The Eastern Anatolia
The Eastern Anatolia Region, which encompasses the eastern provinces of Turkey, has the highest average altitude (2.200m), largest area, and lowest population density of all regions of the country. It is located in the eastern part of Turkey and bounded by Central Anatolia Region on the west, Black Sea Region on the north, Southeast Anatolia Region and Iraq on the south, and with Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia on the east.
Winters are long and very cold and summers are short and cool in the high lands and warm in the lowlands in the Eastern Anatolia region. Annual temperature difference of the region is the highest in Turkey. It has the lowest average temperature of all Turkish regions.(-25°C). The summer average is about 20°C.
Animal husbandry and agriculture are the main economic activities in the Eastern Anatolia Region. One fourth of the total production of animal products in Turkey takes place in this region.
Ararat, a dormant volcano located at Agri province near the Russian and Iranian borders is the highest peak of the country (5,160m above sea level), where Noah’s ark is believed to came to rest.The largest lake of Turkey covering an area of 3,755 km2 is the Lake Van, located in this region.
Provinces of this region are, Agri, Ardahan, Bingol, Bitlis, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Hakkari, Igdir, Kars, Malatya, Mus, Tunceli and Van.
The island of Akdamar which is famous for its church in Lake Van is a must see in the region together with Mt. Ararat, Kars province on the ancient Silk Road, the medieval city of Ani; ornated with many churches, mosques and caravanserais and Tigris river.
