View source for Ankara

{{Short description|Capital of Turkey}}
{{About|the Turkish capital city}}
{{distinguish|Ankaran}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ankara
| official_name = 
| settlement_type = {{wrap|[[Capital city]] and [[Metropolitan municipalities in Turkey|metropolitan municipality]]}}
| image_skyline = {{multiple image|total_width=280px|perrow=1/2/2/1|border=infobox|caption_align = center
| image1   = Ankara from bus station.jpg
| caption1 = [[Söğütözü]] business district
| image2   = Ankara_asv2021-10_img15_Atakule.jpg 
| caption2 = [[Atakule]]
| image3   = ANKARA KOCATEPE CAMİİ.jpg 
| caption3 = [[Kocatepe Mosque]]
| image4   = Ankara asv2021-10 img71 Republic Museum.jpg
| caption4 = [[Republic Museum]]
| image5   = Ankara_asv2021-10_img04_Anıtkabir.jpg
| caption5 = [[Anıtkabir]]    
| image6   = Millet_Kütüphanesi.jpg
| caption6 = [[Presidential Library (Turkey)|Nation's Library]]  
}}
| image_blank_emblem = File:Flag of Ankara.svg
| blank_emblem_type = Emblem of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality
| nickname = Heart of Turkey<br />{{small|({{langx|tr|Türkiye'nin Kalbi}})}}{{force singular}}
| map_caption = Location of Ankara within Turkey
| pushpin_map = Turkey#Asia<!-- Ankara is located in Central Anatolia, in the Asian part of Turkey. Do not change this to Europe without discussing it on the talk page, changes made without consensus will be reverted. -->
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Turkey
| pushpin_relief = 1
| coordinates = {{coord|39|55|44|N|32|51|17|E|region:TR|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Turkey}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Turkey|Region]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Provinces of Turkey|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Central Anatolia Region|Central Anatolia]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ankara Province|Ankara]]
| parts_type = Districts
| parts = [[Ankara Province#Districts|25]]
| leader_party = [[Republican People's Party|CHP]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor of Ankara|Mayor]]
| leader_name = [[Mansur Yavaş]]
| leader_title1 = [[Governor of Ankara|Governor]]
| leader_name1 = [[Vasip Şahin]]
| area_footnotes = {{efn|1=Ankara Province / Metropolitan municipality [25,632&nbsp;km² (including lake)<ref>{{cite web |title=İl ve İlçe Yüz Ölçümleri – Ankara Province (25,632 km²) |url=https://www.harita.gov.tr/uploads/files/products/il-ve-ilce-yuzolcumleri-1291.xlsx |publisher=Harita Genel Müdürlüğü (HGM) |website=www.harita.gov.tr |date=2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343221023 |title=The Case Of Ankara Province (25,653.46 km²) |last1=İlker |first1=Alan |last2=Zerrin |first2=Demirörs |last3=Rüya |first3=Bayar |last4=Kerime |first4=Karabacak |publisher=International Journal of Geography and Geography Education (IGGE), 42; pg.650–667 |date=10 June 2020 |work=Ankara University (www.ankara.edu.tr)}}</ref><ref  name="Gölbaşı1">{{cite web |title=Gölbaşı (1,508.61 km²) – Ankara Province (25,575.94 km²) (pg.3) |url=https://webdosya.csb.gov.tr/db/ankara/duyurular/golbasi-ock-cdp_arastirma-ve-plan-aciklama-raporu-20200325140218.pdf |publisher=T.C. Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı |website=www.csb.gov.tr |date=2020}}</ref> / 24,521&nbsp;km² (excluding lake) according to the Turkish Statistical Institute – TÜİK], is a province ({{lang|tr|il}}) of Turkey which has [[Ankara Province#Districts|25 districts]] ({{lang|tr|ilçe}}) and 9 of these districts form the urban area of Ankara city (4,130.2&nbsp;km² including lake).<ref name="citypopulation.de">{{cite web |title=Ankara City: the population and area of the districts |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/turkey/ankaracity/ |publisher=CityPopulation.de}}</ref><br />Altındağ = 158.2&nbsp;km² <br />Çankaya = 454.2&nbsp;km² <br />Etimesgut = 283.2&nbsp;km² <br />Gölbaşı = 1,508.6&nbsp;km² (a small area is part of the city proper)<ref  name="Gölbaşı1" /><br />Keçiören = 152.2&nbsp;km² <br />Mamak = 345.7&nbsp;km² <br />Pursaklar = 133.7&nbsp;km² <br />Sincan = 862.3&nbsp;km² <br />Yenimahalle = 232.1&nbsp;km²}}
| area_urban_km2 = 4,130.2
| area_metro_km2 = 25,632
| elevation_m = 938
| population_total = 5,910,320
| population_rank = [[List of cities in Turkey|2nd in Turkey]]
| population_urban = 5,293,367
| population_as_of = 31 December 2025
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Population of Turkey">{{cite web |url=https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=The-Results-of-Address-Based-Population-Registration-System-2025-53899&dil=2 |title=The Results of Address Based Population Registration System, 2025 |publisher=[[Turkish Statistical Institute]] |website=www.tuik.gov.tr |date=9 February 2026 |access-date=9 February 2026}}</ref> <!-- do not add update figure as that stat is only published once a year due to legal reasons -->
| population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="citypopulation.de"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cip.tuik.gov.tr/ |format=the year is updated |publisher=[[Turkish Statistical Institute]] |website=www.tuik.gov.tr |title=Nüfus ve Demografi – Toplam Nüfus |access-date=9 February 2026}}</ref>
| population_density_urban_km2 = 1,282
| demographics_type1 = GDP {{nobold|(nominal, 2024)}}
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Gross-Domestic-Product-by-Provinces-2024-53930&dil=2 |title=Gross Domestic Product by Provinces, 2024 [Table-1 total in ₺ and Table-3 per capita in US$ with the exchange rate ₺/$] |publisher=[[Turkish Statistical Institute]] |website=www.tuik.gov.tr |date=11 December 2025 |access-date=11 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cip.tuik.gov.tr/ |language=tr|title=Ulusal Hesaplar - Kişi başına GSYH ($)|trans-title=National Accounts - GDP per capita ($) |publisher=[[Turkish Statistical Institute]] |website=www.tuik.gov.tr |access-date=11 December 2025}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = [[Capital city]] and [[Metropolitan municipalities in Turkey|metropolitan municipality]]
| demographics1_info1 = [[Turkish lira|₺]]4.673 trillion<br>([[US$]]142.3&nbsp;billion)
| demographics1_title2 = [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|Per capita]]
| demographics1_info2 = ₺788,859<br>(US$24,031)
| postal_code_type = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code = 06xxx
| area_code = +90 312
| registration_plate = 06
| website = {{URL|www.ankara.bel.tr}}<br />{{URL|www.ankara.gov.tr}}<!-- http://ankara.ankaram.net/en/ -->
| timezone = [[Time in Turkey|TRT]]
| utc_offset = +03:00
| blank3_info = 0.855<ref>{{cite web |title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab |url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/ |website=hdi.globaldatalab.org |access-date=26 August 2018 |archive-date=23 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> – <span style="color:#090;">very high</span>
| population_demonym = Ankaran<br />([[Turkish language|Turkish]]: ''Ankaralı'')
}}
'''Ankara'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|ŋ|k|ər|ə}} {{respell|ANG|kər|ə}}, {{IPAc-en|USalso|ˈ|ɑː|ŋ|-}} {{respell|AHNG|kər|ə}};<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Ankara |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182007/https://www.lexico.com/definition/ankara |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-03-22 |title=Ankara |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ankara|title=Ankara|work=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|access-date=30 May 2019|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406141135/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ankara|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AHD">{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Ankara|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="MerWeb">{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Ankara|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|tr|ˈɑŋkɑɾɑ|lang|Ankara pronunciation.ogg}}}} is the [[capital city]] of [[Turkey]]. Located in the [[Central Anatolia Region|central part]] of [[Anatolia]], the city has a population of over 5.3 million residents in its urban center,{{efn|Resident population of (Etimesgut, Yenimahalle, Çankaya, Keçiören, Altındağ, Pursaklar, Mamak, Gölbaşı, Sincan) and Syrian refugees}} out of 6 million residents in [[Ankara Province]].{{efn|all of 25 districts and Syrian refugees}}<ref name="Population of Turkey"/><ref name="citypopulation.de"/> Ankara is Turkey's [[List of cities in Turkey|second-largest city]] by population after [[Istanbul]].

Ankara was historically known as Ancyra{{efn|{{IPAc-en|æ|n|ˈ|s|aɪ|r|ə}} {{respell|an|SY|rə}}<ref name="AHD"/><ref name="MerWeb"/>}} and Angora.{{efn|{{IPAc-en|æ|ŋ|ˈ|ɡ|ɔːr|ə}} {{respell|ang|GOR|ə}},<ref>[https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Angora "Angora"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530141549/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Angora |date=30 May 2019 }} (US) and {{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Angora |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182003/https://www.lexico.com/definition/angora |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-03-22 |title=Angora |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|USalso|ˈ|æ|ŋ|ɡ|ə|r|ə}} {{respell|ANG|gə|rə}},<ref name="AHD"/>}}<ref>{{cite book |author=Lord Kinross |author-link=Patrick Balfour, 3rd Baron Kinross |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UjiLmz2_EBAC&q=Angora |title=Ataturk: A Biography of Mustafa Kemal, Father of Modern Turkey |publisher=[[William Morrow and Company]] |year=1965 |access-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529130818/https://books.google.com/books?id=UjiLmz2_EBAC&q=Angora |archive-date=29 May 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Serving as the capital of the ancient [[Celts|Celt]]ic state of [[Galatia]] (280–64&nbsp;BC), and later of the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] province with the [[Galatia (Roman province)|same name]] (25&nbsp;BC–7th century), Ankara has various [[Hattians|Hattian]], [[Hittites|Hittite]], [[Lydia]]n, [[Phrygia]]n, [[Galatians (people)|Galatian]], [[Hellenistic civilization|Greek]], [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian]], [[Ancient Rome|Roman]], [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]], and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[archeological site]]s. The Ottomans made the city the capital of the [[Anatolia Eyalet]] (1393 – late 15th century), the [[Ankara Eyalet|Angora Eyalet]] (1827–1864), and the [[Angora Vilayet]] (1867–1922). On 23 April 1920, the [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey]] was established in Ankara, which became the headquarters of the [[Turkish National Movement]] during the [[Turkish War of Independence]]. Ankara became the new Turkish capital upon the establishment of the Republic on 29 October 1923, succeeding the former Ottoman capital Istanbul following the [[Defeat and dissolution of the Ottoman Empire|fall of the Ottoman Empire]].

The historical center of Ankara is a rocky hill rising {{convert|150|sp=us|m|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} over the left bank of the [[Ankara River]], a tributary of the [[Sakarya River]]. The hill remains crowned by the ruins of [[Ankara Castle]]. Few of its outworks have survived, but there are well-preserved examples of [[Roman architecture|Roman]] and [[Ottoman architecture]] throughout the city.

The [[Government of Turkey|government]] is a prominent employer, but Ankara is also an important commercial and industrial city located at the center of Turkey's road and railway networks. The city gave its name to the [[Angora wool]] shorn from [[Angora rabbit]]s, the long-haired [[Angora goat]] (the source of [[mohair]]), and the [[Turkish Angora|Angora cat]]. The area is also known for its pears, honey and [[muscat (grape)|Muscat]] grapes. Although situated in one of the driest regions of Turkey and surrounded mostly by [[steppe]] vegetation (except for the forested areas on the southern periphery), Ankara can be considered a [[green city]] in terms of green areas per inhabitant, at {{convert|72|m2|0|abbr=off|sp=us}} per head.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ankara.bel.tr/AbbSayfalari/hizmet_birimleri/Cevre/kisi_basina_dusen_yesil_alan.aspx |title=Municipality of Ankara: Green areas per head |publisher=Ankara.bel.tr |access-date=29 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719022657/http://www.ankara.bel.tr/AbbSayfalari/hizmet_birimleri/Cevre/kisi_basina_dusen_yesil_alan.aspx |archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref> Home to [[List of universities in Ankara|numerous universities]],<ref>{{harvnb|Heper|Öztürk-Tunçel|Criss|2018|p=53}}</ref> Ankara is among the top 100 science and technology clusters in the world.<ref>{{harvnb|World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)|2024|pp=76–77}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The orthography of the name ''Ankara''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Перевод sañkara с санскрита на русский |url=https://translate.academic.ru/sa%C3%B1kara/sa/ru/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Словари и энциклопедии на Академике |language=ru}}</ref> has varied over the ages. It has been identified with the [[Hittites|Hittite]] cult center {{lang|hit-Latn|Ankuwaš}},<!--or Ankuwa, but not Ankuwash--><ref name="qgmpff">{{cite web |url=http://socialscience.tjc.edu/mkho/fulbright/1998/turkey/turman3.htm |title=Judy Turman: Early Christianity in Turkey |publisher=Socialscience.tjc.edu |access-date=29 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021115072135/http://socialscience.tjc.edu/mkho/fulbright/1998/turkey/turman3.htm |archive-date=15 November 2002}}</ref><ref name="xtxpyw">{{cite web |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/seyahat/4407373_p.asp |title=Saffet Emre Tonguç: Ankara (Hürriyet Seyahat) |date=15 May 2006 |publisher=Hurriyet.com.tr |access-date=29 June 2010 |archive-date=8 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608115709/http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/seyahat/4407373_p.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> although this remains a matter of debate.<ref name="Gorny">Gorny, Ronald L. "Zippalanda and Ankuwa: The Geography of Central Anatolia in the Second Millennium B.C." ''The Journal of the American Oriental Society''. Vol. 117 (1997).</ref> In classical antiquity and during the medieval period, the city was known as {{lang|grc-Latn|Ánkyra}} ({{lang|grc|Ἄγκυρα}}, {{lit|[[anchor]]}}) in [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] and {{lang|la|Ancyra}} in [[Latin]]; the [[Galatian language|Galatian Celtic]] name was probably a similar variant. Following its annexation by the [[Seljuk Turks]] in 1073, the city became known in many European languages as ''Angora''; it was also known in [[Ottoman Turkish language|Ottoman Turkish]] as {{lang|ota-Latn|Engürü}} ({{lang|ota|انگورو}}).{{sfn|Baynes|1878|p=45}}{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|pp=40–41}} The form "Angora" is preserved in the names of breeds of many different kinds of animals, and in the names of several locations in the US (see [[Angora (disambiguation)|Angora]]).

== History ==
{{Main|History of Ankara}}

{{For timeline}}
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2017}}<!--many paragraphs have no citations-->
The region's history can be traced back to the [[Bronze Age]] [[Hattians|Hattic]] [[Hattic language|civilization]], which was succeeded in the 2nd millennium BC by the [[Hittites]], in the 10th century BC by the [[Phrygia]]ns, and later by the [[Lydia]]ns, [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]]ns, [[Greeks]], [[Galatia]]ns, [[Roman Empire|Romans]], [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]], and [[Turkish people|Turks]] (the [[Great Seljuq Empire|Seljuk]] [[Sultanate of Rûm]], the [[Ottoman Empire]] and finally republican [[Turkey|Türkiye]]).

