40 interesting facts about Turkey
A Transcontinental Country
A Transcontinental Country
A Transcontinental Country
1. About 95% of Turkey's territory is in Asia and 5% in Europe. The border runs right through the city of Istanbul and this is the Bosphorus.
From Byzantium to Istanbul
A Transcontinental Country
A Transcontinental Country
2. The original name of Istanbul is Byzantium. This word is of Greek origin - from the name "visa". According to legend, it was a man with this name who founded the city. In 324, Byzantium was renamed "Constantinople" and in 1930 - Istanbul.
The Real Santa Claus
A Transcontinental Country
The Real Santa Claus
3. Santa Claus was born in Turkey. In ancient times, Nicholas, the Greek Bishop of Myra, lived in the Turkish city of Patara. After the death of his parents, he received a large inheritance which he distributed to the poor and needy. Legend has it that he threw sacks of gold coins into the chimneys of houses and brought fruit to children.
3. Santa Claus was born in Turkey. In ancient times, Nicholas, the Greek Bishop of Myra, lived in the Turkish city of Patara. After the death of his parents, he received a large inheritance which he distributed to the poor and needy. Legend has it that he threw sacks of gold coins into the chimneys of houses and brought fruit to children. People called him a saint. News of his good deeds spread throughout Europe and laid the foundation for the legend of Santa Claus. The name Santa Claus comes from the Dutch "Sinter Klaas", a shortened version of "Sint Nikolaas", which means "Saint Nicholas".
Tea Drinkers
A Transcontinental Country
The Real Santa Claus
4. Turks love tea just as much as the British. Around 96% of the population drink at least one cup of tea a day. Turkish tea is strong and is served not in cups but in small tulip-shaped glass cups.
A young Nation
Istanbul on 7 Hills
Istanbul on 7 Hills
5. Turkey has the youngest population in the European Union. The average age in Turkey is 31 and only 9% of the population is over 60.
Istanbul on 7 Hills
Istanbul on 7 Hills
Istanbul on 7 Hills
6. Like Rome, Istanbul is built on seven hills. But this was no coincidence: in the Byzantine Empire, the capital was built specifically to be called the New Rome. All seven hills have historical significance, with impressive mosques and magnificent palaces.
Not Just a Color
Istanbul on 7 Hills
Not Just a Color
7. The word "turquoise" translates as "Turkish stone". This beautiful mineral came to Europe from the East via Turkey and is one of the oldest gemstones in history. It was first used as an amulet by Turkish soldiers
Enter The Ring
Istanbul on 7 Hills
Not Just a Color
8. The national sport of Turkey is oil wrestling. The wrestlers are doused in oil before entering the ring.
Got Nuts?
Virgin Mary's House
Got Nuts?
9. Turkey is the world's largest producer of hazelnuts. It accounts for about 75% of the world's supply of these nuts. Turkey can therefore be called a "nut republic". It's all down to a very favorable climate: walnut fields stretch along the entire Black Sea coast of Turkey.
Ag Life
Virgin Mary's House
Got Nuts?
10. Turkey has an impressively developed agricultural sector. Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the Turkish population, as almost half of the country consists of agricultural land. Historians believe that many agricultural systems originated in Turkey. With its fertile soil, favorable climate and abundant rainfall for
10. Turkey has an impressively developed agricultural sector. Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the Turkish population, as almost half of the country consists of agricultural land. Historians believe that many agricultural systems originated in Turkey. With its fertile soil, favorable climate and abundant rainfall for food production, Turkey is one of the few completely self-sufficient countries in the world. Incidentally, historians believe that agriculture as such originated in Turkey more than 11,000 years ago.
Turkish Language
Virgin Mary's House
Virgin Mary's House
11. The world is full of many different languages, and the Turkic languages are a fascinating example of this. These languages are spoken by over 200 million people in many different countries across the world. Turkish language specifically, which is a part of the Turkic Language family, is spoken by 88 million people, and uses Latin Alphabet.
