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A Brief history of Dubai

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A trip to Dubai transports you on a journey through time. Although the early history of the area is not very well documented, archeological discoveries suggests that, as long as four thousand years ago, small fishing communities lived along the coast of the Arabian Gulf on the site of modern Dubai. It is also believed that the natural sheltered harbour afforded by the Dubai Creekwa a busy port of call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. In recent years, archeologists have unearthedhundreds of artefacts, including pottery, weapons and coinage, that point to civilised settlements dating back to the third millennium B.C. These historic finds have been carefully preserved and are now permanently housed in the Archeolo- gical Section of Dubai Museum. Modern Dubai, however, traces its origins to the 1830’s. At that time, the small fishing village on the Shindagha peninsula at the mouth of the Creek was settled by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe, originally from the Liwa oasis to the south, led by the Maktoum family who still rule the emirates today. By the late 1870’s, Dubai was often referred to as the principal port on the Gulf coast and, by the turn of the century, was reputed to have had the largest souks in Arabia. Pearling which was the mainstay of the city’s prosperity for many years, succumbed to the development of the cultured pearl in the 1940’s. But Dubai’s enterprising merchants bounced back, developing a thriving trade in gold and other commodities. Much of this history is carefully preserved in myriad forts, mosques, palaces and other historic monu-ments, which are on the itineraries of many organized tours. Archaeological Sites There are four main excavation site in Dubai, at Al Qusais, Al Sufooh, Jumeirah and Hatta. The first two are graveyards dating back more than 2,000 years. The Jumeirah site reveals artifacts from the 7th to 15th centuries AD. These sites are not yet open to the public. However tourist or tour operators may obtain a special permit from Dubai Museum to visit the digs. Bur Dubai Creekside The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provided the main panorama of the old city. The traditional facades of these buildings have been restored to their original state, with wooden windows, decorative gypsum panels and screens.

Welcome to the Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort

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Commercial Life
The museum's realistic lifesize static displays provide an insight into the traditional occupants of Dubai. Those have included dhow building, fishing, pearl diving and trade. Indeed, the export of fine pearls was a major factor in Dubai's rise to prominence as a trading centre.The Creek has always been the lifeline of Dubai, providing a safe harbour to mercantile and fishing vessels, as it does even today. Visitors to the museum can view a splendid diorama depicting the old charm and bustle of commercial life along the banks of this fabled waterway.Souks have been often referred to as the real heart of Arabia, and nowhere is this more true than in Dubai. The city's famous souks have, since the late 19th century, attached merchants and traders from as far afield as India, Iran, the eastern coast of Africa and beyond. At the museum, you can experience all the atmosphere of a soul in the 1950s, as you stroll through a labyrinth of spice stores, pottery and carpentry workshops and rows of shops, including tailors, grocers, textile merchants and date-sellers.Domestic Life
Traditional Dubai houses are considered to be among the finest examples of Gulf architecture. The earliest houses were constructed with humble building materials, including the leaves and trunks of palm trees (areesh), rocks and earthen clay. As flourishing pearl trade brought greater prosperity in the latter half of the last century, however, these gave away to houses built of stone and adorned with magnificent wind towers, the world's earliest form of air conditioning.

Entertainment in Dubai

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Birding Breaks
For birdwatchers, Dubai has something really special to offer, a tidal wetland right on its doorstep, Within a few minutes of the center of town. The city skyline forms a backdrop for thousands of flamingoes, herons,ducks and shorebirds, which Feed and rest on the mudflats on their migration between Asia and Africa. Within an hour’s drive of Dubai live some of the region’s rarest species, inhabiting deserts and mountains which have not yet Changed in thousands of years. Over 400 bird species have been seen in the United Arab Emirates Since records began and it is possible to find nearly 200 of them during a short stay in the country. Lying on the blue waters of the Southern Gulf and backed by the majestic desert, Dubai offers Visitors year-round sunshine and five- star luxury… plus the adventure of a unique Arabian Experiences. One of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is a place of fascinating Contrasts, a distinctive blend of modern city and timeless desert, East and west, old and new. Known in the region as the city of merchants, Dubai has for generations, welcomed seafarers and Traders to its shores. Today this tradition of courtesy and hospitality lives on. The streets are clean and safe and travelers are sure to be charmed by the city’s warmth and friendliness. Dubai has something for everyone- from the holiday-maker simply seeking a relaxing break away From the clouds and crowds, to the active tourist looking for a new and exciting experience. The city Has superb facilities for sports, shopping, dining and entertainment.
A Selection Of Species Likely To Be Found
Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularisThis species is present in large numbers offshore in the Arabian gulf. They make an impressive spectacle as thousands of birds fly up and down the coast in close formation, the sheer numbers sometimes taking an hour or two just to fly past. The species is endemic to Arabia and the Emirates alone hosts 15% of the world population. They breed in tight colonies on undistrurbed Gulf islands, usually taking advantage of abundant fish stocks to feed their young.Arabian Experiences
Desert Safaris, dune driving and wadi-bashing.
Moonlight Arabian barbecues in thr street complete with traditional entertainment.
Camel Racing and falconry.
Cruises exotic of traditional wooden dhow or modern cabin cruiser on the Dubai Creek and into the Gulf.
The exotic sights and sounds of traditional commerce in the bustling souks and on the Quays of the Creek.
Photographic opportunities galore- elegant mosques, sumptuous palaces, brightly dressed children, majestic camels, ancient windtowers, dusty villages and dramatic sunsets.

Arabian Ranches

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Arabian Ranches
Arabian Ranches Golf Club – formerly known as The Desert Course, Arabian Ranches, was built as a true 18 hole, par 72, desert style grass course, a signature course designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design. Miss the immaculate grass of the fairways and greens and you enter the “sandy waste”, with its indigenous shrubs and bushes. All standards of golfer will also appreciate the GPS (Global Positioning System) yardage service available on every golf cart.
The Spanish Colonial style Clubhouse boasts the Ranches Restaurant and Bar, with a terrace overlooking the panoramic scenic views over the 9th and 18th holes, a great place to meet and try the international menu. Within the Clubhouse there are 11 luxurious Guest Rooms with spectacular views overlooking either the Golf Course or the Lake, each en-suite room is beautifully furnished. Step out of your room, hop onto your golf cart and drive or walk straight to the first tee, totally refreshed for your game of golf. The perfect setting for any golfer.
Arabian Ranches Clubhouse is open 24 hours, 7 days a week for your reservations. With the best rates in town for both Golf and Guest Rooms, we recommend you book early. You can also visit the website and request your bookings on line at www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.com
The fully qualified Golf Professionals at the Golf Academy, sponsored by Lloyds TSB Bank, offer a variety of teaching programs for either the beginner or the more experienced golfer wishing to improve their game. The well-stocked Proshop also offers the latest in golfing apparel and hardware for all your golfing needs.
Architect Ian Baker-Finch, who knows all about links courses after his triumph in the 1991 Open at Royal Birkdale, believes the Arabian Ranches Golf Course is a unique challenge, “I spent many days on the site walking though the sand dunes with the camels before deciding on the best use of this unique property. I love the natural desert terrain. My hope is that you will love the natural flow of the holes through the sand dunes and wonderful desert landscape.”
Overall Arabian Ranches Golf Club gives you an all round unforgettable golfing experience.

Sports in Dubai

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The Classic Golf DestinationDubai is the pioneer of golf in the Middle East with championship standard grass courses to challenge the skills of even the most experienced players.
Arabian Ranches
Arabian Ranches Golf Club – formerly known as The Desert Course, Arabian Ranches, was built as a true 18 hole, par 72, desert style grass course, a signature course designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design. Miss the immaculate grass of the fairways and greens and you enter the “sandy waste”, with its indigenous shrubs and bushes. All standards of golfer will also appreciate the GPS (Global Positioning System) yardage service available on every golf cart.
The Spanish Colonial style Clubhouse boasts the Ranches Restaurant and Bar, with a terrace overlooking the panoramic scenic views over the 9th and 18th holes, a great place to meet and try the international menu. Within the Clubhouse there are 11 luxurious Guest Rooms with spectacular views overlooking either the Golf Course or the Lake, each en-suite room is beautifully furnished. Step out of your room, hop onto your golf cart and drive or walk straight to the first tee, totally refreshed for your game of golf. The perfect setting for any golfer.
Arabian Ranches Clubhouse is open 24 hours, 7 days a week for your reservations. With the best rates in town for both Golf and Guest Rooms, we recommend you book early. You can also visit the website and request your bookings on line at www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.com
The fully qualified Golf Professionals at the Golf Academy, sponsored by Lloyds TSB Bank, offer a variety of teaching programs for either the beginner or the more experienced golfer wishing to improve their game. The well-stocked Proshop also offers the latest in golfing apparel and hardware for all your golfing needs.
Architect Ian Baker-Finch, who knows all about links courses after his triumph in the 1991 Open at Royal Birkdale, believes the Arabian Ranches Golf Course is a unique challenge, “I spent many days on the site walking though the sand dunes with the camels before deciding on the best use of this unique property. I love the natural desert terrain. My hope is that you will love the natural flow of the holes through the sand dunes and wonderful desert landscape.”
Overall Arabian Ranches Golf Club gives you an all round unforgettable golfing experience.
ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUBFor reservations call: +9714 3663000Fax: +9714 3663355Email: teetime@arabianranchesgolf.aeEmail: rooms@arabianranchesgolf.aeWebsite: www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.comDubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Opened in January 1993, Dubai’s second world class golf course in the centerpiece of a 80-hectare sports and leisure complex that also incorporates a 115-berth marina. It is located close to the city centre and Dubai International Airport on the banks of the Dubai Creek.The Course
The main championship 18-hole, par 72 course is 6,839 yards in length.
Three ornamental lakes and a further three seawater hazards are a feature of the course.
Cunning dog-legs along the immaculate fairways challenge both amateur and professional alike.
The 9-hole, par 3 course, fully floodlit, is a unique facility to practice the short game, day or night.
Facilities
Designed in the shape of the billowing sails of a traditional Arabian dhow, the 45-metre high clubhouse captures the essence of Dubai’s sea-faring traditions.
Bars and function rooms overlook the ninth and eighteenth greens, while the Fairways restaurant combines quality cuisine with breathtaking views of Dubai.
Golf Academy, High Tech Studio and a double ended driving range with instruction from six PGA qualified professionals.
Well stocked professional shops.
The separate yacht club incorporates the “Aquarium”, a seafood restaurant, as well as the popular “Board walk”, and the new “Boardwalk Café”.
Tennis courts and gymnasium with teaching programmes are also available.
Deep sea fishing with the yacht club’s own “Sneakaway” fishing boat.Rules of Play
Visitors are welcome on a “pay-as-you-play” basis.
All players must have a handicap of 28 or less for men and 45 or less for women.
Players should adhere to the dress code, which requires proper golfing attire at all times.
All golf courses in Dubai are spikeless.

EVENTS AND INCENTIVES

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EQUINOX plans and manages congresses, business meetings, corporate events, product launches and incentive travel programs.EQUINOX guarantees its clients the security of extensive organizational competence.Understanding the requirements and obtaining the resources necessary is the key to the success of the fast and efficient service that EQUINOX offers. Highly competent and experienced, still personal and friendly EQUINOX team can rise to the challenge of any event regardless of size, subject matter or venue.

EXPLORE TURKEY 4x4

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Turkey offers a wide range of natural beauty. Adventure travel in Turkey, contrary to the general belief, is not only for amusement, but also a real means for relaxing and a way to gain self-consciousness through struggling against nature and to learn how to survive in the nature, while providing a good opportunity to travel. Particularly for the people, who by falling apart from the nature and their own realm under the heavy stress of the rushing rhythm of the big towns became desperate, adventure traveling is the best way to get rest and to get a mental nourishment. The natural beauty and cultural heritage of Anatolia offers us is much more beyond those known so far. This land, with a history over 10.000 years, offers unequaled beauties of both nature and culture. Equinox Travel, providing successful travel services for the guests from all over the world opened the mysterious gates of the Mediterranean, the Taurus Mountains, Cappadocia and the Black Sea for those who are seeking to get the taste of the country-side through adventure programs led by a staff of archaeologists and specialist guides with a strong academic background.You may choose to live the fascinating experience to be in the midst of the nature, to see the mountain villages and woodlands, discover the ancient sites far out of sight, while struggling with the difficult terrain, the dirt-roads and the rivers through a trekking, jeep, dirt bike or rafting adventure.

ACTIVE BLUE CRUISES

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ACTIVE BLUE CRUISESTurkey and turquoise coast of Turkey on a wooden yacht. One of the most interesting and fascinating areas of Anatolia can be discovered through a cruise aboard a traditional Turkish "gulet".You wake up to a beautiful day over the turquoise waters of Mediterranean. The professional crew will prepare your breakfast on deck while you are taking your morning swim. You will cruise along one of the oldest sailing routes with stops for swimming and daily shore excursions and scenic hikes and walks. Your guide will lead you to the less-visited ancient sites or special spots in the vicinity. In the meantime, the gulet crew will be cleaning up your cabins and deck just like you are staying in a deluxe hotel. Your traditional Turkish cuisine based lunch will be prepared while you are refreshing in the cool waters after your excursion.The rest of the day will be relaxing, taking an afternoon nap, sun bathing and swimming until the tea time!Your day will end by anchoring fantastic secluded coves and having your rich menu dinner -mostly supported by fish caught by the crew. After dinner, singing and chatting with your friends under the stars will add another unforgettable day to your memories.We design your cruise on popular routes, none of which have backtracking for disembarkation. Harbors are close to the airports, transfers for the flights are never time consuming. The boats we offer are among the best gulets of Turkey with which we have exclusive contracts. All of them are traditional deluxe gulets having ample air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms.The Turquoise CoastWith its unmatched natural beauty and fascinating ancient ruins, Turkey's Mediterranean coast has much to offer. The turquoise waters provide a beautiful contrast with the green pine trees and mountains that sweep right down to the coast. The villages and towns scattered along the coast are inhabited by the most hospitable people. You will have an unmatched vacation cruising along the Lycian coast aboard a Turkish gulet. Carefully planned itineraries(Classical Turkey: Land & Sea & Cruising the Turquoise Coast) allow you to go ashore and walk among the ruins of ancient settlements. Your tour leader will be with you throughout the trip to organize land tours and help with any request you may have. Experienced crew members make every effort to help you enjoy your vacation. SeasonGenerally, the Turkish Mediterranean coast is calm between May and October. During the summer, a refreshing breeze begins to blow around noon and diminishes by late afternoon. This cool breeze makes cruising a pleasure. Seasickness is usually not a concern on our cruises. The sea is usually calm and, if necessary, the captain will cruise early in the morning to ensure a smooth passage. All of the marinas and coves we anchor in are well-protected waters. Sailing aboard a gulet allows you to fully appreciate the many enchanting small bays and coves that you may never experience on a larger boat.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL TOURS

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL TOURSWestern Turkey & CappadociaIncludes the highlights of Turkey like Istanbul, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Kaunos, Xanthos, the Lycian capital, the sunken cities around Kekova, Myra and the church of St. Nicholas, mountain sites of Lycia like Arykanda and Elmalı, the Pisidian stronghold of Termessos, Pamphylian cities of Perge and Aspendos, Konya, the troglodytes, underground cities and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, the Hittite capital of Hattusas, the well-known Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.Eastern Turkey & Black SeaStarting with graceful Istanbul, Adana and Antakya with the famous Roman Mosaic Museum and the Grotto of St.Peter, Mount Nemrud with colossal statues of the Greco-Persian gods, unusual sights of sacred Urfa and Harran, Diyarbakır, Urartian castles and the solitary Armenian church on the Akdamar island of Van, the sights of magnificent Mt. Ararat and the elaborately carved decorations of the Palace of Ishak Pasha, tea plantations of the Black Sea coast, gorgeous monastery of Sumela.Biblical ToursBeing a cradle for many civilizations, Anatolia has been a birthplace or home for many religions. Starting from the birth of Earth Mother Kybele in Catalhoyuk to the rise and spread of Pagan religions during the antiquity, from early days of Christianity to the peak of Islam, Anatolia has been the center of cultural change throughout the history, thus offering a very good opportunity to observe birth, development and transition of religions through the art forms and material remains.Special Interest ToursTurkey, with her deep history, multicultural social structure and charming geography, is one of the few countries to provide different travel opportunities to many different interest groups. Equinox Travel, making good use of this extraordinary feature of our country offers a wide spectrum of custom-made tours for most of the interest groups. Turkey, with her deep history, multicultural social structure and charming geography, is one of the few countries to provide different travel opportunities to many different interest groups. Equinox Travel, making good use of this extraordinary feature of our country offers a wide spectrum of custom-made tours for most of the interest groups.
Architectural Heritage of Anatolia
Traditional Arts of Anatolia
Culinary Cultures of Anatolia
Photography Tour
Flowers of Anatolia

Books and Links

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Guide Books

Blue Guide to Istanbul, WW Norton, New York

Knopf Guides: Istanbul

Insight Guides: Turkey

Cadogan Guides: Turkey

Fodor's Turkey

Map

Freytag & Berndt Turkey Road Map

Suggested Reading

Strolling through Istanbul, John Freely, Redhouse Press, Istanbul 1983

Turkey Unveiled, Nicole & Hugh Pope. The Overlook Press, Woodstock, NY, 1977

Turkish Reflections, Mary Settle, 1991

Turkey's Religious Sites, Anna G. Edmonds

Historical & Archaeological Books

Anatolia: Cauldron of Cultures (Lost Civilizations, Vol. 23), Dale M. Brown

Anatolia in the Second Millennium BC (Iconography of Religions Section 15- Mesopotamia and the Near East), M.N. Van Loon, 1997

Ancient Turkey: A Travellers History of Anatolia, Seton Lloyd, 1989

Catalhoyuk A Neolithic Town in Anatolia, J. Mellaart

Early Turkey: An Introduction to Archaeology of Anatolia from Prehistoric through the Lydian Period., Martha Sharp Joukowsky, Jean Blackburn, 1996

The Hittites and their Contemporaries in Asia Minor, J.G.Macqueen

Early Highland Peoples of Anatolia, Seton Lloyd

The Kingdom of the Hittites, Trevor Bryce

Ecology and Empire: The Structure of the Urartian State, Paul E. Zimansky

Mausolus, Hornblower

The Historical Archaeology of Northern Caria, Ronald T. Marchere

Ancient Ruins and Civilizations of Turkey, Ekrem Akurgal, Istanbul 1970

The Troad, John M. Cook, Oxford 1973

Hattusa, The capital of Hittites, Kurt Bittel

Cave Monasteries of Byzantine Cappadocia, Lynn Rolley, 1986

Aphrodisias, Kenan Erim, Istanbul 1989

Dynastic Lycia: A political history of the Lycians and their relations with foreign powers, C. 545 - 362 BC., Antony G. Keen, 1998

Lycian Turkey: An Archaeological Guide, George E. Bean

Aegean Turkey, George E. Bean

Turkey's Southern Shore, George E. Bean

Turkey Beyond Meander, George E. Bean

History of Art in Phrygia, Lydia, Caria, and Lycia, George Perrot

The Ionians and Hellenism, A study of the Cultural Achievements of the early Greek Inhabitants of Asia Minor., C.J.Emlyn - Jones

Architectural Books

How the Greeks Built Cities, R.E.Wycherley

General Links

www.tourismturkey.org
The Turkish Tourism office in New York. A comprehensive site about Turkey.

www.travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html
U.S. State Department's Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheet.

Archaeology Links

Troy
Official website of the German Archaeological Team excavating the well-known site of the Iliad of Homeros.

Çatalhöyük
Official website of Çatalhöyük, the first urban settlement in the world.

Interactive Museum of Turkey
A brilliant website of virtual tours of museums in Turkey including Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Rahmi Koç Museum, etc.

Alisarhöyük
An abstract from the Bulletin of the American School of Oriental Research by Ronald L. Gorny.

Bakla Tepe Excavations
Comprehensive information on the excavations made at an early settlement of Ionia.

Liman Tepe
A comprehensive site about the ongoing excavations at Liman Tepe, another early settlement of ancient Ionia.

TAY Project
An ongoing project to build a comprehensive database of all archaeological sites in Turkey.

Priene: The Apogee of the Hellenistic Domestic Architecture in Anatolia
An article by Lale Ozgenel.

Anatolian Archaeology on the Net
A long list of Anatolian archaeological web sites.

Archaeological Sites & Photos

Comprehensive Archaeological Photos and News.

Nevali Cori

Excavations at Nevali Cori, revealed clues that the Neolithic Age had started between 12,000 and 10,000 B.C. in this site, at least 500 years earlier than at Catalhoyuk and Hacilar.

Patara
Lycian city where Santa Claus was born, center for Lycian league that inspired American Constitution

Archaeology links provided by Archaeologist Umit Isin

Other Links

Travel Guide Georgia

If you plan to travel to Georgia then our guide can help, with everything from hotels to restaurants.

Geography

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The Marmara Region is located both in Europe and Asia. The European side comprises of rolling plains and low hills, while the Asian side includes low hills and higher mountains (Uludag, for instance). The land on both sides are excellent for farming and industry. This region, with an average rainfall of 670 mm, is the second most humid region in Turkey. Among the crops of the region are sunflower, tobacco, grains, grapes, and olives of good quality. Silk production is one of the common occupations in the area.The Aegean Region covers the land on the Aegean coast and the hinterland extending to central Anatolia with fertile plains, river valleys, and high mountains. The word "meander" is derived from the river Menderes, the ancient Meander, which "meanders" its way through a wide alluvial plain. Varying patches of forests, olive groves, fig and fruit orchards, and tobacco and sunflower fields are the main features of the region. The climate is characterized by the typical Mediterranean climate of hot summers and mild winters.The Mediterranean Region includes the land on the Mediterranean coast, the Taurus mountain range, and its plateaus extending all along the southern shore. The landscape is characterized by the Taurus range, immediately rising from the coastline and reaching as high as 3,000 meters in some parts, and the wide plains of Pamphylia and Çukurova. The main products are citrus fruits, bananas, cotton, sesame, and vegetables. The semi-nomadic high plateaus of the Taurus range also offer good conditions for raising livestock and grains.The Southeastern Anatolia Region is a land of rolling steppe with a dry climate. Except for the wide wasteland, agriculture is the main occupation in the irrigated valleys and basins. Two major rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) and the large dams built over them irrigate the area. Among the major product are grains, rice, grapes, and vegetables.The Eastern Anatolia Region is the largest and most mountainous region of Anatolia. The average altitude is 1,500-2,000 M (4,900-6,550 ft.). The highest mountain of the country, Mt. Ararat, is located in this region. Long and daunting winters (from September to June), makes life difficult here. Agriculture is confined to grains such as wheat and barley, while in the south and the north the climate allows for raising of livestock.The Central Anatolia Region is a vast plateau situated among the high mountain ranges. The land is mainly a rolling steppe with dry, hot summers and cold, damp winters. The main products of this region are grains and livestock.The Black Sea Region covers the area on the 1,700 km Black Sea coast. The high mountains lining the coast form a more or Black Sea mountain house less isolated area from the inland part of Turkey. The rainfall varies between two or three times the country's average. Due to this humid climate and fertile soil, the region is the most densely vegetated area of the country. Agricultural products include corn, tea, hazelnut, and tobacco. Livestock is widely raised outside of the towns and by-products like milk, butter, and cream are famous all over the country.

Culture and Politics

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With its deep history and large ethnic mosaic, Turkey is a culturally rich country. The languages, religions, art, literature, and traditions of various indigenous and migrating cultures in this "melting pot" of history resulted in the broad cultural spectrum of modern Turkey. There is no aspect of modern culture that cannot be connected to the history of Anatolia. Literally described, Anatolia is one of the best locations in the world to offer a good understanding of the concept of cultural transition.LanguageThe official language of the Turkish Republic is Turkish, which was introduced by the first Turkish tribes to migrate to Anatolia around the 10th century . Though the modern Turkish spoken in Turkey is of Asian origin, it differs more or less from those of other Turkish communities in the world. Even the Turkish dialects spoken in various parts of the country today show some differences in pronunciation and expressions.Black Sea village girlAmong the other languages spoken in modern Turkey are Greek, Ladino, Armenian, Kurdish, Georgian, Lazish, Arabic, and Assyrian, all of which clearly reflect the influence of other cultures.ReligionAs Turkey is a secular country, there is no official religion. While 99% of the total population are Moslems, the remaining 1 percent are of varying religions, mostly Jewish and Christian. According to the Lausanne Treaty signed on July 24, 1923 these non-Moslem communities were given the right to have legal and political equality, to use their mother languages in the courts, to establish their own educational institutions, and to hold religious ceremonies.EducationWith the secularization of public policy by the foundation of the Republic in 1923, education in Turkey underwent a radical change. Now the aim of the Turkish educational system is to produce productive citizens with contemporary educational standards.Apart from private schools, schools in Turkey are free of charge up to the higher education level. Turkish school childrenThe mandatory part of the Turkish education system is primary school for eight years. The first five years consists of an introduction to basic subjects under the guidance of one teacher. The next three years, a specialist teacher is assigned to each subject. In addition to the basic subjects, students have to choose from one of three foreign language classes: English, French, or German. Religion classes are optional.Secondary education is three years and consists of lessons in general knowledge at the intermediate level.Higher education is comprised of Universities and Colleges for professional education. Entrance to the higher education requires two separate admission exams held by the Higher Education Council. Along with the several private universities, there are 58 state universities which charge an annual fee of 100-300 US dollars.LifestyleThough the lifestyles of Turkey's residents differ from one social group to another, it is possible to describe them under main categories according to their settlement types.Cities, the largest type of settlement in Turkey with populations over 20,000, have organized social and administrative groups. About 23% of the total population live in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, the three largest cities in Turkey. The total population of 57,000,000, according to the general census of 1997, is now assumed to be around 70,000,000. The continuous migration from rural to urban areas since the 1950's has brought on many problems. Besides the modern urban settlements, illegal settlement groups called gecekondu, which means "built overnight", have appeared within cities over the years.The second type of settlement are towns, with a population of 2,000 to 20,000. Depending on their geographic and economic conditions, they have varying features from rural more organized settlements. However, the most distinctive character of towns is a rather rural and conservative lifestyle in comparison with urban centers. The traditional hierarchical organization of family, where the individuals are economically dependent on the family, and the traditional social organization, where relationships are underlined by the community, are still prominent features of towns.Horse carriage in CappadociaVillages, on the other hand, constituting 54% of the total population, are characterized by an agriculture-based economy. While in many villages modern machinery is used, depending on geographical location, there are still some villages dependent on human labor alone. As a result of this agricultural economy, life in villages reflects a completely rural and traditional style. Most of the traditional art forms such as weaving, pottery, woodworking, as well as customs like wedding ceremonies, folk dramas, dances, and festivals, some of which are a continuation of Asian shamanism and ancient Anatolian Dionysian rituals, are preserved in their original forms.Administration of the StateThe Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) is the legislative power of the Turkish Republic. The members, who must have a primary school education, a security clearance, and be above 30 years of age, are elected by the whole nation every five years. The total number of deputies is 550.The president, who is elected for a period of seven years, supervises the state departments and all procedures described in the Constitution. Among his duties are publishing and returning laws to parliament for revision, deciding the renewal of elections, and appointing the prime minister. The cabinet, which is formed by the prime minister, consists of ministers who are responsible to the legislature.Supplementary to the state administration system, there is also a local administration system to respond to the needs of the people living in specific settlements.Municipalities are the first of three types of local administration formed by local elections held every five years. Municipalities, with the mayor acting as the chief executive and an assembly, are responsible to meet all civic needs such as providing drinking water, electricity, public transportation, and sewer systems.The provincial local governments, with a governor assigned by the central administration as chief executive of cities and towns, acts according to the measures of the central administration. The provincial local government is the representative of the central government and is responsible for supervising the functioning of the administration.The third type of local administration is the administration of the villages by a "muhtar" as the chief executive and the village assembly, elected by the residents for a period of five years.

History of Turkey

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History of Turkey

Turkey is considered to be one of the richest countries in terms of archaeology and is by far the biggest "open air museum" of the world. It has always been a bridge between the East and West and has been noted by scholars as the "melting pot" of various cultures where classical culture was shaped. From the first known urban city settlement of "Çatalhöyük" to the historically famous Troy and from the Ionians (the Anatolian Greeks) to the greatest empires of the world, the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, many cultures were established and indeed flourished in and around this huge "melting pot".

Today, a traveler to Turkey can observe the features of all of these cultures. Not only are they visible in their marvelous remains, but in their impacts on the daily lives of Turks today, which differs greatly from one area to another.

The Prehistoric Period

100,000 - 8,000 B.C.
The earliest cave settlements of the world can be seen, especially at Karain, Belbasi, and Beldibi caves, where humanity made its earliest appearance in the world.

8,000 - 2,000 B.C.
The first urban city settlement of Çatalhöyük, the earliest place of agriculture, Hacilar, and numerous mounds of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period can be seen in Turkey. The museums are full of remarkable remains from this very early cultural period of humanity.

The Neolithic period, meaning the "new stone age", started in Anatolia about 8,000 B.C., where the people of Çatalhöyük and Hacilar, among others, were the first to leave their caves and start living in "houses" and small cities.

The most significant feature of the Neolithic period is agriculture and pottery. Following the Neolithic, came the Chalcolithic period which marked the appearance of metal tools.

These two very important periods came to an end with the discovery of bronze, a mixture of copper and tin. Thus, the Bronze age begins, considered to be one of the biggest revolutions in the history of mankind.

The large trade industry between Anatolia and Assyria brought written history to Anatolia in about 2,000 B.C. Kayseri, Kanesh and Karum, appear to be the first trade centers of the world, where thousands of clay tablets have been found relating to this trade.

The dominating culture of Anatolia during this period was the "Hatti" culture, from which came the name of the first big empire of Anatolia, the "Hittite Empire". The Hittites adopted everything from the "Hatti" people except their language, which was the first Indo-European language spoken in Anatolia. The Hittites changed the face of the country. Their detailed and sophisticated state archives, not only enabled us to reconfirm the "Tell-el-Amarna" tablets of Egypt, but also revealed the history and relations between cities on the western coast of Asia Minor in the 2nd millennium B.C. This eventually changed our entire concept of the civilization of the "known world".

Troy seems to be the dominating culture during this period in the West, and several other Aegean and Mediterranean cultures are quoted by the Hittites, such as the Lukka people, later known to us as the Lycians.

By mid-2,000 B.C., the general view of Anatolia confirms the existence of a highly developed city-state system, mainly controlled by the Hittites. The city-states' high culture and wealth, which came mostly from mining, agriculture, and trade, allowed Anatolia to enjoy one of its most brilliant and prosperous periods of history. Unfortunately, this wealth also attracted some of its neighbors.

In about 1,200 B.C., a very large raid descended upon Anatolia, and possibly along with the help of a great earthquake, almost all of these city-states, including the Hittites, met their demise. This invasion was later told by Homer in the Iliad.

This raid and its subsequent destruction was so severe that none of the city-states could ever recover again. The cultures vanished, not to be recognized again. Even the greatest empire of the world, the Hittite, was entirely forgotten by the Greeks and the Romans. The Hittites were not rediscovered until a scholar found them in the Old Testament in the 19th century.

This period is known by the scholars as the Dark Ages of Anatolia.

The Classical Period

Throughout the 8th and 7th centuries B.C., we see Anatolia awakening once again. Several civilizations start to appear in different areas, whose cultures shape the "Classical Greek period" of the world. From north to south along the Aegean and Mediterranean, the following are some of the important cities and areas:

Troas, Troy, Alexandria Troas
Aeolya, Pergamon
Ionia, Miletos, Smyrna, Ephesos, Samos, Chios
Lydia, Sardes
Phyrgia, Midas city
Caria, Halikarnassos, Aphrodisias
Lycia, Xanthos, Patara
Pamphylia, Perge, Aspendos
Pisidia, Antioch, Termessos
It is not possible to list all of the cities and cultures, but Urartians, Cilicans, Mysians, Traces, and many others can be listed as well.

Certainly cities like Pergamum, Ephesus, and Miletus led the way. The first paper was used in Pergamum, hence the term "parchment". The first money was minted by the Lydians. The official Greek language was the language of Miletus, which Athens accepted in the 5th century B.C. Both the Persian invasion and the invasion of Alexander the Great influenced the culture and carried it to all the other areas. Three of the ancient wonders of the world are located in and around Anatolia.

The Hellenistic and Roman Periods

The Hellenistic period, where the Greek cultures were mainly formed, was subject to several wars and invasions. Great cities were established and destroyed during this period. The domination of several kings and rulers finally came to an end when the Roman Empire enlarged its borders to encompass many parts of Asia, making Ephesus the capital of the Asian province of Rome.

Perhaps, not only the cities of Anatolia, but the whole world which was inhabited then, lived its most prosperous and wealthy period during the Roman Empire. The richness and wealth of this period can best be observed in several cities of Anatolia. Throughout the 1st and 4th centuries A.D., Anatolia doubtless enjoyed the most brilliant period of her entire known history.

Hundreds of cities with thousands of remains from this period can be seen all over the country.

The idea of a single god was first established in Egypt, then officially in the Old Testament. The early Anatolian Greek philosophers, including Xenephon, claimed the first idea of a single god for the Western World. This one god, who, he explained, "sees everywhere, thinks everywhere, and hears everywhere", was much different than the many Greek gods.

Christianity, Medieval and Modern

This idea of one god, shaped mainly in Anatolia, was perhaps the most important event leading towards Christianity. The seven churches of the Revelation are found in Anatolia. Ephesus, the cult center of the traditional Anatolian virgin mother goddess, became the center of the early Christians, where the Virgin Mary was worshipped. It was also here that she was accepted as the "Mother of God".

St. Paul was born in Turkey. John spent almost all of his life in Turkey. St. Nicholas was born in Patara, a Lycian town, and became Bishop of Myra and of Lycia.

Therefore, it is not surprising to find the first and most important Christian Empire, the Byzantine, in Turkey. Cities like Istanbul are flattered with numerous and wonderful remains from this period.

