On the Turkish Mediterranean coast there are majestic mountains, in the calcareous deposits of which glacial and karst landforms were formed: moraines, kars, troughs. All this was formed during the ancient glaciation. More modern glaciers are located only on the peaks of the Eastern Taurus (Djilo-Sat mountains).
About the Taurus (Toros) and will be discussed in this article. The name of these mountains came from before the Indo-European base tor, taur, translated as "hill", "mountain".
Briefly about the geographical position of Turkey
This is one of the few countries in the world that is located on two parts of the world: Asia and Europe. The main part - Anatolia, located in Asia - occupies more than 755 square meters. kilometers, which is 97% of the total area of the state. In this regard, Turkey is usually referred to as the Asian countries of the Middle East. Thrace is the historical name of the European part. It occupies the southeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula (almost 24 sq. km - 3% of the total territory of Turkey).
According to its configuration, this statelooks like an elongated rectangle. Its length from west to east is 1600 kilometers, and its width is 550 km.
Relief of Turkey
If you look at the geographical map of Turkey, you can see that its territory has a large number of mountains and plateaus. Such dissection determines the vertical zonality of natural landscapes, a wide variety of cultivated and wild plants. Turkey, in terms of the richness of its flora, is perhaps second only to the diversity of vegetation in the Caucasus.
The territory of this state combines high gorges and mountain ranges crowned with snowy peaks, with deep basins, as well as dry vast highlands with seaside evergreen plains, immersed in rich subtropical vegetation.
In a word, Turkey, by the nature of its relief, is a mountainous country with an average height above sea level of about 1000 meters. Almost all of its territory is located on the Asia Minor Highlands, which includes the outlying Ontarian and Taurus mountains, as well as the Anatolian plateau located between them, on which the currently active Erciyes volcano rises (height - 3916 meters) and several extinct volcanoes. The most inaccessible high region is the eastern part of Turkey (East Anatolian or Armenian Highlands). The highest points are located here: Big Ararat and Syupkhan (extinct volcanoes with heights of 5165 and 4434 meters); Nemrut (an active volcano with a height of 3050 m). Low-lying plains, of which there are few in the country, are confined mainly to river mouths andseparate zones of sea coasts.
Mountains. Description
Taurus (or Taurus, or Taurus) is a mountain system. It is located in the south of Turkey. This includes several ranges that bear the name Taurus with different definitions. The Taurus Mountains consist of Central, Western and Eastern parts. The highest point of this mountainous region is the Demirkazik peak, located in the Aladaghlar range. Its height is 3806 m. It should also be noted the high peaks of Kyzylkiya (height 3742 meters), Kyzylyar (3702 m) and Emler (3724 m).
The Taurus Mountains form the western branch of the mountain range that crosses Asia. This is the Himalayan mountain belt. The Turkish part of the massif runs along the southern border of the province of Anatolia and is divided into several parts: central, southeastern, western and southern. The highest peaks are located in the southeastern and central parts, and these mountains are difficult to climb.
Creating the central part of the Taurus, the Aladaghlar ridge stretches in the southwest-northeast direction (about 50 km) and captures the highest peak, Demirkazik, whose height is 3756 meters. Other peaks include Mount Kizilkaya (3725 meters) and Mount Vaivai (3565 m). Stretching across three provinces (Kayseri, Nigde and Adana), this mountain range rises between the Zamanta River and Ejemish Lake.
Nature
The peaks of the Taurus Mountains in the east reach heights of 3000 - 3500 meters, in the west - 2000 - 3000 meters. There are many rivers on the Taurus (including the sourcesEuphrates River) and lakes. The northern slopes descend to semi-desert territories and steppes, while the southern slopes descend into the realm of picturesque evergreen vegetation, higher up giving way to mountain meadows and coniferous forests.
The flora of this region is represented by myrtle, laurel, strawberry tree, cistus, Lebanese cedar and cypress. The richest vegetation of the Southern Taurus is protected in several national parks in Turkey: Nemrut, Beysehir Gelu and Beydaglari-Sahil.
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Since ancient times, the banks of these great rivers have been inhabited. Between these beautiful natural reservoirs, one of the oldest civilizations arose. This area is called Mesopotamia, which means "between the rivers" in translation.
The Euphrates River originates at the confluence of the Murat and Kara rivers. The source of the first reservoir is located southwest of Mount Ararat and north of Lake Van. It flows through the territories of three states: Iraq, Turkey and Syria.
The source of the Tigris River is located in the Turkish lake Hazar. On the Armenian Highlands. It flows through the territory of Iraq for 1500 meters. Near the city of El Qurna (Iraq), these two rivers join and form the Shatt al Arab (or Arvandrud) river, which flows into the Persian Gulf of the Arabian Sea.
In conclusion
The Taurus Mountains have seen in their lifetime many brave generals who led their armies through the gorges of the ridges of the peninsula of Asia Minor. Long ago, the noise of those fierce battles in the river valleys of the Taurus had died down. Today a noisy place andthe most visited tourists are the territories of the Mediterranean coast - a huge international resort region of Turkey.
