This document provides many interesting facts about Turkey. It notes that Ankara is the capital city, not Istanbul, though Istanbul is the largest city with over 15 million people and is one of only two cities located on two continents. It also discusses Turkey's rich history and culture, including being the birthplace of Santa Claus, the location of the oldest human settlement at Catalhoyuk, and innovations like introducing coffee and yogurt to Europe. Turkey has a strong national identity and is a popular tourist destination with over 35 million visitors in 2013.

1. BY TURKISH
TEAM
MOST INTERESTING
FACTS ABOUT TURKEY

2.  Ankara is the capital city of Turkey, not Istanbul.
 Istanbul is the most crowded city in Turkey. Its
population is more than 15 million.
 Istanbul is the only city in the world that has parts in
two continents.
 Three percent of Istanbul located in Europe, while
97% is located in Asia.
 The place known as Troy from the legendary Trojan
Wars is located in Western Turkey.
 The Istanbul tunnel is the world’s second-oldest
underground railway system.

3.  Saint Nicholas, who is popularly known as Santa
Claus, was born in Turkey.
 The oldest recognized human settlement is in
Catalhoyuk, which is in Central Turkey.
 The first signs of writing were found in Anatolia,
Turkey. It was in 1950 B.C. when clay tablets were
found in the Assyrian ruins.
 The first Neolithic paintings found on man-made
walls were discovered in Catalhoyuk
 The world’s oldest shipwreck was found in Kas. It is
currently being displayed in the Submarine
Archaeology Museum.

4.  Turkish people are known to be very patriotic. You will never
hear them complain or say bad things about their country.
 They give a very high importance to their flag. It is placed
everywhere throughout the country.
 It is common to kiss an elderly individual’s hand as a sign of
respect.
 Julius Caesar’s famous saying, “I came, I saw, I conquered,”
was spoken in the Black Sea in Turkey.
 The first ever Church solely dedicated to Mother Mary is found
in Ephesus.
 The Turkish Mediterranean resort city of Antalya holds the
world record for having the highest number of “Blue Flag”
certified beaches in the world, awarded for highest water
quality, beach cleanliness, and highest environmental
standards

5.  Turkey is the 6th most popular tourist destination in
the world and had 35 million foreign visitors in 2013
alone.
 Turkey is home to the world’s oldest sporting event,
grease wrestling, which is also its national sport.
 Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is the father of the modern
Turkish nation. He was the founder of Turkish
republic.
 While nearly all of the Turkish population is Muslim,
Turkey is not officially a Muslim country. Turkey has
officially been a secular nation since 1927.

6.  In Turkey, you will find a dessert made out of chicken. It
is called Tavukgogsu.
 Turkish food is deliciously scrumptious. They are most
famous for their kebabs.
 Turkey introduced coffee to Europe in the 1500’s.Turkish
coffee is famous throughout the world.
 Yogurt was the invention of Turkish people.
 Jelly beans began as an American version of the “Turkish
Delight” (lokum) confection. Turkish Delight, or lokum, is
one of the oldest sweets in world history, dating back
500 years.
 Turkey is the largest grower of hazelnuts in the world; it
is responsible for 80% of the world’s hazelnut exports.

7.  Most Turks drink 10 or more cups of tea per day, and the
country has the highest per-capita consumption of tea in
the world at nearly 7 lbs. per person per year.
 The country has two places which are part of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World. They are the Temple of
Artemis and Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
 One of the fun facts that most people are not aware of is
that Turkey loves Facebook. Turkey has the third highest
number of Facebook users in the world, with 14 million
users, after the U.S. and U.K.
 The first ever university known to man is located in
Harran.

8.  Hezârfen Ahmet Çelebi was the first man to fly a significant
distance, using artificial wings to fly across the Bosporus
Straits in the 17th century, thus making the world’s first
intercontinental flight 270 years before the Wright Brothers.
 Tulips were introduced to Europe through Dutch traders by the
Turks in the 17th century.
 Istanbul’s Kapalıçarşı, or Grand Bazaar, may be the world’s
largest outdoor market, with 64 streets, 4,000 shops, and
25,000 workers.
 Turkey is the birthplace of such historical figures as Aesop;
Homer; St. Paul; King Midas; Galen, noted physician, surgeon,
medical researcher, and philosopher in the Roman Empire;
and Herodotus, the father of history.

9.  Camels are not native to Turkey.
 The fez is a traditional, short, conical, red felt cap worn by
Turkish men, but they are almost never worn today.
 Turkey has 82,693 mosques, more than any other country per
capita in the world.
 During 1750-1190 B.C. a powerful ruling group in Turkey,
know as the Hittites had institutional equality among the
sexes. There is historical evidence, which documents this, and
equality amongst men and women was taken very seriously. In
Turkey, to this day, equality for women still continues. And in
fact, Turkey was amongst some of the first countries to give
women the right to vote. (Before America and most European
countries)