Angora: Country Or Not?

Angora is not a country, but there are several places around the world that are named Angora. The city of Ankara in Turkey was once known in Europe as Angora. Angora is also the name of a township in Minnesota, a set of lakes on the border of California and Nevada, and a neighbourhood in Philadelphia. There are also places named Angora in Papua New Guinea, the Central African Republic, and South Africa.

Angora, the historic name of Ankara, Turkey's capital city

Ankara was formerly the capital of the ancient Celtic state of Galatia (280–64 BC) and later of the Roman province with the same name (25 BC–7th century). The city was also the capital of the Anatolia Eyalet (1393–late 15th century) and then the Angora Vilayet (1867–1922).

The historical centre of Ankara is a rocky hill rising 150 m (500 ft) over the left bank of the Ankara River, a tributary of the Sakarya River. The hill remains crowned by the ruins of Ankara Castle. Ankara is known for its pears, honey, and Muscat grapes. The city gave its name to Angora wool, which comes from Angora rabbits, Angora goats, and Angora cats.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish nationalist leader, made Ankara the centre of the resistance movement against the Ottoman sultan and the invading Greek forces in 1919. Ankara became the new Turkish capital in 1923.

Angora goats, a breed of goat originating in Turkey

Angora goats, also known as Ankara goats, are a breed of goat originating in Turkey. They are named after the ancient Ottoman province of Angora, which is the present-day city of Ankara in Turkey. Angora goats are an ancient breed, with records of the use of goat hair for clothing found as early as the 14th century BC.

The Angora goat is characterised by its small size, slender and light-framed build, and long, twisted horns. The coat of the Angora goat is made up of long ringlets of fine and lustrous mohair, which is a type of goat hair known for its softness, silkiness, and brightness. The face and legs of the Angora goat are typically white, while the body is covered in a coat of white, black, brown, or grey hair.

Angora goats have been valued for their mohair fibre, which has been used in the textile industry for centuries. The demand for Angora goat fleece was first generated in the 16th century when a Dutchman discovered these goats and their fine fleece. The Angora goats became desirable for their mohair fibre, which was exported to Europe and became a valuable commodity for the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.

The Angora goat is not a prolific breeder and is considered delicate, especially during the first few days of life. They have high nutritional requirements due to their rapid hair growth, and a poor-quality diet can impact the development of their mohair fibre. Angora goats are also more susceptible to external parasites than other similar animals due to their denser coats.

Today, Angora goats are found in many countries around the world, including South Africa, the United States, Turkey, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and more. They are reared for their mohair fibre and for their meat, which is known for being succulent and tender.

Angora rabbits, a breed of rabbit that produces Angora wool

Angora rabbits are one of the most ancient groups of domestic rabbit breeds. They are bred for their long fibres, known as Angora wool, which are gathered by shearing, combing or plucking. Angora wool is distinct from mohair, which comes from Angora goats, and is also distinct from cashmere, which comes from cashmere goats. Angora wool is known for its softness, thin fibres, and fluffiness. It is also known for its silky texture and is much warmer and lighter than sheep's wool. Angora rabbits produce coats in a variety of colours, from white through tan, grey, and brown to black.

There are at least 11 distinct breeds of Angora rabbit, four of which are currently recognised by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA): the English Angora, the French Angora, the Giant Angora and the Satin Angora. Other unrecognised breeds include the German Angora, the Finnish Angora, the Chinese Angora, the Japanese Angora, the Korean Angora, the Russian Angora, the St Lucian Angora and the Swiss Angora.

The Angora is said to have originated in Ankara, Turkey, and is known to have been brought to France in 1723. Angora rabbits became popular pets of the French royalty in the mid-18th century and spread to other parts of Europe by the end of that century. Angora wool is in high demand and considered top-drawer in the fibre production market. Angora rabbits are primarily used for wool production and are a no-kill livestock, which can be appealing to rabbit farmers. Angora wool producers typically market their fibre to the hand-spinning and knitting cottage industries and can expect nice prices for their product.

Angora rabbits require special husbandry practices that are important to their health and fibre production. They are naturally nervous, so it is important that they know and trust their handler. They are also susceptible to wool block, a potentially lethal blockage of the digestive tract, and tiny biting wool mites. Angora rabbits are intentionally bred to have fluffy wool, which can compromise their welfare and health. They are kept in tiny wire mesh cages on Angora farms, which can deform their spines and cause serious injuries to their paws or legs.

Angora Township, Minnesota, USA

Angora Township is located in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, in the United States. It is named after Angora, a place in Turkey, which is known for its long-haired goats. The township has a total area of 36.4 square miles (94 km2), with 36.3 square miles (94 km2) of land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of water.

According to the 2010 census, the population of Angora Township was 249. The racial makeup of the township is predominantly White (97.11%), with a small percentage of Native Americans (2.89%). The median income for a household in the township is $38,750, while the median income for a family is $43,214. The per capita income is $15,279, and none of the families are living below the poverty line.

The unincorporated community of Angora, with a population of 63 in 1920 and 75 in 1940, is located within Angora Township. This community is situated six miles south of Cook, at the intersection of State Highway 1 (MN 1) and Saint Louis County Road 430 (Burghardt Road). U.S. Highway 53 and State Highway 1 are two of the main routes in the township. The Rice River, a tributary of the Little Fork River, flows through both the community and the township.

The climate in Angora Township is characterised by temperatures falling below 50°F for 211 days per year, and annual precipitation of 27.8 inches. Snow covers the ground for 119 days per year, and the humidity is below 60% for approximately 153.2 days.

Angora Lakes, a set of freshwater lakes in the US

Angora is not a country, but it is the historic name of Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. In the US, Angora is the name of a township in Minnesota, a neighbourhood in Philadelphia, and a commuter rail station. Angora Lakes, a set of two small freshwater lakes, can be found in the Sierra Nevada mountain range on the border of California and Nevada. The lakes are located around 1,200 feet (370 m) in elevation above Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe. The Angora Lakes Resort, which offers boat rentals, food, and cabin rentals, is situated by the lakes.

The lakes were named after a herd of Angora goats that used to graze in the area. The Angora goat is one of several animals that the term "Angora" can refer to, including the rabbit, ferret, and cat. Angora wool, which is sourced from Angora rabbits, is particularly well-known.

The Angora Lakes Resort has been providing a unique vacation experience since the 1920s. Visitors can rent a rowboat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard to explore the lakes. The resort also offers a variety of food and beverage options, including fresh-squeezed lemonade, sandwiches, ice cream, and treats. There are nine rustic small cabins available for weekly rentals, but no pets are allowed.

The resort is only accessible via a rugged, uphill hike of about a mile round trip, at 7,000-7,500' elevation. Visitors are advised to bring exact cash for the $10 parking fee, as the parking area can fill up quickly. Dogs are permitted at the resort but must be kept on a leash and out of the lake at all times. Drones, camping, barbecues, campfires, and amplified music are prohibited. Visitors are expected to follow the "Leave No Trace" principle by packing out their trash.

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