The city of Ankara at night
The city of Ankara at night. Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a nighttime view of Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.
Ankara is the center of the Turkish Government, and a diverse tourist attraction.
A sophisticated network of highways and railways encompasses the city center, where the unique shape of the Atatürk Mausoleum stands out.
In the photo, the white light of industrial areas contrasts with the bright orange lights of residential areas.
The image was captured on March 25, 2020 by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station
On 23 April 1920 the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was established in Ankara, which became the headquarters of the Turkish National Movement during the Turkish War of Independence. Ankara became the new Turkish capital upon the establishment of the Republic on 29 October 1923, succeeding in this role the former Turkish capital Istanbul (Constantinople) following the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The government is a prominent employer, but Ankara is also an important commercial and industrial city, located at the centre of Turkey’s road and railway networks. The city gave its name to the Angora wool shorn from Angora rabbits, the long-haired Angora goat (the source of mohair), and the Angora cat. The area is also known for its pears, honey and muscat grapes. Although situated in one of the driest regions of Turkey and surrounded mostly by steppe vegetation (except for the forested areas on the southern periphery), Ankara can be considered a green city in terms of green areas per inhabitant, at 72 square metres (775 square feet) per head.
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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer
Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory
