This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
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Ankara, besides being the capital of Türkiye, has throughout history served as a row bearing traces of many different civilizations and, due to its strategic location, has been a city where numerous cultures interacted. This city, whose history extends back to the Hellenistic Period, has been ruled by the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman Empires, and played a house role in the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye.
Ankara (Source: Pexels/Yunus Eren Tekneci)
Although the origin of the name Ankara is not definitively known, various theories exist. Some research suggests that the city’s earliest name was given by the Galatians as “Ankyra.” This name means “anchor” in Greek, and it is believed that the Galatians who founded the city bestowed this name upon it. The name is accepted to have evolved over time into Ancyre, Engüri, Angora, and finally Ankara.
During the Hellenistic period, Ankara served as the capital of the Tectosages tribe. In the Roman period, it assumed an important role as the capital of the provincial administrative system. During the Byzantine Empire, Ankara became a city where emperors resided, and in the Ottoman period, it became the center of the Ankara Eyaleti. Although the exact founding date of the city is unknown, archaeological findings in the region indicate that it was established during the period when humans transitioned to a settled lifestyle.
Ankara has been under the influence of many civilizations, from the Hittites to the Phrygians, and from the Lydians to the Galatians. The Hittite name “Ankuwa” is thought to refer to the region where present-day Ankara is located. During the period of Phrygian dominance, Ankara became a major cultural center and is associated with King Midas of Phrygia. In the Roman period, following Augustus’s conquest of the region, the city became the capital of the Galatia province, during which time major structures were constructed.
During the Byzantine period, Ankara remained an important military base. After the victory of Seljuk Sultan Alparslan at the Battle of Manzikert, the city came under Turkish control, marking one of the pivotal event points in the city’s history. During the Seljuk period, it was strengthened militarily and developed with religious structures. Orhan Gazi’s annexation of the city to Ottoman lands in 1354 further elevated Ankara to a more significant and central urban role.
With the proclamation of the Republic, Ankara was declared the capital of Türkiye in 1923 and rapidly modernized, acquiring a new appearance. Urban development projects in the early years of the Republic shaped the city along the path of becoming Türkiye’s capital. Today, Ankara continues to be one of Türkiye’s most important cities, preserving both its cultural heritage and its modern architecture.
Ankara covers an area of 26,897 km² and is located in the northwestern part of Central Anatolia. The province lies between 39°57' north latitude and 32°53' east longitude, with an average elevation of 890 meters above sea level. It is bordered by Kırıkkale and Kırşehir to the east, Eskişehir to the west, Çankırı and Bolu to the north, and Konya and Aksaray to the south.
Ankara’s geography features a structure composed of diverse Earth's surface forms. The city lies between valleys formed by tributaries of the Kızılırmak and Sakarya rivers, where both forest and steppe plant vegetation can be observed. To the north of the city limits lie branches of the North Anatolian Mountain Range, while to the south are the Salt Lake basin and the Kepez and Hacıbekirözü such as plains.
Volcanic mountains in areas near the city center are particularly notable. Montenegro, Pasha Mountain, and Teke Mountain are the elevations that shape the southern part of Ankara. Meanwhile, high mountain ranges such as İdris Mountain and Elmadağ reinforce the region’s mountainous character. Natural water masses within the city limits, including Mogan, Eymir, Karagöl (Çubuk), and Tuz Gölü, serve as important resources for both tourism and the health sector.
Ankara’s climate exhibits clear continental characteristics. Summer months are hot and dry, while winter months are cold and snow. The highest temperatures are recorded in July and August, while January is the coldest month. The city’s average annual temperature is 11.7°C, with temperatures reaching as high as 40°C and dropping as low as -24.9°C during extreme periods. The average annual precipitation in the region is 389.1 mm.
Climate variations in the region stem from geographical features. Particularly, the districts of Çubuk and Kızılcahamam in the north show influences of the Black Sea climate, while the Inner Anatolian climate is more dominant in the south. These differences increase the frequency of fog events during winter months.
Mountains and rivers play a significant role in Ankara’s geographical structure. Among the province’s most prominent mountains are Elmadağ, İdris Dağı, Karyağdı Dağı, and Paşa Dağı. These mountains shape the region’s topography while also encompassing various lake and plain areas. Notably, Mogan and Eymir lakes are among the city’s natural riches.
In terms of rivers, the Sakarya River and the Kızılırmak River serve as major water sources within the city limits. Their tributaries — Çubuk Çayı, İncesu Çayı, and Ova Çayı — are also important components of Ankara’s water system. The lands irrigated by these rivers are vital sources for the region’s agricultural activities.
Ankara’s vegetation cover varies according to climate and soil structure. Steppe vegetation is widespread in steppe areas, while forested zones are concentrated especially in the mountainous regions of the north. In the steppe vegetation, shrubs and short grasses dominate. Among the plants commonly found in steppe vegetation are keven, ayrıkotu, yılgınotu, and oregano. In forested areas, the main tree species are black pine, juniper, and oak. These forests are especially dense in places such as Beynam Forest.
Ankara is Türkiye’s second most developed province economically and serves as a major center contributing significantly to the national economy. As the capital, it hosts a concentrated public sector, with state administrative functions and various other sectors, including defense industry, shaping the economy. Ankara is particularly known for its defense industry and high-tech production and is the center of Türkiye’s largest defense industry projects. In addition, unique local economic activities such as production production and gear manufacturing, which are carried out exclusively in Türkiye, enhance the diversity and competition strength of its industry.
