Kayseri (Province)

Kayseri is an important city located in the southern part of the Anadolu region and has served as a home to many civilizations throughout history. Geographically, it forms a transition point between southern Inner Anatolia and the Taurus Mountains. Kayseri, one of Türkiye’s most developed cities in terms of industry, trade, education and tourism, attracts attention with its deep historical roots, rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Throughout history, Kayseri has been under the rule of many civilizations including the Hittites, Assyrians, Phrygians, Romans, Byzantines, Selçuklular and Ottomans. Kültepe (Kaniş Karumu), one of the earliest sites in Anatolia where written documents have been found, demonstrates the region’s significant role as a trade center. During the Seljuk period, Kayseri became one of Anatolia’s most important centers of learning and commerce and retained its importance during the Ottoman era, becoming a hub of modern industry and trade with the proclamation of the Republic.

^{Kayseri Kalesi}

Kayseri, at an elevation of 1,071 meters, covers an area of 16,975 square kilometers and lies between latitudes 37°45' and 38°18' north and longitudes 34°56' and 36°58' east. The city is bordered by Sivas to the east, Yozgat to the north, Nevşehir to the west, Niğde to the southwest, Adana and Kahramanmaraş to the south.

One of the city’s most important natural features is Erciyes Dağı. At 3,916 meters, it is Turkey’s fifth highest mountain and holds great significance for winter tourism and mountaineering. Other prominent elevations in the province include Aladağ, Dumanlı Dağları, Binboğa, Hınzır and Soğanlı Dağları.

The most important river in Kayseri is Kızılırmak, of which 128 kilometers flow directly through the province. Other rivers include Zamantı Çayı, Sarımsaklı Suyu, Kestuvan Suyu and Değirmendere. Important lakes include Camız Gölü, Çöl Gölü, Sarıgöl, Yay Gölü and Tuzla Gölü.

^{Erciyes Dağı}

Kayseri has a continental climate characterized by hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The annual average temperature is 10.6°C and the annual average rainfall is 424.6 mm. Most precipitation occurs in spring.

Kayseri consists of 16 districts: Akkışla, Bünyan, Develi, Hacılar, İncesu, Kocasinan, Melikgazi, Pınarbaşı, Sarıoğlan, Sarız, Tomarza, Yahyalı, Talas, Özvatan, Felahiye and Yeşilhisar. According to the Address Based Population Registration System, its population is 1,445,683, making it the 15th most populous province in Türkiye. The population density is 85 people per square kilometer.

Kayseri is one of Türkiye’s leading cities in industry and trade. The Kayseri Organize Sanayi Bölgesi, Mimarsinan Organize Sanayi Bölgesi and İncesu Organize Sanayi Bölgesi form the backbone of the province’s industrial infrastructure. Furniture, metalworking, textiles, food and construction are the pillars of Kayseri’s industry. The city also hosts the Kayseri Serbest Bölgesi, a major center for export and import activities.

Kayseri’s geographical structure provides favorable conditions for agricultural production. Major agricultural products include wheat, barley, sugar beet, potato, sunflower, legumes, forage crops, apple and grape. The province also engages in large and small livestock farming, beekeeping and aquaculture.

Kayseri is also rich in both nature and kültür tourism.

• Erciyes Kayak Merkezi is one of Türkiye’s most important ski centers.
• Sultan Sazlığı hosts 301 bird species and 428 plant species.
• Kapuzbaşı Şelaleleri is the world’s second highest waterfall by drop.

Kayseri contains numerous historical sites:

• Kültepe Ören Yeri (listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register)
• Soğanlı Vadisi serves as the gateway to the Cappadocia region.
• Kayseri Kalesi bears traces from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.
• Hunat Hatun Külliyesi is one of the most important examples of Seljuk architecture.
• Ağırnas (birthplace of Mimar Sinan)
• Zeynel Abidin Türbesi and Seyyid Burhaneddin Türbesi are important pilgrimage sites in the Islamic world.

^{Hunat Hatun Külliyesi}

Kayseri is a well-developed province in terms of education. It hosts five universities:

1. Erciyes Üniversitesi (46,369 students)
2. Abdullah Gül Üniversitesi (4,041 students)
3. Nuh Naci Yazgan Üniversitesi (2,957 students)
4. Kayseri Üniversitesi (15,537 students)
5. Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Kayseri Tıp Fakültesi (249 students)

In addition, Kayseri has 16 public education centers, 295 dormitories, BİLSEM and measurement and evaluation centers.

^{Erciyes Üniversitesi}

Kayseri has a well-developed transportation infrastructure.

• Road Network: Bus services connect Kayseri to all parts of Türkiye.
• Railway: The city is connected by rail to Ankara, Istanbul, Adana and Diyarbakır.
• Air Transport: Kayseri Erkilet Airport serves domestic and international flights.
• Urban Transport: The Kayseray light rail system is supported by buses and dolmuş routes.

Kayseri has also developed in the field of spor.

• Kayserispor represents the city in the Süper Lig.
• Erciyes Kayak Merkezi is one of the main centers for winter sports.
• Kadir Has Stadyumu has a capacity of 32,863 spectators.

Kayseri is one of Türkiye’s important cities historically, culturally and economically. With its natural beauty, advanced industry, universities and historical heritage, it continues to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.