Turkey history
Turkey, or Anatolia as it was called in ancient times, is the midpoint between Europe, Asia and Africa. Its history dates back to the Paleolithic era and a treasure trove of archaeological sites are to be found throughout much of the country. One of the world’s first towns, Çatalhöyük in southern Turkey, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Turkey’s advantageous geographical location has seen many civilisations come and go, and these have all shaped Turkey’s history into the rich multi-layered tapestry we find today. Three of the most influential civilisations were the Hittites, Byzantines and Ottomans.
Early history
Under the Hittites during the 13th to 18th century BC, Turkey expanded its borders and governed Palestine and parts of Syria. The Hittites were a fierce warlike people who were the first official civilisation to rule Turkey.
Later on the Ancient Romans set up Byzantium, modern day Istanbul, to be their new eastern capital, and with them art and architecture flourished. The Byzantine Empire ruled until the 15th century until the Ottomans, arguably one of the greatest conquering civilisations in history, took over. In 1453, the Ottomans seized Constantinople, renamed it Istanbul, and for the next 400 or so years proceeded to conquer any country within its reach.
The mighty Ottoman Empire stretched into Europe, Asia and Africa. Countries including Greece, Egypt and the Balkans valiantly battled the Ottomans and fell under their domination. During the 16th and 17th centuries the Holy Roman Empire was also seeking to expand so the two were often at odds in their struggle for power.
Quick fact!
Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site that is home to one of the world’s oldest man-made religious structures, a temple dating back to 10,000 BC.
1914 – 1945
The rise of Turkish nationalism in the 19th century and the country’s ultimate defeat during World War I finally saw the relinquishing of the Ottoman hold on Europe. Choosing the side of the Central Powers, Turkey was hammered by the Allied Forces who came at them from all sides. One of the fiercest battles was at Gallipoli between the Turks and the British and Anzac troops.
After the war Turkey was in tatters, and parts of the country were occupied by Greece, France, Italy and Britain. The Turks rallied and in 1922 managed to send all the foreigners packing. Wisely deciding to stay neutral during most of World War II, it entered the fray on the side of the Allies when it was clear that Germany would be defeated.
Quick fact!
The only city in the world located on two continents is Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman for more than 2000 years.
1946 – present
The years following World War II up until the 1990s were a tumultuous transition to a modern democratic state with many political parties forming. The military sought control on several occasions with coups in 1960, 1971, 1980 and 1997.
The early 1990s saw the Turkish nation strengthening its ties with the United States by aiding its invasion of Iraq in the Gulf War. This resulted in the fleeing of thousands of Kurdish refugees into Turkey. Today Turkey’s population is made up of mainly of Turks and Kurds.
Turkey joined the European Union (EU) on the brink of the new millennium in 1999 and although internal tensions still exist today, it enjoys a steady economy with the main earners being textiles and tourism.
Turkish language and culture
Culture of Turkey
Located between south eastern Europe and south western Asia, Turkish culture has become a hodge-podge of culture due to it’s relative centralized geographical location in the world and it’s position along the Mediterranean. Turkey displays heavy influences from Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, European, Middle Eastern and Central Asian traditions.
Religion
Islam is the most practised religion in the country of Turkey with 99% of it’s population being registered Muslims. 72% of these people follow the Sunni branch of Islam, while the remaining 25% consider themselves Shia.
Islam arrived in present day Turkey around the 7th century, influencing the eastern regions at first and then slowly spreading west. Today, there are thousands of modern and historical mosques found in every city, where Muslims are able to gather and worship every day. Turkey is home to very small sects of Christians and Jews, making up only 1% of the total population.
Architecture
Defined by the Ottoman Empire, Turkish Architecture is a mix of building styles and traditions found around the Mediterranean and throughout the Middle East. The Ottomans perfected the technique of constructing large open spaces covered by spectacular large domes and were able to create symbiotic relationships between interior and exterior beauty.
A Baroque influence is often noticeable in the curved lines and archways that so many long-standing Turkish buildings possess. The interior often plays upon light in a functional and poetic way. Dark shadows in hidden corners are often countered with bright sunlit halls, and shades playing together in perfect harmony.
Sports
Since Ottoman days the traditional sport of Turkey has been Yağlı güres, or oiled wrestling. Since the middle ages an international tournament dedicated to the sport has been allowing the world’s top athletes to battle it out on the mat. The annual Yağlı güres has been held every year in Kırkpınar, since 1362, making it the oldest continuously held sporting competition in the world.
Today, the most popular sport in Turkey is football, and is home to some of the top teams in the world. In 2002 the national team finished third place in the World Cup.
Cuisine
In true Ottoman fashion, Turkish cuisine is a complex and refined mix of many different styles of food found in neighbouring regions. Kurdish, Arabic, Greek, Armenian, and Persian recipes and techniques make up the variety of styles found throughout the country.
In general, a typical Turkish dish consists of cereals, vegetables and meat in sauce. There is a rich tradition of finely made pastries, such as the well-known Baklava, and cold dishes made with olive oil. The Kebab is quite popular, a tradition dating back to nomadic Turks of the past.
Languages of Turkey
Turkish is the official language of Turkey with 85% of the population having Turkish as their first language. English is spoken in many tourist spots across Turkey which helps foreign visitors when travelling there.
Basic Turkish words and phrases
Hello – Merhaba
Goodbye – Hoşçakal
Please – Lütfen
Thank-you – Teşekkür ederim
My name is… – benim adım…
I don’t speak Turkish – Türkçe konuşamıyorum
Do you speak English / Spanish / French / German – İngilizce biliyor musunuz / İspanyolca / Fransız / Alman
urkey weather
Turkey is a large country that experiences a variety of well-defined seasons. Sporting the nickname “the land of four seasons” temperatures vary greatly throughout. Coastal and southeastern Turkey record the most rainfall, dry in the central steppe, and snow in the mountains during winter.
Spring in Turkey
Springs in Turkey are relatively moderate throughout most of the country and is the preferred time to visit. With the days getting longer and temperatures rising from the low to high teens, with the occasional day reaching up into the 20′s, this is the perfect time to get about and explore. Long trousers and short sleeves are ideal, perhaps a jacket if it is early in the season.
Summer in Turkey
It is quite hot throughout most of Turkey in the summer. Most inland summer days go without rain and become a bit cool in the evening. With high temperatures the water warms and people flock from the cities to the coastline. The hottest months average temperatures in the high 20′s, with the occasional scorcher reaching well into the 30′s. Enjoy the heat with a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.
Autumn in Turkey
Shorter days in autumn bring about more mild temperatures and rains begin to become more frequent as the end of the season nears. Beginning with an average temperature around 20C in September, the air slowly cools through the months with temperatures averaging out towards the low teens and even single digits. A light jacket and long trousers are perfect to fight the coolest of night air.
Winter in Turkey
Winter in Turkey can be chilly and rainy, with the exception of the southeastern corner of the country where it remains temperate. Temperatures generally begin in the teens and teeter above freezing throughout the season. Higher altitudes average temperatures that are well below 0C and are frequented by snow storms. Bundle up, layer for the coldest days but be able to adjust for the odd sunny winter day.
Average temperatures in Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya
Average rainfall in Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya
No comments:
Post a Comment