1070 The Turks arrive...

A new movement of immigration to Anatolia came this time from the East, from Central Asia, the homeland of the Turkish tribes. In 1071 A.D., the Seljuk Turks, defeating the Byzantine armies at the eastern gates of Asia Minor, came in and settled in central Anatolia, around the modern town of Konya, known as the center of the Whirling Dervishes. The Seljuks reestablished trade, architecture, political stability, and religion. The 11th and 12th centuries were thus flourishing periods for Anatolia. Several intellectuals from all over the world came and settled in Konya, including Mevlana Cellaledin-i Rumi, who became the founder of the Mevlevi order, well known to the Western world as the “Whirling Dervishes”. Neither the Arabs nor the Byzantines, who were vital enemies of the Seljuks, were able to put an end to this empire. It was the Mongolians, another tribe that marched through central Asia with their leader Hulagu, who defeated the Seljuks. They were not interested in staying here, however, so Anatolia was once again left without a major authority until the Ottoman’s took power.

The major rule of history never fails. There is always a beginning, a rise, and finally an end for all great empires. The Byzantines finally fell under the rule of the growing Ottoman Empire in 1453 when Mehmet the Conqueror captured Byzantine. A new era for Anatolia began.

The Ottoman period was the last big empire of Anatolia, where the existing cultures were well mixed with the Islamic and Turkish culture. The state policy of the Ottomans was tolerance, leaving all people under their rule entirely free to pursue native religious and cultural practices. This allowed a very interesting mix of cultures to develop in Turkey.

When the Ottomans lost the First World War, almost the entire country was once again invaded. This time Turkey embarked on a new journey towards a modern, secular republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, known as "Atatürk".

Today, Turkish citizens are proud of being members of one of the first modern countries of Europe, where women are ensured equal rights, and of a democratic republic in the modern world.

Turkish Phrases

2008-04-05T00:47:00.000-07:00

English Turkish Pronunciation Hello Merhaba mer-ha-ba Welcome Hoş geldiniz hōsh gel-dee-neez in reply to Welcome Hoş bulduk hōsh bull-dook Thank you Teşekkür ederim, sağol te-she-koor e-de-rim, saa-ōl You are welcome Bir şey değil beer shay deel How are you? Nasılsınız? na-sill-si-niz? I am fine. İyiyim. ee-yee-yeem What is your name? İsminiz ne? eez-mee-neez ne? My name is … Benim adım … be-neem a-dim Yes Evet e-vet No Hayır ha-yur Please Lütfen loot-fen Good morning Günaydın goo-naee-dun Good evening İyi akşamlar ee-yee ak-sham-lar Good night İyi geceler ee-yee ge-je-ler What time is it? Saat kaç? sa-at kach? Do you speak English? İngilizce biliyormusunuz? een-gee-leez-je bee-lee-yōr-moo-soo-nooz? How much is it? Ne kadar? ne ka-dar? Where is …? … nerede? … ne-re-de? … the restaurant? Restoran nerede? res-tō-ran … … the hotel? Otel nerede? ō-tel … … the restroom? Tuvalet nerede? too-va-let … … the bank? Banka nerede? ban-ka … I would like… … istiyorum. … ee-stee-yōr-room … a beer. Bira istiyorum. bee-ra … … water. Su istiyorum. soo … … tea. Çay istiyorum. chai … … coffee. Kahve istiyorum. kah-ve … … milk. Süt istiyorum. soot … … ice. Buz istiyorum. booz … … bread. Ekmek istiyorum. ek-mek … … sugar. Şeker istiyorum. she-ker … … white wine. Beyaz şarap istiyorum. be-yaz sha-rap … … red wine. Kırmızı şarap istiyorum. kur-mu-zu sha-rap … … salt. Tuz istiyorum. tooz … … pepper. Biber istiyorum. bee-ber … Breakfast Kahvaltı kah-val-tu Lunch Öğle yemeği ōr-le ye-me-ee Dinner Akşam yemeği ak-sham ye-me-ee Bill/Check Hesap he-sop Compliment to the cook Elinize sağlık e-lee-nee-ze saa-lik Bon a petit Afiyet olsun a-fee-yet ōl-soon Days of the week Sunday Pazar pa-zar Monday Pazartesi pa-zar-te-see Tuesday Salı sa-lu Wednesday Çarşamba char-sham-ba Thursday Perşembe per-shem-be Friday Cuma joo-ma Saturday Cumartesi joo-mar-te-see Numbers One Bir beer Two İki ee-kee Three Üç ooch Four Dört dōrt Five Beş besh Six Altı al-tu Seven Yedi ye-dee Eight Sekiz se-keez Nine Dokuz dō-kooz Ten On ōn Colors Red Kırmızı kur-mu-zu Blue Mavi ma-vee Black Siyah see-ya White Beyaz bā-yaz Yellow Sarı sa-ru

36 Hours in Dubai

2008-04-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

YOU name it, Dubai has it. Or if it doesn’t have it, it’s building it. Or if it’s not building it, it’s dredging up an island to put it on. The busiest of the seven United Arab Emirates is growing so fast that its newest developments can only be measured in hummingbird flaps. Blink and you’ll miss the latest superlative. This way to the world’s tallest building. That way to the world’s largest aluminum plant. Coming soon, the world’s longest bridge. Over here to the world’s biggest mall — which, incidentally, is about to be usurped any day now by a bigger one.
1) GETTING YOUR WINGS
The only way to wrap your head around the sheer scale of Dubai is from the sky. Take a cab out to Jebel Ali (about 45 minutes from downtown), the departure point for the Seawings seaplane company (971-4-883-3532; www.seawings.ae). For 795 dirhams (about $212 at 3.75 dirhams to the dollar), you get a 30-minute tour of the city from 1,500 feet overhead: the iconic sail profile of the Burj Al Arab, the impossibly high Burj Dubai building and the artificial archipelagoes fashioned in the shapes of palm trees and continents. Whatever you think of them — fascinating, silly, ecologically catastrophic — you won’t forget your first tropical “Antarctica” island.
8 p.m.2) RUNNING HOT AND COLD
Why diners need to be escorted by white-gloved attendants from the lobby of the new pyramid-shaped Raffles Hotel to the elevator bank remains unclear. But when you arrive at the Fire & Ice Restaurant (Sheikh Rashid Road, Wafi; 971-4-324-8888; www.dubai.raffles.com), the place can only be described as warm and inviting: exposed brick walls, leather chairs and flattering lighting. But it’s not without its gimmicks. The open-air kitchen is ringed by fire, and the “ice tartar” dishes are injected with liquid nitrogen so they emit a milky white vapor. The menu is vast (it calls itself “trans-ethnic”), so make it easy on yourself and order the tasting menu. Mine started with crab cakes and apple salad, followed by seared sea bass, and ended with chocolate tart. Dinner, including wine pairings, is about 700 dirhams.
11 p.m.3) BARROOM WITH A VIEW
This is a city determined to raise the bar — literally. If you ever thought the Great Pyramids of Egypt were missing tequila shooters and an observation deck, China Moon Champagne Bar is the place for you. Ensconced within the glass apex of the Raffles Hotel, it is one of the hottest — and highest — new bars in Dubai. But what makes it really memorable is not the giant pharaoh head guarding the stairway, or the 130 dirhams you’ll lay down for a glass of Veuve Clicquot. It’s the view: 360 degrees of twinkling sprawl stretching out to the Arabian Desert.
Saturday
10 a.m.4) ABOUT FACE
A Dubai hotel is not a Dubai hotel without a spa, and among the grandest (and newest) is at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City (Festival City; www.intercontinental.com/dubai; 971-4-701-1111). The spa evokes another world, with flowing strands of neon that resemble seaweed dangling from the ceiling. Slide into a plush white bed, watch Dubai Creek sparkling outside, and let your face be slathered with delicious creams that smell of honey and chamomile (the Just Pure Facial, an hour and 20 minutes, is 550 dirhams).
1 p.m.5) TASTE OF TRADITION
You can take only so much newness before the urge for authenticity strikes. Veer off to one of the city’s most historical restaurants, the curiously named Special Ostadi Restaurant (Al Mussalla Road, Bur Dubai; 971-4-397-1469). The small spot is 41 years old — ancient by Dubai standards — and is run by a boisterous Iranian man named Muhammad Ali Ansari. There are only a handful of tables, all covered in a half century of memorabilia, all packed with local businessmen wearing traditional kaffiyehs or shiny Italian suits. The natives come for one thing: grilled lamb kebabs doused in a tangy yogurt sauce and served with pita, onions, cucumbers, arugula, tomatoes and a fat wedge of lime. Order a dish of sweet dates and a cup of mint tea to wash it all down. The whole meal comes to 20 dirhams.
2 p.m.6) OFF LABEL
In a city of strung-together malls, a quirky boutique is a rare and beautiful thing, even if it’s technically attached to a mall. Sauce (the Village, Jumeirah Beach Road; 971-4-344-7270; www.shopatsauce.com), which recently doubled in size, carries an eclectic mix: funky gowns, wispy tops, ironic T-shirts, travel journals, candles, earrings, stilettos, pillows made of denim, and lamps made of neon bowling pins. Sauce also has a weakness for little-known designers like Tata-Naka, Mira and Third Millennium. It feels as though you’re walking into a really, really big closet — if your closet were designed by Stella McCartney, Anna Sui and a dozen Project Runway contestants.
4 p.m.7) MUSEUM OR SHOP?
The design gallery Traffic (Al Barsha; 971-4-341-8494; www.viatraffic.org) is the Middle East’s answer to Moss in New York City, which means it’s splashier, pricier and more exclusive. The 7,000-square-foot gallery in central Dubai carries ultra-high-end, museum-quality, one-of-a-kind designer chairs, tables, benches and fixtures — furniture so avant-garde as to be deemed “pieces.” Recently on display was a chest of drawers entitled “You Can’t Lay Down Your Memory” by the Dutch design collective Droog for 85,100 dirhams — one of the few versions not in a museum.
8 p.m.8) THAI VIEWS
The city’s dining scene revolves around hotels (maybe because they’re about the only places that serve liquor), and the current hot spot these days is Thiptara Royal Thai at the Palace, a new Sofitel hotel (Old Town; 971-4-428-7888; www.sofitel.com). Thiptara is as remarkable for its spicy Thai food as its vantage point — steps from what will soon be the world’s tallest building: the Burj Dubai. (Construction should wrap up any day now, they swear!) The restaurant features rich wooden fixtures, lakefront views and terrific dishes like spicy green papaya salad (80 dirhams) and the chicken stir-fry with cashews, mushrooms and pineapple (120 dirhams). Afterward, take your after-dinner drink to the hotel’s outdoor pool to see what a 2,000-plus-foot building looks like from the bottom up.
Midnight9) UNDERGROUND CLUB
The closest thing to indigenous culture in Dubai is night life. Make your way to Club Submarine at the Dhow Palace Hotel (Bur Dubai; 971-4-359-9992; www.dhowpalacedubai.com). As the name suggests, there’s a nautical theme, punctuated by curved walls and portholes that look out to nothing. Whether you come for the in-house Samba band, the techno stylings of a local D.J., or arrive on one of the nights they decide to retract the roof, Submarine packs them in. Get ready for a night of drinking, dancing, mingling with strangers and other debaucheries punishable by prison just a few hundred miles away in Saudi Arabia. When it’s time to leave, follow the hipsters to Zataar W Zeit (Sheikh Zayed Road; 971-4-343-1259) for a greasy melted cheese wrap and chilled yogurt drink (31 dirhams).
Sunday
10 a.m.10) BE A SPORT
The Els Club is what you get when you cross 7,500 yards of soft green sod, an opinionated champion golfer and possibly the world’s largest sand trap. Scheduled to open soon for nonmembers, the 18-hole course (www.elsclubdubai.com) was designed by Ernie Els as a compendium of his favorite links from around the world. Nonmember rates will be 695 dirhams. Even if you don’t know a nine iron from an Iron Chef, you should pay a visit. The club is in the middle of Dubai Sports City (971-4-425-1111; www.dubaisportscity.ae), a 50-million-square-foot United Nations of sports. Currently under construction are four stadiums (including ones for cricket and field hockey), a tennis academy, a race track, Manchester United Soccer School, a gymnasium, thousands of private homes and — lest you forget where you are — a sports-themed shopping mall.
THE BASICS
Emirates Airlines flies nonstop flights to Dubai from Newark Airport, starting at about $1,370 in May, according to a recent online search. Americans don’t need a visa to travel to Dubai, just a passport that is valid for roughly six months after your entry date. Some travelers who have Israeli stamps on their passports have reported problems being allowed entry, but Dubai has no official policy banning visitors who have also visited Israel, as do some other countries in the Middle East, like Syria and Libya.
This is the city that claimed the first seven-star hotel, so be ready to pay up. The Park Hyatt Dubai (Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club; 971-4-602-1234; www.dubai.park.hyatt.com) is in the quieter area of Deira and affords great city views. It has a great in-house spa, and a relaxing outdoor bar overlooking the harbor. Rooms start at 1,750 dirhams, about $467 at 3.75 dirhams to the dollar.
If you want to be closer to the action, the new Raffles in Wafi City (Sheikh Rashid Road; 971-4-324-8888; www.dubai.raffles.com) is a good bet. The common areas are vast and daunting, but the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Rooms start at 1,750 dirhams.
The eight-room XVA Gallery in the arty Bastakiya neighborhood (971-4-353-5383; www.xvagallery.com), which feels like a North African souk, may be Dubai’s only boutique hotel. Rooms start at 500 dirhams.

Can T5's design conquer delays?

2008-04-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Its opening may have been an unmitigated disaster of canceled flights, lost baggage and painful delays, but the architects behind Heathrow Terminal 5 say they hope their $8.6 billion colossus will eventually bring a different kind of drama to the traveling experience.

T5's architects say their building has a "generosity of light, space and air."
more photos »

Their aim, they say, is to create a departure from the usual story of passengers shuffling down interminable corridors of dull light into windowless caverns of lines and disorder,
Says Mike Davies, from Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the lead architect for T5, says: "we have tried to create a high quality of passenger experience by bringing back a generosity of light, space and air."
These may not have been the impressions of the terminal's first customers, many of whom spent the night sleeping on the building's floor as technical problems left them stranded.
But the architects insist, when it overcomes its teething problems, Terminal 5 should make flying a much more pleasant experience.
The journey from Paddington rail station in the center of London to check-in should take only 20 minutes. And passengers arriving by bus or taxi pull up in a separate building, cross flying bridges over a piazza of trees and benches and arrive into the towering space of the terminal.
As Davies says, this is a dramatic entry into what is clearly a very, very large space. The terminal is almost 400 meters long and 170 meters deep. But unlike Stansted airport -- another London airport of a similar depth -- there are no internal columns. Ten percent of the roof and every wall let natural light pour in. "We worked hard to make it feel as light filled as possible," says Davies.
British Airways, the sole occupant of Heathrow Terminal Five, has installed 96 check-in kiosks, the majority self-service to reduce lines. The baggage system -- which broke down on the opening day -- is "state of the art," says BA.
Once through security, there's more drama as passengers emerge onto a high-level balcony. Look behind and you'll see Windsor Castle and in front there are floor-to-ceiling views over the runways. As Davies says, "you don't emerge into a corridor looking for signs. Instead you can see your plane and intuitively understand how the whole system operates."
There's also a good view of the shops and restaurants. The retail focus here is high-end -- with the likes of Paul Smith and Harrods as well as the standard array of high street names.
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T5 tech failure causes Heathrow chaos
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Dining is also at the fine end. British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has a restaurant, Plane Food, with its own cocktail bar and views across the runway.
The space uses a "common lounge" concept which means passengers can walk from shop to shop, gate to gate across one giant space.
From its new terminal, BA offers the largest lounge complex in the world with six lounge options as well as a spa. Once again, the key feature here is space and spectacular views across the building and runways.
Another unexpected feature is a series of art installations. In departures, a towering sculpture of neon lights in Chinese characters has been commissioned to coincide with an exhibition of Chinese design at London's V&A museum. And outside, two pieces by artists Langlands & Bell bookend the pedestrian plaza.
For Davies, T5 is not just a "cathedral-like space"; it is also a "piece of a city under one great roof". And being vertically, not horizontally spread as most other airports, it is also a "skyscraper" of a terminal. But Davies' final analogy is a "giant market hall" that, with no internal columns, can be adapted to meet the airport's changing needs.
Whether there are changes to security procedures or immigration, or to the airline's products and facilities, "the one thing we can be sure of is that, in 10 years' time, it will not be the same", says Davies
And even though Terminal 5 doesn't bring extra runway capacity to Heathrow, it is -- eventually -- expected to relieve some of the congestion and hassle that the airport has become renowned for.
"For the longer-term growth of Heathrow, this provides the shuffle space for them to start improving the rest of the airport," says

What's the best city in America?

2008-04-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

(Travel + Leisure) -- Travel + Leisure, Headline News and CNN.com want to know which U.S. cities are your favorites -- and why!Let the debates begin
When Travel + Leisure announced the results of last year's America's Favorite Cities Survey, debates raged on television, in print and on the Internet: Was Chicago really the best destination for food and dining? Did Philadelphians deserve last place in the attractive citizens category? Are Seattle residents really the most intelligent in the country? How could sunny Los Angeles edge out surly New York as the least friendly city?
Cast your vote now
Here's your chance to tell us what YOU think. Visit TravelandLeisure.com/afc/survey from March 7 to June 15, take the 2008 America's Favorite Cities Survey and enter to win a dream trip for two. We want to know: Which of these 25 urban contenders has the best shoe shopping or ethnic eats? Where would you go for a romantic escape? Which cities have the best (and worst) museums, theater and live music? If you want a wild weekend or a relaxing retreat, which urban destination would you visit? You know best, so tell us!
Don't Miss
Travel + Leisure: America's Favorite Cities survey
Travel + Leisure: America's Favorite Cities 2007 results
What's new in 2008
We've streamlined the online survey so you can rate your favorite U.S. cities even faster. Rate one city, two or more! You'll find some new questions (Where would you go for holiday travel? What city has the best cafes and coffee bars?), and past choice categories, ranging from culture, shopping and nightlife to visitor experience ... and of course where to find America's most attractive people.
Vote and explore
Log on to TravelandLeisure.com starting March 7 and vote for your favorite cities. While you're there, enter the sweepstakes to win the trip of a lifetime. And be sure to check out the complete results of last year's America's Favorite Cities Survey to see how your town fared in

Real Life !

2008-02-29T03:07:00.000-08:00

The real Life is in Diyarbakir and Antalya.Cool Place, fresh minton and etc. Please come in there.

Didim

2008-01-28T05:19:00.001-08:00

It became a town in 1991. It is a peninsula surrounded by Mugla and Akbuk in the east, the Aegean Sea in the south, the Bafa Lake and the Meander River in the north. There are a lot of historical places to visit such as ancient cities Didyma, Miletos and Priene. It is also a holiday resort close to Kusadasi with its clean sea and hotels of good quality.The natural beauties Dilek Peninsula, the Meander delta, the Bafa Lake and the 60km long coastal line with hundred of coves make the town worth visiting.It is a relaxing holiday resort who enjoy fishing, trekking, hunting, history, sea, sun and nature. Altinkum which means golden sand in Turkish is in Didyma which is superb for summer holidays.How to Go?... It is located 73km away from Kusadasi. It can be visited by busses from Soke or a private tour.

Diyarbakir

2008-01-28T05:12:00.000-08:00

Situated on the banks of Tigris (Dicle), Diyarbakir still carries a medieval air with its walls encircling the city. These black basalt walls are perfect examples of the military architecture of the Middle Ages. They are also very well known since they are the second largest (5.5 kms) and bestpreserved walls in the world after the famous Great Wall of China. Although there were Roman, and probably earlier walls here, the present walls date back to early Byzantine times. There are sixteen keeps and five gates, each of which deserves seeing along with their inscriptions and relief. There are four main gates along the wall called as Dag Kapi, Urfa Kapi, Mardin Kapi and Yeni Kapi.You will have the chance to go back to bygone days at the Deliler Han by the Mardin Kapi of the City Walls. Now it is restored as a hotel preserving the original air of the old days when caravan travelers used to stop and rest.Another fascinating sight in the city center, is the Ulu Mosque, notable for its original architecture and the ancient materials used in the restoration of the building at various times. Nearby the Ulu Mosque is the Mesudiye Medresse and Hasan Pasha Ham, a caravanserai now being used by carpet and souvenir shops. The Nebii Mosque is a typical example of the Ottoman style. The Church of the Virgin Mary is interesting and it is still in use.The Kasim Padisah Mosque is also interesting, especially due to the engineering which built a large tower upon four tiny pillars about two meters high, called the Dort Ayakil Minare.The location of noted mythological cave Eshab-ul Keyf, and Dacianus ruins are in the town of Lice. The holy Mount Zulkufil and Hilar Caves are in the town of Ergani. Within the environs of Diyarbakir are the Birkleyn and Hasun Caves, the Antak City ruins and the Cayonu Archaeological Site.The city holds many mosques and buildings of long historical and archaeological importance. There are four museums in the city center. When you add to those the renowned watermelons of about 40 kilograms approximately, and its silver and copper artifacts Diyarbakir certainly stands as a destination to be visited. Gazi Kosku is a nice place for picnicking.The town of Cermik is a spa center.

Anıtkabir

2008-01-28T05:11:00.000-08:00

General Directorate Of Monuments and Museums
ANITKABİR
His life full of wars for independence of Turkish country and revolutions to raise the Turkish nation to level of modern civilization, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader in the Turkish War of Independence and Turkish Revolutions, and founder of Turkish Republic, died on November 10th 1938. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was a great leader, who turned Turkey into member of modern civilization, with all institutions. To build a mausoleum that would represent his eminence, and thoughts about principles, revolutions and modernization, emerged as a common idea of the Turkish nation, during the great sadness following the death of Atatürk.
RASATTEPE (ANITTEPE)
As there was an observation station on the site before building Anıtkabir, the name of Anıttepe was formerly Rasattepe. There were barrows related to the Frig civilization, which lived in Anatolia in the 12th century B.C. on this hill. After the decision to build Anıtkabir to this hill, archeological studies were carried out and the barrows removed. The findings the from barrows are exhibited in Anatolian Civilizations Museum.
BUILDING ANITKABİR
In the first stage on starting construction, the nationalization procedure was initiated. The construction of Anıtkabir was started in 9th November 1944, with a magnificent ceremony. Construction was completed in 9 years, in 4 stages.
Construction of First Stage: 1944 - 1945
The first stage, including the construction of the supporting wall of the lion road and the ground level, was started on November 9th 1944 and completed in 1945.
Construction of Second Stage: 1945 - 1950
The second stage, including the construction of the mausoleum and buildings that surround ceremony area, was started in 29th September 1945, and completed on August 8th 1950. At this stage, the “foundation project” of the monument body was decided to be prepared, in order to reduce the foundation pressure, according to the building's construction system. By the end of 1947, foundation excavation and isolation were completed, and an iron assembly 11 meters high reinforced the concrete foundation system, which would prevents any kind of subsidence, were just about to completed.The entrance turrets and most of the road arrangement, nursery facility, forestration work and watering system of the area were mostly completed.
Construction of Third Stage: 1950
The third stage of construction included the roads to the monument, the lion road, the ceremony area, stone plating of the upper part of the mausoleum, steps, placing the sarcophagus and installation work.
Construction of Fourth Stage: 1950 – 1953
Preparation of the honor hall, lower parts of vaults, stone profiles of the honor hall, and ornamentation of eaves were completed in the fourth stage of construction. This stage was started on November 20th 1950, and completed on September 1st 1953. In the “Anıtkabir Project”, there was the vault section that rises over colonade. On December 4th 1951, the government asked architects if it was possible to finish the building earlier, in the case of lowering the height of 28 meter honour hall.After the studies of architects, it was found possible to cover hall of honour with a reinforced concrete ceiling, instead of stone vaults. This would also prevent the technical problems arising from the weight of the vault. In the construction of Anıtkabir, different colors of travertine were used as exterior plating material over concrete and marble for plating inside of the mausoleum. The white travertine that is used in statues, lion statues and mausoleum columns were from Kayseri / Pınarbaşı, and white travertine used in inside walls of turrets were from Polatlı and Malıköy. Black and red travertines from Kayseri / Boğazköprü were used in plating of floors of ceremony area and turrets, and yellow travertines from Çankırı / Eskipazar were used for the victory reliefs and columns that surround the hall of honour and the ceremony area. Cream, red and black coloured marbles used in floor of honour hall were from Çanakkale, Hatay and Adana, the tiger skin used in the hall of honour's inside interior walls was from Afyon, and green coloured marble was from Bilecik. The sarcophagus stone in one piece, which weighed 40 tons, was taken from Adana / Osmaniye, and white marbles that plates the side walls of the sarcophagus were taken from Afyon.
ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES OF ANITKABİR
The period between the years 1940 and 1950 is called “2nd National Architecture Period” in Turkish architecture. In this period, more monumental, symmetrical buildings were erected, with cube shaped stones. Anıtkabir bears the signs of this period. With the properties of this period, Anıtkabir also bears features of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture and ornamental details.As an example, in the outer surfaces, where ceiling and walls unite, there is a border which is called saw tooth pattern in Seljuk. Also some ornaments such as passionflower and rosette, found in some places in Anıtkabir (Mehmetçik Turret, Museum Management), are from Seljuk and Ottoman art. With all these properties, Anıtkabir is one of the best examples for that period, which covers approximately 750.000 m2. Anıtkabir can be separated into two parts: Peace Park and the Monument Block
A - PEACE PARK
Anıtkabir is placed in the Peace Park, which is created with saplings from several foreign countries and from several regions of Turkey, that is inspired from the epigram of Atatürk; “Peace at home, peace in the world”. Several trees and saplings were taken from Afghanistan, United States, Germany, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, India, Iraq, England, Spain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, Norway, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Greece. Today, the Peace Park contains approximately 48.500 trees and plants, from 104 different species.
B - MONUMENT BLOCK
The Monument Block contains three parts. 1. Lion Road 2. Ceremony Area 3. MausoleumWhen entered from Tandoğan gate, the road in Peace Park leads to 26 stepped wide stairs to the Lion Road. At the top of the stairs, independence and liberty turrets can be seen facing one another. In the Anıtkabir building complex, there are ten turrets, which are placed symmetrically. These turrets are named with eminent concepts, according to their effects to the foundation of our nation and government. The turrets are similar to each other with their plan and structure. The Turrets are based on a square-shaped 12x14x7.20 meter rectangle, and covered with pyramid-shaped roofs. On the top of the roofs, bronze spear tips from old Turkish tents are visible. Geometrical ornaments from old Turkish kilim (woven carpet) motifs are applied in fresco technique. Also, Atatürk’s aphorisms related with that turret can be found on the inside of the walls.
INDEPENDENCE TURRET
The Independence Turret is placed on the right, at the beginning of Lion Road. On the reliefs on the interior walls of Independence Turret, a young man holding a sword with both hands, standing and a eagle figure on a rock beside youth, can be seen. The Eagle is the symbol for power and independence in mythology and Seljuk art. The young man with sword represents Turkish nation as defending independence. Relief are work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.Also there are aprohisms of Atatürk, related with independence: “When our nation seemed come to an end, her ancestor's voice called her to revolt, and to our War of Independence.” (1921) “Life means battle, combat. Succes in life will be possible only through succes in battle.” (1927) “We are a nation that wants life and independence, and we will pay with our life.” (1921) “There is no choice such as begging for justice and mercy. The Turkish nation, future Turkish children, should bear this in mind forever.” (1927) “This nation never lived without independence, can’t live, and won’t live without it. Independence or death.” (1919) There is an Anıtkabir scale model, and there are illuminated boards in the turret.
LIBERTY TURRET
In the relief inside the Liberty Turret, on the left side of the beginning of the Lion Road, there is an angel figure holding a paper and a rearing horse. The angel figure symbolizes the sacredness of independence, with the paper “Independence Declaration”. The horse is the symbol of liberty and independence. The reliefs are the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu. In the walls of the turret, some words of Atatürk about liberty read as follows: “The issue is the life of the Turkish nation as a respected nation. This is only possible with independence. Despite all riches, without independence, they are nothing more than a manservant before mankind.” “According to me, maintaining a nation’s honor and humanity is possible with that nation’s liberty and independence. “Freedom, equality, and justice, all depends on national preeminence.” In the turret, a photograph exhibition on the construction of Anıtkabir and stone samples from construction can be seen.
WOMAN STATUE GROUP
In front of the liberty turret, there is a group of women in national garments. Women on the edge are carrying a wreath. The Wreath with ears represents our productive country. The woman on the left is imploring God’s mercy, and the woman in the middle is crying with her hands on her face. This group of women represents the proud, sedate, determined Turkish woman, even in great sorrow such as on Atatürk’s death. The statue group is a work of Hüseyin Özkan.
MEN STATUE GROUP
In front of the independence turret, there is a group of men. The man at the right with his helmet and coat represents the Turkish soldier, the man next to him with a book in his hand represents the Turkish youth and intellectual, and the other one with local clothes represents the Turkish farmer. All three statues show the deep sorrow, and longing. The statue group is the work of Hüseyin Özkan.
LION ROAD
There are 24 lion statues in sitting position which are placed on both ends of the road, which prepares visitors for the eminent presence of Atatürk. The road is 262 meters long. The lion statues represent power and tranquility. The lion statues are done in Hittite style, because of Atatürk’s attention to Turk and Anatolian history. The Statues are the work of Hüseyin Özkan.
CEREMONY AREA
The ceremony area, at the end of lion road, is in the dimensions of 129x84.25 meters. The area, with a capacity of 15.000 persons, is decorated with 373 carpet and kilim patterns, using black, red and white colored travertine stones.
MEHMETÇİK TURRET
The Metmetçik (a nickname for the Turkish soldier) Turret is placed at the end of the Lion Road, at the right. On the relief outside the turret, the figure represents Mehmetçik leaving his home. In this figure, the sad but proud mother, who sends her son to war, is portrayed. The Relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu. On the walls of the turret, Atatürk’s aphorism’s about Mehmetçik and the Turkish woman can be seen. In the turret, several books about Anıtkabir and Atatürk are sold.
ATATÜRK AND TURKISH REVOLUTION LIBRARY
Atatrük and the Turkish Revolution Library is placed between the Mehmetçik and Liberty Turrets. This “specialty library” about Atatürk, the national war and the revolutions, is available for research on weekdays between 09.00-12.30 and 13.30-17.00. VICTORY TURRET
On the walls of the turret, dates and notes about Atatürk’s most important three victories are on display. In the turret, the gun carriage that bore Atatürk’s body from İstanbul Dolmabahçe Palace on November 19th, 1938 to the fleet at Sarayburnu, can also be seen.
SARCOPHAGUS OF İSMET İNÖNÜ
Between the Peace and Victory Turrets, in the middle of the gallery, there is symbolical sarcophagus of İsmet İnönü, who died on December 25th 1973, a very close friend of Atatürk, West Front commander of the Independence War, and second president of the Republic of Turkey. The Tomb room is downstairs. İsmet İnönü was buried at Anıtkabir at December 28th 1973, on the decision of the Council of Ministers.
PEACE TOWER
There is a composition on the inside walls of the turret, which describes the principle of Atatürk “Peace at home, peace in the world”. In this relief, there are farmers and a soldier protecting them with his sword is shown. This soldier symbolizes the Turkish military as a basis for peace. Thus, people can continue their daily life. The Relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the turret, some of Atatürk’s words are as follows: “Peace at home, peace in the world”. “Unless the nation’s life is under attack, war is murder”. (1923) In the turret, Atatürk’s ceremonious and official automobiles between the years 1935- 1938, are presented.
23RD APRIL TURRET
There is a relief on the inside walls of the turret, that represents the opening of the Turkish National Assembly. A woman holding a paper is standing in this relief. The date April 23rd 1920 is written on this paper. The woman holds a key in her other hand, representing the opening of our National Assembly. The relief is the work of Hakkı Atamulu. One of the aphorisms on the walls of the turret: “There was only one choice: Founding a new independent Turkish Government, depending on national preeminence.” (1919) Atatürk’s private automobile between the years 1936-1938 is exhibited in the turret.
FLAGPOLE
In the middle of the stairs leading to the ceremony area, there is a Turkish flag on the high flagpole. This 33.53 meter long flagpole is specially manufactured in USA, and is the longest single piece steel flagpole. 4 meters of flagpole are under the base. It was presented as a gift to Anıtkabir in 1946 from Nazmi Cemal, an American citizen of Turkish origin. This flagpole was manufactured at his own flagpole factory. The relief on the base of the flagpole torch represents Turkish civilization, the sword represents the power to attack, the helmet represents power of defense, the oak branch repserents victory, and the olive branch repsesents peace. The Relief is the work of Kenan Yontuç.
THE TOWER OF THE NATIONAL CONTRACT
The relief in the tower which is situated at the entrance of the museum represents our gathering in unity. The relief consists of four hands grasping each other on the butt of a sword. This composition expresses the promise of the nation to save the Turkish fatherland. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the tower are Atatürk’s words on the National Contract: “What writes the national oath, which is our general rule of liberation, is the iron hand of the nation.” (1923) “We want to live free and independent within our national boundaries.” (1921) “Nations who can’t find their national identity are prey to other nations.” (1923) In the midst of the tower is a tribute to the signing, which is signed by special committees attending ceremonies carried out in Anıtkabir. In the tower which is also the entrance of the museum are reality panels on which are presented photographs of important ceremonies in Anıtkabir.
ANITKABİR ATATÜRK MUSEUM
In line with the conditions of the Anıtkabir Project Competition, the section between the National Contract and the Reform Towers is specified as a museum. For this purpose, the Anıtkabir Atatürk Museum was opened on June 21st, 1960. Here, Atatürks personal belongings, gifts presented to him and his clothes are on exhibition.Besides, Atatürk’s medals and insignia, and some of Atatürk’s belongings which were granted by his adopted children. A. Afet İnan, Rukiye Erkin, Sabiha Gökçen are also included in the exhibition.
TOWER OF REFORM
In this tower, which is the continuation of the museum clothes Atatürk wore are exhibited. On the inner wall of the tower, the relief of a weak, powerless hand holding a torch about to go out, symbolizes the collapsing Ottoman Empire. The other bright torch held in the skies by a mighty hand symbolizes the new Turkish Republic and the Reforms Atatürk carried out to enable the Turkish nation to catch up with modern civilization. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the tower walls are these words of Atatürk on his reforms:“If a society does not proceed with all its men and women towards the same purpose, there’s no technical possibility and scientific probability of its becoming civilized.” “We are not inspired by heavens and the unknown sphere but directly by life itself.” In this tower which is used as the garments section of the museum is a life-size wax statue of Atatürk by Anadolu University’s former president Prof.Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen.
TOWER OF THE REPUBLIC
This tower is the entry to the art gallery and on its wall these aphorisms of Atatürk about the republic are written: “The fact that we gained our national sovereignty through action and handed over to the people, and undoubtedly proved that we can keep it in their hands, are our biggest strength and most trusted foundation.” In the tower, the models of Monastir Military Senior High School building, where Atatürk graduated from, Sivas and Erzurum congress buildings and I. Turkish Grand National Assembly building and some photographs of that period are exhibited.
THE ART GALLERY
In this section which is in between the Tower of Republic and the Towers of Legal Defence is demonstrated Atatürk’s personal library.
On the walls are oil paintings depicting Atatürk and foreign statesmen together. The paintings are works of the artist Rahmi Pehlivanlı.
There is also a cinema section in the gallery wwhere documentary films are shown about Atatürk, National Struggle and the Anıtkabir.
DEFENCE OF RIGHTS TOWER
On the relief on the outer face of the tower Legal Defence (Müdafaa-i Hukuk), which is the essence of our national unity in the War of Liberation,is represented. On the relief a male figure is depicted, saying“Hold!” to the enemy passing the border, with a sword in one hand while the other is held to the front. The huge tree beneath the hand reaching out represents our country, while the male figure protecting it symbolizes the nation united in the aim of liberation. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the tower are words of Atatürk on Legal Defence: “To yield national power effective and national will sovereign is the essence.” (1919) “Hereafter the nation will own her life, independence and entire existence in person.” (1923) “History can never reject a nation’s blood, right, and existence.”(1919) “The innermost and most obvious wish and faith rising from the heart and conscience of the Turkish naiton, came to light: Liberation.” (1927) In the tower periodically exhibitions on “Atatürk and the National Struggle” are organized. Besides, there is also the model of the Military Academy Atatürk attended.
THE RELIEF ABOUT THE PITCH BATTLE OF SAKARYA
There are a youth, two horses, a woman and a man on the right side of the composition. These have left their homes and are on their way to defend the country against foe's first assault. The youth to the right has turned his back and shakes his left fist to the foe, saying, “One day we shall come back and avenge.” Before this trio is a cart in the mud, horses struggling, a man trying to turn the wheel, two women, a standing warrior, and a kneeling woman is presenting him a sword. This group of figures represents the period before the Sakarya Battle. To the left of this group are two women and a child sitting on the ground, symbolizing our people under enemy’s rule awaiting the Turkish army. Over the people flies the angel of victory presenting a wreath to Commander-in-chief Mustafa Kemal. The woman sitting at the end of the composition symbolizes the motherland, while the oak symbolizes victory. Motherland shows the oak which is the victory symbol of the Turkish army. The relief is a work of İlhan Koman.
THE RELIEF ABOUT THE BATTLE OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
The group comprising of a rural women, a boy and some horses represents the national preparation for war. In the next part Atatürk stretches out his finger, saying, “Army, your first target is the Mediterranean, ahead!” and pointing our army where to go. The angel in front conveys Father’s order to distant horizons. The part after this one, which summarizes the heroism and sacrifices of the Turkish army carrying out Atatürk’s orders, depicts a warrior taking the flag from the hands of a falling private and a soldier in a trench with shield and sword in his hands - symbolizing the Turkish attack. In the front is the victory angel with the Turkish flag, calling for the Turkish army. The relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.
THE MAUSOLEUM
There is 42-step stairway leading to the most important part of Anıtkabir, the mausoleum. In the middle of the stairs is the “address pulpit”. The side of the marble pulpit facing the ceremonial square is decorated with circular geometrical motifs, in the midst of it is Atatürk’s remark, “Sovereignty is without doubt, the Nation’s.” The pulpit is Kenan Yontuç’s work. The mausoleum has a long rectangular layout of 72x52x17m. The structure is surrounded by columns 14.40m high; 8 on the front and back, 14 on the long sides. On the front of the mausoleum to the left is Atatürk’s address to the Turkish youth, to the right is his oration of the Republic’s 10th anniversary. Letters are in guilded relief.
THE HALL OF HONOUR
The hall is entered through bronze gates. To the right after the entrance is Atatürk’s last message to the Turkis army, dated 29 October 1938; to the left is 2nd President İsmet İnönü’s condolence message upon Atatürk’s death, dated 21 November 1938. Both scripts were written in 1981, the 100th anniversary of Atatürk's birth. Just opposite the entrance in the niche of the huge window, is Atatürk’s symbolic sarcophagus. The material of the 40 tons monolithic sarcophagus is red marble. The section on which the stone stands is covered with white Afyon marble. The ground of the hall of honour is covered with red, black, green and tiger’s fur marbles from Adana and Hatay, while the side walls are of marbles from Afyon and Bilecik of the same kind. The ceiling of the hall of honour consisting of 27 rafters and that of the side galleries are decorated with mosaics. The height of the hall of honour is 17 m. and there are 6 bronze torches on each of the side walls, which make a total of 12. The top of the mausoleum is covered with a flat lead roof.
THE TOMB
The beloved corpse of Atatürk is in a grave dug directly in the soil below the ground floor of the musoleum. The tomb which is situated right beneath symbolic sarcophagus in the hall of honour on the first floor of the mausoleum is an octagon in the Seldjuk and Ottoman architectural style, topped with a pyramidal roof and its ceiling decorated with mosaics bearing geometrical motifs. The ground and the walls are covered with black, white and red marbles. İn the middle of the tomb, the smaller sarcophagus made of red marble is directed towards the Kaaba. This marble sarcophagus is surrounded by vases filled with soil from every province and from the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus.
THE ALAGÖZ HEADQUARTERS MUSEUM
Upon the approach of the enemy to Polatlı during the Sakaya Battle, the West Front Commandersihp chose the Village of Alagöz, located between Ankara and Polatlı, as Front Headquarters. The farm house of Türkoğlu Ali Ağa of the village was used as headquarters. After the end of the Sakarya Battle, the building was re-used as a home by its owners Ali Türkoğlu and his sons until 1965. In 1965 it was turned over by the inheritors to the Ministry of Education. The structure, which was transferred to the Anıtkabir Museum Directorate under the General Directorate of Ancient Monuments and Museums in 1967, was restored and turned into a museum thereafter. On November 10th, 1968, only the upper floor was arranged and opened to the public; the lower parts were opened in 1983 after a reorganizaton.The structure is a two-storey one and has a Garments Room, Library and Memorabilia Room, Officer’s Lunch Room, Kitchen, Communications Room, Room of the Commander- in-chief, Staff Officers’ Room, Refreshing Room, Aide-de-camps’ Room, Atatürk’s Bedroom, Atatürk’s dining room with his servant’s room, a total of 12 rooms.
ATATÜRK’S REMARKS TO THE TURKISH YOUTH
Turkish Youth! Your first duty is to forever preserve and defend the Turkish Independence and the Turkish Republic. This is the very foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure. In the future, too, there may be malevolent people at home and abroad, wishing to deprive you of this treasure. If some day, you are compelled to defend your independence and your republic, you will not hesitate before you take upon yourself the duty thinking about the possibilities and circumstances of the situation in which you will find yourself. These possibilities and circumstances may prove to be extremely unfavourable. The enemies conspiring against your independence and your republic may have behind them a victory unprecedented in the whole world. By means of violence and deceit, all the fortresses of your beloved fatherland may have been captured, and all its shipyards occupied, armies dispersed and every corner of the country invaded. And even more distressing and graver than all these circumstances; within the country, those who have the authority to rule may have fallen into negligence, error and even treachery. Furthermore, they may identify their own interests with the political desires of the invaders. The country may be in extreme poverty, in ruins and in exhaustion.Youth of Turkey's future, Even in such circumstances, it is your duty to save the Turkish Independence and Republic. The strength you need is the noble blood that runs in your veins! (1927) Address: Anıt Caddesi Tandoğan/Ankara Tel: (312) 231 79 75

