Ankara is well known as the capital city of Turkey, it is located in the center of the Anatolian peninsula which makes up the vast majority of Turkey.
Despite not being the most populated city in Turkey, with the European city of Istanbul having more than three times the population, since the year 1923, Ankara has been the capital of Turkey and therefore holds a very important cultural and historical importance for the country.
In this article, we are going to be discussing all the different elements of this metropolis that provide for a wonderful trip to the city of Ankara, Turkey.
Population of Ankara.
Ankara has a population of 5.6 million people at the time of writing this article, and the population of the city is growing fast, the population of the city has grown by 2 million since 2008. A reason for this is the strong economic growth of the city, many banks, and other financial services set up in the city in order to be close by to the government since Ankara is the capital of the country.
Additionally, Ankara is located in a very strategic position, as it is located literally in the center of the country which allows for easy access to all the other parts of Turkey which makes it a perfect location to basis the headquarters for businesses operating in Turkey.
Furthermore, Ankara is located next to the Sakarya River that runs from the Black Sea in the north, although this river is too small for trading boats it does provide Ankara and the surrounding areas with fertile agricultural land.
Famous People Born in Ankara.
One of the most famous born in Ankara is Vehbi Koc who is one of the most successful Turkish entrepreneurs in history, he is well known as the founder of Koc Holdings which is the largest private company in Turkey and the only Turkish company to ever be on the Fortune 500 list which ranks the top 500 biggest companies in the world based on revenue.
Apart from that, other famous figures born in Turkey who have shaped the country include Yagmur Sarigul who is a Rock Star and a member of Turkish Rock Band maNga who became popular in the late 2000s thanks to their unique style of blending traditional Turkish melodies with modern Western music styles.
Additionally, politician Melih Gokcek is also born in Ankara; he is one of the longest-serving mayors of the city having served from 1994 to 2017 and also Filiz Akin who is arguably one of the most successful actresses in Turkish history.
History of Ankara.
The oldest signs of civilization that archaeologists have discovered are from settlements belonging to the Hattians who are an Ancient Anatolian civilization that had multiple settlements in what is now modern-day Ankara around 1000 BC. Since then, Ankara has been ruled by Celtic tribes, the Greek kingdom of Pontus, the Romans, Byzantium, and eventually the Ottomans.
Christianity and Islam have played a very big role in the city after the Greek and Roman cultures and gods were replaced by Christianity following the Christianization of the Roman Empire.
Ankara which back then was called Ancyra was a Christian majority city for over 700 years from 300 to 1000 AD before being conquered by the Seljuk Turks in 1071.
Since then, Ankara has been a city where the dominant religion has been Islam, due to this diverse history there are many old and beautiful Christian and Islamic places of worship as well as buildings that have been architecturally influenced.
The Climate of Ankara.
Another aspect of Ankara that we are going to discuss in this wonderful trip to the city of Ankara, Turkey article is the climate. The climate of Ankara is one of the most diverse ones out there, it is halfway between a continental climate and a cold semi-arid climate, the reason for this is that part of the surrounding areas of Ankara are very dry, a mix between green grasslands and a desert with limited vegetation and trees.
On the other hand, another part of Ankara is surrounded by hills and small mountains such as the Koroglu Mountains which are located north of the city where you can find lush greenery and a much colder climate.
This diversity in climates throughout the year is perfectly shown in the stats. The average temperature throughout the year is 12 degrees Celsius with the warmest months being June, July, and August where the temperature is over 21 degrees Celsius while between December and February the average temperature is between 3 degrees and below 0 degrees Celsius.
Landmarks to Visit in Ankara.
If you are a lover of history, then you are in for a treat because Ankara is home to the Anitkabir which is a giant mausoleum where the body of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk rests, he is the founder of the modern Turkish republic and is credited for bringing in secular policies which helped Turkey industrialize and regain its place as an economic power.
Furthermore, you can visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which is a massive museum that does the usual exhibits but also allows you to view real old buildings and also recreations from different the different civilizations which inhabited the Anatolian peninsula.
If you are looking for something more Adrenalin infused, then you can visit the Wonderland Eurasia theme park which is ranked second in the world based on how many roller coasters it has with 17 different roller coasters in total.
Culture of Ankara.
Ankara is one of the cultural hubs of the modern Turkish state. It is home to five classical musical orchestras including the Presidential Symphony Orchestra which is the official orchestra of the Turkish president that plays at special events that usually host foreign delegations.
There are an estimated 50 plus museums in the city which such as historical museums and also more unique museums such as a museum of Turkish filmmaking, a toy museum, and an energy museum.
So, it is not surprising that Ankara is the birthplace of many iconic Turkish cultural figures such as pianist Fazil Say, female pop singer Zerrin Ozer and Nil Karaibrahimgil who is also a Turkish pop singer as well as a model who is famous for her songs about love and relationships which has helped her forge a multi-decade career.
Wildlife & Greenery of Ankara.
You simply cannot have a wonderful trip to the city of Ankara, Turkey without experiencing the diverse wildlife and greenery that this capital city has to offer. Parks are an essential part of the culture of the city of Ankara.
It is home to some of the best parks in the world such as Segmenler Park and Genclik Park which from the year 1952 to 1976 was displayed on the Turkish 100 lira banknote.
If you want to enjoy the wildlife, then it is highly recommended for you to visit the Kugulu Park which is very popular for the hundreds of swans that it is home to which were originally a gift by the government of China. From Ankara, originates a unique breed of cat known as the Turkish Angora which is known for its scruffy-looking fur, it is a popular breed as a pet cat in the city.
Also read the article: What Is The History Of Turkey?
