Van and its environment had been a popular center of population because of its geographical structure, and a number of civilizations had lived here. Van used to be the capital city of Urania State. It had been controlled by Hurrines, Hittites, Persians, Meds, Seljuks and Ottomans till today.

Lake Van is the most important tourism center of the Eastern Anatolia with the Akdamar Church, the castles in the region, with its cat, and with its geography that provides many tourism activities.