Why is Ankara the capital of Turkey, rather than Istanbul?

Although Ankara is Turkey's political capital, the de facto capital for everything else is most definitely Istanbul to this day. I lived two .... Same reason Washington DC is the Capital of the U.S. instead of New York or Philadelphia, and that Brasillia is the Capital of Brazil instead of Rio. read more

Ankara also had a railway and being roughly at the center of Turkey made more sense as a capital logistically. Eskişehir, which also had a railway and was close to Istanbul, was either very near the border or occupied by the Triple Entente and its proxies during various stages of the war. read more

Ankara, city (1990 pop. 2,533,209), capital of Turkey and Ankara prov., W central Turkey, at an elevation of c.3,000 ft (910 m). Turkey's largest city after İstanbul Ankara is primarily an administrative city, but it is also an important commercial, industrial, and cultural center. Grains, vegetables, and fruit are grown nearby. read more