Map of Turkey

Turkey is a transcontinental Eurasian nation located on the Anatolian peninsula. Examining the map of Turkey provides insight into its diverse geography and strategic location.

Regions

Turkey is divided into 7 main geographical regions:

Marmara Region - Northwestern region containing Istanbul and the Marmara Sea.
Aegean Region - Western region with a long coastline along the Aegean Sea.
Mediterranean Region - Southern region bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Central Anatolia - Dry central plateau region far from Turkey's coasts.
Eastern Anatolia - Mountainous eastern region containing Mount Ararat.
Southeastern Anatolia - Region bordering Syria and Iraq.
Black Sea Region - Northern region along the Black Sea coast.

Major Cities

Prominent cities include:

Istanbul - Largest city straddling Europe and Asia. Former capital during the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Ankara - Modern capital city located in the Central Anatolia region.
Izmir - Third largest city located in the Aegean region along the coast.

Waterways

The Bosphorus Strait runs through Istanbul, connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea.
The Dardanelles Strait provides access from the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

In summary, Turkey's diverse regions, major cities, and strategic waterways demonstrate why it has been a center of power and trade throughout history.