Bitlis

Bitlis, a town in the pashalic of Van, Asiatic Turkey, 62 miles W. of the city of Van. It stands in a ravine 5,000 ft. above the level of the sea, and 2,000 ft. above the valley below, and has mosques, baths, convents of dervishes, and caravanserais for an extensive through trade. Red cotton cloths, arms, silver-ware, and tobacco are the staple products. In 1554 Solyman the Magnificent was defeated by the Persians in the vicinity.