Caves of Turkey

About one third of Turkey is underlain by carbonate rocks. The intense karstification is spread almost all over Turkey.

It is found particularly in the regions of the Taurus Mountain Range, in Northwest Anatolia, in Konya closed basin and in Southeastern Anatolia. Karstification is present both at high altitudes (over 2000 m.) and also it is known to exist at elevations below the sea level, such as Ovacik submarine springs, Kas - Kalkan submarine springs and the Mediterranean region coastal springs.

Turkey is thoroughly located in the Mediterranean sector of the Alpine orogenic belt. The Alpine orogeny and the following epirogenic movements in Turkey have been important factors in karstification.

According to Eroskay and Günay (1979), four karst regions can be differentiated in Turkey Taurus region, Central Anatolia region Southern Anatolia region, and Northwest Anatolia and Thrace region.

Caves Foreseen to be Evaluated in Tourism Activities

As a result of a research made by the Ministry of Tourism, studies have been carried on the caves in the Mediterranean and Aegean sea costs and sketches have been made out.

These caves have been evaluated within the frame of closeness to heavy tourism centres, within daily trip distances (places which could be reached within two hours), having interesting morphological conditions and the conditions of road and transportation. Within these evaluations, the caves which carry the required qualifications are as listed below: