Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, holds an important position not only as the country’s political and administrative center but also in the fields of industry, technology, education and research. Located at the heart of Anatolia, the city stands out as one of Türkiye’s most strategic cities with its public institutions, universities, technology development centers and production infrastructure.

With a history dating back to the Bronze Age, Ankara was home to many civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans. Having developed as an important center of trade and settlement throughout history, the city became the administrative center of the new state after it was declared the capital of Türkiye on 13 October 1923. Having undergone a planned development process during the Republican era, Ankara today combines its modern urban structure with its historical heritage.

Ankara is home to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the Presidential Complex, ministries and numerous public institutions. Most foreign embassies and diplomatic missions are also located in the city. In this respect, Ankara is not only Türkiye’s administrative center but also one of the principal centers where the country’s international relations are shaped.

A center where industry, technology and trade converge

In addition to its identity as the capital, Ankara also stands out with its high value-added production capacity and strategic location. Located at the center of Türkiye, the city lies at the intersection of major transport networks connecting different regions of the country through road, railway and high-speed train links. While this advantage makes Ankara an important center for investment, logistics and trade, it also supports industrial and technological activities. Investments made particularly in the fields of the defense industry, aviation, electronics, software and advanced engineering play an important role in the city’s economic structure. Supported by organized industrial zones, technoparks and research centers, this ecosystem has made Ankara one of Türkiye’s leading R&D and technology development centers in fields such as the defense and aviation industries, information technologies, machinery manufacturing, electronic communication systems and health technologies.

Strong academic and scientific infrastructure

Ankara stands out as one of Türkiye’s most important higher education and research centers. While the city is home to well-established higher education institutions such as Middle East Technical University (METU), Hacettepe University, Ankara University and Bilkent University, technology development zones such as METU Teknokent, Bilkent Cyberpark and Hacettepe Teknokent also support the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. Through collaborations established among universities, research centers and technology development zones, studies conducted in engineering, health sciences, defense technologies and information technologies strengthen Ankara’s research and development capacity while also contributing to the development of qualified human resources.

The capital’s cuisine

Ankara cuisine reflects the traditional culinary culture of Central Anatolia, while also incorporating flavors from different regions of Türkiye due to the city’s status as the capital. This diversity enriches the city’s gastronomic culture while helping traditional recipes continue to be preserved today. The city’s prominent specialties include Ankara tava, Beypazarı güveci, İnceğiz dolması and Beypazarı kurusu. In addition, various pastries, regional meat dishes and the long-standing traditional breakfast culture are also among the important elements of Ankara cuisine. The district of Beypazarı, in particular, stands out as one of the capital’s leading destinations for both its regional cuisine and gastronomic tourism. Alongside traditional flavors, restaurants offering examples of international cuisines, modern gastronomic establishments and the evolving food and beverage culture in different parts of the city make Ankara one of Türkiye’s most diverse gastronomic centers.

Main places to visit in Ankara

In addition to being the capital of Türkiye, Ankara also draws attention with its rich historical heritage, museums and natural habitats. Bearing traces of a past extending from ancient times to the Republic, the city offers visitors an extensive exploration route appealing to different interests. The main highlights in the city are as follows;

  • Anıtkabir: The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Türkiye. With its architecture, museums and symbolic significance, it is among the most visited sites in the capital.
  • Ankara Castle: One of the oldest structures in the city, the castle offers Ankara’s historical texture together with panoramic views of the city.
  • Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: Bringing together artifacts belonging to civilizations that lived in Anatolia, the museum is regarded as one of Türkiye’s most important cultural institutions.
  • Hamamönü: One of the prominent cultural centers with its restored historical Ankara houses, art workshops and traditional street texture.
  • Lake Mogan: With its natural habitats, walking paths and recreational facilities, it is among the areas preferred by residents of the capital.
  • Lake Eymir: With its cycling routes, walking trails and natural surroundings, it offers an important escape for those wishing to get away from city life.