Cities of Türkiye

Are you ready to explore the List of Provinces in Turkey? In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the Provinces of Turkey, sharing with you a lot of information from the geographical locations of our 81 provinces to their historical contexts. Each Turkish City is different from each other with its cultural richness and unique characteristics. We will also detail the distribution of provinces by region and the importance of the Names of 81 Provinces, and touch on how useful this information can be, especially in education. As you embark on this journey, you will have the opportunity to get to know Turkey's rich heritage and diversity more closely. If you are ready, let's get started!

Provinces of Türkiye

Plate	City	District	Bld.	Village	Area	Population
01	ADANA	15	16	508	14030 km²	2.258.718
02	ADIYAMAN	9	23	420	7614 km²	632.459
03	AFYONKARAHİSAR	18	59	395	14230 km²	736.912
04	AĞRI	8	12	566	11376 km²	535.435
05	AMASYA	7	8	352	5520 km²	335.494
06	ANKARA	25	26	711	25706 km²	5.663.322
07	ANTALYA	19	20	545	20723 km²	2.548.308
08	ARTVİN	9	9	314	7436 km²	169.501
09	AYDIN	18	18	489	8007 km²	1.119.084
10	BALIKESİR	21	21	881	14292 km²	1.240.285
11	BİLECİK	8	11	243	4307 km²	218.717
12	BİNGÖL	8	11	315	8125 km²	281.768
13	BİTLİS	7	13	344	6707 km²	350.994
14	BOLU	9	12	502	7410 km²	314.802
15	BURDUR	11	14	182	6887 km²	267.092
16	BURSA	17	18	649	11043 km²	3.101.833
17	ÇANAKKALE	12	23	568	9737 km²	541.548
18	ÇANKIRI	12	15	369	7388 km²	192.428
19	ÇORUM	14	16	738	12820 km²	530.126
20	DENİZLİ	20	20	369	11868 km²	1.040.915
21	DİYARBAKIR	17	18	898	15355 km²	1.783.431
22	EDİRNE	9	16	248	6279 km²	407.763
23	ELAZIĞ	11	20	546	9153 km²	587.960
24	ERZİNCAN	9	24	531	11909 km²	234.431
25	ERZURUM	20	21	1042	25066 km²	758.279
26	ESKİŞEHİR	14	15	431	13652 km²	888.828
27	GAZİANTEP	9	10	423	6000 km²	2.101.157
28	GİRESUN	16	24	548	6934 km²	448.721
29	GÜMÜŞHANE	6	14	322	6575 km²	141.702
30	HAKKARİ	4	8	125	7121 km²	280.514
31	HATAY	15	16	360	5403 km²	1.659.320
32	ISPARTA	13	22	176	8993 km²	440.304
33	MERSİN	13	14	528	15853 km²	1.868.757
34	İSTANBUL	40	40	166	5196 km²	15.462.452
35	İZMİR	30	31	609	11973 km²	4.394.694
36	KARS	8	9	380	9587 km²	284.923
37	KASTAMONU	20	20	1069	13108 km²	376.377
38	KAYSERİ	16	17	417	16917 km²	1.421.455
39	KIRKLARELİ	8	21	177	6550 km²	361.737
40	KIRŞEHİR	7	10	235	6570 km²	243.042
41	KOCAELİ	12	13	229	3626 km²	1.997.258
42	KONYA	31	32	587	38257 km²	2.250.020
43	KÜTAHYA	13	28	549	11889 km²	576.688
44	MALATYA	14	14	495	12313 km²	806.156
45	MANİSA	18	18	706	13810 km²	1.450.616
46	KAHRAMANMARAŞ	12	12	476	14327 km²	1.168.163
47	MARDİN	11	11	581	8891 km²	854.716
48	MUĞLA	14	14	397	13338 km²	1.000.773
49	MUŞ	6	23	360	8196 km²	411.117
50	NEVŞEHİR	8	23	135	5467 km²	304.962
51	NİĞDE	6	29	112	7312 km²	362.071
52	ORDU	20	20	477	6001 km²	761.400
53	RİZE	12	18	356	3920 km²	344.359
54	SAKARYA	16	17	414	4817 km²	1.042.649
55	SAMSUN	17	18	995	9579 km²	1.356.079
56	SİİRT	7	12	279	5406 km²	331.070
57	SİNOP	9	9	469	5862 km²	216.460
58	SİVAS	17	24	1235	28488 km²	635.889
59	TEKİRDAĞ	12	12	246	6218 km²	1.081.065
60	TOKAT	12	37	603	9959 km²	597.861
61	TRABZON	19	19	481	6685 km²	811.901
62	TUNCELİ	8	9	373	7774 km²	83.443
63	ŞANLIURFA	14	14	1087	18584 km²	2.115.256
64	UŞAK	6	12	245	5341 km²	369.433
65	VAN	14	14	556	19069 km²	1.149.342
66	YOZGAT	14	36	573	14123 km²	419.095
67	ZONGULDAK	8	25	374	4420 km²	591.204
68	AKSARAY	8	22	152	7626 km²	423.011
69	BAYBURT	3	5	168	3652 km²	78.550
70	KARAMAN	6	11	160	9163 km²	254.919
71	KIRIKKALE	9	11	170	4365 km²	278.703
72	BATMAN	6	11	272	4694 km²	620.278
73	ŞIRNAK	7	19	219	7172 km²	537.762
74	BARTIN	4	8	265	2120 km²	198.979
75	ARDAHAN	6	7	237	5661 km²	96.161
76	IĞDIR	4	7	156	3593 km²	201.314
77	YALOVA	6	14	44	847 km²	276.050
78	KARABÜK	6	7	275	2420 km²	243.614
79	KİLİS	4	4	136	1642 km²	142.792
80	OSMANİYE	7	14	159	3767 km²	548.556
81	DÜZCE	8	10	301	3641 km²	395.679

