TURKEY
The cradle of
cultures and civilizations connecting Europe and Asia and capital of
civilizations that have reined the lands of Anatolia for centuries
Since the beginning of history, Anatolia, well
known as one the earliest settlements, has continued to flourish with the
migration of various tribes, and accumulated a large cultural heritage through
a line of succeeding empires and civilizations. Many empires ranging from the
Sumerians to the Hittites, the Lydians to the Byzantines and the Seljuks to the
Ottomans have once thrived and expired within the borders of Turkey.
Ankara is the capital of
Turkey, which established a democratic regime with the foundation of the
Turkish Republic in 1923. The Bosporus and the Dardanelles, connecting the seas of this magnificent
landscape surrounded by the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara
seas, function as bridges connecting the lands of the region almost like silk
threads.
Greece and
Bulgaria to the west,
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the east and Iran, Iraq, and Syria to the
south are the border neighbors of Turkey. The member of various international
organizations such as the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization
and the Organization of the Islamic Conference our country continuous to evolve
and grow at rapid speed.
Proud to possess numerous riches in every corner
and territory of the country from east to west and north to south, Turkey is
blessed also with a wide range of climatic diversity. One may encounter
different climate zones in different areas of Turkey which is comprised of
seven geographical regions and experience various climates in one day!
Turkey is much the same as an
open air museum thanks to its magnificent heritage comprised of historical and
cultural monuments and sites built everywhere in Anatolia since the ancient
times. With the
establishment Çatalhöyük, the first proto-city settlement of the Neolithic Age,
history began to leave its marks discernible today even in the tiniest
structures.
Located at
the mid-point of the European, Asian and African continents, Turkey has a
varied geography rich in mountains, plains, caves, seas and many other natural
formations and beauties. All types of sports activities and more specifically
outdoor sports can be done amidst a breathtaking nature providing both for
adrenaline and entertainment.
The hub of
all religions that have been lost in time or still exist, Anatolia is
particularly rich in monuments and heritages bearing traces of diverse
religious cultures. According to Christianity, for instance, pilgrims
travelling the route of the seven holy churches including Ephesus, Izmir,
Bergama, Salihli, Alasehir, Denizli and Akhisar are considered to have
fulfilled their duty of pilgrimage.
Furthermore, many branches of art that originated
in the Anatolian lands and were introduced to the world are still kept alive
and continue to be developed in the present day.
One of the most
precious and diverse treasures of Turkey is, of course, the Turkish cuisine.
The variety offered by this magnificent heritage of flavors which evolved over
the centuries with the blending of the culinary cultures of many communities
and civilizations is limitless. Thousands of unique delicacies and
specialties ranging from meat dishes to cold dishes with olive oil, from
sorbets to spices are waiting to be served to guests from all over the world.
Entertaining and lively folk dances and songs,
which originated from the combination of the local culture with music and
dance, provide for unique local entertainment in every province you visit.
Thanks to its
geographical position located at the meeting point of three continents, Turkey
is able to offer fast and convenient transportation with more than 200 direct
flights to various destinations in the world and connecting flights to all
other destinations around the globe.
It is also possible to explore different corners of Turkey by entering the
country via highway through neighboring countries located in Asia and Europe.
Worldwide
famous cruise ships visit the major ports of Turkey on their route. Passengers
of these cruise ships have the opportunity to visit and explore the port and
city centre of Istanbul, Izmir and Kusadasi. Ferries between Northern
Cyprus and Mersin and between Bodrum, Marmaris and the Greek islands provide
for other alternatives to get to Turkey from other lands.
Turkey, well
known particularly for its hospitality and friendliness, welcomes its visitors any
time of the year offering a spectacular countryside and unique monuments all
over the land! You may already enjoy your vacation in Turkey!
Adana
Population: 2.108.805
Square measure: 14030 km2
Altitude: 563 m
Plate code: 01
Adana is situated on the Seyhan
River in Çukurova Plain which is in the South of Taurus Mountains. Adana, which
has approximately 160 km shore of Mediterranean Sea, is on the crossroads of
important transportation that link Europe to Asia. Neighbouring Provinces : On
the east Osmaniye ( 90 km) ( 90 km) and Hatay ( 190 km), on the northeast
K.Maraş ( 187 km), on the north Kayseri ( 323 km), on the northwest Niğde ( 205
km), on the west Mersin ( 70 km).
Topography (Mountains, Rivers, Lakes etc.): Highway and railway connection with Middle East are
enabled through Adana. These connections are enabled through Gülek Strait on
Taurus Mountains. % 49 of total area is mountainous, % 23 is plateau and % 27
is plain. From south to north, the height of Taurus Mountains exceeds 2500 m.
Foothills of Taurus Mountains turn into a plain shape towards the Mediterranean
Sea. Seyhan and Ceyhan Rivers which rise from central Anatolia empty into the
Mediterranean. Yedi Göller (Seven Lakes) is on the peak of Taurus Mountains.
There are Seyhan and Çatalan dam lakes on Seyhan River. There is Aslantaş dam
Lake on Ceyhan River and Akyatan and Ağyatan bird paradise lakes in
Karataş.
Climate: Adana has a typical
Mediterranean climate. Winters are warm and summers are hot and dry. Average
rainfall is 625 mm. %51 of rainfall is in winter, % 26 in spring, % 18 in
autumn and %5 in summer. The coldest month is January (average 9 C) , the
hottest month is August (aveage 28 C). The highest
recorded temperature was on 8 July 1978 with 44.0 °C (111.2 °F).
The lowest recorded temperature was −6.4 °C (20.5 °F).
Flora: You can see a flora which is
specific to Mediterranean. To the heights up to 700-800 meters, mersin (murt)
(myrte) (myrturs cummunis), sandal (sukhad)(arbutus andrachne), kermes meşesi
(cermes oak)(quercus coccifera), çınar (plane tree)(platanus orientatis),
yabani zeytin (wild olive tree)(oleaeuropea sylvestris), akça kesme (philyrea
latifolia), menengiç (terebinth ) (pistacia terebinthus), sakız ağacı (gumwood)(pistacia
lentiscus), funda (erica)(erica verticillata), erguvan (cercis)(cercis
siliquastrum), kara çalı (blackthorn)(paliurus spina), zakkum (oleander)(nerium
oleander), okaliptus (eucalyptus)(ecalypus spp) can be seen. Over 800 meters ,
meşe (oak)(quercus calliprinus), kızılcık (cornelian cherry)(cornusman), defne
(daphne)(laurus canseriensis), in higher parts some sorts of pine (pinus nigra,
pinus sylvestres), ardıç (juniper)(junipearus), kayın (beech)(fagun), toros
göknarı (taurus fir/abies)(abies cilicica), sedir (cedar)(cedrus libani) can be
seen. And over 2000 meters, a natural beauty of grasslands that resemble to
those of Alps’ can be seen.
In Çukurova region, knobbly plants like kardelen (galanthus plicus), yabani
siklamen (cyclamen mirabille hidebr), ada sogani, nergis (snowdrop)(narissus),
sümbül (hyacinth)(hyacinthus) and similar plants can be seen in spring.
Also it is known that gelincik çiçeği (corn poppy)(pampal) which grows in rural
areas is different from those in Europe.
