Ahlat
| Ahlat | |
|---|---|
 Ahlat
|
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| Coordinates: 38°45′10″N 42°29′40″E / 38.75278°N 42.49444°ECoordinates: 38°45′10″N 42°29′40″E / 38.75278°N 42.49444°E | |
| Country | Turkey |
| Province | Bitlis |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Abdulalim Mümtaz Çoban (AKP) |
| • Kaymakam | Bilal Şentürk |
| Area | |
| • District | 989.26 km2 (381.96 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,650 m (5,410 ft) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Urban | 21,122 |
| • District | 37,358 |
| • District density | 38/km2 (98/sq mi) |
| Post code | 13400 |
| Website | www |
Ahlat (Armenian: Խլաթ, Khlat; Ottoman Turkish: اخلاط; Georgian: ხლათი, Khlati; Kurdish: Xelat; Medieval Greek: Χαλάτα, Chalata), is a historic town and district in Turkey's Bitlis Province in Eastern Anatolia Region. From 1929-1936, it had been included as a district of Van Province. The town of Ahlat is situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Van. The mayor is Abdulalim Mümtaz Çoban (AKP).
Ahlat, known by its Armenian name of Khlat in the ancient and medieval period, was once a part of the district of Bznunik'. During the early eighth century, Arab tribes settled in the region, which lay on the frontier with Byzantium, and it became part of the Arab Kaysite principality.Ibn Hawqal mentioned it as an important stopover point on the Urmia-Mayyafariqin trade route. In the winter of 998, the Curopalates David III of Tao besieged Khlat but was unable to capture it, partly because of his contemptuous treatment towards its Armenian population.
The Shah-Armens, also known as the Ahlahshahs, one of the first Turkish beyliks, was founded in Ahlat by Sökmen el Kutbî, one of the commanders of the Great Seljuq Alp Arslan after the Battle of Manzikert (1071). The Shah-Armens were centered on the northwestern shores of the Lake Van. In the 12th century the city and its adjacent territory was conquered and vassalized by the Kingdom of Georgia. In this period the city was referred to by the Georgian name Khlati. In 1207, the beylik was taken over by the Ayyubids. In 14th and 15th centuries, the district was ruled by Aq Qoyunlu.
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Wikipedia