Analysis of settlement names in Ahlat (Bitlis) in terms of cultural geography

Bitlis Province is located within the boundaries of the Upper Euphrates and Upper Murat–Van subregions of the Eastern Anatolia Region. Having hosted numerous civilizations throughout history, the province possesses a rich cultural heritage. This cultural richness has attracted scholarly attention across various disciplines. In this context, the present study examines the settlement names in Bitlis's Ahlat district from the perspective of cultural geography. The thesis titled An Analysis of Settlement Names in Ahlat (Bitlis) from the Perspective of Cultural Geography aims to address the lack of research on settlement toponymy specific to Ahlat and to fill this gap in the literature. Accordingly, the study seeks to answer questions such as how the naming of settlements was shaped, and what kind of changes have occurred in place names from the past to the present. Beginning with the etymology of the name "Bitlis", the study investigates the old and new names of the villages and neighborhoods in the district of Ahlat, thereby seeking to reveal the interaction between humans and space through the naming process. The study adopts document analysis, a qualitative research method, and evaluates naming patterns by analyzing relevant sources. These names are assessed with regard to physical, human, and economic factors that have influenced them historically and currently. In this regard, the origins of names in Bitlis Central District as well as in Adilcevaz, Güroymak, Hizan, Mutki, Tatvan, and Ahlat districts are examined. Furthermore, the names of 26 villages and 15 neighborhoods affiliated with Ahlat are studied and interpreted from a cultural geography perspective.