The History of Van in the XX.century and forth of geography

SUMMARY This study, wich was done on the history and belief geography of Van in the 20ieth century as a master Thesis in the field of History of Religions, Consists of two parts. In the first part of study, it was searched the history of the city and is towns until the foundation of Turkish Republich. In the second part, the trend for the increase of population until the 20ieth centruy and the belief geography of the city in these days were searched the survey was done as a field study. It was estimated the structure of the population accarding to the religion and mezhebs. According to our study we see that the non-müslim population of the foundation of the Republic. Some non-müslim population who were living in the province, howevere, had left from city ofter soon Turkish War of Independence and the others had left in the early years of Repablic. In these days the population of Van is muslim. The 18 percent of the muslim population consists of and the 82 percent of şafii it was also estimated the existence of the persons who devote them selves to the Nakşilik, Kadirilik, Aczmendilik and Bektaşilik tarigats which have still been their existence until these times. It was seen that the religious groups, wich are known of Süleymancı, of Nurcu by the people, have been in much activity throughout ?he city. ELAZI? -1997 i Enver DEMİRPOLAT