Geography and Transportation

The city is 1033 m above sea level and its surface area is 9,393 km2. Karaman is located in 36 28 and 37 32 northern parallels, and in 32 32 to 34 07 east longitudes. The northern part of the city is plain, the southern part of the city is mountainous and hilly. Cumra is in northwest, Karapınar and Ereğli are in north, Halkapınar is in northeast, central district of Mersin is in east,  Erdemli, Mut, Gülnar, Bozyazı and Anamur districts of Mersin are in south, Alanya and Gazipasa districts of Antalya are in southwest, Taşkent and Bozkır districts are in west of Karaman. There are six district of the province of Karaman. These are the Centrum, Basyayla, Ermenek, Kazımkarabekir and Sarıveliler.

Karaman is at the crossroads of the transportation web of Türkiye and considered to be the logistics center between Central Anatolia and Mediterranean Sea. The city, having one of the most developed rail transport networks of central Türkiye, will be a logistics hub as the İstanbul High Speed Train Railway Project along with Mersin, Adana, Karaman, Konya, Ankara, Eskisehir and Karaman-Antalya and Karaman-Mersin road projects come to an end. Also the city is only one hour distance to Konya Airport. Karaman is two hours away from the largest port of Türkiye, Mersin International Port, which has 15 million tons of cargo handled every year, providing a unique opportunity to reach to the world market with low transportation and raw material costs. Thanks to its modern highway network, Karaman has a cost advantage in raw material procurement and product distribution. Its convenient location allows companies to reach 15 million people in 3 hours.

Climate and Vegetation

Karaman has a typical continental climate. Winters are cold and harsh, the summers are hot and rainless. Continental climate prevails in the high highlands mountain areas. Characteristics of the Mediterranean climate is seen through the plain areas that Goksu Stream passes. The temperature in winter decreases to -17 C. The average temperature is 30 C during the summer months. Annual average rainfall varies from 300 to 450 mm. City lands typical climate is steppe because of the area that remains in the  steppe vegetation. In mountainous regions there are forests occured from trees and shrubs. Forests are covered with oak, juniper, larch, pine, ash and acacia trees.

Mountains

Most of the Karaman lands are covered with vast lowlands. The south of the province is mountainous. Taurus Mountains extend from west to east. It is 1014 meters above sea level. The highest point Karadag in Northwest is 2288 meters. Karadag is a dormant volcanic volcano. Yunt Mountain (2,227 m), Oyuklu Mountain (2,427 m), Ozyurt Mountain (2481 m) and Kartaltepe (2,226 m) are important mountains.

Lowlands

Karaman is built on the vast lowlands. Karaman Lowland is 20 km wide and 30 km long. Ayranci Lowland is between Eregli Lowland and Karaman Lowland and at the bottom of Kocadere Valley. Streams Arising from high mountains by forming deep valleys irrigate these lowlands. The town Ermenek is surrounded by high highlands.

Plateaus

Ermenek, Basyayla and Sariveliler districts are located in the south and on magnificient medium Taurus mountains. The two main branches of Goksu River which are in this region by joining with Middle Taurus mountains and make up steep and deep cliffed Taşeli (Klikya) plateau. The plateaus of Karaman are Balkusan, Altintas, and Tekecati. Beekeeping is especially practiced in the Balkusan plateau. It is famous for its honey.

Lakes

Gödet, Ayrancı, Ibrala, Ermenek dams are the main water sources of Karaman. Akgöl lake is in the Ayranci District. The lake is a natural bird sanctuary and has about 300 species of birds. Acıgöl is located in Suleymanhaci Village.

Streams

There is no large stream in the province of Karaman. Goksu runlet is the largest stream. This stream which Passes through Taseli highland, fed by the Geyik Mountains water and pours into the Mediterranean and its arms named Hadim and Ermenek passes thorugh Karaman, united in the district of Mersin Mut. By Descending from the high mountains, they make up deep valleys. İbrala Stream originates from the northern slopes of the Toros Mountains and flows through Sudurağı, Beydili and Akçaşehir paths and flows into Akgöl.

High Speed Train

The high speed train construction between Konya and Karaman is completed. Passenger transport is started. Travel time between Konya and Karaman is approximately 45 minutes. Travel times with high speed train are shortened. 2.5 hours between Karaman and Ankara; 5 hours between Karaman and Istanbul. High-speed train construction from Karaman to Mersin continues.

Modern Highways

Karaman-Konya-Ankara / Karaman-Mersin / Karaman-Antalya / Karaman-Ereğli-Adana highways have been completed as double lanes. Transportation to the city by road is extremely easy. The Biggest Port of Türkiye: Mersin Port is just 2 Hours drive away from Karaman thanks to the highways and railway.

Karaman is a peaceful, easy to live small-medium city which is surrounded with metropolitans...

15 million people in 3 hours distance by land and railway...

At the center of the 6 provinces which are in the top 10 populated  provinces of the country...