Geographical Structure of Agri
Ağrı Province is located in the eastern part of our country, within the boundaries of the Upper Murat-Van Section of the Eastern Anatolia Region, and morphologically exhibits the characteristics of a river basin. Mathematically located between 38° 59′ – 40° 02′ north parallels and 42° 15′ – 44° 36′ east meridians, the province has an area of 11,099 km². With this surface area, Ağrı Province covers approximately 1.4% of the country’s total territory and ranks 26th in Turkey in terms of surface area. According to the 2016 ADNKS results, Ağrı Province has a population of 542,255 and ranks 39th among 81 provinces in Turkey in terms of population.
The orogenic and epirogenic movements that played a role in the shaping of Anatolia have determined the tectonic characteristics of Ağrı Province. Located in the Upper Murat-Van region of the Eastern Anatolia Region, Ağrı province lies within the Alpine Orogenic Belt. The area of the Eastern Anatolia Region between the Karasu-Aras Mountains and Lake Van is predominantly composed of vast plateaus, and along certain lines on these plateaus, the young and significant volcanic cones of Eastern Anatolia are arranged. Ağrı Province is situated in this location and is characterized as a hydrographic basin surrounded by natural features.
In summary, four distinct geological periods can be identified in the geologic evolution of Ağrı Province. The oldest units of the region are likely Paleozoic-era rock formations. During the Cretaceous period, which constitutes the second tectonic phase in Ağrı Province, ophiolite mélange was formed. This mélange consists of sandstone, limestone, tuff, and limestone blocks, including basic and ultrabasic rocks, tectonically positioned above the metamorphic rocks.
The main topographic features of Ağrı Province include mountains, valleys between them, hilly areas, erosion surfaces, and plains. The province is bordered by the Islamic Republic of Iran (Maku Province, Bazargan District) to the east, Erzurum Province to the west, Kars and Iğdır Provinces to the north, Bitlis and Van Provinces to the south, and Muş Province to the southwest.
Located in the easternmost part of our country, the provincial territory is bordered by the eastern foothills of Küçük Ağrı Mountain in the east, Saç Mountain Pass in the west, Aras Güneyi Mountains in the north, and the northern foothills of Süphan Mountain in the south. The plains, which are mostly covered by mountains and where the average elevation reaches 2000 m, continue in the north of the province in the east-west direction from Eleşkirt to the border between Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran. In addition, there are two large plains (Tutak and Patnos plains) running in the north-south direction parallel to the Murat River, the largest river of the province.
Due to planetary and geographical factors, the continental climate of Eastern Anatolia is effective in Ağrı. According to the data of the meteorological stations (Ağrı, Doğubayazıt and Patnos) that made long-term observations in Ağrı (1960-2012), the annual average temperatures of the province vary between 6.2˚C and 9.2˚C. The temperature in Ağrı can rise to 39. 9 ˚C in August and drop to -45. 6˚C in January. The number of frosty days averages 160.7 days.
When the precipitation characteristics are analyzed, according to long-term observation results, the average annual precipitation in Ağrı is 521.8 mm, 333.2 mm in Doğubayazıt, and 468.3 mm in Patnos. The average value for the Eastern Anatolia Region is 577.2 mm, while the national average is around 643 mm. It is understood that elevation and topography conditions are effective on the precipitation characteristics of Ağrı province, where precipitation levels are below both the regional and national averages. In the area, the number of days with snowfall is 44.8, and the snow cover remains on the ground for an average of 116.8 days.
Natural environmental conditions have a significant impact on the socioeconomic development of Ağrı. Ağrı is one of the areas in our country where the continental climate is the harshest. Therefore, the influence of the climate on human and economic activities in the region is extremely high.
Administratively, the province includes seven districts (Eleşkirt, Hamur, Tutak, Patnos, Doğubayazıt, Diyadin, and Taşlıçay), 562 villages, and 12 municipalities (one in Ağrı Central District, seven in district centers, and four in towns).