{{Multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Alacastandarte Hirsch&Löwen.jpg
| image2            = AlacaStandarte.jpg
| caption2          = [[Alaca Höyük bronze standards|Alaca Höyük bronze standard]]s on display at the [[Museum of Anatolian Civilizations]], which is considered as the city's symbol.
}}

===Ancient history===
The oldest settlements in and around the city center of Ankara belonged to the [[Hattians|Hattic]] [[Hattic language|civilization]] which existed during the [[Bronze Age]] and was gradually absorbed c. 2000 – 1700&nbsp;BC by the [[Hittite language|Indo-European]] [[Hittites]]. The city grew significantly in size and importance under the [[Phrygia]]ns starting around 1000&nbsp;BC, and experienced a large expansion following the mass migration from [[Gordium|Gordion]], (the capital of [[Phrygia]]), after an earthquake which severely damaged that city around that time. In Phrygian tradition, King [[Midas]] was venerated as the founder of Ancyra, but [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]] mentions that the city was actually far older, which accords with present archeological knowledge.<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece, 1.4.1., "Ancyra was actually older even than that."''</ref>

Phrygian rule was succeeded first by [[Lydia]]n and later by [[Iran|Persia]]n rule, though the strongly Phrygian character of the peasantry remained, as evidenced by the gravestones of the much later Roman period. Persian sovereignty lasted until the Persians' defeat at the hands of [[Alexander the Great]] who conquered the city in 333&nbsp;BC. Alexander came from [[Gordium|Gordion]] to Ankara and stayed in the city for a short period. After his death at [[Babylon]] in 323&nbsp;BC and the subsequent division of his empire among his generals, Ankara, and its environs fell into the share of [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]].

Another important expansion took place under the [[Pontic Greeks|Greeks]] of [[Pontus (region)|Pontos]] who came there around 300&nbsp;BC and developed the city as a trading center for the commerce of goods between the [[Black Sea]] ports and Crimea to the north; Assyria, Cyprus, and Lebanon to the south; and Georgia, Armenia and Persia to the east.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} By that time,{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} the city also took its name Ἄγκυρα (''Ánkyra'', meaning ''[[anchor]]'' in [[Greek language|Greek]]) which, in slightly modified form, provides the modern name of ''Ankara''.

===Celtic history===
[[File:Dying gaul.jpg|thumb|right|The ''[[Dying Galatian]]'' was a famous statue commissioned some time between 230 and 220&nbsp;BC by King [[Attalus I|Attalos I]] of [[Pergamon]] to honor his victory over the [[Celts|Celtic]] [[Galatia]]ns in [[Anatolia]]. Roman marble copy of a [[Hellenistic civilization|Hellenistic]] work of the late 3rd century BC, at the [[Capitoline Museums]], Rome.]]

In 278&nbsp;BC, the city, along with the rest of central Anatolia, was occupied by a [[Celts|Celt]]ic group, the [[Galatia]]ns (Gauls), who were the first to make Ankara one of their main tribal centers, the headquarters of the [[Tectosages]] tribe.<ref>[[Livy]], xxxviii. 16</ref> Other centers were [[Pessinus]], today's Ballıhisar, for the [[Trocmi]] tribe, and [[Tavium]], to the east of Ankara, for the [[Tolistobogii]] tribe. The city was then known as ''Ancyra''. The Celtic element was probably relatively small in numbers; a warrior aristocracy which ruled over [[Phrygian language|Phrygian]]-speaking peasants. However, the [[Celtic languages|Celtic language]] continued to be spoken in Galatia for many centuries. At the end of the 4th century, [[Jerome|St. Jerome]], a native of Dalmatia, observed that the language spoken around Ankara was very similar to that being spoken in the northwest of the Roman world near [[Trier]].

===Roman history===
The city was subsequently passed under the control of the [[Roman Empire]]. In 25&nbsp;BC, Emperor [[Augustus]] raised it to the status of a ''[[polis]]'' and made it the capital city of the [[Roman province]] of [[Galatia (Roman province)|Galatia]].<ref name="TIB">{{cite book|last=Belke|first=Klaus|title=Tabula Imperii Byzantini, Band 4: Galatien und Lykaonien|chapter=Ankyra|pages=[https://archive.org/details/tabulaimperiibyz0000unse/page/126 126–130]|location=Vienna|publisher=Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften|year=1984|language=de|isbn=978-3-7001-0634-0|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/tabulaimperiibyz0000unse/page/126}}</ref> Ankara is famous for the ''[[Monumentum Ancyranum]]'' (''Temple of Augustus and Rome'') which contains the official record of the ''Acts of Augustus'', known as the ''[[Res Gestae Divi Augusti]]'', an inscription cut in marble on the walls of this temple. The ruins of Ancyra still furnish today valuable [[relief|bas-relief]]s, inscriptions and other architectural fragments. Two other Galatian tribal centers, [[Tavium]] near [[Yozgat]], and [[Pessinus]] (Balhisar) to the west, near Sivrihisar, continued to be reasonably important settlements in the Roman period, but it was Ancyra that grew into a grand metropolis.

An estimated 200,000 people lived in Ancyra in good times during the Roman Empire, a far greater number than was to be the case from after the fall of the Roman Empire until the early 20th century. The small [[Ankara River]] ran through the center of the Roman town. It has now been covered and diverted, but it formed the northern boundary of the old town during the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Çankaya, the rim of the majestic hill to the south of the present city center, stood well outside the Roman city, but may have been a summer resort. In the 19th century, the remains of at least one [[Roman villa]] or large house were still standing not far from where the Çankaya Presidential Residence stands today. To the west, the Roman city extended until the area of the Gençlik Park and Railway Station, while on the southern side of the hill, it may have extended downward as far as the site presently occupied by [[Hacettepe University]]. It was thus a sizeable city by any standards and much larger than the Roman towns of [[Gaul]] or [[Britannia]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

Ancyra's importance rested on the fact that it was the junction point where the roads in northern Anatolia running north–south and east–west intersected, giving it major strategic importance for Rome's eastern frontier.<ref name="TIB"/> The great imperial road running east passed through Ankara and a succession of emperors and their armies came this way. They were not the only ones to use the Roman highway network, which was equally convenient for invaders. In the second half of the 3rd century, Ancyra was invaded in rapid succession by the [[Goths]] coming from the west (who rode far into the heart of [[Cappadocia]], taking slaves and pillaging) and later by the [[Arab people|Arab]]s. For about a decade, the town was one of the western outposts of one of Palmyrean empress [[Zenobia]] in the [[Syrian Desert]], who took advantage of a period of weakness and disorder in the Roman Empire to set up a short-lived state of her own.

The town was reincorporated into the Roman Empire under Emperor [[Aurelian]] in 272. The [[tetrarchy]], a system of multiple (up to four) emperors introduced by [[Diocletian]] (284–305), seems to have engaged in a substantial program of rebuilding and of road construction from Ancyra westwards to Germe and [[Dorylaeum]] (now [[Eskişehir]]).

In its heyday, Roman Ancyra was a large market and trading center but it also functioned as a major administrative capital, where a high official ruled from the city's Praetorium, a large administrative palace or office. During the 3rd century, life in Ancyra, as in other Anatolian towns, seems to have become somewhat militarized in response to the invasions and instability of the town.

<gallery>
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations116.jpg|Marble head of a Roman woman on display at the [[Museum of Anatolian Civilizations]].
Res Gestae.jpg|The ''[[Res Gestae Divi Augusti]]'' is the self-laudatory autobiography completed in 13&nbsp;AD, just before his death, by the first [[Roman emperor]] [[Augustus]]. Most of the text is preserved on the walls of the [[Monumentum Ancyranum]].
Ankara Thermen05.jpg|The [[Roman Baths of Ankara]] were constructed by the Roman emperor [[Caracalla]] (212–217) in honor of [[Asclepios]], the God of Medicine, and built around three principal rooms: the ''[[caldarium]]'' (hot bath), the ''[[tepidarium]]'' (warm bath) and the ''[[frigidarium]]'' (cold bath) in a typically laid-out {{convert|80|x|120|m|adj=on|abbr=off|sp=us}} classical complex.
</gallery>

===Byzantine history===
[[File:AnkaraColumnFar c.JPG|thumb|The ''[[Column of Julianus|Column of Julian]]'' (362) was erected in honor of the Roman emperor [[Julian the Apostate]]'s visit to Ancyra.]]

The city is well known during the 4th century as a center of Christian activity (see also [[#Ecclesiastical history|below]]), due to frequent imperial visits, and through the letters of the pagan scholar [[Libanius]].<ref name="TIB"/> Bishop [[Marcellus of Ancyra]] and [[Basil of Ancyra]] were active in the theological controversies of their day, and the city was the site of no fewer than three church synods in [[Synod of Ancyra|314]], 358 and 375, the latter two in favor of [[Arianism]].<ref name="TIB"/>

The city was visited by Emperor [[Constans I]] (r. 337–350) in 347 and 350, [[Julian (emperor)|Julian]] (r. 361–363) during his Persian campaign in 362, and Julian's successor [[Jovian (emperor)|Jovian]] (r. 363–364) in winter 363/364 (he entered his [[Roman consul|consulship]] while in the city). After Jovian's death soon after, [[Valentinian I]] (r. 364–375) was acclaimed emperor at Ancyra, and in the next year his brother [[Valens]] (r. 364–378) used Ancyra as his base against the usurper [[Procopius (usurper)|Procopius]].<ref name="TIB" /> When the province of Galatia was divided sometime in 396/99, Ancyra remained the civil capital of Galatia I, as well as its ecclesiastical center ([[metropolitan see]]).<ref name="TIB" /> Emperor [[Arcadius]] (r. 383–408) frequently used the city as his summer residence, and some information about the ecclesiastical affairs of the city during the early 5th century is found in the works of [[Palladius of Galatia]] and Nilus of Ancyra.<ref name="TIB" />

In 479, the rebel [[Marcian (usurper)|Marcian]] attacked the city, without being able to capture it.<ref name="TIB" /> In 610/11, [[Comentiolus (brother of Phocas)|Comentiolus]], brother of Emperor [[Phocas]] (r. 602–610), launched his own unsuccessful rebellion in the city against [[Heraclius]] (r. 610–641).<ref name="TIB" /> Ten years later, in 620 or more likely 622, it was captured by the [[Sassanid Persia]]ns during the [[Byzantine–Sassanid War of 602–628]]. Although the city returned to Byzantine hands after the end of the war, the [[Persians|Persian]] presence left traces in the city's archeology, and likely began the process of its transformation from a [[late antique]] city to a medieval fortified settlement.<ref name="TIB" />

In 654, the city, also known in Arabic sources as ''Qalat as-Salasil'' ("fortress of the chains"),<ref>{{Cite book |title=The History of al-Tabari Vol. 33: Storm and Stress along the Northern Frontiers of the 'Abbasid Caliphate: The Caliphate of al-Mu'tasim A.D. 833-842/A.H. 218–227 |publisher=SUNY Press |year=2015 |isbn=9780791497210 |pages=99}}</ref> was captured for the first time by the [[Arabs]] of the [[Rashidun Caliphate]], under [[Mu'awiya I|Muawiyah]], the future founder of the [[Umayyad Caliphate]].<ref name="TIB" /> At about the same time, the [[theme (Byzantine district)|theme]]s were established in Anatolia, and Ancyra became capital of the [[Opsician Theme]], which was the largest and most important theme until it was split up under Emperor [[Constantine V]] (r. 741–775); Ancyra then became the capital of the new [[Bucellarian Theme]].<ref name="TIB" /> The city was captured at least temporarily by the Umayyad prince [[Maslama ibn Hisham]] in 739/40, the last of the Umayyads' territorial gains from the Byzantine Empire.<ref>{{The End of the Jihad State |page=169}}</ref> Ancyra was attacked without success by [[Abbasid]] forces in 776 and in 798/99. In 805, Emperor [[Nikephoros I]] (r. 802–811) strengthened its fortifications, a fact which probably saved it from sack during the [[Abbasid invasion of Asia Minor (806)|large-scale invasion]] of Anatolia by Caliph [[Harun al-Rashid]] in the next year.<ref name="TIB" /> Arab sources report that Harun and his successor [[al-Ma'mun]] (r. 813–833) took the city, but this information is later invention. In 838, however, during the [[Sack of Amorium|Amorium campaign]], the armies of Caliph [[al-Mu'tasim]] (r. 833–842) converged and met at the city; abandoned by its inhabitants, Ancara was razed to the ground, before the Arab armies went on to besiege and destroy [[Amorium]] reaching as far as [[Smyrna]].<ref name="TIB" /> In 859, Emperor [[Michael III]] (r. 842–867) came to the city during a campaign against the Arabs, and ordered its fortifications restored.<ref name="TIB" /> In 872, the city was menaced, but not taken, by the [[Paulicians]] under [[Chrysocheir]].<ref name="TIB" /> The last Arab raid to reach the city was undertaken in 931, by the Abbasid governor of [[Tarsus (city)|Tarsus]], [[Thamal al-Dulafi]], but the city again was not captured.<ref name="TIB" />

=== Ecclesiastical history ===
[[File:Teodot Ankirski.jpg|thumb|[[Theodotus of Ancyra (martyr)|St. Theodotus of Ancyra]]]]

Early Christian martyrs of Ancyra, about whom little is known, included Proklos and Hilarios who were natives of the otherwise unknown nearby village of Kallippi, and suffered repression under the emperor [[Trajan]] (98–117). In the 280s we hear of Philumenos, a Christian corn merchant from southern Anatolia, being captured and martyred in Ankara, and Eustathius.

As in other Roman towns, the reign of [[Diocletian]] marked the culmination of the persecution of the Christians. In 303, Ancyra was one of the towns where the co-emperors Diocletian and his deputy [[Galerius]] launched their anti-Christian persecution. In Ancyra, their first target was the 38-year-old Bishop of the town, whose name was Clement. Clement's life describes how he was taken to Rome, then sent back, and forced to undergo many interrogations and hardship before he, and his brother, and various companions were put to death. The remains of the church of [[Clement of Ancyra|St. Clement]] can be found today in a building just off Işıklar Caddesi in the Ulus district. Quite possibly this marks the site where Clement was originally buried. Four years later, a doctor of the town named Plato and his brother Antiochus also became celebrated martyrs under Galerius. [[Theodotus of Ancyra (martyr)|Theodotus of Ancyra]] is also venerated as a saint.

