, there has never been any evidence of it. The claimed profile resembles an extinct [[mosasaurus]] or [[basilosaurus]].

==History==
[[File:Lake Van in Maunsell's map, Pre-World War I British Ethnographical Map of eastern Turkey in Asia, Syria and western Persia 03.png|thumb|1910 ethnographical map of Lake Van; dark green represents [[Armenians]].]]
{{further|Urartu}}
[[Tushpa]], the capital of [[Urartu]], near the shores, on the site of what became medieval Van's castle, west of present-day [[Van, Turkey|Van city]].{{sfn|Cottrell|1960|p=488}} The ruins of the medieval city of Van are still visible below the southern slopes of the rock on which [[Van Castle]] stands.

In 2017, archaeologists from [[Van Yüzüncü Yıl University|Van Yüzüncü Yil University]] and a team of independent divers who were exploring Lake Van reported the discovery of a large underwater fortress spanning roughly one kilometer.{{sfn|Gibbens|2017}} The team estimates that this fortress was constructed during the Urartian period, based on their visual assessments. The archaeologists believe that the fortress, along with other parts of the ancient city that surrounded it at the time, had slowly become submerged over the millennia by the gradually rising lake.{{sfn|Ancient castle studied...|2017}}

===Armenian kingdoms===
[[Image:Armenian gravestones. Lake Van.JPG|thumb|[[Armenians|Armenian]] medieval [[khachkar]] near Lake Van]]

The lake was the centre of the kingdom of [[Urartu]] from about 1000 BC, afterwards of the [[Satrapy of Armenia]], [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Kingdom of Greater Armenia]], and the Armenian [[Kingdom of Vaspurakan]].

Along with [[Lake Sevan]] in today's [[Armenia]] and [[Lake Urmia]] in today's [[Iran]], Van was one of the three great lakes of the Armenian Kingdom, referred to as ''the seas of [[Armenia]]'' (in ancient Assyrian sources: "tâmtu ša mât Nairi" (Upper Sea of [[Nairi]]), the Lower Sea being [[Lake Urmia]]).{{sfn|Ebeling|Meissner|1997|p=2}} Over time, the lake was known by various Armenian names, including {{langx|hy|Վանա լիճ (Lake of Van), Վանա ծով (Sea of Van), Արճեշի ծով (Sea of Arčeš), Բզնունեաց ծով (Sea of Bznunik),{{sfn|Hewsen|1997|p=9}} Ռշտունեաց ծով (Sea of Rshtunik),{{sfn|Hewsen|1997|p=9}} and Տոսպայ լիճ (Lake of Tosp)}}.

===Eastern Roman Empire===
By the 11th century the lake was on the border between the [[East Roman Empire|Eastern Roman Empire]], with its capital at [[Constantinople]], and the [[Seljuk Empire|Turko-Persian Seljuk Empire]], with its capital at [[Isfahan]]. In the uneasy peace between the two empires, local Armenian-Byzantine landowners employed [[Turkmen people|Turcoman]] [[gazi]]s and Byzantine [[akritai]] for protection. The Greek-speaking Byzantines called the lake ''Thospitis limne'' ({{langx|grc-x-medieval|Θωσπῖτις λίμνη}}).

In the second half of the 11th century Emperor [[Romanus IV Diogenes]] launched a campaign to re-conquer Armenia and head off growing Seljuk control. Diogenes and his large army crossed the [[Euphrates]] and confronted a much smaller Seljuk force led by [[Alp Arslan]] at the [[Battle of Manzikert]], north of Lake Van on 26 August 1071. Despite their greater numbers, the cumbersome Byzantine force was defeated by the more mobile Turkish horsemen and Diogenes was captured.

===Seljuk Empire===
[[Image:Narekavank.jpg|thumb|An early 20th century picture of the 10th century Armenian monastery of [[Narekavank]], which once stood near the southeastern shore of the lake]]
[[File:Vue du lac de Van du ferry-boat.jpg|thumb|View of the lake from aboard the [[train ferry]] ''Van'' of the [[Turkish State Railways]] in 1987. In December 2015, the new generation of train ferries, the largest of their kind in Turkey, entered service in Lake Van.{{sfn|Mina|2015}}]]

[[Alp Arslan]] divided the conquered eastern portions of the Byzantine empire among his Turcoman generals, with each ruled as a hereditary [[bey]]lik, under overall sovereignty of the [[Seljuq Empire]]. Alp Arslan gave the region around Lake Van to his commander [[Sökmen el-Kutbî]], who set up his capital at Ahlat on the western side of the lake. The dynasty of [[Shah-Armens]], also known as ''Sökmenler'', ruled this area from 1085 to 1192.

The [[Ahlatshah]]s were succeeded by the [[Ayyubid dynasty]].

===Ottoman Empire===
Following the disintegration of the Seljuq-ruled [[Sultanate of Rum]], Lake Van and its surroundings were conquered by the [[Ilkhanate]] Mongols, and later switched hands between the Ottoman Empire and [[Safavid Iran]] until Sultan [[Selim I]] took control for good.

