Turkey is often described as the "Bridge of Continents," but for a dragonfly, it is much more than a simple crossing point. It is a vast biological melting pot where the wildlife of Europe, Asia, and Africa meets, mingles, and evolves.

With its towering mountains, arid steppes, and lush coastal wetlands, Turkey hosts an incredible diversity of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), boasting nearly 120 species—a number that surpasses almost any single European country.

What makes Turkey truly special for dragonflies is the sheer variety of habitats:

• The Taurus Mountains: A limestone paradise where cold-water springs create ideal conditions for the massive Goldenrings (Cordulegaster).

• The Lakes Region: Central Anatolia’s "Lake District" provides massive breeding grounds.

• Eastern Anatolia: High-altitude wetlands here harbor "glacial relics"—hardy species that survived the last Ice Age and now live in the thin air of the Armenian Highlands.