COUNTRY OF TURKEY
Turkey is a big country divided into seven regions (please see locations on the map above) Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Southeastern, and Eastern.
The uneven north Anatolian terrain running along the Black Sea resembles a narrow, but the long belt. The land of this region is approximately 1/6 of Turkey’s total land area.
Marmara covers the area encircling the Sea of Marmara includes the entire European part as well as the northwest of the Anatolian steppe. While the area is the smallest of the regions after southeast; it has the highest population density of all the regions. The peak in the area is Uludag (2,543 meters), at the same time it is a major winter sports and tourist center.
Aegean extends from the Aegean Coast to the inner parts of Western Anatolia. There are significant differences between the coastal areas and inland, regarding both geographical features and economic and social aspects.
In the Mediterranean, located in the south of Turkey, the western and central Taurus Mountains rise behind the coastline creating a beautiful perspective. The Central Anatolia is exactly in the middle of the country and gives the appearance of being less mountainous compared with the other regions. The peak of the area is Mt.Erciyes (3.917 meters). The Eastern is Turkey’s largest and highest region. About three-fourths of it is at an altitude of 1,500-2,000 meters. There are numerous inactive volcanoes at its surroundings such as Nemrut, Suphan, Tendurek and the highest peak in the country; Mount Agri (Ararat), which is 5,165 meters.
The Southeast Anatolia is notable for the uniformity of its landscape, although the eastern part is comparatively more uneven than its western areas.
Travel Atelier provides tailor-made travel itineraries to all top destinations of Turkey, besides Greek Islands.
REGIONS OF TURKEY
All travelers have been in that area at least once, for it hosts Istanbul the peerless city. It may be considered as separating (or connecting) Europe and Asia continent but is also hosts climaxes of Christian and Ottoman architectures. Hagia Sophia Church, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, 1st, 2nd and 3rd bridges connecting two continents, Bosphorus, Selimiye Mosque, Nicaea (Iznik), Troy, Gallipoli/Dardanelles are all well-known names.
Neighboring Greece and many Greek Islands, the Western end (or first touch) of Asia Minor is named as Aegean Region, and have many important well-known sites decorating the coastline: Pergamon, Assos, Ephesus, Priene, Miletos, Didyma, Apollo Temple, Sardes, Carian Trail, Halicarnassus, Aphrodisias-Laodicea-Hierapolis-Pamukkale in inland parts. Furnishing Western Anatolia with millions of Olive Trees and harboring the gullets’ embarking spots are other important peculiarities.
Starting from the turquoise coastline, licking the southern slopes of Taurus Mountains, feeding the whole country and many other countries with citrus and other organic farming products; Mediterranean is the most important and one of the richest regions. Dalyan Canal and Caretta Caretta beaches, Fethiye, Gocek, Kas, Patara, Xanthos, Letoon, Myra (Demre – St. Nicholas), Perge, Aspendos, Antalya Museum, Antalya Old Town, Lycian Trail, Trail of St. Paul. Sailing, Rafting, Paragliding and even skiing are all enriching sports and activities available in the area.
Our capital city, Ankara is the heart of this region. Historically speaking, it has always hosted important cultures like Neolithic settlements in Catalhoyuk Konya, the Hittites (Hattusa), the Phrygians (King Midas - Gordion), and Early Christians in Cappadocia. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Caravanserais on Silk Road (Sultanhan etc.), Volcanic mountains, the largest Lake Salt of Turkey, beautiful architectural buildings from Seljuk Turks in Kayseri which is named after Caesar, ski resorts of Erciyes Mountain, trekking routes on Taurus range and Cappadocia trails are all there.
Tea is grown in the country and the place is the Black Sea while it is also well-known with its Christian/Georgian history. One of the late Byzantine churches (Hagia Sophia of Trapezius) and most important Monasteries (Sumela Monastery) welcomes you as an important pilgrimage route of Christians. The pastures at the eastern part of Kackar Mountains once crossed by Greek army on the way back home after defeating the Persians (Return of Ten Thousand).
While Antioch is hosting the first church of Christianity, Hatay (Antioch) city is exhibiting the richest Roman Mosaic collection in its unique museum. You see the homeland of pistachio and Baklava, the start of the history of faith in Urfa (Gobeklitepe), neighboring Syrian culture and their pioneer churches, well-known Nemrut Mountain with huge heads on the top, Mardin city which is a world of taste established on the North Mesopotamia like a balcony.
Iraq, Iran, Armenia are the neighbors and that is making this region more interesting in present location and past stories. The largest lake of Turkey, Lake Van is there. Old stager cheese of Kars and Kars Gruyere, Amazing Armenian Church of Akdamar, Urartian Castle from 9th Century BC with very proper walls, Kars Ani Ruins and Mt. Ararat are all sites to take you towards the unread eras to the history.