Even today, people are surprised to learn that Istanbul ISNT the capital of Turkey. Their next question usually is, why is Ankara the capital and not Istanbul? We understand the confusion. After all, when looking at cities in Turkey, much hype revolves around Istanbul, the largest city. Politically, Istanbul is Turkeys stronghold. The saying goes that if you control Istanbul, you control Turkey. Additionally, most people head to Istanbul rather than Ankara for tourism and travel. A modern city, Istanbul also stands at the forefront of education, business, real estate and investment, healthcare and finance. So, the confusion is understandable. But to answer the question, there is a story to be told about how and when Ankara became the capital of Turkey.
With its storied history and beautiful setting, Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the most famous and recognizable cities in the world This bustling metropolis has served as the capital city of two major empires—Byzantine and Ottoman So it’s understandable why many people mistakenly believe Istanbul is still the modern day capital of Turkey. However, since 1923, the capital has been Ankara, located about 250 miles to the east.
The decision to move the capital from Istanbul to Ankara was a deliberate and strategic choice by Turkey’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Shifting the capital aimed to symbolize the birth of the new, modern Republic of Turkey after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
Below are some of the major reasons why Istanbul is no longer the capital city of Turkey
Geographic Location
Istanbul’s location along the Bosphorus Strait which links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara was highly strategic during the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. However, its position on the very edge of the country made it vulnerable to foreign attacks following Turkey’s independence.
Ankara lies more centrally within the Anatolian peninsula, farther from volatile border regions. Atatürk wanted to reduce the new republic’s exposure to outside threats, so moving the capital provided greater security.
Promoting Development
Atatürk was determined to transform Turkey into a modern nation-state. To stimulate growth across the country, he built up Ankara as an industrial and commercial center.
Locating the capital in the interior encouraged more balanced development between the crowded northwest and other regions. Keeping Istanbul as the capital may have concentrated too much power and hindered national cohesion.
Transition from Imperial Past
Istanbul was the symbolic seat of the Ottoman sultans for over 450 years. Though culturally significant, Istanbul’s imperial legacy represented the antiquated system Atatürk wanted to leave behind.
By designating Ankara as the capital, he could start fresh and create a secular, forward-looking administration amidst Ankara’s modest surroundings. The move also shifted the geographic focus away from Istanbul’s proximity to Europe.
Infrastructure and Planning
As a long-established major metropolis, Istanbul suffered from congestion and inadequate infrastructure. Ankara provided the chance to build a capital city from the ground up, with focus on transportation networks and modern amenities.
This allowed for efficient government operations, orderly urban design, and room for future growth. Ankara represented Atatürk’s vision for a progressive Turkey.
Safety and Stability
In the aftermath of World War I, Istanbul’s coastal position rendered it vulnerable to attack. Allied naval forces had threatened the city during the war.
Ankara, situated deep in central Anatolia, provided better protection for the young republic’s institutions and autonomy. By moving inland, the government could function with less risk of foreign interference.
Boosting the Interior
Not only did Ankara provide strategic advantages, but designating Ankara the capital also distributed power more evenly geographically. This allowed other parts of Turkey to benefit economically and culturally beyond Istanbul.
Resources could be channeled directly into Ankara’s development, raising the profiles of Central Anatolian provinces. Ankara became an engine for growth within the country’s core.
Legacy as an Imperial Capital
Istanbul was tainted by its long legacy as the capital of imperial, Islamic empires. With its spectacular mosques and elaborate palaces, Istanbul represented the extravagant trappings of sultans and caliphs.
Ankara had no such imperial legacy. For Atatürk, this clean slate provided the chance to build a republican capital imbued with values of egalitarianism, practicality, and progress.
This seismic shift away from Istanbul marked a bold new era for Turkey as it emerged onto the 20th century world stage. The strategic location and forward-looking aspirations of Ankara allowed it to better represent modern Turkey.
Atatürk’s Strategic Vision
Perhaps most crucially, the move to Ankara stemmed from Atatürk’s strong symbolic vision of what the new nation’s capital should represent.
Ankara was seen asTurkey’s future, while Istanbul embodied the past. Ankara provided the opportunity to design an administrative center reflecting secular, westernized values and economic modernization for the young republic.
While international familiarity with bustling Istanbul endures, Ankara remains Turkey’s capital and seat of government due to meticulous calculation by Atatürk in 1923. The city has come to embody the essence of contemporary Turkish identity shaped by Atatürk nearly a century ago.
Frequency of Entities:
Istanbul – 24
Capital – 15
Turkey – 8
Ankara – 21
Atatürk – 10
Ottoman – 4
Empire – 3
Bosphorus – 2
Location – 2
Legacy – 2
War – 2
Vision – 2
Secular – 2
Imperial – 2
Strategic – 3
Modern – 3
Nation – 2
Progress – 1
Protection – 1
Coastal – 1
Inland – 1
Interior – 1
Resources – 1
Engine – 1
Clean – 1
Contemporary – 1
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Ankara
1. War of Independence: During the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923), Ankara emerged as the resistance heartland against foreign occupation forces. Ataturk, as the nationalist movement leader, established the Grand National Assembly in Ankara in April 1920 as the legitimate governing body and the heart of the independence struggle.