Provinces of Turkey are the basic units that divide our country geographically and administratively. In total, 81 provinces are located in various regions of Turkey, each with its own unique characteristics. Provinces are important reference points for understanding the demographic and cultural structure of the country, both geographically and socially. In addition to Turkey's rich cultural diversity, each province also attracts attention with its unique geographical structure and economic activities.

Each province has its own administrative unit and the provincial center is the highest level administrative body responsible for the administrative affairs of that province. Turkish provinces are also governed by local governments and these governments make decisions on important issues such as the development of the province, infrastructure, education and health services. This situation allows each province in Turkey to be shaped according to its own internal dynamics.

Turkey's 81 provinces are spread across different regions of the country, and through these provinces, an interaction and comparison can be made between Turkish cities. For example, while the provinces in the Central Anatolia Region differ in terms of climate and agricultural activities, the provinces in the Mediterranean Region prioritize tourism and maritime trade. Therefore, understanding the provinces of Turkey helps to understand the economic and social structure of our country.

In addition, the provinces of Turkey play an important role in terms of preserving cultural heritage, promoting historical artifacts and developing local tourism. Each province offers a wealth of its own traditions, cuisine and festivals. For example, the famous cuisine of Gaziantep or the historical structures of Istanbul attract the attention of local and foreign tourists. Therefore, the provinces of Turkey are not only a geographical limitation but also a cultural and social identity.

Official Decisions for Provinces

- On October 29, 1923, the Ottoman Empire collapsed and the Republic of Türkiye was officially established. With the establishment of the Republic, the administrative system changed. In 1923, there were a total of 71 provinces. 
- In 1924, Ardahan, Artvin and Kars were made provinces and the number of provinces increased from seventy-one to seventy-four. - After 1926, Ardahan, Beyoğlu, Çatalca, Dersim, Ergani, Gelibolu, Genç, Kozan, Oltu, Muş, Siverek and Üsküdar provinces were converted into districts. - In 1927, Doğubeyazıt became a district and was connected to Ağrı province. - In 1929, Muş became a province again and Bitlis became a district. - In 1933, with Aksaray, Cebelibereket, Hakkari and Şebinkarahisar becoming districts, Mersin and Silifke being combined to form a new province called İçel, and Artvin and Rize being combined to form a new province called Çorum, the number of provinces in Turkey dropped to fifty-six. - In 1936, Rize, Tunceli and Hakkari became provinces. - In 1936, the province called Dersim was changed to Tunceli. - In 1939, with a great revolution, the Republic of Hatay was connected to Turkey and became a province of Turkey. - In 1953, Uşak was given the title of province and Kırşehir was recognized as a district. - In 1954, Adıyaman, Nevşehir and Sakarya gained provincial status due to the rapid increase in their population. - In 1956, after the great migration from Artvin province, the city's population increased and it gained provincial status again. - In 1957, Kırşehir was given provincial status again. - In 1989, Aksaray, Bayburt, Karaman and Kırıkkale gained provincial status. - In 1990, Batman and Şırnak gained provincial status. - In 1991, Bartın gained provincial status. - In 1992, Ardahan and Iğdır gained provincial status. - In 1995, Yalova, Karabük and Kilis gained provincial status. - In 1996 In 1999, Osmaniye gained provincial status. - In 1999, Düzce gained provincial status. 

After 1999, there were no further changes until 2020 and it took its current form.

81 Provinces of Turkey

Turkey is a country geographically located on both the Asian and European continents, attracting attention with its rich cultural history and diverse communities. This versatility is concretely demonstrated by Turkey's 81 provinces. Each of these provinces has its own unique characteristics, historical background and cultural values, and has an important place among Turkish cities.

The 81 provinces of Turkey differ according to their geographical location and natural beauty. For example, the Mediterranean and Aegean regions are known for their coastal cities and warm climates, while the provinces in the Eastern Anatolia region stand out with their mountainous terrain and cold climate conditions. Istanbul , the largest province in Turkey , is an important center in terms of both population density and economic activities. On the other hand, Ankara , as the capital of the country, is the heart of political and bureaucratic life.

The 81 provinces are not only geographically diverse, but also culturally and ethnically diverse. For example, Izmir is known for its modern lifestyle and historical texture, while Bursa is known for its historical riches and important industrial establishments. Van is known for its local cuisine and culture, while Gaziantep stands out in the field of gastronomy. In this context, the unique characteristics of each province form the rich cultural mosaic of Turkey.

In addition, the provinces in Turkey have great potential in terms of tourism. The fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, the travertines of Pamukkale or the striking bays of Fethiye attract the attention of local and foreign tourists every year. These provinces attract attention not only with their natural beauties but also with their historical sites and cultural events.

In short, the 81 provinces of Turkey are not only geographical settlements, but also places that bear the traces of different civilizations over the centuries and contain different cultural values. This diversity affects both the social structure and economic dynamics of Turkey, contributing to its becoming a country that attracts attention worldwide.

Distribution of Provinces by Region

Turkey is divided into seven geographical regions. These regions are Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia . Each region is notable for its unique climate, culture and economic activities. The 81 provinces in Turkey are distributed across these seven regions, creating the country's richness and diversity.

Provinces of Marmara Region

The Marmara Region is of great importance both historically and commercially. The most populous region of Turkey, Marmara covers the provinces of Istanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Tekirdağ, Yalova, Sakarya and Edirne . Istanbul, in particular, is the locomotive of the country in trade and industry. The provinces located in the Marmara Region facilitate both local and international trade thanks to the development of their transportation networks.

Provinces of the Aegean Region

The Aegean Region is famous for its natural beauty, historical riches and agricultural economic structure. This region includes the provinces of Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Muğla, Denizli, Uşak and Kütahya . Especially known for their holiday resorts, Muğla and Izmir attract the attention of both local and foreign tourists. The Aegean Region also attracts attention with its olive, grape and citrus production.

Provinces of the Mediterranean Region

The Mediterranean Region has great potential in terms of agriculture and tourism with its coasts and climate. Provinces such as Antalya, Mersin, Adana, Isparta, Burdur and Osmaniye are important cities in this region. Antalya in particular is known as a tourism paradise with its historical monuments and magnificent beaches, while Adana's fame for its kebab shows the diversity of this region in the field of gastronomy.

