It is a volcanic barrier lake formed by the eruption of the Nemrut volcanic mountain, located within the borders of Van and Bitlis provinces, and the closure of the tectonic collapse area in the region.
The surface area of Lake Van, which has many bays, is 3,713 km2. Lake Van is an aquatic ecosystem different from both freshwater and marine ecosystems. Its waters are salty and soda. The salinity of the lake water is 19% and the pH is 9.8. That’s why Lake Van does not freeze despite its high altitude and harsh winters.
The lake water level rises and falls depending on the climate. However, the average altitude above sea level is 1646 meters. The average depth of the lake is 171 meters and the deepest point is 451 meters. With new studies, it has been determined that the age of the lake is 600,000 years.There are four islands in the eastern part of the lake. These; They are Akdamar, Çarpanak, Adır and Kuş islands. The islands have historical and touristic features and were declared an Archaeological Protected Area in 1990.
There are four islands in the eastern part of the lake. These; They are Akdamar, Çarpanak, Adır and Kuş islands. The islands have historical and touristic features and were declared an Archaeological Protected Area in 1990.
Lake Van is the largest soda lake in the world and also the largest lake in Turkey. The salty-soda waters of the lake limit biodiversity. 103 known species of phytoplankton, 36 species of zooplankton and two species of fish live in the lake. These; Pearl mullet (Chalcalburnus tarichi) is a yellow fish with black spots, which the Provincial Gendarmerie Command Underwater Team detected living in a microbialite at a height of 13 meters during diving training in Lake Van in 2018.
Lake Van is the largest soda lake in the world and also the largest lake in Turkey. The salty-soda waters of the lake limit biodiversity. 103 known species of phytoplankton, 36 species of zooplankton and a single species of fish, the pearl mullet (Chalcalburnus tarichi), live in the lake.
City(ies) Bitlis, Van
District(s) Tatvan, Ahlat, Adilcevaz, Erciş, Muradiye, Tuşba, Gevaş, Edremit.
Lake Van is the 15th largest lake in the world in terms of size. This lake, which was formed as a result of the volcanic collapse caused by the eruption of Mount Nemrut, has soda and salty water.
Photographs taken in recent years clearly revealed the withdrawal of the 3,712 square kilometer Van Lake at an altitude of 1700 meters, which is Turkey's largest lake.
Microbialites in Lake Van, which resemble coral reefs and are described as "underwater fairy chimneys", hold an important place in terms of diving tourism. The world's largest microbialite reef, thought to be 70 thousand years old and 32.2 meters long, is found in Lake Van in Turkey.
The Lake Van Monster is a legendary creature that is claimed to live in Lake Van, located between Van and Bitlis provinces. There are many people who claim to have seen the creature, whose name was never mentioned in sources until 1993.
Lake Van, or locally known as the Van Sea, is a volcanic lake that is assumed to have been formed by the waters accumulated in the crater formed as a result of the eruption of the Nemrut volcanic mountain, located within the borders of Tatvan district.
Stones with Kayı tamga and cross signs were found in Lake Van
Pearl mullet is the only endemic fish species that can live in Lake Van, which has salty-soda waters. Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey, with a surface area of 3712 km2, an average depth of 171 m and a maximum depth of 451 m, and an altitude of 1648 m above sea level. Its waters are highly soda and salty.
Lake Van is the largest soda lake in the world and also the largest lake in Turkey. The salty-soda waters of the lake limit biodiversity. 103 known species of phytoplankton, 36 species of zooplankton and two species of fish live in the lake.
The lake is biologically poor because its waters are soda. 103 species of vegetal and 36 species of zooplankton live in Lake Van. No fish other than pearl mullet live in the salty-soda waters of the lake.
Explaining that the fish called small coral excited both the public and the scientific world, Akkuş gave the following information: "Fresh water comes out from many places at the bottom of Lake Van. The world's largest microbialites have formed where the fresh water, rich in calcium, comes out.
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. Edremit coast is Iskele coast. There are beaches to swim in the lake in summer. The lake shore on Akdamar island is very clean.
Van Lake Basin, which is a closed basin, has many and various water resources including lakes, ponds, dams and streams. The most important of these water resources are Karasu, Bendimahi, Deliçay, Zilan, Karmuç, Sapur, Güzelkonak, Engil, Memedik and Akköprü streams.
Lake Van, formed by the waters accumulated due to the set of lava formed as a result of the eruption of Nemrut Volcanic Mountain, brings life to the region with its beauty, turquoise blue color and hidden bays, and also provides healing with its water.
Noting that Lake Van is a very important value in this sense and should be evaluated, Acar said: "Lake water is especially good for diseases such as psoriasis. Also, entering the lake during periods when sunlight hits the lake at a 45 degree angle has been found to be beneficial for lung, asthma and COPD diseases." was done.
The main ones are Nemrut Crater Lake, Güroymak Thermal Springs, Ahlat Cemetery and Tombs, Akdamar Island and Church, Çarpanak Island and Church, Tuşba Castle, Hoşap Castle, Çavuştepe, Muradiye Waterfall, Yedi Church, Altınsaç Church. If you go a little way, Ishakpaşa Palace, Mount Ararat.
Famous for its Van breakfast, herbed cheese and the world-famous Van cat, the city attracts many tourists every year with the legend of the Lake Van Monster.
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