Geography, Climate and Districts

Ankara is located at an intersection point of highways connecting east to west and north to south of Anatolia. The town is like a pot between four mountains of Anatolia Plateau with an altitude of 850-1000 meters. The mountains surrounding the city are: Karyağdı on the north, İdris on the east, Elmadağ on the south and southeast and Çal on the southwest. Between them, at a valley stretching on the southwest of the town three rivers run. Çubuk creek between Karyağdı and İdris mountains, Bent Stream between Elmadağ and İdris mountains and finally İncesu creek between Elmadağ and Çal mountains. And those combine between Karyağdı and Çal mountains and flow into Sakarya River as Ankara stream.

Steppe climate is dominant in Ankara and therefore the summers are warm and dry and the winters are cold and snowy. The rain season is spring, especially May. The population of the city is more than 4.5 million and the second big city of Turkey following Istanbul.

Ankara and its districts are rich with museums, mosques, hamams and inns.

Altındağ
Just the hard of the old city, quite rich with historical and cultural remainings. Ankara Kalesi, Augustus Tapınağı (Augustus Temple), Julianus Sütunu (Julianus Column), Roma Hamamı (Roman Hamam), Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Republic Monument), Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi (Anatolian Civilizations Museum), Ahi Elvan, Alaaddin, Zincirli and Kurşunlu Mosques, Hacı Bayram-ı Veli, Karyağdı, Gülbaba and İzzettin Baba mauseolums are all in the boundaries of this district.

Çankaya
Çankaya, where full of vineyard houses in 1920s, is the heart of politics. The National Assembly, Ministries, Embassies, higher courts, Commands, Ankara University, the big business centers and hotels are all scattered in the district. Presidency Kiosk, Pembe Kiosk, Zafer Anıtı (Victory Monument), Güven Anıtı (Trust Monument), National Assembly Building, Anıtkabir, Özgürlük Anıtı (liberty Monument), Kocatepe Mosque and Atakule are the places to visit at Çankaya

Etimesgut
20 km. Away from the city center Etimesgut was first established as a village with the directive of Atatürk for the immigrants of Western Thrace Turks and converted to a district in 1990. Some units of Commands are gathered at Etimesgut.

Keçiören
One of the most developed meteorology stations of the world, some sections of Ankara University, Atatürk Sanatorium and Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi (Military Medicine Academy) are located at Keçiören, which is just 3 km. away from the city center. Moreover the old Agriculture school where Atatürk was prepared for the Independence War and used as a headquarters is now a museum.

Mamak
Bayındır Dam, meeting the water need of some districts of Ankara and ağaçlık alan with tea gardens and cafes around the dam lake are the excursion places of the district.

Sincan
A district 27 km. away from the city center. Organized Industrial Area founded by Ankara Industrial and Commercial Chambers are at Sincan.

Yenimahalle
Atatürk's House, Atatürk Orman Çiftliği and the Zoo are among the excursion areas of Yenimahalle.

Gölbaşı
A very popular excursion spot 20 km. away from the city center, with Mogan and Eğmir lakes, natural beauties and of course fresh air. The rests and cafes around the Mogan lake are very inviting..

Ayaş
After driving 58 km you are going to reach Ayaş. Karakaya and Ayaş thermal springs are quite famous and therapeutic with the minerals and radioactive water. The hand knitted socks of Angora wool is also well known.

Bala
A cozy district worth to drive 99 km, if you are interested in historical monuments and places. Historical houses, İnözüValley and caves, Boğazkesen Vault, Suluhan, Old Hamam, Sultan Alaaddin, Akşemseddin and Kurşunlu mosques, Rüstem Paşa Hamam, Gazi Gündüzalp and Davut Mausoleums are the places of attraction. Thermal springs also provide therapeutic minerals.

Çamlıdere
The district where Ankara War took place. A hamam built by Timurlenk at Melikşah, a castle ruin at Aktepe and Oyulukaya Tomb at Karadana villages are the historical ruins of the district. Moreover the ÇubukII Dam and the forests at Karagöl are among the favorite excursion spots. Moreover Çamlıdere is also considered as an industrial center with around 80 factories on automotive, food, glass, electronics, furniture and chemicals.

Elmadağ
Famous winter resort center of Ankara allowing skiing even for the day. Moreover hand woven carpets, kilims and saddle bags whose history dating back to Seljuks are also the marks of the district. There are stylish hotels to stay moreover chalets are built during the last decade.

Evren
A newly established district of Central Anatolia. With the excursion and picnic areas around Hirfanlı Dam pond are at your disposal for four seasons.

Güdül
The forest and the pond situated at the north of the district are of natural beauties. Caves at Kirmir Creek Valley, Roman tumulus at Çağa, Samutbali Tomb at Kayaközüand Kasım Baba Tomb at Tekke are the historical places worth to visit.

Haymana
This district being 70 km. away from the city center is famous with thermal springs. Has a history dating back to Hittites. Gavur castle of Hittites near Dereköy attract the attention of tourist with its reliefs.

Kalecik
Hasbey, Saray and Tabakhane mosques, Kazancık Tomb and Develioğlu Bridge over Kızılırmak are the major historical places of Kalecik. Dishware, copperware and textile are quite developed. Today Kalecik is famous with its grapes and vineyards. Especially Kalecik Karası is a worldwide known and favorite brand even abroad.

Kazan
The important historical remaining is gathered at Ayar. Moreover Kavun Festivali is arranged in Kazan during summer. The F-16 bombers which are an important project on the defense of Turkey are manufactured here.

Kızılcahamam
Famous with thermal springs and mineral water. Soğuksu National Park, one of the few national parks of Turkey is a natural beauty worth to visit. Soğuksu Festival is arranged at the park every summer. Moreover Çorak Panayır where livestock sales take place organized in October and November.

Nallıhan
The important historical and touristic places of the district are: Nasuh Paşa Han, Uluhan Mosque, Hisar Castle, Emrem Sultan and Cafer Sadık Tombs, room-grave belonging to late Helenistic era and graves remaining of late-Byzantine era.

Polatlı
Sakarya Victory Monument dedicated to Sakarya victory, a milestone of Independence War, Alagöz Museum, a house used as headquarters by Atatürk during this war, Yassıhöyük museum exhibiting artworks of Phrigians are the historical richness of the district.

Şereflikoçhisar
The furthest district of Ankara. Koçhisar and Parlasan Castles are the historical and touristic places. Hirfanlı Dam on the north allows fishery.

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