Monthly Archives: November 2020

Seattle is the largest city in America’s Pacific Northwest region and located in the state of Washington.  The Seattle metropolitan area has a population of 4 million people and is the fifteenth-largest metropolis in the United States.  Known as the “Emerald City”, Seattle is situated in a magnificent natural environment, surrounded by evergreen forests, mountains, and water.  Just 100 miles south of the Canadian border, Seattle is America's northernmost metropolis.  The Seattle metropolitan area includes the cities of Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Everett, Renton, Kirkland, and Redmond.  There are several thousand Turkish people in the Seattle area and the city has Turkish cultural events led by the Turkish American Cultural Association of Washington.  Seattle also plays host to the annual TurkFest and Turkish Film Festival.  The University of Washington—located just north of downtown Seattle—has a Turkish and Ottoman Studies Program.

Denver, known as the “Mile High City” because of its elevation of 5,280 feet, is the capital of Colorado and is one of the fastest growing cities in America.  The Denver Metropolitan area is the 19th most populous metro area in the U.S. and has a population approaching 3 million people.  The region’s growing and diverse economy—along with its proximity to Rocky Mountain ski resorts—make Denver an attractive destination for people seeking a more active and balanced lifestyle.  The Denver Metropolitan area includes the towns of Arvada, Aurora, Castle Rock, Centennial, Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton, and Westminster.  There are only about 2,000 Turkish people in the entire state of Colorado but there are nonprofit organizations in Denver representing the interest of this community and celebrating Turkish culture.  There are even a few authentic Turkish restaurants and bakeries where the people of Denver can enjoy a plate of iskender kebap or Turkish tea and baklava.  

Las Vegas is the largest city in the state of Nevada and located in the Mojave Desert, sandwiched between California and Arizona.  The Las Vegas metropolitan area, known as the Las Vegas Valley, includes Clark County and the cities of North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City, as well as several other unincorporated communities and neighborhoods.  The Las Vegas Valley has a population of 2.3 million people and has been America’s fastest growing city the past decade.  Although Las Vegas ranks only as the 28th-most populous city in the United States, there could be as many as 300,000 tourists visiting the city on any given day.  The Turkish immigrant community in Las Vegas is small but there are still a few Turkish restaurants around the city.  Las Vegas is a popular city for conventions and trade shows, making this is a great city for Turkish companies to introduce their products and services to the U.S. market and establish new business relationships.  

The city of Dallas and the surrounding metropolitan area is the most populous metropolis in the southern United States and fourth-most populous in the country.  The Dallas metropolitan area—known as the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, or DFW by local residents—has a population of 7.6 million people and includes the cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Garland, Richardson, Frisco, Mesquite, Denton, Grand Prairie, and McKinney.  The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, located in North Texas, is one of the fastest growing regions in the country thanks to the low cost of living, low taxes, abundance of resources, and ease of doing business.  There are a few thousand Turkish people living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, many of them educated professionals working in real estate, academics, engineering, corporate management, and medicine.  The metroplex has several Turkish restaurants and nonprofit organizations promoting Turkish culture and heritage.  

The city of Orlando, located in the Central Florida region of the United States and known as “the City Beautiful”, is ranked as America’s 23rd most-populous city.  The Orlando metropolitan area has a population of 2.6 million people and is home to several theme parks including Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios.  Orlando’s theme parks, natural attractions, and year-round warm weather make it one of the most-visited cities in the world.  The Orlando metropolitan area includes various cities and towns like Kissimmee, Sanford, St. Cloud, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, and other municipalities. While the Turkish immigrant community in Orlando is not huge, the overall population of Turks in Florida is growing thanks to the direct flight from Istanbul to Miami on Turkish Airlines.  Orlando is home to an Istanbul Cultural Center and there are several Turkish restaurants in the area.

Chicago is America’s third-most-populous city and its metropolitan area, known as Chicagoland, has a population approaching 10 million people.  Chicago is a vibrant international city with a robust economy that is the corporate headquarters for 57 Fortune 1000 companies.  While manufacturing and food processing provide a strong foundation for its economy, the city is also an important financial center and is home to the Chicago Stock Exchange, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The Chicago metropolitan area covers 14 counties across three states—Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—and includes cities like Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero, Skokie, Gary (Indiana), and Kenosha (Wisconsin).  Chicago is home to around 10,000 Turkish people and there are Turkish cultural organizations that teach Turkish language courses and host annual events.  Turkish Airlines has nonstop flights from Chicago to Istanbul.  

Greater Houston is the fifth most-populous metropolitan area in the United States with a population of over 7 million residents.  Houston is one of America’s most ethnically diverse cities.  With over 145 different languages being spoken in this global city, it is no surprise Houston has plenty of great restaurants offering delicious cuisine from all over the world, including several Turkish restaurants.  This is a fast-growing and youthful city that attracts entrepreneurs, corporate businesspeople, international investors, and students.  Houston is the home to the country’s oil and gas industry and is also home to 350 aerospace and aviation companies.  Greater Houston encompasses nine counties and includes the cities of Sugar Land, Baytown, Conroe, Pasadena, Pearland, The Woodlands, and Galveston.  There are nearly 10,000 Turkish people living in Houston and the city hosts an annual Turkish festival.  Turkish Airlines has nonstop flights to Istanbul from George Bush Intercontinental Airport.    

Charlotte is the 23rd-most populous city in the United States and is the most populous city in the state of North Carolina.  Known as the Queen City, this metropolis of 2.6 million people has been one of the country’s fastest-growing cities the past two decades.  Charlotte’s youthful population, low cost of living, and geographical location in America’s Sun Belt, have made it an attractive destination for business investment, including international investment from Turkey.  The Charlotte metropolitan area is a sixteen-county region that stretches into the state of South Carolina and includes the towns of Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Indian Trail, Mooresville, Monroe, Salisbury, Matthews, Cornelius, Mint Hill, Statesville, Shelby, Rock Hill (SC), and Fort Mill (SC).  Charlotte is home to a small, yet active Turkish community that has an annual event celebrating Turkish culture and heritage, and UNC Charlotte has a Turkish Student Association.  

San Francisco, known as the “City by the Bay”, is one of America’s most famous and beautiful cities.  Located in Northern California, San Francisco is just one of the many cities that together make up the San Francisco Bay Area, or Bay Area for short.  The 14-county combined statistical area (that comprises the Bay Area) has nearly 10 million people, making it the fifth-most populous region in the United States.  The Bay Area includes cities such as Oakland, Berkeley, Concord, Pleasanton, Fremont, San Jose, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Sausalito, San Rafael, and Novato.  There are about 15,000 Turkish people living in the Bay Area and there are several Turkish cultural organizations that teach language courses, folk dancing, and cooking.  Turkish Airlines has nonstop flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Istanbul (IST), helping to strengthen commercial and cultural ties between these two beautiful cities.  

The Greater Miami Area is the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the United States and has a population of 6.2 million people.  The metropolitan area is composed of Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County.  Its main cities include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and Boca Raton.  This is a diverse community where 40% of the population was born in another country.   There are about 10,000 Turkish people throughout Miami and the population is growing as more Turks look to the South Florida region to invest in U.S. real estate.   Miami is home to a Turkish consulate and the Florida Turkish Center Foundation, where Americans and other Miami residents can study the Turkish language and participate in cultural activities.  Turkish Airlines has nonstop flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Istanbul Airport (IST).