About Turkey

• Turkey: the cradle of cultures and civilizations connecting Europe and Asia and capital of civilizations that have reined the lands of Anatolia for centuries.

• Since the beginning of history, Anatolia, well known as one the earliest settlements, has continued to flourish with the migration of various tribes, and accumulated a large cultural heritage through a line of succeeding empires and civilizations. Many empires ranging from the Sumerians to the Hittites, the Lydians to the Byzantines and the Seljuks to the Ottomans have once thrived and expired within the borders of Turkey.

• Ankara is the capital of Turkey, which established a democratic regime with the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923. The Bosporus and the Dardanelles, connecting the seas of this magnificent landscape surrounded by the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara seas, function as bridges connecting the lands of the region almost like silk threads.

• Greece and Bulgaria to the west, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the east and Iran, Iraq, and Syria to the south are the border neighbors of Turkey. The member of various international organizations such as the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization and the Organization of the Islamic Conference our country continuous to evolve and grow at rapid speed.

• Located at the mid-point of the European, Asian and African continents, Turkey has a varied geography rich in mountains, plains, caves, seas and many other natural formations and beauties. All types of sports activities and more specifically outdoor sports can be done amidst a breathtaking nature providing both for adrenaline and entertainment.

• One of the most precious and diverse treasures of Turkey is, of course, the Turkish cuisine. The variety offered by this magnificent heritage of flavors which evolved over the centuries with the blending of the culinary cultures of many communities and civilizations is limitless.  Thousands of unique delicacies and specialties ranging from meat dishes to cold dishes with olive oil, from sorbets to spices are waiting to be served to guests from all over the world.

• Entertaining and lively folk dances and songs, which originated from the combination of the local culture with music and dance, provide for unique local entertainment in every province you visit. Thanks to its geographical position located at the meeting point of three continents, Turkey is able to offer fast and convenient transportation with more than 200 direct flights to various destinations in the world and connecting flights to all other destinations around the globe. It is also possible to explore different corners of Turkey by entering the country via highway through neighboring countries located in Asia and Europe.

Statistics:

1. Population – above 81,619,562 (July 2014 Est).
2. Average age of Population – 28.5
3. Area - 783,562 sq km
4. GDP - $1.167 trillion (2013 est.)
5. Currency  - Turkish liras (TRY)

Climate of Turkey:

Culture & Art:

Home to numerous communities and civilizations from the beginning of history, Anatolia is also the harbour of the magnificent Turkish culture.

Turkish culture which has evolved under the influence of various communities over the centuries and spread over the extensive lands of Anatolia attracts the attention for its unique elements.  At the crossroads of the East and the West, Turkish culture, from its cuisine to social life, bears the traces of different cultures.

Customs & Traditions:

From rituals on special days to family relations, Turkish society still largely adheres to native customs and traditions in many areas of social life.

Birth, marriage, holiday celebrations, as well as military service sendoff gatherings are celebrated with great enthusiasm and special preparations. Reflecting the rich Anatolian culture, these traditions are among the most precious heritages of the nation.

Discover Turkey:

Fethiye:

• A beautiful seaside location which gives new meaning to the color turquoise possessing the most beautiful beaches and islands of the Aegean region and a holiday paradise with stunning nature and impressive historical sites.
• It is assumed that Fethiye, often reffered to as “the untouched virgin of the Land of Lights," was established in the 5th century B.C. The city which was formerly known as Telmessos used to be one of the most important residential areas of Lycia.

Mount Nemrut:





A magnificent historical site located on the eastern Taurus mountain range and the 8th Wonder of the World bearing the most valuable monuments of the Kingdom of Commagene. Situated on the Arsameia antique road, Nemrut, 2206 meters in height, looms over the whole territory encompassing the Firat river crossing and plains.





The statues of Greek and Persian gods made in 62 BC upon the order of the Commagene King Antiochus and the king’s own tomb and temple are still preserved in the present day. The tumulus and sanctuary include also stone carvings of gods. The eagle head is one of the the most well-known and intriguing carvings.





UNESCO has inscribed Mount Nemrut on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 and called the site the 8th Wonder of the World.


Offering a rich cultural heritage and an excellent landscape, unforgettable memories are awaiting you at Nemrut!




Side:



One of the most amazing corners of Antalya the shining star of the Mediterranean and among the most crucial port cities of antiquity, Side is an irresistible holiday resort.


Side which means pomegranate and refers to the mother goddess of Anatolia, was an ancient city that developed its own local language after it was founded in 700 BC.   


Side became a major center of culture, science and trade during the Roman period and continued to remain the center of successive civilizations throughout history. With the immigration of Cretans, Side eventually came under the influence of the culture of Crete that manifested itself strongly in the architecture, culture, village houses and local cuisine of the region.


