Ankara
INTRO
Formerly known as Angora, Ankara is the Turkish capital and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The Hittites called it Ankuwash, the Galatians and Romans - Ancyra, what means "anchor" in Greek. The city holds some fine examples of classic Greek, Roman and Byzantine architecture of the world. Built upon a hill, it has to offer a lot, from modern conveniences like parks and shopping malls to ancient temples, citadels and museums.
City Profile
City: Ankara
Country: Turkey
Area: 30.715 sq km
Population: 4,319,167
Districts: 4 (main districts)
Governor: I Melih Gocek
Language: Turkish
Rating: #6 / 126 at Asian-Cities
LOCATION
Ankara is situated in the centre of Anatolia region, on the eastern edge of the Anatolian Plateau of estimated altitude of 850 metres. It is the centre of the province of Anatolia, which is a predominantly fertile steppe-land with forested areas in its northeast part. It is adjacent to the provinces of Bolu and Cankiri to the north, Eskisehir to the west, Aksaray and Konya to the south, and Kirikkale and Kirsehir to the east.
TIME TO VISIT
Spring is the best season to travel to Ankara, autumn is next, then summer, and the last is winter. Spring (from April to mid-June) is prime because the weather is moderate, the days are long, and the tourist season has not begun. April can be rainy, though. Autumn (mid-September through October) is second best with quite mild weather, but the nights are longer, and rain may begin again in October. Summer (mid-June through mid-September) is quite hot though usually rainless, and cool inland in the evenings.Winter (November through March) is chilly and rainy almost everywhere, but with lower prices and fewer tourists.
POPULATION
According to official information as of 2005 the city of Ankara has a population of 4,319,167 (Province 5,153,000). Other sources speak of more than twice as many people including commuters from the surrounding areas. The majority of the population is Turkish and Turkish is the official language although almost anyone is trying to speak English.
DISTRICTS
There are four main districts and a lot of neighbourhoods. Its main areas are:
- Altindag is situated1 km from the city centre(beyond the district of Ulus as far as the large Altinpark), and has been inhabited from prehistoric times. An important centre during the Selçuk and Ottoman periods, the city district has many important historical sites, including the Ankara Castle, the Temple of Augustus, the column of Julian, the Roman Baths, the Republic memorial, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the Museum of Ethnography, the State Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Museum of the Republic and the the War of Independence Museum.
- Cankaya is the central district of the city of Ankara, and an administrative district of Ankara Province. There is the "Çankaya Köşkü" palace, housing the residence of the President of Turkey. The area is also home to many of the capital's embassies, government departments and best-known landmarks. Apart from being the centre of the government, the district of Çankaya is a fashionable business and cultural centre. Some of the prominent Cankaya neighbourhoods are: Anitteppe, Kizilay, Kocatepe and Oran Sitezi.The list of primary tourist attractions in Cankaya is huge and includes: Anitkabir, the Ataturk Museum, the Ataturk Memorial (Zafer Aniti-Sihhiye), the Natural History Museum, the State Painting and Statue Exhibit, Memorial Park, the Archeology Museum of Middle East Technical University, the Botanical Garden and many more.
- Kecioren is one of Ankara's central districts and host to the world's biggest meteorology centre, as well as several departments of the Ataturk Sanatorium, Ankara University, and the Gulhane Military Medical Academy. There is also the Old Ankara Agricultural School, that was used by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as a military headquarters during the War of Independence. Now there is a museum inside. Etlik is a neighbourhood in this area.
- Yenimahalle is a modern residential district of the city, but it has many attractions which reflect the rich history of the area. The highlight of Yenimahalle is the Akkopru Bridge, built in 1222 by Ala'addin Keykubat, the Seljuk ruler, along the old Bagdat Commercial road over Ankara Creek, with four large arches and three small.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
- Anitkabir (Ataturk Mausoleum) The Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk is located at an imposing site in the Anittepe quarter, founder of the Turkish Republic. Finished in 1953, it is an impressive fusion of modern and ancient architectural styles. It houses writings, letters and items belonging to Ataturk and presents an exhibition of photographs that records the most important moments in his life and the rule of the republic.
- The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Situated close to the citadel gate, the museum occupies two meticulously restored 15th century Ottoman buildings has been beautifully restored. Its unique collection includes works, dating back to the Paleolith, Neolith, Chalcolith, as well as Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Urartian and Roman period. In 1997 the museum was given the award of "European Museum of the Year", winning among 65 museums from 21 European countries.
- The Ethnographical Museum the Ethnographical Museum is situated in Namazgah district, opposite of the Opera House on Talat Pasa Boulevard. It comprises is a rich collection of folkloric artifacts as well as interesting items, especially rugs, from Seljuk and Ottoman mosques in this museum since 1930. Kemal Ataturk was buried in the internal courtyard in 1938, until the construction of his Mausoleum in 1953.
