The Geographical Regions of Turkey

The First Geography Congress, which was convened in Ankara in 1941, at the conclusion of the research that had continued for a long time, separated Turkey into seven geographical regions.

During the congress activities, the fact that Turkey is surrounded by sea on three sides, the presence of mountain ranges lying parallel to the length of the long coastline, the fact that these mountains separate the high, but slightly steep and uneven central section from the influence of the sea and because of this, factors such as the climate, natural plant cover and the distribution of types of agriculture, and the influences of these on the transportation systems and the types of housing between the coastal strip and the central sections, had been taken into consideration and it was possible to divide Turkey into four border and three inner regions.

The first four of the seven regions determined were given the names of the seas which are adjacent to them (the Black Sea, the Marmara, the Aegean and the Mediterranean Regions). The other three regions were named in accordance with their location in the whole of Anatolia (Central, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions). Turkey is located in the Alpine-Himalayas zone which is one of the substantial earthquake lines of the world.

Regions of turkey

Turkey has a number of active faults, notably the North Anatolian fault which runs throughout the country. In the last century, seven big quakes have occurred on the North Anatolian fault, beginning with Erzincan in 1939 and following a constant route from east to west along the faults.

The last one, the Marmara earthquake on 17 August 1999, of which the epicenter was the city of Izmit, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, took place in the eastern Marmara region on the North Anatolian fault. This quake, characterized as the "disaster of the century", was the biggest one in Turkish history after the Erzincan earthquake of 1939.

The Marmara earthquake occurred in a large area of Turkey's most densely populated region, bringing death and destruction especially to Izmit, Yalova, Sakarya, Bolu provinces and the outskirts of Istanbul and severely affected many other neighboring provinces such as Bursa, Eskisehir and Zonguldak.

In this earthquake, where over 15,000 people lost their lives, more than 25,000 buildings were destroyed and about 200,000 houses and workplaces were damaged. The Turkish government, which went into action immediately after the quake, allocated all its resources to overcome the problems of this enormous tragedy.

A total of 83 countries including Germany, Israel, Greece and Russia in the first place, sent rescue, medical and firefighting teams to assist the local effort and also various aid materials. Campaigns for donation were initiated by either official or civil communities and societies in several countries as well as in Turkey, with the objective of helping people who faced disaster. This international solidarity and sensitivity in the aftermath of the Marmara earthquake were accepted by all the Turkish people with a sentiment of appreciation and gratitude.

The Black Sea Region
The Black Sea Region covers approximately 18 percent of the land in Turkey, with a surface area of 141,000 km2. The Black Sea Region, which gets its name and characteristics from the adjacent sea, extends from the border of Georgia in the east to the eastern edge of the Adapazari Plain in the west.

All of the provinces of Artvin, Rize, Trabzon, Gumushane, Bayburt, Giresun, Ordu, Samsun, Amasya, Sinop, Kastamonu, Zonguldak, Bartin, Bolu, and almost all of Tokat, are in the Black Sea Region. Artova County of Tokat Province is in the Central Anatolia Region. One half of Corum Province is in the Central Anatolia Region and the other half is in the Black Sea Region. The region is divided into the three sections: east, central and west, based on their geographical characteristics.

The great majority of the people in the region earn their living from the land. The most important feature of the agriculture in this region is that corn is grown in the coastal parts of this region rather than wheat, which is the main grain type in the other regions. In fact, more than one-third of corn production in Turkey is realized in the Black Sea Region. Wheat is sown mostly on the plains beyond the coastal mountains.

Barley is also an important crop in the region. Rice is cultivated in the Kizilirmak and Yesilirmak deltas, and at the Boyabat section of the Gokirmak Valley and at the Tosya section of the Devrez Valley. Beans lead in leguminous plants production and sugar beets lead in the production of industrial plants. Other important crops in the region are potatoes, onions, sunflowers and hemp. Tea which is grown only in the Eastern Black Sea Region in Turkey, is also among the most important crops in the region.