However, the persecution proved unsuccessful and in 314 Ancyra was the center of [[Synod of Ancyra|an important council]] of the [[Early Christianity|early church]];{{sfn|Rockwell|1911}} its 25 disciplinary canons constitute one of the most important documents in the early history of the administration of the [[Confession (religion)|Sacrament of Penance]].{{sfn|Rockwell|1911}} The synod also considered ecclesiastical policy for the reconstruction of the [[Christian Church]] after the persecutions, and in particular the treatment of ''[[Lapsi (Christianity)|lapsi]]''—[[Christians]] who had given in to forced [[paganism]] (sacrifices) to avoid [[martyrdom]] during these persecutions.{{sfn|Rockwell|1911}}

Though paganism was probably tottering in Ancyra in Clement's day, it may still have been the majority religion. Twenty years later, Christianity and [[monotheism]] had taken its place. Ancyra quickly turned into a Christian city, with a life dominated by monks and priests and theological disputes. The town council or senate gave way to the bishop as the main local figurehead. During the middle of the 4th century, Ancyra was involved in the complex theological disputes over the nature of Christ, and a form of [[Arianism]] seems to have originated there.{{sfn|Parvis|2006|pp=325–345}}

In 362–363, Emperor Julian passed through Ancyra on his way to an ill-fated campaign against the Persians, and according to Christian sources, engaged in a persecution of various holy men.<ref name=gibbon>{{cite book|last=Gibbon|first=Edward|title=[[The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]]|author-link=Edward Gibbon|page=Chapter 23}}</ref> The stone base for a statue, with an inscription describing Julian as "Lord of the whole world from the British Ocean to the barbarian nations", can still be seen, built into the eastern side of the inner circuit of the walls of Ankara Castle. The Column of Julian which was erected in honor of the emperor's visit to the city in 362 still stands today. In 375, Arian bishops met at Ancyra and deposed several bishops, among them [[Gregory of Nyssa|St. Gregory of Nyssa]].

In the late 4th century, Ancyra became something of an imperial [[resort|holiday resort]]. After [[Constantinople]] became the [[Byzantine Empire|East Roman]] capital, emperors in the 4th and 5th centuries would retire from the humid summer weather on the [[Bosphorus|Bosporus]] to the drier mountain atmosphere of Ancyra. [[Theodosius II]] (408–450) kept his court in Ancyra in the summers. Laws issued in Ancyra testify to the time they spent there.

The [[Metropolis of Ancyra]] continued to be a residential [[episcopal see|see]] of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] until the 20th century, with about 40,000 faithful, mostly Turkish-speaking, but that situation ended as a result of the 1923 [[Convention Concerning the Exchange of Greek and Turkish Populations]]. The earlier [[Armenian genocide]] put an end to the residential eparchy of Ancyra of the [[Armenian Catholic Church]], which had been established in 1850.<ref name="Bull Universi Dominici gregis">[http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k51627x/f401.image Bull ''Universi Dominici gregis''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330045229/http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k51627x/f401.image |date=30 March 2015 }}, in Giovanni Domenico Mansi, ''Sacrorum Conciliorum Nova et Amplissima Collectio'', vol. XL, coll. 779–780</ref><ref name="gallica.bnf.fr">F. Tournebize, v. ''II. Ancyre, évêché arménien catholique'', in [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6561037d/f796.image ''Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie ecclésiastiques''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628235228/http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6561037d/f796.image |date=28 June 2015 }}, vol. II, Paris 1914, coll. 1543–1546</ref> It is also a titular metropolis of the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]].

Both the Ancient Byzantine Metropolitan archbishopric and the 'modern' Armenian eparchy are now listed by the [[Catholic Church]] as [[titular see]]s,<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 832</ref> with separate [[apostolic succession]]s.

=== Seljuk and Ottoman history ===
[[File:Ottoman_Houses_Ankara.jpg|thumb|Ottoman houses in Hamamönü district]]

After the [[Battle of Manzikert]] in 1071, the [[Seljuk Turks]] overran much of Anatolia. By 1073, the Turkish settlers had reached the vicinity of Ancyra, and the city was captured shortly after, at the latest by the time of the rebellion of [[Nikephoros Melissenos]] in 1081.<ref name="TIB"/> In 1101, when the [[Crusade of 1101|Crusade]] under [[Raymond IV of Toulouse]] arrived, the city had been under [[Danishmend]] control for some time. The Crusaders captured the city, and handed it over to the Byzantine emperor [[Alexios I Komnenos]] (r. 1081–1118).<ref name="TIB"/> Byzantine rule did not last long, and the city was captured by the Seljuk [[Sultanate of Rum]] at some unknown point; in 1127, it returned to Danishmend control until 1143, when the Seljuks of Rum retook it.<ref name="TIB"/>

After the [[Battle of Köse Dağ]] in 1243, in which the [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]] defeated the Seljuks, most of Anatolia became part of the dominion of the Mongols. Taking advantage of Seljuk decline, a semi-religious cast of craftsmen and trade people named ''[[Ahis|Ahiler]]'' chose Angora as their independent city-state in 1290. [[Orhan]], the second [[Bey]] of the [[Ottoman Empire]], captured the city in 1356. [[Timur]] defeated [[Bayezid I]] at the [[Battle of Ankara]] in 1402 and took the city, but in 1403 Angora was again under Ottoman control.

The [[Levant Company]] maintained a factory in the town from 1639 to 1768.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|pp=40–41}} In the 19th century, its population was estimated at 20,000 to 60,000.{{sfn|Baynes|1878|p=45}} It was sacked by [[Khedivate of Egypt|Egyptian]]s under [[Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt|Ibrahim Pasha]] in 1832.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|pp=40–41}}

From 1867 to 1922, the city served as the capital of the [[Angora Vilayet]], which included most of ancient Galatia.

Prior to [[World War I]], the town had a [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British]] [[consul (representative)|consulate]] and a population of around 28,000, roughly {{frac|1|3}} of whom were Christian.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|pp=40–41}}

=== Turkish republican capital ===
[[File:Atatürk TBMM'den çıkarken.jpg|thumb|President [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]] (center) and Prime Minister [[İsmet İnönü]] (left) leaving the [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey|Grand National Assembly of Türkiye]] during the 7th anniversary celebrations of the Turkish Republic in 1930]]

Following the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] defeat in [[World War I]], the Ottoman capital [[Ottoman Constantinople|Constantinople]] (modern Istanbul) and much of [[Anatolia]] was occupied by the Allies, who planned to share these lands between [[First Republic of Armenia|Armenia]], [[French Third Republic|France]], [[Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg)|Greece]], [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] and the United Kingdom, leaving for the Turks the core piece of land in central Anatolia. In response, the leader of the Turkish nationalist movement, [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], established the headquarters of his [[Turkish National Movement|resistance movement]] in Angora in 1920. After the [[Turkish War of Independence]] was won and the [[Treaty of Sèvres]] was superseded by the [[Treaty of Lausanne (1923)]], the Turkish nationalists replaced the Ottoman Empire with the [[Republic of Turkey]] on 29 October 1923. A few days earlier, Angora had officially replaced Constantinople as the new Turkish capital city, on 13 October 1923,<ref name="britannica">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ankara|title=Ankara &#124; Location, History, Economy, & Facts|website=Britannica|access-date=9 January 2021|archive-date=1 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101013721/https://www.britannica.com/place/Ankara|url-status=live}}</ref> and Republican officials declared that the city's name is Ankara.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/mar28/istanbul-not-constantinople/ |title=Istanbul, not Constantinople |last=Society |date=4 March 2014 |website=National Geographic Society|access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103152146/https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/mar28/istanbul-not-constantinople/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Banks Street (Atatürk Boulevard) the Building of Ziraat Bankası (Agricultural Bank), 1930s (16851406391).jpg|thumb|left|A view of the old general directorate building of [[Ziraat Bankası|Ziraat Bank]]. It was designed by Istanbul-born [[Levantines (Latin Christians)|Italian Levantine]] architect Giulio Mongeri and built between 1926 and 1929.]]

After Ankara became the capital of the newly founded Republic of Turkey, new development divided the city into an old section, called ''Ulus'', and a new section, called ''Yenişehir''. Ancient buildings reflecting Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history and narrow winding streets mark the old section. The new section, now centered on [[Kızılay Meydanı|Kızılay Square]], has the trappings of a more modern city: wide streets, hotels, theaters, shopping malls, and high-rises.

Government offices and foreign embassies are also located in the new section. Ankara has experienced a phenomenal growth since it was made Turkey's capital in 1923, when it was "a small town of no importance".<ref>Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer</ref> In 1924, the year after the government had moved there, Ankara had about 35,000 residents. By 1927 there were 44,553 residents and by 1950 the population had grown to 286,781. After<!--Re: "Turkish postal service law of 1930" people cannot find the text of the act so they are not sure if it really exists--> 1930, the city officially became known in Western languages as Ankara. By the late 1930s, the English name "Angora" was no longer in popular use.<ref>Deriu, Davide. "A challenge to the West: British views of republican Ankara" (Chapter 12). In: Gharipour, Mohammad and Nilay Özlü (editors). ''The City in the Muslim World: Depictions by Western Travel Writers''. [[Routledge]], 5 March 2015. {{ISBN|1317548221}}, 9781317548225. Start: p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Aw3wBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA279 279] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726052419/https://books.google.com/books?id=Aw3wBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA279 |date=26 July 2020 }}. CITED: p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Aw3wBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA299 299] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604232048/https://books.google.com/books?id=Aw3wBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA299 |date=4 June 2020 }}.</ref>

[[File:Library Main Hall Columns.jpg|thumb|The [[Presidential Library (Turkey)|Presidential Library]] in Ankara is the largest library in Turkey, with a collection of over 4 million printed books<ref name="Presidential Library"/> and over 120&nbsp;million electronic editions<ref name="Presidential Library"/> published in 134 languages.<ref name="Presidential Library">{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/turkey-s-largest-library-to-be-disabled-friendly/1738322|title=Turkey's largest library to be disabled-friendly|author=Sibel Morrow|publisher=Anadolu Agency|website=aa.com.tr|date=19 February 2020}}</ref>]]

Ankara continued to grow rapidly during the latter half of the 20th century and eventually outranked [[İzmir]] as Turkey's second-largest city, after [[Istanbul]]. Ankara's urban population reached 4,587,558 in 2014, while the population of [[Ankara Province]] reached 5,150,072 in 2015.<ref name="citypopulation1">{{cite web|title=Turkey: Major cities and provinces|url=http://citypopulation.de/Turkey-C20.html|access-date=8 February 2015|website=City Population |archive-date=24 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224193933/http://www.citypopulation.de/Turkey-C20.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Presidential Complex (Turkey)|Presidential Palace of Turkey]] is situated in Ankara. This building serves as the main residence of the president.

== Geography ==
{{Annotated image
|image=Koppen-Geiger_Map_TUR_present_with_provinces.svg
|image-width=2500  <!-- choose any width, as you like it. It doesn't matter the factual width of the image-->
|image-left=-585   <!-- crop the left part. Be aware of the "-" minus symbol  -->
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|caption=Köppen map of Ankara Province and surrounding regions:<ref>"Present and future Köppen-Geiger climate classification maps at 1-km resolution". Nature Scientific Data. [[Digital object identifier|DOI]]:[https://www.nature.com/articles/sdata2018214 10.1038/sdata.2018.214].</ref>
{{legend-col
|thumb size=wide
|{{legend|#FFDB63|[[cold semi-arid climate|BSk]]}}
|{{legend|#C6C700|[[warm-summer Mediterranean climate|Csb]]}}
|{{legend|#38C7FF|[[humid continental climate|Dfb]]}}
|{{legend|#C600C7|[[humid continental climate|Dsb]]}}
}}
}}

Geographically, Ankara is located in between the [[Kızılırmak River|Kızılırmak]] and [[Sakarya River|Sakarya]] rivers, and the [[Sakarya River]] forms its border with [[Eskişehir]] in the west. Ankara shares its borders with [[Bolu]] and [[Çankırı]] in the north; [[Konya]] in the south and [[Kırıkkale]] in the east.<ref>{{Cite web |last=artunbeg |date=2022-05-11 |title=Ankara |url=https://tr.ansiklopedika.net/viki/ankara |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=Ansiklopedika Viki |language=tr |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002011207/https://tr.ansiklopedika.net/viki/ankara |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Ankara and [[Ankara Province|its province]] are located in the [[Central Anatolia Region]] of Turkey. The Çubuk Brook flows through the city center of Ankara. It is connected in the western suburbs of the city to the [[Ankara River]], which is a [[tributary]] of the [[Sakarya River]].

=== Climate ===
Ankara has a [[cold semi-arid climate]] under the [[Köppen climate classification]] (''BSk''), while under the [[Trewartha climate classification]], the city is classified as [[humid continental climate|humid continental]] (''Dc''). Due to its elevation and inland location, Ankara has cold and snowy winters, and hot and dry summers. Rainfall occurs mostly during the spring and autumn. The city lies in [[USDA]] [[Hardiness zone]] 7b, and its annual average precipitation is fairly low at {{convert|sp=us|414|mm|0}}, nevertheless precipitation can be observed throughout the year. Monthly mean temperatures range from {{convert|0.9|°C|1}} in January to {{convert|24.3|°C|1}} in July, with an annual mean of {{convert|12.6|°C|1}}.<ref name="eather1" /> Ankara's overall temperature regime is very similar to [[New York City]].

