Turkey Geography & Maps
Turkey is a peninsula that links Asia to Europe through the Sea of Marmara and the Straits of Istanbul and Çanakkale. A population of 73,639, 596 is spread amongst seven geographical regions: East Anatolia, Central Anatolia, Black Sea, Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara and Southeast Anatolia. The country borders the Black Sea between Bulgaria and Georgia, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea between Greece and Syria.
The Anatolian part of Turkey makes up 97% of the total area of the country and has been called Asia Minor, Asiatic Turkey or the Anatolian Plateau. The European portion of Turkey is known as Thrace. This region makes up only 3% of the total area of the country yet it houses more than 10% of the population. Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city is located in Thrace.
The geography of Turkey is characterized by a central plateau that is surrounded by mountain chains to the north, west and south and a rugged mountainous region in the east. The Northern Anatolian Mountains are an uninterrupted chain that runs almost parallel to the Black Sea. This region is home to Turkey’s tallest peak, Mount Ararat which stands at 5,165 m (16,949 ft). Mount Ararat is famous as many people believe that it was the resting place for Noah’s Ark.
The Taurus Mountains are a range located in southern Turkey. They extend from Lake Egirdir in the west to the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in the east. The mountains in the western part of the country are low with elevations rarely exceeding 1,500 m (4,921 ft). These mountains descend towards the sea. In the east, the mountainous region has an average elevation of 1,050 m (3,444 .82 ft).
The longest rivers in Turkey are the Sakarya, the Halys and the Yeşilırmak, all of which flow from Central Anatolia toward the Black Sea. The Dicle (Tigris) and Firat (Euphrates) flow from eastern Anatolia south into Syria and Iran. In addition to rivers are over 300 natural and 130 artificial lakes.
Turkey Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Turkey.
Learn about the history and culture of Turkey, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Turkey's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Turkey for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Turkey tours today!
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