Ankara also has significant production volumes in sectors such as furniture, tree, automotive, and textiles, giving it a major share in Türkiye’s exports. Thanks to advanced infrastructure such as organized industry zones and technology parks, the industrial sector is rapidly growing, developing innovative projects in collaboration with universities and R&D centers. Ankara also possesses strong potential in agriculture and livestock, attracting attention through specialized agricultural activities such as tiftik goat production. The city has become a growing trade and services hub, with industrial production increasingly based on high technology. As an important player in foreign trade, Ankara ranks among Türkiye’s top five provinces in terms of imports and exports. This strong economic infrastructure and high labor productivity make Ankara an attractive center for investors.
Ankara holds a central position in Türkiye’s transportation infrastructure. The city offers a wide range of transportation options, including black highways, railways, and air routes, effectively connecting it to other regions of the country. As the hub of Türkiye’s road and rail networks, Ankara is easily accessible from all parts of the country. The efficient operation of the city’s transportation systems makes a vital contribution to the smooth continuation of economic activities and daily life.
Road access to Ankara is provided through the Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal (AŞTİ), located in the city center. AŞTİ, one of the largest bus terminals in Türkiye, offers various facilities including restaurants, left-luggage services, bank ATMs, and taxi services. Additionally, due to its proximity to the city center, easy access is provided to dolmuş, metro, and bus routes. AŞTİ also provides 24/7 bus service to Esenboğa International Airport.
Rail transport is one of Ankara’s key transportation networks. Ankara serves as a railway hub connecting the eastern and western parts of Türkiye. The city is linked by rail to major cities such as Istanbul, İzmir, Balıkesir, Adana, Elazığ, and Diyarbakır. The Fast Train Station, operational since 2016, hosts high-speed train services and provides not only transportation but also commercial areas, restaurants, cafes, and hotel services for its users. High-speed train services between Ankara-Istanbul, Ankara-Eskişehir, and Ankara-Konya have made intercity travel faster and more comfortable.
Esenboğa International Airport is the primary main facility serving Ankara, located 28 kilometers from the city center. The airport provides domestic and international hat flights and offers facilities such as covered and open parking, food and shopping outlets, banks, vehicle rental services, and taxi services. Transportation between the city and the airport is available 24 hour hours via BELKOAIR buses, offering a practical option for easy access to the capital.
The most heavily used public transportation vehicle in Ankara’s city network is the metro. Municipal buses and private dolmuş routes also serve as convenient alternatives. Multi-ride magnetic cards used on the metro and buses allow two transfers within a 75-minute duration period. This system is a significant transportation model that accelerates and improves accessibility to different parts of the city. These transport networks facilitate daily life and workforce mobility in the capital.
Ankara rapidly developed after the proclamation of the Republic and became Türkiye’s capital. Following its designation as the capital, the organization of administrative institutions, industrial development, and internal migration led to significant population growth, particularly between 1927–1935 and 1950–1955. Before the Republic, Ankara had the appearance of a modest small town, but today it is Türkiye’s second most populous city by population density.
According to the 1927 census, the total population of Ankara province was recorded as 404,581. Within 88 years, this population increased thirteenfold, reaching 5,270,000 by 2015. During the same period, Türkiye’s population increased approximately sixfold. Ankara’s population growth rate was 34.7% annually between 1927 and 1935, and 24.4% annually between 1990 and 2000. In 1927, Ankara province accounted for 3.2% of Türkiye’s total population; by 2000, this share had risen to approximately 6%.
Significant changes have occurred in Ankara’s socio-demographic structure. According to the 1927 census, 53% of the population was born in Ankara; by 2000, this figure had decreased to 52%. The largest proportion of those born outside Ankara came from Çorum province, followed by Yozgat, Çankırı, and Kırşehir.
The expansion of Ankara’s metropolitan boundaries has further solidified its metropolitan character, leading to rapid population growth. In 1955, the average household size was 7; by 2000, it had decreased to 3.8. This change reflects the intensification of settlement patterns and the transformation during the urbanization process.
Ankara’s demographic structure reveals significant changes over time in different age groups and gender ratios. In 1927, the age distribution was unbalanced, with the male population significantly higher in the work age group. However, by 2000, this imbalance had diminished, with male and female populations in the 15–64 age group becoming equal. In 2000, the 0–14 age group constituted 25% of the population, while the 15–64 age group, at 70%, represented a major share. The elderly population ratio stood at 5%, below the national average.
The urbanization rate of the population also rose rapidly, reaching nearly 90% in Ankara by 2000. This rate has positioned Ankara as the most urbanized city in the Central Anatolia Region. In 2000, Ankara’s metropolitan districts stood out due to high population densities. Keçiören, Etimesgut, Sincan, and Yenimahalle districts experienced high population growth rates, while districts such as Gölbaşı and Çubuk maintained lower population densities.
Ankara’s migration patterns have played a crucial role in shaping its metropolitan structure. As the most important migration center in the Central Anatolia Region, Ankara rapidly increased its population through migration over the years. Between 1990 and 2000, Ankara’s net migration was higher than that of other provinces in the region. Migration activity particularly increased the working-age population, leading to concentration of the youthful population in the city.
The active Governor of Ankara is Vasip Şahin. Şahin was appointed Governor of Ankara by Presidential Decree No. 2018/202 dated 26 October 2018 and began his duties on 06 November 2018. The governors who have served in the city from the past to the present are as follows:
History
Geographical Structure
Climate Characteristics
Mountains and Rivers
Vegetation Cover
Economic Structure
Infrastructure
Road Transport
Rail Transport
Air Transport
Urban Transport
Demographic Structure
Administration
Governor