Virgin Mary's House
Virgin Mary's House
Virgin Mary's House
12. Turkey, with its rich Christian heritage and many sacred sites, is an important destination for Christian pilgrims. From the house of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus to the tomb of St. Nicholas in Demre, and the early Christian communities in the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, Turkey offers a deep connection to the roots of Christianity.
Evil Eye
Population and Cities
Turkish Coffee
13. The Evil Eye is the best-selling Turkish souvenir. Locals call it "Nazar boncuğu". The decoration is a stone made of molten glass, iron and copper. According to a 3000-year-old tradition, it is worn to protect the wearer from evil forces. It is believed that the blue color of the stone has the ability to protect against bad energy.
Turkish Coffee
Population and Cities
Turkish Coffee
14. The Turks brought coffee to Europe. Although the plant is not widespread in Turkey, it was from here that coffee was brought to Europe in the 16th century, where it became one of the most popular drinks.
Population and Cities
Population and Cities
Population and Cities
15. Turkiye's estimated population is approximately 87.7 million people, making it the 18th most populous country globally. Istanbul: Approximately 15.7 million inhabitants as of 2023, making it the most populous city in Turkey. Ankara: Around 5.8 million residents in 2023, serving as the capital city of Turkey. Izmir: Nearly 4.5 mill
15. Turkiye's estimated population is approximately 87.7 million people, making it the 18th most populous country globally. Istanbul: Approximately 15.7 million inhabitants as of 2023, making it the most populous city in Turkey. Ankara: Around 5.8 million residents in 2023, serving as the capital city of Turkey. Izmir: Nearly 4.5 million inhabitants as of 2023, making it the third-largest city.
Grand Bazaar
Population and Cities
Population and Cities
16. Istanbul's Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Carşı) is a maze of 64 streets with around 4000 shops. And it all began in the XIV century with several shopping centers.
Noah's Arc
First Christian Church
First Christian Church
17. Noah was in Turkey. It is believed that Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ararat. It is now one of the country's main attractions and a dormant volcano.
First Christian Church
First Christian Church
First Christian Church
18. The first Christian church was built in Turkey. It is believed that the Grotto of St Peter, located outside Antioch (now Antakya), was founded by a disciple of Jesus - St Peter. This makes it the oldest Christian church in the world.
Da Vinci's Influence
First Christian Church
Da Vinci's Influence
19. Leonardo da Vinci designed a bridge in Turkey. In 1503, Leonardo da Vinci presented a plan for a bridge over the Golden Horn - the entrance to the Bosphorus that divides Istanbul (then called Constantinople). The bridge was never built, although a few years ago Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that a voluntary project
19. Leonardo da Vinci designed a bridge in Turkey. In 1503, Leonardo da Vinci presented a plan for a bridge over the Golden Horn - the entrance to the Bosphorus that divides Istanbul (then called Constantinople). The bridge was never built, although a few years ago Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that a voluntary project was being planned that would finally make Da Vinci's plans a reality.
Tulips
First Christian Church
Da Vinci's Influence
20. The Dutch should thank Turkey for tulomania. Tulips were first grown in the Ottoman Empire. The seeds of the now beloved Dutch flowers were first sown there when the Dutch ambassador to Turkey returned to Amsterdam with a consignment of bulbs in the 16th century. The tulip is also the national flower of Turkey.
The Wolf
Let's Travel Underground
The longest word
21. In Turkic mythology, the wolf is often seen as a symbol of strength, courage, and leadership. The national animal of Turkiye is the grey wolf.
The longest word
Let's Travel Underground
The longest word
22. Like the Welsh, the Turks have their longest word. It has 70 letters: Muvaffakiyetsizleştiricileştiriveremeyebileceklerimizdenmişsinizcesine, which translates as: "As if you are one of those who we cannot easily make unsuccessful." This is not a common word - it was invented specifically for the story.
Fez of the past
Let's Travel Underground
Let's Travel Underground
23. In Turkey, you cannot wear a fez - red hats with black tassels. This iconic felt hat originated in the city of Fez in Morocco, hence its name. In the 1920s, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk banned the wearing of fezzes in Turkey because they were seen as a symbol of the Ottoman Empire. This law has not been repealed, although the Turks are unlikely to arrest a tourist for wearing a fez.
