# Bitlis

> central district and city in Bitlis Province, Turkey

**Wikidata**: [Q83531](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83531)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitlis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bitlis

## Summary
Bitlis is a central district and city that serves as the capital of Bitlis Province, Turkey. Located at an elevation of 1,500 meters, it is a large human settlement situated next to the Bitlis Çayı. The city has a long administrative history, having been the center of the Principality of Bitlis and the Bitlis vilayet before becoming part of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Central district and capital of Bitlis Province, Turkey.
- **Coordinates:** 38.4° latitude, 42.116666666667° longitude.
- **Elevation:** 1,500 meters above sea level.
- **Timezone:** UTC+03:00.
- **Population (2020):** 52,024 (Address-Based Population Registration System).
- **Population (2018):** 52,721.
- **Population (2000):** 44,923.
- **Administrative Status:** City, district of Turkey, and municipality.
- **Postal Code:** 13000.
- **UN/LOCODE:** TRBIT.
- **Historical Affiliations:** Principality of Bitlis (1182–1467), Bitlis vilayet (1875–1922), Turkey (1923–present).
- **Official Website:** https://bitlis.bel.tr.
- **Native Label:** بدلیس.
- **Social Media:** Twitter (@BitlisBld), Facebook (BitlisBld), Instagram (bitlisbelediyesi), YouTube (bitlisbelediyesi).

## FAQs
**Where is Bitlis located?**
Bitlis is the central district and capital city of Bitlis Province, Turkey, situated at coordinates 38.4°N and 42.116666666667°E, next to the Bitlis Çayı.

**What is the population of Bitlis?**
According to the Address-Based Population Registration System, the city had a population of 52,024 in 2020 and 52,721 in 2018, with an urban population of 53,023 recorded in 2021.

**What is the historical significance of Bitlis?**
Historically, Bitlis served as the capital of the Principality of Bitlis from 1182 to 1467 and later as the center of the Bitlis vilayet from 1875 to 1922 before being incorporated into Turkey.

**What are the geographic and administrative codes for Bitlis?**
The city uses the postal code 13000, the UN/LOCODE TRBIT, and is located in the UTC+03:00 timezone.

**How can I access official information about Bitlis?**
Official information is available through the municipality's website at https://bitlis.bel.tr and via their social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

## Why It Matters
Bitlis serves as the administrative and political heart of Bitlis Province, functioning as a critical municipality and district within Turkey. Its historical lineage, spanning from the medieval Principality of Bitlis to the Ottoman vilayet system, underscores its long-standing regional importance. The city is documented in numerous authoritative encyclopedic sources, including the Encyclopædia Britannica and the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, reflecting its cultural and historical relevance. Additionally, its diverse nomenclature and extensive documentation in global knowledge bases highlight its status as a significant cross-cultural settlement in the region.

## Notable For
- Serving as the capital city of Bitlis Province.
- Possessing a high elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level.
- Having a historical status as the capital of the Principality of Bitlis (1182–1467).
- Being referenced in major historical and academic sources such as the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, The Nuttall Encyclopædia, and Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921).
- Maintaining an active digital presence with a dedicated YouTube channel and verified social media accounts across multiple platforms.
- Having a Wikipedia presence in 74 different languages.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Bitlis is geographically positioned at a latitude of 38.4 and a longitude of 42.116666666667. The city is located next to the body of water known as the Bitlis Çayı. It sits at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level and operates within the UTC+03:00 timezone. The settlement is classified as a large human settlement, specifically a city, a district of Turkey, and a municipality. Its postal code is 13000, and it holds the UN/LOCODE designation TRBIT.

### Administration and History
Administratively, Bitlis is the capital of Bitlis Province. It is currently located in Turkey, a status established on October 29, 1923. Prior to this, the city was part of the Bitlis vilayet from 1875 to 1922. Historically, it served as the center of the Principality of Bitlis from 1182 until 1467. The city's official name is Bitlis, and it is also known by its native label, بدلیس.

### Demographics
The population of Bitlis has been tracked using the Address-Based Population Registration System. In 2020, the preferred population value was 52,024, with 52,721 recorded in 2018 and 44,923 in 2000. Earlier data shows a population of 43,109 in 2010. The city's demographics are further divided into urban and rural populations. For instance, the urban population was 53,023 in 2021 and 52,024 in 2020, while the rural population was 18,054 in 2021 and 18,320 in 2020. Historical data indicates a rural population of 56,101 in 1985 and an urban population of 36,073 in the same year.

### Identification and External References
Bitlis is identified by numerous external database IDs and authority records. These include:
- **GND ID:** 4080421-5
- **FAST ID:** 1250607
- **VIAF ID:** 150205974
- **Freebase ID:** /m/06k85g
- **GeoNames ID:** 321025
- **Pleiades ID:** 874438
- **WikiMapia ID:** 452566
- **De Agostini ID:** Bitlis+(città)
- **Yale Lux ID:** place/a70a5dce-49a9-4847-9c9b-6aa54ff60c31
- **Armeniapedia IDs:** 4593, 6083
- **FactGrid Item ID:** Heddesheim
- **Who's On First ID:** 890460223
- **GNS Unique Feature ID:** -739516
- **KulturEnvanteri Taxonomy ID:** 4463
- **TDV Encyclopedia of Islam ID:** bitlis
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n88192699
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007567321805171
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID:** place/Bitlis
- **WorldCat Entities ID:** E39PBJdcDTpf7MvDFPW4kDKmVC
- **OpenStreetMap Relation ID:** 1836397

The city is described by a variety of sources, including the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, The Nuttall Encyclopædia, the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, and Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921).

### Online Presence and Social Media
The municipality maintains an official website at https://bitlis.bel.tr, which is presented in Turkish. Its social media footprint includes:
- **Twitter:** Handle @BitlisBld (Turkish language), established April 24, 2014, with 5,404 followers as of January 4, 2021.
- **Facebook:** Page name BitlisBld.
- **Instagram:** Account handle bitlisbelediyesi.
- **YouTube:** Handle bitlisbelediyesi, with channel ID UCyWg_jP-rYgccaQxPuj_GOg.

### Nomenclature and Categories
Bitlis is known by a wide array of aliases and alternative names, reflecting its diverse cultural history. These include Bitlis City, Bedlis, Bagesh, Бедлис, Битлис или Бедлис, Balalexe, Balexe, Bilîs, Bedlîs, Beṯ Dlis, Badlis, and بَدْلِيسُ. The city is associated with several organizational categories, such as the main topic category "Category:Bitlis," "Category:Births in Bitlis," and "Category:People from Bitlis." The category designated for people who died in Bitlis is identified by the ID Q29645845. The city has a significant presence on Wikipedia, with 74 sitelinks across languages including Abkhaz, Arabic, Azerbaijani, English, German, Russian, Turkish, and many others.

## References

1. [Source](https://statoids.com/ytr.html)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. GeoNames
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tr.htm)
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
7. YouTube API