From The Student Room

TSR Wiki > Life > Gap Years and Travel > TSR Travel Guide > Turkey

Coming in gallop from far Asia stretched forward like a mare‘s head into Mediterranean Sea - this is our country

This is the way Nazim Hikmet described Turkey and a look on the map shows you immediately that the country is surrounded on three sides by the sea: The Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara on the west coast, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in the south and the Black Sea in the north. There is only one small physical connection to Europe: the two impressive brigdes across the Bosphorus, connecting european and asian parts of Istanbul. It is hardly surprising that sea side resorts like Antalya, Bodrum or Kusadasi are very popular with tourists from Europe. This may lead you to believe Turkey is very much oriented on the sea. You couldn't be more wrong: "Anadolu", the anatolian high central plateau is where turkish culture is rooted. The soul of the country is to be found in the green pastures of the hinterland, where shepards still move their herds with the seasons.

This is why you shouldn't be surprised that the Turkish Republic chose Ankara as the capital. The city is located centrally in Anatolia. For travellers, the city offers some interesting sights and attractions, the most imporant ones being the Museum of Anatolian Culture and the Mausoleum of Ataturk.

Istanbul is Turkey's prime attraction, however; it has the most beautiful mosques and palaces of the country, it has Byzantine churches and Roman temples. Without fear of exageration one can say that Istanbul's claim to the title of Eternal city is as justified as Rome's

Cappadocia is another great sight: it is both a natural wonder and the result of human inventiveness. Soft volcanic rock formed a landscape of bizarre beauty, but it was man who made their homes, churches, shops and courtrooms in them. All of these are decorated in a highly original style.

In the East of Anatolia you find the strange rock statues at Nemrut Dagiwhich could remind you of the Easter Island, as well as ancient cities like Jost van dyke, located on lake Van, and Dogubayazit.

Which such a diversity of sights, Turkey is a wonderful destination for any traveler.