Van is a city in eastern Turkey with a population of 380 000 (2001). It is the capital of VanProvince. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van.
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. 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, which was destroyed by Russian troops during the World War I, was rebuilt after the war, near the old city.
The cuneiform inscriptions of Van are very numerous, the town having been the capital of the Vannic kingdom of the Assyrian period.
Van occupies the site of Dhuspas, of which the native name was Biainas (Assyrian, Urardhu), the Byana of Ptolemy and the Ivan of Cedrenus, whence the modern Van.
In the 6th century B.C. Van passed into the hands of the Persians, and shortly before it fell to Alexander the Great it was rebuilt, according to Armenian historians, by a native prince called Van.
VAN, Turkey, 29 December 2005 In schools and homes and coffeehouses across the country, the same question is being asked by teachers, journalists, local activists and religious leaders: What will it take to get your daughter in school?
In Van, where the nationwide campaign was launched over two years ago, poverty and cultural traditions have historically kept girls at home.
At a community meeting in Van, women respond favourably to a campaign coordinators speech on the importance of education.
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