LIFE IN MUŞ
Location: Our city is in the East Anatolian Region. Its surface area is 8196 sq. km. It covers 1,1 percent of Turkey's surface area. Muş is surrounded easterly by Patnos and Tutak, which are the towns of Ağrı; Ahlat and Adilcevaz, the towns of Bitlis; northerly by Karayazı, Hınıs, Tekman and Karaçoban, the towns of Erzurum; westerly by Karlıova and Solhan, the towns of Bitlis; southerly by Kulp, the town of Diyarbakır; Sason, the town of Siirt; Güroymak and Mutki, the towns of Bitlis. Muş is founded among the valleys to which Çar and Karni Streams flow in and in the northward sides of the Mountain of Kurtik that is one of the important peaks of Haçreş Mountains, the parts of Southeast Toros Mountains. It's in a high and mountainous territory. The mountains covering the 34,9 percent of the city surface are the parts of Southeast Toros Mountains. These are the young mountains formed with the folding system of Alp-Himalaya. The altitude is generally over 1250 meters.
Population: The population of Muş has been nearly 400 thousand with the Center, Bulanık, Malazgirt, Varto and Korkut since 2009. The great many of the public keeping their living with agriculture and stockbreeding resides in the villages.
Climate: Extreme and continental climate prevails in the city. The temperature is generally between -29°C and +37°C. The temperature is over +30°C in 120 days of the year and it is below 0°C in the other 120 days. It snows heavily in winter. The annual rainfall is between 350 mm and 1000 mm. Winters are very cold and long, summers are hot and arid.
Having a rich snow cover, Muş is convenient for every kind of skiing activities via its snow quality, long strips and slopes. Winter season starting in November continue until the end of April. Bearing in mind these features the Ski Lodge was put into service by Special Provincial Administration. The Ski Lodge is 8 km to the city center, near the campus. Additionally in Muş, some outdoor sports are done like mountain hiking and rafting.
Transportation: Muş is in good state in terms of transportation. There are land route, railway and air way accesses. The transportation in Muş city center is provided with minibuses and municipality buses. The highway connection having the most intense traffic is the state road of Bingöl-Muş-Tatvan. The other highway access connections from this routing to north are the roads of Muş-Varto connecting Muş to Erzurum via Hınıs and the roads of Muş-Bulanık-Malazgirt connecting Muş to Ağrı via Patnos-Tutak and Hamur. There is also railway transportation in our city. Muş Railhead Chiefdom Unit carries out its activities as a workplace dependant to General Directorate of TCDD/Malatya. Passenger transportation and cargo services are done between Haydarpaşa-Tatvan, Van-Kapıköy and Tatvan-Haydarpaşa. Muş Airport is 18 km away from the city center. THY arranges İstanbul-Muş-İstanbul flights seven days a week; Anadolu Jet also arranges Ankara-Muş-Ankara flights seven days a week.
Accommodation: One can benefit from Teacher's and Police Houses and little hotels to stay in Muş. There are low cost patisseries, coffees and clean restaurants for food needs.
History and Nature: There are lots of religious and cultural constructions, castles and recreation areas in our city as a historical settlement. Ulu Mosque, Hacı Şeref Mosque, Muratpaşa Bridge, Malazgirt Hatun Bridge, Muş Castle, Malazgirt Castle, Kesik Baş Tomb and Muştak Baba Tomb are some of the examples of these constructions.The newcomer students will find the opportunity to see and examine the marks of the deep-rooted history of our city and religion.
Cost of Living: Turkey when compared to western countries in many respects takes his place among the cheapest countries. Most of the Turkish students can live on about 200-300 Euro per month including the cost of accommodation. Erasmus grant for foreign students is not only sufficient for living expenses but also for discovering the social and cultural life in Muş.
Muş Alparslan University 