or VAN, in Geography, a town and lake of the greater Armenia in Asia. The town, which is large, populous, and commercial, is the capital of the government of Van, situated at the foot of the mountains of Diarbekir, and is said to have been built by Semiramis. The lake abounds with fish. There are two islands in it which are inhabited by religious Armenians. E. Long. 44. 14. N. Lat. 36. 30.