Because
of its location, Turkey was a region through which ancient
Asian Turkish culture moved into Europe, and also a window
of Western culture opening to meet the east.
Turkey
is surrounded by the Mediterranean Aegean and Black Sea
which connects the country to the whole world. Three of
the four - Black, Aegean and Mediterranean Sea – flow into
the Atlantic Ocean. The Sea of Marmara, between the Black
Sea and the Aegean, is within the borders of Turkey. Because
of these long coastal borders and the bridge between Asia
and Europe, Turkey has been the centre of major commercial
and migration routes.
Turkey
is considered a high-altitude country, as the mountains
cover the majority of the land, there is a significant area
which is made up of plains, plateaus and sediment areas.
These geographical variations mean that the climate is also
varied, and affects the location of settlements and economic
conditions.
Turkey
is separated into seven major geographic regions according
to climate, natural plantation and distribution of the agricultural
activities.
A BRIEF ON HISTORY
Turkey is one of the most ancient settlement areas
of the world as four seasons are encountered on this fruitful
land on which thousands of natural plant grows.
At the archeological excavations in the Karain cave near
Antalya, various traces relevant with the lower, intermediate
and upper periods of Paleolithic Age were found. The Paleolithic
Age is generally accepted to start two million years before
the present time and ended ten thousand years ago.
The most developed Neolithic Age settlement of the Ancient
Near-east and Aegean is Çatalhöyük, which is 52 km southeast
of Konya Province. Anatolia has entered Bronze Age by the
end of 4000 BC.
The inscribed history period of Anatolia began by 1950 BC.
The Hittites has founded the first state governed by the
central system in Anatolia at 1750 BC. The traces and the
art work belonging to Hittites are obtained from the archeological
excavations carried in Boğazköy, Alacahöyük, Eskiyapar,
İnandık, Maşathöyük, Kargamış, Zincirli, Arslantepe, Karatepe,
Sakçagözü and in various places which were under the reign
of Hittites.
After
destroying the Hittite Empire, Frigs have gained the dominance
over some regions of Anatolia between 1200-700 BC. Their
government center was Gordion, at the vicinity of Ankara.
Urartus, founding a state around Van Lake with their capital
as Tuşba (Van) at the beginning of 1000 BC has added important
works of art to our cultural heritage.
By the
end of the 2000 BC, as a result of the Dorian migrations,
the first Hellenist colonies begin to settle at the western
parts of Anatolia. The effect of Ionian civilization had
significantly increased in Western Anatolia after the 1050
BC. Karia, Lycia and Lydia Civilizations had their brightest
and most advanced periods between VII- VI. Centuries BC.
The Lydians –the inventor of the currency in the form of
coins- founded a state at the central parts of the Aegean
Region around 700 BC with the capital city of Sardes. Although
the Lydian Civilization was destroyed by Persians in 546
BC it continued to effect Anatolia until 300 BC. During
the reign of Persians in the western Anatolia, Greco- Persian
Style art works were established.
After
the invasion of Anatolia by Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic
Period (333-30 BC) began. During this period, the cities
of the Aegean Region was ornamented by architectural art
works. After 30 BC, there was a major cultural improvement
under the reign of Roman Empire. As the Roman Empire was
divided into two in 395, the Byzantine period began in Anatolia
and the art works were adapted to this culture. Parallel
to the spreading of the Christianity, there was a significant
increase in the religious structures and works. The Byzantine
period ended in 1453, after the conquest of Istanbul by
the Turks.
The
Turks begin to settle in Anatolia starting from the beginning
of the XI. Century during the period of Great Seljuk Empire.
During the period of the Seljuks (1075-1318), the older
cities were repaired and ornamented with new structures
and also new settlements were founded. The priority was
set to the religious architecture required by Islam, education
institutions and hospitals.
The
Ottomans, which founded a state in 1299 to became an empire,
had obtained the unification in Anatolia in the period of
Fatih Sultan Mehmet. During the ascension period which begins
with Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the borders of the empire reached
from the inner parts of Iran to Central Europe and from
Crimea to Northern Africa. The Ottoman Empire carried its
own culture to these newly conquered lands while absorbing
the admired elements of the local culture into its own.
Therefore, a rich cultural mosaic is founded.
Starting from the XVIII. Century, The effects of European
culture on the Ottoman culture is seen.
After
the Turkish Independence War under the command of Atatürk,
Republic of Turkey was founded in 29 October 1923. The Republic
of Turkey took over a rich cultural heritage from the Ottoman
Empire. Atatürk initiated important studies about enlightening,
preserving and presenting of this rich heritage. He founded
Turkish Language and History Institutions. He founded and
flourished education in Faculty of Language, History and
Geography and reverted Topkapı Palace and Ayasofya (Hagia
Sophia) into museums.
Turkey
has united its natural beauties with its cultural heritages
and therefore made great improvements in the tourism field.
The remains and works of ancient cultures other than Turkish
background are preserved and great importance is paid to
these art works. The Ephesus Arthemis Temple and Halikarnassos
Bodrum Mausoleum, which are counted among the seven wonders
of the world, were once inside the borders of Turkey. Sadly,the
remaining parts of these two unique wonders are displayed
at the major museums all around the world.
Links
on Turkey
- http://www.enjoyturkey.com
- http://www.turkey.org/start.html
- http://www.ask-turkey.com
- http://www.turkiye-online.com
- http://www.all-turkey-hotels.com/turkey-travel-guide.htm
- http://www.columbia.edu/~sss31/Turkiye
- http://www.about-turkey.com
- http://www.dominet.com.tr/turkey/turkeyhome.html
- http://www.tour-turkey.com
http://www.goldenhorn-rotary.com/ercu/ERCU_FLASH_eng.html
Links on Turkey & Tourism
- http://www.exploreturkey.com
- http://www.travelturkey.com
- http://www.turizm.net/cities
- http://www.bodrumturkey.com/main.htm
Links on Culture
- http://interactive.m2.org
- http://www.sailturkey.com/panoramas
Links on Hobbies
- http://www.great-adventures.com/destinations/turkey/turkey.html
- http://www.sailturkey.com
- http://yachting.wec-net.com.tr/x_index.html
- http://www.windsurf-turk.8k.com
- http://www.hikeandsail.com
