At the crossroads between east and west, Turkey has always been a battleground between forces from all directions. Besides Russia, it's the only country two have both Asian and European territory. It's culture is diverse, containing flavours from Central Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It's this diversity, along with the natural and historical diversity of the country, that makes it such a popular place with travelers.
Turkey might be the world’s most contested country. Its landscape is dotted with battlegrounds, ruined castles and the palaces of great empires. This is the land where Alexander the Great slashed the Gordion Knot, where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homer’s Iliad, and where the Ottoman Empire fought battles that would shape the world. History buffs can immerse themselves in marvels and mementos stretching back to the dawn of civilisation.
Since Turkey is the last piece of the large Ottoman Empire that dominated much of North Africa, the Middle East, and southeastern Europe, its geographical position has had an essential effect in Turkish history.
Turkey officially known as the Republic of Turkey is situated in the northern hemisphere in which the two continents, Europe and Asia join. The majority of its territory stretches out over the Anatolian peninsula, while the rest lies on the Thrace that is the edge of the Balkan peninsula. Three sides of the country is surrounded by sea; the Mediterranean Sea is to the south; the Aegean Sea and Archipelago are to the west; and the Black Sea is also to the north. And the surrounding countries are Bulgaria, Greece, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Syria and Iran.
There are many historical and wonder city in Turkey such as Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, Izmir: the city on the bay, Ephesus: the wonder of world, and Istanbul, the city of the world's desire, and so on.
There are many historical and wonder city in Turkey such as Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, Izmir: the city on the bay, Ephesus: the wonder of world, and Istanbul, the city of the world's desire, and so on.
Ankara: The Founding Father
Ephesus: The Wonder of The World
Istanbul: The Inspiring City in The World
ISTANBUL: THE MOST INSPIRING CITY IN THE WORLD
İstanbul may no longer be the capital of Turkey, however it remains the economic and cultural powerhouse of the country. It's historic landmarks links it with its Ottoman past, while it's young population has firm course set towards the future. Most tourists spend a good portion of their time in the area of Sultanahmet, which contains Topkapı Palace, Aya Sofia (Hagia Sophia) and the Sultanahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque). However, don't miss many of the other interesting areas of the city, such as Beyoğlu, Beşıktas and Ortaköy.
The city’s over-abundance of important historic buildings and exciting new art galleries and museums provides visitors with more than enough to see during the day, but it’s at night that the place swings into high-velocity, mega-stylish action. Locals are flocking to see and be seen at an ever-growing array of bars, clubs and restaurants, bringing with them an infectious sense of joie de vivre and a discerning ability to judge these places on their standard of service, drinks, music and food as well as their position in the what’s-hot-and-what’s-not stakes.
That’s not to say that the locals are turning their backs on much-loved city institutions such as the rakı-soaked meyhane (tavern) or tranquil çay bahçesi (tea garden), because they wouldn’t dream of doing anything so foolish. They know, after all, that such institutions are one of the reasons that their home is – and always has been – rightfully dubbed the ‘City of the World’s Desire’.
Istanbul is hot.
These days, there are more happening restaurants, bars, galleries and clubs around town than there are exquisite Ottoman mosques (and that’s a lot). The international fashion and design press have been talking up İstanbul ad nauseam, but the most significant thing about the accolade ‘World’s Hippest City’ is that İstanbullus themselves have come believe it. The creeping sense of decrepitude that had fallen like a pall over their once-all-powerful home town has vanished, replaced by a sense of energy and innovation not seen since the days of Süleyman the Magnificent.
With its geographic position and thousands of years’ cultural heritage, İstanbul has a priviliged speciality among the metropolises of the world. By generating a creative energy, its juvenile and dynamic population has been making İstanbul, the mirror of Turkey, one of the most dynamic cities in the world. The cultural consciousness that particularly improved during the last twenty years is reflected upon its cultural life, too.
Over the years, Istanbul has gained a quality of being a magnetic field, a cultural and artistic centre not only for those living in Istanbul but also for all of the world’s people. The 21st Century will be the one of metropolises. Reviving the identities ,imroving their cultural heritage and sharing what they accumulated, metropolises have been forming the global culture.
By way of sharing their cultural accumulations, metropolitan people have been knowledgeable about and known each other better . The inclusion of cultures in the daily life and spreading out all sections of societies has been more important day by day. Metropolitan development has been succeeded by the help of cultural change and the fact that the consciousness of being among one of those living in Metropolises will go up the desired level. Therefore, it is required that both the administrations and non-governmental organizations should be active, and benefit from professional sources of information and experiences. Istanbul has become 2010 European capital of culture and Europe will discover the roots of its culture in Istanbul and take a noteworthy step. What’s more, Istanbul’s becoming succesful as a Europen capital of culture will be obtained by Istanbul people’s taking this project up seriosly and supporting it with a noticeable participation.
Picture source: http://www.travel-earth.com/turkey
Picture source: http://www.travel-earth.com/turkey
