Cappadocia
Cappadocia (/kæpəˈdoʊʃəˌ -ˈdoʊkiə/; Turkish: Kapadokya, [kɑpɑ'dokjɑ]) is a historical region in Central Anatolia, Turkey. It is largely in the provinces of Nevşehir, Kayseri, Aksaray, Kırşehir, Sivas and Niğde.
Cappadocia | |
|---|---|
Ancient region of Central Anatolia Region, Turkey | |
Clockwise from top: Ortahisar Castle, View of Uçhisar Castle, Mount Erciyes, Rose Valley, Ihlara Valley, Göreme Open Air Museum, Aerial view over Cappadocia | |
Cappadocia among the classical regions of Anatolia (Asia Minor) | |
| Coordinates: 38°39′30″N 34°51′13″E | |
| Persian satrapy | Katpatuka |
| Roman province | Cappadocia |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
| Includes | Göreme National Park, Kaymakli Underground City, Derinkuyu underground city |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, iii, v; Natural: vii |
| Reference | 357 |
| Inscription | 1985 (9th Session) |
| Area | 9,883.81 ha |
According to Herodotus, in the time of the Ionian Revolt (499 BC), the Cappadocians were reported as occupying a region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine (Black Sea). Cappadocia, in this sense, was bounded in the south by the chain of the Taurus Mountains that separate it from Cilicia, to the east by the upper Euphrates, to the north by Pontus, and to the west by Lycaonia and eastern Galatia.
The name, traditionally used in Christian sources throughout history, continues in use as an international tourism concept to define a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys, in addition to its religious heritage of being a centre of early Christian learning, evidenced by hundreds of churches and monasteries (such as those of Göreme and Ihlara), as well as underground cities that were dug to offer protection during periods of persecution.