Biography of Atatürk

2008-01-28T05:06:00.000-08:00

ATATURK, FOUNDER OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC AND THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born in a three-storey pink house at Islahhane Street, Kocakasim District, Salonika in 1881. His father was Ali Riza Efendi and mother was Zübeyde Hanim. His paternal grand father Hafiz Efendi is a member of Kocacik Nomads from Konya and Aydin region, which was settled in Macedonia during 14th-15th centuries. His mother Zübeyde Hanim, also a daughter of an old Turkish family, settled in the town of Langasa near Salonika. Ali Riza Efendi who worked in various areas such as; a military officer, a pious foundation clerk and for some time a timber merchant and got married with Zübeyde Hanim in 1871. Four of Atatürk's five siblings died at an early age, only his sister Makbule Atadan survived and lived until 1956. Atatürk's Address to the Youth of Turkey (1.71 MB)
Little Mustafa commenced his education in Hafiz Mehmet Efendi's neighbourhood school, later he was transferred to Semsi Efendi School, because his father wished so (Comparatively modern education at the time.) During his primary education, he lost his father in 1888. For a while he stayed on his uncle's farm in Rapla, returned to Salonika and completed his primary education. He enrolled to Salonika Junior High School for Civil Servants. After a short time in 1893, he transferred to Military Junior High School. It is at this school his math teacher Mustafa Bey, added Kemal to his name in between 1896-1899, Mustafa Kemal finished Monastir Military Senior High School and commenced Military College in Istanbul. In 1902 he graduated with the rank of lieutenant and continued his education in Military Academy. In January 1905 he completed the Academy and graduated with the rank of a captain. His first appointment was in 5 Army in Damascus in between 1905-1907. He was promoted to adjutant major in 1907 and appointed to 3 Army in Monastery. He was the Chief of Staff of the Army Corps which entered Istanbul on 19 April 1909. He was sent to France in 1910 and took part in Picardie Manoeuvres. In 1911 he was back in Istanbul and started to work under the Command of General Staff. Mustafa Kemal and a group of friends took part in Tobruk and Derna Fronts during the war which started in 1911 against the Italians who were attacking Tripoli (Libya). He won the Battle of Tobruk against the Italian forces on 22 December 1911. He was then appointed to Derna Front as the Commander-in-Chief on 6 March 1912. When the Balkan War started in October 1912, Mustafa Kemal joined the battle with units in Gelibolu (Gallipoli) and Bolayir. He greatly contributed to the retrieval of Edirne and Dimetoka (Dhidhimotikhon). In 1913 he was appointed to Sofia as the military attache. During his assignment in Sofia he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. His duty as the military attache ended in January 1915. During his stay in Sofia, the First World War had started and the Ottoman Empire had become obliged to enter in this war. Mustafa Kemal was appointed to Tekirdag to organize the 19 Division. It is in the First World War, which started in 1914, that Mustafa Kemal wrote an heroic epic and made the legend of Dardanelles are Impassable against Entente troops in Gallipoli. On 18 March 1915, when British and French navies failed to break in through the Straits of Dardanelles with heavy losses, the decision to land troops on the Gallipoli peninsula had been given. Under the command of Mustafa Kemal, 19 Division halted the enemy forces, which landed in Ariburnu -now called Anzak Koyu (Anzac Cove)- on 25 April 1915 at Conkbayir. Mustafa Kemal was promoted to full colonel after this great success. British forces started attacking again from Ariburnu on 6-7 August 1915. Anafartalar Group Commander Mustafa Kemal won the victory of Battle of Anafartalar on 9-10 August. Following this, he also won the victories of Battle of Kirectepe on 17 August and Second Battle of Anafartalar on 21 August. The Turkish nation defended her honour in Gallipoli (Battle of Canakkale) against Entente States by losing approximately 253,000 of her sons to martyrdom. Mustafa Kemal's famous order to his soldiers "I do not order you to attack, I order you to die", had changed the destiny of this Front. In 1916 after Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal took duties in Edirne and in Diyarbakir. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1 April 1916. He took part in the battles against Russian forces by which Mus and Bitlis were liberated. After short duties in Damascus and Aleppo, he returned to Istanbul in 1917. He went to Germany with Heir Apparent Prince Vahdeddin Efendi for observations in the European Western Front. He became sick after this trip and received treatment in Vienna and Carlsbad. He returned to the Front on 15 August 1918 as the Commander-in-Chief of the 7 Army in Aleppo. At this front he achieved the most successful defensive battles in history against the British forces. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Lightning Army Group on 31 October 1918, just one day after the signing of the truce in Moudros. After the abolishment of this Army Group he was appointed for a duty in the Ministry of War in Istanbul on 13 November 1918. After the beginning of the occupation of the country and demobilization of the Ottoman armies according to the Moudros Truce, Mustafa Kemal arrived in Samsun on 19 May 1919 as the Inspector General of the 9 Army. On 22 June 1919, he issued the Amasya Circular, declaring that the nation's determination and decision will restore the nation's independence and called for the gathering of Congress in Erzurum and Sivas. Between 23 July and 7 August 1919 delegates from all over the country gathered in Erzurum and then between 4 September and 11 September 1919 in Sivas, determining the path to follow in order to gain nation’s independence. On 27 December 1919 he was welcomed in Ankara with great enthusiasm. 23 April 1920, the first day of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, was one of the very important steps on the way to the founding of the Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal was elected as the first Speaker of the House and the Head of the Government. The Turkish Grand National Assembly started preparing and passing the new laws necessary for implementing the Independence War successfully. The Turkish Independence War was started when the first bullet was fired against the enemy during the occupation of Izmir by the Greek forces on 15 May 1919. Victors of the First World War, by signing of the Sevres Agreement, started the occupation of their shares of the Ottoman Empire. At the beginning, resistance against occupation forces started with militia forces, namely Kuva-i Milliye (National Forces). The Turkish Grand National Assembly established the regular army and successfully led the Independence War to victory by integrating the militia forces into the regular army. The important stages of the Independence War under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal were, • Liberation of Sarikamis (20 September 1920), Kars (30 October 1920) and Gümrü (7 November 1920). • Defences of Cukurova, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Kahraman Maras (1919-1920). • Victory at the First Battle of Inönü (6-10 January 1920)• Victory at the Second Battle of Inönü (23 March-1 April 1920). • Victory at the Battle of Sakarya (23 August-13 September 1921). • Great Offensive, Battle of Dumlupinar (Battle of Commander-in-Chief) and the Great (Final) Victory (26 August-9 September 1922). After the victory at the Battle of Sakarya, the Turkish Grand National Assembly promoted Mustafa Kemal to the rank of Field Marshal and granted him the title of Gazi-the Victorious Fighter. The Independence War was ended by the Lausanne Peace Treaty on 24 July 1923. Thus, all the impediments of the Sevres Agreement had been removed and integrity of the Turkish land had been accomplished by the signing of the Lausanne Agreement. There were no obstructions left on the way to establish the new Turkish State based on national solidarity. Founding of the Turkish Republic had been heralded by the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 23 April 1920. National Assembly's successful administration during the Independence War had secured the founding of the new Turkish State. Caliphate and Sultanate (monarchy) separated and Sultanate was abolished on 1 November 1922. Therefore, the administrative ties with the Ottoman Empire were broken. The declaration of Republic was made on 29 October 1923 and Mustafa Kemal was unanimously elected as the first President of the Republic. Ismet Inönü formed the first government of the Republic on 30 October 1923. Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to Nation and Peace at home, peace in the world are the raising fundamentals of the Turkish Republic. Atatürk made many reforms in order to bring Turkey to the level of contemporary civilizations. Those reforms can be put under five main topics: 1. Political Reforms - Abolishment of the Sultanate (1 November 1922) - Declaration of the Republic (29 October 1923) - Abolishment of Caliphate (3 March 1924) 2. Social Reforms - Women were given equal rights with men (1926-1934) - The Revolution of Headgear and Outfit (25 November 1925) - Closing of dervish lodges and shrines (30 November 1925) - The surname law (21 June 1934) - Abolishment of nicknames, pious and royal titles (26 November 1934) - Adoption of the International calendar, time and measurements (1925-1931) 3. Juridical Reforms - Abolishment of the Canon Law (1924-1937) - Instating the new Turkish Civil Code and other legislation to suit secular order (1924 - 1937) 4. Educational and Cultural Reforms - Integration of education (3 March 1924) - Adoption of the new Turkish alphabet (1 November 1928) - Establishment of the Turkish Language and Historical Societies (1931-1932) - Organization of the university education (31 May 1933). - Innovations in fine arts 5. Economical Reforms - Abolishment of old taxation laws. - Encouragement of the farmers. - Establishment of model farms. - Legislation of the Encouragement of the Industry Law and establishment of Industrial Corporations. - Implementing First and Second Development Plans (1933-1937), construction of new highways to reach every corner of the country. In accordance with the new surname law, Turkish Grand National Assembly granted Mustafa Kemal with the surname Atatürk on 24 November 1934. Atatürk had been elected twice as the Speaker of the House (National Assembly), on 24 April 1920 and 13 Augustus 1923. His chairmanship at that time, was equal to the Head of State and the Government combined. On 29 October 1923 Republic was declared and Atatürk was elected as the first President of the Republic. According to the Constitution Presidential elections held for every four years. Atatürk had been re-elected as the President of the Republic in 1927, 1931 and 1935 by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Atatürk very frequently used to go for fact-finding trips in the country. He kept in contact with local authorities and directed them personally in every occasion. In the capacity of the President of the Republic, he received the visiting foreign presidents, premiers, ministers and commanders with great respect and authority. Atatürk gave his Great Speech on 15-20 October 1927 in which he described the Independence War and Founding of Republic, he then made his 10th Year Speech on 29 October 1933.Atatürk was very modest in his private life. He married with Latife Hanim on 29 January 1923. Together they had many trips around the country. Their marriage lasted until 5 August 1925. As a great lover of children, Atatürk adopted his daughters Afet (Inan), Sabiha (Gökcen), Fikriye, Ülkü, Nebile, Rukiye, Zehra and his son Mustafa, a young shepherd boy. He also had two children under his protection, Abdurrahim and Ihsan. He secured a good life and future for these children who survived. In 1937, he donated his farms to the State Treasury and some of his real estate to Ankara and Bursa Municipality Councils. He divided his inheritance among his sister, his adopted children and the Turkish Language and Historical Societies. He enjoyed reading, listening music, dancing, horse riding and swimming. He was very much interested in the Western Anatolian folk dance Zeybek, wrestling and listening to Rumelia songs. He had great pleasure in playing black-gammon and billiards. He valued very much his horse Sakarya and his dog Fox. He had made up a very rich library of his own. He used to invite statesmen, scholars and scientists to dinners and discuss state affairs with them. He was very particular about his appearance and was smartly dressed all the times. He was also a nature lover. He very often used to visit his farm Atatürk Orman Ciftligi-Atatürk Forest Farm and took part at works in person. Atatürk was proficient in French and German. On 10 November 1938 at 9.05 in the morning, in Istanbul, Dolmabahce Palace, he died of the liver ailment he was suffering from. He was buried with a ceremonial funeral in a temporary place of rest at the Ethnographical Museum in Ankara on 21 November 1938. After the building of Anitkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum) he was taken to his permanent place of rest with a grand ceremony on 10 November 1953.
Culture is the foundation of Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, 1936 Atatürk's 10th Year Speech

WHY VISIT TURKEY

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There are a lot off reason for visiting in Turkey ;

Turkey is a country located at a point where the 3 continents of the old world (Asia, Africa and Europe) are closest to each other and where Asia and Europe meet. Because of its geographical location, Anatolia has always been important throughout history and is the birthplace of many great civilizations.

Surrounded by seas on three sides, it is covered by mountains, forests, steppes and all sorts of land varitations.Thegenuine friendliness and traditional hospitality of the Turkish people towards visitors is justly renowned world wide.
Our country includes the famous holiday cities,beautiful resorts, museums, comfortable hotels and motels, sincere people, magnificent landscapes and etc..

There are many fantastic regions in Turkey

The Hittits, Hellens, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottomans as well as a great number of other civilisations rose and fell here through thousands of years, leaving behind a multitude of historical and archeological sites. It is in fact called the cradle of civilisations, harbouring in its bosom an incredible blend of cultures, history, archaeological sites.

To seethis geografhicalsituation and for living this athmoshpere you must be visit in Turkey.

When you come in Turkey you will enjoy..

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In Turkey, as a country teeming with heritages of Mouslim,Christian and Jewish religions,much more than any other place in the world,we have started to organize tours of faith as atravelling agency specialized extensively in this particular field of tourism when the second millenium is two years ahead of us.

Each year thousands of people discover that Turkey is the home of legends and history taught in classrooms the world over.Visit the legendary Troy of Homer's ' Iliad', exotic Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.Travel to the reputed landing place of Noah's Ark or Garden of Eden.Or the place where Mark Antony and Cleopatra met and married, Saint Clause lived, Home of Virgin Mary, Seven Churches mentioned in the testament are located.

Travel along the Old Silk Road of Marco Polo,Sail the in comparable turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and sample food fit for a sultan.And do it all in style and comfort. Modern,sophisticated resorts and casinos are plentiful.

These things are here to be shared in a way that only the Turkish people can.The people of Turkey are as varied as their landscape,from black hair to red.from brown eyes to blue;all combine to make Turkey unique.The one thing that is uniform throughoutthis fascinating country is the hospitality of its people.

We hereby assure you that as devouted visitors of any of the aforesaid religions,you will be guided to so many sites of faith abounding within the borders of Turkey at a scale unparalled in any other parts of the world.During such cultivating and exiting tours,you will enjoy the opportunity of visiting following sites,each of which manifests unique features of heritages of different faiths;

Ankara - Modern capital of Turkish Republic as declared by Ataturk in 1923.Dates back to the Hittites,4000-3000 B.C.
Antalya - A seaport founded by Attalus,King of Pergamum,in 160 B.C.Now a lovely resort city,South Aegean Coast.
Aphrodisias - Named for the Goddness of Love, Aphrodite,in the 6TH century B.C.Also the site of one of the three sculpture schools in the ancient world.South Aegean Coast.
Aspendos - Roman city of the second century B.C.Site of the best-preserved theater in Asia Minor.
Cappodocia - An area of bizarre volcanic land formations.Although never formally a nation,was regocnized as a kingdom in 600 B.C. Became a Roman province in 17 A.D.Also recognized as a refuge for the early Christians.
Demre - Ancient Myra.Site of St.Nicholas Church.St.Nicholas lived here and was ordained Bishop in the 4th century A.D.South Coast.
Ephesus - By the 11th century B.C.Ephesuswas already a thriving seaport.Second-largest city of the ancient world,with a population of approximately 300.000.
Hiearapolis - Site of an early therapeutic center with Roman baths.Reached the height of its prosperity in the second / third centuries B.C.
Istanbul -The only city to bridge two continents,Europe and Asia.Istanbul , or Constantinople, as it was called in the past,is approximately 2600 years old Muslim capital.
Izmir - Ancient Smyrna, a vital trading port dating back approximately to the tenth century B.C. Homer was born here.Alexander the Great a citadel here.
Konya - Home of the whirling Dervishes, a mystical sect founded by the poet Calaleddin Rumi,Mevlana.This area has a history dating to the times of the Hittites.
Kusadasi - Resort town close to ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the "Cotton Castle."
Pamukkale - Discovered by the ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the ' Cotton Castle'.
Perge - Pre-Hellenic city dating to 333 B.C.Site of St.Paul's first sermon.
Phaselis - Founded in the 7th century B.C. by settlers from the Island of Rhodes.Trading port and ancient pirate haunt situated on three natural harbors.
Trabzon - Founded in the eighth century B.C.Later became the furthest outpost of the Greek Empire.Major trading city in the Byzatine era.It is on black Sea Coast...

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WHY TURKEY IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE CHRISTIANS ?

During the early days of christianity,this new religion found the territory of Anatolia,where a significant portion of it was materialized,to be very suitable medium facilitating its expansion and therefore it settled in there. Some of noteworthy events of this particular period of time are as described below:

Istanbul : In Istanbul which is one of 4 largest patriarchal center of the Orthodox, the 5th meeting Consuls was held. Istanbul has become quite important because of the Church High Sophia situated there as one of the most well known church which has managed to remain intact until the present time.Furthermore, the Patriarchate of Fener situated presently in Istanbul is of great interest from the angle of the World of Orthodox.

Içel -Tarsus : The place of birth of St. Paul who was one of the 12 Apostles of Christ and who exerted great efforts in order to spread out christianity and to make it an internationally recognized religion is Tarsus. The Church of St.Paul and the Water Well of St. Paul are located in Tarsus. Besides,in Içel there are many works of arts such as the church of Mary (High Techia),the church of Olba Temple and the churches of Holy Mother and Alahan Monestry.

Seven Churches : The Seven Churches where the christians,during those period of time when The Chistianity was banned, gatherd together in order to perform religious services and which were mentioned in the Juanna's Revelations (Apocolyps ) are all situated in Anatolia (The churhes Ephesus, Symirna ,Bergamus ,Thyatira ,Saint Philedelphia,Laodecea)

Bursa-Iznik : Out of the meeting of the Consuls which were held 19 times ,8 of them took place in Turkey. In particular,the 1st and the 7th meeting which led to the adoption of the traditon for the Consuls Meetings were held in the High Sophia Church and the Palace of Consuls located at Iznik

FOUNDATION OF THE CHRISTIANTITY

Antakya : In the first century of the Chistianity, Antakya occupies a special position. According to the traditional belief, " The Bible of Malta " was written here. Those who believed in Jesus Christ was first named as the christians in Antakya.
(The Deeds of the Apostles 11-22-26) Saint Paulus, setting out from Antakya , made three trips in order to proclaim the Bible to the idolaters.All those facts that Saint Juanna , nicknamed as "The Golden Mouthed "was originally from Antakya ,the school of the Holy Book was located here and the churh of St. Pierre,one of the first churches of the world being situated here contribute to the fame of Antakya from religious aspects.

Saint Pierre Church : This is one the oldest churches in the world. Those who believed in Jesus Christ were named as " The Christians" in this church . This place was proclaimed as a site for pilgrimage in 1963 by the Pope 6th Paul . Every year on 29th day of June , ritual ceremonies are organised by the Catholic Church to be performed here. Furthermore,works of arts such as the stilist Monastry of St.Simon and the ruins of Seleucia Port from where Saint Pavlus has set sails in order to proclaim the Bible....

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VIRGINMARY

Izmir- Ephesus House of Virgin Mary : Located at 9 kilometers away from Selcuk town on the top of Bullbul Mountain with a height of 420 meters, the holy place called " Panaia Capulu" by the Christians is thought to have been built in IV. Century A.D.
Following crucifixation of Jesus Christ, his close friend and apostle St. Jean brought the Holy Mother to Ephesus by arranging her flight from Jerusalem and concealed her in a hut that he constructed in a corner at the outskirts of Bulbul Mountain under the cover thick woods. It is known that the Holy Mother lived until she was 101 years of age and died at this place on Bulbul Mountain. After the christianity has spred out, a church in the shape of cross was built at this location by the Christians.

In the house of Holy Mother which was proclaimed as a sacred site in 1967 by the popedom, on first Sunday following 15th day of August every year a special ritual ceremony is performed and the visitors then become pilgrims.

Besides, situated in the vicinity of Izmir, are ancient works of arts such as the Basilica of St.Jean (The tomb of St. Jean who was one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ ) , the Seven Sleepers, three of the Seven Churches (Church of Symirna, Church of Ephesus ).

FEATURES OF CAPODOCIA

Capodocia :Capodocia as an interesting valley which combines the natural beauty with the abundance of historical background and an influential region is one of the most interesting locations of Turkey as one of the sites where St.Paul stopped during his 30 years trip of missionary and selected as a site to set up the first church, being the most attractive stop in Turkey with the biggest number of churches and murals decorating these churches.The number of churches carved into stones as situated at Nevsehir, particularly around Goreme valley, at Zelve Chavushin, Ortahisar, Acikhisar, Mustafapasha, Yesiloz and Aciksaray is over 200.

Isparta : The church of St. Paul situated in the ancient city of Antiochelia in Yalvac is one of the first churches of the Christianity. Saint Paul, after he was awarded with the right of citizenship of Rome, he was baptized by Soul and Hanania. St Paul came to visit this city accompanied by St. Barnabas in the year 46 A.D. and gave his first formal sermon in the sinagogue located in here. Later on, over this sinagogue was built the church of Saint Paul.

SANTACLAUS
St. Nicholas who is known as Santa Claus in the world of the christianity lived at Demre and died here. Every year international festivals of Santa Clause are held at Demre and at Kas on 6th and 7th days of December . Additionally, there exist many more interesting religous sites for the Christians such as the Monastry of Der - Ul-Zaferan at Malatya, Surmeli monastry at Trabzon, Akdamar Island and Chapanak Churches at Van , Deyne and Derbe and Binbir Churches at Karaman , Ani ruins and Mount Ararat at Kars.

Anatolia with Interesting Sites for the Jews

When Ottoman sultan Orhan Gazi conquered Bursa in year 1324, permission was granted to the community of Jews to build the sinagogue of Et- Ahaim (The three of life). The Jews who were expelled from France by Charles VI in 1324 took asylum in Edirne.
In 1492, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isebellan of Castilia banished the Jews out of Spain. The Jews who were expelled from Spain because of their faiths and traditons and thus were turned out to be people belonging to no country , were embraced by Bayazid , the sultan of Ottoman Empire, being accepted for settlement in Anatolia.

In the meantime, the jews have since been maintaining their way of worshiping until present times in their own sinagoguers situated in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and Bursa...

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" GREAT LOVES START ON JOURNEYS "

The God called Abraham and asked him to leave his father's house,his relatives,his country and start his journey Why ? Couldn't God called on him before he departed his country. The answer to this question is in the 11th verse written in the Letter to the Hebrews.

'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance:he went out,not knowing where he was to go.By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country...They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,for he has prepared a city for them.'

So, Abraham left the place he used to live,he was now looking for a new homeland.But as described in the Bible this homeland was a heavenly one ruled by God.However,in order to reach this mentioned land they were asked to leave behind everthing they owned and Abraham listening to the voice of God, for love of God and faith, Abraham left behind everthing without hesitation.In fact,doesn't Jesus Christ wants you to fallow him leaving everthing behind that carrying only the cross. Because it is written,where ever your treasure is,your heart will be there.Why did God invited Abraham to this journey and Why Abraham left everthing behind and took up the road ? Because great loves start on journeys!

'It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abraham,saying'
To your descendants I give this land,from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hitites, the Perrizites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Gigashites, and Jebusites' Genesis,15/18-21 It is here the New Testament mentions about the land of Hitites for the first time Holly Book at least said a few things about the Hitites while the Greeks and Roman world stood complete strange.In fact,excavations in Anatolia. So,in the verses of Genesis we meet the shadow of God's spirit on this land.This spirit will later surrender this land and would freely travel from one end to another and glorify this country.After all,the God had promised this land to its own people. During the expansion period of the Bible and even before that we have information about the colonies of the Jewish societies in Anatolia,St.Paul is one of them.
When the holly spirit has coasted its spell on the Apostles it guided them towards Anatolia, the spirit of Jesus Christ showed them the way which was like a wind whose voice was heard from everywhere which did not know where it come from and where it headed to.But this wind has blown on his land.People travelling on this land say that they still hear the sound.The Apocalypse and certain letters were written directly to communities in Anatolia.In other letters and in the acts of Apostles Anatolia is again frequently mentioned.And the followers of Jesus Christ were named as ' Christians' for the first time in Anatolia. (The Acts of the Apostles )

A lot has changed in Anatolia since the day of Apostles,but the spirit here has never changed.Today the warm and sensitive Muslim people the Anatolia still breath the air that the Apostles have left on his land.The same mystical winds blows on the mountains and plains of Anatolia,it is true that the sipirit here has not changed.Because Jesus Christ is very much the same in yesterday, today, tomorrow and the infinitive.

God called Abraham then,hundreds year later Apostles are called and today Gods call you; ' I,Jesus,sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.I am the root and offspring of David,the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say,'Come.'Let the hearer say,'Come'. Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water. Revelation, 22/16-17.
Today,those living in Anatolia like the very first believers call on you to join and embraces in the Christian Love,they are your Christian Brethren in Anatolia that has listened to the echoing call on this land since the last 2000 years.You can share the joy and happiness with these brethren that still bare the excitement that
resembles to the one that was witnessed in the period when the God's massage was first heard.Because we drank from the same sipirit.Do not forget that this is
not a commercial ar touristic but is a spiritual organization.Moreover,the revenues to be gained from this journey will be used for the realization of the similar spiritual services.

Abraham,and Apostles 100 years later..what was the reason that blow them from one corner to another and today,the believers.Perhaps a song gives us the reply that is frequently sang in Anatolia today'They do not have addresses,they do not have any sanctuaries except love,yet they still live in four corners of the world.During this journey you will fallow the footsteps of Apostles and you will
be able to listen the message with a new understanding in places where the Bible was first announced.You will have around you brothers and sisters that enjoy the same spirit. the same in yesterday,today,tomorrow and the infinitive...

HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR ANIMALS

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For those who wish to bring domestic animals into the country the following are required: A 'Certificate of Origin' giving the health record of the animal. A 'Certificate of Health', issued not more than 15 days before the animal's entry into the country, stating that the animal is in good health and that it has been vaccinated against rabies. Note: If you have an official certificate, you may bring one cat, one bird, one dog and 10 aquarium fish into the country.