{{Weather box
| location = Ankara (Turkish State Meteorological Service Compound, Keçiören), 1991–2020, extremes 1927–2023
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 18.4
| Feb record high C = 21.3
| Mar record high C = 27.8
| Apr record high C = 31.6
| May record high C = 34.4
| Jun record high C = 37.0
| Jul record high C = 41.0
| Aug record high C = 40.5
| Sep record high C = 39.1
| Oct record high C = 33.3
| Nov record high C = 24.7
| Dec record high C = 20.4
| year record high C = 41.0
| Jan high C = 4.7
| Feb high C = 7.4
| Mar high C = 12.2
| Apr high C = 17.5
| May high C = 22.8
| Jun high C = 27.3
| Jul high C = 31.0
| Aug high C = 31.0
| Sep high C = 26.5
| Oct high C = 20.3
| Nov high C = 13.0
| Dec high C = 6.7
| year high C = 18.4
| Jan mean C = 0.9
| Feb mean C = 2.7
| Mar mean C = 6.7
| Apr mean C = 11.5
| May mean C = 16.5
| Jun mean C = 20.6
| Jul mean C = 24.2
| Aug mean C = 24.3
| Sep mean C = 19.6
| Oct mean C = 13.9
| Nov mean C = 7.3
| Dec mean C = 2.8
| year mean C = 12.6
| Jan low C = -2.2
| Feb low C = -1.2
| Mar low C = 1.9
| Apr low C = 6.0
| May low C = 10.5
| Jun low C = 14.1
| Jul low C = 17.2
| Aug low C = 17.4
| Sep low C = 13.1
| Oct low C = 8.4
| Nov low C = 2.7
| Dec low C = -0.3
| year low C = 7.3
| Jan record low C = -24.9
| Feb record low C = -24.2
| Mar record low C = -19.2
| Apr record low C = -7.2
| May record low C = -1.6
| Jun record low C = 3.8
| Jul record low C = 4.5
| Aug record low C = 5.5
| Sep record low C = -1.5
| Oct record low C = -9.8
| Nov record low C = -17.5
| Dec record low C = -24.2
| year record low C = -24.9
| Jan precipitation mm = 38.6
| Feb precipitation mm = 36.6
| Mar precipitation mm = 46.9
| Apr precipitation mm = 44.5
| May precipitation mm = 51.0
| Jun precipitation mm = 40.2
| Jul precipitation mm = 14.8
| Aug precipitation mm = 14.6
| Sep precipitation mm = 17.9
| Oct precipitation mm = 33.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 31.9
| Dec precipitation mm = 43.2
| year precipitation mm = 413.6
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation days = 11.67
| Feb precipitation days = 10.9
| Mar precipitation days = 10.47
| Apr precipitation days = 11.63
| May precipitation days = 12
| Jun precipitation days = 9.27
| Jul precipitation days = 3.37
| Aug precipitation days = 3.67
| Sep precipitation days = 4.17
| Oct precipitation days = 7.63
| Nov precipitation days = 7.67
| Dec precipitation days = 11.27
| year precipitation days = 
| Jan snow days  =
| Feb snow days  =
| Mar snow days  =
| Apr snow days  =
| May snow days  =
| Jun snow days  =
| Jul snow days  =
| Aug snow days  =
| Sep snow days  =
| Oct snow days  =
| Nov snow days  =
| Dec snow days  =
| year snow days =
| Jan humidity = 76.7
| Feb humidity = 70.7
| Mar humidity = 63.2
| Apr humidity = 58.4
| May humidity = 56.3
| Jun humidity = 53.1
| Jul humidity = 45.5
| Aug humidity = 45.3
| Sep humidity = 48.8
| Oct humidity = 60.2
| Nov humidity = 68.6
| Dec humidity = 76.7
| year humidity = 60.2
| Jan sun = 69.6
| Feb sun = 100.9
| Mar sun = 147.3
| Apr sun = 187.9
| May sun = 239.2
| Jun sun = 279.5
| Jul sun = 327.8
| Aug sun = 308.7
| Sep sun = 261.9
| Oct sun = 190.6
| Nov sun = 125.0
| Dec sun = 72.4
| year sun = 2287.2
| Jand sun = 2.2
| Febd sun = 3.6
| Mard sun = 4.8
| Aprd sun = 6.3
| Mayd sun = 7.7
| Jund sun = 9.3
| Juld sun = 10.6
| Augd sun = 10.0
| Sepd sun = 8.7
| Octd sun = 6.2
| Novd sun = 4.3
| Decd sun = 2.4
| yeard sun = 6.3
| source 1 = [[Turkish State Meteorological Service]]<ref name=eather1>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190112144035/https://mgm.gov.tr/veridegerlendirme/il-ve-ilceler-istatistik.aspx?k=A&m=ANKARA
| archive-date = 12 January 2019
| url = https://www.mgm.gov.tr/veridegerlendirme/il-ve-ilceler-istatistik.aspx?k=H&m=ANKARA
| title = Resmi İstatistikler: İllerimize Ait Genel İstatistik Verileri
| publisher = Turkish State Meteorological Service
| language = tr
| access-date = 26 June 2021}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[NOAA]] (humidity, sun 1991–2020)<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717012832/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Turkiye/CSV/Ankara_Bolge_17130.csv |archive-format=CSV |format=CSV
| archive-date = 17 July 2021
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Turkiye/CSV/Ankara_Bolge_17130.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020: Ankara-Bolge
| publisher = [[NCEI|National Centers for Environmental Information]]
| access-date = 2 August 2023}}</ref> 
}}

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|footnote =Source: [[Turkish Statistical Institute|TÜİK]]<ref name=tuik>{{cite web|url=https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en |title=Population Of SRE-1, SRE-2, Provinces and Districts|publisher=[[Turkish Statistical Institute|TÜIK]] |access-date=20 June 2023}}</ref> 
|align=right
|percentages=pagr
|2007|4,466,756
|2012|4,965,542
|2017|5,445,026
|2022|5,782,285
}}
[[File:Ankara road map.png|thumb|right|Ankara [[metropolitan area]]]]

Ankara had a population of 75,000 in 1927. There were 74,632 male residents and 48,882 female residents in Ankara according to the 1935 census.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Gül Neşe Doğusan Alexander|title=Caught between Aspiration and Actuality: The Etiler Housing Cooperative and the Production of Housing in Turkey|journal=[[Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians]]|volume=76|issue=3|year=2017|jstor=26419016| doi=10.1525/jsah.2017.76.3.349|page=351}}</ref> As of 2022, the population of the Ankara Province was 5,782,285.<ref name=tuik/> When Ankara became the capital of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, it was designated as a planned city for 500,000 future inhabitants. During the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, the city grew in a planned and orderly pace. However, from the 1950s onward, the city grew much faster than envisioned, because unemployment and poverty forced people to migrate from the countryside into the city to seek a better standard of living. As a result, many illegal houses called [[gecekondu]] were built around the city, causing the unplanned and uncontrolled urban landscape of Ankara, as not enough planned housing could be built fast enough. Although precariously built, the vast majority of them have electricity, running water and modern household amenities.

Nevertheless, many of these gecekondus have been replaced by huge public housing projects in the form of [[tower block]]s such as Elvankent, [[Eryaman, Etimesgut|Eryaman]] and [[Güzelkent, Etimesgut|Güzelkent]]; and also as mass housing compounds for military and civil service accommodation. Although many gecekondus still remain, they too are gradually being replaced by mass housing compounds, as empty land plots in the city of Ankara for new construction projects are becoming impossible to find.

[[Çorum]] and [[Yozgat]], which are located in [[Central Anatolia region|Central Anatolia]] and whose population is decreasing, are the provinces with the highest net migration to Ankara.<ref>{{cite web |title=İllere göre il/ilçe merkezi ve belde/köy nüfusu – 2008 |trans-title=Population of Provincial/District Centers and Towns/Villages by Province – 2008 |url=http://report.tuik.gov.tr/reports/rwservlet?adnksdb2=&report=turkiye_il_koy_sehir.RDF&p_il1=6&p_kod=2&p_yil=2008&desformat=html&ENVID=adnksdb2Env |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920035746/http://report.tuik.gov.tr/reports/rwservlet?adnksdb2=&report=turkiye_il_koy_sehir.RDF&p_il1=6&p_kod=2&p_yil=2008&desformat=html&ENVID=adnksdb2Env |archive-date=20 September 2011 |access-date=11 January 2022 |website=report.tuik.gov.tr |language=tr}}</ref> About one third of the Central Anatolia population of 15,608,868 people resides in Ankara.

The [[literacy rate]] in the whole province for people who are 15 years old or older is 98.18% according to 2020 TÜİK data. Ankara Province also has the highest percentage of tertiary education graduates in Turkey with 29.08% of the population having either an undergraduate, master's or doctor's degree.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=İllere Göre Türkiye'de 15+ Yaş Nüfusun Eğitim Durumu ve Oranlar (%) {{!}} @DrDataStats |trans-title=Educational Status and Rates (%) of the 15+ Age Population in Turkey by Province |url=https://www.drdatastats.com/illere-gore-turkiyede-15-yas-nufusun-egitim-durumu-ve-oranlar/ |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=based on TÜİK data |language=tr}}</ref>

== Economy and infrastructure ==
[[File:Başkent Millet Bahçesi2.jpg|thumb|Başkent Millet Park in Ankara]]

Ankara has long been a productive agricultural region in Anatolia. In the Ottoman period, Ankara was well known for producing grain, cotton, and fruits.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chen |first=Yuan Julian |date=2021-10-11 |title=Between the Islamic and Chinese Universal Empires: The Ottoman Empire, Ming Dynasty, and Global Age of Explorations |url=https://www.academia.edu/59068575 |journal=Journal of Early Modern History |volume=25 |issue=5 |pages=422–456 |doi=10.1163/15700658-bja10030 |issn=1385-3783 |s2cid=244587800}}</ref>

The city has exported [[mohair]] (from the [[Angora goat]]) and [[Angora wool]] (from the [[Angora rabbit]]) internationally for centuries. In the 19th century, the city also exported substantial amounts of [[Goatskin (material)|goat]] and cat skins, [[gum arabic|gum]], [[beeswax|wax]], [[honey]], berries, and [[madder root]].{{sfn|Baynes|1878|p=45}} It was connected to [[Istanbul]] by railway before the [[First World War]], continuing to export mohair, wool, berries, and grain.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|pp=40–41}}

The [[Central Anatolia Region]] is one of the primary locations of grape and [[Turkish wine|wine production in Turkey]], and Ankara is particularly famous for its [[Kalecik Karası]] and [[Muscat (grape and wine)|Muscat grapes]]; and its [[Kavaklıdere (winery)|Kavaklıdere wine]], which is produced in the [[Kavaklıdere, Ankara|Kavaklıdere]] neighborhood within the [[Çankaya, Ankara|Çankaya]] district of the city. Ankara is also famous for its pears. Another natural product of Ankara is its indigenous type of [[honey]] (''Ankara Balı'') which is known for its light color and is mostly produced by the [[Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo]] in the Gazi district, and by other facilities in the Elmadağ, Çubuk and Beypazarı districts. [[Çubuk-1 Dam|Çubuk-1]] and [[Çubuk-2 Dam|Çubuk-2]] dams on the Çubuk Brook in Ankara were among the first dams constructed in the Turkish Republic.

[[File:Kızılay Square 001.jpg|thumb|[[Kızılay Square]] and [[Kahramanlar Business Center|Emek Business Center]] (1959–1965), the first [[International Style (architecture)|International Style]] office tower and shopping center in Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Emek Business Center, Ankara |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/107658/emek-business-center-ankara-turkey |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223051519/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/107658/emek-business-center-ankara-turkey |archive-date=23 December 2015 |access-date=25 June 2022 |website=[[Emporis]] |publisher=Emporis}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Işıl Gülkök |date=September 2013 |title=New representations of space: Emek office building and Gima Store (in ''Production of Sidewalks: the Case of Atatürk Boulevard, Ankara'') |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/New-Representations-of-space-Emek-office-building-Gima-Store-Old-Representations_fig14_323771958}}</ref>]]

Ankara is the center of the state-owned and private Turkish [[Arms industry|defence]] and [[Aerospace manufacturer|aerospace]] companies, where the industrial plants and headquarters of the [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]], [[Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (Turkey)|MKE]], [[ASELSAN]], [[HAVELSAN]], [[ROKETSAN]], [[FNSS Defence Systems|FNSS]],<ref>{{cite web |author=FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. |title=FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. |url=http://www.fnss.com.tr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109163928/http://www.fnss.com.tr/ |archive-date=9 January 2014 |access-date=21 March 2011}}</ref> [[Nurol Makina]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Nurol Makina ve Sanayi A.Ş. |url=http://www.nurolmakina.com.tr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322233142/http://www.nurolmakina.com.tr/ |archive-date=22 March 2010 |access-date=21 March 2011 |work=nurolmakina.com.tr}}</ref> and numerous other firms are located. Exports to foreign countries from these defense and aerospace firms have steadily increased in the past decades. The [[International Defence Industry Fair|IDEF]] in Ankara is one of the largest international expositions of the global [[arms industry]]. A number of the global [[automotive industry|automotive companies]] also have production facilities in Ankara, such as the German bus and truck manufacturer [[MAN SE]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MAN Turkiye |url=http://www.man.com.tr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026043012/http://www.man.com.tr/ |archive-date=26 October 2013 |access-date=31 March 2011 |work=man.com.tr}}</ref> Ankara hosts the [[OSTIM Industrial Zone]], Turkey's largest [[industrial park]].

A large percentage of the complicated employment in Ankara is provided by the state institutions; such as the [[Ministry (government department)|ministries]], subministries, and other administrative bodies of the Turkish government. There are also many foreign citizens working as diplomats or clerks in the [[embassy|embassies]] of their respective countries.

==Transportation==
{{See also|Ankara Metro|Ankara railway station|Ankara Esenboğa Airport|List of airports in Ankara}}
[[File:Ankara_asv2021-10_img19_Railway_station.jpg|thumb|[[Ankara railway station]] is a hub for conventional trains.]]
[[File:Ankara_Tren_Garı.jpg|thumb|The new [[Ankara Tren Garı|ATG terminal]] is a hub for the [[High-speed rail in Turkey|high-speed rail]] ([[Yüksek Hızlı Tren|YHT]]) services.]]

The ''Electricity, Gas, Bus General Directorate'' (EGO)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ego.gov.tr |title=EGO Genel Müdürlüğü |publisher=Ego.gov.tr |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123055229/http://www.ego.gov.tr/ |archive-date=23 November 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> operates the [[Ankara Metro]] and other forms of public transportation. Ankara is served by a [[Commuter rail|suburban railway]] named [[Başkentray]] (B1), 1 [[light rail transit]] line named [[Ankaray]] (A1) and 2 [[Rapid transit|Metro]] lines (M1-M2-M3, M4) of the Ankara Metro with about 400,000 total daily commuters, while additional lines (A2, M5, M6, M7, M8) are planned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.leitner-ropeways.com/Home/Largest-urban-ropeway-on-Eurasian-continent-opens-to-celebrations-in-Ankara |title=Largest urban ropeway on Eurasian continent opens to celebrations in Ankara |publisher=Leitner ropeways |access-date=21 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521233912/http://en.leitner-ropeways.com/Home/Largest-urban-ropeway-on-Eurasian-continent-opens-to-celebrations-in-Ankara |archive-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

[[Ankara railway station|Ankara Central Station]] is a major rail hub in Turkey. The [[Turkish State Railways]] operates passenger train service from Ankara to other major cities, such as: [[Istanbul]], [[Eskişehir]], [[Balıkesir]], [[Kütahya]], [[İzmir]], [[Kayseri]], [[Adana]], [[Kars]], [[Elazığ]], [[Malatya]], [[Diyarbakır]], [[Karabük]], [[Zonguldak]] and [[Sivas]]. Commuter rail also runs between the stations of [[Sincan-Kayaş Line|Sincan and Kayaş]]. On 13 March 2009, the new [[Yüksek Hızlı Tren]] (YHT) [[High-speed rail in Turkey|high-speed rail service]] began operation between Ankara and Eskişehir. On 23 August 2011, another YHT high-speed line commercially started its service [[Ankara-Konya high-speed railway|between Ankara and Konya]]. On 25 July 2014, the [[Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway|Ankara–Istanbul high-speed line]] of YHT entered service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uic.org/com/uic-e-news/410/article/inauguration-ceremony-of-ankara?page=thickbox_enews|title=Successful inauguration of Ankara – Istanbul High Speed Line|work=uic.org|access-date=17 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214115431/http://www.uic.org/com/uic-e-news/410/article/inauguration-ceremony-of-ankara?page=thickbox_enews|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Ankara Esenboğa Airport]], located in the north-east of the city, is Ankara's main airport. Whilst the [[AŞTİ]] is the main coach terminal.

