Turkey, also known as Türkiye, is a democratic, secular, and unitary republic in the Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus, and eastern Mediterranean. It's one of the largest countries in the region by population and land area, which is larger than any European country. Turkey is made up of three distinct regions:
Asia Minor: Also known as Anatolia, this oblong peninsula is almost entirely in Asia
Armenian Highland: A mountainous region in the east of the country
Turkish Thrace: A small piece of Europe in the southeast that was once part of a larger empire
Turkey has a temperate climate, coastal plains, a high central plateau, and several mountain ranges. The country is prone to earthquakes and is vulnerable to climate change, but it also has three biodiversity hotspots. Turkey is known for its rich cuisine, 21 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and 30 UNESCO intangible cultural heritage inscriptions, making it the fifth most visited country in the world.
Turkey's political system was established in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk after the fall of the Ottoman Empire following World War I. The country has become more integrated with the West while still maintaining relations with the East.
Turkey may also refer to a bird in the Phasianidae or Meleagrididae family, order Galliformes. The most well-known species is the common turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), a North American game bird that has been domesticated for food.
Turkeys have small, fleshy excrescences called caruncles, including snoods, which can be 1–6 inches long depending on the turkey's sex, health, and mood. During fights, commercial turkeys often peck at and pull on their snoods, which can cause bleeding and damage. To prevent further injury, some farmers cut off the snood when the turkey is young, a process called "de-snooding".
Here List Of 8 Most Beautiful Places In Turkey
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Mount Nemrut
Bosporus
pamukkale
Dolmabahce Palace
Topkapi Palace Museum
Duden Waterfalls
1.Hagia Sophia, (Greek: “Holy Wisdom”) Byzantine structure in Istanbul considered one of the world’s greatest buildings. Built as a church, it became a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again. It is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Designed under Justinian I by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, the original building was completed in less than six years (532–537 ce).
2.Blue Mosque:
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, also known by its official name, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii), is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I and remains a functioning mosque today. It also attracts a large number of tourists and is one of the most iconic and popular monuments of Ottoman architecture.
The mosque was built next to the former Hippodrome and stands across from the Hagia Sophia, another popular tourist site. The Blue Mosque was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1985 under the name of "Historic Areas of Istanbul".
3.Mount Nemrut:
The mountain lies 40 km (25 mi) north of Kahta, near Adıyaman. In 62 BC, King Antiochus I of Commagene built on the mountain top a tomb-sanctuary flanked by huge statues 8–9-metre high (26–30 ft) of himself, two lions, two eagles, and various composite Greek and Iranian gods, such as Heracles-Artagnes-Ares, Zeus-Oromasdes, and Apollo-Mithras-Helios-Hermes. When constructing this pantheon, Antiochus drew heavily from Parthian and Armenian traditions in order to reinvigorate the religion of his ancestral dynasty. The statues were once seated, with names of each god inscribed on them. At some point the heads of the statues were removed from their bodies, and they are now scattered throughout the site.
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The pattern of damage to the heads (notably to noses) suggests that they were deliberately damaged as a result of iconoclasm. The statues have not been restored to their original places. The site also preserves stone slabs with bas-relief figures that are thought to have formed a large frieze. These slabs, or stelae, depict Antiochus' Greek and Persian ancestors.
4.Bosporus:
Bosporus, strait (boğaz, “throat”) uniting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara and separating parts of Asian Turkey (Anatolia) from European Turkey.
In its centre a rapid current flows from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, but a countercurrent below the surface carries water of greater salinity from the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. The Bosporus is heavily fished, since the channel is a seasonal migration route for fish to and from the Black Sea. Both shores are well wooded and are dotted with villages, resorts, and fine residences and villas.
5.Pamukkale:
pamukkale meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey. The area is famous for a carbonate mineral left by the flowing of thermal spring water.It is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the River Menderes valley, which has a temperate climate for most of the year.
Panoramic view of travertine terraces at Pamukkale
Pamukkale sinter terraces
It was added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 along with Hierapolis.
6.Dolmabahce Palace:
Located on the European coast of the Bosporus strait, Dolmabahce Palace Istanbul paints a vivid picture of the Ottoman Empire's glory days. The construction of the palace was the idea of Sultan Abdülmecid I, who was fuelled by an ambition to encapsulate the contemporary essence of his era. In doing so, he also wanted a monumental shift from the old-world allure of Topkapı Palace. Under the masterful hands of architects Garabet Balyan and Nigoğayos Balyan, his dream palace emerged, gracefully intertwining Ottoman Baroque and Neoclassical inspirations.
Sitting grandly by the water's edge, the palace has seen seasons change, witnessed historic decisions, and harboured countless secrets within its walls. The gentle whisper of the Bosporus waves would have narrated tales of the six Sultans who called this place home until 1924. Later on, the palace's corridors resonated with the footsteps of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the visionary founder of modern Turkey. Upon entering Dolmabahçe Palace Istanbul, you're greeted with a symphony of culture.
Turkish traditions elegantly dance with Western aesthetics, making every corner a conversation. Be it the majestic Ceremonial Hall, the intimate corners of the Sultan's Harem, or the hustle and bustle of the administrative quarters, the palace hums with stories. But the stories aren't confined within four walls. Dolmabahçe Palace, or the 'filled-in garden', beckons you outdoors. Italian artisans poured their hearts into gardens that burst with colours and fragrances, offering a tranquil escape from the palace's ornate interiors.
Walking through Dolmabahçe Palace is like flipping through Turkey's grand family album. Every corridor, room and bloom echoes tales of bygone eras, inspiring awe and wonder. The walls reverberate with the laughter, whispers and footsteps of those who once graced its chambers. The intricate artwork and grand architecture serve as silent witnesses to the numerous historical events and intimate moments that unfolded here.
With every step, there's a realisation of the sheer magnitude of history that permeates the very essence of the palace. As you leave, you don't just carry memories of a historical monument but a heartfelt connection with Turkey's rich heritage and the timeless elegance of the Ottoman Empire, leaving an indelible mark on your soul.
7.Topkapi Palace Museum:
Set on top of the most visible hill of Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, is the symbol of the city. Opulent, decadent, and steeped in history, it offers visitors a chance to get to know the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire rather more intimately.
It was built in 1461 by Mehmet the Conqueror and remained both the symbolic and political home of the Ottoman Empire until Sultan Abdülmecid I moved the imperial retinue to Dolmabahçe Palace in 1853. During the four centuries in between, it hosted 22 different Sultans and their families.It was converted into a museum after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of the Turkish Republic in 1924 and is a must-see for any tourist visiting Istanbul. It is made up of four different courtyards and various exhibitions such as the treasury, weapons, watch collection, kaftans, portraits, and sacred relics of prophets.The number of odalisques (concubines in the Imperial Harem) rose as the Ottoman Empire declined, numbering 809 during the reign of Abdülaziz (1861-76). They were often brought from Georgia or the Caucasus or captured in Hungary, Poland and Venice.
Some say that the fall of the Ottoman Empire was in part due to the madness that befell the unfortunate younger brothers of the Sultan who were imprisoned in The Cage (located within Harem section) to prevent wars of succession. When it was their turn to take the throne, several appeared to have become crazed by the many years of incarceration and were subsequently assassinated.
Topkapi museum is now the most visited museum in Istanbul, receiving nearly three million visitors annually. This means the queues can often be very large, particularly to see the Imperial Treasury and Room of the Relics of the Prophet.
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