Why is the Black Sea region not more populated?
While Ä°stanbul and some other Turkish cities like Ankara are quite dense, the rest of the places shown on this picture have quite a small population considering their geography, if you think about it.
The Black Sea region has a temperate climate, not too cold or hot year round, mostly icefree, fertile soil. Relatively strategic location close to Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal.
Compare this to Western Europe, which has a similar climate but much more people and is the birthplace of the modern industrialized world.
I've always wondered why most Russians live in Northwestern Russia instead of Southern Russia for example. Or why Bulgaria and Georgia aren't bigger in terms of population.
Any thoughts?