Erzurum is one of the most important provincial centers in Turkey. Throughout its 6000 year-history, the city has been a significant economic, political and cultural center. Erzurum has been exposed to the world's most important civilizations of different nations such as Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans. There are several important historical landmarks such as castles, citadels, churches, mosques, madrasahs, caravanserais and military fortifications reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the province. Erzurum City Citadel, Oshvank Church, Hasankale Castle, Double Minarets, Clock Tower and the Grand Mosque are among them. The city is like an open-air museum with its officially registered 320 immovable cultural landmarks.

Erzurum, which was a commercial capital province of a 100.000-square kilometer-field, still continues to be the center of a trade on the Silk Road. In terms of area, Erzurum is the the fourth largest province of Turkey with a population of about 1.000.000 people, one fourth of which are students. It is the city with the highest altitude (1850 m) in Turkey.

With its traditional handicrafts (jet embroidering, Bardiz carpets, Erzurum is also the city where the carpet was first woven), rich local cuisine (cag kebap, kadayif dolma, manti, etc.) and traditional sports (the game of javelin, sleigh, snow volleyball, etc.). With its 256 endemic flora and its very rich fauna, it is a center of natural richness.