| Turkey's lands mass is 814.578 sq km. The European and Asian sides are divided by the Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus), the Sea of Marmara and the Canakkele Bogazi (Dardanellas). Anatolia is a high plateau region rising progressively towards the east, broken by the valleys of about 15 rivers, including the Dicle (Tigris) and the Firat (Euphrates. There are numerous lakes and some, such as Lake Van, are as large as inland seas. In the north, the Eastern Black sea Mountain chain runs parallel to the Black sea; in the south, the Tauros Mountains sweep down almost to the narrow, fertile coastal plain along the coast. Turkey enjoys a variety of climates, changing from the temperate climate of the Black Sea region, to the continental climate of the interior, then to the Mediterranean climate of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal regions. The coastline of Turkey's four seas is more than 8.333 km. along. |
Turkey has been called "the cradle of civilization"by travelling through this historic land, tourists will discover exactly what is meant by this phrase. The world's first town, a neolithic city at Catalhoyuk, dates back to 6.500 B.C. From the days of Catalhoyuk up to the present. Turkey boasts a rich culture that through the centuries has made a lasting impression on modem civilization. The heir to many centuries of cultures makes Turkey a paradise of infotmation and cultural wealth. Hattis. Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans have all made important contributions to Turkish history and ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give proof of each civilization's unique distinction. Turkey also has a very fascinating recent history. Upon the decline of the Ottoman Empire a young man named Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. He led his country into peace and stabality, with tremendous esconomic growth and complete modemization. Through decades of change and growth, Turkey still boasts this success, living by its adopted motto of "Peace in the World"
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