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ANKARA

Ankara (Turkish pronunciation: ['an.ka.ɾa]) is the capital of Turkey. It is the second largest city of Turkey and the World’s 38th largest city. The city has a mean elevation of 938 meters (3,077 ft), and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million.

Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the center of the Turkish Government, and it houses all foreign embassies. Since Ankara is strategically located at the centre of Turkey's highway and railway networks, it serves as one of the main trade crossroads and as the marketing centre for the surrounding agricultural areas.

The history of Ankara reaches back into the Hatti civilization of the Bronze Age. Two thousand years before Jesus, the Hittites became the dominant power of the region, and were then followed by the Phrygians, Lydians and Persians. In the 3rd Century BC, a Celtic race known as the Galatians made Ankara their capital city.

Ankara gained prominence under the leadership of Ataturk during the national resistance which followed World War I. It was declared the capital of the new Turkish Republic on October 13th, 1923, when the National War of Independence freed Turkey from foreign occupation.

Anitkabir, the magnificent mausoleum constructed to commemorate Atatürk is located at one of the most prominent parts of the city. This structure, which was completed in 1953, is a synthesis of antique and modern architectural themes, and proves the elegance and strength of Turkish architecture.

Ankara has a vibrant cultural and artistic life with many selected ballet, theatre, opera and folk dance performances. The city's Philharmonic Orchestra, which always plays to a packed house, is especially famous.

Climate; Ankara has a continental climate, with cold, snowy winters due to its elevation and inland location, and hot, dry summers. Rainfall occurs mostly during spring and autumn.

Transportation; Esenboğa International Airport, located in the north-east part, is Ankara's main airport. Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal (Turkish: Ankara Şehirlerarası Terminal İşletmesi, AŞTİ) is an important part of the bus network which covers every part of the country. The Electricity, Gas, Bus General Directorate (EGO) operates the Ankara Metro and other forms of public transportation. A suburban rail and two subway lines serve efficiently for about 300,000 total daily commuters, and three additional subway lines are under construction.