These are the pictures from Turkey. Please check out the links for more information and pictures.

First set of pictures are from Ankara. I spent my childhood and lived here until I got my B.Sc. degree from Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi (METU) after 4 tiring years of engineering education. Quite honestly, Ankara is a dull city smelling government and bureaucracy in every square centimeter. However, METU campus is one of the most peaceful and organized establishments in the fast growing city of Ankara.

One of the most common paths used in campus

Other half of the path as in the first picture

The way leading to our student center in METU

Same road in winter!

A night in Ankara

Kizilay Square - The most crowded place in Ankara

Anitkabir - The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal ATATURK

Mustafa Kemal ATATURK - the founder and the great leader of Turkish Republic

The second set of pictures are from Istanbul, the largest and most widely-known city of Turkey. Istanbul was the old capital before the collapse of Ottoman Empire after the 1st World War, but she is still the center of finance and industry. Istanbul is composed of two halves on the European and Asian continents and the Bosphorus (Marmara Sea) separates the two halves. So, one literally travels from one continent to the other when he crosses the Bosphorus.

Istanbul holds a population of more than 15 million and she is still growing. Although Istanbul needs major reconstructive surgery in terms of city planning, she is full of history, culture, and beauty in every corner and she keeps fascinating people from all over the world.  Everyone should visit this city at least once...

A general view of old city centre (The Ottoman Empire's city centre)

Topkapi Palace - The Sultan's Place (now just a museum)

The Sultans' throne in Topkapi Palace

Ortakoy (Blue) Mosque and Bosphorus Bridge

The Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) Mosque. It was formerly a church and converted into a mosque after 1453. Now, it is only a museum.

Kizkulesi - The Maiden's Tower located on a small island in the bosphorus.

Kapalicarsi - The Grand Bazaar is one of the biggest and oldest shopping malls in the world.

Eminonu Harbor

Istiklal Street, formerly known as Grande Rue de Pera is a symbol of social life and variety in Istanbul.

Istiklal Street in spring.

Now you will see Izmir, the 3rd major city of Turkey and my favorite. She is located on the west coast of Turkey in the Aegian Sea which is shared by Greece.

Konak Square and the clock tower, symbols of Izmir.

A view from Konak Pier.

Asansor (The Elevator) works between the upper and lower parts of a small district in Izmir. Instead of climbing the stairs it is much more convenient to take the elevator and there is a magnificent view of Izmir from upstairs.

The view from the upper part of the elevator district.

I took this picture from the ferry going to Karsiyaka, declared as 'the other half of Izmir'.

Sunset at the Alsancak district.

Finally, these pictures will show you some of the best Mediterranean coasts. I am originally from the south coast city Mersin, so I feel that I must show the beauty of the south coast as the other parts of Turkey.

Alanya - Millions of tourists visit this town every year.

View of Kizilkule (Red Tower) in Alanya

Oludeniz (Dead Sea) in Fethiye

Bodrum - Probably the most  popular place to visit in summers

Marmaris - One of my favorite places on the Aegian coast due to its beautiful nature.

Turkey is not just a couple of cities on seaside. Therefore, I will update this page with new scenes from other regions of Turkey. Please check again.

Prepared by Murat CETINKAYA, 2012