National Parks, Wild Life, Wetlands of Turkey

YOZGAT PINEWOODS NATURAL PARK

This natural park, in Interior Anatolia is one of the group of forest islands which are located in antrophogyn steppe formed by human influence. From the widespread and untouched forests of the ancient times,only this pinewoods managed to survive till the present day. The natural park,which is found in Yozgat city center, has areas for daily use.

KARATEPE ASLANTAS NATIONAL PARK

Park's main source asset is archeology. Karatepe,which was the border fort of the Young Hittite and Domuztepe which is situated at the opposite side of Ceyhan River were the most strategic forts and important centers of Young Hittite Kingdom.  The national park has an area for daily use.

SOGUKSU NATIONAL PARK

This park is found in the passage area while passing from Interior Anatolia steppes to the thick and green regions of North Anatolia.The black and Scoth pines,oaks and poplar trees that protect their natural appearance are found on the geomorphological structure,formed by numerous side streams and plains of the valleys, which leads way to two main valleys,together with an enriched sub-flora constitutes a thick forest tissue.

KUS CENNETI NATIONAL PARK

The park shelters 239 various kinds of bird species.Among these species are pelicans, geese, swans, ducks,nightingales,black storks and herons.Some birds visit the park during migration and incubation periods only.

ULUDAG NATIONAL PARK

Uludag the highest point of Marmara,which goes up as high as 2543 metres from Bursa Plain,together with steep
slopes,audous rocky zones,deep valleys,high plains,mountain lakes Aras Falls and the marks of glacier,which can be seen at the peeks,arouse interest to the geomorphological structure of the National Park.

SEVEN LAKES NATIONAL PARK

The most beautiful mixed natural forests of Turkey and the seven landslip lakes which gave the park their name, is the main asset of the natural park.It will be a good chance to take long walks and go fishing.The park has areas for daily use.Staying in bunglows and accomodation is possible.

DILEK PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK OF MENDERES DELTA

In the park,particularly bay and chestnut plant groups,together with all kinds of Akdeniz bush flora exist with healty and lively species.The region gains a scientific value from the view of botany, for the fact that chestnut and linden are unique in the forests of Northern Anatolia.

SPIL MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

The national park forms steep rocky regions on the slopes of Spil Mountain which is separated from the plain with its clear broken lines.Formation such as canyons, dens, caves and dolins are the result of the geological structure and the karstic morphology of the region.The park has area for daily use and another area to stay over-night in bunglows. Variety of plants,wild life and mythology are the other values of the park.

KIZILDAG NATIONAL PARK

In Kizildag and its surroundings which are covered with scrub association the suitability of edafic and exposure conditions give the cedar forest a rich climax at the farthest northern point of the country.The oxygen produced by the cedar forests and the recreation potential presented by the green tissue are the main values.The park has an area for daily use,staying over-night in bunglows is another opportunity.

TERMESSOS-GULLUK MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Gulluk Mountain rises just after the travertine steps which form large plains at the north of Antalya. Inside the park there is rich plant association and wild life.Termessos Antique City is the most important cultural richness.The park has an area for daily use.

KOVADA LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Kovada Lake which is the continuation of Egridir to south,,is formed by the blackening of the narrow valley in a long period of time.Lake's fauna,various kinds of plants and untouched natural beauty of the region are the assets of the park.The park has opportunities for daily use.

MUNZUR VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

The park's natural environment,the wild life interesting geomorphological structure and the beauty of the landscape are the main sources of the park.Areas for daily use are present in the park.

OLYMPUS BEYDAGLARI NATIONAL PARK

The park streches from nearby of Antalya Yeniliman and includes the chains of Beydaglari which go till the shore.Cultural richness such as Phaselis and Olympus are as important as the natural resources.The park has a camping site and an area for daily use.

HISTORICAL NATIONAL PARK OF GALLIPOLI PENINSULUM

The Dardanels and the Gallipoli Peninsulum are very important for the world's war history.The park has areas for daily use and sites for camping.In addition to these, the statue,martyrdom and the intoroductory center museum can be seen inside the park.

KOPRULU CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Kopru river, interesting geomorphological structure, plant association, a 400 hectare Mediterrenean cyress forest, crubs, wild life, historical and archeological resources form a unique harmony inside the park.

ILGAZ DAGI NATIONAL PARK

Ilgaz Dagi rises on the transition zone while passing from Middle Anatolia to Northern Anatolia. The rich plant association and the wild life that the region has constitute the main source values of the park. The park has area for daily  use. Besides, a center is present for accomodation and making ski.