ENTERING TURKEY

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If you wish to enter Turkey, after you have sailed through international ports and waters, then you are required to obtain a Yacht Registration Form, which contains information about yachts and yachtsmen. You will need to complete this form in accordance with the explanations given there and you will need to go through the Customs, Health and Port procedures as per the international regulations stated within those explanations and in accordance with your declaration. The cost of the Yacht Registration Form is $30.00 and it is valid for one year. However, if the owner of the yacht or the legal keeper of the yacht changes within that year and if the yacht leaves Turkish Customs Area or the Form is lost, then the term of validity of the Form comes to an end. It is possible to obtain a new Yacht Registration Form in such occurrences.

LEAVING TURKEY

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When leaving Turkish ports for international ports with your yacht, you need to complete the relevant section of the Yacht Registration Form, have it confirmed by the Director of Port and complete the required procedures at the Customs Directorate.

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING WHEN TO COME

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Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts: These coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and wild winters. The swimming season becomes shorter the further north one goes: Marmara and North Aegean - June to September, South Aegean and Mediterranean - April to October. Black Sea Coast: warm summers, mild winters, and relatively high rainfall.
Central Anatolia: Steppe climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters.
Eastern Anatolia: Long snowy, cold winters with mild summers.
Southeast Anatolia: Hot summer with mild, rainy winters.

WHAT TO WEAR

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Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts: Light, cotton summer clothing and cardigans for evening.Black Sea Coast, Central and Eastern Anatolia: Summer wear, warmer clothing should be taken for cool evenings at high altitudes. Comfortable shoes are necessary for visiting archaeological and historical sites.Visiting a mosque: Five times a day, the "muezzin" calls the faithful to prayer in the mosque. Before entering a mosque, Muslims wash themselves and remove their shoes. Foreign visitors should also remove their shoes and show the respect they would any other house of worship and avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time. Women should cover their heads and arms, and not wear miniskirts. Men should not wear shorts. (In certain famous mosques, overalls are provided for those not suitably dressed.)

WORKING HOURS

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Government offices: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; 1:30 pm-5:30 pm (Closed Saturday and Sundays, open daily in tourist areas)Banks: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm; 1:30 pm-5:00 pm (Closed Saturday and Sundays, open daily in tourist areas) Shops: 9:30 am - 7:00 pm (In tourist areas, closing times vary, some close around midnight) Covered Bazaar- Istanbul: 8:am - 7:pm (Closed Sundays) Summer hours: In the Aegean and the Mediterranean regions of Turkey, government offices and many other establishments are closed in the afternoon during the summer months. These summer hours are fixed each year by the provincial governors. OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN 2004 New Year’s Day January 1 Sacrifice Festival January 31 (1/2 day) to February 4 National Sovereignty and Childrens' Day April 23 Ataturk Commemoration & Youths and Sports Festival May 19 Victory Day August 30 Republic Day October 28 (½ day) to October 29 Ramadan Festival November 13 (½ day) to November 16

IMPORTANT SERVICE TELEPHONE NUMBERS

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Traffic Police: 154Police: 155Gendarmerie: 156Fire: 110Emergency: 112International Operator: 118Municipal Police: 153

POSTAL SYSTEMS AND TELEPHONE CALLS

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Turkish post and telephone offices are easily recognizable by their "PTT" and "Turk Telekom" signs. Major post offices are open from 8:00am to 12 am Monday to Saturday and 9:00am to 7:00 pm on Sunday. Small post offices have the same hours as Government offices (see below). Poste restantePoste restante letters should be addressed "postrestant" to the central post office ("Merkez Postanesi") in the town of your choice. It is only necessary to produce and identification card when collecting your letter. This service is for sending and receiving documents from other countries. Fax OfficeFax service is available for sending and receiving documents from other countries. Valuable DispatchThis service is for sending valuable belongings or important documents. Other PTT servicesIt is possible to exchange money at some PTT branches at the current international exchange rate. International post orders and travellers cheques can also be exchanged. An express postal service (Acele Posta Servisi -APS) operates from Turkey to 72 other countries for letters, documents and small packages. Stamp collectors will be delighted with the wide range of special stamps available from the philatelic section. International subscriptions are also available. Phone callsThe most economic way to telephone in Turkey is from a PTT telephone booth (Found in all towns). Telephone cards are available.

MONEY

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Turkey's currency is the New Turkish Lira (YTL). Many shops and restaurants in the coastal resorts and big cities accept payment in foreign currency. But if you are planning to travel to other parts of the country, it is advisible to take some Turkish Lira.With a credit or debit card you can withdraw local currency from cash machines which are found in convenient locations in cities, towns and resorts. There are also cash machines in the arrivals halls at most airports.Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops.Travellers cheques and cash can be exchanged for TL at banks and private exchange offices in Turkey.

ART & CULTURE

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Among the prominent statesmen of the 20th century, few articulated the supreme importance of culture as did Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, who stated: "Culture is the foundation of the Turkish Republic." His view of culture encompassed the nation's creative legacy as well as the best values of world civilization. It stressed personal and universal humanism. "Culture," he said, " is a basic element in being a person worthy of humanity," and described Turkey's ideological thrust as "a creation of patriotism blended with a lofty humanist ideal."

To create the best synthesis, Ataturk underlined the need for the utilization of all viable elements in the national heritage, including the ancient indigenous cultures, and the arts and techniques of the entire world civilization, past and present. He gave impetus to the study of earlier civilizations of Anatolia -- including Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian and others. Pre-Islamic culture of theTurks became the subject of extensive research which proved that, long before the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires, the Turks had already created a civilization of their own. Ataturk also stressed the folk arts and folklore of the countryside as a wellspring of Turkish creativity.

The development of painting, sculpture and the decorative arts had been arrested by Ottoman officials, who claimed the depiction of the human form was idolatry, but these arts flourished during Ataturk's presidency. Many museums were opened and architecture gained new vigor. Classical Western music, opera and ballet, as well as theater took impressive strides.Several hundred "People's Houses" and "People's Rooms" all over Turkey gave local people and youngsters a wide variety of artistic activities, sports and cultural affairs. Book and magazine publication enjoyed a boom. The Film industry started to grow. In all walks of cultural life, Ataturk's inspiration created an upsurge.

Ataturk's Turkey is living proof of this ideal -- a country rich in its own national culture, open to the heritage of world civilization and at home in the endowments of the modern technological age.

General Information

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The First Geography Congress, which was convened in Ankara in 1941, at the conclusion of the research that had continued for a long time, separated Turkey into seven geographical regions. During the congress activities, the fact that Turkey is surrounded by sea on three sides, the presence of mountain ranges lying parallel to the length of the long coastline, the fact that these mountains separate the high, but slightly steep and uneven central section from the influence of the sea and because of this, factors such as the climate, natural plant cover and the distribution of types of agriculture, and the influences of these on the transportation systems and the types of housing between the coastal strip and the central sections, had been taken into consideration and it was possible to divide Turkey into four border and three inner regions. The first four of the seven regions determined were given the names of the seas which are adjacent to them (the Black Sea, the Marmara, the Aegean and the Mediterranean Regions). The other three regions were named in accordance with their location in the whole of Anatolia (Central, Eastern and South-eastern Anatolia Regions).

Stretching out on two continents, Turkey is a paradise where one can experience the four seasons simultaneously... Whether you are fond of art, history, archeology or nature, you will feel the happiness beyond desires and hopes during your stay in Turkey.

Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of a shinning sea at four directions, Turkey generously offers her 8000km long shores before your eyes. Turkey is also rich in flora and fauna.

Twenty fascinating civilizations render Turkey the heir of 10.000 years old history which has still been examined for further ancient secrets to be brought up into daylight. These lands inhale at any moment the mystery of the past through the existenece of the statues of gods and goddesses, temples, theathers, agoras, churches, mosques, medresseh, palaces and caravanseraies. Becoming a united whole of daily life and all other values, Turkey forms the ideal circumstances.

Kırkpınar Wrestling

2008-01-21T03:55:00.000-08:00

The History of Kırkpınar Various stories are told to explain how Kırkpınar wrestling started some 641 years ago. The following tale is the one most widely told: In 1346, during military expeditions led by Orhan Gazi to conquer Rumelia (the part of the Ottoman Empire which lay in Europe), his brother Süleyman Paşa marched with 40 soldiers to Domuzhisar, which was then in the hands of the Byzantines. They raided and conquered the Domuzhisar, or Domuz Fortress. After also conquering other fortresses, the group of 40 soldiers who formed the advance guard returned, and they came to rest in Samona, which is today in Greece. There, these 40 soldiers began to wrestle. After hours of wrestling, two brothers named Ali and Selim both proved unable to defeat the other.On a Hidrellez day (a festival held on May 6 to celebrate the beginning of summer), these two brothers started wrestling again. The wrestling match lasted the entire day but still neither man could defeat his brother, so the contest continued throughout the night illuminated by candle and torch light. In the end, however, both of the brothers ran short of both breath and energy and so they died. At the spot where the two men had perished, where there was a fig tree, their friends laid them to rest. Then many years later they came to visit the tree.At that very place where the two brothers were buried, they found a great river flowing. Following this the people of the region start calling the area “Kırkpınar” (Forty Springs). This was at the green pastoral area of the Greek village of Samona. At the end of the Balkan wars and World War I, the Kırkpınar Wrestling Contest started to be held at the place called Virantekke, which is located between Edirne and Mustafapaşa. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic, since 1924 the contests have been held in Edirne’s Sarayiçi area. Until 1928, ağas (landlords) organized the Kırkpınar Wrestling Contest and they entertained the guests and gave awards to the winners. However, due to economic troubles in the country, people became reluctant to volunteer to become agas. So, starting in 1928, the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) and the Child Protection Society (Çocuk Esirgeme Kurumu) took over the duties of putting together the wrestling contests. In 1946, the Edirne Municipality started organizing the Kırkpınar Wrestling Contest, and in this year also Edirne Mayor Tahsin Şipka added the contest’s organization to the municipality’s official duties.
Kırkpınar Wrestling (5.5 Mb)Kırkpınar Wrestling (760 Kb)Kırkpınar Wrestling (2.1 Mb)
Pehlivan “Pehlivan” is a Persian word normally meaning brave, but it also has a number of secondary meanings: officer, governor, a physically large man or a person who tells the truth. Throughout history the word has been used with a variety of meanings. The Seljuks used to employ the word to refer to heroic warriors, accomplished shooters and wrestlers. In the 16th century, it was used exclusively for athletes, and this practice continued to the end of the reign of Sultan Mahmut II. The entire Turkish nation, including women and children, loves wrestling, and they respect wrestlers for their roots in the culture of warriors and heroism. People love pehlivans because they are physically stronger than everyone else, as well as muscular, healthy-looking, and brave, and because they have strong characters and you can trust their word. In Ottoman times, wrestling contests were held as a part of festivals and weddings or as a way to raise funds for groups promoting social welfare.

Thermit Ibis (Kelaynak) Birds

2008-01-21T03:54:00.002-08:00

From old hand writing documents, it has been determined that Thermit Ibis birds used to live in Europe since 1504. This bird, which was living in Central Europe near the Alps, was first defined by C. Gessner as Corvus Sylvaticus in 1555 in Historia Animalium and some information was given about the birds' life style. Later, it was determined that those birds, which disappeared in Europe, emigrated to Middle East countries and Africa and they still live in these countries.

Thermit Ibis that come to Birecik in the middle of February settle down at rocks in the middle of March. After their procreation, their raise their young and in the middle of July they leave Birecik with their young. The reason for these birds to come to Birecik for procreation is thought to be that the calcite mineral in those rocks increased the procreation energy of birds. Thermit Ibis birds are single mate and every year they build their nest and lash out with the same couple. Mature birds are the ones that show their energy to build up a nest. It is necessary to be 5 years old, to become a mature bird. Their average life period is 25-30 years.

In the beginning of 1950, the number of Thermit Ibis was more than 1000, there had been a specific decrease in the number of birds since 1954.

Destruction of natural feeding environment of these birds with overuse of agricultural insecticide chemicals, hunting of these birds by the hunters in their long immigration period and cold weather conditions are the main reasons for the decrease of Thermit Ibis birds. Thermit Ibis birds follow the Lebanon - Israel way and the River Nil or Red Sea coast and cannot be observed at those places.

In order to prevent the decrease in number and disappearing of the generation, Thermit Ibis Procreation Station was established in Birecik by the Generate Directorate of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs in 1972. In this station, first of all two mature and nine young Thermit Ibis birds were captured by net and put into a cage, and then production started in 1977. The birds under protection are fed with meat without fat, planed carrot, boiled egg and mixture of fodder.

In February 1996, 52 Hermit Ibis birds set free from procreation station to reproduction in nature. After the reproduction season, the total number reached to 75 with 23 young birds. 4 of them are given to Istanbul Bayramoğlu Zoo, 5 of them are given to Atatürk Orman Çiftliği, 13 of them immigrated and 45 of them are still living in procreation station.

Birecik people consider Hermit Ibis birds which they regionally call "Keçelaynak" holy. Arrival of Hermit Ibıs birds to Birecik in the middle of February is interpreted by Birecik people as a sign of spring. In recent years, "Hermit Ibıs Festival" is being organized in Birecik for these birds.

Denizli Rooster

2008-01-21T03:54:00.001-08:00

Each rooster crows at its own placeBut Denizli Rooster crows everywhere."Thanks God, I have everything here. Only one thing is missing in my life here: Cock crowing... said a rich businessman living in New York. The rooster he was talking about was Denizli rooster. While he was expressing his missing of the rooster, he was also expressing a reality of the modern world. "I was born at dawn time in Denizli while roosters were crowing.... Then I used to wake up with the same sound for many years... I was getting out of my bed with the sound of my rooster every morning at a regular time like a clock set. Let me tell you something now..... I have not heard any rooster crowing here for 21 years...The thing that modern city life has taken out off me is rooster crowing sound which is sweeter than gold sound... Contemporary city life, at the very beginning, stops the sound of rooster...""Denizli Rooster", the symbol of Denizli is a domestic species which is well known in even the farthest regions to our city with its colour and body building, harmonious long and beautiful crowing. According to some rumours, Berat roosters having long crowing were brought to Istanbul during Ottoman Empire from Albania and then brought to Denizli and crossbred with domestic chicken of Denizli and thus Denizli Rooster species was originated but it is not true. Because there are no similarities between two species when compared in terms of colour and body structure. Denizli rooster was originated automatically upon great care shown by the people living in Denizli to long crowing rooster for centuries. The colour of Denizli rooster's eyes is black and blackened with kohl. Its legs are dark grey or purple, its comb is in big axe comb, and atrium is red or white spots on red background, general colour is black and dirty white together. Sometimes wing features have brown colours. Red roosters have black-white mixture. Their alive weight is about 3-3.5 kg. They are divided into 3 groups according to their colours, body building and combs types. According to their colours they are classified into 6 groups as: DEMİRKIR, PAMUKKIR, KINALI, AL, SİYAH and KÜRKLÜ. According to their body building, they are divided into 3 types, namely: YÜKSEK BOYUN, SÜLÜN and KÜPELİ. According to their combs, they are divided into 2 types: GENİŞ İBİK and DAR İBİK. The sound of Denizli roosters are classified according to the tone and clearness. According to sound tones they are divided into 3 groups: İNCE, DAVUDİ, KALIN SES. Davudi (bass) voice is between high pitched and deep voice and is the only sound close to deep voice. According to clearness, they are divided into 4 groups, namely: SAD VOICE, SHRILL VOICE, WAVY VOICE (FUNNY VOICE). Crowing of Denizli roosters is performed upon use of all abilities. Crowing is divided into 4 groups depending on body position during crowing, which are; LION CROWING, WOLF CROWING, HERO CROWING, PUS CROWING.A good Denizli Rooster must have: lively appearance, long and strong legs and neck, wide and deep chest, sharp and sloped toward head tail. The same features are true for the chicken. The crowing period of Denizli Roosters in the first year must be 20 to 25 seconds. Denizli roosters being grown up by Denizli species production unit formed under body of Director of Province Agricultural Affairs are maintained generally in 100 flocks. Breeding roosters are selected and the rests are sold according to the demands made from various parts of the country from March, April, and sales of chicks are made in March, April, may, June.

The game of Jereed

2008-01-21T03:53:00.004-08:00

Jereed, or “çavgan,” is a traditional game which has been played by Turks for many centuries. Turks brought this horse-riding game with them in their journey from Central Asia to Anatolia. For Turks, the horse was both sacred and indispensable. All the days of their lives were spent in the company of horses. Koumiss (kimiz), which means horses’ milk, was their staple drink. For the Turks, jereed was both a great ceremony and a sports competition. Later, in the 16th century, it came to be considered a war game by the Ottoman Turks. In the 19th century, it became the largest sports show and game of the Ottoman state and its palaces. Mahmut II banned jereed in 1826 for its status as a dangerous game. But despite this, the game continued to spread to all the parts of the empire as an important Ottoman war game. Until 40 or 50 years ago, the game was still widely played across Anatolia, but later its scope shrank to only the areas of Balıkesir, Söğüt, Konya, Kars, Erzurum and Bayburt. And now, for over two decades, the game has retreated across the sands of time into only Konya and Balikesir. Yet to this day, almost everywhere around the country, young men in villages continue to play jereed on the occasions of weddings and holidays. This sport, along with wrestling, continues to be a contest of bravery in all corners of Turkey. The zurna, a reed instrument something like an oboe, is played along with drums at the jereed field to grab people’s attention. The tradition of jereed is still alive in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and other Asian countries inhabited by people of Turkish origin. Today in Turkey, the game is still played on the second Sunday in September in Söğüt at the Ertuğrul Gazi (veterans’) ceremonies and in Erzurum, Kars and Bayburt to mark various other occasions. In 1972, a Jereed Festival was organized in Konya by the Konya Tourism Association. Jereed teams from Erzurum and Bayburt participated and gave sterling performances at the festival. There are efforts current underway to restart the jereed tradition in Konya. In a jereed game, there are two teams. These two teams are placed in rows of 6, 8 or 12 players in a field as much as 70 or 120 meters in length. Jereed players, dressed in regional costumes, mount their horses. With their right hand they hold the first jereed – a long stick – they will throw while holding other jereeds in their left hand. One rider from each side rushes forth towards the opposite side until they are within 30-40 meters of the other side. Then one player shouts the name of a player from the other team, challenging him to enter the game. He then throws the jereed with his right hand to that player. Later he turns around and he spurs his horse towards his own row. The challenged player from the opposing team follows him and throws a jereed at the player who is running away. Another player from the first row comes out and meets the returning rider. The player from the second row starts riding quickly to his row and takes his former place. This time his rival chases him and throws a jereed at him. The game continues in this manner. Players who succeed in hitting a player from the opposing team with a jereed win a point, but they lose a point if the jereed hits the horse instead of the player. The jereed players can make several different evasive manoeuvres in order to avoid being hit by players from the other team. The rider leans towards either side of the horse, under the horse’s stomach or even its neck. Some players score points by hitting the other team’s player three or four times before that player manages to escape and take his place back in his row. Occasionally players are injured when they are hit on the head, eyes or ears. There are even some cases, albeit rare, where such injuries have resulted in death. A player who dies in the course of a game is considered to have perished in battle, so his surviving relatives don’t seek redress against the other player. Fathers even boast about their sons who lost their lives while taking part in the game. Initially, the jereeds were made out of date or oak trees. They measured 70-100 centimetres long and were 2-3 centimetres wide. Later, in order to minimize the risk of fatalities during play, wood from poplar trees came into favour in making jereeds. The two ends of the sticks were cut into a cylindrical shape and made round. The wood’s bark is also removed so as not to injure the person it hits. The game’s spectators yell and shout in order to encourage the players and their horses. If two relatives are playing in a game, they are not placed on rival teams, but on the same one. Young men have to respect this decision of the older men, and the older men respect this tradition. At the end of a jereed game, a council formed by former jereed players decide which team will be named the winner. The organizers of the game host dinners and hands out awards to the victors. The game of jereed was first introduced to Anatolia by Alpaslan, and later it spread to European and Arab countries. In the 17th century, the game started to be played in France, Germany and other countries on the continent. The Konya Tourism Association once again put this national battle game into the spotlight by organizing a Jereed Festival in September of 1972. Here are some terms used in the game of jereed: Değnek, diğnek, deynek: Other names for jereed in certain regions. Cirit havası: Sections or the entirety of the music played during the game on the drums and zurna. At oyunu (Game of the Horse): What jereed is called in the areas of Tunceli and Mus. At oynatma havası: Before the jereed game begins, this is a special music with a particular rhythm played to make the horses trot and dance. Rahvan: This is a special gait of the horse when the horse moves the two feet on either side of its body in unison, as if running with two feet. This way, it doesn’t shake the rider. Tırısa kalkmak: The name for a running style in which the horse moves the two feet on opposite, diagonal sides of the body in unison. This is a fast gait which shakes the rider. Dörtnal (Four horseshoes): The fastest running speed of the horse. Hücum dörtnal (Four horseshoes attack): Riding a horse at full speed towards a target. Adeta: The regular gait of a walking horse. Aheste: When the horse walks slowly, putting weight on his hips. At başı (horse’s head): Used to describe two horses running nearly even, or neck-and-neck. At cambazı (horse daredevil): A player who makes a great show of riding skills on the horse. At oynatmak: Showing your skills with jereed. Sipahi, sipah, ispahi: This was the name given to a group of horse-riding soldiers in the Janissaries. Good jereed players or good horse riders are also given this nickname in some areas. Seymen olmak: Wearing local costumes at a wedding in Ankara or the surrounding area. Osmanli (Ottoman): Horse rider, cavalryman. Menzil: During jereed, players who are lined up on their horses. Alan (field): Jeered playing field. Şehit (martyr): The name given to players who are killed during the game. Acemi (rookie, someone who new to a profession, someone lacking skill): A player is called an acemi if the jereed he throws hits the horse rather than the player of the opposing team.

Sea Turtles

2008-01-21T03:53:00.003-08:00

Sea Turtles have been around for 95 million years. Their ancestors were giant land turtles that entered the sea ages ago when the great dinosaurs lived. The first sea turtles looked little like those of today. It took millions of years for sea turtles to change, for legs to become pad-shaped flippers and for heavy, bulky bodies to flatten into lighter, streamlined shapes. The dinosaurs and the giant land turtles are gone forever; we can see only their fossil bones in museums. But, somehow, sea turtles have lived on.

Seven different kinds still swim in warm and temperate oceans around the world. They spend their whole lives in the water except for the brief times the females come onto land to nest and lay their eggs. The sea turtles share the sea with fish, whales, other sea creatures and you and me. In the seas surrounding Turkey, two species of sea turtles live: Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) and Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas).

Meerschaum

2008-01-21T03:53:00.001-08:00

What Is Meerschaum?Meerschaum, contrary to popular belief, is not the fossilized remains of sea creatures, but a mineral: Hydrous Magnesium Silcate, it is found from 30 to 450 feet below the surface of the earth near the town of Eskişehir, Türkiye.Why Is Meerschaum Used For Pipes?Meerschaum’s magnesium content provides strength while the hydrogen and oxygen contribute porosity. As one of nature’s lightest and most porous substances, Meerschaum is a natural filter. This natural absorbency causes the pipe to slowly change colour, eventually turning rich brown colour.

Van Cat

2008-01-21T03:52:00.000-08:00

Every domestic animal has a different characteristic. One of the cats attracting human beings' attention for centuries, having silky white fur, different colours, perfect hunting abilities and loving to play with water is Van cat. The fossil of ancestor primitive of modern domestic cats can be seen about 12 million years ago. It is known that domestication of cats was made by Egyptians in 3000 B.C. The domesticated cats were treated as holy creatures and respected as goddess. Although there are various arguments about the place and time of domestication, the thing that is certainly known is that Asians took part in domestication. On the other hand some resources suggest that the cats were semi-domesticated in 1900 B.C. Cats are carnivorous. When generalised, animals are nourished by proteins. Having sharp senses, eyes seeing well in dark, sharp paws, sharp teeth, alerted and energetic bodies, walking on their feet silently make them good hunters. They have sensitive hairs around eyes and nose which strengthen their hunting abilities. They lose their fur hair in spring and fall, and they have facial muscles which change as a reaction to anything happening. Muscle and skeleton form are controlled in an excellent way and that is why no matter the position they fall from they always fall on their feet.Cerebrum area is wide and indicates the intelligence of them. In addition, cerebellum is improved, which provides excellence in co-ordination. Domesticated cats are either treated as holly creatures or are fed by people at home for hunting harmful animals like mouse, rat and insects for centuries. However, people have started to take them as close friends. In recent years one of the cats attracting people's attention in Turkey or in the world is Van cat. However, as required care has not been shown so far, they face loss of the species. The number of them has been decreasing day by day and the original breeds have been lost, while they were often seen in the region and almost each house had one in the past. People of Van call the cat "Pişik". Van cats are not only seen as a pet or hunter of rats and insects but also a friend and member of the family.It is said that Van cats used to spend summer in mountain and winter in houses. Today rarely they spend summer in Erek Mountain and summer in houses. Van cats are described by the people of region as having long, white, silky fur, long body, tiger walking, fox like tail. Different colours of eyes (Diskrematopsi), intelligent, agile is clean, friendly, loves playing and faithful to its owner and therefore these characteristics make it a rare found cat. However, since 1950s, the cat has been introduced to the world by Europeans but this unique cat has not been introduced fully. One of the characteristics of Van cats is the colour of their eyes. They are classified under three groups according to the colour of their eyes: a. Both eyes blue, b. both eyes amber colour (yellow and its tones) c. One eye(dischromatopsy, one eye blue and the other amber). Blue colour of Van cats usually shows turquoise blue but amber colour shows many differences in tones. The tones are amber, light amber, yellow and green almond. Although very rare, sometimes brown colour can be seen. Blue eyed cats are classified as blue eyed short, velvet furred cats and blue eyed long silky fur cats. The colour of newly born kittens is greyish. 25 days after birth the colour of eyes starts to change, and after 40 days the colour reaches final colour. There are generally one or two black points between ears of kittens. Most of the kittens having two black points are single eyed. And this black point is taken as stamp of single eye cats. However, the black points are lost after 2 months. And sometimes they may have black hairs varying in between 8 to 30. It is known that having different colour of eyes which human beings, dogs and doves face, is genetic defect syndrome.Body weight of female Van cats is 2900 grams while males weigh 3600 grams. Van cats have mating period in February-March-June. This period lasts for up to 10 days. In case of pregnancy during this period, no other mating period is seen in the same year. Pregnancy period is 62 days. The belly starts to swallow from the first month and the cat never lets any one touch her belly. Van cats like other cats prefer to give birth in the locations far away from vision, and for this reason they start to look for isolated and dark location from the first month of the pregnancy. Immediately after birth, Plasenta of the kittens are cut by the mother. Mother cat suckles its kittens for 50-60 days. However, this period can be more or less. Van cats give birth to four kittens at one birth. The eyes of kittens are open on the 10th day. Mother licks its kittens in order to clean them and starts suckling immediately after birth. If mother deems that the location is not safe, it finds a safe place and carries the kittens there. Mother hardly leaves its kittens alone and only leaves them to meet its needs. The kittens still with close eyes react to smells other than their mother and try to protect themselves. The movement of the kittens at the beginning is like walking and crawling. Kitten brothers/sisters usually fight for milk. They usually play with each other. Playing game is an essential factor for development. The game is under control of the mother and the mother teaches its kittens how to survive. If the kitten is alone, it wants to play with its mother and if mother is not there even it can play with other animals around. The cats have a strong control over the areas they are settled in. They do not want other cats to come to their living areas. When their living places or houses are changed, they try to return to former place if they do not like the new one. Van cats get used to their new living places in 20 to 30 days. During this period, they examine the surrounding and are not interested in their owners. The cats have more cleaning sense than other animals. They are considerably curious about cleanliness of themselves and their living surrounding. After toilet, they have instinct to burying the dirt. They clean their mouths and faces with help of their paws after eating and toilet.The hunting characteristic of Van cats is superior. They hunt raats, mice, bird, flies and insects indoor and outdoor, and eat them. They never attack to poultry animals living with them in the house or out of the house.Van cats love living with human beings in family environment. If they do not have relation with human beings or have a little relationship, they start to become wild. Van cats are very affectionate, giving head butts and love bites. Especially during pregnancy they are in need of love. They are very close to their owners and love them. When they see strangers, they react and escape. They jump on the lap of the ones loving them. They are jealous of their owners showing affection to other cats and small kids. Although there is a belief that Van cats suffer from deafness problem, only 2-3% of odd eyed (Diskromatopsy) and blue eyed cats suffer from this problem. Van cats love to swim and play with water, and with this feature it is the only cat species. Van cats checks the meal if it is warm with their front paws and if the meal is warm enough they eat. It is also observed that Van cats eat melon, watermelon and some fruit. Although the fur is quite thick, they are affected by the cold.They produce some voices in order to communicate with each other and with human beings. The voices indicate their emotions. Their meowing has some varieties. Some indicates communication with human beings some indicates communication with their kittens or for their sexual activities. The sounds generated according to their needs have different intensity and frequency. Van cats meow loudly when they see their owners in the morning in order to show their happiness. When they are hungry, they go to the kitchen door and meows to indicate that they are hungry. When the food is given, they show their grates by means of touching their owner. When they need toilet they go to the door and meow in order to ask their owners to open the door. It is also observed that if the door needs to be opened, they jump to the handle and open it. The studies indicated that Van Cats respond to training very well. They understand what have been taught very quickly. They immediately learn the place where soil is put for their toilet needs, and never try other places for toilet needs. Kittens are able to learn their names when they are 2-3 months. However, it is thought that this learning means understanding the tone of the sound they are used to rather than learning the names.It is necessary to take any actions required for preservation of lovely, friendly, intelligent, faithful, beautiful and attractive Van cats and decrease of them.

İznik Tiles Today

2008-01-21T03:50:00.000-08:00

İznik tiles reached their heyday in the 16th century, and the masterpieces produced at that time are regarded as the most valuable specimens of the art of ceramics by the leading museums of the world.İznik Kiln excavations, carried out for more than 20 years by the Istanbul University Department of Archaeology and History of Art, give us clues as to the types of kilns and ceramics used in the Art of İznik tile making. In the İznik Tiles Atelier opened in mid 1996, following the opening of the İznik Foundatin in 1993 and the Tile and Ceramic Research Centre in 1995, it is now possible to produce tile nearly equalling the quality of those of the 16th century.Obviously, to reach this point, many experiments were made and everything about İznik tiles was investigated, since the old masters took the secrets to their graves, with the result that even the slightest clue to their manufacture lay concealed for centuries.The composition of the tiles and the percentage of the components within the microstructure of the material are carefully studied. The availability of these materials and reserves within the region are considered.Following the excavations, it is observed that İznik tile production was fire high on wastage owing to the large proportion of quartz in the ceramic. Similarly, a number of experiments with the minerals in the area were carried on in the course of which thousands of experimental plates were produced only to be broken and thrown away. The most unfortunate setback the Foundation has had to face has been the absolute lack of documentation regarding the process. Not even the names of the towns and villages where the materials originated were known.Thus, the conclusion was arrived at that only through the most meticulous scientific research could unified İznik tile concept be formed.In its efforts, the İznik Foundation has received the support of scientific foundations and NGO' s such as TÜBİTAK, M.A.M. (Marmara Research Center), İ.T.Ü. (Istanbul Technical University), İ.Ü. (Istanbul University), in Turkey, and Princeton and M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the United States in a vast range of analysis. The production of handmade tiles of the desired quality in this era of speed and automation is a particularly difficult task.Today, İznik tiles are used as an architectural element in old and modern buildings by the discriminating decorator and art-lover alike.

Our Life is Turkey !

2008-01-21T03:45:00.001-08:00

Antalya, Istanbul and Izmir is our life.Thanks Turkey.

Our Life is Turkey !

2008-01-21T03:45:00.000-08:00

Antalya, Istanbul and Izmir is our life.Thanks Turkey.

Minstrel Literature

2008-01-20T02:51:00.001-08:00

MINSTREL LITERATURE
A type of poetry in Turkish Popular Literature that emerged at the beginning of the 16th century. The minstrel’s poetic powers come from dreaming of drinking from the ‘wine of love’ offered by an elder and seeing the image of his true love. The minstrel generally sees his lover or a saz, a stringed instrument. Other elements may be a white-bearded dervish and one or maybe three full goblets. The goblets frequently occur in the dream in the form of a bowl. The liquid offered to the bards in these goblets is said to be ‘full of love.’ It is sometimes known as ‘bade’ literature under the influence of Persian literature.
Such poets are generally trained by a master. That way they learn both the master’s words and ways and means of performing their art. After having fully grasped these masters’ ways of expressing their art in the coffee houses, these poets then take on apprentices of their own, and the tradition thus continues.
The minstrel reveals his knowledge, feelings and abilities in battles of poetic repartee. The aim in these is to compete and win. At least two bards are involved in such matches. It begins with the recital of a verse by a master poet or other respected individual. The bard who is unable to add a further verse in the same style and meter is eliminated.
One of the main elements of this style of poetry is storytelling. Most poets who accompany themselves on the saz draw from a traditional range of stories, although some also had stories of their own invention to the main body of the tale. Some bards who have contributed in this way are Çıldırlı Aşık Şenlik, Ercişli Emrah and Sabit Müdami.
The shamans of the Tonguz people, the bo or bugues of the Mongols or the Baryat peoples and the ozans of the Oğuz peoples expressed, as representatives of that same tradition, the attitudes to life and feelings of their societies by means of their poems.
The best known representatives of the tradition are Yunus Emre, Pir Sultan Abdal, Köroğlu, Dadaloğlu, Karacaoğlan, Erzurumlu Emrah, Dertli and Aşık Veysel.
The tradition is still alive and flourishing in Anatolia today.
DERVISH POETRY
This style is also known as mystical or religious popular poetry, and is the product of a form of literature that emerged in the 11th and 12th centuries, created as bards expressed their love of God and feelings about the hereafter. The most important exponents of the style are Ahmet Yesevi, Yunus Emre and Hacı Bayram-ı Veli.

