With one part of its border touching Europe and the other touching Asia, the Republic of Turkey has several neighbours. Islam is the dominant religion in Turkey, with 99.8% of the population being Muslims. The very name of Turkey conjures up visions of oriental grandeur and intriguing history; however, the country is in a rapidly modernising phase and there are some wonderful Turkey hotels to stay in.
Wake to hear the Muhezzin call people to prayer at the crack of dawn.
Turkey has plenty of interesting sights and experiences to offer tourists. Several of Turkey's cities have spectacular skylines made up of castles and mosques. The breathtakingly beautiful coastline of Turkey will surpass all your expectations. 13 civilisations have inhabited Turkey in succession in the last 10,000 years and have left their imprint in the form of several historic treasures. Quite a bit of this great legacy can be seen even during a short stay in Turkey. The Turkish people are known for their extraordinary hospitality and cuisine.
A trip to Turkey will not burn a hole in your pocket as it is one of the most economical vacation spots in the Mediterranean, an there are some great value places to stay. The best time of the year to visit or take a tour in Turkey is during the months of April to October when the weather is perfect for relaxing on Turkey's picturesque beaches, or visiting the majestic mountains and lovely lakes.
Turkey has an almost rectangular shape measuring around 1,600 km from east to west and about 800 km when measured from north to south. Turkey shares borders with six water bodies and eight countries. The natural borders are well defined by water on three sides, with the eastern border having high mountains as sentinels.
Central Anatolia, South-eastern Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Black Sea, Aegean, the Mediterranean, and Marmara are the seven regions of Turkey. You can use our Turkey map to select your hotel in Turkey based on its location and region. Several tectonic processes over a long period in Anatolia have given Turkey varied and interesting landscapes, with Cappadocia being a prime example. Even now the area is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. An earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale devastated north-western Turkey in August 1999, leaving 17,000 fatalities and 44,000 injured people in its wake.
Turkey has an impressive past and a spectacular archaeological legacy thanks to the several civilisations that have lived here. From the ancient Hittites and their successors until the Ottomans, each civilisation left its imprint on Turkey's art, architecture, cuisine and culture. A wonderful intermingling of both Western and Eastern culture is seen in Turkey. This blend has happened over the years when immigrants from Central Asia passed through Turkey on their way westwards. A great way to experience this fascinating culture is by taking a Turkey tour.
Turkey's strategic location between two continents has also contributed to its unique cultural blend. Although the Ottoman Empire was religion-based, Turkey today has transformed into a modern nation where state and religion are clearly demarcated. During the early days of its formation, modern Turkey encouraged the growth of fine arts, and interest was revived in theatre, museums and architecture. Artistic expressions in Turkey attempt to balance between the modern Western values and the traditional Eastern values. Development in all spheres in modern Turkey shows the influence of historical factors.
Both Turkish literature and music are a result of inspiration from different cultures. The wide variety of music popular in Turkey, ranging from hip-hop to arabesque, is the outcome of Europe's influence on the Islamic world of the Ottoman Empire. Music aficionados are treated to a melodious blend of Islamic, European, Central Asian Turkish and modern Turkish music. Persian and Arabic influences are seen in Turkish literature written during the Ottoman era; later works show the influence of Western culture and Turkish folk culture.
Like other spheres, architecture in Turkey also shows the effect of diverse cultures. Several examples of traditional Byzantine styles and distinct Ottoman styles can be found in Turkey. From the 18th century onwards, a marked effect of Western influence is seen in the architecture. You can see tall skyscrapers next to historic buildings like the Dolmabahçe Palace and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
In 1923, after founding the Republic of Turkey, Atatürk made Ankara the capital of the new nation. Ankara was chosen as the capital because the city did not bear the imprint of the Ottoman Empire and was located almost in the centre of Turkey. The second largest city of Turkey now, Ankara has a 4 million strong population. Other great places to visit in Turkey include the seaside towns of Antalya, Alanya, Marmaris, Dalyan, Izmir, Kas, Kemer and Side, and the bizarre landscapes at Cappadocia.
You will not be able to do justice to the beauty of Turkey in a single visit. So you will leave your Turkey hotel only after promising yourself a return trip or tour in Turkey. The common thread running through all the diversity in Turkey is the friendly and hospitable nature of the people.
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