Ankara

Ankara is the capital city of Turkey.

It is located in the central part of the Anatolia region. The city serves as a major political and industrial hub. It is the second-largest city in Turkey by population, following Istanbul. The urban center holds over 5.3 million residents. In total, the Ankara Province has about 6 million people. The city is a vital center for the nation's road and railway networks.

Geographically, the historical center sits on a rocky hill. This hill rises above the left bank of the Ankara River. The river is a tributary of the larger Sakarya River. While the river was once a northern boundary for the old town, it has since been covered and diverted. The hill is still crowned by the ruins of Ankara Castle.

Although the region is one of the driest in Turkey, the city is quite green. It features many green areas per inhabitant. Most of the surrounding land consists of steppe vegetation. However, forested areas can be found on the southern periphery.

The history of Ankara is a complex layer of many civilizations. It began with the Hattic civilization during the Bronze Age. The Hittites absorbed these people around 2000 to 1700 BC. Later, the Phrygians expanded the city around 1000 BC. This growth followed a mass migration from Gordion after a major earthquake. The city saw rule from Lydians, Persians, and Greeks.

In 278 BC, the Celtic Galatians occupied the area. They made the city a headquarters for the Tectosages tribe. This period is why the city was often called Ancyra.

Roman rule brought significant changes to the city's status. In 25 BC, Emperor Augustus made it the capital of the province of Galatia. It became a grand metropolis with an estimated 200,000 people during its peak. The city was a strategic junction for imperial roads. These roads connected northern Anatolia in both north-south and east-west directions. One famous site is the Monumentum Ancyranum.

This temple contains the Res Gestae Divi Augusti. This is an official record of Augustus's actions carved into marble.

During the Byzantine period, Ankara became a center for Christian activity. It hosted several important church synods between 314 and 375 AD. The city also saw many imperial visits from leaders like Emperor Constans I and Julian. However, the city faced many challenges and invasions. The Sassanid Persians captured it in 622 AD. Later, the Arabs captured the city in 654 AD. Arabic sources called it Qalat as-Salasil, meaning "fortress of the chains."

The modern history of Ankara is tied to the birth of the Turkish Republic. The Grand National Assembly was established here on 23 April 1920. This body served as the headquarters for the Turkish National Movement. This movement led the country during the Turkish War of Independence.

Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Ankara became the new capital. This transition occurred on 29 October 1923. The city replaced Istanbul as the seat of the new republic.

Ankara is also known for its unique names and cultural contributions. In the past, it was known as Angora in many European languages. This name lives on in several animal breeds. These include the Angora rabbit and the Angora cat. The long-haired Angora goat is also the source of mohair.

The local area is also famous for honey, Muscat grapes, and pears. Today, the city is a leader in modern science. It is ranked among the top 100 science and technology clusters globally.