Capital of Turkey with 3.2 million inhabitants (2004 estimate). Ankara is
situated in the central of Turkey (Anatolia), and rests at an altitude of
850 metres above sea level. It is located near the confluence of the Hatip,
Ince Su and Cubek streams. It is also the capital of the Ankara province
with 4 million inhabitants (2004 estimate).
The economical
base of Ankara is the government and its administration. Ankara is also
Turkey's second most important industrial city, after Istanbul. The
industries produce wine and beer, flour, sugar, macaroni products, biscuits,
milk, cement, mosaic paving, construction materials, tractors, carpets and
leather goods. Over recent decades, tourism has grown into much importance.
For the region around Ankara, mohair is the most valued product. The
agriculture produces fruits and wheat.
Ankara has
several higher institutions for learning. The University of Ankara was
established in 1946, the Middle East Technical University in 1956 while the
Hacettepe University sets its founding year to 1206. Ankara also has the
National Library, the state theatre and the Presidential Symphony Orchestra.
Being the
capital, Ankara also serves as transportation hub for a great region. While
traffic in Ankara often is slow, there are still plenty of road and rail
connections, as well as domestic and international air flights. Kirikkale
lies 50 km west, Konya 350 km south, Eskisehir 250 km west and Istanbul 550
km west.
The architecture
of Ankara is most varied, a reflection of the city's history. The oldest
remains go back to Roman times, and include a bath, the Column of Julian and
the Temple of Roma and Augustus. From the Byzantine times we count the
citadel and a cemetery.
The Seljuqs have
given Ankara the Alaeddin mosque, noted for its square form and single
minaret (unusual in Turkey). The Ottoman period has given Anakra most of its
historical buildings, although they are less impressive than buildings from
earlier times when Ankara was a more important city. The Haci Bayram mosque
from 1429 and the Mahmud Pasha market from 1464 are most noted from this
period.
The central
structure in the modern city is the Atatürk Mausoleum complex. Modern
Ankara is well-planned, spacious and with wide boulevards and fashionable
shops and other buildings. There are many green regions, parks and
recreational areas in the outskirts. The old quarter to the south of the
Byzantine citadel consists of narrow, winding streets and simple, yet
attractive houses.
Amkara has some
excellent museums, of which several are located to renovated Ottoman
buildings. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations houses a superb collection
of Hittite artifacts.
HISTORY
- Timeline
It is have been proven that the area of Ankara has been settled since the
Stone Age.
Late 2nd millennium BCE: A thriving town here, which is part of
Phrygia. The town was probably known as Ancyra.
334: Ancyra is conquered by Alexander the Great.
3rd century: Becomes the capital of the small kingdom of the
Tectosages tribe.
189: Incorporated into the Roman Empire.
25: Becomes capital of the Roman province of Galatia Prima.
1073 CE: Falls to the Seljuqs. The Seljuqs altered the name into
Angora.
1101: Conquered by European Christian Crusaders.
12th century: There is much fighting over Angora, resulting in its
decline. It eventually becomes part of the Seljuq Empire.
1356: Captured by the Ottoman bey Orhan.
1360: Incorporated into the Ottoman kingdom.
1402: Besieged by Timur Lenk, but returns to Ottoman rule the
following year.
1919: Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk) makes Angora the centre of his
resistance movement, fighting both Ottoman troops and the invading Greek
forces.
1923: Angora is made capital of the new state of Turkey. Mustafa
Kemal chose Angora despite its small size as new capital, in order to
distance the new state from the Ottoman Empire (i.e. Istanbul).
1928: The building of the modern city starts.
1930: Angora is renamed Ankara.
Ankara page