Akdamar Island
Island in Lake Van, eastern Turkey / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Akdamar Island (Turkish: Akdamar Adası), also known as Aghtamar[1][2] (Armenian: Աղթամար, romanized: Aġt’amar)[3] or Akhtamar[4][5] (Armenian: Ախթամար, romanized: Axt’amar;[6][7] Kurdish: Girava Axtamarê[citation needed]), is the second largest of the four main islands in Lake Van, in eastern Turkey. About 0.7 km2 in size, it is situated approximately 3 km from the shoreline. At the western end of the island, a hard, grey, limestone cliff rises 80 m above the lake's level (1,912 m above sea level). The island declines to the east to a level site where a spring provides ample water.
Quick Facts Geography, Location ...
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Lake Van |
Coordinates | 38°20′30″N 43°02′07″E |
Total islands | 1 |
Area | 0.7 km2 (0.27 sq mi) |
Length | 0.7 km (0.43 mi) |
Width | 0.6 km (0.37 mi) |
Coastline | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
Highest elevation | 1,912 m (6273 ft) |
Administration | |
Province | Van |
District | Gevaş |
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It is home to the 10th century Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral, which was the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Catholicosate of Aghtamar from 1116 to 1895.