Ankara
Capital of Turkey, ancient Galatian and Roman center.
Ankara is the capital city of Turkey, located in the central part of Anatolia. It has a population of over 5.3 million residents in its urban center, out of 6 million residents in Ankara Province, making it Turkey's second-largest city by population after Istanbul. Historically known as Ancyra and Angora, the city served as the capital of the ancient Celtic state of Galatia and later of a Roman province of the same name. Its long history has left a wealth of archaeological sites from numerous civilizations, including the Hattians, Hittites, Phrygians, Greeks, and Ottomans. The Ottomans designated it the capital of several administrative regions, and on 23 April 1920, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was established there, making it the headquarters of the Turkish National Movement during the War of Independence. Following the establishment of the Republic on 29 October 1923, Ankara succeeded the former Ottoman capital Istanbul. The historical center is a rocky hill above the Ankara River, crowned by the ruins of Ankara Castle, with well-preserved Roman and Ottoman architecture throughout the city. The government is a major employer, but Ankara is also a key commercial and industrial hub at the center of Turkey's road and railway networks. The city lends its name to Angora wool from rabbits, the Angora goat (source of mohair), and the Angora cat, and the region is known for pears, honey, and Muscat grapes. Despite being in one of Turkey's driest areas, it is considered a green city in terms of green space per inhabitant. Ankara is home to numerous universities and ranks among the world’s top 100 science and technology clusters.
- population_urban_center
- over 5.3 million
- population_province
- 6 million
- country
- Turkey
- historical_names
- Ancyra, Angora
- known_for
- Capital of Turkey, Angora wool, mohair, Angora cat
Quick Facts
- Settlement Type
- Capital city and metropolitan municipality
- Blank Emblem Type
- Emblem of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality
- Nickname
- Heart of Turkey / (tr · Türkiye'nin Kalbi)
- Subdivision Type
- Country
- Subdivision Name
- Turkey
- Subdivision Type1
- Region
- Subdivision Type2
- Province
- Subdivision Name1
- Central Anatolia
- Subdivision Name2
- Ankara
- Parts Type
- Districts
- Parts
- 25
- Leader Party
- CHP
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ankara, historically known as Ancyra and Angora, is the capital of Turkey and its second-largest city, with over 5.3 million residents in the urban center. The city lies in central Anatolia, on the left bank of the Ankara River, a tributary of the Sakarya River. Its historical center is a rocky hill crowned by the ruins of Ankara Castle, with well-preserved examples of Roman and Ottoman architecture throughout. The region is one of the driest in Turkey, surrounded mostly by steppe vegetation, though forested areas exist on the southern periphery; despite this, Ankara is considered a green city in terms of green areas per inhabitant. The government is a major employer, but the city is also a key commercial and industrial hub at the center of Turkey’s road and railway networks. Ankara is home to numerous universities and ranks among the top 100 science and technology clusters globally. The city is famous for giving its name to Angora wool from Angora rabbits, mohair from the long-haired Angora goat, and the Angora cat. The area is also known for pears, honey, and Muscat grapes. Its archaeological sites span Hattian, Hittite, Lydian, Phrygian, Galatian, Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations.
Reader's Guide
Ankara's significance lies in its role as the capital of Turkey and its deep historical roots. It was the capital of the ancient Celtic state of Galatia and later a major Roman provincial capital. The city is famous for the Monumentum Ancyranum, which contains the official record of the Acts of Augustus. Ankara is also an important commercial and industrial city at the center of Turkey's road and railway networks. It gave its name to Angora wool from Angora rabbits, mohair from Angora goats, and the Angora cat. The area is known for its pears, honey, and Muscat grapes. Despite being in one of the driest regions of Turkey, Ankara is considered a green city with 72 square meters of green area per inhabitant. It is home to numerous universities and is among the top 100 science and technology clusters in the world.
Did You Know?
- Ankara was historically known as Ancyra and Angora.
- The city gave its name to Angora wool, mohair, and the Angora cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ankara?
Ankara is the capital city of Turkey, sitting squarely in the middle of the Anatolian plateau. It functions as the nation's political and administrative heart, distinct from the larger commercial hub of Istanbul.
What are Ankara's powers and role?
As the seat of Turkey's government, Ankara concentrates the country's legislative, executive, and diplomatic machinery in one place. It is also historically celebrated for its textile heritage—Angora wool and mohair—as well as being the namesake of the Angora cat breed.
What is Ankara's backstory?
The city's origins stretch back to ancient Galatian and Roman eras, when it went by the names Ancyra and Angora. Over many centuries it transitioned from a regional provincial center into the modern capital of a sovereign Turkish state.
Why is Ankara important?
With more than 5.3 million people in its urban core and roughly 6 million across the wider province, Ankara is Turkey's second-most populous city. Its capital status makes it the indispensable hub for national governance, policy-making, and international representation.
How does Ankara's story end?
Ankara has no fixed ending; it remains a living, active capital in the present day. Its ongoing arc is defined by its continued role as Turkey's political center and one of central Anatolia's major metropolitan areas.
More in Cities Of The World 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record