There were more Armenian residents in Van than in Yerevan before 1915, Governor of Van province Munir Karaoglu said at the meeting with businessmen from Turkish province of Kocaeli who arrived in Van to participate in tourism, industry and trade exhibition.

According to the Turkish Haberx website, Karaoglu presented sights of the province to the guests. He noted that Akhtamar church, as well as other churches located in the province were of major importance for Armenians.

“Armenians made 40% of Van’s population before 1915. There were more Armenians in the city than in Yerevan. Muslims lived in Yerevan as well,” he said.