About
With its alluring mix of familiar holiday location and exotic escape, Turkey is a country which can offer so much to its visitors. Here is a land which has been home to some of the world's greatest civilisations from the Romans to the Byzantines to the Ottomans, all of whom have left their distinctive and diverse mark on this bridge between the east and west. Turkey is said to be the cradle of cultures and civilisations, connecting Europe and Asia as well as the old and new world.
Visitors to this richly historical land can expect a warmth and generosity from its people, as well as an intoxicating food scene, enticingly hot summers and a landscape filled with monuments and ruins of its past as well as a breathtaking scenery of mountains, valleys and plains. Visitors may flock to the larger coastal resorts, but visit the smaller resorts or move further inland and you will experience a warmly inviting land that appeals to both those in search of activities and those who seek history and culture.
Geography and climate
Turkey's varied landscapes are the product of complex earth movements that have shaped this region over thousands of years and still manifest themselves in occasional earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The result is diverse geographic features including mountains, coves, seas and plains. The region of Anatolia, with its roots in Asia, consists of a high central plateau with narrow coastal plains between dramatic mountain ranges such as the Köroğlu and Taurus ranges. Inland Turkey shows Asiatic expanses of lakes and forests.
Eastern Turkey presents a more mountainous landscape and is home to the source of the majority of the country's rivers such as Euphrates and Aras. Coastal regions tend to be more densely populated but offer more fertile land.
Turkey's diverse regions have different climates with the weather systems on the coastal edges contrasting with that which prevails in the interior. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have cool rainy winters and hot moderately dry summers with the temperature reaching the mid-40s. Mountains close to the coast prevent these Mediterranean influences from extending inward giving the interior of Turkey a continental climate.
Food and drink
Turkish cuisine reflects the magnificent heritage of flavours which have evolved over the centuries with the blending of culinary communities and civilisations. As well as its diverse nature, for the family-orientated and sociable Turks, getting together and eating well is a time-honoured ritual and you are sure to enjoy a welcoming and delicious meal here.
On the whole, Turkish cuisine is largely the legacy of the Ottoman Empire and can perhaps best be described as a fusion and refinement of central Asian, Caucasian, Middle East, Mediterranean and Balkan cuisine. This was mostly due to the country's strategic vantage point between the East and West and the Turks had complete control of major trade routes to import food produce and exotic ingredients as well as having an ideal environment which allowed plants and animals to flourish.
The food here, as with geography, climate and people, varies regionally. The Aegean region sees the light use of spices and rice in its dishes, and often features dishes such as vegetable stew, and stuffed dolmas. The Black Sea region sees the influence of Slavic and Balkan cuisine in its potato and meat dishes whereas the south-east regions are famed for Turkish dishes such as kebabs, meze and baklava. The Mediterranean region will usually dish up more 'standard' Mediterranean fare such as fish and dishes rich in olive oil.
When it comes to alcohol, although the majority of Turks are Muslim, alcohol still features in most places. The most popular alcoholic drink here is Raki, an unsweetened, aniseed-flavoured spirit which is known as the national alcoholic drink of Turkey. Aside from alcohol, black tea is the most common drink and can be found everywhere across the country.
Economy, history and culture
A huge part of Turkey's appeal lies in its historical and archaeological sites, some of which are amongst the oldest in the world and which are a defining legacy of the succession of states which occupied this land.
Inhabited since the Palaeolithic era, the land now known as Turkey has been home to a succession of civilisations including the Anatolians, Greeks and Persians. After Alexander the Great's conquest, the area was Hellenised which continued with the Roman rule and the transition into the Byzantine Empire. Starting from the late 13th century, the Ottoman's ruled and created an empire encompassing much of South Eastern Europe, Western Asia and North Africa, becoming a major power in the early modern period.
The Ottoman Empire reached the peak of its power between the 15th and 17th centuries before entering a long period of decline. Defeated in WWI, the huge conglomeration of territories and people was directed into several new states and the Turkish War of Independence ending in 1922, resulted in the establishment of the modern Republic of Turkey.
Today it is a democratic country with a diverse heritage. The predominant religion is Muslim, and, whilst the majority of people are ethnic Turks, the country is still home to around 30% minorities including Armenians, Jews, Kurds and Albanians.
Turkey has a growing economy and has grown steadily as a major regional power. The automotive industry and shipbuilding exports are the main economies here.
Turkish culture has traces of the influential powers who have ruled the country and most localities still largely adhere to historical cultures and traditions such as folk dancing, Turkish music such as Zither music and traditional fine arts and handicrafts such as ceramics.
For those seeking culture in Turkey, there is as much to be found in local bazaars as well as the stunning ruins and temples which are dotted across the landscape from grand historical cities to hilltop fortresses and remote churches.
Image credit: Amber Travel
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