Geographical Divisions

Turkey is divided into seven geographical regions.These divisions were agreed to after lengthy discussions among experts at the first Geography Congress held in Ankara in June 1941. The regions are divided in accordance with the distinct geography and climatic conditions of the areas. Four are named for the bodies of water which they border: the Aegean Region, the Black Sea Region, the Marmara Region, and the Mediterranean Region. The three interior regions are named to reflect their geographical location in Anatolia - the Central, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions.

The Black Sea Region is the most inaccessible, with the exception of a few spots, owing to mountain ranges that run parallel to the coast. They rise to elevations of 1,525-1,800 m (5,003-5,905 ft) in the west and 3,000-4,000 m (9,842-13,123 ft) in the east, forming a continuous geographical barrier separating the coast from the interior. The coastline is craggy and densely wooded. The coastal strip is suitable for cash-crop agriculture and is planted with hazelnut trees, cherry groves, and tea plants.

Marmara means “marble” in Turkish and Arabic and the name refers to the marble quarries along the coast. Including all of Thrace, the Marmara is dominated by rolling plateaus, making it suitable for agriculture. Although it is the smallest region, it has the highest population density.

The Aegean Region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate of mild, wet winters and long, dry summers. About half of Turkey’s best farmland is here, nestled in broad valleys such as the Plains of Troy. It is a region of tobacco and cotton cultivation, and it is the location of Turkey’s textile industry. The Mediterranean Region, located in southern Turkey, includes the Western and Central Taurus Mountains, which rise up dramatically behind the coastline. The weather, along with the beaches, has made it the center of Turkey’s tourism industry.

The Central Anatolian Region is in the middle of the country. Dominated by a plateau, it is less mountainous than the other regions. The Southeastern Anatolian Region is semi-arid with a landscape that exhibits little variation. Rain-fed agriculture is most common, with wheat being the principal crop. Irrigated cultivation is possible only close to rivers.

Mount Ararat, the highest point in Turkey at 5,166 m  (16,950 ft), is located in Eastern Anatolia, the largest region, which includes the Eastern Highlands. The average elevation exceeds 3,000 m (9,842 ft). The Eastern Highlands are dominated by the part of Turkey known as Kurdistan.