Geography
Turkey’s geographical position on the world map is a significant determinant of its social, economic, cultural, and political life. Situated at the convergence of the Asian and European continents, the country holds a unique and strategic location. Turkey serves as the crossroads of the Balkans, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean basin. This distinctive geographical position allows for quick and convenient access to various regions.
For instance, from Istanbul, one can reach a diverse range of countries within a span of under 4 hours, showcasing the country’s connectivity. Destinations such as Finland, Morocco, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Russia, Turkmenistan, and England are all easily accessible. It’s noteworthy that Turkish Airlines, the national carrier, holds the distinction of flying directly to the most destinations worldwide, further emphasizing Turkey’s connectivity to the global map.
Meeting Point of Europe and Asia
Turkey boasts a vast land area, making it the largest country in terms of surface area within the European continent. The distance between the eastern and western ends of Turkey exceeds 2000 kilometers. The majority of Turkey’s landmass is situated on the Asian continent, known as Anatolia or Asia Minor, while the comparatively smaller portion on the European continent is referred to as Thrace. The convergence of Anatolia and Thrace occurs at the Dardanelles and Bosphorus Straits. Three bridges in Istanbul further connect these two continents by road.
For those inclined towards unique experiences, Turkey offers the opportunity to participate in the Intercontinental Swimming Race organized annually by the Turkish National Olympic Committee, allowing skilled swimmers to traverse the waters between Europe and Asia.
Turkey is surrounded by various geographical features, with the Black Sea to the north, and neighbors including Georgia and Armenia to the northeast, Azerbaijan and Iran to the east, Iraq and Syria to the southeast, and the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas to the south and southwest. Greece and Bulgaria border Turkey to the northwest. The country’s location, as evident on the map, forms a rectangular peninsula.
Nature
Turkey is a peninsula surrounded by the sea to the north, west, and south. Despite its coastal location, the majority of Turkey’s geography is characterized by mountains, with an average altitude of 1132 meters. The country is adorned with numerous rivers and lakes, with notable examples including the expansive Lake Van, often likened to an inland sea, the longest river, Kızılırmak, and the historic rivers Euphrates and Tigris. These natural wonders attract millions of local and international tourists each year.
Seasons
Turkey’s diverse climates result from its unique geographical location and topographical features. Surrounded by the sea on three sides and characterized by rugged mountainous terrain, Turkey experiences significant climatic variations between its inner and coastal regions. The western and southern coastal areas exhibit a Mediterranean climate, with minimal precipitation during the winter months. In contrast, the inland regions, marked by higher altitudes, witness cold winters compared to other Mediterranean countries.
The table below provides average temperatures for selected provinces by month, with temperatures measured in Celsius (°C). Additionally, it is noteworthy that the academic year in Turkish universities consists of two semesters, with the autumn semester typically running from September to January and the spring semester from February to June.
Average temperature | Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall |
İstanbul | 6,8 | 12,1 | 23 | 15,8 |
Ankara | 1,4 | 11 | 22,3 | 12,9 |
İzmir | 9,5 | 16 | 27 | 18,8 |
Antalya | 10,8 | 16,5 | 27,3 | 20,3 |
Trabzon | 8 | 12 | 22,3 | 16,6 |
Erzurum | -7,6 | 4,5 | 17,9 | 7,9 |
Gaziantep | 4 | 13,3 | 26,4 | 16,1 |
Bursa | 6,3 | 12,9 | 23,6 | 15,5 |
Eskişehir | 1 | 10 | 20,6 | 11,8 |
Konya | 1 | 10,8 | 22,2 | 12,4 |
Samsun | 7,7 | 11,6 | 22,4 | 16,2 |
Hence, what should all these temperatures mean to you as an international student? Maybe a huge suitcase full of clothes and accessories suitable for all climatic conditions. But it is worth noting Turkey is one of the world’s leading countries, especially in textiles, and offers affordable shopping stores.
All this geographical and climatic diversity guarantee that there are countless alternatives in Turkey, such as agricultural production, sports activities and tourism, that cannot be easily seen in other countries. During your time in Turkey, in addition to receiving a quality education, you can swim at the world-famous Cleopatra Beach, go rock climbing in Niğde Aladağlar National Park, which hosts professional climbers from all over the world, and experience the excitement of rafting on the Artvin Çoruh River!
In addition, Turkey is the world leader in the cultivation of hazelnuts, cherries, figs and apricots, and is among the top five in the world in the cultivation of products such as watermelons, pistachios, walnuts, olives and tea. Be sure that, you will not be the first person to be surprised by the variety of products when you visit the fruit and vegetable section of a large supermarket.