===Ankara public transportation statistics===
The average amount of time people spend commuting on public transit in Ankara on a weekday is 71 minutes. 17% of public transit passengers, ride for more than two hours every day. The average amount of time people wait at a stop or station for public transit is sixteen minutes, while 28% of users wait for over twenty minutes on average every day. The average distance people usually ride in a single trip with public transit is {{convert|9.9|km|abbr=on}}, while 27% travel for over {{convert|12|km|abbr=on}} in a single direction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://moovitapp.com/insights/en/Moovit_Insights_Public_Transit_Index_Turkey_Ankara-1723|title=Ankara Public Transportation Statistics|publisher=Global Public Transit Index by Moovit|access-date=19 June 2017|archive-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803212539/https://moovitapp.com/insights/en/Moovit_Insights_Public_Transit_Index_Turkey_Ankara-1723|url-status=live}} [[File:CC BY icon.svg|50x50px]] Material was copied from this source, which is available under a [[creativecommons:by/4.0/|Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License]].</ref>

{{wide image|Esenboga International Airport Ankara Turkey.jpg|600px|align-cap=center|[[Esenboğa International Airport]]}}

== Politics ==
{{see also|List of mayors of Ankara}}

[[File:Ankara2024Yerel.svg|alt=|right|frameless]]

[[File:Mansur Yavaş (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Mansur Yavaş]] of the [[Republican People's Party|CHP]] is the Mayor of Ankara.]]

Since 8 April 2019, the mayor of Ankara is [[Mansur Yavaş]] from the [[Republican People's Party]] (CHP), who won the [[2019 Ankara mayoral election|mayoral election in 2019]] and [[2024 Ankara mayoral election|2024]].

Ankara is politically a triple battleground between the ruling conservative [[AK Party]], the opposition [[Kemalism|Kemalist]] center-left [[Republican People's Party]] (CHP) and the nationalist far-right [[Nationalist Movement Party|MHP]]. The [[Ankara Province|province of Ankara]] is divided into 25 districts. Historically, the CHP's key and almost only political stronghold in Ankara lay within the central area of [[Çankaya, Ankara (district)|Çankaya]], which is the city's most populous district. While the CHP has always gained between 60 and 70% of the vote in Çankaya since 2002, political support elsewhere throughout Ankara was minimal. The high population within Çankaya, as well as [[Yenimahalle]] to an extent, has allowed the CHP to take overall second place behind the AK Party in both local and general elections, with the MHP a close third, despite the fact that the MHP was politically stronger than the CHP in almost every other district. Overall, the AK Party enjoyed the most support throughout the city. The electorate of Ankara thus tended to vote in favor of the political right, far more so than the other main cities of [[Istanbul]] and [[İzmir]]. In retrospect, the [[2013–14 protests in Turkey|2013–14 protests against the AK Party government]] were particularly strong in Ankara, proving to be fatal on multiple occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/05/ethem-sarisuluk-killed-turkey-protests_n_3390502.html|title=Turkish Protester Ethem Sarısülük Is Dead, Family Says [UPDATED]|work=HuffPost|date=5 June 2013|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=20 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020010640/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/05/ethem-sarisuluk-killed-turkey-protests_n_3390502.html|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Infobox political party
| country          = 
| name             = Ankara district Municipalities <br /> {{small|[[2024 Ankara mayoral election|Local elections, 2024]]}}
| native_name      = 
| colorcode        = #000099
| seats1_title     = [[Republican People's Party|CHP]]
| seats1           = {{Composition bar|16|25|hex=#cc0000}}
| seats2_title     = [[AK Party]]
| seats2           = {{Composition bar|8|25|hex=#fdc400}}
| seats3_title     = Independent
| seats3           = {{Composition bar|1|25|hex={{party color|Independent}}}}
}}

The city suffered from a series of terrorist attacks in 2015 and 2016, most notably on [[2015 Ankara bombings|10 October 2015]]; [[February 2016 Ankara bombing|17 February 2016]]; and [[March 2016 Ankara bombing|13 March 2016]]. The city was also one of the sites of the [[2016 Turkish coup attempt|coup]] attempt on 15 July 2016.

[[Melih Gökçek]] was the Metropolitan Mayor of Ankara between 1994 and 2017. Initially elected in the [[1994 Turkish local elections|1994 local elections]], he was re-elected in [[1999 Turkish local elections|1999]], [[2004 Turkish local elections|2004]] and [[2009 Turkish local elections|2009]]. In the [[2014 Turkish local elections|2014 local elections]], Gökçek stood for a fifth term. The MHP's metropolitan mayoral candidate for the 2009 local elections, [[Mansur Yavaş]], stood as the CHP's candidate against Gökçek in 2014. In a heavily controversial election, Gökçek was declared the winner by just 1% ahead of Yavaş amid allegations of systematic electoral fraud. With the [[Supreme Election Council (Turkey)|Supreme Electoral Council]] and courts rejecting his appeals, Yavaş declared his intention to take the irregularities to the [[European Court of Human Rights]]. Although Gökçek was inaugurated for a fifth term, most election observers believe<ref>{{cite news
|date       = 19 April 2014
|title      = Turkey's Prime Minister: Erdoğan v. judges, again
|newspaper    = The Economist
|volume     = 411
|issue      = 8883
|pages      = 32–36
}}</ref> that Yavaş was the winner of the election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/turkey-election-chp-ankara-challenge-vote.html|title=Turkish opposition party will challenge Ankara vote – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East|work=Al-Monitor|access-date=29 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721195513/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/turkey-election-chp-ankara-challenge-vote.html|archive-date=21 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://erikmeyersson.com/2014/04/01/is-something-rotten-in-ankaras-mayoral-election-a-very-preliminary-statistical-analysis/|title=Is Something Rotten in Ankara's Mayoral Election? A Very Preliminary Statistical Analysis |work=Erik Meyersson|date=April 2014|access-date=29 October 2014|archive-date=16 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716160539/https://erikmeyersson.com/2014/04/01/is-something-rotten-in-ankaras-mayoral-election-a-very-preliminary-statistical-analysis/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303978304579475510758359516|title=Turkish Opposition Cries Vote Fraud Amid Crackdown – WSJ|author=Joe Parkinson And Emre Peker|date=1 April 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=13 March 2017|archive-date=14 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414082039/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303978304579475510758359516|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chps-ankara-candidate-vows-to-defend-votes-as-police-crack-down-on-protest.aspx?pageID=238&nID=64391&NewsCatID=338|title=CHP's Ankara candidate vows to defend votes as police crack down on protest – POLITICS|work=hurriyetdailynews.com|date=2 April 2014 |access-date=29 October 2014|archive-date=29 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029034259/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chps-ankara-candidate-vows-to-defend-votes-as-police-crack-down-on-protest.aspx?pageID=238&nID=64391&NewsCatID=338|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/turkeys-weirdest-mayor-wont-be-distracted-by-electoral-fraud-allegations/|title=Turkey's Weirdest Mayor Won't Be Distracted By Electoral Fraud Allegations|work=VICE News|date=3 April 2014 |access-date=29 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029042436/https://news.vice.com/article/turkeys-weirdest-mayor-wont-be-distracted-by-electoral-fraud-allegations|archive-date=29 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Gökçek resigned on 28 October 2017 and was replaced by the former mayor of [[Sincan, Ankara|Sincan]] district, [[Mustafa Tuna]]; who was succeeded by [[Mansur Yavaş]] of the [[Republican People's Party|CHP]], the current mayor of Ankara, [[2019 Ankara mayoral election|elected in 2019]].

== Main sights ==
===Ancient/archeological sites===
[[File:Ankara Castle.jpg|thumb|[[Ankara Castle|Ankara castle and citadel]]]]
[[File:AugustusAnkara2.jpg|thumb|At the [[Monumentum Ancyranum]] (''Temple of Augustus and Rome'') in Ulus, the primary intact copy of [[Res Gestae Divi Augusti|Res Gestae]] written by the first Roman emperor [[Augustus]] survives.]]

The foundations of the [[Ankara Castle|Ankara castle and citadel]] were laid by the Galatians on a prominent [[lava]] outcrop ({{Coord|39.941|N|32.864|E|type:landmark|display=inline}}), and the rest was completed by the Romans. The Byzantines and Seljuks further made restorations and additions. The area around and inside the citadel, being the oldest part of Ankara, contains many fine examples of traditional architecture. There are also recreational areas to relax. Many restored traditional Turkish houses inside the citadel area have found new life as restaurants, serving local cuisine. The citadel was depicted in various Turkish banknotes during 1927–1952 and 1983–1989.<ref>The citadel was depicted in the following Turkish banknotes:
* On the [[obverse and reverse|obverse]] of the 1 [[Turkish lira|lira]] banknote of 1927–1939 (1. Emission Group – One Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E1/6.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417141856/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E1/6.htm |date=17 April 2009 }}).
* On the obverse of the 5 lira banknote of 1927–1937 (1. Emission Group – Five Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E1/10.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426025336/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E1/10.htm |date=26 April 2009 }}).
* On the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the 10 lira banknote of 1927–1938 (1. Emission Group – Ten Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E1/14.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426024951/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E1/14.htm |date=26 April 2009 }}).
* On the reverse of the 10 lira banknote of 1938–1952 (2. Emission Group – Ten Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/52.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225021428/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/52.htm |date=25 February 2009 }}).
* On the reverse of the 100 lira banknotes of 1983–1989 (7. Emission Group – One Hundred Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E7/256.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603080558/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E7/256.htm |date=3 June 2009 }} & [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E7/258.htm II. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603083227/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E7/258.htm |date=3 June 2009 }}).
[http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615060512/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ |date=15 June 2009 }}. Banknote Museum. – Links retrieved on 20 April 2009. {{cite web|url=http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E1/6.htm|title="E 1" – The Banknotes of 1. Emission Group – "One Turkish Lira"|website=tcmb.gov.tr|access-date=20 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417141856/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E1/6.htm|archive-date=17 April 2009}}</ref>

The remains, the stage, and the backstage of the [[Antique Rome theatre of Ankara]] can be seen outside [[Ankara Castle|the castle]]. Roman statues that were found here are exhibited in the [[Museum of Anatolian Civilizations]]. The seating area is still under excavation.

The Augusteum,{{sfn|Chisholm|1911b|p=953}} now known as the [[Temple of Augustus and Rome]], was built 25&nbsp;{{abbr|x|sometime between}}&nbsp;20&nbsp;BC following the conquest of Central Anatolia by the [[Roman Empire]]. Ancyra then formed the capital of the new [[Roman province|province]] of [[Galatia]]. After the death of [[Augustus]] in AD&nbsp;14, a copy of the text of the ''[[Res Gestae Divi Augusti]]'' (the ''[[Monumentum Ancyranum]]'') was inscribed on the interior of the temple's ''{{lang|la|pronaos}}'' in Latin and a Greek translation on an exterior wall of the ''{{lang|la|cella}}''. The temple on the ancient acropolis of Ancyra was enlarged in the 2nd century and converted into a church in the 5th century. It is located in the Ulus quarter of the city. It was subsequently publicized by the [[Austrian Empire|Austrian]] ambassador [[Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq]] in the 16th century.

The [[Roman Baths of Ankara]] have all the typical features of a classical [[Thermae|Roman bath complex]]: a ''[[frigidarium]]'' (cold room), a ''[[tepidarium]]'' (warm room) and a ''[[caldarium]]'' (hot room). The baths were built during the reign of the Roman emperor [[Caracalla]] in the early 3rd century to honor [[Asclepius|Asclepios]], the God of Medicine. Today, only the basement and first floors remain. It is situated in the Ulus quarter.

The [[Roman Road of Ankara]] or ''Cardo Maximus'' was found in 1995 by Turkish archeologist Cevdet Bayburtluoğlu. It is {{convert|216|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} long and {{convert|6.7|m|ft|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} wide. Many ancient artifacts were discovered during the excavations along the road and most of them are displayed at the [[Museum of Anatolian Civilizations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://v3.arkitera.com/news.php?action=displayNewsItem&ID=26016|title=Roma Yolu|date=14 March 2007|publisher=arkitera.com|access-date=10 June 2013|archive-date=12 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512204914/http://v3.arkitera.com/news.php?action=displayNewsItem&ID=26016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Antik Ankara">{{Cite book|last=Sargın|first=Haluk|year=2012|title=Antik Ankara|publisher=Arkadaş Yayınevi|place=Ankara|isbn= 978-975-509-719-0|language=tr|pages=126, 127, 128}}</ref>

The Column of Julian or Julianus, now in the Ulus district, was erected in honor of the Roman emperor [[Julian the Apostate]]'s visit to Ancyra in 362.

{{wide image|Baños romanos, Ankara, Turquía, 2024-10-03, DD 40-44 PAN.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|[[Roman Baths of Ankara]]}}

=== Mosques ===

{{Multiple image
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| image1            = ANKARA_KOCATEPE_CAMİİ.jpg
| image2            = Ahmet_Hamdi_Akseki_Mosque,_Ankara_02.jpg
| caption2          = '''Top''': Kocatepe Mosque (1987)<br />'''Bottom''': Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque (2013)
}}

[[Kocatepe Mosque]] is the largest mosque in the city. Located in the Kocatepe quarter, it was constructed between 1967 and 1987 in classical [[Ottoman architecture|Ottoman style]] with four minarets. Its size and prominent location have made it a landmark for the city.

[[Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque]] is located near the Presidency of Religious Affairs on the [[Eskişehir]] Road. Built in the Turkish neoclassical style, it is one of the largest new mosques in the city, completed and opened in 2013. It can accommodate 6&nbsp;thousand people during general prayers, and up to 30&nbsp;thousand people during funeral prayers. The mosque was decorated with [[Anatolian Seljuk architecture|Anatolian Seljuk style]] patterns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/tr/icerik/ahmet-hamdi-akseki-camii-dualarla-ibadete-acildi/8078|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218022254/http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/tr/icerik/ahmet-hamdi-akseki-camii-dualarla-ibadete-acildi/8078 |title=Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque has been opened for prayers|archive-date=18 February 2015}}</ref>

Yeni (Cenab Ahmet) Mosque is the largest Ottoman mosque in Ankara and was built by the famous architect Sinan in the 16th century. The mimber (pulpit) and mihrap (prayer niche) are of white marble, and the mosque itself is of Ankara stone, an example of very fine workmanship.

[[File:Haci Bayram Mosque 01.jpg|thumb|[[Hacı Bayram Mosque]] (1428)]]
[[Hacı Bayram Mosque]], in the Ulus quarter next to the [[Monumentum Ancyranum|Temple of Augustus]], was built in the early 15th century in Seljuk style by an unknown architect. It was subsequently restored by architect [[Mimar Sinan]] in the 16th century, with [[Kütahya]] tiles being added in the 18th century. The mosque was built in honor of [[Hacı Bayram-ı Veli]], whose tomb is next to the mosque, two years before his death (1427–28).<ref>{{cite web|author=SonTech Yazılım |url=http://www.HaciBayramiVeli.com |title=Hacı Bayram-ı Veli :. hacıbayramveli, hacı bayramveli, haci bayrami veli, hacıbayram, nasihatleri, hacı bayram cami, hayatı, hacıbayram-ı veli |publisher=Hacibayramiveli.com |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525033235/http://www.hacibayramiveli.com/ |archive-date=25 May 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> The usable space inside this mosque is {{convert|437|m2|sp=us|sqft|0|abbr=on}} on the first floor and {{convert|sp=us|263|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}} on the second floor.

