If you're considering moving to Turkey, you might wonder what the major provinces in Turkey are. Major cities are often well-developed, with robust infrastructure and service centers, and this certainly applies to Turkey's major cities.

Join Skyline Real Estate to explore these cities, including their locations, boundaries, and unique features, to help you choose the one that best fits your purpose, whether it's for residence, tourism, or investment.

Enjoy your reading and happy browsing!

What Are the Major Provinces in Turkey?

Turkey is divided into 81 provinces spread across the Central Anatolia Region, Black Sea Region, Marmara Region, Eastern Anatolia Region, Aegean Region, Southeastern Anatolia Region, and the Mediterranean Region. The following five provinces are among the largest in Turkey.

Largest Provinces in Turkey

Below is a table listing the five largest provinces in Turkey by population as of 2021:

Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (Tüik)

Istanbul Province

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and one of the largest cities in the world, with a population exceeding 15.8 million. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait between the Mediterranean and Black Seas, its strategic location makes it Turkey's cultural, financial, and economic center, even though it is not the capital.

Due to its large area of approximately 5461 square kilometers, Istanbul is divided into 40 municipalities, 27 of which form the city center, known collectively as "Greater Istanbul."

Key Features:

• Home to over 220 hospitals, 57 universities, and numerous other facilities, including government and private schools, malls, and entertainment centers.
• Extensive transportation network covering the entire city, including metro, tram, buses, taxis, and marine transport.
• Hosts the largest Arab community in Turkey, with around five million residents.
• Contains two international airports: "Istanbul International Airport" in the European part, one of the largest in the world, and "Sabiha Gökçen Airport" in the Asian part.
• Houses hundreds of tourist attractions such as mosques, churches, palaces, museums, castles, towers, and historical sites that attract millions of tourists annually.
• Ideal for real estate investment, offering numerous luxurious, modern properties.

Ankara Province

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is the second-largest city with nearly 5.8 million residents. Geographically, it serves as a crossroads for routes to various regions of Turkey. It is bordered by Kırıkkale to the east, Çankırı and Bolu to the northeast, Eskişehir to the west, and Konya and Aksaray to the south.

Key Features:

• As the capital, it hosts main government centers, including the President's residence, government ministers, parliamentary representatives, and international embassies.
• One of the most organized and modern Turkish cities.
• Advanced infrastructure in transportation, water, electricity, communications, and public facilities, enhancing the quality of life.
• Leads in education with numerous globally recognized public and private universities, offering programs in Arabic, English, and Turkish.
• Strong industrial investment sector, housing many industrial cities, making it Turkey's second economic hub after Istanbul.
• High standard of living with numerous recreational centers like parks, stadiums, cinemas, and malls.

Read Also: Which is Better: Istanbul or Ankara?

Izmir Province

Located in western Turkey on the Asian side, Izmir stretches along the Aegean Sea coast. It is bordered by Balıkesir to the north, Kütahya and Afyon to the west, Denizli and Aydın to the south, with a population exceeding 4.4 million.

Key Features:

• Affordable living costs compared to the vast social, recreational, cultural, and climatic benefits.
• Well-organized metro and bus lines connecting various parts of the city at low costs.
• Famous for rural resorts, unique nature, springs, and beaches.
• Hosts interesting festivals year-round.
• Numerous historical and tourist landmarks make it one of Turkey's top tourist destinations.
• Known for trade fairs, attracting traders from around the world.

Bursa Province

Bursa is the fourth-largest province with a population exceeding 3.1 million. Strategically located between Ankara and Istanbul, Bursa is bordered by the Sea of Marmara to the north and Mount Uludağ to the south, offering diverse geographical landscapes.

Key Features:

• Renowned for its moderate climate and stunning views.
• Affordable living costs and low property prices compared to other Turkish provinces.
• Rich historical heritage from Byzantine, Greek, Roman, and Ottoman periods.
• Cultural affinities with Arab traditions.
• High level of safety and stability.

Antalya Province

Antalya, known as the capital of Turkish tourism and the "Bride of the Mediterranean," is located on the southwestern coast of Turkey. It is bordered by Muğla to the west, Burdur and Isparta to the north, Konya to the north, and Karaman and Mersin to the east, with a population exceeding 2.6 million.

Key Features:

• Abundant natural attractions like waterfalls, lakes, and beaches.
• High level of government services reflected in quality public facilities.
• Open and welcoming social environment for foreigners.
• Affordable living costs and property prices despite its scenic beauty and numerous amenities.

In conclusion, this article by Skyline Real Estate answered the question about the major provinces in Turkey, highlighting the key information and features of the top five provinces in the country.