Located in what was once Mesopotamia, this city is characterized by breathtaking landscape and a rich culture and history. Given its location, it's been home to many civilizations throughout the years, and carries the traces of the Persian, Seljuk, Abbasid, Karakoyunlu, Akkoyunlu and Ottoman Empires. Many parts of the city are under UNESCO world heritage protection, and its topography and climate lend themselves to some excellent skiing and extreme sports.
