Thursday, October 23, 2008

Turkey - Ankara

I received this postcard in the World Languages RR (I already have 4 postcards from Leslie and I'm waiting for the 5th one, because we both participate in every Russian group) :D
This postcard shows Ankara, the capital of Turkey. According to Leslie, "Kalbimdesin" means "You're in my heart" :) I can't speak Turkish, but I trust her :)

Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after İstanbul. The city has a mean elevation of 850 m (2800 ft), and as of 2007 the city had a population of 3,901,201, which includes eight districts under the city's administration. Ankara also serves as the capital of the Province of Ankara.

As with many ancient cities, Ankara has gone by several names over the ages: The Hittites gave it the name Ankuwash before 1200 BC. The Galatians and Romans called it Ancyra. In the classical, Hellenistic, and Byzantine periods it
was known as Ἄγκυρα Ánkyra. It was also known as Angora after it fell to the Seljuks in 1073, and was so known up until 1930.

Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city. It is the center of the Turkish Government, and houses all foreign embassies. It is an important crossroads of trade, strategically located at the center of Turkey's highway and railway networks, and serves as the marketing center for the surrounding agricultural area. The city was famous for its long-haired Angora goat and its prized wool (mohair), a unique breed of cat (Angora cat), white rabbits and their prized wool (Angora wool), pears, honey, and the region's muscat grapes.


1 comment:

Depinka said...

Beautiful card ! I have bought it myself during my 3 months stay in Ankara :) And tour friend Leslie is right "kalbimdesin" means "you are in my heart :)