Is known as the cradle of civilization since 9000 BC.
Is central to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Is surrounded by seas: The Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean
Sea.
Is also acknowledged as Asia Minor; the Asian side of Turkey is referred
to as Anatolia.
Held grounds for the first known Human Rights Declaration in 1463, 485 years
before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Is where Alexander the Great cut the intricate Gordian knot-a phrase commonly
used for “solving diffucult problems” today.
Is the birthplace of King Midas-The Touch of Midas was said to turn everything
into gold.
Is the original, and again today’s, destination of the well-renowned romantic
train: The Orient Express.
Was the center of two of the biggest empires in history, Byzantine and Ottoman.
Has a 650 year old covered shopping area of 64 streets, 22 entrances and
25.000 workers the famous Grand Bazaar.
Is the birthplace and home of St. Nicholas, popularly known as Santa Claus.
Is a Republic, founded in 1923, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Is where Noah’s Ark landed, at Mount Ararat, Eastern Turkey.
Is the location for two of the Seven Wonders of the World-the Temple of
Artemis and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
Has a historical background in three of the world’s major religions-Christianity,
Judaism and Islam.
Preserves the most valuable silk carpet in the world, in the Mevlana Museum,
with 144 knots per sq.cm. In the 13th century, Marco Polo wrote “The best and
handsomest of rugs are woven here and also silks of crimson and other rich colors.”
Is said to have provided the water for the Garden of Eden-from its 2 great
rivers-Euphrates and Tigris.
Is the birthplace of St. Paul for centuries, the sick have drunk from the
well of St. Paul, in Tarsus.
Is the only country in the world that stretches over two continents, Europe
and Asia.
Geography
Geographically, Turkey is the centre between the West and the East, a junction between
continental and peninsular Europe and the immense mass of the Afro-Asian continent
stretching out south and eastwards. The country is a paradise of sun, sea, and mountains
that offers the visitor an ideal climate and a variety of beautiful scenery.
History
Historically, Turkey has been the home for many civilizations, such as the Hitites,
Romans, Greeks, Byzantium, Seljuks and Ottomans. The country offers numerous legendary
and historical sites, including the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapý Museum, Ephesus, Troy,
the home of Homeros, Virgin Mary and the ruins of Aspendos.
Culture Culture in Turkey - where three empires reigned each with its own religion,
its own customs and traditions-is very rich in its diversity and forms. Throughout
history many cultures found a home in Anatolia. The handcrafts of jewellery, embroideries,
the traditional theatres, music, and dance and many more aspects of life reflect
the richness of culture in Turkey.