Language

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Popular Culture
Language
Turkish is the mother tongue of 90 percent of the population of the country. Some 70 other languages and dialects are also spoken, including various dialects of Caucasian and Kurdish as well as Arabic, Greek, Ladino and Armenian. The Turkish language of Turkey represents the southwestern arm of the community of Turkic languages within the Ural-Altay linguistic family that slowly evolved over time. Groups speaking these languages spread to the east and northeast out of Central Asia, and particularly to the west. Ever since the very earliest times, Turkish has influenced various dialects of Middle Persian, and turned the Caucasus and Anatolia away from the Indo-European group of languages. With the acceptance of Islam, Arabic on the one hand and Persian on the other had a clear influence on the Turkish language. Since the end of the 19th century such modern Turkic written languages as the Turkish of Turkey itself, Azerbaijan and Kazakh Turkish, based on Turkish dialects, have emerged. Of the 4,000 or so languages currently spoken in the world, Turkish ranks seventh in terms of numbers of speakers and area, being used by around 200 million people.
Ever since the 8th century, the Turks have employed a number of alphabets, although mainly the Göktürk, Uyghur, Arabic and Latin ones. After the foundation of the Republic and the establishment of national unity, and particularly between 1923 and 1928, people began to focus on the alphabet problem in Turkey. The founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, believed that it was essential to make use of Western culture in order for the country to reach the level of contemporary civilisation, to which end, in 1928, he brought about the acceptance of Latin letters, modified to reflect the sounds of the Turkish language, to replace the Arabic alphabet.
The Language Revolution continued in 1932 with Ataturk's establishment of the Turkish Language Research Society in order to simplify the language. After its foundation, that body took the name of the Turkish Language Board. Its work produced positive results, and important steps were taken in order to simplify Turkish and rid it of its Arabic and Persian words. The Turkish Language Board is still active today, with amended statutes, within the main body of the Language and History Higher Board. Among the board's responsibilities are the simplification, enrichment and beautification of the Turkish language. The most important result of the work carried out to date is that while before 1932 Turkish words represented only 35-40 percent of the lexicon, that figure has today reached 75-80 percent. This fact is the greatest proof of the value to the Turkish people of Ataturk's Language Revolution.

Vows

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These are often made in the context of religion. At first glance, vows appear to be a promise based on certain conditions. For instance, "If my wish comes true, I will sacrifice an animal”. There are also other vows for the good of a person or a group, such as lighting candles. Vows may be aimed at an animal or object as well as behavior or a change in attitudes. Fasting is one example. Places near rocks, trees, water and the graves of holy figures may be used for votive offerings. On the same subject, places which are considered sacred include the graves and tombs of holy figures, intersection points of three or four roads, wells, springs, fountains, pools, lakes, trees, plants etc.

Evil Eye and Amulets Used for the Evil Eye

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People who suffer from the evil eye, its effects and characteristics, the act of being stricken by the evil eye, the evil eye and amulets used for protection against it for goods, property and animals, measures taken against the evil eye, talismans such as the muska (a necklace containing hidden prayers) used against evil eye, practices such as pouring lead, turning salt and making incense.

Spells

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The spell can briefly be defined as the belief that nature may be affected by using supernatural powers. The first human communities took their conceptions of supernatural power from nature itself. Man possessed little infornmed knowledge of nature, even as regards the simplest subjects, and considered nature a terrifying power, which people could experience in every field of life. Eventually that power became isolated from the concept of nature itself and took on an entirely different identity. The first human beings believed that protection from this power and all its manifestations was necessary, and began conceiving of these matters as taboos. It was believed that if a person broke a taboo, the only way he could survive was be employing a magical spell. In the first examples of spells, we find ourselves dealing with the concept of using supernatural forces to get rid of other supernatural forces. In this framework of thinking, the parts all add up to a whole, and things done to the whole also affect the component parts. This understanding is the source of the analogical spell. That is why people believe if they cast a spell on an object that belongs to someone else, that person will also be affected by the spell, or they believe that if they pour water on the ground, it will rain. Some people believe that if an effigy is made of the person whose death is desired is made and that effigy is tortured, that will affect the person it represents in exactly the same way. This idea eventually leads to the individual being identified with the symbol. That is why the ancient Turks never referred to the wolf by its proper name, “kurt,” but used other names such as “böcü”, “börü”, “canavar”. Similar to this belief, in some parts of Anatolia people still draw circles around the places they live and accompany this with prayers, in the belief that the circle will act as a wall to protect them from wild animals. There are different kinds of spell, which are generally divided into black and white. While white spells aim to produce beneficial results, black spells are used for evil purposes. In Turkey, spells are generally used to make a man more attached to his family or to moderate his behaviour in some way, to make someone love , to find an object which has been lost, to defeat the enemy, to create better fortune or to create a misunderstanding between two people. For instance, in order to cast a love spell, three peppers are taken, the sura Tebbet of the Koran is read out for the each seed of the peppers, although these are kept separate from one another. After the readings have been made, the seeds are put back inside the peppers and buried in ashes. The person casting the spell hits the right wall of the house and says: I hit my hand on the wall The wall shattered into three Brainy came out from the first And Ismail the fairy from the other I sent Brainy to the cave I sent Ismail fairy to....... (The name of a person whose love is desired) Who comes to me without stopping or resting? Although many spells involve reading extracts from the Koran, magic is actually definitively prohibited in Islam. Spells generally frighten people, no matter whether used good or bad purposes. For this reason there are a number of means by which one can protect oneself from spells cast by someone else. These include performing ritual ablutions with water from a mill, jumping over rivers, or casting a counter-spell.

Good Luck- Bad Luck

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Certain beliefs among the members of a society sometimes arise out of fear, sometimes from helplessness and sometimes by chance. These are generally referred to as “superstitions.” These beliefs have existed since the earliest days of mankind. Many of them have no scientific basis and are not linked to any particular religious faith. Although they often appear illogical or unreasonable, they are still an integral part of peoples’ hearts, brains and minds. In the emergence of such beliefs, peoples’ psychological make-up, the words of the, often illiterate, elderly as well as those of religious officials have all played a role. These beliefs have even revealed differences between individuals, yet they all have certain aspects in common. Popular Beliefs Related to Spirits, Graveyards, Holy Tombs and Visits: - Anyone who cuts down trees near visiting places will be paralyzed. - Anyone who takes anything from a holy tomb will be paralyzed. - It is not good to point out the grave. The fingers of anyone who does so will grow weak and thin. - If an animal puts out its tongue when being sacrificed, it is believed that the owner of the animal will die within the year. - If a child constantly cries, it is believed that someone will die in that house. -When a bunch of flowers is placed on a grave, the spirit of that person returns. He knocks his head on the wood when trying to get up and says, “My God, I am dead”. - The flesh and the bones separate 40-52 days after death. People gather in the dead person’s house and pray together for the flesh and the bones to separate easily. - The spirit of the dead person visits his house seven days following death. - If a show turns upside down when being taken off, it is believed that the owner of the shoe will die in the near future. - Seeing dead people in dreams is regarded as an omen for the living. It is believed that a guest will come if a dead person is seen in a dream. - It is not good to put one’s socks near the head end of the bed, it is believed that the owner of those socks will soon pass away. - Bringing a dead body inside a house is considered unlucky. If that happens, it is believed that three people from that house will die. - Painting is considered a sin, it is believed that on doomsday the painter will have to give his spirit to the things he painted. - Angels will fly away from places that house paintings. - Trees in graveyards may not be cut down, it is believed that genies live among such trees. - It is forbidden to sleep in a graveyard. - If someone dies at night, a knife is placed on the body until morning. - In order to make sweet yogurt, bushes from a grave are picked and thrown in the fire over which the milk is heated. - It is considered bad luck to break a mirror. - The lights are not turned off for three days in a house in which a dead body has been washed. - The shoes of people who come to offer their condolences are not turned around. - It is believed that, if the gravedigger is not given a tip the deas will not rest easy. - One may not sit cross-legged when the call to prayer is recited. - It is forbidden to take stones or soil from graveyards. - The howling of a dog is considered a sign of approaching death. - The house is not cleaned, clothes are not washed and water is not taken from outside until the dead person has been buried. - Graveyards are never enlarged, since it is believed that this will increase the number of dead people. - Those who wear dead peoples’ clothes will live a long time. - The shroud may not be cut with knife or scissors. - If a cat jumps over a dead body before it is taken out of the house, it is believed that the body will become a fearsome ghost. - If an animal walks in front of someone who is performing ritual prayers in a house, the prayer is invalidated. - While performing ritual prayers in rural areas, stones or sticks are piled up to prevent animals approaching. - Smoking is not permitted in graveyards. - If someone becomes infested with lice, it is believed that he will die soon. - The neighbors of a dead person pour all the water out of their houses, since it is believed that they will die if they do not. - Beds are repaired starting from the head end. Only the beds of dead people are repaired starting from the foot end. Popular Beliefs Related to Animals: - A snake in a house, guards it. - If a snake is killed, thrown in water and disappears, it is believed that there will be continuous rain and floods. - When a wolf howls, the weather will be very cold, or there will be snow. - If an owl hoots in front of a house, either a member of the house will or there will be a disaster in that house. - When a cow gives birth, heavy things are not carried into the house, since it is believed that if heavy things are carried in, the cow will not have enough milk. - When a cow gives birth, its first milk is not taken outside the house for fear the cow will lose its all milk. Coal is mixed with the first milk of animal. - It is not good to milk an animal onto the soil, or the animal may fall ill. - If a stranger walks among a herd on its way to the high plateaus, it is believed that the animals will not become pregnant that year. - A black cat passing in front of a person and the hooting of an owl are both considered bad luck. A burning wooden stick has to be thrown at the owl. - If a person comes across a rabbit on his path, he may have bad luck. He should turn around and walk back by the same road he came. - The howling of a jackal is considered bad luck. The man who hears it must spit on the ground; otherwise he may face a disaster. - When a jackal starts to howl, it is a sign of sunny weather. (According to another belief, it is a sign of rain) - If a person steps on a cat by mistake before entering his wedding chamber, he will not succeed in his duties. - If a snake is thrown into the fire alive, it will rain. -If a crow comes near a house and caws, that house will receive news from abroad. - It is good to see scorpions in one’s dreams. - Sleeping in the same room as a cat is considered bad. The cat will steal the person’s soul and shortens his life. - When a crow caws, snow is on the way. - Dogs barking late at night, a cock crowing at an unexpected time and the bellowing of an ox in the night are all considered signs of bad things to come. (Such as an enemy attack, earthquake, catastrophe etc) - If a dog looks at the sky and barks, it is a sign of blood. - It is sin to kill a pigeon, dove, martin or stork. - Lambs are not shown to foreigners unless they buy them. - The flesh of hunted animals is not given to others. If it is given, coins have to be taken in return. - Seeing a snake is considered good luck. - Seeing a partridge is considered bad luck. - When the cock crows, it will rain. - If an owl lands on a house, it is believed that the house will have bad luck. - A chicken crowing like a cock is a sign of bad luck. That chicken must be killed immediately. - Cats never fall on their back because one was touched by Ali. - The bones of a sacrificed animal may not be broken. - The blood and the bones of a sacrificed animal must be buried. Beliefs Related to the Stove and Fire: - Spitting on fire, cursing or throwing water and nails on it will bring bad luck. - If someone gives fire from his stove to somebody else in the morning, it is believed that his own stove will go out. - Genies cannot avoid places where a fire is burning. - Leaving the stove empty will bring bad luck. - If a trivet falls down suddenly for no reason, that house will suffer a catastrophe. - If a trivet is left empty, it is believed that the devil will use it for cooking. - If a trivet is left empty, the water for a dead person will soon be boiled on that trivet. - If water boils on the trivet for no reason, it means one’s enemies are increasing. - Fire is not taken out of the house in the evening. - If there is not enough light in the house, the stove will go out. The grave of the householder will also be dark. - If sick animals jump over the fire, they may recover. - Water is not used to die down the fire, it is covered with soil. - Even if the fire went out long ago, it is not good to sleep near the ashes. People believe that the devil and genies romp in the ashes. - Throwing water or urinating on the ashes are not considered good. - To stop it raining, a trivet with a knife on the middle is put in the garden. - It is a sin to sleep near a stove which has gone out. - One cannot walk on or jump over ashes at night, since it is believed that the devil will comes. - If the fire makes too much noise, it is a sign that there is gossip about the person who lit the fire. Popular Beliefs Related to Agriculture and Plants: - If someone falls from an elm tree, he won’t live long. - Elm wood must not be used for cradles or chests. - The devil will take away anyone who sleeps under a fig tree. - People living under walnut trees are taken away by the devil. - Having sexual intercourse in the fields damages their fertility. - Anyone who eats a single grape or the stem side of a melon will be orphaned. - The olive is regarded as sacred. - Sleeping alone under a large, old tree is not good for the future. - It is not permitted to have sexual intercourse or urinate in a field full of crops. - Walking in fields where crops are being harvested reduces the yield. - Anyone who goes to the fields for harvesting has to take a bath and perform a ritual ablution for good luck first. - Anyone who lies under the shade of a walnut tree becomes unsuccessful and incompetent. It is thought that everything that happens around it is recorded by the walnut tree, and when it is cut down all secrets comes to light from the middle of the tree. - If the clothes of a baby are hung on a wild tree, the baby will become wild, too. - It is a sin to spill the seeds of the pomegranate because the pomegranate is regarded as the fruit of heaven. - When taking milk or yogurt out of the house, coal or a green leaf is put on top, otherwise it is believed that the cow will become paralyzed. - Anyone who sits or lies under a mulberry tree will be paralyzed by a demon. - If dough leaps out of the pot while being kneaded, a visitor will come. - Any house which has many water vessels will see many deaths. - Death rarely comes to a house which is full of wheat. - Anyone who sleeps by the edge of a field will be paralyzed. - Anyone who sleeps under an olive tree will be overcome by sleepiness. - Anyone who sleeps under a fig tree will be overcome by sleepiness. Beliefs Related to Parts of the Body: - When a tooth is extracted, it either has to be buried or hideden in a place that nobody can find. - Joining one’s hands on one’s knees and crossing the fingers of one’s hands are considered signs of bad fortune, so one must try not to do so. - Cracking one’s knuckles is a sign of good health. - When washing one’s hands, one must start with the right hand, otherwise he may have bad luck. - When shaking hands or giving something to someone, the right hand must be used. The left hand is considered a sign of bad luck. - One must not face in the direction of Mecca when putting one’s socks on. - One must start with the right foot when putting on one’s socks. - When someone has an itchy nose, it means people are gossiping about him. - If one’s right hand itches, it is a sign that money is on the way. If the left hand itches, it is believed that money will be spent. - The nails are not cut at night. - Chewing gum is not allowed at night. People think it is not gum but the flesh of a dead body that is being chewed. - It is believed that anyone who has an itch on his feet will go on holiday. - Agate stops bleeding and brings good fortune. - If an infant walks between two people who have not performed a ritual ablution, it is believed that the child will have open sores on his body. - Hearing echoes in the left ear is a sign of prosperity. - Hearing echoes in the right ear is a sign of good health. - A twitch in the eye is considered a bad sign, as people believe that it is the messenger of death. - When someone has echoes in the ear, it is believed that he or she has been remembered by a person living abroad. - Putting one leg over the other when sitting is viewed as sinful. - If a person loses a tooth from the upper side of the jaw, it is believed that he or she will lose one of his parents. - If a person loses his top-right molar, it is believed that he will lose either his older brother or his uncle. - If a person loses his top-left molar, it is believed that he will lose either his brother or his child. - An itch in the hand means money is on the way. - If someone steps on hair that has been cut, the owner of the hair will have a headache. - If birds take the hair away, the owner of the hair will have a headache. Beliefs Related to Celestial Bodies: - People, who bath under the moonlight and in shadow, will shine as bright as the moon. - Water on which the moonlight has been reflected may not br drunk, since it is believed that anyone who drinks that water have bad luck. - Someone dies when a shooting star is seen. - Babies born on the full moon are considered lucky, and it is believed that these babies will have a bright destiny. - Girls born on the full moon are very beautiful with shining skin when they grow up. - Cursing and spitting at the moon are considered unlucky. - Sleeping while sun is going down may shorten one's life span. - Working in the fields during the solstice is not allowed. - Animals sense the coming of a solar eclipse and express it with fear and screaming. - The sun shines on the beautiful. - Fruits that have been seeded during the old moon, bring abundance to the fields. - When the moon is in crescent position, if it points to the earth, the month will be rainy, if they point to the sky, the month will be be dry. - If someone loses his child as the sun goes down, he must not drink water. - Sowing and harvesting activities are not allowed before the new moon. - Trees are not cut down when there is no moon. - Teeth are not extracted on days when there is no moon. - It is not permitteded to go to or come back from the high plateaus or to go to the forest when there is no moon. - Anyone who eats as the sun goes down will have bad luck. - It is believed that all the saints come together when there is a shooting star. Beliefs Related to Birth and Forty Days: - A woman may not go far from her house until 40 days after childbirth. - She may not go out of her house at night. - Koran, amulets, knives and black cumin are placed by the head of a baby for 40 days. - Matches and brooms are placed in the room where a woman who has had a baby within the last 40 days sleeps. - Such a woman is not left alone in the house at night. - After the 40th day, the woman visits her three neighbors first before going any distance away from her house. - Women and their babies are not allowed to see each other for 40 days. - Visitors to women within 40 days of childbirth give coins or money in order to protect baby. - Cats and dogs are not allowed inside the room where there is a baby younger than 40 days; otherwise the skin of the baby turns red. - Menstruating women are not allowed to see a deer in menstruation, as deer give birth once in seven years, it is assumed that the woman, too, will not have a child for seven years. - If a baby younger than 40 days has to be left alone in the house, a knife, onion and garlic are put near him. - People carrying gold or money are not allowed to see such a baby. If they do, gold and money are placed near the baby for a while. - When a woman visits a house within 40 days of giving birth, she pours out water with myrtle leaves before entering the house. - If a bridal procession passes in front of the house of such a woman, it is believed that that bride will not have a baby. - Flour from the mill is not brought to the house of such a woman. - Lambs are not shown to anyone unless aged over 40 days. - A candle is lit at the head end of the bed of a woman who gave birth less than 40 days ago. - Two such women exchange needles in order to bring the period to an end. Popular Beliefs Related to Special Days: - Sewing, cutting down trees and plants or killing animals are not allowed on Hidirellez day. - A person who lost a relative on arefe (the day before a religious festival) never sews. - Working is not allowed on arefe. - Trees are not cut down on arefe or during festivals. - Closed flour sacks are opened on arefe. - Bringing firewood to the house on arefe is considered bad luck, as the belief is that a snake will come to the house with it. - Soap may not be used on arefe. - On Hidirellez, yogurt can be made with water brought to the house early in the morning. The use of yeast is not necessary. - Anyone who takes bath in the river before the sun rises will be healthy. - A jug of water should be taken inside the house before the sun rises on Hidirellez. This water is supposed to bring good health to the house. - On aşure (pudding made with cereals, sugar and raisins) month (during fasting) young trees are not allowed to be cut down. - Lambs are not counted until hidirellez. Popular Beliefs Related to Stone and Water: - It is unwise to enter a lake at night. It is believed that genies and pixies bathe in lakes at night and may people’s steal souls. - Anyone urinating outside at night will be paralyzed by pixies. - Knives are not put into boiling water. - Spitting on water brings bad luck. - Sleeping near fountains attracts the devil. - Sleeping on a big stone with deep roots is not advised, since it is believed that the devil will come. - Jumping over water in which clothes are washed is ill advised since it is believed that the devil lives in it. Popular Beliefs Related to Darkness and Light - If an onion is eaten in the evening, angels will not visit the place where it happened. - Looking in the mirror in the evening shortens one’s life. - Peppery things like pepper, onion or garlic are not given out of the house at night. - Milk, yogurt and cheese are not given away at night, if necessary, these are covered or coal and green leaves are put on them. - It ıs a sin to whistle at night. - Salt is not given out of the house at night. - The front door is not cleaned at night. - Bread baskets are not given from one house to another. - If children play knucklebones it is believed that an enemy will come. Popular Beliefs Related to Abundance: - A man who eats the first bread made from the first flour from the mill will lose his wife. - A house wıll suffer a declıne in prosperity if yeast is given to other houses. - The house will suffer a decline in prosperity if someone steps on or drops breadcrumbs. - A piece of bread is taken out of the mouth of anyone going abroad. - Sewing things while people are still wearing them brings bad luck. - Cutting bread with a knife damages the prosperity of the house. - If someone starts eating without calling on God, he will still be hungry after the meal because he has shared his food with the devil. - When knitting socks, one must start from the top, otherwise they will not last long. - If someone breaks his scapula, it is believed that he will have good fortune. Popular Beliefs Related to the House: - It is considered inappropriate to put black stone on the groundwork of the house. - Anyone who sits by the front door will be slandered. - It is not good to sleep near the wall, as the person who does so may end up paralyzed. - The devil visits a dirty house, so that house will be full of discord instead of happiness. - If a member of the household goes abroad, either the house is not cleaned, or else no visitors are received on that day. - People do not visit their neighbors with the rope that helps carry goods, since it is believed that this rope may bring bad luck to the house visited. - People are advised not to sit by their front door, lest they give the impression they are poor. - One should not enter one’s neighbor’s house carrying a rope because this may disturb the prosperity of the house. - One should not sit at the threshold of one’s house, as that is where the devil sits. - It’s a sin to sit at one’s threshold when it is raining. Popular Beliefs Related to Events in the Atmosphere: - People throw a knife into the garden to stop it hailing. - When a skull is taken out of the grave and boiled in water, it rains. - During the devil’s wedding ceremony (rain in April) anyone standing in the rain will be taken away by genies. - Rain in April is something like holy water, it is lucky. Getting wet in the April rain brings good health. - Biting iron while there’s thunder brings good luck. - Female creatures turns into male and male into female if they walk under a rainbow. - Eating a few haildrops at the first hailstorm of the year is considered good for the health. - A knife is thrown onto the roof of the house when there is thunder. - It is believed that putting a trivet in the garden may stop hail. - A knife is thrust into the ground when lightning flashes in the sky. Popular Beliefs Related to Seasons, Months and Days: - No one is allowed enter a house except for the residents on the first day of March. It is imagined that lambs and fawns will die otherwise. - If the first people seen on the first day of January look well and healthy, the year will be a healthy one, if they do not look well, someone may fall ill during the year. - On Tuesdays, washing clothes is not allowed. It is believed that anyone who wears clean clothes washed on Tuesday will die soon. - Babies born on Tuesdays will become killers. - No wedding ceremonies are held on Tuesdays. - Both throwing dust and working are forbidden on Fridays. - The baby conceived on Friday becomes wise. - Washing clothes is not allowed on Saturdays. - If a baby is born late in Friday night, it will grow rich. - If a person knits on Fridays, she will lose her good luck. - If a person cuts his nails on Friday night, he will fall out of favor. - Anyone who enters a field on 7th August will be paralyzed. - Quilts are not covered with sheets on Saturdays, as it is believed that quilts which are covered on Saturdays are waiting for dead bodies. - Fields are not sowed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. - On Fridays, trees are not cut down until Friday prayers - No sowing is done on Fridays. - Any job started on Monday goes slowly. Popular Beliefs Related to the Sexes: - If a man turns the lights on in a room, that household will enjoy plenty. - If a woman slows a man down on the road, it is assumed that bad luck will ensue. - If a woman passes through between two men, it is believed that she will never have a baby. - If a man passes through between two women, his words will not be listened to. - If a man passes through between two girls, he will have a very sparse beard. - If a woman drinks half glass of tea, she will lose her husband. - If a woman passes in front of a huntsman on the road, the hunt will not be successful. - If the first hair of a baby girl is cut by her uncle (mother’s brother), her hair will be abundant. - The first hair of a baby boy must be cut by his uncle. - Girls who marry and go to their new houses leave their parents’ houses on Thursday or Sunday. - During the ram mating ceremony, if a girl is put on the ram, it is believed that the lambs born of it will be female, if a boy is put on, the lambs will be male. Popular Beliefs Related to Roads and Travelling: - Anyone who spits while taking a trip will meet with a catastrophe. - Turning and looking back on the road is considered unlucky. - It is unlucky to sleep where three roads meet. - If someone drops a spoon from his or her hand, it is believed that a visitor may come. - If someone drops food in his house, it is believed that a hungry visitor will come. - If a man goes hunting, his wife throws a broom after him. - A man going hunting is never asked where he is going. If anyone does ask him, he has to give up the hunting trip. - If one shoe ends up standing on the other, it is believed that the owner of the shoes will take a vacation. - Sleeping near the roads is not approved. Such people are told “You will fly with the wind” (meaning, you will be paralyzed by the devil). - In order not to damage the prospects of the hunt, people do not talk with huntsmen while they are getting ready. - Before going to hunting, a rifle is put on the ground. A boy or a girl who is at least three or four years old jumps over it. Popular Beliefs Related to Belongings: - If a shoe turns upside down, it is believed that bad health will result. - Soap is not passed to somebody else by hand, since it is believed that these two people will end up arguing. The back of the hand is used when passing the soap. - After eating, the spoon is left with the bowl facing upwards. Any other position results in bad luck. - If anyone drinks water out of a lid he will have bad fortune.

Traditional Sports

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The sports in this section are largely variations of wrestling (aba wrestling, grease wrestling), horse race, jereed, camel wrestling, bullfighting, cockfighting, hunting etc. Jereed was very popular all over Anatolia 50-60 years ago, although today it is only seen in some parts of the Kars- Erzurum region and in the Aegean. The great interest felt by Turkish people in horse rising, and their considerable success at it, turned first into an entertainment and later into a sport. The jereed was a kind of a javelin game played either on horse or on foot, although today it appears as a cudgel. The mounted variation is played with two teams, each consisting of ten people. Riders throw the jereed while approaching each other at the gallop. Avoiding the jereed, and particularly catching it in mid-air, earns a score. When or how to throw the jereed is pre-determined. The game is played by men, and generally performed at weddings, on special days or at fairs.

Games Peculiar to Adults

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Detailed information on this is provided in the folk dance and traditional theatre sections. Apart from these, however, some games like asik, which is mentioned in the children’s section, and games based on words and inclusively referred to as “indoor games” are played by adults, too.

Games Peculiar to Children

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Although living conditions and technological developments make it difficult for most people to devote much time to games, they still have an important place in children’s lives. Children’s games are actually their main source of entertainment. Today, however, as a result of the changes in forms entertainment tools and advances in communications, children’s games have changed, and many old games are no longer played. Nevertheless, children’s games are still played in poor neighborhoods and in school playgrounds. Besides their entertainment value, games also influence children’s social, psychological and physical development. Games help feelings of collaboration and mutual respect to form. Children’s games are classified according to the place and materials used in the game and the gender by which they are played. Hide and seek, which is played on a wide basis, is one of the best-known examples of children’s games. The game is played in an open area with at least four or five participants. The first task is to decide who is to be ‘it.’ There are also various ways of doing that. After that, the castle is chosen. This may be a wall or a tree. Whoever is ‘it’ leans against castle and starts to count while the others go off to hide. When the counting is finished, the ‘it’ says, “My front, back, left, right is free!” in order to prevent anyone hiding too close and the search begins. He announces the names of the children he has found and then returns to touch the castle. If the person who has just been found can touch the castle before the “it,” does, he is spared having to do the counting and searching next time. At the end of the game, if there is more than one candidate for the position of “it,” the candidates secretly select the names of flowers or fruit and ask “it” to chose one of them. For example, if “it” says “apple,” the child who chose the word apple assumes the role of ‘it.’ Hide and seek is played in many regions under different names. Children split up after reciting a little verse. A needle pierces Hurts me Plump bird Run to the car Wheel of the car Candy of Istanbul Hop hop hop There’s no other game Examples of Games Peculiar to Children: Bezirgan Basi (Head of the Grasping Trader): This is played with at least 10 people. Two players are chosen, and these take the names “golden watch” and “golden bracelet.” These two stand face-to-face, hold and raise their hands. The others walk and pass under these two children’s hands saying: Open the door Head of the grasping trader What do you give As a deal? What do you give? The person behind me Let him be a souvenir Let him be a souvenir. When the last sentence is recited, one of the players is captured. The two doing the catching take him and ask whether he prefers the golden watch or the golden bracelet. Depending on his answer, the boy stands behind one or other of the two. The process continues until all the players have been caught. The two groups of children then hold each other tightly by the waist. They assume a position behind a line drawn between them and engage in a contest closely resembling a tug-of-war, each group trying to pull the other over the line. The group which is pulled over the line loses the game. The game continues until everyone has grown tired of it. Leapfrog (Long Donkey) This is played with at least four people. Two of the players are chosen to be ‘it.’ These turn to their backs to each other, put their hands on their knees, and face away from each other. Other players come and jump over the others in turns. Anyone who falls over while jumping becomes “it” himself. The other players keep on jumping while saying, “One is one, my two is two, my three is three, my four is four....” Comic actions may also be included. For example, the seventh player may say “My seven is seven, I am kicked” and other players kick the player bending over. The eighth player says, “My eight is hopscotch and stands on one foot. Other players after him have to stand on one foot after completing their jumps. The eighth player has the right to order other players after him to stand on one foot. As soon as the ninth player says, “My nine is nine,’ all the players have to freeze. The tenth players says, “My ten is the reaping hook, cannon of the conqueror” and starts to hit the “it.” The game continues with the choosing of a new “it.”

Turkish Music Culture and Examples

2008-01-20T02:43:00.001-08:00

Turkey’s cultural fabric is made up of a rich combination of diverse cultures rooted deeply in history. By virtue of its geographical position, Turkey lies at the axis of the cultures of the East, the West, the Middle Eastern, the Mediterranean and Islam. Anatolia is one of the world’s oldest human habitats – hosts of civilizations have called it home – and it enjoys a unique cultural richness with its thousands of years of history. Anatolia’s cultural variety is so rich that we can see great cultural differences even in areas geographically quite close to each other.
This colorful portrait holds just as true for Turkey’s music.

Culinary Culture

2008-01-20T02:41:00.000-08:00

Nutritional habits are shaped according to the prevalent cultural - geographical - ecological - economic characteristics and features and the historical process. When one talks about the Turkish cuisine, the term should be understood as the totality of foods and beverages which provide nutrition to the people living in Turkey, the ways of preparing and preserving them; techniques, equipment and utensils required for this, eating manners and all the practices and beliefs which are developed around this cuisine.The richness of variety Turkish cuisine possesses is due to several factors. In summary, the variety of products offered by the lands of Asia and Anatolia, interaction with numerous different cultures over a long historical process, the new tastes developed in the palace kitchens of the Seljuk and Ottoman empires have all played a part in shaping the new character of our culinary culture. Turkish Cuisine, which in general consists of sauced dishes prepared with cereals, various vegetables and some meat, soups, cold dishes cooked with olive oil, pastry dishes and dishes made from wild vegetation has also produced a series of health foods such as pekmez, yogurt, bulgur etc. The eating habits which reflect the tastes changing from one location to the next, gains a new meaning and near - sacredness on special occasions, celebrations and ceremonies. Turkish Cuisine, while rich in variety and taste-bud friendly, also contains examples which could provide a source for healthy and balanced diets and vegetarian cuisines.

The Turkish World

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Balances in the world system have changed as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. The process initially led through the economical and political changes, but then affected social-cultural fields, too. Turkey is one of the countries most influenced by the process. Kazakhistan, Kyrgizistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan declared independence, and have since developed relations, particularly in the cultural dimension, with the Turkish Republic due to the existence of a shared history. Turkey has provided a new direction for its cultural policy in that short process, and has expanded ties to economic and political dimensions. Bilateral agreements on education, culture, economic cooperation have been signed and joint projects regarding foundations, institutions and universities initiated. In this context, the Ministry of Culture has established the Turkish World Research Agency under the auspices of the Folk Cultures Research and Development General Directorate, and this was followed by new establishments, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) and the Turkish Culture and Arts Joint Management (TÜRKSOY). The Turkish World Research Agency has been carrying out studies and cultural research and issuing publications about Turkish communities and societies living outside Turkey. In addition, the agency has also been conducting inventory studies regarding Kazak, Kırgız, Turkmen, Uzbek and Uygur people who moved to Turkey after the 1950s, and researching their traditional characteristics. The agency published a special magazine called Kazaks Living in Turkey in 1999. Over the next few years, projects regarding Uzbek, Kırgız, Turkmen and Uygur people will be updated and published. A prestigious book called "Gagauz Folk Culture" (Turkish-English) was also published in 1999.In addition to magazines, field research and inventory studies, the Turkish World Research Agency also offers advisory services on cultural aspects of the Turkish world with the help of local and foreign scientists, experts and others. The studies carried out directly by or under the coordination of the Turkish Research Agency are as follows: • Silk Road Folk Culture, Field Researc" (1992-93-94-95-96) • Turkish Dialects and Accents and Field Studies" • Nevruz celebrations in the Turkish world" (1993-94-95-96-97-98-99), in addition to foreign studies regarding Nevruz celebrations, it has also issued special volumes about Nevruz in the Turkish world, posters and brochures. • Research into the Culture Profile in the Turkic Republics" prepared and published by SİAR • A Gift for the 2500th Year of Merv" (1995-96) was prepared for publication. • An International Symposium on the 1,000th Year of Manas Tale" (1995) was held. A special edition of Turkish world Manas was prepared. • The Turkish World Photography Exhibition" was held abroad and inside the country.

