Bahçesaray, Van
District of Van Province, Turkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bahçesaray (Armenian: Մոկս, romanized: Moks, Kurdish: Miks[2]) is municipality and district of Van Province, Turkey.[3] Its area is 426 km2,[4] and its population is 13,495 (2022).[1] It was a bucak in Pervari District of Siirt Province until 1964 and in Gevaş district of Van Province between 1964 and 1987. It is at a distance of 110 kilometres (68 mi) from Van. The town is built on the banks of the Bahçesaray River.[5]
Bahçesaray | |
|---|---|
District and municipality | |
Central mosque in Bahçesaray | |
 Map showing Bahçesaray District in Van Province | |
  Bahçesaray Location in Turkey | |
| Coordinates: 38°07′43″N 42°48′27″E | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Province | Van |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Harun Arslanargun (State Appointment) |
Area | 426 km2 (164 sq mi) |
| Population (2022)[1] | 13,495 |
| • Density | 31.7/km2 (82.0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (TRT) |
| Postal code | 65710 |
| Area code | 0432 |
| Website | www |
History
The district corresponds to Historical Armenia's Mok Arandznak district, which was part of the greater province of Moxoene. The district has several ancient Armenian monasteries and churches.[6] The Aparank monastery is located in the vicinity of the town.[7]
In the 19th century Bahçesaray was the center of the Kurdish Emirate of Miks,[8] until the emirate was defeated by troops of the Ottoman Empire in 1846.[9]
2020 avalanches
On 4 and 5 February 2020, a pair of avalanches struck a highway in the district, leaving at least 41 people dead and 84 others injured.[10]
Composition
There are 20 neighbourhoods in Bahçesaray District:[11]
- Akyayla
- Altındere
- Altıntaş
- Arvas
- Bağcılar
- Çatbayır
- Cevizlibelen
- Çiçekli
- Çömlekçi
- Elmayaka
- Fekiye Teyran
- Güneyyamaç
- İslam
- Kaşıkçılar
- Paşaköy
- Şişli
- Ulubeyli
- Ünlüce
- Yaşlıkavak
- Yaylakonak