Hazelnuts are the main fruit of the Black Sea Region, especially, in the eastern sections. The Black Sea coastal strip is covered with hazelnut trees. The hazelnut trees, which are sparse in the Rize section, become denser in the Trabzon section and are the densest in Giresun and Ordu Provinces. Apple growing is also considerable in the region, and in recent years, fruits such as kiwi and avocado have started to be grown.

The main industrial organizations in the Black Sea Region are the iron-steel facilities at Karabuk and Eregli, the Catalagzi Thermal Power Plant, the coal regions in the surroundings of Zonguldak, the Murgul copper production facility and the factories for the production of sugar, paper, sulfuric acid, vegetable oil, tea, hazelnut shelling and hazelnut products, fish flour and cigarettes in various parts of the region.

The Western Black Sea Region

Bolu is a charming Western Black Sea town, with its high mountains, dense forests, blue lakes and abundant streams. The marshes, the expansive pastures and dense forests of the province have ensured the development in the fields of cropland agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry. The surroundings of Bolu are also rich in flora. More than one half of the existing 7,000 plant species in Turkey are grown here.

Abant Lake, which is 32 km to the southwest of Bolu, has an elevation of 1,325 meters above sea level. Abant, which is a tourist center in itself, attracts thousands of people in the summer, with the lake's clean water and air fragrant with the pine forests, and in the winter it also becomes a beautiful ski center. The Kartalkaya Ski Center, which was opened in the winter of 1978, enlivened Bolu even more. The Karacasu Thermal Springs, to the south of the city, are famous for their therapeutic waters and have been used since the Ottoman Period.

Mudurnu and Goynuk, located to the southwest of Bolu, are among the important centers of Turkish cultural history. The Aksemsettin Tomb, which is one of the most beautiful works of art of the Ottoman period, is located at Goynuk. Goynuk is also worth seeing, with its houses which are unique examples of Turkish architecture. The Yildirim Beyazit Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in the surroundings of Bolu, is at Mudurnu. The adornments in its interior are very valuable. The carved stonework covering the apertures of the partially enclosed bathing cubicles at the Yildirim Baths are a masterpiece. Mengen County in Bolu Province, is known throughout Turkey for its cuisine and the famous chefs it has trained. There is a school of culinary arts here and a Culinary Arts Festival is organized every year.

The Central Black Sea Region

The history of Amasya Province, located in the Central Black Sea Region, dates back to the Hittites. Amasya, which gained great importance during the Ottoman Period, became one of the five large cultural centers of Anatolia where many scientists and Ottoman princes were educated and was described as "the Oxford of Anatolia" by European tourists. Murat II and Yavuz Sultan Selim were born here. Amasya also occupies an important place in the Turkish War of Independence. Mustafa Kemal, who landed in Samsun on 19 May 1919, came to Amasya on 12 June 1919. The plans for the War of Independence were prepared here and the decisions to convene the Erzurum and Sivas Congresses were made here. The "Amasya Circular", that was published on 22 June 1919, announced which the independence of the nation can only be saved with the will and determination of the nation.

Tokat Province, located to the east of Amasya, preserves the natural beauty of the Black Sea Region and is rich in historical and cultural assets. Copperworking, hand painted scarves, leatherwork and weaving are highly developed in the city. Its hand painted scarves are particularly famous. The plains of Tokat which have very fertile lands are well-watered. There are many fruit orchards and vineyards in the surroundings. Diren wines, one of the most delicious wines in Turkey, are produced here.

Many scientists, poets, calligraphers and statesmen were educated in Tokat during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and this is the reason why Tokat is called "the Home of the Scientists, the Cradle of the Virtuous and the Place of Congregation of the Poets". Tokat, where Turkish culture and art are reflected profusely in the streets, is a province where the unique beauty of the works of Turkish architecture are found everywhere. The Pervane Bey Hospital, the Vezir Ahmet Pasha Small Mosque and Tomb, the Pervane Baths, remaining from the thirteenth century, the Sentimur Tomb from the fourteenth century, the Pir Ahmet Bey Tomb from the fifteenth century and the Ali Pasha Baths from the sixteenth century, are only a few of these structures.

