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Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is the nation's second-largest city, boasting a rich history and vibrant culture. As of 2025, its metropolitan population is approximately 5.55 million.
Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, is centrally located in the Anatolian region. As of 2025, it has a population of approximately 5.55 million, making it the country's second-largest city after Istanbul. The city stands at an elevation of 938 meters above sea level.
Historically known as Ancyra and later Angora, Ankara's history dates back to ancient civilisations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, and Romans. It became the capital of the Roman province of Galatia in 25 BC and was officially declared the capital of the Republic of Turkey on October 13, 1923, replacing Istanbul.
Geographically, Ankara is located on a rocky hill rising 150 meters above the plain, on the left bank of the Ankara River, a tributary of the Sakarya River. The city has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers.
Ankara serves as Turkey's political centre, housing government ministries, foreign embassies, and the Grand National Assembly. It is also a major commercial and industrial hub, positioned at the crossroads of Turkey's highway and railway networks. The city is known for mohair from the Angora goat, Angora wool, and local agricultural products like pears, honey, and Muscat grapes.
Culturally, Ankara has many universities, including Ankara University and the Middle East Technical University. The city is home to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.
Ankara is served by Esenboga International Airport and has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses and a metro network. The city blends its historical heritage with modern urban development, making it an important political, cultural, and economic centre in Turkey.
Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, operates under a structured administrative framework that aligns with the country's unitary system. The city is governed by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, established in 1984, which oversees the entire province spanning approximately 25,632 square kilometers.
The Metropolitan Municipality is headed by the Mayor, who is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. As of 2025, Mansur Yava? serves as the Mayor, having been re-elected in the 2024 local elections. The Mayor is responsible for implementing municipal policies, overseeing public services, and coordinating development projects within the city.
Ankara is divided into 25 districts, each managed by its own district municipality. These district municipalities handle local administrative functions and report to the Metropolitan Municipality, ensuring cohesive governance across the province. The Metropolitan Municipal Council, comprising elected representatives from each district, serves as the legislative body that deliberates and enacts municipal regulations and budgets.
In addition to the municipal structure, Ankara hosts the central government institutions of Turkey, including the Grand National Assembly, the Presidential Complex, and various ministries. This concentration of national governmental bodies underscores Ankara's significance as the political center of the country.
The administrative framework of Ankara is designed to facilitate efficient governance and service delivery, balancing local district needs with metropolitan-wide planning and development.
Ankara is one of Turkey’s major economic centres, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. As of 2025, the city’s economy is driven by government services, industry, trade, and technology sectors. The GDP of Ankara is estimated to be around $108.3 billion, with a high per capita income compared to many other regions in Turkey.
Being the capital, Ankara is home to government institutions, ministries, and foreign embassies, which play a crucial role in employment and economic activity. The city also has a strong industrial base, with sectors such as defence, automotive, electronics, and machinery manufacturing contributing significantly to production and exports. The defence industry is particularly notable, with several state-owned and private companies manufacturing military equipment and aerospace technology.
Ankara has a well-developed commercial sector, hosting numerous shopping centres, wholesale markets, and business hubs. The service industry, including banking, finance, and telecommunications, is also a key part of the city’s economy.
Agriculture plays a minor role, but the region is known for producing high-quality wool, honey, and grapes. The city’s infrastructure, including an extensive metro and public transport system, supports economic growth and facilitates trade.
Ankara is one of Turkey’s key business hubs, offering a stable environment for investment and economic activity. As the capital city, it is home to government institutions, international embassies, and major financial organisations, which contribute to a strong business infrastructure. The city has a diverse economy, with sectors such as defence, manufacturing, technology, and trade playing important roles.
The presence of government agencies and regulatory bodies makes Ankara an attractive location for businesses that require close interaction with public institutions. The city also has a strong industrial base, with companies involved in defence production, automotive manufacturing, and electronics. The defence sector is particularly significant, with many local and international firms operating in the area.
Ankara has a well-developed transport network, including highways, railways, and an international airport, making it an important trade and logistics centre. The city is also home to numerous business parks and technology zones that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
The financial sector is growing, with banks, insurance companies, and investment firms contributing to economic development. The city’s universities and research institutions provide a skilled workforce, supporting industries such as information technology, healthcare, and education. Ankara continues to attract both domestic and foreign investments, strengthening its position as a business-friendly city.
Ankara has a well-developed infrastructure that supports its role as Turkey’s capital and one of the country’s major economic centres. The city has an extensive road network, with highways connecting it to other major cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Konya. The railway system is an essential part of Ankara’s transport infrastructure, including high-speed train services linking the city to Istanbul, Eskisehir, and Konya.
Esenboga International Airport serves as the main gateway for domestic and international flights, handling millions of passengers each year. Public transport in Ankara includes buses, minibuses, and a metro system with multiple lines that facilitate urban mobility. The Ankaray light rail system and the suburban railway further improve connectivity within the city.
Ankara has a well-established utility infrastructure, including electricity, water, and natural gas supply systems that meet the demands of residents and businesses. The city also has modern healthcare facilities, including large public hospitals, private medical centres, and university hospitals that provide advanced medical care.
The telecommunications sector in Ankara is strong, with widespread internet access and mobile network coverage. The city continues to invest in smart city projects and sustainable urban development to improve infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for its residents.
Ankara Technology Development Zones (TechAnkara) brings technologically advanced and international companies, research and academic institutions together into an ecosystem that promotes and creates new types of synergies between scientific and entrepreneurial communities. Thus, TechAnkara creates future technologies and new types of synergies between scientific and entrepreneurial communities. Ankara ICT Cluster is one of the critical outcomes of this synergy. It also contributes to Ankara becoming the leader in hthe igh-tech sector.
Advantages of Technology Development Zones to the Investors:
Revenues derived from software development and R&D activities are exempt from income and corporate taxes until December 31, 2023.
Sales of application software produced exclusively in TDZs are exempt from VAT until December 31, 2023. Examples include software for systems management, data management, business applications, different business sectors, the Internet, mobile phones and military command control.
Salaries of R&D and support personnel employed in the zone are exempt from all taxes until December 31, 2023. The number of support personnel covered by the exemption shall not exceed 10 per cent of the number of R&D personnel.
Enterprises may make the investment, required for the production of the technological product obtained as a result of the R&D projects conducted in the zone, in the TDZ, if deemed suitable by the operator company and allowed by the Ministry.
50 per cent of the employer’s share of the social security premium will be paid by the government for 5 years until 31.12.2024.