Blessed with numerous natural wonders and a rich cultural and historical heritage, Side welcomes its guests any time of the year and deserving its place among unforgettable memories.


Cappadocia:





Cappadocia a site of nature’s wonderful formations, a central Anatolian and world heritage with a history dating back to 3000 B.C





This awesome geography where history and nature intertwines has been host to many civilizations throughout the centuries.  The unique volcanic landscape of the region took shape as a result of the erosion of the volcanic layers which spread through the area with the eruption of Erciyes, Hasandag and Güllüdag mountains about 60 million years ago.



Cappadocia, which means “land of beautiful horses” in Persian language, has been the hub of many civilizations and a gigantic shelter and center for Christians who fled from the Roman Empire during the Hittite period and hid in the houses and churches carved inside of rocks.







With the formation of fairy chimneys in time, the local communities carved houses and churches into these rocks and made frescoes inside of these structures connecting the past with the present.
A district of Nevşehir and one of the key points of the Silk Road, Cappadocia is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list.


Bodrum:





Bodrum ’’the land of eternal blue’’, a stunning town both for its spectacular nature and variety of ruins with a history estimated to go back to the year 1000 BC. Bodrum is one of the magnificent bays of Muğla and among the most beautiful areas of the Aegean region. It offers different beauties to its visitors in every season.



Known as Halicarnassus in the ancient times, Bodrum has many ancient relics and sites left behind by the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. The year 353 BC was the most significant era in the history of the town when it was capital of the Caria region. Nevertheless, Bodrum still maintains its significance in the present day.


Bodrum is shrouded in a dreamlike atmosphere with its castle located at the junction of the eastern and western ports, the cupolas and narrow streets and its famous white Bodrum houses lined up along the beautiful shore.



The Tomb of King Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World constructed within a time span of 100 years, is a popular open air museum.


Bodrum, hot and dry during the summer and mild and rainy during the winter, is described by the famous poet Cevat Sakir the fisherman of Halicarnassus as a place “where one can live in peace instead of somewhere else resting in peace.”



The holiday resort offers a wide range of natural sceneries such as a magnificent coast and beautiful bays where one can take refuge and enjoy the beauties of nature.


Offering a variety of luxurious resorts and boutique hotels by the turquoise sea, Bodrum is a haven for visitors fond.


Pammukale:



Pamukkale: Shaped by the hand of nature and extant since the ancient times, Pamukkale is one of the world's most outstanding legacies.


Located near to Pamukkale, Hierapolis was established in 200 BC by Eumenes II in dedication to the Amazon Queen Hiera, wife of Telephos the founder of Pergamum. Moreover, Hierapolis is an ancient cite that attracts worldwide attention for its majestic buildings and monuments.


The ancient city of Hierapolis has lost its Hellenistic façade as a result of a series of earthquakes and gained a new facade reflecting the influences of Roman architecture during the reconstruction period. Among the major cities of the Byzantine period, Pamukkale became a crucial site to Christianity after one of the apostles of Jesus; St Phillip was murdered in this city. The city which fell under the rule of the Turks in the 9th century still preserves its value and significance as on its very first day.


Welcoming thousands of visitors for its ancient monuments and natural wonders every year, Pamukkale is waiting.


Located in the province of Denizli this natural wonder is comprised of terraces and travertine formed by hot springs and streams depositing carbonate minerals. Pamukkale has gained eminence for its waters believed to have curative powers and been used as a thermal bath since centuries. Noted for its extraordinary characteristics, the ancient site has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.


Ephesus:



Ephesus; one of the most important regions of Izmir and Turkey and the most famous Greek city of the ancient times with a heritage dating back to 6 thousand BC. The ancient city of Ephesus located close to Seljuk, a district of Izmir was established near to Küçük Menderes river during the Neolithic period.


Part of the ancient city was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 614 while the other part remained fairly well preserved until the present day. Just like Izmir, Ephesus is rather hot and dry in the summer and mild and rainy in the winter as typical of an area with a Mediterranean climate.


Together with Milet, Ephesus was one of the two most important centers of science, art and culture. The ancient site was the birthplace of many prominent names such as the philosopher Heraclitus, the diviner Artemidorus, the poets Callinus and Hipponax, the grammarian Zenodotus, and the physicians Soranus and Rufus.


Another factor that makes this site important is that the largest temple of Artemis is located in Ephesus. The cult of Artemis was a variation of the ancient cult of the Anatolian mother goddess Cybele.


Thanks to its fertile lands and its position as a gateway of trade between East and West, Ephesus became one of the most important cities of antiquity and retained its value throughout the centuries.


As one of the most important 12 cities of the classical Greek period, Ephesus was a crucial religious center for both Paganism and Christianity. Today, it is still possible to see the relicss belonging to this period.


Ephesus is waiting for all travel enthusiasts who want to explore the cradle of civilization and it’s incomparable.