Van, Turkey

Van is a city in eastern Turkey with a population of 380,000 (2001). It is the capital of the Van Province. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van.

Related Topics:
Turkey - Van - Province - Lake Van

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Having the ancient name of Tushpa, it was the capital of the Urartian kingdom in the 9th century BC. The ancient local people called themselves Nairi. The city was a major Armenian center. Later the area became once again a center during the reign of the Armenian king, Tigranes, who created the city of Tigranakert in the 1st century BC. The city's traditional Christian Armenian and Greek populations were devastated in WWI by Turkish troops in the Armenian Genocide. The city's ancient ruins are still clearly visible. The city, which was destroyed by Russian troops during World War I, was rebuilt after the war, near the old city.

Related Topics:
Urartian kingdom - 9th century BC - Nairi - Armenia - Tigranes - Tigranakert - 1st century BC - Christian - Greek - WWI - Armenian Genocide - Russian - World War I

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