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General Information About Cappadocia |
| Almost in the center of Anatolia, which forms a compact plateau area at an altitude of some 1000 meters above sea level extending from the Aegean coast to the Black Sea in the north and the outliers of the Taurus in the south, is the region known to the Assyrians as Katpatuka and in classical times as Cappadocia. Although the exact boundaries of the region varied over the centuries its essential nucleus was always the same. This area (Fig. 12,14), bounded on the south and east by a line of volcanic structures with Erciyes Da (Mt Argaeus, 3916 m.) at one end and Hasan Da (3253 m.) at the other, extends north in a series of deeply indented valleys which run down towards the middle valley of the Kzlrmak (Red River) and westward to the depression of the Tuz Gl (Salt Lake). |
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The most striking feature of the landscape is the volcanism which has created dramatic morphological contrasts and produced a wide range of features, from the spur of volcanic cones to the sciare on the lower slopes and the extensive plateau of lava flows. It is a typical example of an area of recent volcanic activity, with the geological structures perfectly preserved, including both the basic features and the whole range of secondary craters and the pyroclastic deposits associated with them.
After the initial volcanic convulsion the action of atmospheric agencies led to the formation of a dense and intricate pattern of valleys, ravines and gullies diversified by a variety of individual features-rock clefts and cavities, free-standing stacks and isolated pinnacles. Climatic factors have also produced a range of contrasting colours which enhance the picturesque effect, and theprocesses of oxidation, acting differently on different types of rock, have added to the variety of pattern.The rough-textured violet-toned andesites,the smooth ochreous rocks, the white tufaceous cliffs in the valleys, the hillsides of gray ash and the black pillars of basalt combine to form an alternating pattern reflecting the upheavals which the landscape has undergone since the rocks were first laid down.The variety of scenery which results from Turkey's mountain structure is still further accentuated by climatic differences. Although each natural region has a climate of its own, these climates can be classified into a number of different types:a temperate climate in the Black Sea area, |
| a Mediterranean climate along the Aegean and the south coast, a continental and subdesertic climate in the interior, a mountain climate in Eastern Turkey. The area with which we are more particularly concerned, situated centrally in relation to the plateau, has in general a continental and subdesertic climate, with local variations according to the height and structure of the bills. There is a transition from the sub-desertic conditions of the Salt Lake depression to the continental climate of the plateau between the Salt Lake and the Kzlrmak and the main volcanic mountain ridges. |
The highest snowfall is in the months of December, January and February; the main rainfall occurs in March, April and May, reaching its maximum in May. The period of lowest rainfall is in July, August and September. Humidity follows a similar pattern, with the highest levels in the winter months and the lowest in summer. The highest temperatures are attained in the period from May to September, with sharp fluctuations during the day.
The vegetation pattern is closely related to climatic differences and the nature of the soil. In the Salt Lake area vegetation is almost completely absent, such plants as there are being of desert species; on the plateau the vegetation is of steppe type, with a few stunted trees. The ridges of volcanic rock are usually without vegetation, but the granites and limestones have a sparse growth of conifers. The tuffs along the sides of the valleys and in the basins offer favourable conditions for the growing of vines.
The hydrographic structure of Cappadocia comprises three main catchment areas - to the north the Kzlrmak basin, to the south-west the basin of the Melendiz Suyu, to the south-east the Mavrucan basin. The Kzlrmak basin is drained on the right bank by a small number of mountain streams, the most important of which are in the area between Krehir, Mucur and Hacibekta. The slopes on the left bank, however, have a much more elaborate drainage system, thanks to more favourable lithological and structural conditions. Among the numerous tributaries on this bank the most important are the irdikinz Dere, flowing down from Kara Da; the Acsu ay, coming from the Erdas Da massif near Nevehir; the Damsa ay, which flows past rgp and is fed by various streams coming down from Avla Da; and the Karasu, a substantial river which drains the northern slopes of Erciyes Da. |
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