| |
Anatolia
The Armenian plateau is an important
nodal point from where ranges diverge east to Iran,
south to Kurdistan, and west to Anatolia. They enclose
high plateaus, of which interior Anatolia is the most
extensive. It is confined by Tatos Daglari in the north
and Toros Daglari in the south. The Tatos range, also
called the Pontic mountains, commences at the Armenia-Turkey
border and continues due west south of the Black Sea.
It has numerous high peaks, including the Kacker Dagi
(3,937m), along its 400 km stretch from north of Erzurum
to Sivas. Its western extension, Ilgaz Daglari, reaches
2,600m north of Ankara. The northern slope facing the
Black Sea is important agriculturally for both crop
and livestock production. In contrast, the south slope
is mostly treeless steppe and more suited to grazing.
The western part of Inner Anatolia
is largely a treeless steppe. It has hot, dry summers
and cold winters. Much of the precipitation occurs during
the spring. The area is a major producer of grains,
with wheat and barley being the main crops. It is also
important for livestock raising. The eastern part, the
Armenian plateau, is extremely dissected with steep
slopes. Summers are short and dry, and the main crop
is spring wheat. Cattle and sheep are the main livestock.
The Toros Mountains stretch along the
southern rim of the Anatolian plateau in an arcuate
form, parallel to the Mediterranean coast. The sea-facing
slopes have steep terrain, although the highest peak,
Erciyes Dagi (3,916m), lies far inland. West of Egridir
Lake, the range splays out in a north-south direction
to complete the confinement of the Anatolian plateau.
The area is under the influence of a Mediterranean climate.
Tree crops and vineyards abound on lower (below 1,200m)
slopes, while upper (above 1,500m) slopes are used for
livestock raising.
|
