When you plan Turkey tours, one destination that you should undoubtedly value the most is Ankara, the Turkish Capital. Tourists experience visiting Ankara as a lively and exciting city full of energy and many things to do there. Ankara offers blends of rich Turkish heritage for the tourists. Ankara is a city in Turkey which serves as a political hub,as important decisions and activities related to the government and political activities take place in this city.As you continue your journey through Ankara, you get a chance to explore the government buildings nearby. These government buildings located in Ankara delve you into the historical significance of Turkey’s Interior Ministry and related government buildings. In this article we will discuss the top 5 factors that make Ankara a capital city of Turkey.
What is the Capital of Turkey? – The Role of Ankara in National Governance
Political center:
Ankara is called the political center and administrative heart of Turkey. It is because this city contains major governmental institutions which play a pivotal role in shaping politics and governance of the country. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey is located here which is a governmental institution where legislative affairs take place. This institute usually crafts the laws that affect the entire nation of Turkey.
Presidential Palace:
Ankara is the city which is home to the official residence of the President of Turkey. It also includes the president’s office which symbolizes the main center of executive power for decision-making to run the affairs of Turkey.In this way, Ankara is the city which overall facilitates the administration of public services.
Ankara: Hub for Political Discussions
In addition to Ankara’s governmental institutions, it is also a hub where think tanks are engaged in conversations, debates and viewpoints to make better decisions while making policies. These policies ultimately reflect societal functions. Here is the list of these think tank institutions located in country’s capital, Ankara:
- Center for Eurasian Studies (AVİM)
- Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
- Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA)
- Ankara Policy Center (APC)
Geographical Location of Ankara: Central Turkey’s Capital City
Central Location of Ankara- Midpoint of Anatolian Plateau:
Ankara is the capital city of Turkey which is located in the middle of Anatolian Plateau of Turkey. The city is centrally located because it is not positioned near to the borders of Armenia , Azerbaijan and Iran, rather positioned towards relative geographical boundaries of other cities of Turkey.
Distance from Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea:
Ankara lies exactly between the Black Sea to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, which makes the city a central point in Turkey, as it is positioned halfway between these two seas.
Historical Significance of Ankara, Turkey:
Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Here is a brief overview of the historical development of Ankara throughout ages:
Hellenistic and Roman Period:
During the Hellenistic period, the city was known as Ancyra or Ancyranum, and it became part of the Kingdom of Galatia after the Celtic Galatians settled in the area.The city played a significant role during the Roman Empire and was an important spot on the trade routes. It became known as “Ancyra” under Roman rule.
Byzantine Era:
After the division of the Roman Empire, Ankara became part of the Byzantine Empire. It then served as a military and administrative center.
Seljuk and Ottoman Periods:
In the 11th century, the Seljuk Turks captured Ankara, and it remained under Turkish control during the subsequent centuries.The Ottoman Empire, after its expansion, took control of Ankara in 1356 under the leadership of Orhan Gazi, the son of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
Note: These historical facts have made Ankara a practical choice for the new Turkish Republic.
Economic Development and Industrialization in Ankara, Turkey:
Infrastructure Investment:
Ankara, the country’s capital, performed significant investments in infrastructure of Turkey. Main Improvement in the infrastructure, mainly the followings roads In Turkey that have seen significant improvements in their infrastructure:
- Eskişehir Road (D-200)
- Konya Road
- Atatürk Boulevard
- Tunus Street
- Sıhhiye Boulevard
The infractures of main airports Esenboğa Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport are significantly improved:
- Expansion of the total area of terminal buildings
- Runway and taxiway upgrades
- Improved passenger facilities
- Enhanced security systems
- Increased capacity for handling the luggages.
Following public transportation makes this city more accessible and functional for both residents and governmental operations:
- Ankara Metro
- Ankara Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
- Ankara Light Rail System
- Ankara City Bus Network
Business and Financial Hub:
Ankara, Turkey’s capital is the home of several banks, insurance companies and financial services.These important financial institutions operate within the city which contributes to its economic and financial growth.
Business Districts:
Çankaya is one of the business areas in Ankara, Turkey,which is the hub for various government offices, corporate headquarters and commercial market.Similarly, Kızılay is considered a major commercial hub and a transportation hub as well, which houses various offices, shops and business services.
Cultural Importance of Ankara:
National Identity:
In 1923, the Republic was established by the founder named Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who represented a new era of Turkish modernization. In this way, Ankara represented a symbol of modern Turkey and the era of Ottoman ended.
Cultural Institutions:
Ankara is home to notable historical museums and top galleries mainly:
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
- Atatürk Mausoleum (Anıtkabir)
- State Art and Sculpture Museum
- Ethnographic Museum
- Ankara Railway Museum
- Gallery of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Ankara Gallery
Note: These museums and galleries showcase the rich history of the Anatolian region. Moreover, the Atatürk Mausoleum (Anıtkabir) is a significant national monument present in Ankara, Turkey.
Conclusion:
In summary, Tourists typically visit Ankara city to be valued most during planning of a trip to Turkey.Ankara, a capital city of Turkey offers blends of rich Turkish culture for all the tourists. Ankara serves as a political hub, has a particular geographical location, contains historical significance from various timelines and different eras. Ankara is also a main hub for various banks, insurance companies, and financial sectors which proved it as a country’s capital city.Moreover, Ankara has highly contributed in the economic development and improved the main infrastructure of roads, airports and public transportations of Turkey.
