Malatya, Turkey

Capital City

The population of 426,381 belies Malatya's sleepy facade - this is no quaint Turkish backwater, but a bustling commercial hub with a turbulent history. While apricot production dominates the economy, the city's legacy is marked by waves of violence and destruction, from Hittite conquests to the Armenian genocide. Bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, and the climate veers between scorching summers and bitterly cold winters. Yet Malatya's strategic location on key rail and road networks, as well as the presence of a major university, make it an attractive destination for those seeking economic opportunity in eastern Turkey.