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Jan 30, 2024 · Turkey’s role in the balance of power in the Middle Eastern region is more important today than ever. Since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Ankara has not stopped claiming a leading role in the Middle East which it dominated for over four centuries.
- Overview
- History
- The contemporary city
Ankara, city, capital of Turkey, situated in the northwestern part of the country. It lies about 125 miles (200 km) south of the Black Sea, near the confluence of the Hatip, İnce Su, and Çubek streams.
While the date of the city’s foundation is uncertain, archaeological evidence indicates habitation at least since the Stone Age, and a thriving Phrygian town was located in the area at the end of the 2nd millennium bce. Alexander the Great conquered Ankara in 333 bce, and in the 3rd century bce the town served as the capital of the Tectosages, a tribe of Galatia (the ancient name for the region around Ankara). In 25 bce Ankara was incorporated into the Roman Empire by the emperor Augustus.
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As a city of the Byzantine Empire, Ankara was attacked by both the Persians and the Arabs. About 1073 Ankara fell to the Seljuq Turks, but the Crusader Raymond IV of Toulouse drove them out again in 1101. The Byzantines, however, were unable to maintain their control, and Ankara became a bone of contention between the Seljuqs and their rivals among the Turkish frontier lords. After 1143, Seljuq princes fought among themselves for possession of the city. With the establishment of the Seljuq empire, Ankara declined.
In 1354 the city was captured by Orhan (Orkhan), the second sultan of the Ottoman dynasty, and it became a part of the Ottoman domains in 1360. Ankara was besieged during the Anatolian campaign of Timur (Tamerlane). In 1403 it again became subject to Ottoman rule, and in subsequent centuries it regained its importance as a commercial and urban centre because of its location on the caravan route to the East.
After World War I, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish nationalist leader, made Ankara the centre of the resistance movement against both the government of the Ottoman sultan and the invading Greek forces; he established his headquarters there in 1919. Ankara was declared the capital of Turkey in 1923.
The architecture of the present-day city reflects its varied history. Remains from the Roman era include a bath, the Column of Julian, and the Temple of Roma and Augustus. Byzantine remnants include the citadel and a cemetery. The square Alâeddin Mosque, with one minaret, is located near the walled citadel and dates from the Seljuq era. Ottoman buildings are numerous and include the Hacı Bayram Cami (1427–28), as well as the Mahmud Paşa market and the Kurşunlu Han, two 15th-century buildings that have been converted to house the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. The modern city contains the huge Atatürk Mausoleum complex.
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Government is the main business in the city, but Ankara is also Turkey’s second most important industrial city after Istanbul. Factories producing wine and beer, flour, sugar, macaroni products, biscuits, milk, cement, terrazzo (mosaic paving), construction materials, and tractors are well established. Service and tourist industries are expanding rapidly.
Ankara is an important crossroads for trade and forms a major junction in the road network of Turkey. The city lies on the main east-west rail line across Anatolia. Esenboğa Airport, to the northeast, provides international services.
The city is the seat of the University of Ankara (established 1946), Hacettepe University (1967), and the Middle East Technical University (1956). The National Library is also located there, as are the state theatre and the Presidential Symphony Orchestra.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
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- Historical Sites And Cultural Heritage Make It Worth Visting. Ankara has a long history dating back to the Bronze Age, and it is home to numerous historical sites such as the ancient Roman Temple of Augustus, the majestic Ankara Citadel, and the grand Anıtkabir, which pays tribute to the founder of modern Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and is also his final resting place.
- Vibrant Arts And Entertainment Make Ankara Worth The Trip. Ankara is a hub of cultural activities with its bustling arts scene. The city hosts various international festivals, including the Ankara Film Festival and the Ankara Music Festival.
- Delicious Anatolian Cuisine. I am all about the food, and Ankara offers a diverse range of delicious Turkish cuisine. From the flavourful kebabs and mouthwatering mezes to the delectable baklava and traditional Turkish tea, you will be treated to a gastronomic delight.
- Stunning Architecture Makes Ankara Travel A Plus. Ankara boasts a mix of modern and traditional architectural styles, so it’s an excellent place for people who love different building styles.
Feb 2, 2024 · And, between 1961 and 1980, the city obtained one of its most important university campuses, the Middle East Technical University, one of Turkey’s key works of Brutalist architecture - the ...
Nov 25, 2022 · The view from Ankara’s old fortress. That is not to say that the capital is without its gritty or more edgy sides. There is a strong streak of leftwing and anti-establishment politics. A night ...
- Laura Pitel
The Atatürk Mausoleum, Ankara, Turkey. Ankara, formerly Angora, City (pop., 2000: 3,203,362), capital of Turkey. Located about 125 mi (200 km) south of the Black Sea, it has been inhabited at least since the Stone Age. Conquered by Alexander the Great in 334 bc, it was incorporated into the Roman Empire by Augustus.
May 3, 2024 · Ankara is one of the most important cities in the Middle East. Also known as Ancará or Angora, it is the capital of Turkey (Republic of Turkey) and the economic center of the country. It has more than 5 million inhabitants, which makes it the second most populous metropolis in the region after Istanbul. Throughout history, various ...