In terms of its strategic location, the province is situated on the trade route connecting Trabzon, which has the most important port on the Eastern Black Sea coast, to Tabriz via Erzurum. It serves as the last stop on the road from Turkey to Iran. This final stop is the Gürbulak Border Gate, the most significant land border gate in eastern Turkey.
Most Important Tourism Values of Ağrı Province
Although Ağrı Province does not have a very rich potential in terms of touristic values, it is known for several significant attractions, particularly within the borders of Doğubayazıt district. These include the Great and Little Ağrı Mountains, which are mentioned in holy books, the Meteor Crater, the ancient city of Doğubayazıt (situated to the south of the modern city at a higher elevation), and the İshak Pasha Palace, which is located within the ruins of this city. Additionally, the Doğubayazıt Castle and the Ahmed-î Hani Mausoleum are well-known historical sites. The region is also famous for the natural formation believed to be Noah’s Ark, situated in a field south of Üzengili Village in the Gürbulak Gully, near the border area, as well as the alleged site of Noah’s lost city, Naxuan, which is said to be located nearby. Furthermore, the mosque and castle in Toprakkale Village, thought to date back to the Urartian period, are also important tourist attractions.
AĞRI MOUNTAIN
Mount Ararat, Turkey’s highest mountain (5137 m.), is known around the world not only for its height but also more than many other mountains that are much taller. There are three main reasons for this. First, its majestic appearance, second, its appeal for mountaineers, and third, its significant place in monotheistic religions. For this reason, Western scholars often express the importance of this mountain by saying that just as South Africa’s diamonds are highly valued, Mount Ararat is equally valuable for Turkey.
The volcanic mountains of Ararat are represented by two massive volcanic cones: Small Ararat (3896 m.), southeast of Great Ararat, and Great Ararat (5137 m.). Both mountain masses sit on a base of approximately 1200 km² and are surrounded by numerous parasitic cones. These two mountains are separated by a wide valley at around 3000 meters, known as the Serdarbulak Pass, which stretches from the northeast to the southwest of the mountain.
In addition to its geological and geomorphological characteristics, Mount Ararat is also prominent for its legendary identity due to the belief that it was the resting place of Noah’s Ark after the flood. For centuries, Mount Ararat has captured the attention of travelers, scholars, peoples, and tribes. It is the mountain that has inspired more folk songs, legends, research, cinema, poetry, and mythology than any other in Turkey and around the world.
ISHAK PASHA PALACE
Located within the borders of Doğubayazıt district, the Ishak Pasha Palace is one of the oldest historical monuments. It is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a valuable landmark that has captivated the admiration of both past and present generations. With its hilltop location, the vast area it covers, its harmony with the surrounding landscape, and its magnificent appearance, the palace serves as a significant relic, conveying the traces of feudal society to today’s world.
For the eastern part of the Ottoman Empire, it holds as much importance as the Topkapi Palace. Its construction by an Ottoman pasha far from the capital and the fact that it is one of the late 18th-century works of Ottoman architecture brought here make it particularly interesting. Built like an eagle’s nest on the most commanding hill of the ancient city of Bayazıt, overlooking the plain and near the Iranian border, this palace was commissioned by Ishak Pasha in 1784 (H.1199).
The interior and exterior architecture of the palace reflects a blend of Ottoman, Persian, and Seljuk influences. The palace is situated on the slopes of the Akyayla Mountains, which provide a rocky and hard foundation. Resting against steeply sloping hills, the palace is surrounded on the east by a valley carved by a small stream, followed by the sheer cliffs of the Karaburun hills and Doğubayazıt Castle, which is built into these rocks. Although it is located in the center of the ancient city of Bayazıt, the north, west, and south facades of the platform on which the palace was built were constructed as cliffs overlooking the valley. Since the platform is connected to the land only on the east side, the main entrance gate was placed in that direction.
FISH LAKE
Located 60 km northwest of the city of Doğubayazıt, Lake Balık is one of the highest lakes in our country, with a surface area of approximately 34 km² and a water level elevation of 2,241 meters. Lake Balık, which is a lava dam lake, is fed by small streams from the surrounding mountains, springs along the shore, and underground water sources.Its shores are muddy and there are small reeds, especially in the southeast, and agricultural fields and pastures in the immediate vicinity.