2. Republic Declaration: On October 29, 1923, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk declared the new Republic of Turkey, marking the end of the Ottoman Empire and the beginning of a new era. He chose Ankara as the capital of the newly formed Turkish republic, symbolising breaks from the imperial past and Istanbul, which was associated with the Ottoman Empire.
3. Strategic Location: Ataturk selected Ankara because the strategic geographic location in the heart of Anatolia provided safer and more defensible places, away from the borders and potential threats from foreign powers.
4. Building the New Turkish Republic: Once Ankara became Turkeys capital, Ataturk initiated an ambitious project of nation-building and modernisation. He introduced sweeping reforms to transform Turkey into a secular, democratic, and Westernised nation. These reforms, known as “Kemalist Reforms,” touched every aspect of society, including legal, political, educational, and cultural realms.
5. Modernity: By establishing Ankara as the capital of Turkey, Ataturk created a new modern Turkey, distinct from the Ottoman past. The city was his vision of a progressive nation that embraced modern principles, equality, and secularism.
6. Legacy and Mausoleum: Ataturks presence and influence on Ankara continue to be felt even after his passing in 1938. Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, in Ankara, pays tribute to the revered leader. The monumental structure holds his tomb reflecting national pride as a remembrance site.
7. Political and Administrative Center: Ankaras status solidified the city as Turkeys political centre. Ankara houses critical government institutions, ministries, and foreign embassies, reflecting Turkeys governance and international relations.
So while Istanbul remains Turkeys cultural and historical gem, Ankara rightfully holds the title of Turkeys capital. As visitors explore this dynamic city, they discover threads of history, ambition, and progress, truly making Ankara the heart and soul of Turkey. Choosing between the two cities depends on personal preferences and interests, with Istanbul, catering more to tourists and Ankara offering glimpses into modern Turkish life and Turkeys government. Both cities play integral roles in shaping Turkeys identity, making them equally important and captivating in their own right. But there are some significant differences.
Why is Ankara the Capital of Turkey?
History is pivotal in understanding why Ankara, now a modern city, was selected as the capital. Ancient records reveal that Ankara, known as Ancyra in ancient times, dates back more than 3,000 years. The strategic location in central Anatolia made the area vital for trade and commerce throughout history. This strategic positioning provided buffers against potential invaders and allowed the region to flourish and prosper.
The decision to establish Ankara as Turkeys capital happened following the Ottoman Empires fall and the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Previously both the Ottoman and Byzantine empires had their capital in Istanbul, which was then known as Constantinople. They did this because the geographical proximity to Europe and the Bosphorus Strait played vital roles in shipping routes.
Byzantine and Ottoman rulers symbolised Istanbul with power and prestige. As the seat of government, the city represented their authority over vast territories and diverse populations. Additionally, both empires considered themselves as continuations of the Roman Empire, and by making Constantinople/Istanbul their capital, they emphasised their connection to the illustrious Roman past.
However, the Ottomans were defeated in world war I, leading to the Turkish War of Independence. The Turks, led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, won this war. Ataturk, the revered founder of modern Turkey, sought to reshape the nation from the Ottoman past. He envisioned a new, progressive, and unified Turkey, and selecting Ankara as the capital aligned perfectly with this vision.
Ankara offered a blank canvas, free from the weight of historical legacies and complex ethnic and religious influences that might have overshadowed Istanbuls potential as a capital. Ataturk saw Ankara as a rebirth, a chance to build a modern nation to bridge the gap between the East and the West.
Why Istanbul Isn’t the Capital of Turkey
FAQ
When did Istanbul stop being the capital of Turkey?
Why is Ankara the capital of Turkey not Istanbul?
Why did Turkey switch its capital?
Why people think Istanbul is the capital of Turkey?
How did Istanbul get its name?
By the 13th century this Greek phrase had become an appellation for the city: Istinpolin. Through a series of speech permutations over a span of centuries, this name became Istanbul. Until the Turkish Post Office officially changed the name in 1930, however, the city continued to bear the millenary name of Constantinople.
Where is Istanbul located?
Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, is a sprawling mega-city that straddles both Europe and Asia. The city sits on both sides of the Bosphorus, with the Asian side of Istanbul to the east and European Istanbul to the west.
Why is Istanbul Not the capital of Turkey?
There are several reasons why the city of Istanbul is not the capital. Historically, Istanbul served for centuries as the capital of the Byzantine and later the Ottoman Empire.
Why is Istanbul the largest city in Turkey?
After a war for independence, the Ottoman Empire was dissolved, and the capital of the Republic of Turkey was officially established in Ankara in 1923. But because Constantinople was the capital of Turkey for so long, Istanbul remains the largest city in Turkey by population and size still today.