The Eastern Black Sea Region

Samsun is an important port in the Eastern Black Sea Region. Along with its natural beauties it also has a reputation as an industrial city. Samsun, at the same time, has taken its place in history as the spot where Ataturk first landed to start the War of Independence on the lands of Anatolia. The sun which rose in Samsun on 19 May 1919 was the herald of the Turkey of today. The monument of Ataturk on a rearing horse is the most famous and splendid monument in the city.

The Ataturk Museum and Library have exhibits from the National Struggle. Haci Hatun, Pazar, and Yali Mosques are the main architectural works of the Ottoman Period. Bafra, located to the west of Samsun, is an important tobacco center. Bafra is also known for its caviar and thermal springs. Ikiztepe, located to the northeast of Bafra, is an important archaeological excavation center remaining from the early Bronze Age.

Ordu is a typical Black Sea town covered with hazelnut groves which extend for kilometers within the greenery. It is known for its holiday towns on the shores and the high plateaus in the mountains. The Cambasi High Plateau, with an altitude of 1250 meters, and the Keyfalan Plateau, with an altitude of 2000 meters, are situated to the south of the city.

A "Golden Hazelnut" Festival is organized in Ordu every year in the autumn. Unye, Fatsa, Bolaman, Yalikoy and Persembe, which are to the east of the city, are holiday towns famous for their natural beauties and beaches. The Yason Church remaining from the Byzantine Period, is located at Cape Cam (Cape Yason), which is situated between Persembe and Yalikoy.

The Marmara Regions

The Marmara Region forms a passage between the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia. Europe and Asia are connected to each other in this region. It covers 8.5 percent of the country with a surface area of 67,000 km2.

It gets its name from the internal sea with the same name, which is entirely surrounded by land and connected to the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea through the straits. The islands of Bozcaada and Gokceada (Imroz), situated in the open sea off the Aegean coast, are also located in the Marmara Region.

The Marmara Region is surrounded by the Black Sea and Central Anatolia Regions to the east, the Aegean Region to the south and Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest. The borders of the Marmara Region are not in conformity with the provincial borders in many places just as in the other regions. Edirne, Kirklareli, Tekirdag, Istanbul, Kocaeli and Yalova Provinces are completely within the borders of the region. Some lands in Sakarya, Bilecik, Bursa, Balikesir and Canakkale Provinces are located within the borders of the Aegean and the Black Sea Regions.

The people in the Marmara Region make their living in industry, trade, tourism and agriculture. It is Turkey's main industrial region. The most developed industrial zone in the region is the Istanbul-Bursa-Izmit triangle. Istanbul, which has been an important trade center since ancient times and is located on the intercontinental transport routes, makes the region superior throughout the country.

Widespread industrial activities can be encountered in other areas in the region. Among the main industrial goods produced in the region are processed food items, textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, cement, paper, petrochemical products, durable household items, ships and yachts.

At the same time, the agriculture in the region has also diversified. Approximately half of the sown areas consists of wheat fields. It is followed by sugar beet, corn and sunflower production. In the region which realizes almost 73 percent of Turkey's sunflower production and almost 30 percent of her corn production, there is also a considerable amount of vegetable and fruit production.

This region which is in second place after the Black Sea Region in corn production, follows the Aegean Region in olive production. Gemlik Olives are preferred throughout the whole country. In this region, which also has a developed viniculture, Tekirdag, Sarkoy, Murefte, Avsa and Bozcaada are famous for their grapes and wines.

The region which is located in southeastern Europe has the most beautiful scenery and the greatest architectural and artistic works in the world. History and nature are side by side on the islands, peninsulas, bays, mountains, forests and cities in the Marmara Region. This region, where many great civilizations were born and developed and became established, constituted the migration routes of the tribes passing between the two continents.

