Turkey regions: Seven regions showing their diversity

If you are traveling alone, or buying property and living here, Turkey’s seven geographic regions are a perfect introduction to the diversity of the country. The world of country stereotypes, however, cannot be labeled, nor packaged in a neat cliche, and for good reason. A quick look at your geographic facts explains why.

• Turkey covers more than 783,000 square kilometers
• Due to its enormous size, the Köppen climate classification systems say 8 different climate zones are happening at any given time.
• It borders eight countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Armenian, Georgia, Greece, and Bulgaria.
• the staggering 5000 miles of shoreline sit alongside the Aegean, Mediterranean, Black and Marmara seas
• 95% of Turkey is in the West Asian continent, while 5% is in Southeast Europe.

In 1941, the government classified the seven regions and the 81 provinces that were broken down into. It was not a case of simply sticking pins in the maps though, because a lot of discussion went into the topography, population, climatic zones, agricultural trade of each area. There are these seven geographical regions of Turkey.

Seven Regions of Turkey from east to west

1: Marmara region

Sitting in northwestern Turkey, the Marmara region includes Istanbul, It is the country’s largest, most populous and busiest city . Neighboured by the Aegean region to the south, Black Sea to the east and bordered by Greece and Bulgaria, residents can also enjoy the magnificent Aegean and Marmara seas.

Istanbul is the center of real estate, business, education, economy and tourism, but in recent years, the Bursa province on the outskirts has gained popularity. As the former capital of the Ottoman Empire and the central power before they conquered Constantinople, it is home to its ancient buildings and monuments. Uludag Mountain, a popular winter ski destination also gains fame as a hub for the jet set. The low price of property in Bursa has attracted many foreigners to invest in real estate, apartments.

Despite being home to the most populous city in Turkey, don’t assume the Marmara region is all about urban life since Bolu province promotes natural life and mother nature. This scenic area with blue lakes and green landscapes is a favorite weekend getaway destination for Turks living in big cities like Istanbul and Ankara.

The other notable area on the outskirts is the Gallipoli peninsula, home of the most important battle of World War I, when the Ottoman army fought the invasion of the Allies. In nearby Canakkale, Excavations also uncovered foundations of Troy, an ancient city, It is thought to be just a myth from Greek mythology. In 1998, UNESCO added it to its World Heritage list.

2: Aegean region

With the longest coastline, this region garners its name from the Aegean Sea. Three central provinces; Aydin, Izmir and Mugla stand out as strong interpreters for travelers and expats living and purchasing property in Turkey.

Notable districts include Kusadasi, which does a great deal of cruise ships docking to see the nearby ancient ruins of the city of Ephesus, another world heritage site and the top visited attraction.While, every day, hundreds of tourists Also descend into the interior of Denizli to see its natural landmark of Pamukkale, also called the travertine castle cotton pools.

Didim, a small complex houses the ancient Temple of Apollo and little nicknamed Great Britain because a large population of British expatriates live there year-round . Izmir; Often labeled the Pearl of the Aegean it is Turkey’s third largest city, a significant export / import hub industry, and a center of medical and university excellence.

Lastly, the Bodrum Peninsula , a pioneer of the Turkish coastline, is a center of creative inspiration for artisans and also a thriving part of Turkey’s tourism industry. Favored by foreigners, and Turks, the peninsula includes smaller resorts like Gumusluk, Turgutreis, and Yalikavak, which rose to international fame when they built the large, state-of-the-art megayacht marina.

3: Mediterranean region

Covering the entire southern coast, the Mediterranean region is Turkey’s success story. Excelling in all walks of life, he does great business in tourism, foreign real estate, education, and general business.

Backed by the Taurus mountain range, during the summer, locals and tourists flock to the coastal regions to sunbathe on sandy beaches led by the gorgeous blue Mediterranean Sea. The sheer amounts of things to do in Antalya , make it a hotspot, alongside smaller, well-performing districts like Kemer, Belek, Side and Alanya, the fastest growing tourist hub in Turkey.

Further west, Fethiye which includes the city center, and smaller resorts like Oludeniz, Calis, Ovacik and Hisaronu has also become a favored expat hub for the British. Marmaris, sitting on the edge with the Aegean province is another vital tourist destination and property.