Foreign Exchange

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Foreign Exchange- There is no limit to the amount of foreign and Turkish currency to be brought into Turkey.
- More than US$5000 worth of Turkish currency can not be taken out of the country.
- Up to US$5000 worth of foreign currency can be taken out of the country.
- US$5000 in cash may be taken out of the country by foreigners living abroad, or Turkish citizens working abroad, and those settled in Turkey, if they document that they have purchased currency from authorised banks.
- Larger amount of foreign or Turkish currency must be transferred abroad through banks.
- All personal belongings and articles made of precious stones or metals (with no commercial purposes) worth under $15,000 may be brought into and taken out of the country. Jewellery worth more than that may only be taken out of the country providing it has been registered on entry or purchased in Turkey with legally exchanged currency.
- Cash brought into the country to be purchased for exportation and brought out of Turkey must be declared on entry.
Frequently Asked Questions

Duty-Paid Goods

2008-01-20T02:37:00.001-08:00

The goods not more than 1.500 Euro are to be delivered to the traveller more than 18 years old two months before his/her entry or six months later of his/her departure, and the goods not brought to the country to be traded are subject to %10 customs duty. (Exemption of 300 Euro will be reduced).
The goods which are concurrently imported with the owner at the age of 18 and not more than 1.500 Euro and brought into the country out of commercial concerns are subject to %10 customs duty. (Exemption of 300 Euro will be excluded).
The above conditions are to be provided in order to take advantage of this right:
- The items being sent to the ones residing in Turkey via mail or cargo,
- The goods concurrently imported by the owner,
- Being brought or sent as a gift ,
- Peculiar to personel or family use,
- The items that the customer make no payment in return upon purchasing,
- Out of commercial concerns,
If the value of the goods, imported within the frame outlined above, exceed 1.500 Euro, the customs duty of these goods' importation will be collected according to the regulated principles being in force.
If each imported goods in question exceeds 1.500 Euro, the customs duty will be collected according to the designated ratios. Before the allocation of a fixed proportional tax, the person who have declared his/her imported goods will require tax regulations to be applied for imported goods. In this case the importation of the good will be allowed upon the tax revenue.
The stabilization of the tax assessment of the brought good within this frame will be designated according to the presented invoice or receipt. If the attestation of such a document is not available or the value of the registered good presented with the document is low, the value of the good will be determined by the administrations.

Duty-Free Goods

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Duty-Free GoodsClothing and Items for Journey - Items of clothing specifically for the traveller, - Personal belongings and items for a journey, - Cloth suitable for making clothes for the traveller (maximum 5 meters). - Item of clothing made of fur, belonging to the traveller is allowed to be transported and is included among the personal belongings. Electronic Equipment - One black-and-white television, - One colour TV (up to 55cm screen) - One pocket colour TV up to 16cm screen, - One black-and-white television-radio-tape (combination), - One video recording camera and 5 video tape casettes (blank), - Camera with eight mm (with ten blank films), - One slide machine, - Pocket PC ( Up to 128MB Ram ), - Compact disc player. - One portable radio and radio-tape (the properties of the radio-tape will be determined by the undersecretary.) - One walkman or small tape-recorder, - Game Boys without cassettes and cartridge, - Record, cassette or compact disc maximum of 5 for each, - GSM-Pocket phone (With SIM cards), Musical Instruments - Harmonica, - Mandolin, - Shepherd's Pipe, - Brass band, - Flute, - Guitar, - Accordion, (One piece of each, at a maximum total of 3 pieces) Sports Equipment - Two partitioned camping tent, - One diving suit for underwater diving sports (The quality and efficiency of the suit to be determined by the undersecretary.), - Glider (a pair), - One boat, - One surfboard with sailing equipment for water sports, - Flipper (one pair), - Other personal belongings one apiece (except for sea motorcycle and sledge), - Chess set, - Checker set, - Five packs of playing cards, Medical Items - Beds belonging to the ill passenger, - Motorised and non-motorised wheelchair, - Drugs for personal treatment, - Gas mask and similar protective clothing (maximum 2 pieces). Kitchen Appliances - Plate, saucepan, fork, spoon, knife to be used during the journey, - One barbecue grill, - One samovar, - Two thermos, - Coffee machine with storage battery, Wines and Tobacco - Whether domestic or foreign; The following are allowed to be imported: a) 200 cigarettes (1 Box) and 50 cigars. Plus: 200 gm tobacco and 200 cigarette paper or 200 gm pipe tobacco or 200 gm chewing tobacco or 200 gm tobacco for nargileh or 50 gm snuff, b) In addition to the above allowances, it is also possible to purchase 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars and 500 gm pipe tobacco in the Turkish Duty Free Shops when entering the country. - 1.5 kg coffee, 1.5 kg instant coffee, 500 gm tea, 1 kg. chocolate, 1 kg. confectionery, - 1 (100 cl) or 2 ( 75cl or 70 cl) bottles of wine and/or spirits, - Cologne, lavender water, perfume, essence, lotion (120 ml maximum of each). Other Items - One portable typewriter, - One camera (plus maximum 5 films), - One pram for child passenger, - One bicycle for child passenger - Toys for child passengers (maximum 10 ), - Pocket calculator with battery, - One iron (With or without steam diffusion), - 1 x 1.5 metre seccade (prayer rug) made from wool, cotton or synthetic fabric), - One pair binoculars (except night binoculars), - One table clock, - One gas stove, - The following are allowed in a vehicle while driving, on condition that they will only be used by the owner or driver: a) A set of screwdriver (maximum 5 with different sizes), b) Socket Wrench Set (maximum 10 on the condition that it is suitable for vehicle use), c) Auto pump, d) Accumulator Charge Apparatus, e) Auto broom with accumulator, f) Icebox with accumulator, g) Inner tube and tyre except for spare tyre, - Other items to be inspected by the Ministry of Finance and Customs: - 1 cat or dog or bird or aquarium fish, on the condition that they are with their owners. They must have a medical report from the veterinary surgeon, document of origin and vaccination documentation. There are regulations about the amount of foreign currency permitted to be brought into the country. In general, there is no limit for a certain amount of foreign or local currency to be imported or exported and anything over the permitted amount should be declared on entry. In addition to foreign currency, certain personal belongings must be declared on entry, such as jewellery, TV, camera, video recording camera, video player, cellular phones, electronic equipment, camping and sports equipment. Valuable items must be registered to the customs office on entry. It is suggested not to bring excessive amounts of currency or jewellery to prevent any potential problems.

Diyarbakır

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Area: 15.355 km² Population: 1.362.708 (2000) Traffic Code: 21 Diyarbakır is a city that must be seen with its long ramparts , Malabadi bridge and it's typical architecture of wide floored houses to reduce the effects of the heat since the temperature reaches to 40 – 50 C during certain days of the summer months. Districts: Diyarbakır (center), Bismil, Çermik, Çınar, Çüngüş, Dicle, Eğil, Ergani, Hani, Hazro, Kocaköy, Kulp, Lice, Silvan.

Antalya

2008-01-20T02:31:00.003-08:00

Area : 20.815 km² Population : 1.719.751 (2000) Traffic Code : 07Because of the archaeological and natural riches of the area, Antalya is also known as the Turkish Riviera. The sun, sea, nature and history combine to form a very popular resort, highlighted by some of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean. The 630km shoreline of the province is liberally scattered with ancient cities, harbours, memorial tombs and beaches, secluded coves and lush forests, many of which are easily accessible from the city. With its palm-lined boulevard, internationally-acclaimed marina, and old castle with traditional architecture, all set amidst a modern city, Antalya is a major tourist centre in Turkey. In addition to the wide selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops, the city also plays host to a number of sporting events throughout the year, like international beach volleyball, triathlon, golf tournaments, archery, tennis and canoeing competitions. The Cultural Centre, which opened in 1995, hosts cultural and art events in the fields of music, theatre, and creative arts. The main area of interest in the city is central old quarter within the Roman walls, known as Kaleici, and there are many good museums. Districts: Akseki, Alanya, Elmali, Finike, Gazipasa, Gundogmus, Ibradi, Kale, Kas, Kemer, Korkutali, Kumluca, Manavgat and Serik are all towns in the province of Antalya. Akseki After Alanya, Akseki is the oldest district in the province of Antalya, and has an appearance that befits its location in the rugged Taurus mountains, in a forested and very rocky area. The history of Akseki extends back to the Roman era, when it was known as Marla (Marulya), and has been continually inhabited until the present day. The developments in the tourism sector in the Antalya region in recent years have been seen in Akseki as well. The area is well known for the snowdrop flower, and every years sees local and foreign visitors coming every winter to see these flowers breaking through the snow, as the first sign of spring. In the Giden Gelmez Mountains, goats are protected and limited hunting is available around the year with the purchase of a license. Another spot frequented by visitors is the trout farming facilities in the villages of Sinan hoca and Gumusdamla. The primary game in the area is mountain goat, rabbit, bear and fox. Other areas worth visiting are the Goktepe Highland, Giden Gelmez Mountains, Cimi Highland, Irmak Valley and the 340-metre deep Bucaklan Cave, which has only recently been discovered. Buildings of interest are the Ulu Camii and medreses. Elmali The exact founding date of Elmali, which is located within the borders of ancient Lycia, is unknown. Excavations to the east at Karatas near the village of Semahoyuk, and to the west in the village of Beyler indicate that the area has been inhabited seen the Bronze Age. Throughout history, it has suffered the rising and falling fortune of the Lycian region, being ruled respectively by the Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman empires. Tumuluses: There are several tumuluses in nearby villages. The first is west of the city in the village of Mugren, on top of which sits a small fortress dating back to the Roman era. Surface-level archaeological research indicates that the area was inhabited in the Bronze Age by various civilisations. Another village in the west, Semahoyuk, has a tumulus but due to the fact that an Ottoman cemetery is located on top of it, no research has been done. The third and largest tumulus is in Beyler, south of the city on the Elmali - Kas road. Excavations conducted here, show that the area has been continuously inhabited from the Bronze Age right up to the present time. The items unearthed in the excavations are exhibited in the Antalya Museum. At the east of the city 6 km from the village of Elmali near the village of Bayindir, there are several tumuluses side by side. Artifacts dating back to the 7th century BC were unearthed during the excavations. Now on display in a special section of the Antalya Museum, these findings represent a cross-section of life during that era. A statuette of pure silver and two of ivory bear witness to the fact that the art of sculpture in ancient Anatolia had reached a level of some sophistication. Memorial Tombs: There are tombs in Karaburun and Kizilbel. The walls of the King's Tomb in Karaburun, on the Antalya - Elmali road, is decorated with frescoes of scenes of hunting and war. The tomb in Kizilbel is west of the city on the Elmali - Yuvayol road, and is a single room made of limestone blocks. Define Described as the Treasure of the Century, this was discovered in 1984, just on the north of Antalya - Elmali road between the King's Tomb and the village of Gokpinar. Consisting of 190 pieces of ancient silver coins, the treasure was smuggled to America by antique treasure thieves. It is still on display in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts as part of a private collection. The Athens Decadrachme, 14 pieces each worth US$ 600,000, is said to be the world's most valuable treasure find. Mosques The most interesting mosques in the area include Selcuklu Camii, Kutuk Camii, Sinan-i Ummi Camii, Omer Pasa Camii and medrese. Korkuteli Located 67 km from Antalya, Korkuteli is surrounded by Antalya on the east, Burdur on the north, Mugla on the southwest and Elmali and Kumluca on the south. The effects of the Mediterranean climate can be felt here in this region of lakes but the further one goes inland, the more continental the climate becomes with cold winters and hot summers. The Alaaddin Mosque 3 km in the west of Korkuteli, only the door of which is still standing. In the same area is the Seljuk religious school which bears the name of its founder and was built by El Emin Sinaeddin of the Hamidogullari dynasty in 1319. Gundogmus There are numerous ruins of ancient cities in the district of Gundogmus, which is 182 km from Antalya. The important ruins are those of Hagiasophia city, 7 km north of Guzel Bag Bucagi, but no excavations have been conducted here. There are also the ruins of Asar at Sumene (7 km from the city centre), Kese (2 km east of the village of Senir) and Gedfi (11 km southwest of Gundogmus). Other places to visit in the area include; Cem Pasa Camii; ruins on top of Sinek Mountain, 15 km east of the city centre between Gundogmus and Pembelik; and the ruins of Kazayir at Tasagir, on the Gundogmus - Antalya highway. Gazipasa Situated 180 km from Antalya, Gazipasa is a charming little town with a beach 10 km long, beautiful forests and turquoise blue coves. Iskele, the site of the Koru and Kahyalar beaches, is an important breeding ground of the caretta caretta turtles. Mostly undeveloped up until the present time, Gazipasa is on its way to being an attractive tourist centre with accommodation, recreation facilities, an airport and yacht harbour still under construction, as well as the natural and historical treasures of the area. Antiocheia Ad Cragum 18 km east of Gazipasa, and within the village of Guney, these ruins gets its name from the Commagene King Antiochus IV, and are found on the three hills that stretch out towards the sea. It has the ruins of a castle dating back to the Roman and Byzantine era, a column-lined boulevard, agora, baths, victory arch, a church and the city necropolis. The barrel-vaulted memorial tombs with their pre-entrance porticoes are well preserved and reflect a style peculiar to the region. Adanda (Lamos) This ancient city is located 15 km northeast of Gazipasa, and was founded 2 km north of the present-day village of Adanda, on the top of a high and steep hill. It is a walled city with a large tower south of the city gate, and among the ruins are a fountain carved into the living rock and two temples. Other significant ruins are the tombs in the necropolis made of single pieces of carved stone. These remains are a good representation of the culture and art of the mountainous Cilician region. Nephelis This ancient ruin can be reached by going through the village of Muzkent 12 km out on the Gazipasa-Anamur road and taking the gravel road south for about 5 km. The southern area is surrounded by the sea and steep cliffs. The city consists of the acropolis and the remains of dwellings spread out in an east-west fashion. The only standing structures date back to the Roman and Byzantine periods and include a Medieval Castle, a temple, a musical hall, irrigation system and the necropolis. Selinus Located on the slopes in southwest of Hacimusa Creek by Gazipasa Beach, the ancient city of Selinus is one of the most important cities in the mountainous Cilician region. On the top of the hill is the acropolis as well as the walls and towers of a medieval castle, which are fairly well preserved. In the Acropolis, a church and cistern have survived the ravages of time. The other buildings of Selinus are near the beach and on the slopes, among which are the baths, agora, Islami Yapi (mansion), aqueducts and the necropolis. Most of the bones in the Alanya Museum were brought from the Necropolis and allow the workshop in the museum to exist. Kumluca Situated on the plane formed by the silt carried down from the mountains by Alakir Creek and Gavur Brook, Kumluca is surrounded by the towns of Finike and Elmali. In the upper reaches of Alakir Creek fed by the springs coming from Onemli Mountains and the Beydaglar Mountains, there are trout and striped mullet.

Muğla

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Area: 13.338 km² Population: 715.328 (2000) Traffic Code : 48 The province of Muğla is located at the south of the Aegean Region and is founded at the skirts of the Asar (Hisar) Mountain spreading towards the plain and is a beautiful and clean tourism paradise with its original architecture, whitewashed walls, red roof tiled roofs, authentic chimneys and narrow streets. Districts : Muğla (center), Bodrum, Dalaman, Datça, Fethiye, Kavaklıdere, Köyceğiz, Marmaris, Milas, Ortaca, Ula, Yatağan.

İzmir

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Area : 11.973 km²
Population : 3.370.866 (2000)
Traffic Code : 35 İzmir is the third biggest city in Turkey, with a population of around 2.5 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a good transport hub. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, it is now a modern, developed, and busy commercial centre, set around a huge bay and surrounded by mountains and was. The broad boulevards, glass-fronted buildings and modern shopping centres are dotted with traditional red-tiled roofs, the 18th century market, and old mosques and churches, although the city has an atmosphere more of Mediterranean Europe than traditional Turkey. The climate is comfortable, with a relatively mild summer due to the refreshing breeze from the Aegean. The long attractive palm-fringed promenade, Birince Kordon, which stretches the entire length of the city up to the Alsancak Ferry Terminal, is a popular spot for evening walks, and there are many cafes along the waterfront. Izmir has a good selection of culture and entertainment, from the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museums, to the Izmir State Opera and Ballet and Izmir State Symphony Orchestra, to the many bars and clubs. The cosmopolitan and lively city gets even busier during the International Izmir Festival (mid-June to mid-July) with music and dance, with performances also in nearby Cesme and Ephesus. Districts : Balcova, Cigli, Gaziemir, Karsiyaka, Konak, Aliaga, Bayindir, Bergama, Beydag, Bornova, Buca, Cesme, Dikili, Foca, Karaburun, Kemalpasa, Kinik, Kiraz, Menderes, Menemen, Narlibahce, Odemis, Seferihisar, Selcuk, Tire, Turbalı and Urla. Selçuk Bergama Çeşme Foça Aliağa: Aliağa, which is 60 km. north of İzmir, have signes of İzmir and Bergama civilizations. 4 of the 12 cities, composing the biggest and most important ones among Aiol cities, whose number is exceeding 30 at Aegean coasts, are within Aigaia, Kyme, Myrna and Gryneion province territories. Dikili: Dikili is a pretty province and popular summer resort, around 120km north of Izmir. Candarli is nearby, and the area is full of natural beauty as well as historical interest. There is a crater lake in Medivenli village, and pine groves and ancient caverns in Demirtas and Delitas. The area is also famous for its hot springs, which can be found in Nebiler, Bademli and Kocaoba villages. The port at Dikili is large enough for three passenger ships, and is a good transport connection. Seferihisar: Teos antic city at Sığacık region, Karaköse ruins at Doğanbey - Gerenalanı region, former settlement area constructed within castle and castle, constructed by Ottomans at Sığacık, monumental structures of Seljukian and Ottoman period at province center of the province, whose settlement history reaches till 1000 B. C., are composing the archeological and historical source potential of the region. Seferihisar has beautiful beaches and bays with its 27 km. Coastal band. Menderes: Menderes province, which draws attention with its satsuma, beautiful bays and historical values, is 20 km. away from İzmir. Lebedos Antic City is at west of province at Ürkmez region. Ruins of Kolophon, Klaros, Notion and Lebedos Antic Cities, which are on Menderes - Seljukian road as adjacent to each other, are composing the important archeological sources of the province. Gümüldür borough is the producer region of Satsuma, which is a world famous kind of tangerine. Özdere is one of the nine big tourism regions of Aegean Region, and it is a tourism borough where amateur fishermen can fish besides its clear sea and coast. Various colored and shaped beads which are produced in natives at Görece Village of Menderes, are drawing attention of national and international tourists. Karaburun: Karaburun is at the northern point of the Urla Peninsula, and its northern and western coasts have beautiful bays surrounding the Izmir bay. There were settlements in this area which date back to the Stone Age, and excavations have indicated it was a developed cultural centre during the Hittite period, then a trading centre during the Aiol, Lydia and Roman civilisations. It is now the newest suburb of Izmir, and has a couple of small guest houses and fish restaurants. Its most dramatic feature is the setting, with villages and orchards clinging to the steep rock face. There is a bus service in the area, although private vehicles offer more possibilities for exploring. Urla: Urla is in the middle of the peninsula and holds all the characteristics of the Aegean. It lies 38km west of Izmir and used to be a cultural centre with remains unearthed dating back to the Hitties. It was originally the site of the Ionian city of Clazomenae, with probably the oldest regularly used port in the world. Pieces of art and sculpture found during excavations are now exhibited in the Louvre, Athens National Museum and Izmir Archaeology Museum. Torbalı: An ancient Ionian city, famous for its wines and religious centre, has three marble alters devoted to the Roman Emperor August and his foster child Germanikys, in an ancient theatre which dominates the valley. Pieces of art found during excavations are exhibited in Izmir and Ephesus museums. The town has the remains of an old port and a few holiday complexes, and is set attractively against a pine forest. Ödemiş: The north of Odemis, which is 113km southeast of Izmir, are the ruins of Hypaiapa. The historical importance of the region began with Birgi, west of Odemis, which was the capital during the Aydinogullari period and contained outstanding examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. Birgi has been on the World Cultural Heritage list since 1994, and points of interest here include Cakiraga Mansion, Imam-i Birgivi Medrese and Sultan Sah Mausoleum. Tire: One of the largest towns in the area, Tire is 82km southeast of Izmir and lies at the foot of the Aydin Mountains. Its long cultural heritage includes periods under the Hittites, Frygians, Lydians, Persians, Romans and Byzantines, and developed its strong links with the economy during the Ottoman period. The town has an attractive old quarter with many impressive examples of Islamic architecture, and a lively Tuesday market influenced by the gypsy population in the surrounding villages. Kemalpaşa: The historical background of Kemalpasa, which lies 29km west of Izmir, dates back to 1300 BC. It was host to the Akkads, Hitties, Seljuk and Ottoman civilisations, and was a resort between the Art and Ion cities during Roman and Byzantine times. The only remains from the Hittites in the Aegean region is the Karabel relief, which is in the province. Previously known in ancient times as Nymphaion, the town lies at the foot of Nif mountain at 200m altitude, and is best known for its cherries and pine forests.

Preserved Areas

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A recent notion have been spread out all around the world to stop the hazards that the natural life faces due to the destructive effects let by the unconscious employement of developing technologies. Acording to the data of The World Conservation Union(IUCN),while %5 of the total surface area of the world seperated as preserved area,this reaches to %10 among considerate countries. In Turkey a policy of protection and conservation of the stunning natural and cultural assets and the fields symbolizing our victorious battles has already been established on national and international bases; and preserved areas of different statues have been designated in order to be bequeathed to the future generations. With in the frames of the law that has been come into force in 1883, 4 types of definition of preserved areas come to the ground as; National Parks, Preserved Areas, Nature Parks and Nature Monuments.

The Mediterranean Region

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South of the majestic Taurus Mountains lie on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea with its beaches of fine sand, vistas of rare and rugged beauty, many ancient ruins, hidden coves and alluring vacation getaways. The region is bathed in sunshine 300 days ayear, and is a paradise for swimming, sunbathing and watersports. You can also explore important historical sites dating back thousands of years, set in a landscape of pine forests and citrus groves and learn about the mythology that is intertwinedwith the area.The Mediterranean coast is as full of antique artefacts as the Aegean. In the ancient Lycian region, west of Antalya, you can experience the beauty of the mountain cities of Termessos and Arikand, as well as the coastal towns such as Olimpos, Kale,Kekova and Kas. The ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side are located on the coastal plane east of Antalya, originally called Pamphylia.Antalya is one of the Mediterranean's most important cities and is Turkey's hottest vacation spot, with the beaches of Konyaalti to the west and Lara to the east, lying at the foot of Antalya's massive mountain range. It is an attractive holidaygetaway with palm-lined streets, beautiful parks, an abundance of accommodation, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and a picturesque marina. The symbol of this city, founded in the 2nd century BC, is the Yivli Minaret, which dates back to the Seljukera. The Asagi Duden Waterfall to the east flows over huge boulders into the sea. West of Antalya is the attractive little holiday town of Kemer, famous for its sandy beaches surrounded by pine forests and mountains.The next big town east of Antalya is Alanya, a panoramic port city on the southern slopes of the majestic Taurus Mountains surrounded by orange, lemon and banana groves. Used by the Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat as a winter residence, Alanya’sshipyard dates back to the same era and was one of the most advanced in the world at that time. It is also famous for its 9th century castle and its popular beaches.Near Anamur is a castle from the Middle Ages, situated between two beaches and one of the most spectacular castles along the coast. The road from Anamur to Silifke, with its endless curves and bends, follows a route studded with breathtaking coastalvistas.The dilapidated caves near Narlikuyu are called Heaven, which has a small church inside, heaven and Hell (Cennet ve Cehennem). The castle of Kizkalesi, which is situated in the water across from the medieval castle of Korykos, seems to rise out of the seaitself. Two surprises on the road to Mersin, are the ancient Roman cities of Kanlidivane and Viransehir. With its charming parks, beach promenades, commercial port and free trade zone, Mersin is one of the most modern cities on the Mediterranean.East of Tosos, the Cukurova plane is a fertile agricultural region known especially for its cotton fields. In the middle is the city of Adana with its rich textile industry, and to the east is the Dortyol (Issos) Plane, where Alexander the Greatdefeated the Persian king Darius. As a result of his victory, a port city bearing his name was established which is now the modern day Iskenderun.The road leaves Iskenderun on the southeast and goes through the Belen Pass to Antakya (Antioch). This first Christian community founded by Saint Peter has given Antakya a special religious significance, and the first sermons were preached in nearbycave. It is considered a place of pilgrimage, and the city also boasts a mosaic exhibition of rare beauty in its museum.Kahramanmaras is a relatively undiscovered province of the Mediterranean. One of its best-loved features is the cuisine, which has its own specialities like its special orchid drink (salep) and its world famous ice-cream made from goat and cows’ milk.The historical legacy of Kahramanmaras in the Ottoman Empire is still relevant today with its gilded silver, leather and copper works.

The Aegean Region

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Many would agree that the coastal region of the Aegean has some of the most stunning views in the country and, in the words of Heredotus, "have the most beautiful sky and the best climate in the world." The bays peninsulas, and golden beaches stretchthe length of coastline and this region was also the venue of countless mythological events. There are remains of ancient cities including Troy, immortalised by Homer, and Pergamum, the art and cultural centre and capital of one of the most powerfulkingdoms at the time. The provinces in the Aegean region are Afyon, Aydin, Denizli, Izmir, Kutahya, Manisa, Mugla and Usak.Situated in Edremit bay is Ayvalik, the meeting point of the sea, the theraputic springs of Akcay, and pine forests, which has been dubbed the olive-grove Riviera. To the south are countless resorts, then further south is Foca, famous for the heroicTurkish sailors who were based here. Sardis, the capital of the wealthy Lydian king Croesus, is a small detour inland.Located in a narrow bay, Izmir is a modern city and the third largest in Turkey, as well as the major part on the Aegean. It brims with life and is a busy commercial centre, with broad boulevards and modern architecture, combined with the traditionalred-tiled roofs of the old houses in the bazaar area. The peninsula of Çesme with its brilliant waters, superb beaches and thermal springs, lies to the west of Izmir.Among the most famous cities of the ancient world, Ephesus was one of the biggest during the Roman era. A treasury of all the riches of Ionian culture, Ephesus had a reputation for philosophy and critical thinking. The Temple of Artemis, one of theseven wonders of the ancient world, as well as countless statues, theatres, libraries, markets and smaller temples were all architectural symbols of the city's fame. Further to the south is the ancient city of Priene, built according to a geometricplan designed by the great architect of Milet, Hippodamos. Milet was a great centre of commerce and thought in the ancient world, and was the venue of many significant developments, scientific and intellectual. The nearby Didim, though not one of theancient cities, is still famous for its magnificent temple dedicated to Apollo.On the Izmir-Antalya road, Aphrodisias (Geyre) was an important centre for culture and art famous for its training in sculpture. On the same road is the world-famous Pamukkale, with its calcium-rich thermal waters flowing out of the mountain whichhave, over centuries, created an extraordinary geographical phenomenon of white marble terraces. The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis lie behind this.The best known holiday resorts in this area are Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca, Koycegiz and Fethiye, and private boats can be chartered to explore the bays of the south Aegean, immortalised in the book Mavi Yolculuk (Blue Voayge). Bodrum (ancient Halikarnas)is the birthplace of the great historian Heredotus. The mausoleum of King Mausolos was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Marmaris is a lively resort with a modern marina surrounded by lush mountains and crystal-clear waters,and further south is the bay of Oludeniz, famous for watersports and paragliding, and the coastal town of Fethiye.

The Black Sea Region

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Lush and green throughout the year, rocky mountains, the cool waters of the coast and plantations of tea, hazelnuts, tobacco and corn, the Black Sea is a unique part of the country. The main industry is farming, thanks mainly to the high rainfall, andin the summer the roadsides are lined with hazelnuts drying in the sun. The culture, cuisine, climate and even dialect is different to the rest of Turkey, and the coastal road stretches from east of Istanbul to the border with Georgia.The cities in this region are Amasya, Artvin, Bolu, Corum, Duzce, Giresun, Gumushane, Kastamonu, Ordu, Rize, Samsun, Sinop, Tokat, Trabzon Zonguldak, Bartin and Karabuk. Akcakoca is on the far western side of the coast, with endless hazelnutorchards. Inland to the east is Safranbolu, with a wonderful collection of old Ottoman houses, and Devek, famous for its intricately carved walking canes.Further along the coast are Inkum, Amasra and Cakraz, and then Sinop which has been a port for 1000 years and is still one of the biggest in the Black Sea. The town takes its name from the Amazon queen Sinope and local mythology suggests that femalewarriors, called Amazons, lived in this region. It is now an important industrial and commercial centre.Unye and Fatsa, east of Samsun, are popular holiday resorts with natural scenic beauty, beaches, accommodation, campsites and restaurants. Ordu is a charming city with hazelnut orchards stretching out for miles in all directions and 46km east isGiresun, with its castle perched on a steep rocky slope, crowning the city and overlooking the beach. This is where the Roman general Lucullus saw cherries for the first time, and liked them so much he introduced them into Europe.Trabzon is another important commercial port on the Black Sea, and it connects with ports in other Black Sea countries. Trabzon Castle was founded on an area shaped like a table, and the architecture that developed around the castle reflects Byzantine,Commagene and Ottoman styles. The city’s most important building is the Ayasofya Museum, the interior of which is decorated with frescoes, and the exterior with reliefs. From Boztepe Park and the Ataturk Museum there are stunning panoramic views ofthe city.Inside the Altindere National Park near Macka, the Sumela Monastery is perched on high cliffs overlooking the Altindere valley, and was founded in the 14th century by Alexius III. Inside the monastery is a church, a library, various other rooms and asacred spring.The area around Rize is the wettest in the country with wonderful shades of green, and is the centre of Turkey’s tea production with plantations on the high terraces. Hopa is the last Turkish port before reaching the Georgian border, and to the southis Artvin. The city was established on the terraced hills overlooking the Coruh River, which is well known for rafting, and within the province are old Georgian houses and churches.

Central Anatolia

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This central region is now the heart of modern Turkey's political life, and has been the centre of many significant societies and civilisations throughout history. The main cities in this region are Ankara, Cankiri, Eskisehir, Kayseri, Kirsehir,Konya, Nevsehir, Nigde, Sivas, Yozgat, Aksaray, Karaman and Kirikkale. Ankara, the modern-day capital, is located squarely in the middle of Central Anatolia and has been planned and developed for a contemporary society. The most visually impressive structure here is the Anitkabir mausoleum built for Ataturk, who foundedthe modern Republic of Turkey by winning the War for Independence and then made Ankara its capital.The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations is among the best museums in the country, and has exhibits from Anatolian dating from 50,000 BC to the 2nd centuryAD.In the surrounding areas, there are important settlements from early Anatolian civilisations. The Hittites migrated to the Anatolian plateau from the Caucus Mountains and set up the first kingdom in history to encompass the whole of Anatolia, from theBlack Sea to the Mediterranean and from the Aegean Sea stretching east. The capital of the Hittite Empire Hattushash, with massive walls and full of temples, (now Bogazkale) and the second largest city Shapinuva are both located northeast of Ankara in the province of Corum. Reliefs of all of the Hittite gods and goddessescan be seen in the open air temple in nearby Yazilikaya, which was an important pantheon of the Hittites.Alacahoyuk is another important settlement, and is known for the sphinxes which can be seen at the city gates.Around the time of 1200 BC, the Phrygians came to the Anatolian Plateau from Europe and established their capital, Gordion, near Polatli west of Ankara. Alexander the Great was supposed to have become the ruler of Asia by virtue of 'undoing' Gordion'sknot with his sword. The tomb of the Phrygian king Midas, who according to legend turned everything he touched into gold, is located near Gordion. Near Eskisehir and Afyon there are a number of Phrygian cities and places of worship.South of the vast fertile Konya plane on the northern slopes of the Toros Mountains, Catalhoyuk is one of the world’s oldest cities. Dating back to the Neolithic Era, it was an important cultural centre with many temples decorated with frescoes bycity artisans. Konya and the surrounding regions would later be ruled during the Chalcolithic, Bronze, Hittite, Phrygian, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras. It became the capital city of the Seljuk Empire in the 12th century andconsequently experienced the most important Renaissance period of its long history. In the 13th century, Konya was completely transformed with Selcuk architecture.The great Turkish philosopher Mevlana, who believed in human love and said that mystical unity with God could be reached by the Sema, a whirling dance to music performed by the dervishes, lived in Konya and established a following here.Every year in December, Konya holds a Mevlana Week which includes performances of the Sema. Mevlana is buried with his father Bahaeddin Veled in the Green Tomb (Yesil Turbe), which has become the symbol of the city. The Dervish Lodge and MevlanaMuseum adjacent to the tomb are open to the public. Southwest of Konya is Beysehir Lake, a relatively undiscovered paradise full of natural beauty, and nearby Kubad Abad has the summer home of the Seljuk rulers, and a castle on Kizkalesi Island. The Esrefoglu Mosque and Tomb, in Beysehir, are importantexamples of the wooden architecture of the Selcuk.Northwest towards Aksehir is the home of Nasreddin Hoca, the famous 13th century folk philosopher whose brilliant wit, quick retorts and stories with subtle meanings is renowned far beyond the borders of Turkey. This much-loved icon died in 1284 andhis tomb in Aksehir is the symbol of the city. In the Eskisehir region, the great poet Yunus Emre is buried in the village named after him. He was considered to be an eminent pioneer of Turkish poetry, who used language, idioms and concepts of the ordinary man in an unpretentious fashion to conveydivine justice, love and friendship. Many people pay respects to his work by visiting his grave.

Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia

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With its high mountain ranges, remote plateaus, lakes and river beds splashed with colour, plus some of the best Turkish architecture anywhere, this region of Anatolia brings history to life. Sivas, Divrigi, Erzurum, Battalgazi, Harput, and Ahlat, allcities in this region, were important centres of Seljuk art. In Eastern Anatolia are the cities of Agri, Bingol, Bitlis, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Hakkari, Kars, Malatya, Mus, Tunceli, Van, Ardahan and Igdir, while in the southeast are the largercities of Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Mardin, Siirt, Sanliurfa, Batman, Sirnak and Kilis. Travelling around the east is more challenging, with huge distances between towns, extremes of climate and fewer facilities, but this is amply compensated bythe remote beauty, relatively unspoilt scenery and of course hospitality of the people. The city of Erzurum is located on a large plane at an altitude of 1950 metres, and contains many religious schools, tombs and mosques from both the Seljuk and Ottoman period. Kars, in the far northeast, is famous for its castle, and nearby Ocakli (Ani)is a historical city with rich architecture from the 10th and 11th centuries. Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi), whose peak soars up to 5165 metres, is significant to different religions. It is believed that after the Flood, in which all humanity was destroyed, Noah’s ark came to rest on Mount Ararat and as the waters receded, Noah andhis family settled on the nearby plane of Igdir. As their numbers increased, they eventually spread along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to other parts of Anatolia. Accordingly, Igdir is seen as the centre from which the second generation of humanitymultiplied and again spread over the world.The magnificent palace complex of Ishak Pasa, which looks down onto Dogubeyazit, was built in the late 17th century by the Ottoman governor Ishak Pasa. The location and appearance of the castle is stunning, and is made up of a kitchen unit, a mosqueand separate womens and mens quarters.Lake Van is one of the highlights of the country and a tour of the entire lake should be made in order to experience the full range of beauty, including beautiful mountain silhouettes, bays, beaches, islands and important centres of Turkish culture andart. The city of Van, on the southeast of the lake, was the capital city of the Urartu empire and Van Castle, built around 1000 BC, is a marvellous example of that age. South of Van, the city of Edremit is a poplar vacation spot famous for its beaches, campsites and restaurants. On the island of Akdamar is a museum which was originally a 10th century church. As the Tigris and Euphrates flow towards the planesof Mesopotamia, they pass through an important region of Anatolia which contains the cities of Diyarbakir, Mardin, Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Gaziantep, which is the oldest cultural settlement centre in Anatolia. North of Diyarbakir is Cayonu, the mostimportant neolithic settlement of the area. The basalt walls of Diyarbakir, which are more than 5km long, are the longest city walls in the country.Mardin is one of the few cities in the country that has preserved its traditional aesthetic architecture, and is unique also because of its unusual location on top of a hill. The prophet Abraham, who is the father of three different religions,is believed to have lived in Sanliurfa and Harran and so are considered to be sacred places.The Ataturk Dam, built in Bozova near Sanliurfa, is the biggest in Turkey and the fourth largest in the world, and the area around Harran will be the most productive agricultural region of the country. Gaziantep is the most important industrial andagricultural area in southeastern Anatolia, and best known for its special varieties of kebap, lahmacun and baklava, and its Antep pistachios.Northeast of Adiyaman, on top of Mount Nemrut (Nemrut Dag) is the mausoleum made for the Commagene King, Antiochus I. On the east and west of the memorial grave site are the terraces where rituals were carried out, and of course the world famous hugestatues of the gods, which are best experienced at sunrise or sunset. Malatya is an important industrial and agricultural region on the lower Euphrates, famous for its apricots and the 13th century Ulu Cami mosque in Battalgazi with its beautiful glazed tiles.

Thrace and Marmara

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The Roman province of Trakya (Thrace) is separated from the rest of Turkey by the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara and the Dardenelle Straits. Edirne, lying close to the borders of Greece and Bulgaria, is best known for the masterpieces of local architectMimar Sinan, with wonderful examples from the Ottoman Empire. The area is also famous for the lush rolling fields, filled with vineyards and sunflowers grown for their seeds and oil. The cities in this region are Balikesir, Bilecik, Bursa, Canakkale,Edirne, Istanbul, Kirklareli, Kocaeli, Sakarya,Tekirdag and Yalova. The Marmara region has a turbulent past. In 481 BC the second Persian War, the Persian King Xerxes made a bridge of boats over the Dardanelle Straits between Abydos and Sestos. In the same location is the infamous love affair of Leander and Hera, whowere buried in the waters of the strait. And it was here that Mustafa Kemal won the first big victory against enemy forces in World War I, and the war graves and battlegrounds of Gelibolu are visited by thousands of tourists every year. The lively city of Izmit with its fruit orchards and vegetable gardens is now an industrial centre, and nearby Hereke is famous for its carpets. To the south is Iznik, renowned during Ottoman times for its glazed tiles which adorned the mosques andtombs, and its great Byzantine city walls. Bursa, the land of silk, was the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire and birthplace of modern Turkish culture. The mosques, like Yesil Came and Ulu Cami, are some of the most important and beautiful inthe country. The country's first ski resort was built on the mountain of Uludag, lying to the south of the city. Tekirdag, with beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture and broad beaches, is known for its vineyards and wine festivals. To the north is Gonen with its famous thermal springs, and the commercial port of Bandirma which is the biggest in theMarmara sea after Istanbul. Near the city and by Lake Manyas is Kuscenneti (Bird Heaven) National Park with 239 species of birds, many of which migrate from Europe and Asia during the summer, and fly south before the winter. One the shores of the Marmara Sea are a whole host of beautiful beaches and holiday resorts, including Cinarcik, Armutlu, Gemlik, Mudanya, Erdek, the Marmara and Avsa Islands, Denizkent, Sarkoy and Silivri. To the west is Yalova, a site famous for itsthermal springs.

İstanbul

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Area: 5.712 km² Population: 10.018.735 (2000) Traffic Code: 34
The god and human, nature and art are together in there, they have created such a perfect place that it is valuable to see." Lamartine’s famous poetic line reveals his love for Istanbul, describing the embracing of two continents, with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe. Istanbul, once known as the capital of capital cities, has many unique features. It is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, and the only one to have been a capital during two consecutive empires - Christian and Islamic. Once was capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul still remains the commercial, historical and cultural pulse of Turkey, and its beauty lies in its ability to embrace its contradictions. Ancient and modern, religious and secular, Asia and Europe, mystical and earthly all co-exist here. Its variety is one of Istanbul’s greatest attractions: The ancient mosques, palaces, museums and bazaars reflect its diverse history. The thriving shopping area of Taksim buzzes with life and entertainment. And the serene beauty of the Bosphorus, Princes Islands and parks bring a touch of peace to the otherwise chaotic metropolis. DistrictsAdalar, Avcılar, Bağcılar, Bahçelievler, Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Bayrampaşa, Beykoz, Beyoğlu, Eminönü, Eyüb, Fatih, Gaziosmanpaşa, Kadıköy, Kâğıthane, Kartal, Küçükçekmece, Pendik, Sarıyer, Şişli, Ümraniye, Üsküdar, Zeytinburnu, Büyükçekmece, Çatalca, Silivri, Şile, Esenler, Güngören, Maltepe, Sultanbeyli, and Tuzla.The Bosphorus
Golden Horn: This horn-shaped estuary divides European Istanbul. One of the best natural harbours in the world, it was once the centre for the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests. Today, attractive parks and promenades line the shores, a picturesque scene especially as the sun goes down over the water. At Fener and Balat, neighbourhoods midway up the Golden Horn, there are entire streets filled with old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues dating from Byzantine and Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy resides at Fener and a little further up the Golden Horn at Eyup, are some wonderful examples of Ottoman architecture. Muslim pilgrims from all over the world visit Eyup Camii and Tomb of Eyup, the Prophet Mohammed’s standard bearer, and it is one of the holiest places in Islam. The area is a still a popular burial place, and the hills above the mosque are dotted with modern gravestones interspersed with ornate Ottoman stones. The Pierre Loti Cafe, at the top of hill overlooking the shrine and the Golden Horn, is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquility of the view. Beyoğlu and Taksim: Beyoglu is an interesting example of a district with European-influenced architecture, from a century before. Europe’s second oldest subway, Tunel was built by the French in 1875, must be also one of the shortest – offering a one-stop ride to start of Taksim. Near to Tunel is the Galata district, whose Galata Tower became a famous symbols of Istanbul, and the top of which offers a tremendous 180 degree view of the city. From the Tunel area to Taksim square, is one of the city’s focal points for shopping, entertainment and urban promenading: Istiklal Cadesi is a fine example of the contrasts and compositions of Istanbul; fashion shops, bookshops, cinemas, markets, restaurants and even hand-carts selling trinkets and simit (sesame bread snack) ensure that the street is packed throughout the day until late into the night. The old tramcars re-entered into service, which shuttle up and down this fascinating street, and otherwise the street is entirely pedestrianised. There are old embassy buildings, Galatasaray High School, the colourful ambience of Balik Pazari (Fish Bazaar) and restaurants in Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage). Also on this street is the oldest church in the area, St Mary’s Draperis dating back to 1789, and the Franciscan Church of St Antoine, demolished and then rebuilt in 1913. The street ends at Taksim Square, a big open plaza, the hub of modern Istanbul and always crowded, crowned with an imposing monument celebrating Attaturk and the War of Independence. The main terminal of the new subway is under the square, adjacent is a noisy bus terminal, and at the north end is the Ataturk Cultural Centre, one of the venues of the Istanbul Theatre Festival. Several five-star hotels are dotted around this area, like the Hyatt, Intercontinental and Hilton (the oldest of its kind in the city). North of the square is the Istanbul Military Museum. Taksim and Beyoglu have for centuries been the centre of nightlife, and now there are many lovely bars and clubs off Istiklal Cadesi, including some of the only gay venues in the city. Beyoglu is also at the centre of the more bohemian arts scene. Sultanahmet: Many places of tourist interest are concentrated in Sultanahmet, in heart of the Imperial Centre of the Ottoman Empire. The most important places in this area, all of which are described in detail in the “Places of Interest” section, are Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia, Sultan Ahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque), the Hippodrome, Kapali Carsi (Covered Market), Yerebatan Sarnici and the Museum of Islamic Art. In addition to this wonderful selection of historical and architectural sites, Sultanahmet also has a large concentration of carpet and souvenir shops, hotels and guesthouses, cafes, bars and restaurants, and travel agents. Ortaköy: Ortakoy was a resort for the Ottoman rulers because of its attractive location on the Bosphorus, and is still a popular spot for residents and visitors. The village is within a triangle of a mosque, church and synagogue, and is near Ciragan Palace, Kabatas High School, Feriye, Princess Hotel. The name Ortakoy reflects the university students and teachers who would gather to drink tea and discuss life, when it was just a small fishing village. These days, however, that scene has developed into a suburb with an increasing amount of expensive restaurants, bars, shops and a huge market. The fishing, however, lives on and the area is popular with local anglers, and there is now a huge waterfront tea-house which is crammed at weekends and holidays. Sarıyer: The first sight of Sarıyer is where the Bosphorus connects with the Black Sea, after the bend in the river after Tarabya. Around this area, old summer houses, embassies and fish restaurants line the river, and a narrow road which separates it from Buyukdere, continues along to the beaches of Kilyos. Sarıyer and Rumeli Kavağı are the final wharfs along the European side visited by the Bosphorus boat trips. Both these districts, famous for their fish restaurants along with Anadolu Kavagi, get very crowded at weekends and holidays with Istanbul residents escaping the city. After these points, the Bosphorus is lined with tree-covered cliffs and little habitation. The Sadberk Hanim Museum, just before Sariyer, is an interesting place to visit; a collection of archaeological and ethnographic items, housed in two wooden houses. A few kilometres away is the huge Belgrade Forest, once a haunting ground of the Ottomans, and now a popular weekend retreat into the largest forest area in the city. Üsküdar: Relatively unknown to tourists, the suburb of Üsküdar, on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, is one of the most attractive suburbs. Religiously conservative in its background, it has a tranquil atmosphere and some fine examples of imperial and domestic architecture. The Iskele, or Mihrimah Camii is opposite the main ferry pier, on a high platform with a big covered porch in front, often occupied by older local men watching life around them. Opposite this is Yeni Valide Camii, built in 1710, and the Valide Sultan’s green tomb rather like a giant birdcage. The Cinili Mosque takes its name from the beautiful tiles which decorate the interior, and was built in 1640. Apart from places of religious interest, Uskudar is also well known as a shopping area, with old market streets selling traditional local products, and a good fleamarket with second hand furniture. There are plenty of good restaurants and cafes with a great views of the Bosphorus and the rest of the city, along the quayside. In the direction of Haydarpasa is the Karaca Ahmet Cemetery, which is the largest Muslim graveyard in Istanbul. The front of the Camlica hills lie at the ridge of area and also offer great panoramic views of the islands and river. Kadıköy: Further down to the south along, the Bosphorus towards the Marmara sea, Kadıköy has developed into a lively area with up-market shopping, eating and entertainment making it popular especially with wealthy locals. Once prominent in the history of Christianity, the 5th century hosted important consul meetings here, but there are few reminders of that age. It is one of the improved districts of Istanbul over the last century, and fashionable area to promenade along the waterfront in the evenings, especially around the marinas and yacht clubs. Bagdat Caddesi is one of the most trendy – and label-conscious – fashion shopping streets, and for more down-to-earth goods, the Gen Azim Gunduz Caddesi is the best place for clothes, and the bit pazari on Ozelellik Sokak is good for browsing through junk. The Benadam art gallery remains in Moda district with many other foreing cusines, restaurants and cafes. Haydarpaşa: To the north of Kadikoy is Haydarpasa, and the train station built in 1908 with Prussain-style architecture which was the first stop along the Baghdad railway. Now it is the main station going to eastbound destinations both within Turkey, and international. There are tombs and monuments dedicated to the English and French soldiers who lost their lives during the Crimean War (1854-56), near the military hospital. The north-west wing of the 19th Century Selimiye Barracks once housed the hospital, used by Florence Nightingale to care for soldiers, and remains to honour her memory. Polonezköy: Polonezköy, although still within the city, is 25 km. away from the centre and not easy to reach by public transport. Translated as “village of the Poles”, the village has a fascinating history: It was established in 1848 by Prince Czartorisky, leader of the Polish nationals who was granted exile in the Ottoman Empire to escape oppression in the Balkans. During his exile, he succeeded in establishing a community of Balkans, which still survives, on the plot of land sold to him by a local monastery. Since the 1970s the village has become a popular place with local Istanbulites, who buy their pig meat there (pig being forbidden under Islamic law and therefore difficult to get elsewhere). All the Poles have since left the village, and the place is inhabited now by wealthy city people, living in the few remaining Central European style wooden houses with pretty balconies. What attracts most visitors to Polonezkoy is its vast green expanse, which was designated Istanbul’s first national park, and the walks though forests with streams and wooden bridges. Because of its popularity, it gets crowded at weekends and the hotels are usually full. Kilyos: Kilyos is the nearest beach resort to the city, on the Black Sea coast on the European side of the Bosphorus. Once a Greek fishing village, it has quickly been developed as a holiday-home development, and gets very crowded in summer. Because of its ease to get there, 25km and plenty of public transport, it is good for a day trip, and is a popular weekend getaway with plenty of hotels, and a couple of campsites. Şile: A pleasant, small holiday town, Şile lies 50km from Üsküdar on the Black Sea coast and some people even live there and commute into Istanbul. The white sandy beaches are easily accessible from the main highway, lying on the west, as well as a series of small beaches at the east end. The town itself if perched on a clifftop over looking the bay tiny island. There is an interesting French-built black-and-white striped lighthouse, and 14th century Genoese castle on the nearby island. Apart from its popular beaches, the town is also famous for its craft; Sile bezi, a white muslin fabric a little like cheesecloth, which the local women embroider and sell their products on the street, as well as all over Turkey. The town has plenty of accommodation available, hotels, guest houses and pansiyons, although can get very crowded at weekends and holidays as it is very popular with people from Istanbul for a getaway, especially in the summer. There are small restaurants and bars in the town. Prince’s Islands: Also known as Istanbul Islands, there are eight within one hour from the city, in the Marmara Sea. Boats ply the islands from Sirkeci, Kabatas and Bostanci, with more services during the summer. These islands, on which monasteries were established during the Byzantine period, was a popular summer retreat for palace officials. It is still a popular escape from the city, with wealthier owning summer houses. Buyukada The largest and most popular one in Istanbul is Buyukada (the Great Island). Large wooden mansions still remain from the 19th century when wealthy Greek and Armernian bankers built them as a holiday villas. The island has always been a place predominantly inhabited by minorities, hence Islam has never had a strong presence here. Buyukada has long had a history of people coming here in exile or retreat; its most famous guest being Leon Trotsky, who stayed for four years writing ‘The History of the Russian Revolution’. The monastery of St George also played host to the granddaughter of Empress Irene, and the royal princess Zoe, in 1012. The island consists of two hills, both surmounted by monasteries, with a valley between. Motor vehicles are banned, so getting around the island can be done by graceful horse and carriage, leaving from the main square off Isa Celebi Sokak. Bicycles can also be hired. The southern hill, Yule Tepe, is the quieter of the two and also home of St George’s Monastery. It consists of a series of chapels on three levels, the site of which is a building dating back to the 12th century. In Byzantine times it was used as an asylum, with iron rings on the church floors used to restrain patients. On the northern hill is the monastery Isa Tepe, a 19th century house. The entire island is lively and colourful, with many restaurants, hotels, tea houses and shops. There are very big well-kept houses, trim gardens, and pine groves, as well as plenty of beach and picnic areas. Burgazada It is a smaller and less infrastructured for tourists.The famous Turkish novelist, Sait Faik Abasıyanık lived there, and his house has been turned into a museum dedicated to his work, and retains a remarkable tranquil and hallowed atmosphere. Heybeliada ‘Island of the Saddlebag’, because of its shape, is loved for its natural beauty and beaches. It also has a highly prestigious and fashionable watersports club in the northwest of the island. One of its best-known landmarks is the Greek Orthodox School of Theology, with an important collection of Byzantine manuscripts. The school sits loftily on the northern hill, but permission is needed to enter, from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Fener. The Deniz Harp Okulu, the Naval High School, is on the east side of the waterfront near the jetty, which was originally the Naval War Academy set up in 1852, then a high school since 1985. Walking and cycling are popular here, plus isolated beaches as well as the public Yoruk Beach, set in a magnificent bay.There are plenty of good local restaurants and tea houses, especially along Ayyıldız Caddesi, and the atmosphere is one of a close community. Environment: Wide beaches of Kilyos at European side of Black Sea at 25th km. outside the Istanbul, is attracting Istanbul residents during summer months. Belgrade Forest, inside from Black Sea, at European Side is the widest forest around Istanbul. Istanbul residents, at week ends, come here for family picnic with brazier at its shadows. 7 old water tank and some natural resources in the region compose a different atmosphere. Moğlova Aqueduct, which is constructed by Mimar Sinan during 16th century among Ottoman aqueducts, is the greatest one. 800 m. long Sultan Suleyman Aqueduct, which is passing over Golf Club, and also a piece of art of Mimar Sinan is one of the longest aqueducts within Turkey. Polonezköy, which is 25 km. away from Istanbul, is founded at Asia coast during 19th century by Polish immigrants. Polonezköy, for walking in village atmosphere, travels by horse, and tasting traditional Polish meals served by relatives of initial settlers, is the resort point of Istanbul residents. Beaches, restaurants and hotels of Şile at Black Sea coast and 70 km. away from Üsküdar, are turning this place into one of the most cute holiday places of Istanbul. Region which is popular in connection with tourism, is the place where famous Şile cloth is produced. Bayramoğlu - Darıca Bird Paradise and Botanic Park is a unique resort place 38 km. away from Istanbul. This gargantuan park with its trekking roads, restaurants is full of bird species and plants, coming from various parts of the world. Sweet Eskihisar fisherman borough, to whose marina can be anchored by yachtsmen after daily voyages in Marmara Sea is at south east of Istanbul. Turkey's 19th century famous painter, Osman Hamdi Bey's house in borough is turned into a museum. Hannibal's tomb between Eskihisar and Gebze is one of the sites around a Byzantium castle. There are lots of Istanbul residents' summer houses in popular holiday place 65 km. away from Istanbul, Silivri. This is a huge holiday place with magnificent restaurants, sports and health centers. Conference center is also attracting businessmen, who are escaping rapid tempo of urban life for "cultural tourism" and business - holiday mixed activities. Scheduled sea bus service is connecting Istanbul to Silivri. Islands within Marmara Sea, which is adorned with nine islands, was the banishing place of the Byzantium princes. Today they are now wealthy Istanbul residents' escaping places for cool winds during summer months and 19th century smart houses. Biggest one of the islands is Büyükada. You can have a marvelous phaeton travel between pine trees or have a swim within one of the numerous bays around islands! Other popular islands are Kınalı, Sedef, Burgaz and Heybeliada. Regular ferry voyages are connecting islands to both Europe and Asia coasts. There is a rapid sea bus service from Kabataş during summers.

Antalya

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Cappadocia

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Cappadocian region is the place where the nature and history come together with most beautiful scene in the world. While geographic events are forming Peribacaları (fairy chimneys), during the historical period, humans had carried the signs of thousand years old civilizations with carving houses and churches within these earth pillars and decorating them with frisks.
During the Roman Emperor, Augustus period, territories of Cappadocian Region as a wide region lying till to the Toros Mountains at south, Aksaray at west, Malatya at east and Eastern Black Sea shores at north within the 17 volume book named 'Geographika' of Strabon, one of the Antic Period writers. Today's Cappadocian Region is the area covered by Nevşehir, Aksaray, Niğde, Kayseri, and Kırşehir cities. More limited area, rocky Cappadocian Region is composed of Üçhisar, Göreme, Avanos, Ürgüp, Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, Ihlara and environment. Traditional Cappadocian houses and dovecotes carved into stones are showing the uniqueness of the region. These houses are constructed on the feet of the mountain via rocks or cut stones. Rock, which is the only construction material of the region, as it is very soft after quarry due to the structure of the region, can be easily processed but after contact with air it hardens and turns into a very strong construction material. Due to being plentiful and easy to process of the used material, regional unique masonry is developed and turned into an architectural tradition. Materials of neither courtyard nor house doors is wood. Upper parts of the doors built with arches are decorated with stylized ivy or rosette motifs. Dovecotes within the region are small structures constructed within 18th century and end of 19th century. Some of the dovecotes, which are important for showing Islamic picture art are constructed as monastery or church. Surfaces of dovecotes are decorated with rich inscriptions and adornments by regional artists.

Hunting

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Geographic structure of Turkey, is appropriate for development of hunt tourism in connection with its plant cover and wild life. Hunting grounds, which will be opened to hunting tourism with considering the hunting animals potential of our country, are determined and announced by Ministry of Environment and Forests (National Parks, Hunting and Wild Life General Directorate). Foreign tourist hunters, can hunt with Hunting Tousim Permission Certificate, issued to A Class Tourism Agencies by Ministry of Forest. Also, foreign tourist hunters can only hunt species, breed and set free here within private hunting grounds approved by Ministry of Forest, National Parks and Hunt - wild Life General Directorate. Foreign tourist hunters, who can hunt by means of Tourism Agencies, according to the related decision of MAK (Central Hunt Commission) and regulation related with the application of 6136 Numbered Law, can bring their hunting guns and accessories together with them. In Hunting Permission Certificates; name, surname, nationality of the hunter who will participate hunting party, dates and customs offices, when and where he will enter and exit our country, hunting grounds, dates of hunt and hunting animal species and numbers that he can hunt, are mentioned.

Winter Sports

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The high altitude mountains of Turkey have made the country an important centre for winter tourism, and skiing is becoming increasingly popular.

Faith Tourism

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Developments in the scope of technology,without an exemption of all national boundaries, bring people close together. Since the discovery of writing, perheps 9.000 or 10.000 years ago, certain places in the world were the grounds for close contacts among different cultures, civilizations and religions. The foundations of the various ancient civilizations' on the lands of Anatolia, the settlement of the disples during the first quarter of Christianity in Anatolia or that of Jewish people who were subjected to the policy of annihilation in their homelands during the Mediaeval Ages inevitably provided the Anatolian region to embody various synagogues and churches besides the Islamic works of arts belonging to the Turkish nations. The fact that these works of art have attained to our times as a result of our nations' notion of respect and high esteem to other religions enable Turkey to gain an advantageous position among the other countries. The evaluation of the interests of people to visit religious centers out of the consideration of regular fulfilments can be identified as Faith Tours in the scope of tourism phenomenon.

Silk Road

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Silk industry, had taken a very important place of various nations from ancient times where silk and spice were coming from Far East and played an important role for Western world in international relations. Silk is also maintained the identification of Eastern Culture by Western societies. Transportation of silk and spice of east via caravans, is formed the commercial roads reaching to Europe from China. In Medieval Age, commercial caravans, had started to their voyages from today's Chinese Xian city, and reach to the Kashgar city of Uzbekistan; they were reaching to Hazar Sea from Afghanistan plains with following the first one of the roads separated into two there; and to Anatolia over Iran with climbing over Karakorum Mountains with other one. They were going to Europe via road over Thrace or via maritime lines from Anatolia. In this commercial movement improving from east to west, a road network, used since previous ages, had been benefited. These thousands of kilometers long caravan roads, which allow cultural relations between continents besides dense transportation of silk, porcelain, paper, spice and jewelry, are named as "Silk Road" in the course of time.
Silk Road, beyond being a commercial road connecting Asia to Europe, is holding the signs of cultures, religions and races, who lived in the region for 2000 years, and serves an extraordinary history and cultural wealth. After gaining of independence of Middle Asia Turkish Republics, re - animation of silk road both as a commercial road and also a historical and cultural value is considered, and works for protection and existence of structures which are constructed throughout this road but not used today with giving them new functions, is commenced.

Thermal Resorts

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Because of Turkey’s location on top of a major geothermal belt, it is among in the top seven countries in the world for quality and quantity of thermal springs with over 1000, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 110ºC. Most are in the Marmara and Aegean regions and because of their proximity to popular travel destinations such as Istanbul, Izmir, Pamukkale and Marmaris, public transport is easy. Many of Turkey’s historical places developed because of their springs, like the ancient city of Hieropolis which was built upon the rich mineral springs of Pamukkale, and the ancient Lydian city of Kaunos, whose people took baths in the rich mineral mud of Lake Koycegiz.

Congress Tourism

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History and Cultural heritage, Turkey is a door of amazing possibilities world. Turkey is a magnificent place for meetings, incentive and congresses where Europe and Asia meets. Turkey is submitting richness of first class hotel, resort and conference facility, easily transportation to main cities of the world, beautiful decorations and unique panorama attraction. A perfect climate and lesser cost advantages compared to alternative destinations are added to all of these. Turkey is an ideal destination with its being near to European countries and its exoticness. It is possible to reach ıstanbul within two or three hours via Turkish Airlines or other national airlines with transfer connection to İzmir, Antalya and Ankara and direct flight possibility. Daily flights are connecting Istanbul to the main cities of United States of America, Middle East and Asia. City tours and amusement programs can be organized within a package. Its unrivalled decor and richness of architectural heritages, Istanbul is within the biggest tourism destinations of the world.With its palm trees and ancient ruins, İzmir is the door of Aegean region. Sweet coastal summer places such as Kuşadası, Marmaris, Bodrum and Fethiye are very good choices for sales, meetings and incentive. Antalya, Mersin and Mediterranean's coastal summer places, are the attraction places of visitors during all of the year with sun, beautiful sand beaches and ancient historical places. Capital city of Turkey, Ankara is and important center with easy transport to great hotels and restaurants, magnificent rock churches and underground cities panorama having legendary Cappadocia. First capital city of Ottoman Empire, Bursa is serving a dazzling panorama, thermal bathed hotels and perfect skiing possibilities in Uludağ. Turkey has all kinds of equipment for organizing all kinds and sized of meetings, incentive and conference with appropriate comfort and style today.Traditional Turkish hospitality, high quality national food and wines, endless amusement and voyage possibilities are the guaranties of echoing success of all congressound to be organized in Turkey.

Golf

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In recent years, as golf courses with international standards have opened up, Turkey has become an elite golfing centre where players from around the world can meet in an environment of quality and prestige. Especially the area of Belek, 30km east of Antalya, where, there is a potential for golf tourism with the unique bonus of the cultural, historical and natural sightseeing of the region. Top-class courses are also being planned for Istanbul, Ankara and Mugla.In Turkey, most courses are in the vicinity of tourist resorts, around the coastal regions which have the necessary facilities like accommodation, restaurants and entertainment. The Ministry of Tourism plans to establish another 11 golf courses in these tourist areas. stage.

Ornithology

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Source: Important Bird Regions of TurkeyNatural Life Protection Foundation Ornithology is an observation sport, which maintains the identification of the nature from views of the birds. Birds, which are the best indicator of a healthful environment, are present within all kinds of life ambient. You can perform bird observation nearly every where such as desert, forest, steppe, marshes, parks within the city. Both season and time of the bird observation (ornithology) is not limited; it can be done for 365 days and 24 hours. 450 kinds of bird species are registered until today. Monitoring and understanding of birds, is the most intelligent way to observe our natural environment at the same time. Birds, which are very sensitive to the environmental conditions, can be the prior messenger of the matters such as forest loss, damage of marshes or usage of excessive agricultural medicines. Under this concept, bird observation is among the elements of detailed and healthful environment protection strategies.Total number of bird species within Turkey is equal to the bird species within whole of the Europe. One of the most important factors that our country is rich in connection with bird species is having plentiful marshes and the other one is it is on the important bird immigration roads. Bird observation stations and observation towers are established within important marshes of our country (Manyas, İzmir, Göksu Deltası etc.), and progresses in connection with ornito-tourism had performed. Important passing points of bird immigrations, seen especially during autumn and spring months within our country, Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits, Eastern Mediterranean (Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep) and North East Anatolia (Artvin, Rize, Kars). North East Anatolia region has an important potential especially in connection with preying birds. For example, in North East Anatolia, You can only face with Lyrurus mlokeesiewiczi in Georgia and in this region. Especially marshes on the bird immigration roads have important potential in connection with birds. Bird observation (ornithology) is rapidly widespread within Turkey during recent years. Currently "bird observation groups" had been established within various cities. Groups are sharing information and registries related with their performed observations under Internet environment.

Yachting

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The azure waters of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara and Black Sea surround Turkey to the south, west and north, making a treasure chest of coves, inlets, bays and beaches in which yachtsmen can choose a different and private anchorage each night. The sailing paradise of Turkey is also home to the Mavi Yolculuk, or Blue Voyage, an idyllic cruise which travels to the private beach of Cleopatra, the eternal fires of Mount Olimpos and the remains of thousands of ancient civilisations. Sailing in Turkey also allows visitors to experience the hospitality of the people in the coastal villages and towns. The tempered winds blowing from west and northwest make the long summers ideal for yachting, and seem to encourage an appreciation of nature. From some of the turquoise coast's unspoilt and sheltered bays you can see mountain peaks rising to almost 3000 meters above the sea level.

Botanic

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Various geographic characteristics, climate variety, caused by geographical differences, being a natural bridge between three continents, caused Anatolia Peninsula to have a rarely encountered vegetation in the world. While vegetation number, present in all along Europe is a total of 12.000, this figure is 9.000 in our country.Our country is superior than Europe according to vegetation variety. Because, our country is not only superior than Europe in connection with endemic plants which grow only a certain region or whose homeland is a certain region in the world but also one of the a few regions of the world. While endemic plant number of Europe is 2.750 this number equals to 3.000 in our country. Endemic plant number is only 600 in Antalya. Total plant number of England is 2.000. (9.000 in our country). It is known that one of the Mediterranean states, Spain as well as Former Yugoslavia have 500 endemic plants each. It is known that Bulgaria has 3.650, Greece 5.000, Cyprus 2.000, Syria - Lebanon 3.500, Iraq 4.000, Iran 8.000, France 4.500, Germany 2.500, Italy 5.600, Spain 5.000, Romania, 3.400, England 2.000, Hungry 2.214, Island 377 and Norway 1.715 plants on the basis of total plant number. 3 city of our country which have most endemic plants are Antalya with 578, Konya with 478 and İçel with 366. As you can see city of Antalya is richer than countries such as Spain and Former Yugoslavia. It can easily be estimated that city of İçel is richer than most of the European countries in connection with Endemic (and Non - Endemic) plant richness. If Antalya and İçel are thought together, it can be easily found that this two city become unrivalled against European countries with their plant potential.Europe's most endemic plant owning country except Turkey, is Greece has 800 endemic plants. Rival country, Italy's endemic plant number is 712. Endemic plant number of Japan is 2.000, USA's 4.036 and Switzerland's is 1. As it can be considered that cities of our country can be compared with countries of Europe but Europe continent is poorer than Turkey as a total. One of the most important reason for plant richness of Turkey is being Anatolia a shelter for plants during the ice age. Today Turkey is at the intersection point of 3 different plant area which is not present in either of the European country. These plant area are Mediterranean Plant Area (includes Mediterranean and Aegean regions), European - Siberia Plant Area (includes Black Sea and Marmara region), Iran - Turan Plant Area (includes Central Anatolia and Easter Anatolia regions.).

Spelunking

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With an approximate number of 40.000 caves and caverns present, our country is like a ' paradise of caverns ' when compared to other countries. An important geologic - geomorphologic fact in the formation of caverns is karstification (karstic fields) and this karstification is present in Western and Central Taurus Mountains (Muğla, Antalya, Isparta, Burdur, Konya, Karaman, İçel and Adana) of our country. The longest (Pınarözü Cavern, 16 km west of Beyşehir Lake) and the deepest (Çukurpınar Sinkhole, 1880 meters at the south of Anamur) caves of Turkey are present on this mountain belt.
In our country, the cavern investigations initiated by the Cavern Research Society (MAD) founded in 1964. Later on, the first university club, Bosphorus University Cavern Research Club (BÜMAK) has been founded in 1973. In 1979, Karst and Cavern Exploration Unit founded under the authority of MTA Geology Studies Department is executing most of the cavern explorations nowadays.
The exact number of caves investigated and documented by all local and foreign cave explorers is 800 so far.

