Did you know that Turkey…
- is known as the Cradle of Civilization
- borders three major seas (Black, Aegean, Mediterranean)
- was known as Asia Minor (Anatolia)
- is where the first Human Rights Declaration was stated in1463
- is where Alexander the Great cut the Gordian knot
- is the birthplace of King Midas
- has 70% of the population under 35
- is where the train the Orient Express was destined
- was the center of two empires (Byzantine and Ottoman)
- provides the world with 70% of it’s hazelnuts
- has a 650 year old shopping mall with 65 streets and 3500 shops
- is the birthplace of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus)
- became a modern republic in 1923
- is where Noah’s Ark landed
- witnessed the first international treaty in 1284 B.C.
- is where the world famous Iznik tiles originated
- had two of the Seven Wonders of the World
- has historical relics pertaining to three of the world’s major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
- has the world’s most valuable silk carpet
- provided water to the Garden of Eden from the Euphrates and Tigris
- is the birthplace of the Apostle Paul
- is where the Jews found refuge during the Inquisition in Europe
- is the location of Troy where the Trojan wars were fought
- had the world’s first Supreme Court woman judge
- is a member of the UN since 1945
- is one of few places where you can hear the native language of Jesus (Aramaic)
- was producing wine in 4000 B.C.
- is where Jesus’ followers were first called Christians
- is the site of the world’s oldest temple (Urfa)
- is where the first cherry tree was discovered
- first introduced tulips to the Dutch
- has the world’s oldest landscape painting
- has the world’s 3rd greatest cuisine
- has the Bosphorus dividing two continents (Europe and Asia)
- has more ancient sites than any other country
- was the first country to produce and use coins
- is 80% mountainous with many lakes and turquoise blue seas (Aegean and Mediterrean)
- is location of the Seven Churches of Asia
- and is one of the safest countries in the world.
Interesting is an inadequate word when we try to describe Turkey. Most of this taken from “Best Kept Secret” by Christopher Lawerce and John Melby.