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Tatvan (Tetwan) is a district of Bitlis Province.The population is 95000. The majority of the population are Kurds (%95).
There are 56 villages in Tatvan.The Most of village names are kurdish name.Afterwards villages names were changed in Turkish language by the government.
Arrival
- Highway Reaching to the surrounding cities and districts is possible via highway.
- Railway The Governmental Railways connected to Europe - Istanbul Haydarpasa reaches to the eastern countries by the Tatvan district and by the ferry over the Van Lake.
- Airway Reaching to the Tatvan is possible from the airports in Van and Muş Provinces. The distance of Tatvan and Mus are 70 kms at the same time Van And Tatvan are 190 kms.
- The Ferry Transport The ferry works without timetable between Van and Tatvan.
Tourism 
Akdamar
Akdamar is the biggest island on Van Lake. It is on the 45 kms southwest of Van.There is a church on the Island. Akdamara church was built in 915-921. The Church's architect was Monk Manuel. Akdamara church was built Armenian's King I.Gagik.
There are small boats to reach to Akdamar.
The origin of the name "Akdamar"
 On a tiny island filled with almond trees and surrounded by cliffs where silver-winged gulls nest there once lived a beautiful girl called Tamara. Her father, who was one of the priests at the monastery on the island, guarded his daughter so jealously that he did not allow even the birds to come near her and refused to let her leave the island or strangers to set foot there. A young kurdish shepherd living in one of the villages on the shore of the lake, encircled by high mountains, was filled with curiosity about the forbidden island and one day swam over and met Tamara. They quickly became friends, and before long had fallen in love. The young man used to swim over for their secret nightly assignations after seeing the candle which Tamara would light to show him the way. But one of the monks realised what was going on and reported it to Tamara's father. The following night was stormy and Tamara remained at home, but without her knowledge her father took a lighted candle down to the shore. When the young man saw the signal he braved the rough waves, but the priest kept moving about to confuse him, and finally, exhausted from battling with the stormy sea, the young man sank beneath the waves crying out 'Akh Tamara!' Hearing his voice Tamara rushed down to the shore, and when she discovered that her beloved was dead threw herself into the stormy sea and drowned too.
Akdamar Photos
Nemrut Mountain and crater lakes
Nemrut Mountain was located inside the borders of Tatvan District, to the north of the province. The mountain is 2935 meters high and display volcanic characteristics. Nemrut Mountain is a natural wonder and is being visited by numerous local and foreign tourists, especially in the summer season every year. The last eraption of Nemrut was in 1441.The diameter of main crater is 7 kms.
There are 4 thermal lake around Nemrut Mountain. The Nemrut Lake is located inside the crater area of Nemrut Mountain and is the first greatest crater lake of our country and is the second greatest crater lake of the world. The mountain is 27 km. away from Bitlis and is 13 km. away from Tatvan and could be easily reached by Tatvan - Çekmece Village road by private car.
Nemrut Photos
El - Aman Caravanserai
The El - Aman Caravanserai is one of the greatest caravansaries of Anatolia and is composed of shops, a mosque and a bath together with a Külliye. El - Aman Caravanserai was constructed by Hüsrev Paşa in XVI. Century.
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