Highlands

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The highlands of Turkey and the lifestyle of its people have an important place in the rich cultural landscape of Turkey. The tradition embodied in the lyrics of this ancient folk song, "The people of Avşar picked up and headed for new lands" have still being sung today, is what led to the settlement of hundreds of new areas in Turkey. In the Chinese Chronicles, Turks are described as people that "lived by following the rains and the pastures with their horses and high-wheeled wagons." After they came to Anatolia and abandoned their nomadic wanderings for more settled ways, they embarked on a new journey continuing old traditions within the parameters of a new lifestyle. In this new millennium of the "global village" where cultural differences seem to be disappearing, the highlands of Turkey offer a refreshing authenticity of ancient tradition which is noticed as soon as it is experienced. Compared with our modern way of life, it is a vivacious way of life in harmony with nature, at once both oriental and exotic. The highlands have much to offer; the fresh clean air of an undefiled environment, crystal clear streams, a refreshing coolness that is a relief from the sweltering heat during the hottest summer days, views of enchanting beauty, fruit and vegetables grown without hormones and ripen on the vine slowly and naturally, milk and meat products of animals pastured in the most natural environments. The innumerable wild animal and plant species living in their natural habitat rescue us from the virtual world of TV documentaries and enable us to experience real life up close and personal.
The Taurus HighlandsExposed to the gentle Mediterranean breezes, the snow-covered peaks of the Taurus Mountain Range intermingle with the foothills spread out like a colorful nomadic carpet of flowers dotted with fruit orchards, pine, fir, cedar and juniper trees. When the crocuses blossom in the spring, the nomads (Yörükler) set off to find pasture for their animals among the highlands covered with the very hues of green. When the Mediterranean summer heat begins to make itself felt in the lowlands and coastal areas, the flight begins to cooler altitudes where the springwater is cold and crystal clear. Plant Life: The Taurus Mountains have a wide assortment of plant cover and as one ascends and disappears from the coast areas, the diversity of the plant cover varies. Citrus orchards, different types of shrubs, sandalwood, a variety of oaks, sycamore tree, wild olive trees, blackberries, terebinth trees, heath, frankincense, mastic, redbud, strawberry and laurel trees, as well as different types of pine and juniper trees, beech, Taurus fir and cedar trees enhance the natural beauty of this mountain range. A wide variety of flowers during the spring months.Snowdrops, wild cyclamen, narcissus, hyacinth, poppies, oregano, lavender, mint, purslane, tulips and daisies are among the more common types of flora seen in this area. Wildlife: The wildlife in these mountains presents the same diversity as that of the rich plant cover. Taurus Mountains are home for birds such as pigeons, blackbirds, francolins, partridges, quail, turtledoves, woodcock as well as for eagles, sturnidaes, falcons, chaffinches and orioles. Animals that can be observed here in their natural habitat are deer, fallow deer, bezoar goat, boar, lynx, roe deer, fox, wolf, jackals, martens, rabbits and hyena. The Taurus highlands are found within the provinces of Gaziantep, Hatay (Antioch), Adana, İçel, Antalya and Muğla. The Highlands of the Black Sea With their mountain meadows adorned with colorful wildflowers, the highlands of the Black Sea are characterized by their spruce forests. The verdant appearance and lush green slopes of the Black Sea coasts are due not only to the abundant rainfall but also to the humid and foggy weather. The humidity and the foggy weather gives way to a brilliant sunshine and oxygen-rich fresh mountain air as one ascends from the coastal areas high up to the mountains. Up here in the Black Sea highlands the mountains are covered with trees like fir, spruce, Scotch pine, cedar, beech, oak, linden, elm, hornbeam, alder and wild hazelnut as well as flowers like snowdrops, wild azalea, forest rose and countless other wildflowers. The Black Sea highlands are found in the provinces of Sinop, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane and Bayburt.

Air Sports

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Turkey is a country which should be discovered by fond of air sports such as Paragliding , Glider, Parachute and Balloon.

Mountaineering

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Turkey presents to mountains lovers with an incredible variety of interesting climbing opportunities that are sure to satisfy the most demanding hikers, climbers, and winter sports fans. In Turkey, mountains come in all sizes, geo-morphological and tectonic structures and boast abundant wildlife and forests teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Every year thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Turkey for winter sports (especially skiing), mountains climbing and hiking.

Rafting

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Turkey, with its rich natural resources and hundreds of rivers, provides great opportunities for water sports like rafting, canoeing and water-skiing, while always respecting the cultural, historical and environmental qualities of the country. The most famous is the River Coruh, renowned internationally as one of the fastest flowing in the world, and venue of the 4th World Watersports Championships in 1993 which saw 300 competitors from 28 countries.

Underwater Diving

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Within the seas of Turkey, divers can discover a fascinating submerged world, from underwater caverns to sunken ships and even the remains of ancient cities. The only areas prohibited from diving are military zones, those conducting scientific research and areas under protection.

The Marmara

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A center of reminiscence in this country of historical focus of the old world is the Marmara Region which occupies the northwest corner of the country. Being a point of juncture between Europe and Asia this area has seen thousands of tribes and their civilizations passing through, from one continent to the other.
As the core of this background, the famous city of Istanbul stands, with all its magnificence, and signs from its far-reaching past. It has such a location that it constitutes not only a city of history, but also one of natural beauty beyond example. Extending on the two sides of the Bosphorus bordered by green groves, it also possesses beautiful shores along the internal Marmara Sea. Facing the city there exists small, pretty islands, adorning this big sea, Iying in the middle of the region. The sea features the land in that the climatic characteristics of the Black Sea influencing the north of it, is separated from the typical Mediterranean climate prevailing in its south. Rainfall is high enough to facilitate growing a variety of fruits, while snowfall enlivens the winter holidays.
Uludag, one of the main peaks of Turkey, is the most prominent figure in this region, and one of the most popular ski-resorts with every kind of convenience provided. At the foot of Mount Uludag, "Green" Bursa is located, with its dense forests covering the mountains and wide meadows, which give it its title. It is another center of historical importance, its rich past being kept alive in its mosques and tombs of wonderful architectural design. Ancient Iznik is the same, as is the charming city of Edirne which is on the European side of Turkey.
Bordering Greece and Bulgaria, the land in Thrace is covered by wide fields of sunflowers and vineyards, while olive groves are found extending all over the region, like the gardens in Balikesir on the Anatolian side. In the same district there is a special spot nearby a broad lake: the National Park of "Kus Cenneti" (Bird Paradise) which is a bird sanctuary sheltering birds of over two hundred species.
It goes on and on once you begin to tell about this region of great appeal. Every kind of beauty greets every type of holidaymaker, from sightseers to sunbathers, from bird watchers to lovers of nostalgia. Thus, words are not enough, but helps to say you that you will certainly find whatever you want, in the next but one of the impressive pieces of this land.

FOLKLORE AND CUSTOMS

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Turkey has very rich folkloric traditions which have been kept alive for centuries due to the characteristics of Turkish people. Folk music accompanies Anatolian people every single moment of their lives. Every individual creates his own folk music suitable for his own situation. People create their own music, and do not write it down, but pass it from one to the other, and the "asiklar" (troubadours) who sing and play this music keep it alive. Turkish folk dance is also very alive and variant. Each region has its characteristic dance with particular costumes, steps, rhythms and instruments. Every region's dance reflects the characteristics of that region's people. Turkish people are very inventive, creating new dances for different situations. There are particular dances for weddings, for harvest or for guest welcoming and so on, "Horon," a very fluid and swift dance, is particular to the Black Sea Region; "Kasik Oyunu," played with spoons, is performed in from Konya to Silifke; "Kilic-Kalkan" is practiced in Bursa in memory of the capture of the city by the Ottomans; "Zeybek," particular to the Aegean Region, symbolizes courage and heroism.
There are also some folkloric sports which are also occasions for celebration. They are very typical and traditional, and it is recommended that you try to witness some of these; you will find it really interesting. "Grease Wrestling" (yagli gures) is the Turkish national sport dating from Ottoman times and every year in July wrestling championships are held in Kirkpinar, outside Edirne. The contest is made more difficult by the fact that the wrestlers smear themselves with oil. The army was kept in good physical condition by this sport. "Cirit" (javelin-throwing) is a fast-paced game played on horseback. The origin of this sport is in Central Asia, where it was developed by the soldiers in order to improve their fighting skills. Riders on fast horses throw short javelins to teammates who are also on horseback. The most important rule is to catch the javelin while flying. This game is mostly performed in Konya and Eastern Turkey.
Turkish folklore is very much varied, there are some celebrated characters who reflect the peculiarities of Turkish people. Nasreddin Hoca is the best-known figure who has many legendary encounters with kings and common people. While seeming to act the fool, Nasreddin Hoca actually displays the folly of the other. Stories about Hoca have varied with the years and with the interpretation of the storytellers. They mostly begin, "One day Hoca..." and go on with his adventures.
Other important figures in Turkish folklore are Karagoz and his friend Hacivat. According to the legend, they were working as workmen in the construction of Bursa Ulu Mosque. Their satiric jokes made the sultan very angry and anxious about whether Karagoz and Hacivat could arouse some thoughts about the abuses of the, state in the minds of ,others, so they were condemned to death. The construction of the mosque was completed without them, but their comrades did not forget them and they kept their jokes alive, telling them over, and over. In time. the adventures of Karagoz and Hacivat gained a different extension and the traditional Turkish shadow puppet theater was born. Shadow puppets cut from camel hide, painted to look like Karagoz and Hacivat are held against a wide white cloth and operated as a strong light shines from behind. Karagoz and Hacivat come to life again and reached, today, also with the addition of some new characters. The stories include everything about human existence, from moral plays to the classic encounters between husband and wife. Unfortunately, the shadow theaters are not seen today except in a few places and on some special occasions. In Bursa, the Karagoz Antique Shop sometimes organizes shadow puppet theater plays and often has modern duplications of Karagoz and Hacivat, for sale.
Hospitality is one of the cornerstones of the Turkish way of life. Turkish people are the most gracious and generous hosts as a result of their natural instincts. In every corner of the country such a traditional hospitality will meet you. Every individual feels bound to honor his guest in the best possible manner. They will open their houses to every guest with a smiling face and with all their sincerity give the best seat and cook the best food for their guest. Turkish. people are very understanding about foreigners' different customs and they try to communicate in order to help visitors according to their code of hospitality. The mentality of that hospitality is "whatever religion you are from, whichever country you come from, whatever language you speak, you are 'God's Guest' ," so you deserve to be welcomed in the best manner.
Coffee-houses ("kahve") are very specific to Turkish people. Even the smallest village has at least one "kahve." In old times men used to smoke hubble-bubble pipes ("nargile") while talking about the matters of the day. You can still smoke "nargile," but only in some of the coffee-houses. If you ever had a chance to see a "kahve," especially in Istanbul, do not hesitate to spend some time in that lovely, authentic place.
Another feature symbolizing the Turkish way of life is the Turkish Baths ("Hamam"). They have a very important place in Turkish daily and historical life as a result of the emphasis placed upon cleanliness by Islam. Since Medieval times public bath houses have been built everywhere and they retain an architectural and historical importance. The Turkish way of bathing in a "hamam" is very healthy and refreshing, so do not forget to visit a "hamam;" you will not regret it!

ART & ARCHITECTURE

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Turkey is a land which has been the home of many civilizations since the beginning of history. It is difficult to find another land on earth in which one civilization leads to another. Turkey, with its rich past, stands as a challenging resource for both art historians and archeologists; it is a real open-air museum of art and architecture. The artistic history of Turkey is very rich and goes back to the beginning of history.
The Hittites rose to prominence in Anatolia in 1800 BC and reigned until 1200 BC. They were experts in metal-work and have left behind delicate statues made from gold, bronze and copper, particularly of the fertility goddess they worshipped. Many examples of these are on exhibition at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Metal tablets written in Hittite hieroglyphics give us some clues about the daily, and ceremonial, lives of the Hittites. The capital of the Hittites, Hattusas (Bogazkoy), still preserves the remnants of the temple, the "Royal Gate" and especially the "Lion Gate", from which, when passing through, you can sense the splendor of the Hittite Empire.
The intensity and the quality of the remains from the Greek and Roman Empires in Turkey, especially in the southern Mediterranean coast, imparts the feeling that you have traveled through a time-machine and arrived in the Hellenistic Era. The remaining artistic and architectural pieces provide us with information about the daily life of the ancient Greek and Roman. Most of the cities have museums preserving the artifacts, such as sculptural reliefs, statues, jewelry, household utensils, frescoes and mosaics. Besides these, the ruins of the period still standing, exhibit their treasures as an open-air museum. The most memorable of these are; Pergamum, on the Aegean coast,
Aphrodisias with the Temple of Aphrodite, and Ephesus, with its wide streets bordered by Corinthian columns, with its amphitheaters, and with its world famous Temple of Artemis; one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.
By the 4th-century, the Roman Empire had been divided into East and West, and Christianity was firmly rooted in both, giving rise to the numerous churches and monasteries spread all over the country. Cappadocia especially, displays magnificent examples of these monuments, carved into rock and decorated with colored frescoes. The Byzantine churches have their own style that is an integration of Roman and oriental influences and they are termed as "basilica". The great Saint Sophia In Istanbul, built during the reign of emperor Justinian, is the largest Christian basilica on earth. Its interior is marble and decorated with mosaics of rich colors like deep blue and red. The Sumela Monastery near Trabzon is another important Byzantine ruin.
In 1071, The Seljuk Turks won a decisive victory over the Byzantine Empire and from then on, the Turkish presence in Anatolia was permanent. The Seljuks brought with them new artistic elements from Asia. The outstanding characteristics of the Seljuk architecture were tall gateways with ornamental stalactites, ogival archways and ceramic tiling. The exterior of the mosques of the Seljuk period are impressive, although not as decorative as Ottoman mosques. The Alaeddin Mosque in Konya is one of the most typical of Seljuk mosques. The Ulu Mosque in Konya is also a memorable Seljuk mosque with its interior elaborately patterned and ornamented. The "medrese"s (universities of that time), mosques, inns, bridges and roads and many other artifacts of the daily life of the Seljuks can be observed in any part of the country.
After the Seljuks, came the world famous Ottoman Empire which contributed considerably to Turkish art and architecture. They built mosques with rich, elaborate interiors. The Green Mosque in Bursa carries all the characteristics of the Ottoman art and architecture, its tiles are very specific of the age and Ottoman artistic style. After the Ottomans took over Istanbul, they contributed the great architect Mimar Sinan, to the architectural world. His mosques, among which Suleymaniye in Istanbul and Selimiye in Edirne are the most famous, are masterpieces in themselves. The Ottomans also made nacreous ornamentation's which were used in interior decoration, weapons and helmets. Precious examples of Ottoman arts and crafts, such as carpet weaving, tile-making, miniature and many other arts, are exhibited in the Turkish Islamic Arts Museum and in Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.

ECONOMY

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Today's Turkey, modern and open to the world, follows a liberal policy in economy just as in its political structure. The trend towards liberalization goes back to the 1950s, but related action became more prominent in the early 1980s when many radical changes and structural reforms have been made in the field. A free market operating with the rules of demand and supply, free competition, and a liberalized foreign trade were the outcomes of the decisions taken in that period. The fast growing Turkish economy is now further increasing its growth rate, with the ongoing arrangements for the betterment of all sectors it owns and develops.
Industry, which has always been considered to be the key sector of the economy, takes the lead in this development process. Especially after the liberalization movements, it showed a remarkable growth, and level of production in this sector reached the world-wide standards. Among the several sub-sectors of the Turkish industrial sector, there exist the defense, electronics, iron and steel, automotive, glass and sugar industries. The cement industry plays an important role in the country holding a high-ranking position in world production. The textiles and clothing sub-sector is another advanced branch, and Turkey, as a major cotton producer, increases its exports of textile products every year. Processing of agricultural products, production of agricultural machinery, and the fertilizer industry are to be mentioned here, while they relate to another main sector of the Turkish economy, namely agriculture.
Turkey, as it is evident from its being one of the few countries in the world that is self-sufficient in food, is a main producer of agricultural products. Provided by its suitable land and climate, this country has a great capacity to grow many kinds of crops. Cotton, rice, wheat, tea, tobacco, fruit and vegetables are but a few. Animal husbandry is carried out as part of the agricultural operations and the share of animal products in total agricultural exports is relatively high. Fishing, which has been a perennial operation in this country of rich water resources, and forestry, as another main production sector, can be included in Turkey's agricultural activities, all of which make significant contributions to the national economy.
Apart from these dominating sectors, there are other basic branches offering production of either goods or services. The mining sector is one, with the principal minerals of coal, iron, chrome, copper, bauxite and sulfur being extracted and processed. Energy production, construction and transportation are other important areas, each continuing a steady progress.
Last, and yet a considerably large sector of the Turkish economy is tourism. As a country of uniquely beautiful natural assets and vast historical treasures, Turkey constitutes a perfect center for touristic activities. There exists every kind of opportunity for every type of holiday-maker, due to the richness of the land with respect to its geographical and climatic characteristics granted by nature. With its enormously diverse natural figures, ranging from high mountains to extensive coasts, from wide green forests to broad lakes, this country possesses great resources in the field of tourism. Consequently, investments in modern and large capacity touristic establishments, are being made to put this potential into good use. Hotels, motels and holiday villages of high standards, offer services in all touristic areas with their high quality facilities. The establishment of an infrastructure for the training of qualified tourism personnel constitutes another investment area, and training programs are carried out at the newly established tourism centers serving this purpose and increasing the number of professional personnel. As a result of all these processes, Turkey has achieved the goal of providing the high level services suitable to the needs and wishes of foreign tourists. With the promotion policies being pursued and further arrangements in the sector, tourism will continue to rapidly increase its share in the Turkish economy.
Banking Sector
To complete the scheme of Turkish economic system, a little must be pointed out about the financial structure which covers and supports all the other sectors. Banking, as the fundamental element of this structure, must be separately emphasized because of its broad function in-the economy.
The Turkish financial system, comprising various institutions and instruments, is principally founded upon a universal banking system. Banks operate in accordance with international rules and practices, and offer numerous services with their many branches. These services include almost all activities being carried out in money and capital markets.

POLITICAL STRUCTURE

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Constitutions comprise the legal rules which define the powers and duties, shortly the structure, of the organs of government in a state. Like in all countries governed by the rule of law, such binding rules are set forth in the, Turkish Constitution, some of which will give an idea about the general political structure of Turkey:
"The Turkish State is a Republic. "
With the proclamation of the Turkish Republic on October 29, 1923, this first provision of the constitution was enacted,- and Turkey has been a democracy governed country by a republican regime since then. This fundamental provision is strengthened and protected by another, prohibiting its amendment, or proposal of amendment.
"The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law; bearing in mind the concepts of public peace, national solidarity and justice; respecting human rights and loyal to the nationalism of Ataturk. "
After the system of self-government was put into action with the foundation of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk took further steps in modernizing the country, the first being the formation of secularism. Social reforms followed this one, which made the country a modern state in complete sense, with its laws ensuring justice, and its nation on the level of the contemporary societies.
"The Turkish State, with its territory and nation, is an indivisible entity."
Turkey, pursues the goal of "peace at home, peace in the world" formulated by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The country, with its land within its present boundaries; with its citizens each being a Turk by the bond of citizenship; with its capital Ankara and official language Turkish; together with its history and culture, constitutes a whole. It makes every effort to safeguard this whole while it seeks to have cooperative relations with all countries to attain peace in the world. Being a founding member of the OECD and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Community; a member of NATO, the Council of Europe and the CSCE; and an associate member of the EC, Turkey contributes to the dialogue and confidence building process between nations, and further promotes these relations while preserving the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, equity and equality.
"Sovereignty is vested in the nation without reservation or condition and the nation exercises its sovereignty through the authorized organs as prescribed by the principles laid down in the Constitution".
Turkish State is a parliamentary democratic country employing a self-governing system. The representative parliament exercises sovereignty on behalf of the Turkish nation. The separation of powers, which is the consequence of such a democratic system is implemented through the authorized organs. The legislative power, which cannot be delegated, is vested in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), whereas the executive power is used by the President as the Head of State, together with the Council of Ministers. The power of the judiciary on the other hand, Is exercised by totally independent courts, surely within the bounds of the Constitution.
"All individuals are equal without any discrimination before the law, irrespective of language, race, color, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion and sect, or any such considerations. Everyone possesses inherent fundamental rights and freedoms which are inviolable and inalienable. "
Turkey is a country that respects basic human rights and freedoms, with no discrimination among groupings of race, color or sex. Under the superiority of law, every individual is treated equally in the application of the rules of law, including the members of minorities. Political opinion, philosophical belief, religion and sect are no exceptions to such considerations of equality before the law. Freedom of religion and conscience, freedom of expressing thoughts and opinions, freedom of communication, freedom of residence and movement, besides the other basic rights and freedoms of individuals, are all respected under the guarantee of the Constitution. Any kind of force, that acts to the contrary and fails to treat one with the proper respect, will be confronted with the sanctions of this law which says:
"No one can be subjected to torture or ill-treatment; no one can be subjected to penalty or treatment incompatible with human dignity. "

History

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The land of Anatolia has seen many civilizations, signs of which are spread all around, beginning from the earliest ages of humanity.
Paleolithic times dating back approximately 500,000 years ago, constitute the first period from which findings from the lives of oldest humans exist. Discoveries have been made by archeologists at Belbasi and Beldibi near Antalya, bringing this age to light.
The period 8000-5000 BC, saw the Neolithic age, when the first settlements with the first communities occurred. Catal Hoyuk in Konya, which is the world's first town in this sense, is in Turkey. The more sophisticated characteristics of this period are easily observed from the findings at this settlement and in Hacilar.
Next comes the Bronze Age, between 2500-2000 BC, during which the Hatti culture developed, and the Hittites followed from 1800 to 1200 BC. During these two periods, Anatolia witnessed more advanced social systems and the establishment of great monuments. Hattusas, (Bogazkoy) near Ankara, was the capital of Hittites, and at Yazilikaya, another Hittite center, hieroglyphic tablets from this period have been found.
Several centuries later, about 800 BC; the Carian, Lycian, Lydian and Phrygian Empires were established, as well as Greek colonies. The cultural signs from this age still remain all over the Aegean Coast.
Between 33 - 323 BC, the Greeks conquered the Persian states founded in the 6th century BC. The Greek (Hellenistic) Empire spread over the land, from which period city walls, gymnasiums, theaters and stadiums remain.
By 230 BC, Romans were crossing the Aegean towards Anatolia, and from this period onwards, the Anatolian lifestyle influenced the Romans. Many changes took place in the land of Turkey during these times, the Cappadocia region still bearing the imprint of Rome to this day.
After the advent of Christianity, the Roman Empire was divided into two in AD 395; the Western Empire eventually collapsed and the Eastern evolved into the Byzantine Empire. Constantinople (Istanbul) was the capital, which was conquered by the Latin incursion in AD 1204. By this time, Islam had been brought to Anatolia with the invasions of Arab AD 654. They passed their religion onto the Seljuk Turks who occupied most of the land following them and Konya became the Seljuk capital in this period.
After AD 1243, Mongols invaded Anatolia, while soon after, the Ottoman Turks, advanced and founded the Ottoman Empire in 1299. With the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottoman Empire enlarged its borders in Europe, Africa & Middle East. Until its official end in 1918, this empire saw many periods of growth, retrenchment, and flourishment, leaving its heritage and treasures all around.
In 1923, Republican Turkey was founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the national hero of Turkey, and after witnessing such a vast parade of civilizations over its land, Turkey now constitutes a modern country, working to attain integration with the whole world.

POPULATION

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Turkey has a population estimated at 56.4 million in 1990. Though the great majority of its people are Turks, ethnically and linguistically, there is a significant Kurdish population in the south-eastern region. The Kurds, though Muslims, have their own language and close tribal and family affiliations. Turkey also has small groups of Greeks, Armenians, Laz (a Black Sea people), Assyrians and Jews. The Turkish Jewish community is the remnant of a great influx which took place in the 1500s when the Jews of Spain were force by the Inquisition to flee their homes. They were welcomed into the Ottoman Empire, and brought with them knowledge of many recent European scientific and economic discoveries and advancement.

GEOGRAPHY

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If you ever take a look at some of the related publications, you will see that almost every passage presenting Turkey begins with such phrases. This is natural, because Turkey is a unique country with a unique geographical location, linking East to West, and offering the present together with the past. Here, history and geography live side by side, harmoniously. The gifts of nature stand all over the country, carrying signs from the earliest ages of humanity. Although it is impossible to separate one from the other, an introduction to the country's physical characteristics will help you understand its history and its treasures much better.
In order to situate Turkey, one must look at the roughly rectangular region between the longitudes of 36°42N and the latitudes of 26°45E. Greece and Bulgaria border on the European side; while Georgia, Armenia, Nakhitchevan autonomous region of Azerbalijan (which have been parts of the former USSR), Iran, Iraq and Syria border on the Asian.
Between these land borders of Turkey, there rest the seas which surround it on three sides. The Black Sea to the north, the Mediterranean to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the west, fill in the remaining parts of the frame with their lengthy beautiful coastlines.
Inside the frame the picture itself is colorful and diverse, with figures ranging from snowcapped mountains to oak and pine forests; from wide green meadows to broad and calm lakes. Lucky to see four seasons over its impressive land, Turkey is a real opportunity, which after visiting, will turn out to be a real experience. Certainly it is beyond the bounds of possibility to see all this vast amount of natural and historical beauty at once, but one may start from one of the seven geographical regions, which are the divisions made in accordance with varying physical and climatic characteristics.
The Marmara Region constitutes the "cornerstone" of Turkey, not just because it occupies the northwest corner of the country, but also in the sense that it carries an extra significance with respect to the other regions, possessing the important geographic area, that divides the country into two parts, while at the same time that combines the continents of Europe and Asia. The land of "Anatolia" on the Asian side, is separated from the land in "Thrace" on the European, by the internal Marmara Sea which is! connected to the Aegean Sea by the strait of Dardanelles. The Bosphorus is the second connecting channel where the waters of Marmara meet those of the Black Sea. Istanbul, the only city in the world that is set on two continents, extends on both sides of this strait. As to the figural design of the two pieces of land, an enormous diversity exists. Uludag, one of the main peaks of Turkey, is here, also being the most popular of Turkey's ski resorts. The land is adorned by several lakes, while small islands float in the sea. Wide plains and forests are spread over the region, just like the remains from many centuries.
In the west, the Aegean Region extends, beginning from the border of the Aegean Sea, towards the inner parts of western Anatolia. This rather uneven region offers a different composition of natural beauties, the coastline with its lovely beaches being the top attraction. In the inner parts of the region, mountains fall perpendicular to the sea, with plains running in between, through which long rivers flow. Such a geographical configuration makes the atmosphere of the seaside seep through these mountains and be felt in the farther, interior regions. Pamukkale, a uniquely attractive natural site in the world, is in this region, with its white ground of limestone forming a fantastic cascade.
The Mediterranean Region in the south, and the Black Sea Region in the north, possess similar shapes, each resembling a long narrow belt, extending on opposite sides of the country. Unlike in the Aegean Region, both the Black Sea mountains in the north and the Taurus (Toros) Mountains in the south, run parallel to the coastline. But these two regions differ somewhat in other geographical characteristics, in relation with their climatic peculiarities. The Black Sea Region possesses a rainy coastline in contrast to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. But there are several resorts with nice beaches equally attractive with those in the south. With its dense forests covering the mountains, this region forms a green world where wide valleys and rivers run. The Mediterranean Region on the other hand, provides the three ingredients of a classical summer holiday: sun, sea, and sand, though not its only pleasures. At the same moment with swimming and sunbathing on the beautiful beaches of its coastline, it interestingly offers skiing on snowy slopes, with resort facilities at Saklikent, near Antalya. Wide forests sprinkled over the land make this region a perfect mixture of green and blue, just like the Black Sea Region, though in different proportions.
Another region with quite different natural characteristics is Eastern Anatolia. Although it seems to be an enclosed area with no opportunities for a sea holiday, it possesses equally amazing natural assets with the coastal parts of the country. In addition, it is the record-holder among the regions; being the largest and the highest; and having within its boundaries, both Mount Ararat (Agri) which is the highest peak in Turkey (5165 m), and Lake Van which is the largest lake (3173 sq.km). The famed rivers Euphrates (Firat) and Tigris (Dicle) also rise here, flowing down through the meadows and mountains. Some inactive volcanoes exist which contribute to the tremendous diversity of the region.
While the Eastern Anatolian Region occupies the largest area in Turkey, Southeastern Anatolia constitutes the smallest part. And just as the Marmara Region is located in the northwest corner of the country, this small region forms that of the southeast. Though the general characteristics resemble those of the eastern region, it offers very different leisure opportunities, like caving, and it will be an adventure to visit this region of mountain cities, and to get lost in its historical beauties.
In the very midst of the country, there exists the seventh region of Turkey, Central Anatolia. It is the geographical center as well as the strategical center, with Ankara, the capital of Turkey set here, in the heart of this region. It is also a historical center possessing historical treasures dating back to times as early as the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages. This region too, constitutes a reflection of the whole country of rich natural beauties. Cappadocia, one of the rare regions in the world, with its landscape of rocks and capped pinnacles, stands in this vast plateau, in addition to the numerous lakes and mountains which also contribute to the abundant diversity in the region.

Asian Turkey Tours

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Asian Turkey Tours
"Experience the harmony and diversity from 10,000 years of civilizations"

Visit Cappadocia, the homeland of Saint George, fairy chimneys, the underground cities mentioned in Xenophon's Anabasis and the greatest concentration of Byzantine cave churches with remarkable in-situ frescos. Don't miss the Hittite capital Hattusha near the ritual centre Yazilikaya and Alacahoyuk. Other amazing places include Catal Hoyuk where the Neolithic Revolution took place and people worshiped the Mother Goddess, ancient Gordion where King Midas ruled and Alexander the Great later conquered, the richest unexcavated burial mound of the Comagene Kingdom on Mount Nemrut, the towns where Abraham and Saint Paul were born, Mount Ararat where Noah's Ark landed, Seljuk Caravanserais on the Silk Road, Ottoman mosques, and witness the influence of all these traditions on the customs of people today.

TRAVEL TURKEY İZMİR; TURİZM SEKTÖRÜ İZMİR'DE BULUŞTU

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Türkiye turizmi yeni bir fuar kazandı; TRAVEL TURKEY İZMİR – TURİZM FUAR VE KONFERANSI 13-16 Aralık 2007 tarihleri arasında, Uluslararası İzmir Fuar Alanı'nda gerçekleşti.
İzmir, turizm sektörüne yeni lokasyonlar kazandıracak ve ülke tanıtımına katkıda bulunacak bir organizasyona ev sahipliği yaptı. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanı Sn. Ertuğrul GÜNAY'ın açılışını gerçekleştirdiği TRAVEL TURKEY İZMİR fuarını İZFAŞ ve HANNOVER MESSE INTERNATIONAL, TÜRSAB işbirliğiyle düzenledi.
Turizm sektörünü İzmir'de buluşturan fuara 185 firma katıldı. Yunanistan'ın partner ülke, Şanlıurfa'nın konuk il olduğu fuara Suriye, Malezya, Maldivler, Güney Afrika, KKTC ve Tunus katılımcı olarak iştirak etti.
Dört gün süreyle açık kalan fuarı 10.051 kişi ziyaret ederken; çeşitli ülkelerden, sektöre yön veren turizm profesyonelleri, İzmir'e gelerek temaslarda bulundu. TÜRSAB işbirliği ve THY desteğiyle hazırlanan “Hosted Buyer Programı”na fuar için özel olarak davet edilen 100 turizm satın alıcısı katıldı. Program Yunanistan, İtalya, Portekiz, Belçika, Lübnan, Mısır, Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri, Yemen, KKTC, Türkmenistan ve Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'ni kapsadı. Konuk heyet, bu ülkelerin seyahat odaları temsilcileri, turist getiren seyahat acentelerinin yöneticileri ve turizme yön veren yayın organlarının editör ve yazarlarından oluştu.
Partner Ülke Yunanistan'ın, HATTA (Yunanistan Seyahat Acentaları Birliği) Başkanı Ioannis Evangelou başkanlığında bir heyetle katıldığı fuarda Evangelou, iki ülke arasındaki turizm ilişkilerinin geliştirilmesini istedi. Türkiye ve Yunanistan'ın dünya turizm pazarına ortak bir lokasyon sunabileceğine dikkat çekerken; hükümetlerden destek talep etti.
İki ülkenin ortaklaşa düzenlediği “Türk-Yunan Mutfağının Kardeşliği” adını taşıyan etkinlikse fuar katılımcı ve ziyaretçilerinden yoğun ilgi gördü. Türk ve Yunan Aşçıların ortak tadım yaptırdığı fuarda Ege'nin iki yakasındaki mutfakların eşsiz lezzetleri sunuldu.
TRAVEL TURKEY İZMİR'in konuk şehri Şanlıurfa kentte bulunan 35 arkeolojik kazı bölgesinden çıkan son bulguları anlatırken; turizm yatırımcılarını bölgeye çekmek için yoğun çaba harcadı. Organizasyon kapsamında ayrıca, çeşitli konularda konferanslar verildi; sektör temsilcileri İzmir'in EXPO 2015 adaylığı, Küresel Isınma ve Turizm, Turizm ve Çevre İlişkisi, Kongre Turizmciliğe ve Kruvaziyer Turizmine ilişki görüş alışverişinde bulundu.
İZFAŞ, HANNOVER MESSE INTERNATIONAL ve TÜRSAB yetkililerinin yaptığı ortak değerlendirmede, ilk kez düzenlenen fuarda başarı kaydedildiği, ülke ve bölge turizmi için önemli yol alındığı vurgulandı. TRAVEL TURKEY İZMİR Fuarı'nda kurulan iş bağlantılarının katılımcı ve ziyaretçilerin yanısıra sektöre de ivme kazandıracağı bildirilirken; katılımcıların fuardan memnun ayrıldığı, yabancı konukların ise Ege Bölgesi ve İzmir'e gösterdiği ilginin umut verici olduğu belirtildi.
TRAVEL TURKEY İZMİR'in gelecek yıl sektörün talebi doğrultusunda Kasım ayında yapılacağı ve fuarın Uluslararası İzmir Fuar Alanı'nın tüm hollerinde gerçekleştirilmesinin hedeflendiği açıklandı. Bilginize sunar, ilginize teşekkür ederiz Saygılarımızla