Turkey attracts over 31 million international tourists annually, making it the 6th most visited country globally. Most visitors come from Germany, Russia, the UK, and other neighboring countries. Tourism is focused around Turkey's historical sites, coastal resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean, and new sectors like health tourism. Some of Turkey's top attractions drawing tourists include the ancient theaters of Aspendos and Ephesus, the terraced hot springs of Pamukkale, beaches like Patara, and iconic landmarks in Istanbul like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The government is investing billions in expanding Turkey's largest airport in Istanbul to accommodate further tourism growth.
4. Tourism in TURKEY
Tourism in Turkey is focused largely
on a variety of historical sites, and on
seaside resorts along its Aegean and
Mediterranean Sea coasts. In the
recent years, Turkey has also become
a popular destination for culture, spa,
and health care tourism.
5. Annually Tourism
In 2011, Turkey attracted more than
31.5 million foreign tourists,
ranking as the 6th most popular
tourist destination in the
world.
6. In January 2013, the Turkish government
announced that it will build the world's
largest airport in Istanbul. The operation
has an invested 7 billion euros and will
have its first part of a four part plan
completed by 2017.
7. From which countries?
Germany 5.0 million
Russia 3.5 million
United Kingdom 2.4 million
Bulgaria 1.5 million
Georgia 1.4 million
Netherlands 1.2 million
Iran 1.1 million
France 1.0 million
United States 0.8 million
Syria 0.7 million
9. ASPENDOS
THEATRE
The theatre of Aspendos was build in 155 AD during the rule of the Roman
Emperor Marcus Aurelius and could seat between 15,000 and 20,000
spectators. the Aspendos Theatre has been able to survive to this days
without losing almost any of its original qualities.
10. PATARA BEACH
At 14 kilometers (9 miles), Patara is one of the longest stretches of
sandy beach found anywhere in the Mediterranean. Patara Beach is
also the breeding ground of the endangered Loggerhead turtle.
11. PAMUKKAL
E
The terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited
by water with a very high mineral content from the hot springs. The
ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be
12. BODRUM CASTLE
It is one of the world’s best preserved monuments dating
back to medieval times. The castle now operates as a
museum, with the focus on the Museum of Underwater
Archaeology.
13. MOUNT
Nemrut is a 2,134 meter (7,001 ft) high mountain
in southeastern Turkey, near the city of
Adiyaman. In 62 BC, King Antiochus 1. Theos of
Commagene built Greek and Persian gods on
the mountain top. The main attraction is to watch
the sunrise from the eastern terrace.
14. ÖLÜDENİZ
It has a secluded sandy bay at the mouth of Ölüdeniz, on a blue
lagoon. This beach is famous for its shades of turquoise. Ölüdeniz is
also regarded as one of the best places in the world to paraglide due
to its unique panoramic views.
15. BLUE
MOSQUE
With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultan Ahmed or Blue Mosque in
Istanbul impresses from the outside. Like many other mosques contains the tomb of the
founder. Inside the mosque, the high ceiling is lined with the 20,000 blue tiles with
different patterns that give the mosque its popular name.
16. LIBRARY OF
CELSUS
The ruins of Ephesus are a popular tourist attraction on the west
coast. The library was built around 125 AD to store 12,000 scrolls
and to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus, the governor of
Asia.
17. Cappadocia is famous for its weird and wonderful natural rock
formations and unique historical heritage. Many of the fairy
chimneys at Cappadocia have been hollowed out over the centuries
to create houses, churches and storage facilities.
GÖREME
FAIRY
CHIMNEY
18. HAGIA
Located in Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia was originally a basilica constructed for the Eastern
Roman Emperor Justinian 1 in the sixth century. The church was looted by the fourth
Crusaders in 1204, and became a mosque in the 15th century when The Ottomans
conquered the city. The Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935 and is now one
of the top attractions in Turkey.
19. ETHNIC GROUPS
No exact data are available concerning the
different ethnic groups in Turkey. However,
it is clear than Turks are in the majority,
while the largest minority groups are Kurds
and Arabs. Smaller minorities are the
Armenians, Greeks and several Caucasian
peoples.
20. LANGUAGES
Turkish is the official language,
spoken by more than 75% of the
population.
Second most spoken language is
kurdish and third is arabic.
Besides these Greek, Circassian,
Latino, Armenian, Laz, Georgian.
And main foreign languages are
english 17% , german 5% , french 3%.
