Mediterranean Region

Mediteranean Region

The plains of this region are rich in agricultural resources. Fertile soils and a warm climate make the area ideal for growing citrus fruits and grapes, cereals and, in irrigated areas, rice and cotton. Summers are hot, and droughts are not uncommon.

  The plains around Adana are largely reclaimed floodlands. In the western part of the region, rivers have not cut valleys to the sea; movement inland therefore is restricted. The backland is mainly karst and rises sharply from the coast to elevations of up to 2,800 meters. There are few major cities along this coast, but the triangular plain of Antalya is extensive enough to support the rapidly growing city and port of the same name, which is an important trading center.

  Central Anatolian Region - Anatolian Plateau
  Although termed a plateau, this region is actually quite diverse. Stretching inland from the Aegean, it occupies the area between the two zones of folded mountains, extending east to the point where the two mountain ranges converge.

Central Anatolian Region

The plateau-like, arid highlands of Anatolia are considered the heartland of the country. Akin to the steppes of the Soviet Union, the region varies in altitude from 600 to 1,200 meters west to east, averaging 500 meters in elevation. The two largest basins on the plateau are the Konya Ovasi and the basin occupied by Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake). Both are characterized by inland drainage. Wooded areas are confined to the northwest and northeast, and cultivation is restricted to the areas surrounding the neighboring rivers where the valleys are sufficiently wide. Irrigation is practiced wherever water is available; the deeply entrenched river courses make it difficult to raise water to the surrounding agricultural land, however. For the most part, the region is bare and monotonous and is used for grazing.

  Rainfall is limited and in Ankara it amounts to less than 25 centimeters annually. Wheat and barley are the most important crops, but the yields are irregular, and crops fail in years of drought. Stockraising also is important, but overgrazing has caused soil erosion in the plateau, and during the frequent summer dust storms a fine yellow powder blows across the plains. In bad years, stock losses are severe, and locusts occasionally ravage the eastern area in April and May. An area of extreme heat and virtually no rainfall in summer, the Anatolian plateau is cold in winter and receives heavy, lasting snows. Villages may be isolated by severe snowstorms.

  Eastern Anatolian Region

Eastern Anatolian Region

 Eastern Turkey, where the Pontus and Taurus Mountains converge, is rugged country with higher elevations, a more severe climate, and greater precipitation than on the Anatolian plateau. The average elevation of the peaks is greater than 3,000 meters. Mount Ararat (Great Agri Mountain) is located in this area. Many of the peaks are extinct volcanoes that have been active in the recent past, as evidenced by widespread lava flows.

  From the highlands in the north, sometimes called Turkey's Siberia, to the mountain ranges in the south that descend toward the Mesopotamian plain in Iraq, vast stretches of this eastern region consist only of wild or barren wasteland. Fertile basins, such as the Mus Valley west of Lake Van and various river corridors, lie at the foot of the lofty ranges.

  Southeastern Anatolian Region
  This region is geographically the smallest region of Turkey, but certainly not that small with respect to the natural and historical beauties it possesses. This region of ancient cities is adorned by attractive natural figures, constituting a real mixture of sights and past combined with originality.

Southeastern Anatolian Region

Situated on the broad plain of upper Mesopotamia, Sanliurfa is one of these points, once being a city of 1001 nights and camel caravans. Diyarbakir with its wonderful architectural designs dating back to the Middle Ages. Here is the Malabadi Bridge presenting a peaceful view, besides the Dicle Bridge over the Tigris (Dicle) river. Another famous river, the Euphrates (Firat), flows through Harran, a wonderful place to see with its ancient city walls and castle.

  Throughout this region a special atmosphere exists, one uniquely different from other parts of the country. Thus, reflecting a specific lifestyle over its land, Southeastern Anatolia offers a wide variety of opportunities for its visitors. If you especially want to escape from a "sun-sea-sand" holiday, you should explore this region and live out of ordinary days in very distinguished places.

[1] [2]