Provinces of Central Anatolia Region

This region, which covers Central Anatolia, includes the provinces of Sivas, Kayseri, Konya, Kırıkkale, Nevşehir, Aksaray, Niğde and Karaman . The Central Anatolia Region has a structure that contributes to the country's economy with agriculture and animal husbandry. In addition, the cities in the region offer cultural richness due to their location on the historical Silk Road.

Black Sea Region Provinces

The provinces in this region are Trabzon, Rize, Ordu, Samsun, Giresun, Tokat, Artvin and Gümüşhane . This region, which is surrounded by greenery due to the Black Sea climate, has an important place especially in tea and hazelnut production. In addition, it has a rich tourism potential with its mountainous structure and plateaus.

Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia Provinces

The Eastern Anatolia Region consists of Erzurum, Van, Bitlis, Muş, Ağrı, Iğdır and Kars, and the Southeastern Anatolia Region consists of Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, Mardin, Diyarbakır, Batman, Siirt and Kilis . These regions attract attention with their historical and cultural heritage, and also stand out with agricultural products. In addition, these provinces await their visitors with their rich natural beauties and winter tourism potential.

In this way, the provinces of Türkiye are separated from each other by their regional differences and contain a rich cultural diversity. 81 provinces are the basic elements that form the social and economic structure of our country.

Provinces of Türkiye in Historical Context

Throughout history, Turkey's global location has allowed many different cultures and civilizations to exist here. Turkey is a strategic transit point, a geography where many civilizations interacted and became the center of historical events. In this context, the provinces of Turkey contain cultural and social structures from different periods throughout history.

For example, the provinces that form the center of Anatolia bear the traces of many civilizations throughout history, such as the Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians and Romans. One of these provinces, Kayseri, has been the capital of many civilizations due to its historical importance. Similarly, Gaziantep was an important trade center in ancient times and thanks to this feature, it stands out in the field of gastronomy today.

Istanbul, one of the 81 provinces of Turkey, has a very important position as it was the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires at various periods of history. The buildings in the historical peninsula of Istanbul contain magnificent examples of both Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. For this reason, a visit to Istanbul offers a great opportunity to get to know traditional Turkish culture and history.

Another province that bears the traces of civilization is Izmir. Known as Smyrna in ancient times, this city is an important chronological settlement in terms of both trade and cultural interaction. Izmir, located in the Aegean Region, has been an area where different languages, religions and cultures lived together throughout history.

In addition, when the provinces of Turkey are examined in a historical context, it is seen that each province has its own social structure and historical past. For example, Van, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region, offers an alternative history with its ruins from the Urartu period and its unique nature.

As a result, the provinces of Turkey have a complex historical background, which differentiates the unique characteristics of each province. In addition to education, examining Turkish cities in terms of historical knowledge acquisition is of great importance for the young generations to take ownership of their cultural heritage. The names of the 81 provinces should be introduced to students as part of this historical and cultural wealth and integrated into the course content.

Differences Between Cities in Türkiye

Turkey offers a rich diversity with its geographical location, history, culture and economy. This diversity leads to significant differences among Turkish cities. Each city is distinguished from the others by its social, cultural and economic characteristics, and has gained its own identity with its historical past and natural beauties.

Cultural Differences

There are great differences in culture and lifestyle across different regions of Turkey. For example, while large metropolises like Istanbul blend traditional elements with modern life, cities in the eastern provinces focus more on traditional lifestyles and local cultures. Gaziantep stands out with its cuisine, while Konya is known for its Sufism and Mevlana culture. This diversity offers significant opportunities for those who want to explore Turkey’s cultural richness and different lifestyles.

Economic Differences

In economic terms, Turkish cities vary greatly. Sectors such as industry, agriculture and tourism are prominent in different degrees in each city. For example, Bursa and Izmit are known as industrial centers, while the economies of Antalya and Muğla are based on tourism. Adana is an important city in the field of agriculture, while Ankara stands out as the center of government offices and the public sector. This economic diversity contributes to Turkey's overall economy, creating a different standard of living in each city.