The Mediterranean coastline also includes the Lycian Way, a 516 kilometer hiking trail exploring the Lycian Kingdom’s historic towns and ancient ruins. Let’s not forget the Riviera, of which this stretch is known as the Turquoise Coast because of the blue sea, sandy beaches, and many inlets and islands.

Attracted by the laid-back lifestyle, spectacular weather, and low property prices, thousands of foreigners of various nationalities have purchased a property here, thus securing its crown as a multicultural destination.

4: Black Sea

Covering the entire north coast, the Black Sea region is Turkey’s rising star . For decades, while the south and west of the developed country thrived in tourism and real estate, the Black Sea was left off the grid. However, in recent years, Middle Eastern nationalities who found great cultural similarities, and perennial interest in magnificent landscapes have traveled there.

The Northeast provinces are enjoying celebrity fame including Trabzon, the focus of many Kuwaitis, Iraqis and other nationalities who want to buy property there. The advantage of a coastal living for a small property investment is hard to resist as the picturesque landscapes of places like the Ayder Plateau and Uzungol boost the tourism sector.

The green landscape mountains, flowing waterfalls and ancient Sumela monastery make for a unique destination. Other notable areas include Rize, the capital of tea, and further west, Amasya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its Pontic tombs and old Ottoman houses.

5: Anatolia central

In the heart of the country, the Central Anatolia region has many attributes to boast of. First, the government reigns over Ankara, the capital. Second, many Turks highly respect the Anitkabir, the celebration of the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic.

Three hours away, Kayseri city is a major commercial center, while sitting to the west, the city of Konya oozes spiritual atmosphere as the home of Rumi, one of the most celebrated poets in history. However, it is the Cappadocia region that garners all the fame as the top three tourist destinations in Turkey.

The surreal fairy chimney landscape, Christian history, ancient underground cities, and diverse flora and fauna attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. During the year, hot air balloons that rise above the Cappadocian plains in the early morning are a photographic sight worthy of gracing the pages of National Geographic magazine.

The unique wind current makes it the ideal location for hot air balloon rides, while its distinct landscape also attracts hikers. Although foreigners buy property in Cappadocia, house prices in Goreme, a central district, are higher because many are under protection status.

6: Eastern Anatolia

Consisting of most of eastern Turkey, this region is not very popular in the mainstream foreign travel industry, yet over the past decade, Turks have taken a more substantial interest in exploring the plains than they border Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.

Notable provinces include Erzurum, a university center, and Kars, a city with distinct Russian architecture in its old town and home to Ani, the city of 1,001 churches. Van province has two claims to fame; It produces Turkey’s best version of breakfast, and its lake is the largest in the country.

Eastern Anatolia makes up 18% of Turkey’s land mass, and has a population of 6,500,000 yet most of it is rural rather than urban settlement. The different climate occurs due to its high altitude, so winters are longer and colder, while a distinct lack of coastline makes beach tourism an impossibility. However, the region’s strong culture, history, and food traditions still make it an exciting area to explore.

7: Southern Anatolia Region

Covering just over 59,000 square kilometers, in history, the southern Anatolia region sat on the edge of Mesopotamia, of which some say was the cradle of civilizations. These days, it covers the provinces of Diyarbakir, Mardin, Sanliurfa and Gaziantep, among some other smaller ones.

They have a remarkable history, rich cultural backgrounds, and fantastic cuisines, which worldly travelers would find interesting. However, while tourism to the area was increasing throughout 2013, it shares a border with Syria, therefore, these days, tourists do not go there, and foreign governments have labeled it unsafe for travel.

Two other notable provinces include Batman, by name, and the ancient city of Hasankeyf, which will be submerged when a new dam is built.

Hottest summer weather potential customers of the south-eastern region that produce different agricultural exports, but excel at what they do. Gaziantep grows the best quality pistachios, and the reputation of the region’s bakers is that they make the best baklava.

Sanliurfa is home to Ibrahim (Abraham), a prophet of Islam, while the old center of Mardin displays extraordinary ancient architecture. The famous beehive houses sit in Harran, and other attractions to see include Göbeklitepe , the oldest human settlement ever found, and the statue heads of Mount Nemrut.