From the bustling Marmara to the remote Eastern highlands, discover the incredible diversity of Türkiye's landscapes and cultures
Last reviewed on 2 May 2026.
Türkiye's 783,562 km² territory is divided into seven geographic regions, each with its own climate, cultural mix, cuisine and history. The diversity is real: in the same week you can ski in eastern highlands and swim along the Mediterranean coast, walk through Greek and Roman ruins, watch tea being picked on Black Sea slopes, and eat your way through a dozen regional cuisines.
Major City: Istanbul
Major City: İzmir
Major City: Antalya
Major City: Samsun
Capital: Ankara
Major City: Erzurum
Major City: Gaziantep
Türkiye's regions were defined in 1941 based on climate, topography, and agricultural patterns rather than political boundaries. This geographic classification helps make sense of the country's diversity — from the European-influenced Marmara to the Middle Eastern character of the Southeast, from the wet Black Sea coast to the arid Central plateau.
Many of Türkiye's UNESCO World Heritage Sites sit in specific regions covered above. The Cappadocia guide explains why the central plateau looks the way it does, and the tea and coffee guide places the eastern Black Sea tea-growing landscape in cultural context.