Let's Travel Underground
Let's Travel Underground
Let's Travel Underground
24. Turkey's Tunnel funicular is the oldest operating underground railway in continental Europe. Opened in 1875, it connects the districts of Karakoy and Beyoglu and is second in age only to the London Underground, which opened in 1863.
1175 km
A Sport All It's Own
Bread Winners
25. Turkey's Black Sea coast stretches for 1175 km. About the same distance from London to Venice.
Bread Winners
A Sport All It's Own
Bread Winners
26. The Turks eat three times their own weight in bread every year. And they don't get fat.
Religion
A Sport All It's Own
A Sport All It's Own
27. Islam is the dominant religion with 99% of the population but Turkey is secular which means there is a separation between religion and government. Religious freedom is guaranteed by the constitution, and religious minorities are present and protected.
A Sport All It's Own
A Sport All It's Own
A Sport All It's Own
28. Camel wrestling is a popular sport in the Aegean region of Turkey. But no, they don’t use them for transportation.
The Trojan Horse
Chicken in your desert? Yes!
Chicken in your desert? Yes!
29. The legendary Troy was located on the territory of modern Turkey.
Chicken in your desert? Yes!
Chicken in your desert? Yes!
Chicken in your desert? Yes!
30. You can find chicken in your dessert. The typical Ottoman dessert is tavuk göğsü, chicken breast pudding. It's a strange concoction of boiled chicken, milk and sugar, flavored with cinnamon. And it's delicious!
Ski Buffs
Chicken in your desert? Yes!
GobekliTepe
31. Don't let the mild coastal climate fool you. Turkey is a country of impressive mountain ranges, and in winter tourists can ski at nearly a dozen resorts. Mount Palandoken, in the eastern province of Erzurum, is the highest mountain in Turkey (3,125 meters) and is home to the longest natural ski slope in Europe.
GobekliTepe
Chicken in your desert? Yes!
GobekliTepe
32. Temples were built in Turkey even during the hunter-gatherer period. Until the mid-1990s, it was thought that people did not build large structures until they had mastered agriculture and established permanent settlements. But then the archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe in southern Turkey was discovered, which shows evidence of monu
32. Temples were built in Turkey even during the hunter-gatherer period. Until the mid-1990s, it was thought that people did not build large structures until they had mastered agriculture and established permanent settlements. But then the archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe in southern Turkey was discovered, which shows evidence of monumental construction at least 2,000 years before the known date of the beginning of the agricultural revolution. Or maybe they just learned to farm earlier in Turkey?
Cherry Red
Julius Caesar in Turkiye
Cherry Red
33. Cherries were first introduced to Europe from Turkey.
Wonders
Julius Caesar in Turkiye
Cherry Red
34. Turkey is home to two of the Seven Wonders of the World. These are the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
Neolithic Paintings
Julius Caesar in Turkiye
Julius Caesar in Turkiye
35. The first Neolithic paintings found on the walls of man-made buildings are in Catal Huyuk, in central Turkey.
Julius Caesar in Turkiye
Julius Caesar in Turkiye
Julius Caesar in Turkiye
36. Julius Caesar uttered his famous words: "Veni, Vidi, Vici" ("He came, he saw, he conquered") in Turkey when he defeated Pontus, a formidable kingdom in the Black Sea region.
Slow Happenings
Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys
37. Turkey has Turtle Beach. This is İztuzu Beach, known as a breeding ground for endangered sea turtles. An endangered species of these amphibians swim here from May to October.
Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys
38. Cappadocia in central Turkey is famous for its surreal landscapes, including fairy chimneys—tall, cone-shaped rock formations created by erosion. The region is also known for its ancient cave dwellings and churches, some of which have been carved directly into the rocks.
World Heritage
Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys
Turkish Delight
39. There are 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey.
Turkish Delight
Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys
Turkish Delight
40.
Turkish Delight, known as Lokum in Turkish, is a traditional confectionery with a long history, beloved not only in Turkey but around the world. It’s known for its soft, chewy texture and wide variety of flavors.