Today it is possible to encounter at every step the traces left by these tribes and the nations which settled in the region. Tourism is also very developed in the region which has unique natural and historical assets. A significant number of tourists visit the region every year. The region is the financial, investment, education and operations center of Turkish tourism.

The Aegean Regions

The Aegean Region is the only region in Turkey which opens extensively to the sea. It covers some 11 percent of Turkey's land with a surface area of approximately 79,000 km2. The region, which is in the west of Anatolia, takes its name from the adjacent sea.

Izmir, Aydin, Manisa and Kutahya Provinces, and Usak Province, excluding some small sections, are completely within the borders of the region. Some sections of Mugla, Denizli and Afyon Provinces are included in the Mediterranean or Central Anatolia Regions. In the same manner, the Aegean shores of Balikesir Province are in the Marmara Region, and some counties of Bursa Province are included in the Aegean Region.

The Aegean Region is in second place after the Marmara Region in industrial activities. Textiles, food and automotive industries are in the lead, with machinery, spare parts and other industrial organizations concentrated in Izmir, the oil industry is concentrated around Edremit and Ayvalik. There are sugar factories in Usak, Kutahya and Afyon, and nitrogen factories in Kutahya. Besides Izmir, cotton textiles are widespread in Usak, Aydin, Nazilli, and especially in Denizli. Denizli is the most important textiles center in the region and they are exported from here. Carpet weaving is developed in Usak, Kula, Gordes, Simav and Demirci in the Inner Western Anatolia sections. Afyon is known for its marble and marble production facilities. The Camalti Saltern is the most important salt production center in Turkey. The region contributes to the electricity production in Turkey through thermal power plants in Soma, Tuncbilek and Yatagan, and hydroelectric power plants in Kemer and Demirkopru. There is a large oil refinery at Aliaga near Izmir.

Cultivated and planted lands cover a large area in the Aegean Region. Fruits and vegetables are important in the Inner Western Anatolia section. More than half of Turkey's tobacco production comes from the Aegean Region. The share of the region in the total production of cotton in Turkey is close to one-third.

The seedless grapes of the Gediz Plain which are dried and sold domestically and especially exported abroad, and the figs of the Great Menderes Plain, and the olive and olive oil production of the Edremit Bay contribute considerably to the economy of the region. The region produces more than one third of the grapes and four-fifths of the figs in Turkey. A total of 48 percent of the olive trees in Turkey are in this region. Citrus fruits are among the important export items of the region. Tourism is also very developed in the Aegean Region. It contributes considerably to the economy of the region.

Throughout the Aegean shores which have "the most beautiful skies and the best climate in the world" (according to the famous historian Herodotus of Bodrum) bays, peninsulas, coves, islands and fine sandy beaches follow one another. Ancient cities famous for their theaters, temples, agoras and fortresses are encountered at every step taken in the region, which has lived intimately with innumerable mythological subjects for centuries. These cities constituted the foundation of the Western civilization with their successful performances realized in the tunnel of time in the fields of city planning, philosophy, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, architecture and art.

The Mediterranean Regions

The Mediterranean Region gets its name from the sea adjacent to it. The region is in the form of a strip with a width varying between 120 to 180 km and starts around Koycegiz in the west and extends as far as Cape Basit in Hatay Province in the east. It covers approximately 15 percent of Turkey with a surface area of 120,000 km2.

The provinces of Hatay, Adana, Icel, Antalya, Isparta, Burdur and a large portion of Kahramanmaras are in the Mediterranean Region. Some of the counties of other provinces in the neighboring regions are included in the Mediterranean region. Agriculture and industry are important in the Mediterranean Region.