The part of the lake within the scope of the wetland area is 3,800 ha and there is an island of 4 decares in the north, on which there are historical ruins. Due to the velvet duck (Melanitta fusca) species and other birds incubating on this island, it is considered one of the 100 most important bird habitat-protection areas in Turkey. Bird species such as seagulls, swans, cormorants, cormorants and peregrine falcons are also seen on the shores of the lake.
METEOR TROUGH
It is located 35 km east of Doğubayazıt and 2 km northeast of Gürbulak Customs Gate. Despite different claims, it is believed that this pit was created by a large meteorite that fell in 1892. Because this cylindrical natural well was suddenly opened at night 100 years ago (in 1880-1885) in the thick and cracked basalts covering the Tertiary limestones, and the spring waters of Gülveren Village flowed turbid in the morning of that night. The tremor that occurred during the opening of the pit was felt over a wide area.
It is noteworthy that the pit in question, which was 60 meters deep and 35 meters in diameter, was shaped like a cylindrical well. The fact that the inner edges of the pit are regularly cut and that the inner surfaces bear fracture scratches indicates a deformation due to strong pressure.
MURAT CANYON
The basalt flow, known as the Diyadin lava, flowed in the direction of Davutlar Village towards Diyadin and filled the valley section up to the north of Omuzbaşı Village. Later, the Kezo Stream and Murat River, which were formed on this flow, settled into the formation and created canyon valleys. Between Göğebakan Village and Omuzbaşı Village, the Murat River flows through a 100-150-meter wide valley, which we can refer to as Diyadin Canyon, while making meandering movements. The river is buried up to 40-50 meters within the basalts.
Murat Canyon starts from the source of Murat River and continues until Taşlıçay District. The canyon, which was formed in a stepped manner as a result of different erosion on the slopes, is a natural wonder. The slopes of the canyon, which encircles the Murat River in both directions, are quite steep and deep. The height of the slopes reaches up to 50-60 m in places. However, the presence of diverse and rich vegetation is another element that complements this landscape.
REMAINS OF NOAH’S ARK
One of the rare events that has remained a mystery from ancient times to the present day is Noah’s Flood and where the ark ran aground with its contents. In addition to the holy books representing the three major Abrahamic religions, the Torah, the Bible and the Holy Qur’an, all of the important cultures that lived in ancient times have put forward various views about the great flood – Noah’s Flood, from ancient sources to modern science, and various researches have been carried out in every period to find the whereabouts of the ark.
Mount Ararat has been identified with Noah’s ark and the flood in the minds of many people. Another area within the borders of Ağrı province, which has recently been shown by various researchers to be the trace of Noah’s Ark, is the natural monument located between the villages of Telçeker (Sürbehan) and Üzengili (Meşar) in the southern part of the Gürbulak gorge. In fact, this monument is shaped like a ship. It is 3.5 km from the Turkey – Iran transit road. It is claimed that the ark that ran aground as a result of Noah’s Flood and Noah’s lost city of Naxuan were located in this neighborhood. The search for the sacred ark and Noah’s lost city of Naxuan has been ongoing since 1983.
DIYADIN HOT SPRINGS
Located in the Upper Murat-Van section of the Eastern Anatolia Region, the Diyadin hot springs fall within the administrative borders of Diyadin District in Ağrı Province. The hot springs are situated 7 km south of Diyadin Town and are 15 km from the Ağrı-Doğubayazıt (Iran transit road E-80) highway. The area can be reached via a low-standard road, approximately 12 km of which is asphalt, while the remaining portion is a stabilized road. The total area of Diyadin District within these borders is 1274 km². Diyadin Town itself, situated on a tectonic depression, lies at an elevation of 1930 meters.
The area spans approximately 48 km², with 24 km² designated as a potential geothermal zone. Within the Eastern Anatolia Geothermal Area, there are numerous hot water sources formed along tectonic fault lines. The most significant of these are the Köprü, Yılanlı, Davut, and Tazekent springs.
