Turkey

The Republic of Turkey is a country in southeastern Europe and southwest Asia which is surrounded by seas on three sides, the Mediterranean to the south, the Black Sea to the north and the Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara to the west.  It borders with Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria to the east and is linked to Europe via Greece and Bulgaria to the north-west.  The majority of the country is actually located in Asia (known as Anatolia and formerly Asia Minor) with only a small part in Europe (eastern Thrace or Rumelia).  Anatolia and Thrace are divided by the Sea of Marmar, the Dardanelles strait and Bosporus (also known as the Bosphorus or Istanbul strait).  Located roughly in the centre of the country is Ankara, the capital city.  Other major cities include Izmir, Adana, Gazientep and Bursa.  The large city of Istanbul, located to the north west of the country provides an important junction for connection to Europe and Asia via two bridges across the Bosphorus.  The highest mountain in the country is Mt. Ararat, and this is believed by many to be the place where Noah’s Ark lies hidden. Currency is the Turkish lira.  The official language is Turkish, with Kurdish and other languages also spoken across the country.

Some of the popular destinations for tourists include the coastal resorts such as Marmaris, Bodrum, Kusadasi and Antalya. The coastline of the Aegean Sea is known for its turquoise waters, beautiful beaches and coves, along with a wonderful climate. However, there is much more to Turkey than just the coastline as much of its cultural roots and history lie inland.  Turkey is also a place of natural thermal mineral springs and spas.  On the southern coast there are many ancient Roman and Greek archaeological sites which are well preserved and well worth visiting such as the well preserved Roman city of Phasalis.  Other sites to see are the famous Troy, which lies south of Istanbul, and Ephesus, close to Izmir, where the Temple of Artemis is located Throughout the country you can find evidence of many past civilizations, with ancient fortresses, statues of goddesses and gods, palaces, mosques, temples and tombs, and there are of course plenty of museums where you can study the artifacts in greater detail and learn about the fascinating history of the land.

In areas of Anatolia there are fascinating areas to explore such as Cappadocia, a magical place to explore with its soft rock landscapes of surreal images and underground structures, including hundreds of churches.  Not far from the resort of Marmaris is Dalyan - another area of great beauty and history and is a destination often pursued by nature lovers and bird watchers for the vast array of species found in the wetland areas.  Turkey also has many national parks and areas for camping, hiking and climbing. 

When planning your trip to Turkey, remember that the country is basically divided into regions such as the Aegean region, Istanbul and Marmara region, the Mediterranean region in the south, the east and southeast region with its mountain peaks, lakes and valleys (where Mt. Ararat is located), the fertile Black Sea region and Central Anatolia which is where you will find the capital city of Ankara and the fairytale structures of Cappadocia. 

Turkey is a land with so much to see and do.  There are opportunities for just about every type of outdoor activity throughout the country.  Most go for the sun and beaches, but Turkey also has winter sports and skiing resorts in the mountainous areas.  For more information visit sites such as: www.gototurkey.co.uk  and www.tourismturkey.org.

Istanbul

Istanbul (formerly Constantinople and Byzantium) is probably the more well known and visited city of Turkey, and often mistaken as the capital city.  Located in the northwestern area of Turkey it is a connecting point for Europe and Asia and lies on both banks of the Bosporus strait, linked by two suspension bridges.  It is the main seaport for the country.  Istanbul is instantly recognizable for its beautiful mosques and palaces with their impressive domes and minarets, and it is a treasure-trove of ancient churches and Roman temples. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 15th century and rebuilt.

The part of the city formerly known as Constantinople is located on the European side on an inlet of the Bosporus known as the Golden Horn.  It is an area well worth exploring with its ancient walls and archaeological sites and remains of ancient palaces and museums. The famous Covered Bazaar should not be missed.

Ankara

Ankara, the capital city, is not at the moment as popular as a tourist destination as Istanbul and the coastal resorts of the south coast.  Modern Ankara is mainly a university town and busy commercial centre.  However, it is worth a visit and a good place to use as a base if you plan to explore Anatolia, the Black Sea area and magical places like Cappadocia.  The city is also a great place if you want to spend time at museums and learn about the history of the country, such as the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey.  It is also good for shopping, with the old town area to explore with its hilly and winding streets and shops, as well as modern shops.  Ankara might be a good place to pick up a good deal on a carpet. 

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