|
|
|
|
 |
In Turkey the influences of the Middle East and the old Europe are combined. An exciting mixture. That is also true for the country side which one can experience at Turkey.
There are mountain massifs, wonderful shore lines, vibrating metropolises and scanty deserts. Istanbul is the largest town in Turkey. The metropolis, located at the Bosporus, the Golden Horn and the Marmara-Sea, is like a magnet. A traveler hardly stands a chance to avoid it. If you are not looking for the crowded sea beaches, you will surely find enjoyment at the quieter, historical "interior". Places like the legendary Troy at the Dardanelles, Pergamon or Milet are witnesses of a long gone but golden age.
Anatolia in the far east of Turkey is still relatively untouched. Here too, one can discover fascinating surroundings, for example the Taurus-mountain range or the Pontische-mountain range near the coast of the Black Sea. Tea thrives at a subtropical climate. The highland, which reminds of a steppe, is at parts as high as 2000 m. In the east it changes into a high mountain region. It is topped by the Ararat, which is 5137 m high, the legendary pier of the Noah’s Ark.
Anatolia is littered with monuments and ruins of different cultural societies. Catal Hüyük, one of the oldest urban settlements on earth, was the capital of the Hittite. Seljuk caravanserais line the country roads. Bursa documents the beginnings of the Ottoman Empire.
Turks like lamb for food. For example made as Shish Kebab (grilled lamb skewer) or Döner Kebab (lamb meat roasted on a rotating spit). Barbunya (sea barbells) and Kilic Baligi (sword fish) are specialties from the sea. Very tasty is also Karniyarik (eggplants filled with minced meat).
Beverages like Ayran (refreshing drink made of yogurt), apple tea and strong Turkish coffee are very popular.
Alcohol isn’t prohibited. However during the Ramadan, the month of fasting, one ought to respect the customs and rites of the natives and ought to avoid drinking alcohol.
Some geography:
3% of Turkey lies on the European continent, 97% at (little-) Asia. The country stretches over an area of 815,000 square kilometer and has close to 68 million inhabitants. Language of the country is Turkish. Various Kurdish dialects are spoken in east.
Most of the Turks are Muslims. They are of diversified Islamic beliefs, e.g. Sunnites and Alleviate. Minorities like the Armenians are under official national protection.
The Turks celebrate their national holiday on October 29th. It was on this day when Atatürk proclaimed the republic in 1923. |
|
|
|
|
|
