Aksaray Province (Turkish: Aksaray ili) is a provincial administrative unit in central Turkey. Its capital city is Aksaray. The province is part of the Central Anatolia Region (İç Anadolu Bölgesi) and shares borders with the provinces of Niğde to the south, Konya to the west, Ankara to the north, and Nevşehir to the east.
Geography
The province covers an area of approximately 7,659 square kilometres (2,958 square miles). The terrain is predominantly a plateau, characteristic of the Central Anatolian landscape, with elevations ranging from about 950 to 1,600 metres above sea level. The climate is continental, featuring hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Major water bodies include the Melendiz River, which flows through the capital city, and several smaller streams and springs.
Administrative divisions
Aksaray Province is divided into eight districts (ilçeler): Aksaray (central district), Altınekin, Başbağlar, Eskil, Gülağaç, Güzelyurt, Ortaköy, and Sultanhanı. The central district, also named Aksaray, contains the provincial capital and is the most populous.
Population
According to the Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) for the year 2022, the province had a total resident population of approximately 425,000 people. The population is predominantly Turkish, with a small proportion of Kurdish and other minority groups. The majority of residents practice Islam, primarily Sunni Islam.
Economy
The provincial economy is largely based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and small‑scale industry. Key agricultural products include wheat, barley, chickpeas, and various legumes. Livestock breeding, particularly of sheep and cattle, is also significant. In recent decades, the province has seen development in manufacturing sectors such as food processing, textiles, and construction materials. Tourism contributes modestly to the local economy, with attractions such as the Ihlara Valley, the historic Seljuk caravanserai Sultanhanı, and the underground cities of the region drawing visitors.
History
The area that now constitutes Aksaray Province has been inhabited since antiquity. It was part of the Hittite, Phrygian, and Roman territories. During the Seljuk period (11th–13th centuries), the town of Aksaray (formerly known as Taksara) emerged as an important trade hub on the Silk Road. The region later fell under Ottoman control in the 15th century. In the early Republican era of Turkey, Aksaray was designated as a district of Niğde Province; it attained the status of an independent province on 1 June 1989.
Transportation
Aksaray Province is served by a network of state highways, most notably the D.750, which connects the province to Ankara in the north and Konya in the west. The province is also traversed by the main railway line linking Ankara with Konya and further to the Mediterranean coast, providing passenger and freight services. The nearest international airport is in Kayseri, about 150 kilometres to the east.
Culture and heritage
Aksaray hosts several historical and cultural sites, including Seljuk-era caravanserais (e.g., Sultanhanı), Ottoman mosques, and traditional Turkish houses. The province celebrates regional festivals that feature folk music, dance, and culinary traditions such as "Aksaray Tandır" (slow‑cooked lamb). Local crafts include carpet weaving and pottery.
Education
Higher education in the province is represented primarily by Aksaray University, established in 2006. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs across faculties such as engineering, agriculture, humanities, and health sciences.
References
- Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS) 2022.
- Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Turkey.
- Official website of Aksaray Province (www.aksaray.gov.tr).