Tearing Turkey Apart: A Stereotypical Take on a Complex Nation

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Turkey is a nation of contradictions — where East meets West, Islam meets secularism, and kebabs meet baklava. Its geographical position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia has shaped a rich and complex cultural identity. But with that complexity comes division — not just political or religious, but also culinary, linguistic, and even meteorological.

Inspired by the satirical style of Yanko Tsvetkov’s Atlas of Prejudice (Amazon link), several creative cartographers have produced humorous yet insightful maps of Turkey. These stereotype-based maps highlight not only the country’s internal diversity but also how Turks themselves view their own regions. Let’s take a closer look at how Turkey can be “torn apart” in five different ways.

Nine Ways to Divide Turkey

The first map, created by Reddit user emirtark, offers a satirical but revealing breakdown of Turkey’s internal divisions. It separates the country into nine categories based on social, political, and cultural differences:

• Attractions – Istanbul is labeled “The Capital of the World,” while some regions are only recognized for their beaches or religious sites.
• People – Turks from different regions have varying reputations, from hardworking industrialists to laid-back beachgoers.
• Religion – Reflects the varying religious influences across the country — from hardcore secularism in the west to more conservative Sunni Islam in the east.
• Dialects – Apparently, only Istanbul speaks differently; the rest of the country gets lumped together.
• Cores and Claims – Some historical grievances never die — especially when it comes to territorial disputes.
• Existence of Provinces – This one’s a bit confusing — maybe a nod to the historical Armenian presence in eastern Turkey.
• Politics – A predictable east-west split, with the west leaning secular and the east more conservative.
• Civilization – Some parts of Turkey are portrayed as more “civilized” than others — a cheeky jab at urban-rural differences.
• Safety – Tourists are probably fine in the west, but life on the Syrian border is… complicated.

Eight Ways to Divide Turkey

This next map, created by Reddit user expatdoctor, takes the satire even further. It breaks Turkey down into eight major divisions based on lifestyle and environment:

• Climate – From Mediterranean bliss to harsh mountain terrain — Turkey has it all.
• Tourism – Istanbul and the coast attract tourists, while some areas are marked as “avoid at all costs.”
• Cuisine – A war between Adana kebab, İskender, and Cağ kebab — honestly, the real winner is anyone eating them.
• Mindset – Reflects the psychological differences between the east and west — westerners are more liberal; easterners are more traditional.
• Hazards – Earthquakes, floods, and the occasional military conflict keep things interesting.
• Vote For – Political leanings follow the same east-west split, with some nationalist hot spots.
• Claims on Us – Greece, Armenia, and others all have historical stakes in parts of Turkey.
• Existence – I don’t understand the point of this map. I would be grateful if you could explain it in the comments.

Six Ways to Divide Turkey

This one gets creative with its categories:

• NYC vs Afghanistan – Western Turkey is depicted as cosmopolitan, while the east gets the short end of the stick.
• Population Density – Istanbul and the west are heavily populated; the east is more sparse.
• Cuisine – Döner, kebab, and mantı — the holy trinity of Turkish comfort food.
• Tourism – The western coast is safe and welcoming; the eastern border, not so much.
• Climate – A sharp contrast between the lush Black Sea coast and the arid Anatolian interior.
• Reputation – Some areas are labeled as “tourist traps,” while others are deemed “disappointments.”

Another Take on Six Ways to Divide Turkey

This map simplifies the divisions into six essential categories:

• Politics – A clear Erdogan stronghold in central and eastern Turkey, with opposition pockets in the west.
• Intelligence – Istanbul and Ankara are marked as “genius” zones, while other areas are graded “good” or “should be better.”
• Kebab Types – Adana, İskender, and Cağ Kebab battle it out for culinary dominance.
• Religion – A spectrum from hardcore secularism to Sunni conservatism.
• Syrian Refugees – Concentrated along the southern border — a result of the Syrian Civil War.
• Richness – Wealth is centered in the West, while the East remains comparatively poor.

Turkey for Beginners

This map is a hilarious crash course for anyone new to Turkey:

• The City – Istanbul, obviously.
• Not City – Everything else.
• Basically like Russia, but Muslim – Central Turkey gets this blunt label.
• Apricots, Bananas, and Baklava – Turkey’s rich agricultural diversity boiled down to a few key exports.
• Orhan Pamuk Writes His Books Here – A literary nod to Turkey’s most famous novelist.
• Don’t Mess with Adana – A warning that locals will understand.
• Where Germans and Russians Go to the Beach – Coastal tourism in a nutshell.

Reading Between the Borders: Turkey’s Real Divisions

These maps may be tongue-in-cheek, but they reflect real social and political divides in Turkey. The east-west cultural split, the dominance of Istanbul in political and economic life, and the deep culinary and religious differences all point to the complexity of modern Turkey.

Humor is often the easiest way to explore difficult truths — and these maps highlight just how fragmented yet united Turkey remains.

Have you visited Turkey or lived in any of these regions? Share your thoughts in the comments — which map do you think captures Turkey’s reality best?