TURKEY: East Meets West

Geographically, the Republic of Turkey is a bridge between Europe and Asia. Due to its location, surrounded by sea on three sides, Turkey has always been the center of great trade, silk and spice routes. Today, even in the most inaccessible or isolated corners, one can easily feel and see the traces of different cultures.

The Republic was founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923 which marked the end of the long reign of the Ottoman Empire. Since then, Turkey has developed into a modern, democratic state, but at the same time, careful measures ensured that culture and traditions continue to live and evolve. Turkey is currently a candidate for membership of the European Union.

Turkey is a country of diverse cultures, beliefs, ideas, nature and history. This diversity is reflected in the landscape which is the life support and habitat for 70 million people. The Turkish landscape encompasses a vast variety of geographical zones. This landscape has the combined characteristics of three continents of the world: Europe, Africa and Asia. Between 2000 B.C. and A.D.1500, Anatolia was the center of world civilization manifested in the ruins and monuments which adorn today's landscape. Turkey is also known for an abundance and diversity of handicrafts, cuisine, music, customs and traditions due to its rich flora, fauna and regional differentiation as well as its imperial legacy.

Turkey's focal points are its three largest cities: İstanbul, Ankara and İzmir which have become major urban centers by their historical heritage as well as modern design. Mythology and history are intermingled in Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, together with its beautiful beaches and seaside resorts. Myra (now called Demre), near Antalya, is where St. Nicholas is buried. "Cappadocia," named during the Roman Empire, was a well-known religious center during the Byzantine Empire. Even today cave dwellings in rock cones and village houses of volcanic tuff merge harmoniously into the landscape. The Black Sea region is renowned for its mountainous green landscape. The 14th-century "Sumela Monastery" (Virgin Mary) is perched on a cliff-face 270 meters above a deep gorge. Nemrut Mountain in Adıyaman is where the tomb of King Antiokhos I was built two thousand years ago, surrounded by huge stoneheads of gods. In the east, Mount Ararat, where Noah's ark is believed to be buried, rises to a height of 5,165 meters. On the ancient Silk Road, near Kars, lie the ruins of the medieval city Ani.

These are just a few of the characteristics and excitements of Turkey. In general, Turkey fascinates, astonishes and informs. Perhaps the most thrilling aspect of visiting Turkey is to become an active participant in this landscape.

ANKARA: From Antiquity to Modernity

The city lies in the heart of Anatolia, an historical treasure at an altitude of 850 meters. Ankara, formerly named "Ancyra" by the Celts (meaning "anchor"), was an important cultural, trading and arts center in Roman times, and an important trading center on the caravan route to the east in Ottoman times. As a result of being chosen as the base during the War of Liberation by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the city was declared the capital of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Ankara is a modern city with a population of over 5 million, maintaining traces of civilizations dating back to the Bronze Age, to the Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians and Persians. The Romans and the Byzantines also left their mark in the region. On an imposing hill in the center of Ankara, stands the mausoleum (Anıtkabir) of Kemal Atatürk, a fusion of ancient and modern architectural ideas. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations houses a unique collection of treasures dating back to 2000 B.C. Besides the historical monuments within the heart of the city such as the Roman Theater, Ankara Citadel, Temple of Augustus, Roman Bath and the Column of Julian, the city's environs are also rich with ancient ruins. Ankara is surrounded by Hittite, Phrygian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and historical sites. The capital of the Seljuk Turks, Konya, renowned for the mystic "Whirling Dervishes," lies to the south east of Ankara.

Ankara is a center for opera, ballet, jazz and modern dance as well as the home of the Turkish Parliament, ministries, foreign embassies and nine universities. Shopping in Ankara can be exciting in the old part of the town for buying old copper, jewellery, carpets and kilims, antiques and embroidery. Modern shopping malls are scattered in and around the city selling various new items. Small shopping areas, local markets and restaurants are other attractive sights one should not miss. Ankara's location makes it very convenient for "Weekend Escapes" to reach to skiing resorts, cultural and historical sites, and the seaside. İstanbul is only five hours away by bus.

 

Climate in Ankara

The months of highest rain is October-November and April-May. Snow is common between the end of November until the end of March.

Annual Average Temperature (in degrees Celcius)

January 0
April 17
July 25
October 20

You can check the daily weather report in Ankara on the Internet. The URLs are: www.bbc.co.uk, www.cnn.com, www.meteor.gov.tr

 

Recommended Reading

. Toni Cross and Gary Leiser, A Brief History of Ankara

. Charles Gates, Turkish-English/English-Turkish Dictionary and Phrase Book, Hippocrene Books, Inc.,
N.Y, 2002. ISBN: 0-7818-0904-5