5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TURKEY

 1-  BRIEF INFORMATION ABOUT TURKEY 

 
  GEOGRAPHY  Turkey is on 2 
different continents. Asian Turkey, which includes 97% of the country, is separated from European Turkey by the Bosphorus, the Marmara Sea, and the Dardanelles.


 POPULATION  The current population of Turkey is 82,029,598 as of Wednesday, August 8, 2018, based on the latest United Nations estimates.


 RELIGION  Since up to 98 percent of the population are Muslims.The Turkish Constitution guarantees religious freedom, and tolerance is the rule.

 LANGUAGE  Turkish is the official language in Turkey with a population of over 72 million and also in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Turkish is spoken by small groups of ethnic Turks in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania and some other regions of Eastern Europe. Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and France also have large Turkish immigrant communities, the most populous Turkish community being in Germany. In Azerbaijan and in some ex-Soviet republics Turkish is spoken too.  

2-  TURKISH CULTURE 

Turkish coffee

Turkish Culture is unique in the world in that it has influenced and has been influenced in return by cultures and civilizations from China to Vienna and from Russian steps to North Africa for over a millennia. Turkish culture reflects this unparalleled cultural richness and diversity, and remains mostly shaped by its deep roots in Middle East, Anatolia and Balkans, the cradle of many civilizations for at least twelve thousand years.

 

3 -  TURKISH CUISINE 

   A wonderful mixture of cooking styles coexists within Turkish cuisine. Due to its geographical location nestled between Asia and Europe, Turkish food is a unique and exotic fusion with influences from many countries.  

Turkish cuisine

   

Baklava

   Since the days of the powerful Ottoman empire, Turkey has also been at the centre of trade, especially in spice, and the Ottoman chefs borrowed, adapted and perfected dishes from many other cuisines. The results of this distillation spread far beyond its borders with Turkish-style pastries (the ever-popular baklava) using filo and nuts being eaten in many neighbouring countries. The Turkish use of spices in many dishes and popular method of grilling food, particularly meat, over charcoal has also spread to neighbouring nations and beyond. 

4 -  TRAVELING TO TURKEY  

Is it safe to Travel to Turkey in 2018?

Turkey is safe as much as an other European country.

Uzungöl - Trabzon

Is it expensive to travel to Turkey?

I can not answer this as a local. So i quote a tourist's comment;

"No, Turkey is not expensive for a tourist who has good sense. The tourist has to be aware of what things generally cost and expect that general cost. That means, investigate before you come to Turkey. Istanbul and Ankara are pricier than Van, for example, because they are the centers of industry and government. You can expect to pay more in these cities for hotels, meals, etc.

Blue Mosque - Istanbul

Adana, Bodrum and so forth, the southern beach cities, are expensive too because they are resort cities and can charge more for liquor and hotels.But as a rule, Turkey is very, very inexpensive, and the people are WONDERFUL."    

-Annie Sumner

Do i need a visa?

 There is detailed information in this link;
http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

 P.S. : You can check my video to see market prices, bazaars and local life in Turkey during Ramadan month.

 

 

5 -  HISTORY OF TURKEY  

• 1071 - The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantium army at the Battle of Manzikert. The Turks gain control over much of Anatolia.


• 1299 - The Ottoman Empire is founded by Osman I.


• 1453 - The Ottomans conquer Constantinople bringing an end to the Byzantium Empire.




The Ottomans take Constantinople
• 1520 - Suleiman the Magnificent becomes ruler of the Ottoman Empire. He expands the empire to include Turkey, much of the Middle East, Greece, and Hungary.


• 1568 - The first war between Russia and Turkey. There will be several other wars between the two called the Russo-Turkish wars between 1586 and 1878.


• 1569 - A great fire burns much of Constantinople.


• 1853 - The start of the Crimean War between Russia and an alliance of countries including the Ottoman Empire, France, and Britain. Russia is defeated in 1856.


• 1914 - World War I begins. The Ottoman Empire is allied with Germany.


• 1915 - The Battle of Gallipoli begins between the Ottomans and the Allies. The Ottomans win the battle pushing back the Allies.


• 1919 - World War I comes to an end. The Ottoman Empire is defeated.


• 1919 - Turkish military officer Mustafa Kemal Ataturk leads the Turkish War of Independence.




Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
• 1923 - The Republic of Turkey is founded by Atatürk. He is named the first President of Turkey.


• 1923 - The capital city is moved to Ankara.

"Peace at home, peace in the world."  -M.K. Atatürk