Turkey
People
The people who originate from Turkey are more appropriately called Turks. According to a 2007 population census, there are just over 71 million inhabitants, with a growth rate of 1.0 % every year. This is subdivided into two major ethnicities, with the Turkish making up 80% and the Kurds 20% of the total population. The people speak Turkish as their official language. Many also speak Kurdish, Kabardian, Azeri, and Dimli.
Just like its Middle Eastern neighbors, 99% of Turks practice Islam (Sunni) while the rest of the population, which is 0.2%, are Christians or Jewish.
Geography
With its location and infrastructures, Turkey is a transcontinental country. The majority of the country is located in Asia while the rest lies in the European continent. It measures a total land area of 301, 382 square miles and roughly takes on a rectangular shape. Turkey is surrounded by seas on three of its side. The Aegean Sea is located on its western portion, the Mediterranean Sea is at its southern part, and the Black Sea is to the north.
Turkey's landscape is greatly influenced by the ground's movements that come as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In fact, the Black Sea came to be formed due to fault lines. In general, the topography consists of rolling plains, mountains, and volcanoes with great rivers and lakes along them.
In Turkey, you will find that the climate varies according to the city or town's location. The regions that line the coast and near the Mediterranean Sea experience the temperate climate the Mediterranean is known for. It is characterized by summers that are hot, dry, and mild with winters that are wet and cold.
The mountains near the coastline prevent the Mediterranean climate from reaching inland thus giving the area an arid and extreme climate. With this, the Anatolian plateau is known for its extreme and deeply contrasting weather conditions. In this area, the winters are said to be very harsh with temperatures as low as negative 40 degrees Celsius with snow that lies for 120 days per year. Should you want to go these areas, make sure that you bring the necessary clothing and gear that fits the current season.
History
Turkey is the country that has its bases set on two continents. It is a land bridge connecting Asia and Europe. As a result, history has made it a meeting place of the cultures and civilizations of two worlds and made the country a witness to traffic as people pass from Asia to Europe and vice versa. Due to its location, it became a battleground, a favorite target of interested and potential invaders. With all that has happened to Turkey in the past, it was able to absorb essences of those that passed through its gates, helping mold Turkey to the place that people know today.
Famous Attractions
Turkey has much to offer its tourists and visitors. One of these is the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which used to be a cathedral but is now a museum. It is famous for its size, architecture, frescoes, and mosaics. The Blue Mosque, also found in Istanbul, is famous for its beautiful architecture and design. If you like to go shopping, the Covered Bazaar still in Istanbul is the oldest and the biggest bazaar in the world. The Ephesus, along the Aegean Coast, is the biggest and most preserved ancient city in the country, making it one of the world's greatest historical sites.
Nightlife
Turkey's nightlife is as vibrant and exciting as its scenery and culture. Heavy drinking in a Turkish meyhanes such as those found in Istanbul is often a popular way to really experience the country's nightlife. Live music is also played around the major cities in Turkey. If you want to go to Istanbul, try Kemanci and Mojo Blues bar. Bodrum nightlife is particularly well known in Europe especially for its outdoor disco.
Heavily recommended meyhanes or taverns are those found in the Cicek Pasaj located in Beyoglu, Istanbul. This is a passageway wherein taverns are found amidst shops that sell anything from flowers to fish, and street musicians play local music.
Nightclubs also are abundant in Turkey. There you can dance and drink the night away or just be part of an audience to Oriental belly dancers, Russian or Romanian dancers, and cabaret singers.
Culture
Turkey is well known for its very diverse culture. Because of its past, you can see that it is modern and Westernized, while at the same time it tries to keep the traditions that they deem fit. However, even at the surface, you can also see that the country's culture is a blend of the empires and people who conquered and passed by it in the past. Here, you can witness samples of the Turkic, Ottoman, Anatolian, Greek, and many other cultures. Most of the time, you can see that these ancient cultures are blended well into the Westernization path of Turkey.
The mixture that is Turkey's culture can be easily seen through its music and literature. Another way that you can witness the blend and influences is through the architecture of Turkey's ancient and modern buildings. In fact, many buildings carry the Byzantine influence coupled with the Ottoman with the unique twist of the Western world.
Cuisine
Turkish food is said to be one of the world's best cuisines. Their diet is healthy in that it employs the Mediterranean diet. It also reflects the cultures and civilizations of old as these are still incorporated into their food. Kebabs such as the Shish are popular to locals and tourists alike. Yogurt, one of Turkey's contributions to world cuisine, is a specialty used and prepared in various ways.
Turkey Airports infomation
Flights to Turkey
Hotels in Turkey
Articles in Turkey
The Marmara Pera Hotel - Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
8 Sep, 2020
The Marmara Pera Hotel Istanbul is one of the few four star accommodations in Turkey that reflect the beauty and extravagance of Turkish hospitality. The setting of the hotel is in the rich 1930s but hidden well within are many of the modern amenities that are standard in hotel rooms. The 203 rooms of the hotel reflect the antique furnishings of the rooms and the hotel and despite the nostalgia, comfort is not sacrificed as there is in room air-conditioning, gymnasium and fitness facilities, satellite television and IDD phone access. <br/> The Marmara Pera is located in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul where it is easily accessible to the cultural and entertainment center of the city. The city is populated by nearly thirteen million people and is considered both the cultural and financial center of Turkey. The long history of the city from as early as the Roman Empire has made it one of the richest cultural and historical sites in the world. <br/> The hotel is located on the Mesrutivet Cad Tepebasi Road, a place noted for its prime location for both business and finance. The hotel is one of the most important landmarks of the Pera district with a shopping center just located a few steps away. Other prime landmarks that can easily be accessed from the Marmara Pera are the Galata Tower, the Taksim Square, the Dolmabahce Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. <br/> The old world charm and the modern amenities that the Marmara Pera Hotel offers make it a hotel in a class on its own. <br/> <br/> Search for discounted hotel rooms around Asia on <a href='http://www.asia.com/hotel'>Asia.com hotels</a> search engine and save up to 70% on your hotel. <br/> <br/> <a href='http://www.asia.com/'>Asia.com</a> is neither affiliated with nor sponsored by the Marmara Pera Hotel in Istanbul. This article is provided for informational purposes only.
hotels
Flights
