Bingol... Bingol, one of the beautiful cities of the Republic of Türkiye, 144 km east of Elazig (Elazig is the most orderly city of the region, due to its being recently founded in the 19th century. It is situated on a plain near a mountain and is surrounded by vineyards and gardens. The Keban and Karakaya Dams and their artificial lakes contribute to the growth and general appearance of this rapidly developing city.), is located in a high region of the broad Eastern Anatolian plateau. Mountains surround the area, reaching heights of about 3,000 m, and containing many glacier lakes giving the city its name of "a thousand lakes". Kalatepe peak (3,250 m) on the Bingol Mountains, near the town of Karilova is a great place to watch the magnificent sunrise, especially between the 15th of July and the 15th of August. The history of the land begins with the Urartians, and continues under the hegemony of the Persians, the Seljuks and then the Ottomans. The remains from these periods can be found at various sites, the most important being the medieval fortress inside the city center. The city has good facilities for hunting, thermal bathing and winter sports. There is a very interesting small lake (300 sqm), in which there is the floating natural island, at Hazersah village near Solhan. Bingöl means "a thousand lakes": a name given to the town because of the many glacier lakes in the surrounding mountains. In the city stand the remains of a medieval fortress. Bingöl - Yolcati (Kurucadag) Ski Center is 20 km to the west. Area : 8,125 km2; Population : 250,966 (1990); Traffic code : 12; Districts : Bingöl (center), Adakli, Genç, Karliova, Kiði, Solhan, Yayladere, Yedisu; Sites of interest : Mendo and Soguksu recreation areas, Kös hot springs, Kral Kizi (Dara-Hini), Seritarius, Kigi Castle, Ahpik caves, Mürsel Pasha Monument; Provincial Cultural Directorate : Tel: (426) 213 18 26, Fax: (426) 213 80 55; Cultural centers : Genç, A hall with 250 seating capacity for conferences, theatre, etc., Library, 2 Art Workshops; Contact : Kültür Merkezi Müdürlüðü, Genç - Bingöl Tel: (426) 213 18 26, Fax: (426) 213 80 55; Significant days : Freedom Day - Karliova, Karliova District, 11 March, Freedom Day - Solhan, Solhan District, 28 August, Freedom Day - Kiði, Kiði District, 20 November; Festivals : Apple and Honey Festival, Center, First week of October; Festivities : Horce Races, Karliova, First week of June, Start of the Hunting Season, Center, First Sunday of October.