Geographical regions of Turkey

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Regions of Turkey
Türkiye'nin bölgeleri (Turkish)
CategoryUnitary state
LocationTurkish Republic
Number7
Populations6,513,106 (Eastern Anatolia) – 26,650,405 (Marmara)
Areas59,176 km2 (22,848 sq mi) (Southeastern Anatolia Region) –
165,436 km2 (63,875 sq mi) (Eastern Anatolia Region)
Government
Subdivisions
Map of the geographic regions, color-coded, with national (gray) and provincial borders (white).
List of geographical regions

The geographical regions of Turkey comprise seven regions (Turkish: bölge), which were originally defined at the country's First Geography Congress in 1941.[1] The regions are subdivided into 31 sections (Turkish: bölüm), which are further divided into numerous areas (Turkish: yöre), as defined by microclimates and bounded by local geographic formations.

"Regions" as defined in this context are merely for geographic, demographic, and economic purposes and do not refer to an administrative division.

Regions and subregions[edit]

Region Largest city Area (km2) Provinces (Counties) Population (2021) Location
Aegean Region İzmir 85,000 8 10,477,153
Black Sea Region Samsun 143,537 18 7,696,132
Central Anatolia Region Ankara 163,057 13 12,896,255
Eastern Anatolia Region Van 165,436 14 6,513,106
Marmara Region Istanbul 67,000 11 26,650,405
Mediterranean Region Antalya 122,927 8 10,584,506
Southeastern Anatolia Region Şanlıurfa 59,176 9 8,576,391
Aegean Region
Black Sea Region
Central Anatolia Region
Eastern Anatolia Region
Marmara Region
Mediterranean Region
Southeastern Anatolia Region

Distinctions of the regions[edit]

The Aegean Region has:

  • the longest coastline
Artvin Province, East of the Blacksea Region

The Black Sea Region has:

  • highest annual precipitation
  • largest forest area
  • fewest sunshine hours
  • most landslides
Cappadoccia and famous fairy chimneys rock formation

The Central Anatolia Region has:

  • lowest annual precipitation,
  • most erosion

The Eastern Anatolia Region has:

  • largest area
  • highest elevation
  • lowest annual temperature
  • coldest winters
  • highest temperature difference between seasons
  • most volcanic activity
  • smallest population
  • highest[vague] mineral resources
Istanbul, the most populous city in the Marmara Region and all of Turkey

The Marmara Region has:

  • smallest area
  • lowest elevation[dubious ]
  • most climate diversity
  • highest energy consumption,
  • coolest summers,
  • largest population
The Mediterranean Region is a well-known sea-tourism zone because of own climate.

The Mediterranean Region has:

  • highest annual temperature
  • mildest winters
  • wettest winters,
  • most greenhouse farming

The Southeastern Anatolia Region has:

  • hottest summers
  • driest summers
  • smallest forest area
  • most sunshine hours

Population by region[edit]

Population by region (2021)[2]
Region Population
Marmara 26,650,405
Central Anatolia 12,896,255
Mediterranean 10,584,506
Aegean 10,477,153
Southeastern Anatolia 8,576,391
Black Sea 7,696,132
Eastern Anatolia 6,513,106

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ali Yiğit, "Geçmişten Günümüze Türkiye'yi Bölgelere Ayıran Çalışmalar ve Yapılması Gerekenler", Ankara Üniversitesi Türkiye Coğrafyası Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezi, IV. Ulural Coğrafya Sempozyumu, "Avrupa Birliği Sürecindeki Türkiye'de Bölgesel Farklılıklar", pp. 34–35. Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Türkiye'nin Nüfus Haritası". www.icisleri.gov.tr. Retrieved 2020-08-19.