Çaldıran Plain
The large plain in Türkiye is linked by mountain passes to a smaller plain in Iran.
View on map3 places to visit in the Çaldıran district of Van: Çaldıran Plain, Çaldıran Battlefield and Çaldıran Kübik Village Tombs. Plan your trip to Çaldıran with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Çaldıran is a district of Van province, covering 1,478 km², at an altitude of 2,043 m, with a population of 50,170. The name Çaldıran is of Turkish origin; the word “Çal” generally means a riverbed, a gravelly area or a stony place. Remains of as many as 37 churches have been found in the district centre and its 3 villages, though none of them has been touched.
History
In ancient times this region, known as Ebexe, has a history going back to the early Mesozoic period. From the early years of the Republic, the settlement, a subdistrict (nahiye) attached to Muradiye district, gained municipal status in 1986. It became a district on 4 July 1987.
Geography
The lowest temperature ever measured in Türkiye, −46.4 °C, was recorded in Çaldıran district on 9 January 1990. The vast Çaldıran Plain in Türkiye is linked by passes to a small plain in Iran.
Geothermal Energy
Drilling 3 km south of the district centre found geothermal hot water at 83 °C. Natural hot springs have temperatures of 14–61 °C, and the reservoir temperature varies between 95 °C and 112 °C.
Economy
The main source of livelihood is livestock farming. Near Ayrancılar village, tomatoes are grown in a 34,000 m² greenhouse heated with geothermal water.
History and Culture
Çaldıran was a passage point on the Silk Road. The Battle of Çaldıran was fought between the Ottoman sultan Yavuz Sultan Selim and the Safavid shah Ismail. Historians disagree on whether the battle took place on the plain in the district. Çaldıran became a district on 4 July 1987.
Last updated: