The Seven Geographical Regions of Turkey

Turkey is traditionally divided into seven geographical regions, each shaped by different landscapes, climates, agricultural patterns and settlement histories.

These regions are not administrative divisions. Instead, they provide a useful way to understand the physical and cultural variety found across the country.

Marmara Region

The Marmara Region occupies northwestern Turkey and includes Istanbul, Bursa, Edirne, Tekirdağ and surrounding provinces.

It connects Europe and Asia and includes coastlines on the Marmara, Black and Aegean seas.

Large cities, agricultural plains, historic towns and industrial areas all exist within the region. Istanbul dominates its urban character, while places such as Bursa, Edirne and the villages surrounding the Marmara Sea provide very different settings.

Aegean Region

The Aegean Region stretches along western Turkey and includes İzmir, Aydın, Muğla, Manisa, Denizli and nearby areas.

Its landscape combines a long coastline with fertile river valleys and inland mountains.

Olive groves, vineyards and fig orchards are common features of the countryside. Ancient cities such as Ephesus, Pergamon and Aphrodisias also reflect the region’s long history.

Mediterranean Region

Southern Turkey forms the Mediterranean Region, extending through provinces including Antalya, Mersin, Adana and Hatay.

The Taurus Mountains rise behind much of the coast, creating a landscape where high mountains and the Mediterranean Sea often appear close together.

Beaches, bays, forests, ancient cities and agricultural plains are all characteristic of the region.

Central Anatolia Region

Central Anatolia occupies the broad interior plateau of Turkey.

Ankara, Konya, Kayseri, Eskişehir and much of Cappadocia lie within this region.

The landscape is generally more open and dry than the coastal regions, with broad plains, volcanic formations and large agricultural areas.

Cappadocia provides one of the most unusual landscapes, while Konya and Ankara represent important historical and urban centres.

Black Sea Region

The Black Sea Region follows Turkey’s northern coastline.

Mountains rise close to the sea, particularly in the east, producing a humid landscape of forests, rivers and steep green valleys.

Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, Samsun, Ordu and other provinces form part of this long coastal region.

Tea and hazelnut cultivation are strongly associated with different sections of the Black Sea countryside.

Eastern Anatolia Region

Eastern Anatolia contains some of Turkey’s highest and most mountainous terrain.

Long winters, high plateaus, lakes and broad valleys shape the landscape.

Provinces such as Erzurum, Kars, Van and Ağrı belong to the region. Lake Van forms one of its largest natural features, while Ani near Kars represents an important historic landscape.

Southeastern Anatolia Region

Southeastern Anatolia includes Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, Mardin, Diyarbakır and surrounding provinces.

The region contains broad plains, dry hills and landscapes influenced by the Euphrates and Tigris river systems.

Its cities are known for archaeological sites, historic architecture and strong regional food traditions.

From the forests of the Black Sea to the dry plateaus of Central Anatolia and the Mediterranean coast, Turkey’s seven regions help explain why landscapes, food, architecture and daily life can change so noticeably across the country.