Grain production is still important in the coastal sections of the region. However, in recent years industrial plants have also been grown extensively. In fact, close to two-thirds of the lands sown in the Mediterranean Region are grain fields. The proportion of industrial plants is approximately one-third. Among the grains, wheat comes first in all the provinces in the region, followed by barley. Cotton, among the industrial plants, is the main income source in the region. Cotton production in the region is about two-thirds of the total production in Turkey. Tobacco is cultivated in Hatay Province and some parts of the Goller (Lakes) Region.

The planted areas where fresh fruits and vegetables are grown cover a large area in the Mediterranean Region. The fields for growing early fruits and vegetables have advanced a lot due to the developments in transportation in recent years. Citrus fruits are the primary fruit crops growing in the region. More than four-fifths of the production of citrus fruits in Turkey are realized in the Mediterranean region. Bananas are grown only in this region in Turkey.

The Cukurova is the area with the fastest rate of industriali- zation in the region. It is, at the same time, among the main industrial regions in Turkey. Besides the various industrial branches (especially textiles) in Adana, the main industrial facilities in the Mediterranean Region are the Mersin Petroleum Refinery (ATAS), Iskenderun Superphosphate and Iron-Steel Plants, the Ferro-chrome plant in Antalya and the Seydisehir Aluminum plant.

The Mediterranean Region, especially due to the natural and historical assets around the Gulf of Antalya, is not only the most important tourist center in the region, but in the whole of Turkey as well. Surrounding the shores of the Gulf of Antalya there are various holiday villages and hotels with modern and extremely developed architecture that respect the environment, and at a level which cannot be seen in any of the other Mediterranean countries.

The Central Anatolia Regions

The Central Anatolia Region, located in the center of Turkey, covers approximately 19 percent of the land in Turkey, with a surface area of 151,000 km2. It is the second largest region in the country after the Eastern Anatolia Region. Nevsehir, Aksaray, Kirikkale and Kirsehir Provinces are entirely within the borders of the region, while some sections of other provinces are partly in the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Eastern Anatolia Regions.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are important sources of income in Central Anatolia. Approximately one-third of the grain production in Turkey is in this region. Wheat production surpasses the other types of grains. As far as wheat production in the region is concerned, Konya Province has always been in the lead followed by Ankara Province.

Hard wheat, which is suitable for making macaroni, bulgur and semolina, is grown in the region. Of the leguminous plants, mostly beans, chickpeas and a small amount of lentils are sown. One-third of the production of potatoes in Turkey is also realized in this region. Of the industrial plants, sugar beets are grown the most. Konya, Ankara, Nigde, Nevsehir and Kayseri are significant for viniculture and fruit growing.

There are small and medium-size industrial facilities in Central Anatolia. Carpet weaving is concentrated in some areas of Kayseri, Sivas and Konya Provinces. The main industrial facilities in the region are concentrated in the centers, such as Ankara, Eskisehir, Kayseri, Sivas, Konya, Kirikkale and Corum.

The Eastern Anatolia Regions

The Eastern Anatolia Region is the largest geographical region in Turkey. It covers 21 percent of Turkey with a surface area of 163,000 km2. It is adjacent to the Black Sea, Central Anatolian, the Mediterranean and the Southeastern Anatolia Regions. It also has borders with Georgia, Armenia, Nakhichevan, Iran and Iraq.

The Eastern Anatolia Region is the highest and the most uneven region. The average altitude is around 2000 meters. The highest peaks in Turkey are located in this region. Agri Dagi (Mount Ararat) is 5137 meters, the Resko Peak on Cilo Mountain is 4135 meters and Suphan Mountain is 4058 meters.

The fact that Eastern Anatolia is high and mountainous and separated from the sea by mountain ranges causes the average annual temperatures to be low and the winters to be severe. The region is different from other regions from the aspect of the number of days it snows in the region and the number of days when the ground is covered with snow.

In Kars and Erzurum Provinces, the number of days the ground is covered with snow is approximately 90 days a year. The main economic activities in the Eastern Anatolia Region are animal husbandry and agriculture. The abundance of pastures in the region caused the number of animals to increase and priority was given to the production of animal products. In fact, the production of animal products in the region is about one fourth of the total production in Turkey.

