Guide of Turkey

Turkey is a vast and iridescent nation straddling East and West. There is a huge variation in climate, vegetation, population, culture and tradition across the country. Turkey is on the coast of the Mediterranean, Black and Aegean seas and borders  Bulgaria and Greece to the west and Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Syria, Iran and Iraq to the south-east. Turkey is an extremely interesting country because it divides Europe and Asia and has played a fundamental role in history. In the twelfth century, the first Turkish state emerged and controlled all of western Anatolia.  Ottoman control became increasingly widespread and the empire grew stronger, extending into Central Europe, the Caucasus, North Africa and the Middle East. The Ottoman Empire eventually fell in the sixteenth century. After the First World War, a group of nationalists led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk managed to free Turkey from the allies and the republic was established with Ankara as its capital.

Places to visit in Turkey

There are many important cities in Turkey, Ankara is the capital and is located on the Anatolian plateau, its historic centre is located on top of a steep rocky hill. One of the most visited places is Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of today's Turkey. There is also a great Turkish history museum located there.

Istanbul is a city full of charm and stretches between Europe and Asia, divided by the Bosphorus Strait. In the past Istanbul was known as Constantinople and Byzantium, and today it remains a stunning city characterised by domes and spires alongside one another, there are Christian churches, mosques and minarets to visit. Two of the best are Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque.

The city of Adana one of the major commercial ports in the eastern Mediterranean and was built by Alexander the Great, there is a brilliant 16th century Castle to visit there.

Bursa is a city located to the south of the Sea of Marmara, in the foothills of Mount Uludağ and is very popular for winter sports. In the middle ages, it played a very important commercial role as it was located along the Silk Road.

Konya, is located in central Anatolia and was an important Roman and Byzantine city, in a strategic position along the road that connected Constantinople and Antioch. There is lots of typical Ottoman architecture in Konya and many mosques to visit, including the Aladdin Mosque and Selimyie Mosque.

Izmir is a city in western Turkey and is an important port on the Aegean Sea. The city has lots to explore in terms of history and culture and there are lots of mosques and synagogues, parks and museums to visit and Agora is a covered market where you can easily spend an afternoon shopping.

Pamukkale, in south-west Turkey, this city's thermal waters have attracted people from all over the world. They come to admire and bath in the naturally formed marble terraces full of warm water.