Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental country straddling both Europe and Asia. Approximately 3% of its land area lies in the southeastern part of Europe, where Istanbul is located. This region is known as Thrace, while the rest of Turkey occupies a vast mountainous peninsula called Anatolia, or Asia Minor.
Turkey shares its northwestern borders with Bulgaria, its western borders with Greece, and its eastern borders with Iran, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. To the south, it shares borders with Iraq and Syria. Between the Thrace region and Anatolia, there are three significant waterways commonly referred to as the straits: the Dardanelles, the Bosphorus, and the Sea of Marmara. These straits are pivotal in regulating maritime traffic between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and have played a crucial role in Turkey’s history.
Major Cities in Turkey
Turkey comprises 81 cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Ardahan, Amasya, Antalya, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Sancaktepe, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Isparta, Mersin, Kars, Kastamonu, Kirklareli, Kayseri, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Kahramanmaras, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sirnak, Sinop, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Sanliurfa, Usak, Van, Yozgat, Aksaray, Zonguldak, Bayburt, Karaman, Kirikhan, Batman, Sirnak, Bartin, Ardahan, Agri, Yalova, Karabuk, Kilis, Osmaniye, and Duzce.
Famous Turkish Cities
Istanbul
Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, serves as the country’s economic, cultural, and social hub. Historically significant, it boasts a unique geographical location along with religious and cultural importance.
Covering a total area of 5,461 square kilometers, Istanbul is administratively divided into 39 districts, of which 27 comprise the central city. Located in the Marmara Region of northwestern Turkey, it is bordered to the north by the Black Sea, to the south by the Sea of Marmara, to the east by Sakarya and Kocaeli provinces, and to the west by Tekirdag province.
Istanbul is home to several globally recognized historical landmarks, including Taksim Square and the adjacent Independence Avenue. It features key ports such as Yenikapı and Eminönü, along with magnificent Ottoman mosques, including the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Fatih Mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and the Şehzade Mosque. The city’s rich cultural heritage is reflected in its renowned museums, such as the Topkapi Palace Museum, also known as the High Gate, and the Panorama 1453, which vividly portrays the city’s conquest using 3D technology.
Ankara
Ankara, the capital of Turkey and the second-largest city after Istanbul, plays a vital role as the political and diplomatic center, as well as an important industrial hub. Its name derives from “Ancyra,” which was designated by its Phrygian rulers around a thousand years B.C., and it was also known historically as “Ankira.”
Strategically situated in the central region of Turkey, Ankara is part of Anatolia. Its elevated position at 938 meters above sea level contributes to its cold winters and hot, pleasant summers. The city is characterized by significant stone ruins, such as the Roman road, the Roman Theatre, and the Temple of Rome, alongside historic mosques like Haci Bayram Mosque and the Alaeddin Mosque. Noteworthy statues of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, are also present, one crafted from bronze and the other from marble. Moreover, Ankara houses over 50 museums, including the Independence War Museum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, complemented by an opera house and numerous modern markets.
Izmir
Izmir is one of Turkey’s major tourist destinations, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Aegean Sea.” It ranks third in population density, following Ankara and Istanbul, with its port considered one of the most active in the country. Izmir spans an area of 734,000 square kilometers and is divided into 11 urban sectors, including Şirinyer, Güzelyalı, Buca, and Konak, which is the historical center of the city.
The climate of Izmir is predominantly Mediterranean with dry summers, where temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. In winter, the climate turns cold and rainy with annual snowfalls occurring between December and January.
The city’s name originated from the Greek word “Smyrna,” a title used during Roman times that persisted in various English and international contexts until Turkish Parliament officially adopted the name “Izmir” in 1930. The city features a Jewish synagogue, a museum dedicated to Greek population clusters, and the tomb of the Greek legend Tantalus, discovered in 1835 atop Mount Yamanlar. Additionally, the Marble Clock Tower, constructed in the 19th century, is a significant landmark.
Antalya
Antalya is one of Turkey’s largest provinces, located on the southwestern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Balikesir, Konya, and Izmir to the north and Adana to the east. Flaunting its natural beauty, Antalya has become an international tourist resort, especially since the 1970s.
The geography of Antalya features flatlands that extend from the coast to the Taurus Mountains, which shield the region from chilly northern winds. The climate resembles that of the Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and warm, rainy winters, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 28 degrees Celsius, soaring to 40 degrees in July and August.
The city offers natural baths, resorts, and beautiful beaches along its coastline. The Republic Square serves as the center of the historic quarter, flanked by mosques, churches, and religious schools. Historical sites abound in Antalya, including Kaleici, a charming district with streets lined by preserved Ottoman houses, markets, hotels, and restaurants. Remnants of various architectural styles – Ottoman, Seljuk, Roman, and Greek – can be seen in attractions such as the city’s ancient walls, the Hidirlik Tower, the Clock Tower, and the Hadrian Gate, commissioned during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century A.D. The Karatay Mosque, built in 1250 A.D. by the emir Jalal al-Din Karatay, and several museums, including the Italy Museum and the Kaleici Museum, highlight Antalya’s rich history.
Video: Ottoman Santa Claus
Turkey, a beloved nation among millions, has an intriguing connection to “Santa Claus.” Watch the video to learn about some of the most fascinating aspects of this country.