Ahi Elvan Mosque was founded in the Ulus quarter near the Ankara Citadel and was constructed by the [[Ahis|Ahi fraternity]] during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. The finely carved walnut mimber (pulpit) is of particular interest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ankara.com/museums.html|title=Museums – Ankara.com: City guide of Turkey's Capital|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-date=31 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131145302/http://www.ankara.com/museums.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Alâeddin Mosque]] is the oldest mosque in Ankara. It has a [[wood carving|carved]] [[Juglans|walnut]] [[minbar|mimber]], the inscription on which records that the mosque was completed in early [[Islamic calendar|AH 574]] (which corresponds to the summer of 1178&nbsp;AD) and was built by the [[Seljuk dynasty|Seljuk]] prince Muhiddin Mesud Şah (died 1204), the [[Bey]] of Ankara, who was the son of the [[Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate|Anatolian Seljuk sultan]] [[Kilij Arslan II|Kılıç Arslan II]] (reigned 1156–1192.)

===Modern monuments===
There are at least 50 monuments and reliefs throughout the city. Some notables are:

{{Multiple image
| align             = right
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| image1            = Ankara asv2021-10 img38 Victory Monument.jpg
| image2            = Hittite Sun Course Monument.jpg
| caption2          = '''Top''': Victory Monument (1927)<br />'''Bottom''': [[Hittite Sun Course Monument]] (1978)
}}

The [[Victory Monument (Ankara)|Victory Monument]] ([[Turkish language|Turkish]]: ''[[:tr:Ankara Zafer Anıtı|Zafer Anıtı]]'') was crafted by Austrian sculptor Heinrich Krippel in 1925 and was erected in 1927 at [[Ulus Square]]. The monument is made of [[marble]] and [[bronze]] and features an [[equestrian statue]] of [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], who wears a Republic era modern military uniform, with the rank [[Field Marshal]].<ref>[http://www.kulturvarliklari.gov.tr/TR,43950/ankara-ulus-ataturk-aniti.html Ministry of Culture page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072834/http://www.kulturvarliklari.gov.tr/TR,43950/ankara-ulus-ataturk-aniti.html |date=4 March 2016 }}. {{in lang|tr}}</ref>

Located at Zafer(Victory) Square ([[Turkish language|Turkish]]: ''Zafer Meydanı''), the [[marble]] and [[bronze]] Statue of Atatürk was crafted by the Italian sculptor [[Pietro Canonica]] in 1927 and depicts a standing Atatürk who wears a Republic era modern military uniform, with the rank [[Field Marshal]].

The [[Security Monument]], located in [[Güvenpark]] near Kızılay Square, was erected in 1935 and bears Atatürk's advice to his people: "Turk! Be proud, work hard, and believe in yourself." (There is debate on whether or not Atatürk actually said "Use your mind"(Turkish: ''öğün'') instead of "Be proud"(Turkish: ''övün''))<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.malumatfurus.org/turk-ogun-calis-guven-sozu-ovunmek/|title="Türk Öğün, Çalış, Güven" Sözündeki "Övünmek" Vurgusu|date=29 October 2021}}</ref>

The monument was depicted on the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the Turkish 5 [[Turkish lira|lira]] banknote of 1937–1952<ref>[http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615060512/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ |date=15 June 2009 }}. The Banknotes of 2. Emission Group – Five Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/48.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203053233/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/48.htm |date=3 February 2012 }}</ref> and of the 1000 lira banknotes of 1939–1946.<ref>[http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615060512/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ |date=15 June 2009 }}. Banknote Museum: 2. Emission Group – One Thousand Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/70.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225021015/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/70.htm |date=25 February 2009 }} & [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/72.htm II. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912195327/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/72.htm |date=12 September 2007 }}</ref>

Erected in 1978 at [[Sıhhiye Square]], the Hatti Monument impressive monument symbolizes the [[Hattians|Hatti]] Sun Disc (which was later adopted by the [[Hittites]]) and commemorates Anatolia's earliest known civilization. The Hatti Sun Disc has been used in the previous logo of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. It was also used in the previous logo of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism.

The [[Monument to Turkish Soldiers Fighting in Korea]] opened in 1973 to commemorate the veterans and martyrs of the [[Turkish Brigade]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kore Savaşı'nın 72. yılı Ankara'da törenle anıldı |trans-title=The 72nd anniversary of the Korean War was commemorated with a ceremony in Ankara |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/yasam/kore-savasinin-72-yili-ankarada-torenle-anildi/2622444# |language=tr}}</ref>

===Inns===
[[File:Ankara september 2011 9289.jpg|thumb|[[Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum]]'s courtyard has been covered with a glass roof.]]
[[Suluhan]] is a historical Inn in Ankara. It is also called the ''Hasanpaşa Han''. It is about {{convert|sp=us|400|m}} southeast of [[Ulus Square]] and situated in the Hacıdoğan neighborhood. According to the ''vakfiye'' (inscription) of the building, the Ottoman era ''han'' was commissioned by Hasan Pasha, a regional [[beylerbey]], and was constructed between 1508 and 1511, during the final years of the reign of Sultan [[Bayezid II]].<ref name="Ank">{{Cite web|url=http://ankaratarihi.blogspot.com/2009/12/eski-hana-yeni-cehre-suluhan.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185638/http://ankaratarihi.blogspot.com/2009/12/eski-hana-yeni-cehre-suluhan.html |title=Ankara: ESKİ HAN'A YENİ ÇEHRE: SULUHAN|date=3 December 2009|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>
There are 102 rooms (now shops) which face the two yards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.milliyet.com.tr/Eski_Han_a_yeni_cehre__Suluhan/Blog/?BlogNo=171373|title=Eski Han'a yeni çehre: Suluhan/Kent Tarihi/milliyet blog|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-date=12 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312053234/http://blog.milliyet.com.tr/Eski_Han_a_yeni_cehre__Suluhan/Blog/?BlogNo=171373|url-status=live}}</ref> In each room there is a window, a niche and a chimney.<ref name="Ank2">{{cite web|url=http://ankaratarihi.blogspot.com/2009/12/eski-hana-yeni-cehre-suluhan.html|title=Ankara: ESKİ HAN'A YENİ ÇEHRE: SULUHAN|first=Mehmet|last=Tuncer|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185638/http://ankaratarihi.blogspot.com/2009/12/eski-hana-yeni-cehre-suluhan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum]] is a museum of industrial technology situated in [[:tr:Çengel Han|Çengel Han]], an Ottoman era Inn which was completed in 1523, during the early years of the reign of Sultan [[Suleiman the Magnificent]]. The exhibits include industrial/technological artifacts from the 1850s onwards. There are also sections about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey; Vehbi Koç, Rahmi Koç's father and one of the first industrialists of Turkey, and Ankara city.

== Shopping ==
[[File:Ankara Armada Alışveriş Merkezi.JPG|thumb|Armada Shopping Mall]]
Foreign visitors to Ankara usually like to visit the old shops in ''Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu'' (Weavers' Road) near Ulus, where myriad things ranging from traditional fabrics, hand-woven carpets and leather products can be found at bargain prices. ''Bakırcılar Çarşısı'' (Bazaar of Coppersmiths) is particularly popular, and many interesting items, not just of copper, can be found here like jewelry, carpets, costumes, antiques and embroidery. Up the hill to the castle gate, there are many shops selling a huge and fresh collection of spices, [[dried fruit]]s, nuts, and other produce.

[[File:Ankara_asv2021-10_img15_Atakule.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Atakule|Atakule Tower]] and Atrium Shopping Mall]]
Modern shopping areas are mostly found in [[Kızılay, Ankara|Kızılay]], or on Tunalı Hilmi Avenue, including the modern mall of [[List of shopping malls in Turkey#Ankara|Karum]] (named after the ancient [[Assyria]]n merchant colonies called [[Kültepe#Kârum Kaneš|''Kârum'']] that were established in [[Central Anatolia Region|central]] [[Anatolia]] at the beginning of the [[2nd millennium BC]]) which is located towards the end of the Avenue; and in [[Çankaya, Ankara|Çankaya]], the quarter with the highest elevation in the city. [[Atakule|Atakule Tower]] next to [[Atakule#Atrium shopping mall|Atrium Mall]] in Çankaya has views over Ankara and also has a [[revolving restaurant]] at the top. The symbol of the [[List of shopping malls in Turkey#Ankara|Armada Shopping Mall]] is an [[anchor]], and there is a large anchor monument at its entrance, as a reference to the ancient Greek name of the city, Ἄγκυρα (Ánkyra), which means anchor. Likewise, the anchor monument is also related with the Spanish name of the mall, Armada, which means [[naval fleet]].

[[File:Ankara Sheraton Oteli (2).jpg|thumb|[[Sheraton Ankara]] and Karum Shopping Mall]]
As Ankara started expanding westward in the 1970s, several modern, suburbia-style developments, mini-cities and business districts such as [[Söğütözü]] began to rise along the western highway, also known as the [[Eskişehir]] Road. The ''Armada'', ''CEPA'' and ''Kentpark'' malls on the highway, the ''Galleria'', ''Arcadium'' and ''Gordion'' in Ümitköy, and a huge mall, ''Real'' in Bilkent Center, offer North American and European style shopping opportunities (these places can be reached through the Eskişehir Highway.) There is also the newly expanded ''[[ANKAmall]]'' at the outskirts, on the Istanbul Highway, which houses most of the well-known international brands. This mall is the largest throughout the Ankara region. In 2014, a few more shopping malls were open in Ankara. They are ''Next Level'' and ''Taurus'' on the Boulevard of [[Mevlana]] (also known as [[Konya]] Road).

==Culture==
=== The arts ===
[[File:Ankara asv2021-10 img54 view from Gençlik Park Ferris wheel.jpg|thumb|[[Ankara Opera House]] of the Turkish State Opera and Ballet (1933)]]
[[File:CSOAdaAnkaraExterior.jpg|thumb|upright|[[CSO Ada Ankara]] serves as the Presidential Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall.]]

[[Turkish State Opera and Ballet]], the national directorate of opera and ballet companies of Turkey, has its headquarters in Ankara, and serves the city with three venues:

*[[Ankara Opera House]] (''Opera Sahnesi'', also known as ''Büyük Tiyatro'') is the largest of the three venues for opera and ballet in Ankara.

==== Music ====

Ankara is host to five classical music orchestras:
*[[Presidential Symphony Orchestra]] (Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestra)
*[[Bilkent Symphony Orchestra]] (BSO) is a major symphony orchestra of Turkey.
*[[Hacettepe Symphony Orchestra]] was founded in 2003 and directed by Erol Erdinç 
*Başkent Oda Orkestrası (Chamber Orchestra of the Capital)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boorkestrasi.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322005734/http://www.boorkestrasi.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2007 |title=Index of / |publisher=Boorkestrasi.com |access-date=22 May 2009 }}</ref>

There are four concert halls in the city:
*[[CSO Concert Hall]]
*[[Bilkent Concert Hall]] is a performing arts center in Ankara. It is located in the Bilkent University campus.
*[[MEB Şura Salonu]] (also known as the Festival Hall), It is noted for its tango performances.
*Çankaya Çağdaş Sanatlar Merkezi Concert Hall was founded in 1994.

The city has been host to several well-established, annual theater, music, film festivals:

*[[Ankara International Music Festival]], a music festival organized in the Turkish capital presenting classical music and ballet programs.

Ankara also has a number of concert venues such as ''Eskiyeni'', ''[[IF Performance Hall]]'', ''[[Jolly Joker (venues chain)|Jolly Joker]]'', ''Kite'', ''Nefes Bar'', and ''Route'', which host the live performances and events of popular musicians.

==== Theater ====

The [[Turkish State Theatres]] also has its head office in Ankara and runs the following stages in the city:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[125. Yıl Çayyolu Sahnesi]]
*[[:tr:Ankara Devlet Tiyatrosu|Büyük Tiyatro]],
*[[Küçük Tiyatro]],
*[[Şinasi Sahnesi]],
*[[Akün Sahnesi]],
*[[Altındağ Tiyatrosu]],
*[[İrfan Şahinbaş Atölye Sahnesi]],
*[[Oda Tiyatrosu]],
*[[Mahir Canova Sahnesi]],
*[[Muhsin Ertuğrul Sahnesi]].
{{div col end}}

In addition, the city is served by several private theater companies, among which [[:tr:Ankara Sanat Tiyatrosu|Ankara Sanat Tiyatrosu]], who have their own stage in the city center, is a notable example.

=== Museums ===
There are about 50 museums in the city. Some notables include;

====Museum of Anatolian Civilizations====
The [[Museum of Anatolian Civilizations]] (''Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi'') is situated at the entrance of the [[Ankara Castle]]. It is an old 15th century [[bedesten]] (covered bazaar)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/central-anatolia/ankara/sights/museums-galleries/museum-anatolian-civilisations|title=Museum of Anatolian Civilisations – Lonely Planet|first=Lonely|last=Planet|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828183359/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/central-anatolia/ankara/sights/museums-galleries/museum-anatolian-civilisations|url-status=live}}</ref> that has been restored and now houses a collection of [[Paleolithic]], [[Neolithic]], [[Hittite empire|Hatti]], [[Hittites|Hittite]], [[Phrygia]]n, [[Urartu|Urartian]] and [[Roman Empire|Roman]] works as well as a major section dedicated to [[Lydia]]n treasures.

==== Anıtkabir ====
[[File:Anıtkabir_ziyareti.jpeg|thumb|[[Anıtkabir|Atatürk's Mausoleum]] is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey.]]
[[Anıtkabir]] is located on an imposing hill, which forms the ''Anıttepe'' quarter of the city, where the mausoleum of [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], founder of the Republic of Turkey, stands. Completed in 1953, it is a fusion of ancient and modern architectural styles. An adjacent museum houses a wax statue of Atatürk, his writings, letters and personal items, as well as an exhibition of photographs recording important moments in his life and during the establishment of the Republic. Anıtkabir is open every day, while the adjacent museum is open every day except Mondays.

