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In geographical terms, Turkey
constitutes a natural bridge between Asia, Europe and Africa, which are the continents of
the old world. For this reason, human relations between continents since the earliest
times have taken place through Anatolia. The territory of Anatolia has been used for
migrations, wars, invasions, trade routes and communication during all ages. On the other
hand, Anatolia itself has been the cradle of many civilizations. Traces of civilization in
Turkey date back to 8000 B.C. In other words, civilization started to sprout 10.000 years
ago in Anatolia. Besides this long past of civilization, the variety of peoples who have
lived in this land gives a unique character to the archeological and cultural assets of
Turkey. The Hattis, the Hittites, the Sumerians, the Urartus, the Lycians, the Lydians,
the Phrygians, the Ionians, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Seljukis and the Ottomans were
the masters of the civilizations until the Republic of Turkey.
In addition to its rich historical and cultural inheritance, Turkey displays a great wealth and variety in its natural assets, too. A name for Anatolia in western countries is Asia Minor. This name has been given to it because it displays the features of a whole continent on its own scale. It is a country where four seasons occur in the same day, with its interesting geological structure and its climatic conditions characterized by large differences in rainfall and temperature across the country. Turkey exhibits a multi-faceted richness with its endless steppes, its expansive forests, its lakes and wetlands, each more beautiful than the other and each having a different character, with their waters salty, brackish and fresh, its lace-like coasts, embellished with forests in places, its chains of mountains which extend from one end of the country to the other, and its wild flora and fauna inhabiting this divers natural environment.
When this natural and cultural variety combines with the traditional, hospitality of its people, Turkey becomes a very attractive country in terms of tourism.
A few fantastic photos of my country
