Fast facts about Turkey

Here are some fast facts about the popular tourist destination Turkey, which you may not have been aware of. Turkey has much to offer in terms of history and sightseeing and some of the friendliest people you will find are waiting to welcome you to their country.

Did you know?

The world’s oldest recorded settlement lies in Catalhoyuk in central Anatolia and dates back to 6,500 BC.

Turkey has the only city in the world that sits on two continents (Europe and Asia)! For more than 2000 years Istanbul was the capital of three great empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman.

From the bible, in the Book of Revelation, the seven churches mentioned are all to be found in Turkey: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

The tulip did not originate in Holland! The Turks gave the Dutch their famous tulips that became popular in the Netherlands and Great Britain.

One of the first most accurate maps of the world was drawn by the Turkish cartographer and navigator Piri Reis in the sixteenth century.

The Virgin Mary spent her last days in Selcuk, Izmir near the ancient city of Ephesus and the house has become a popular destination for pilgrims.

According to the Book of Genesis, after the waters of the great flood receded, Noah’s Ark landed on Mount Agri in eastern Anatolia.

Part of Turkey’s south western shore was given as a wedding gift to Cleopatra by Mark Antony.

Alexander the Great conquered a large territory in what is now Turkey and cut the Gordion Knot in the Phrygian capital (Gordium) not far from the present day capital Ankara.

Over 150 archaeological excavations take place every year in Turkey as more and more of the ancient world starts to reveal itself.

Turkey is a fascinating country and has many wonders of the ancient world that can still be seen in part today. CLC Leisure has a great resort in Turkey, Apollonium Spa & Beach resort which provides excellent holiday accommodation and is ideally located to discover more of Turkey.