- The Ankara Citadel (Hisar/Kale) The foundations of the citadel are believed to be laid by the Galatians and completed by the Romans; the Byzantines and Seljuks restored and rebuilt it. The area around and inside the citadel belongs to the oldest parts of Ankara, dating back to the Middle Ages. There are many fine examples of traditional architecture within the citadel walls and the lovely green areas to relax.
- The Temple of Augustus The Corinthian style temple is located in the old Ulus district of the city. Built in the 1st century BC and in Elary 1st century dedicated to the Emperor Augustus, it became known for the 'Monument Ancyranum' or 'Res gestae Divi Augusti', the testament and political achievements of Augustus, inscribed on its walls in both Latin and Greek.
- The Roman Bath The bath, which is situated on Cankiri Avenue in Ulus, has some typical features of Roman baths: a frigidarium (cold section), tepidarium (cool section) and caldarium (hot section). They were built in the 3rd century AD to honour Asclepios, the god of medicine.
- The Column of Julian The column was erected in 362, presumabely to commemorate a visit by Julian the Apostate, the Roman Emperor, who arrived to Ankara on his way to the campaign against Persians. Standing in Ulus, it is fifteen meters high and has a leaf decoration on the capital.
- Haci Bayram Mosque The mosque is situated in Ulus, next to the Temple of Augustus. Built in the early 15th century, it was subsequently restored by Sinan in the l6th century and Kutahya tiles were added in the 18th century. The mosque was built to commemorate Haci Bayram Veli whose tomb is next to the mosque.
- Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum This museum was opened in April 2005 by family of Koc in a 500 year-old building - a typical Anatolian caravanserai offering lodging for travelers. The traditions of early industry are depicted through scale models since most of the original objects are exhibited at the Istanbul Rahmi Koc museum.
AIRPORT
Esenboga International Airport is located northeast of Ankara, 28 km from the centre. Transportation to the city centre is by taxi (around 22 Euros one way, metered) and through the Havaş bus line (approximately 7 Euros one way). The road between Esenboga airport and the Ankara ringroad was expanded recently, decreasing the driving time between the city centre and the airport by several minutes. Airport buses are operated by Cebeci transportation (formerly HAVAŞ - many people still call it this) through the city centre reaching Ulus (the historical centre of the city, close to the museums and baths), and AŞTI (from there, the intercity buses depart to almost all the cities in Turkey). The price is around 5 Euros.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Ankara offers several efficient ways of travelling around the city:
- Metro/Ankaray Ankara has two kinds of underground trains: the Metro and Ankaray lines. The Metro runs from the northwest to the southeast connecting the central Kizilay Square and the northeastern suburb of Batikent. The Ankaray runs east-west between the main bus terminal ASTI in the west and Dikimevi in the east.
- Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal (Turkish: Ankara Şehirlerarasi Terminal Işletmesi, AŞTI) is an important hub of the bus network that covers all city area.
- Taxis are metered but sometimes prices are negotiable. The problem with taxis is that they take many passengers and drive them to their destinations one by one.
- Private cars. Driving in Ankara is certainly not an enjoyable experience. The traffic is fierce, fast and intense, and the traffic patterns and driving habits could be bizarre for foreigners.
HISTORY
The first settlements on the site of Ankara date back to the Bronze Age. The earliest Hatti Civilisation was later succeeded by the Hitties, the Phrygians, Lydians and Persians. The next period of Ankara history came with the Galatians, a Celtic people who as the first made Ankara their capital in the 3rd century BC. The town was subsequently incorporated by the Romans, Byzantines, and Selcuks, and in 1402 to the Ottomans. Their dynasty remained in power until World War I. The town, once an important trade centre on the silk route to the east, had lost its importance by the 19th century. It became an important centre again when Kemal Ataturk chose it as the main base to run the War of Liberation. As a result of its its strategic position and the role in the war, it became the capital of the new Turkish state on the 13th October,1923.
CITY LINKS
- Turkey Post, the latest news from WN Network: http://wn.com/s/turkeypost/index.html
- Interesting Places in Turkey: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com
- Useful Information: http://ankaracityguide.com/Ankara.htm
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism: http://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN/BelgeGoster.aspx?17A16AE30572D313404F9755767D76FF5D90DEC72434D695
UNIVERSITY LINKS
Ankara is known for the multitude of universities that are situated there. These include the following, several of them being among the most reputable of the country:
- Ankara University: http://www.ankara.edu.tr/english/bolum.php?bodb=14&alt=2&bodb1=22
- Atilim University http://www.atilim.edu.tr
- Başkent University http://www.baskent.edu.tr/english
- Bilkent University http://www.bilkent.edu.tr)
- Çankaya University http://www.cankaya.edu.tr/eng
- Gazi University http://www.gazi.edu.tr/english/indexeng.php
- Hacettepe University http://www.hacettepe.edu.tr/english/
- Middle East Technical University http://www.metu.edu.tr
- TOBB Economics And Technology University http://www.etu.edu.tr/?page=2&lang=enUS
- Ufuk University http://www.ufuk.edu.tr