How Many Cities Are in Turkey? A Look at the Major Urban Centres

Turkey is a large country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. With its strategic location and long history Turkey has developed into an important economic and cultural hub with many major cities spread across its diverse landscape. But just how many cities are there in Turkey? Let’s take a closer look.

A Brief Overview of Turkey’s Cities

Turkey has a total of 81 provincial centres or cities according to the most recent data. The largest and most populous city is Istanbul, which has over 15 million residents in its metropolitan area. Other major cities include Ankara (the capital), Izmir, Bursa, and Antalya.

Turkey’s cities are spread across seven geographical regions the Marmara Region, the Aegean Region, the Mediterranean Region, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, and the Black Sea Region. Each region has its own unique landscape, climate, and local culture that shape the character of its cities.

The Largest and Most Significant Cities in Turkey

While Turkey has dozens of cities large and small, certain major urban centres stand out for their economic power, cultural prominence, and history. Below is an overview of some of Turkey’s most notable cities.

Istanbul

As Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul dominates as an economic and cultural hub. Sitting on the Bosphorus strait between Europe and Asia, Istanbul has been an important city for 2,500 years going back to its days as Constantinople. Today the Istanbul metropolitan area is home to over 15 million residents, making it one of the largest cities in Europe. Istanbul is Turkey’s main industrial and commercial centre and is also renowned for its historical monuments like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.

Ankara

Ankara became the capital of Turkey after the founding of the republic in 1923. It is the second largest city with about 5 million residents in its metro area. Ankara lies in Turkey’s central Anatolian region and is the centre of government and bureaucracy. The city features a mix of old and new, including ancient sites and modern high-rises. Ankara is also an important cultural and commercial city.

Izmir

Located on Turkey’s Aegean coast, Izmir has long been one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the country. It has a metropolitan population of over 4 million. As a major port city, Izmir has historically had strong links to Europe and the Mediterranean. The city has an ethnically diverse population and a lively arts and culture scene. Izmir also has an important manufacturing industry.

Bursa

Bursa lies near the Marmara Sea below Istanbul and is one of Turkey’s most significant industrial centres with over 3 million residents. The city has a long history as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century. Today, Bursa is a thriving centre of automotive and textile manufacturing. It also contains historic mosques, tombs, and parks from its Ottoman past.

Antalya

Found on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, Antalya is the country’s main beach resort city. It has a metropolitan population of over 2 million. Antalya is known for its scenic beauty, palm-lined boulevards, and extensive tourism infrastructure. The city also has an interesting old quarter with Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman historical sites. Antalya’s cosmopolitan flavour makes it popular with foreign visitors and retirees.

Other Notable Cities

Beyond the largest urban centres, Turkey contains many other interesting and historically significant cities such as:

• Konya – Former capital of the Seljuk Empire in the 11th century with beautiful mosques and Mevlana sites

• Mersin – Vibrant port city and a gateway to the Turkish Riviera

• Şanlıurfa – Ancient city with sites relating to Abraham and Job and Middle Eastern bazaars

• Trabzon – Coastal Black Sea city known for its scenic hills and Ottoman architecture

• Gaziantep – Major southeast city famed for its baklava pastries and archaeological sites

• Edirne – Former Ottoman capital near the Greek border with elegant mosques and markets

Turkey’s Cities Reflect Its Diversity