Arable lands suitable for agriculture are limited in Eastern Anatolia. Only one tenth of the whole region is arable. More than 90 percent of these arable lands are allocated for grains. Among the types of grains, wheat is first and barley is second. In contrast to this, the sowing of industrial plants is not very widespread.

Cotton, tobacco and sugar beets are among the main industrial plants sown. Sugar beets started to be sown following the construction of sugar plants in the region.

Fruit trees at high elevations have almost completely disappeared. In contrast to this, various fruits are grown on some hollow plains which are protected from the cold. The plains of Erzincan, Malatya and Elazig are important in this respect. Good quality fruit is also grown on the narrow strip surrounding Van Lake. The section below Kagizman of the Aras Valley and Igdir Plain are regions where fruit trees are concentrated.

The main industrial branches in the region are cotton textiles, sugar, cement, food and tobacco enterprises. The hydroelectric power plant at Keban, the thermoelectric power plant at Afsin-Elbistan and the other plants which are still being constructed contribute significantly to the energy production in Turkey.

The Southeastern Anatolia Regions

The Southeastern Anatolia Region covers 9.7 percent of the lands in Turkey with a surface area of 75,000 km2. It is adjacent to the Eastern Anatolia and the Mediterranean Regions. It also has borders with Syria and Iraq. As in the other regions, the borders of the provinces do not coincide with the regional border.

Sanliurfa and Mardin Provinces, with the exception of some very small sections, are within the region. Some sections of the other provinces are either in the Eastern Anatolia or Mediterranean Regions. The Southeastern Anatolia Region is under the influence of both the continental climate and the Mediterranean climate.

The long summers are hot and dry. The winters are cold with rainfall or snowfall. In recent years, some changes have been experienced in the climate in the region thanks to the dam lakes constructed within the scope of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). There has been a decrease in the period of dry weather and rainfall has increased. The Southeastern Anatolia Region resembles the Central Anatolia Region from the aspect of the agricultural economy.

A great majority of the arable lands are allocated to the sowing of grains, with the exception of the Gaziantep region, where there is a diversification of vegetable products, due to the similarity of the area to that of the Mediterranean climate. Wheat is of primary importance among the varieties of grains, and its share exceeds one tenth of the total wheat production in Turkey. Among the grains, barley is in second place and lentils are in third place.

More than 50 percent of the lentil production in Turkey is in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. The cultivation of rice is carried out in a dispersed manner in the sections which can be irrigated, especially in Diyarbakir Province. Within the scope of the GAP Project, which changed the fate of the region, irrigated agriculture has been adopted on some plains in the region and the sowing of industrial plants has been accelerated.

In fact, there is a big boom in cotton production, especially on the Harran Plain, which extends from the south of Sanliurfa to the Syrian border. The best quality cotton in the region is grown here.

Tobacco, which has a significant place among the industrial plants, is sown in Adiyaman, Siirt and Diyarbakir and a valuable type of tobacco called "the Oriental Type" is grown in these provinces. In the Gaziantep region, olives and pistachio nuts are also among the most important products, along with grapes. Pistachio nuts are also grown in the Adiyaman and Siirt regions.The large pistachio nuts of Siirt are particularly delicious.

The most important underground resource in the region is petroleum. A portion of the crude oil produced in the environs of Raman, Garzan and Kahta, is refined at the Batman Refinery, which is one of the most important industrial establishments in the region. Another portion of the crude oil is transported by pipeline to the filling facilities in the Mediterranean Region and then to the other regions by tankers.

The most important industrial city in the Southeastern Anatolia Region is Gaziantep. The textile, machinery and food industries are fairly developed here. Industrial branches such as the cement, food, metal goods, agricultural equipment and similar industries are found in Diyarbakir, Mardin and Sanliurfa where the industries are developing.

Packed Paradise Turkey 2010