BASKOMUTAN HISTORICAL NATIONAL PARK

Great leader Ataturk and the brave Turkish soldiers,becoming symbols,created a legend of bravery and resulted the War of Independence with a great victory. The region,where the war took place has a very important place in history. The historical value of the region and the historic facts of the War of Independance form the basic values of the park.

GOREME HISTORICAL NATIONAL PARK

Unique geomorphological formation,the visual value of the esthetic landscape,historical and ethnographic structure form the main riches of the national park.Taking long walks will be a good opportunity anyone who wants to stay fit.Areas inside the park can be used daily or for camping.Visiting the open air museus is an opportunity you would not want to miss.

MACKA ALTINDERE VALLEY NATURAL PARK

The monastery of Sumela,the rich plant association and unique geomorphologic formation of Virgin Mary Valley are the assets of the national park. It is possible to take long nature walks, stay in bunglows and to use the areas daily.

BOGAZKOY ALACAHOYUK HISTORICAL NATURAL PARK

The natural park includes the archeological remnants of Bogazkoy.Bogazkoy was the capital city of Hittite Empire which was one of the most important civilizations of its time in Anatolia. The national park has areas for daily use and a museum.

NEMRUT MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Nemrut Mountain and the holy areas which once upon a time belong to Kommagene King I. Antiochos are the most important places in the national park.Camp sites,accomodation opportunities and areas for daily use are open to all visitors.

BEYSEHIR GOLU NATIONAL PARK

The park's beautiful landscape is one of the most important values of the park. What's more the park is a good shelter for birds and produces opportunities to arrange water sports for entertainment. Another important value of the park are the cultural resources which belonged to the Seljuck Era. The park has camp sites and areas for daily use.

KAZDAGI NATIONAL PARK

Kazdagi, formerly called Ida,is the biggest mass of Biga Peninsulum seperates Agean and Marmara regions from each other. The deep valleys and the canyons which are situated on Kazdagi and continue in the north-south direction.The rich potential of flora and fauna but especially the plant association and the biological variety form the source assets.

HUNTING AND WILD LIFE

Due to its geographical location,Turkey has various ecosystems and climate zones within its boundries.As a result of this,there is a rich variety of species with respect to fauna.The results of the scientific researches,done until the present day,stated that 120 mammal,439 bird,130 reptile and 345 fish species exist in the country.

SPECIES UNDER PROTECTION

Deer
Wild goat
Chamois
Fallow deer
Roe deer
Gazelle
Wild sheep
Deer - Roe deer
Deer - Wild goat
Deer - Wild sheep
Pheasant
Pheasant
Patridge
Kahlibis

CENTRAL HUNT COMMISSION

The commission which has meetings annually makes decisions about hunting regulations. These regulations include application procedures of hunting,fixing suitable times for hunting, daily limits, zones that would be closed to hunting and lastly the determination of species that will be taken under protection. 320 bird and 28 mammal species are currently under protection as a result of taking the decisions of the commission and the International Agreements into account.

WETLANDS

Turkey, except Confederation of Independent States, is the richest country in wetlands among the countries in Europe and the Middle East. As our country is located on the migration path among Europe,Asia and Africa these wetlands have great importance especially for water birds.The wetland that shelters more than 25.000 water birds is categorized as A-level according to IUCN criteria. In our country we have 19 wetlands which are categorized as A-level.In eleven of these lands,some precautions are applied for the protection of birds. These wetlands are:

Kus Cenneti National Park
Beysehir Golu National Park
Dilek Peninsula Menderes Delta National Park.
Sultansazligi nature protection site
Seyfe Lake nature protection site
Gala Lake nature protection site
Goksu Delta water birds'protection site.
Akyatan Lake water birds' protection site
Burdur Lake water birds' protection site
Kizilirmak Delta water birds' protection site
Camalti Tuzlasi water birds protection site

Five of the wetlands which are excluded from the A-level category are categorized as ' Water birds protection sites'

TOURISM FACILITIES

National parks,natural parks and forest recreation sites serve more than fifteen million local and foreign tourists annually. In these sites,the campings with a capacity of 5.000 tents, are a unique opportunity to spend cheap holidays for more than one million people. General Directory of national parks and hunt-wild life is a pioneer for organizing tourism facilities concerning nature and wild life.