We made a list for you, with the 45 things you didn't know about Turkey!
1) Country with Neighbours
Turkey has 8 neighbours! Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan and Greece. The shortest border of Turkey is 9km (Azerbaijan) and the longest is 822km (Syria)
2) Meaning of Ataturk
Atatürk, means ‘’Father of the Turks’’, a surname given to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first president of Turkey in 1934. This name is forbidden to anyone else!
3) City on Marvel Super Hero Name
Batman, is a city in Turkey. It is in southeastern Turkey which is a beautiful land of rugged mountains, wild flowers and waterfalls. There are famous archaeological sites in thsi city and is has high tourist footfall. It has a Tigris river flowing near it which is called bati maan River. This place became famous due to black gold back in 1957 and became one of the largest oil field rig in Turkey.
4) Respecting Elders
Kissing the hand of elderly is a traditional sign of respect in Turkey. Moreover, they never call elders with same words rather there are special words for respect of elders.
5) Traditional Icecream
The traditional Turkish ice cream contains Salep and can be eaten with knife and fork! Originated from the region of Maraş, hence known as Maraş ice cream
6) Capital of Turkey
The capital of Turkey is not Istanbul, but Ankara! It became after the war of indepedence in 1923
7) Julius Caesar and Turkey
“Veni, Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered), said by Julius Caesar in the Black Sea region in Turkey when he defeated Pontus
8) Birthplace of Historical Figures
Turkey is the birthplace of many historical figures, such as Aesop, Homer and Herodotus
9) Turks and Sirname
Most of the Turks didn’t have surname until 1934
10) Birthplace of Santa Claus
Santa Claus was born in Turkey who is also known as Saint Nicolas
11) First Female Combat Pilot
Sabiha Gocken, was the first female Turkish pilot! She was the adopted daughter of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
12) Place of Noah Ark
Mount Ararat, where the Noah’s Ark aground, is located in Turkey
13) Nutella and Turkey
Turkey is responsible for the 80% of the worlds hazelnut export
14) City of Most Silk Carpets
The most precious silk carpet in the world is in Mevlana Museum in Konya
15) Country of Tulips
Tulips were introduced in Europe, not by Netherlands but by Turkey, in the 16th century
16) Rich in Fauna and Animals
10.000 plant species , 9.000 flower species and 80.000 animal species, are found in Turkey. Moreover, there are many plants and animal species which are only found in Turkey due to its weather
17) Leonardo Da Vinci
In 1503, Leonardo Da Vinci submitted plans for a bridge across Bosphorus but it was never buit
18) Bearer of Blue Flag
With 383 beaches and 21 marinas awarded by Blue Flag, Turkey ranked 3rd in the world
19) Highest Number of Universities in Europe
In Turkey there are over 170 universities! UK has 120
20) Turkish Cuisine
Turkish cuisine, is one of the three most famous and distinctive traditional cuisines in the world
21) Famous Archaeological Sites
The temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum of Harlicarnassus, are located in Turkey. These, are two of the seven wonders in the ancient world!
22) Country in Two Continents
Turkey spans in two continents! One part in Europe an one in Asia
23) Turkish Language
Turkey uses Latin based alphabet and not an Arabic. This alphabet was established as a personal initiative of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
24) Equal Rights to Women
Women in Turkey were among the first women in the world that were given the right to vote! Even before United States and from the majority of European countries
25) Women as Mayor of Istanbul
In the last 83 years, Istanbul had over 3,500 mayors and borough presidents, but only four of them were women
26) City of Troy
The legendary city of Troy is located in Turkey!
27) Alexander the Great and Turkey
Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordian knot near today’s capital of Turkey- Ankara
28) Meat Users
Turks eat more chicken and red meat than anyone else in Europe!
29) Efes the most famous beer
Efes is the most famous beer in Turkey! Took the 12th place in the worlds beer market
30) house of Virgin Mary
The House where Virgin Mary lived the last years of her life, is located in Ephesus
31) Nesting Place of Turtles
Iztuzu Beach, located in Fethiye, is a major breeding ground for turtle nesting worldwide
32) Turkish National Sport
Oil wrestling is Turkey’s national sport!
33) First Known Universtiy of Turkey
The first known university in the human history is in Harran, in southeast Turkey
34) Toilet System in Europe
During the Ottoman Empire, there were over 4000 public toilets all over the capital
35) Mustafa Kemal and Adopted Children
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish republic, adopted 12 daughters and one son
36) Prohibitted Coffee Drinking
Drinking coffe it was illegal, in the 16th and 17th century. The coffeehouses had become associated with political activities and the Ottoman sultan of that time, wanted to curb rebellious behaviour
37) The 7 Churches of Apocalypse
The 7 Churches of Apocalypse are all situated in the Aegean region of Anatolia - Ephesus, Smyrna (Izmir), Pergamum, Thyatira (Nazilli), Sardis, Philadelphia (Alasehir) and Laodicea
41) Cleopatra and Turkey
Cleopatra recieved a part of southeastern Turkey coast, as a wedding gift from Marcus Antonius
42) Founder of Nation
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey was actually born in Greece
43) Turkey the Bird
The birds Turkeys, got their name after Turkey, the country!
45) Country of Mosques
Turkey has 82,693 mosques!