====Ankara Aviation Museum====
[[Ankara Aviation Museum]] (''Hava Kuvvetleri Müzesi Komutanlığı'') is located near the Istanbul Road in Etimesgut. The museum opened to the public in September 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hvkk.tsk.tr/en-us/Turkish_Air_Force/Air_Force_Museums/Ankara_Aviation_Museum|title=Turkish Air Force – Air Force Museums – Ankara Aviation Museum|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815192301/https://www.hvkk.tsk.tr/en-us/Turkish_Air_Force/Air_Force_Museums/Ankara_Aviation_Museum|archive-date=15 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is home to various missiles, avionics, aviation materials and aircraft that have served in the [[Turkish Air Force]] (e.g. combat aircraft such as the [[F-86 Sabre]], [[F-100 Super Sabre]], [[F-102 Delta Dagger]], [[F-104 Starfighter]], [[Northrop F-5|F-5 Freedom Fighter]], [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom]]; and cargo planes such as the [[Transall C-160]].) Also a Hungarian [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]], a Pakistani [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19|MiG-19]], and a Bulgarian [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17|MiG-17]] are on display at the museum.

====Cermodern====
Cermodern is the modern-arts museum of Ankara, inaugurated on 1 April 2010. It is situated in the renovated building of the historic [[Turkish State Railways|TCDD]] Cer Atölyeleri, formerly a workshop of the [[Turkish State Railways]]. The museum incorporates the largest exhibition hall in Turkey. The museum holds periodic exhibitions of modern and contemporary art as well as hosting other contemporary arts events.

====Ankara Ethnography Museum====
[[File:Ethnography Museum of Ankara.jpg|thumb|[[Ethnography Museum of Ankara]]]]
[[Ethnography Museum of Ankara|Ankara Ethnography Museum]] (''Etnografya Müzesi'') is located opposite to the [[Ankara Opera House]] on Talat Paşa Boulevard, in the Ulus district. There is a fine collection of folkloric items, as well as artifacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. In front of the museum building, there is a [[marble]] and [[bronze]] [[equestrian statue]] of [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]] (who wears a Republic era modern military uniform, with the rank [[Field Marshal]]) which was crafted in 1927<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muze.gov.tr/en/museums/ethnography-museum-of-ankara|title=Ethnography Museum of Ankara – Müze|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806193224/http://www.muze.gov.tr/en/museums/ethnography-museum-of-ankara|archive-date=6 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> by the Italian sculptor [[Pietro Canonica]].

====Mehmet Akif Literature Museum Library====
The [[Mehmet Akif Literature Museum Library]] is an important literary museum and archive opened in 2011 and dedicated to [[Mehmet Akif Ersoy]] (1873–1936), the poet of the [[Turkish National Anthem]].

====METU Science and Technology Museum / Archaeology Museum ====
Both the [[METU Science and Technology Museum]] (''ODTÜ Bilim ve Teknoloji Müzesi'') and the Archaeology Museum (''ODTÜ Arkeoloji Müzesi'') are located inside the [[METU|Middle East Technical University]] campus.

====Republic & War of Independence Museum====
[[File:Ankara asv2021-10 img45 Cumhuriyet Street on 29Oct.jpg|thumb|The [[War of Independence Museum]], used as the first Turkish Grand National Assembly building]]
Both the [[Republic Museum]] and [[War of Independence Museum]] are located on [[Ulus Square]]. They were originally the first and second Parliament building (TBMM) of the Republic of Turkey, respectively. The War of Independence was planned and directed here as recorded in various photographs and items presently on exhibition. In another display, [[wax sculpture|wax figure]]s of former presidents of the Republic of Turkey are on exhibit.

====State Art and Sculpture Museum====
[[File:Ankara_asv2021-10_img64_Arts_and_Sculpture_Museum.jpg|thumb|[[State Art and Sculpture Museum]]]]
The [[State Art and Sculpture Museum]] (''Resim-Heykel Müzesi'') which opened to the public in 1980<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kulturturizm.gov.tr/EN,117565/ankara-art-and-sculpture-museum-directorate.html|title=Ankara Art and Sculpture Museum Directorate|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820001802/http://www.kulturturizm.gov.tr/EN,117565/ankara-art-and-sculpture-museum-directorate.html|url-status=live}}</ref> is close to the Ethnography Museum and houses a rich collection of Turkish art from the late 19th century to the present day. There are also galleries which host guest exhibitions.

====TCDD Open Air Steam Locomotive Museum====
The [[TCDD Open Air Steam Locomotive Museum]] is an [[open-air museum]] which traces the history of [[steam locomotive]]s.

=== Art Galleries ===
There are two well-established art galleries in Ankara: Galeri Nev and Siyah Beyaz.

==== Galeri Nev ====
[https://galerinev.art/en Galeri Nev] is a long-established art gallery based in Ankara, Turkey. Founded in 1984, it has hosted numerous exhibitions and contributed to the development of contemporary art in Turkey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bilisim |first=Red |title=Galeri Nev'in 40. Yıldönümü {{!}} E-Dergi, Sanat Tarihi |url=https://www.e-skop.com/skopbulten/galeri-nevin-40-yildonumu/6748 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=www.e-skop.com |language=tr}}</ref>

==== Galeri Siyah Beyaz ====
[https://galerisiyahbeyaz.com/ Galeri Siyah Beyaz] is a well-known art gallery founded in 1984 in Ankara, Turkey. The gallery showcases modern and contemporary artworks and hosts both solo and group exhibitions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-29 |title=Apartmanda 32 Yıllık Bar: Siyah Beyaz |url=https://www.redbull.com/tr-tr/ankara-siyah-beyaz-bar-galeri-hikayesi |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Red Bull |language=tr-tr}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
[[File:Ankara_asv2021-10_img20_Ankara_Arena.jpg|thumb|[[Ankara Arena]]]]
As with all other cities of Turkey, football is the most popular sport in Ankara. The city currently has one [[football team|football club]] competing in the top flight of Turkish football, [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]]. [[Ankara Keçiörengücü]] currently compete in the second tier of Turkish football, the [[TFF First League]]. [[MKE Ankaragücü|Ankaragücü]], founded in 1910, currently compete in the third tier, the [[TFF Second League]]. Ankaragücü are the oldest club in Ankara and are associated with Ankara's military arsenal manufacturing company [[Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation|MKE]]. They were the [[Turkish Cup]] winners in 1972 and 1981. [[Gençlerbirliği S.K.|Gençlerbirliği]], founded in 1923, are known as the ''Ankara Gale'' or the ''Poppies'' because of their colors: red and black. They were the Turkish Cup winners in 1987 and 2001. Ankara Keçiörengücü also compete in this tier. They were founded in 1987, and bear purple and white colours on their home kit. [[Büyükşehir Belediye Ankaraspor]] also played in the Süper Lig until 2010, when they were expelled. The club was reconstituted in 2014 as [[Osmanlıspor]] but have since returned to their old identity as [[Ankaraspor]]. Ankaraspor currently play in the [[TFF Second League]] at the Etimesgut Belediyesi Atatürk Stadium. Gençlerbirliği's B team, [[Hacettepe S.K.]] (formerly known as Gençlerbirliği OFTAŞ) played in the Süper Lig but folded in 2023. [[Ankara Demirspor]] and [[Etimesgut Belediyespor]] also play in the [[TFF Second League]]. Ankara has a large number of minor teams, playing at regional levels, including [[Çankaya FK]], Altındağspor,<ref name="tff">{{cite web|url=http://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageID=395&kulupID=3351|title=Altindağ Spor – Kulüp Bilgileri TFF|website=tff.org|access-date=9 January 2021|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918141304/https://tff.org/Default.aspx?pageID=395&kulupID=3351|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mamak FK]], Çubukspor, and Bağlumspor.

In the [[Basketbol Süper Ligi|Turkish Basketball Super League]], Ankara is represented by [[Türk Telekom B.K.]], who play at the [[Ankara Arena]]. [[TED Ankara Kolejliler]], MKE Ankaragücü, and [[OGM Ormanspor]] play in the second-tier [[Türkiye Basketbol Ligi|Turkish First League]]. Türk Telekom became the fourth team in the country's history to participate in [[EuroCup Basketball|EuroCup]] finals ([[2022–23 EuroCup Basketball|22-23]]).

[[Halkbank Ankara]] is the leading domestic powerhouse in men's volleyball, having won many championships and cups in the [[Turkish Men's Volleyball League]] and even the [[CEV Cup]] in 2013.

[[Ankara Ice Palace|Ankara Buz Pateni Sarayı]] is where the [[ice skating]] and [[ice hockey]] competitions take place in the city.

There are many popular spots for [[skateboarding]] which is active in the city since the 1980s. Skaters in Ankara usually meet in the park near the [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey]].

=== Handball ===
The 2012-built [[THF Sport Hall]] hosts the [[Turkish Handball Super League|Handball Super League]] and [[Turkish Women's Handball Super League|Women's Handball Super League]] matches scheduled in Ankara.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 May 2013 |title=Hentbol-Şampiyon kim olacak? |trans-title=Handball – Who will be the champion? |url=http://www.sportstv.com.tr/sampiyon-kim-olacak-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321131101/http://www.sportstv.com.tr/sampiyon-kim-olacak-2/ |archive-date=21 March 2014 |access-date=29 May 2013 |newspaper=Sports TV |language=tr}}</ref>

The women's handball teams [[Yenimahalle Bld. SK (women's handball)|Yenimahalle Bld.]] and [[Ankara Yurdum SK|Ankara Yurdum]] compete in the Super League.<ref name="hh1">{{cite news |url=https://www.hentbolhaber.net/kadinlar-super-ligi-nde-8-takim-heyecanda-geri-sayim/14136/ |newspaper=Hentbol Haber |title=Kadınlar Süper Ligi'nde 8 Takım! Heyecanda Geri Sayım |date= |language=tr |access-date=11 December 2025 }}</ref>

== Parks ==
[[File:Seğmenler Parkı.jpg|thumb|right|Botanik Park]]
[[File:Göksupark Ankara - 21821118323.jpg|thumb|right|[[Göksu Park]]]]

Ankara has many parks and open spaces mainly established in the early years of the Republic and well maintained and expanded thereafter. The most important of these parks are: [[Gençlik Parkı]] (houses an [[amusement park]] with a large pond for rowing), Botanik Park, Seğmenler Park, Anayasa Park, [[Kuğulu Park]] (famous for the swans received as a gift from the [[PRC|Chinese]] government), [[Abdi İpekçi]] Park, [[Esertepe Parkı]], Güven Park (see above for the monument), Kurtuluş Park (has an ice-skating rink), [[Altınpark]] (also a prominent exposition/fair area), Harikalar Diyarı (claimed to be Biggest Park of Europe inside city borders) and Göksu Park. [[Dikmen Vadisi]] (Dikmen Valley) is a {{convert|70|ha}} park and recreation area situated in Çankaya district.

Gençlik Park was depicted on the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the Turkish 100 [[Turkish lira|lira]] banknotes of 1952–1976.<ref>[http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615060512/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ |date=15 June 2009 }}. Banknote Museum: 5. Emission Group – One Hundred Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/168.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204092341/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/168.htm |date=4 February 2009 }}, [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/170.htm II. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204092346/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/170.htm |date=4 February 2009 }}, [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/172.htm III. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204092351/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/172.htm |date=4 February 2009 }}, [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/174.htm IV. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204092356/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/174.htm |date=4 February 2009 }}, [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/176.htm V. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204092402/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/176.htm |date=4 February 2009 }} & [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/179.htm VI. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204092407/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E5/179.htm |date=4 February 2009 }}</ref>

[[Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo]] (''Atatürk Orman Çiftliği'') is an expansive recreational farming area which houses a [[zoo]], several small agricultural farms, [[greenhouse]]s, restaurants, a [[dairy farming|dairy farm]] and a brewery. It is a pleasant place to spend a day with family, be it for having picnics, hiking, biking or simply enjoying good food and nature. There is also an exact replica of the house where Atatürk was born in 1881, in [[Thessaloniki]], Greece. Visitors to the "Çiftlik" (farm) as it is affectionately called by Ankarans, can sample such famous products of the farm such as old-fashioned beer and [[ice cream]], fresh [[dairy product]]s and meat rolls/kebabs made on charcoal, at a traditional restaurant (''Merkez Lokantası'', Central Restaurant), cafés and other establishments scattered around the farm.

== Education ==
{{Main|Education in Ankara}}

===Universities===
Ankara is noted, within Turkey, for the multitude of universities it is home to. These include the following, several of them being among the most reputable in the country:

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Ankara University]]
*[[Atılım University]]
*[[Başkent University]]
*[[Bilkent University]]
*[[Çankaya University]]
*[[Gazi University]]
*[[:tr:Gülhane Askerî Tıp Akademisi|Gülhane Military Medical Academy]]
*[[Hacettepe University]]
*[[Middle East Technical University]]
*[[TED University]]
*[[TOBB University of Economics and Technology]]
*[[:tr:Türk Hava Kurumu Üniversitesi|Turkish Aeronautical Association University]]
*[[Turkish Military Academy]]
*[[Turkish National Police Academy]]
*[[Ufuk University]]
*[[Yıldırım Beyazıt University]]
{{div col end}}

==Fauna==

===Angora cat===
{{Main|Turkish Angora}}

[[File:Odd-eyed_Turkish_Angora_cat_-_20080830.jpg|thumb|[[Turkish Angora|Angora cat]] with odd eyes (heterochromia), which is common among the Angoras]]

Ankara is home to a world-famous domestic [[cat breed]] – the [[Turkish Angora]], called ''Ankara kedisi'' (Ankara cat) in Turkish. Turkish Angoras are one of the ancient, naturally occurring cat breeds, having originated in Ankara and its surrounding region in central Anatolia.

They mostly have a white, silky, medium to long length coat, no undercoat and a fine bone structure. There seems to be a connection between the Angora Cats and [[Persian (cat)|Persians]], and the Turkish Angora is also a distant cousin of the [[Turkish Van]]. Although they are known for their shimmery white coat, there are more than twenty varieties including black, blue and reddish fur. They come in [[tabby cat|tabby]] and tabby-white, along with smoke varieties, and are in every color other than pointed, lavender, and cinnamon (all of which would indicate breeding to an outcross.)

Eyes may be blue, green, or amber, or even one blue and one amber or green. The [[Cat coat genetics#White spotting and epistatic white|W gene]] which is responsible for the white coat and blue eye is closely related to the hearing ability, and the presence of a blue eye can indicate that the cat is deaf to the side the blue eye is located. However, a great many blue and [[odd-eyed cat|odd-eyed]] white cats have normal hearing, and even deaf cats lead a very normal life if kept indoors.

Ears are pointed and large, eyes are almond shaped and the head is massive with a two plane profile. Another characteristic is the tail, which is often kept parallel to the back.

===Angora goat===
{{Main|Angora goat}}

[[File:Angora1.JPG|thumb|Angora goat]]

The [[Angora goat]] ({{Langx|tr|Ankara keçisi}}) is a breed of [[goat|domestic goat]] that originated in Ankara and its surrounding region in central Anatolia.<ref name="Ekarius">{{cite book|author=Carol Ekarius|title=Storey's Illustrated Breed Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle, and Pigs: 163 Breeds from Common to Rare|date=10 September 2008|publisher=Storey Publishing|isbn=978-1-60342-037-2|page=150}}</ref>

This breed was first mentioned in the time of [[Moses]], roughly in 1500&nbsp;BC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://daisyshillfarm.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page2.html |title=Angora Goats history |publisher=Daisyshillfarm.com |access-date=29 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703174935/http://daisyshillfarm.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page2.html |archive-date=3 July 2009}}</ref> The first Angora goats were brought to Europe by [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]], about 1554, but, like later imports, were not very successful. Angora goats were first introduced in the United States in 1849 by James P. Davis. Seven adult goats were a gift from Sultan [[Abdülmecid I]] in appreciation for his services and advice on the raising of cotton.

