Van Lake, sometimes referred to as Van Gölü, is the largest body of water in Turkey and the second largest in the Middle East. Near the Iranian border, in eastern Anatolia, is where the lake is located. It has a total size of 1,434 square miles and is more than 74 miles (119 km) across at its widest point (3,713 square kilometres). Van, or Chauon, the name of the capital of the Urartian kingdom, which ruled on the lake’s eastern side between the tenth and eighth centuries BC, is where the contemporary Turkish name of the lake, Van Gölü, comes from. Thospitis Lacus or Arsissa Lacus were the names given to the lake by the early Greek geographers.
The residents of Van refer to their lake because of its size; it is the largest alkaline lake in the globe and Turkey, with a surface area of over 12,000 square kilometres and a depth of 150 metres, as well as several small rivers flowing towards it from adjacent regions. The lake was formed when the Nimrud Mountain erupted volcanically, and it is now home to the incredibly rare Inci Kafali fish species, which migrates in search of freshwater during the first week of May since its eggs cannot live in either alkaline or salt water.
As they swim against the stream to reach the Deli River where it enters Van Lake, they look to be dancing; in recognition of this, a party is held nearby.
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Five kilometres to the east of Van is a lake that is surrounded by volcanic mountains to the north and west. Studies in the lake’s waters have revealed that the water kills bacteria, aids in the treatment of numerous diseases, speeds up wound healing in people who swim in the lake’s waters, and eliminates dandruff.
The most current research, carried out by a group of academics from Istanbul University, has proven that the water from Van Lake is efficient in curing disorders like asthma and chronic lung ailments. When the light is shining on the lake at a 45-degree angle, specialists claim that people with lung ailments greatly benefit from it. The ships are used to transport passengers between Van and Tatvan as well as to and from the islands.
Van Lake is highly recognised for its port, harbour, coast, and semi-islands and has a magnificent outlook. Locals used to call Van Lake the “sea” due to its salinity and gaseous waters. Akdamar Island, the largest island in Van, is frequently visited by tourists from the province of Van.