Reports of the [[Lake Van Monster]] surfaced in the late 1800s and gained popularity. A news article was published by ''Saadet Gazetesi'' issue number 1323, dated 28 Shaban 1306 [[Hijri year]], corresponding to 29 April 1889 during the reign of Sultan [[Abdul Hamid II]].<ref>[https://www.mynet.com/van-golu-canavari-gercek-mi-131-yil-once-osmanli-gazetesinde-manset-olmus-110106500572 Van Gölü canavarı gerçek mi? 131 yıl önce Osmanlı gazetesinde manşet olmuş] mynet. 22 April 2020.</ref>

==Architecture==
Near the [[Van Fortress]] and the southern shore, on [[Akdamar Island]] lies the 10th century [[Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Aghtamar]] ({{langx|hy|Սուրբ Խաչ}}, Surb Khach), which served as a royal church to the kingdom of [[Vaspurakan]].{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} The ruins of Armenian monasteries also exist on the other three islands of Lake Van: [[Adır Island|Lim]], [[Kuş Island|Arter]], and [[Çarpanak Island|Ktuts]]. The area around Lake Van was also the home to a large number of Armenian monasteries, among the most prominent of these being the 10th century [[Narekavank]] and the 11th century [[Varagavank]], the former now destroyed.{{citation needed|date= April 2022}}

The Ahlatshahs left a large number of historic [[headstones]] in and around the town of [[Ahlat]]. Local administrators are currently trying to have the tombstones included in [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage List]], where they are currently listed tentatively.{{sfn|Oktay|2007}}{{sfn|UNESCO|n.d.}}

==Transportation==
The railway connecting Turkey and [[Iran]] was built in the 1970s, sponsored by [[CENTO]]. It uses a [[train ferry]] (ferry for decanted passengers) across between the cities [[Tatvan]] and [[Van, Turkey|Van]], rather than building tracks around rugged terrain. This limits passenger capacity. In May 2008, talks started between Turkey and Iran to replace the ferry with a double-track electrified railway.{{sfn|APA|2007}}

In December 2015, the new generation of [[train ferry|train ferries]] operated by the [[Turkish State Railways]], the largest of their kind in Turkey, entered service in Lake Van.{{sfn|Mina|2015}}

[[File:IOC Offshore Van Grand Prix 2010.JPG|thumb|The 2010 UIM-IOC Van Grand Prix in Lake Van]]
[[Van Ferit Melen Airport|Ferit Melen Airport]] abuts [[Van, Turkey|Van]]. [[Turkish Airlines]], [[AnadoluJet]], [[Pegasus Airlines]], and [[SunExpress]] are the airlines which have regular flights.

==Sports==
{{Expand section|date=April 2022}}
Lake Van occasionally hosts several [[water sports]], [[sailing]], and [[inshore powerboat racing]] events, such as the [[Union Internationale Motonautique|UIM]] [[World Offshore Championship, Turkey|World Offshore 225 Championship]]'s IOC Van Grand Prix, and the Van Lake Festival.

== Islands and nearby lakes ==
=== Islands ===
The four main islands in Lake Van are [[Adır Island|Adır]], [[Akdamar Island|Akdamar]], [[Çarpanak Island|Çarpanak]], and [[Kuş Island|Kuş]] islands. Adır Island is the biggest Island in Lake Van.

Each island has Armenian religious structures: Lim Monastery (Adır Island), [[Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross|Holy Cross Cathedral]] (Akdamar Island), [[Ktuts Monastery]] (Çarpanak Island) and a small monastery on Kuş Island.

=== Nearby Lakes ===
Large lakes near Lake Van are [[Lake Erçek]] (16&nbsp;km), [[Lake Turna]] (23&nbsp;km), [[Lake Nemrut]] (12&nbsp;km), [[Lake Nazik]] (16&nbsp;km), [[Lake Batmış]] (10&nbsp;km), [[Lake Aygır]] (5&nbsp;km) and [[Lake Süphan]] (18&nbsp;km). Lake Erçek is by far the biggest, with an area of 106.2 square kilometres (41.0 sq mi),<ref>{{Cite web |title=sosyalastirmalar.com geomorphology of Lake Ercek pdf |url=https://www.sosyalarastirmalar.com/articles/the-geomorphology-kof-lae-erek-basin-and-the-formation-of-the-lake.pdf |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref> and is the second biggest [[Van Province]].

==See also==
{{portal|Lakes}}
* [[List of lakes of Turkey]]
* [[Noah's Ark|Ark]] of [[Noah in Islam#In culture|Nuh]] or [[Noah]]
* [[Mount Judi]]
* [[Aghtamar Lake Van Monastery in Exile]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|20em}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin|33em}}
* {{Citation |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-castle-studied-in-lake-van-122422 |title=Ancient castle studied in Lake Van |website=Hürriyet Daily News |date=15 November 2017 |language=en |access-date=27 February 2018 |ref={{harvid|Ancient castle studied...|2017}} }}
* {{Citation |author=APA |url=http://yenisafak.com.tr/English/?t=27.07.2007&i=58392 |title=Turkey, Iran agree on joint railway |date=27 July 2007 |journal=Yeni Şafak |author-link=Azerbaijan Press Agency|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007112148/http://yenisafak.com.tr/English/?t=27.07.2007&i=58392|archive-date=2008-10-07}}
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{{commons category|Lake Van}}

{{Lake Van}}
{{Lakes of Turkey}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lake Van| ]]
[[Category:Eastern Anatolia region]]
[[Category:Endorheic lakes of Asia|Van]]
[[Category:Saline lakes of Asia|Van]]
[[Category:Lakes of Turkey|Van]]
[[Category:Landforms of Van Province]]
[[Category:Landforms of Bitlis Province]]
[[Category:Lava dammed lakes|Van]]