The [[Pile (textile)|fleece]] taken from an Angora goat is called [[mohair]]. A single goat produces between {{convert|5|and|8|kg|spell=in|lk=out|abbr=off}} of hair per year. Angoras are shorn twice a year, unlike [[Domestic sheep|sheep]], which are shorn only once. Angoras have high nutritional requirements due to their rapid hair growth. A poor quality diet will curtail mohair development. The United States, [[Turkey]], and South Africa are the top producers of mohair.

For a long period of time, Angora goats were bred for their white coat. In 1998, the Colored Angora Goat Breeders Association was set up to promote breeding of colored Angoras. Today, Angora goats produce white, black (deep black to greys and silver), red (the color fades significantly as the goat gets older), and brownish fiber.

Angora goats were depicted on the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the Turkish 50 [[Turkish lira|lira]] banknotes of 1938–1952.<ref>[http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615060512/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/eng/ |date=15 June 2009 }}. Banknote Museum:<br />2. Emission Group – Fifty Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/56.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225021444/http://tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E2/56.htm |date=25 February 2009 }};<br />3. Emission Group – Fifty Turkish Lira – [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E3/86.htm I. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225181717/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E3/86.htm |date=25 December 2008 }} & [http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E3/88.htm II. Series] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912194725/http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/banknote/E3/88.htm |date=12 September 2007 }}</ref>

===Angora rabbit===
{{Main|Angora rabbit}}

[[File:Joey Giant Angora Buck.jpg|thumb|Angora rabbit]]

The [[Angora rabbit]] ({{Langx|tr|Ankara tavşanı}}) is a variety of domestic rabbit bred for its long, soft hair. The Angora is one of the oldest types of domestic rabbit, originating in Ankara and its surrounding region in central Anatolia, along with the [[Turkish Angora|Angora cat]] and [[Angora goat]]. The rabbits were popular pets with French royalty in the mid-18th century, and spread to other parts of Europe by the end of the century. They first appeared in the United States in the early 20th century. They are bred largely for their long [[Angora wool]], which may be removed by [[sheep shearing|shear]]ing, combing, or [[plucking (hair removal)|pluck]]ing (gently pulling loose wool).

Angoras are bred mainly for their wool because it is silky and soft. They have a humorous appearance, as they resemble a fur ball. Most are calm and docile but should be handled carefully. Grooming is necessary to prevent the fiber from matting and felting on the rabbit. A condition called "wool block" is common in Angora rabbits and should be treated quickly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/angora-care.shtml |title=Angora Rabbit Breeds – How to Care for Your Angora Rabbit |access-date=29 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125215910/http://joyofhandspinning.com/angora-care.shtml |archive-date=25 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sometimes they are shorn in the summer as the long fur can cause the rabbits to overheat.

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Turkey}}

===Twin towns and sister cities===
Ankara is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ankara.bel.tr/en/foreign-relations-department/sister-cities-of-ankara |title=Sister Cities of Ankera |publisher=T.C. Ankara Büyükþehir Belediyesi Baþkanlýðý |location=Ankera, Turkey |access-date=13 August 2016 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224190520/https://www.ankara.bel.tr/en/foreign-relations-department/sister-cities-of-ankara/#.V6zuCGVvfxs |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
*{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Seoul]], South Korea (since 1971)<ref name="Seoul twinnings2">{{cite web|url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/cooper/coo_02sis.html |title=International Cooperation: Sister Cities |access-date=26 January 2008 |work=Seoul Metropolitan Government |publisher=seoul.go.kr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210175055/http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/cooper/coo_02sis.html |archive-date=10 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Seoul winnings">{{cite web|url=http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/cg/cityhall.php?pidx=6 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120325052520/http://english.seoul.go.kr/gtk/cg/cityhall.php?pidx=6 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 March 2012 |title=Seoul -Sister Cities [via WayBackMachine] |access-date=23 August 2013 |work=Seoul Metropolitan Government (archived 2012-04-25) }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Islamabad]], Pakistan (since 1982)<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Cities of Ankara|author=Greater Municipality of Ankara|url=http://www.ankara.bel.tr/AbbSayfalariEn/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/kardes_sehirler.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705145123/http://www.ankara.bel.tr/AbbSayfalariEn/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/kardes_sehirler.aspx|archive-date=5 July 2010}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (since 1984)
* {{flagicon|China}} Beijing, China (since 1990)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Sister_Cities/Sister_City/|title=Sister Cities|publisher=Beijing Municipal Government|access-date=23 June 2009|archive-date=16 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216015454/http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Sister_Cities/Sister_City/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Amman]], Jordan (since 1992)
*{{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[Bishkek]], Kyrgyzstan (since 1992)
* {{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Budapest]], Hungary (since 1992)
*{{flagicon|Sudan}} [[Khartoum]], Sudan (since 1992)
*{{flagicon|Russia}} Moscow, Russia (since 1992)
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Sofia]], Bulgaria (since 1992)
*{{flagicon|Cuba}} [[Havana]], Cuba (since 1993)
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Kyiv]], Ukraine (since 1993)
*{{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Ashgabat]], Turkmenistan (since 1994)
*{{flagicon|Kuwait}} [[Kuwait City]], Kuwait (since 1994)
*{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Sarajevo]], Bosnia and Herzegovina (since 1994)<ref>{{cite web|author=daenet d.o.o. |url=http://www.sarajevo.ba/en/stream.php?kat=160 |title=Sarajevo Official Web Site: Sister cities |publisher=Sarajevo.ba |access-date=6 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412141407/http://www.sarajevo.ba/en/stream.php?kat=160 |archive-date=12 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Albania}} [[Tirana]], Albania (since 1995)<ref name="International relations">{{cite web|url=http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/International%20Relations.pdf |title=Twinning Cities: International Relations |access-date=23 June 2009 |work=Municipality of Tirana |publisher=tirana.gov.al|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010042121/http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/International%20Relations.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2011 }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Tbilisi]], Georgia (since 1996)<ref name="Tbilisi Sister Cities">{{cite web|url=http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=4571 |title=Tbilisi Sister Cities |access-date=5 August 2013 |work=Tbilisi City Hall |publisher=Tbilisi Municipal Portal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724120155/http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=4571 |archive-date=24 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Ufa]], [[Bashkortostan]], Russia (since 1997)
*{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Alanya]], Turkey
*{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Bucharest]], Romania (since 1998)
*{{flagicon|Vietnam}} [[Hanoi]], Vietnam (since 1998)
*{{flagicon|Bahrain}} [[Manama]], Bahrain (since 2000)
*{{flagicon|Somalia}} [[Mogadishu]], Somalia (since 2000)
*{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Santiago]], Chile (since 2000)
*{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Astana]], Kazakhstan (since 2001)
*{{flagicon|Tajikistan}} [[Dushanbe]], Tajikistan (since 2003)
*{{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Kabul]], Afghanistan (since 2003)
*{{flagicon|Mongolia}} [[Ulaanbaatar]], Mongolia (since 2003)
*{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Cairo]], Egypt (since 2004)
*{{flagicon|Moldova}} [[Chișinău]], Moldova (since 2004)<ref name="Chișinău winnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.chisinau.md/tabview.php?l=ro&idc=526 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903122220/http://www.chisinau.md/tabview.php?l=ro&idc=526 |title=Oraşe înfrăţite (Twin cities of Minsk) ''[via WaybackMachine.com]'' |publisher=Primăria Municipiului Chişinău |archive-date=3 September 2012 |access-date=21 July 2013 |language=ro |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Yemen}} [[Sanaa]], Yemen (since 2004)
*{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Tashkent]], Uzbekistan (since 2004)
*{{flagicon|Kosovo}} [[Pristina]], Kosovo (since 2005)
*{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Kazan]], [[Tatarstan]], Russia (since 2005)
*{{flagicon|DRC}} [[Kinshasa]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (since 2005)
*{{flagicon|Ethiopia}} [[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia (since 2006)
*{{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Minsk]], Belarus (since 2007)<ref name="Minsk">{{cite web|url=http://minsk.gov.by/ru/city/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502075333/http://minsk.gov.by/ru/city/ |title=Twin towns and Sister cities of Minsk ''[via WaybackMachine.com]'' |publisher=The department of protocol and international relations of Minsk City Executive Committee |archive-date=2 May 2013 |access-date=21 July 2013 |language=ru |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Zagreb]], Croatia (since 2008)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ankara-bel.gov.tr/AbbSayfalari/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/kardes_kent/kardes_kent_2/zagrep_ile_ankara.aspx | title = Signing Sister City Protocol between Zagreb and Ankara | publisher = Ankara Metropolitan Municipality | date = 27 October 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121029034144/http://www.ankara-bel.gov.tr/AbbSayfalari/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/kardes_kent/kardes_kent_2/zagrep_ile_ankara.aspx | archive-date = 29 October 2012}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Syria}} [[Damascus]], Syria (since 2010)
*{{flagicon|Guinea-Bissau}} [[Bissau]], Guinea-Bissau (since 2011)
*{{flagicon|United States}} [[Washington, D.C.]], US (since 2011)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://os.dc.gov/node/63502 | title=Frequently Asked Questions – Office of Protocol and International Affairs | publisher=District of Columbia | access-date=18 September 2012 | archive-date=21 September 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921014908/http://os.dc.gov/node/63502 | url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Bangkok]], Thailand (since 2012)<ref>{{cite web|title= Friendship and cooperation agreement between Bangkok Metropolitan Administration of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Greater Ankara Municipality of the Republic of Turkey|date= 21 March 2012|url= http://iad.bangkok.go.th/sites/default/files/Angara.pdf|author1= Bangkok Metropolitan Administration|author2= Greater Ankara Municipality|access-date= 21 July 2013|archive-date= 11 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190411202948/http://iad.bangkok.go.th/sites/default/files/Angara.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Tehran]], Iran (since 2013)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13920927001088 |title=Tehran, Ankara to Sign Sister City Agreement Today |publisher=FarsNews |access-date=18 December 2013 |archive-date=16 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016094737/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13920927001088 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Doha]], Qatar (since 2016)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/509443/Doha-Ankara-sign-twinning-agreement|title=Doha, Ankara sign twinning agreement|newspaper=Gulf Times|date=24 August 2016|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531060530/http://www.gulf-times.com/story/509443/Doha-Ankara-sign-twinning-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Montenegro}} [[Podgorica]], Montenegro (since 7 March 2019)
*{{flagicon|North Cyprus}} [[North Nicosia]], Northern Cyprus
*{{flagicon|Djibouti}} [[Djibouti City]], Djibouti (since 2017)<ref name="diyanet">{{cite web|url=http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/en-US/Content/PrintDetail/9978/|website=diyanet.gov.tr|title=208 sister cities in 93 countries|access-date=9 January 2021|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406181403/http://www.diyanet.gov.tr/en-US/Content/PrintDetail/9978/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Colend}}

===Partner cities===
*{{flagicon|North Macedonia}} [[Skopje]], North Macedonia (since 1995)<ref name="Ankara winnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.ankara-bel.gov.tr/AbbSayfalari/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/avrupa_gunu_kutlamasi.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114033014/http://www.ankara-bel.gov.tr/AbbSayfalari/hizmet_birimleri/dis_dairesi_baskanligi/avrupa_gunu_kutlamasi.aspx |title=Kardeş Kentleri Lists ve 5 Mayıs Avrupa Günü Kutlaması ''[via WaybackMachine.com]'' |publisher=Ankara Büyükşehir Belediyesi – Tüm Hakları Saklıdır |archive-date=14 January 2009 |access-date=21 July 2013 |language=tr |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Austria}} [[Vienna]], Austria

== List of notable people ==
{{Main|List of people from Ankara}}

== See also ==
{{portal|Turkey}}
*[[Ankara Agreement]]
*[[ATO Congresium]]
*[[Battle of Ancyra]]
*[[Battle of Ankara]]
*[[List of bridges in Ankara]]
*[[List of hospitals in Ankara Province]]
*[[List of libraries in Ankara]]
*[[List of tallest buildings in Ankara]]
*[[Synod of Ancyra]]
*[[Treaty of Ankara (disambiguation)]]
*[[Victory Monument (Ankara)]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{cite EB9|wstitle=Angora|volume=2|page=45}}
*{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Ancyra|volume=1|date=1911b|page=953}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PydWDwAAQBAJ | title=Historical Dictionary of Turkey | isbn=978-1-5381-0225-1 | last1=Heper | first1=Metin | last2=Öztürk-Tunçel | first2=Duygu | last3=Criss | first3=Nur Bilge | year=2018 | publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |edition=4th}}
*{{cite book|last=Parvis|first=Sarah|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-jgsQihyWTEC|title=Marcellus of Ancyra And the Lost Years of the Arian Controversy 325–345|place=New York|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=2006|isbn=978-0-19-928013-1}}
* {{Cite report |author=World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/assets/67729/2000%20Global%20Innovation%20Index%202024_WEB3lite.pdf |location=Geneva |publisher=WIPO |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |author-link=World Intellectual Property Organization}}

===Attribution===
*{{EB1911|wstitle=Angora|volume=2|date=1911|pages=40–41}}
*{{EB1911|last=Rockwell|first=William Walker|wstitle=Ancyra|volume=1}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book |author=Members of Staff of the Museum |year=2006 |title=Guide book to The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations |isbn=978-975-17-2198-3 |publisher="The association for the support and encouragement of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations." Dönmez offset (Printer) |location=Ankara |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/museumofanatolia0000anad }}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes|d=yes}}
* [http://www.ankara.gov.tr Governorate of Ankara]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121130080250/http://www.ankara.bel.tr/ Municipality of Ankara]
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t0128.htm GCatholic – (former and) Latin titular see]
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t2026.htm GCatholic – former and titular Armenian Catholic see]
* [http://www.ankaraka.org.tr Ankara Development Agency]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190417190926/http://esenbogaairport.com/ Esenboğa International Airport]
* {{OSM relation|223422}}

{{Ankara}}
{{List of European capitals by region}}
{{List of Asian capitals by region|state=collapsed}}
{{Capital cities of the European Union candidates}}
{{Districts of Turkey|provname=Ankara}}
{{Metropolitan centers in Turkey}}
{{Largest cities in Turkey}}
{{Tentative list of World Heritage Sites in Turkey}}
{{Turkey topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ankara| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Capital cities in Europe]]
[[Category:Capital cities in Asia]]
[[Category:Populated places in Ankara Province]]
[[Category:Metropolitan areas of Turkey]]