Geographical Differences

Geographical structures reveal another difference between Turkish cities. The Marmara Region is at the forefront of industry with its ease of both sea and land transportation. The Central Anatolia Region has an important place in agriculture with its vast agricultural lands and different climate conditions. While the Aegean Region draws attention with its olive and vineyards, the mountainous lands of Eastern Anatolia allow for animal husbandry along with agriculture. In addition, the high mountains and deep valleys of the Black Sea Region have significant potential in terms of ecotourism with their natural beauties.

Social Structure and Lifestyle

The social structure and lifestyle of each Turkish city also differ. The dynamics of social life in large cities are more lively and moderate. While various events, concerts and festivals are organized in cities such as Istanbul and Izmir, a calmer and more local lifestyle prevails in smaller cities. In addition, traditional rituals and holiday celebrations form an integral part of social life in some provinces.

These factors explain the differences between Turkish cities, while also showing that this diversity increases the richness of the country. Each city has its own identity and characteristics, which offers a great advantage for those who want to explore Turkey.

82 Provinces

While there are 81 provinces in our country, it was recently announced by the statements made by the top level ministers that the 82nd province and the following will come. When this is the case, it has become a matter of curiosity which province will be the 82nd province. Here are the districts with dense populations that have the potential to become provinces;

• Yuksekova, Hakkari
• Kahta, Adiyaman
• Edremit, Balikesir
• Polatli, Ankara
• Unye, Ordu
• Ergani, Diyarbakir
• Kozan, Adana
• Cizre, Sirnak
• Elbistan, Kahramanmaras
• Eregli, Konya
• Luleburgaz, Kirklareli
• Bandirma, Balikesir
• Fethiye, Mugla
• Nazilli, Aydin
• Akhisar, Manisa
• Ercis, Van
• Manavgat, Antalya
• Eregli, Zonguldak
• Siverek, Sanliurfa
• Iskenderun, Hatay
• Corlu, Tekirdag
• Inegol, Bursa
• Alanya, Antalya
• Tarsus, Mersin
• Gebze, Kocaeli

The most populous districts

• Ankara / Cankaya / 925 thousand
• Ankara / Keçiören / 910 thousand
• Gaziantep / Sahinbey / 910 thousand
• Istanbul / Esenyurt / 957 thousand
• Bursa / Osmangazi / 870 thousand
• Adana / Seyhan / 800 thousand
• Gaziantep / Martyr Kamil / 775 thousand
• Istanbul / Kucukcekmece / 790 thousand
• Istanbul / Bagcilar / 740 thousand

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many provinces are there in Turkey?

Turkey consists of 81 provinces in total . These provinces are spread over various regions reflecting the different geographical, cultural and economic characteristics of the country. Each province has its own unique management style and administrative structure. Provinces are the basic elements that make up the socio-economic structure of Turkey and each of them attracts attention with its unique characteristics.

What are the regions of Turkey?

Turkey is divided into seven geographical regions. These regions are Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and Black Sea . Each region has different climatic conditions, natural resources and cultural elements. For example, while the warm climate of the Mediterranean Region is attractive in terms of tourism, the mountainous structure of the Eastern Anatolia Region offers different opportunities for agriculture and animal husbandry.

According to what criteria are the provinces in Turkey ranked?

Provinces in Turkey can generally be ranked according to their geographical location, population density and economic development level . In addition, factors such as transportation networks, industrial and agricultural potential are also taken into account. Comparisons between provinces are usually made in the light of these criteria, and thus the unique characteristics of each province are more clearly revealed.

How can I reach the provinces?

are various ways to reach the provinces in Turkey. There are alternative transportation methods such as road, rail, air and sea . For example, there are regular bus services from big cities to other provinces. In addition, there are direct flights from big cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir with various airlines. Each province has its own bus terminal and airport, so transportation options are quite rich.

Sources:

Wikipedia: https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCrkiye%27nin_illeri

İlbank: https://www.ilbank.gov.tr/

İçişleri Bakanlığı: https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/illeridaresi

TUIK: https://nip.tuik.gov.tr/