Do you know that Turkey is the only country that has both European and Asian lands? That Santa Claus was born in Turkey? Or turquoise is also called “Turkish blue”? And that the last stop of the ship, which ran aground as a result of Noah’s Flood, was Mount Ararat? Here are some fascinating facts about Turkey that will surprise you:
1. Turkey is the only country with both European and Asian lands; Istanbul lives on two continents. The city is divided into two by the Bosphorus, and one part spreads to Europe and the other to Asia. In general, 95% of Turkey is located in Asia and 5% in Europe.
2. One of the common misconceptions about Turkey is about the capital of the country. Many people assume that the capital of Turkey is Istanbul, but actually the capital city is Ankara. Istanbul is just Turkey’s most popular city.
3. “Tünel”, the second oldest subway in the world after the London Subway (1863), was put into service in Istanbul, between Karaköy and Beyoğlu, in 1875.
4. Istanbul was built on seven hills just like Rome, and this is not a coincidence. This is how the Byzantine Empire built the city to declare it the new Rome. All of these seven hills are extremely important historically and are adorned with impressive mosques and magnificent palaces.
5. Greenish light blue color Turquoise is also called “Turkish blue”. Inspired by the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and derived from the pronunciation of the French word Turkish. Turquoise, which is also an attractive mineral, is one of the oldest precious stones in history that came from the East and made its way to Europe via Turkey. It is also known that it was used as an amulet by Turkish soldiers in ancient times.
6. Turkey’s national sport is oil wrestling and it is called that because the athletes wrestle with oil on their bodies.
7. The Grand Bazaar, which dates back to the 14th century and is one of the symbols of Istanbul, consists of 64 streets, 4,000 stores and approximately 25,000 employees. Definitely one of the most authentic shopping malls in the world, a must-see.
8. Turkey’s Black Sea coast has a total length of 1,650 kilometers, ie the distance between Paris and Berlin.
9. The European adventure of the tulip, which is known today as the national flower of the Netherlands and whose homeland is the steppes of Central Asia, extends to Turkey. The botanical name of the flower, “tulipa”, comes from the Turkish word tulle. It became an integral part of Ottoman culture in the 16th century, and the tulip frenzy of the sultans reached its peak with the Tulip Era. Even after this period of pleasure and luxury is over, tulips continued to be presented to the ambassadors of European countries in Istanbul. In other words, Europe also met tulips through Ottoman merchants and ambassadors in Istanbul.
10. Known as Santa Claus, St. Nicholas was born in Turkey. Born to wealthy parents, Nicholas was a Christian saint and Greek bishop of Myra, born in Patara, Antalya. After his parents died, he distributed the vast amount of wealth he had left to the poor and needy. According to the legend, he was throwing bags of gold down the chimneys of the houses and distribute fruit to the children. Word of his good deeds spread throughout Europe, and the legend grew bigger and bigger, and a special character, Santa Claus, emerged.
11. There are more than 82,000 mosques in Turkey, which is home to some of the most beautiful ones in the world.
12. With hazelnut fields stretching along the Black Sea coast, Turkey meets approximately 75% of the world’s hazelnut production.
13. It is estimated that the first settlement in Anatolia started 40,000 years ago.
14. There are more than 30 ethnic languages in Turkey, whose official language is Turkish.
15. Although coffee did not come from Turkey, the Turks brought it to Europe in the 16th century.
16. Turkish delight is one of the oldest known sweets in the world.
17. Two of the 7 wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis / Selcuk and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, are located within the borders of Turkey.
18. The Roman Empire met cherry thanks to the producers in Anatolia.
19. There are 19 heritage sites in Turkey, 17 of which are cultural and 2 of which are mixed, in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
20. The history of Turkish bath is based on the bath culture of the Roman Empire. This culture disappeared after the Roman Empire, which found the bath in the 1st century, accepted Christianity after building huge baths for 600 years. Because, according to the early Christians, washing was considered a sin. Afterwards, it was the Ottoman Empire that revived this culture.
21. One of the most popular touristic destinations in the world, Turkey’s national airline, Turkish Airlines, flies to more than 260 destinations alone.
22. It is believed that the last stop of Noah’s ark was Mount Ararat. According to the legend, the ship, which had been floating in the waters for a long time after the flood, sat on the Cudi hill of Ararat Mountains when the waters began to recede. Prophet Noah released a dove from the ark, but the animal, unable to find a place to land, returned. Seven days later, he released the pigeon again. This time the pigeon returned to the ship with an olive branch in its mouth. Realizing that the waters had finally receded, Prophet Noah left the ship with what he had taken with him and founded a village on the skirts of Ararat Mountains.
There are many reasons to move to Turkey or buy a property here. There are also many different reasons for digital nomads, freelancers and those planning to retire here, too… Whatever your motivation is, if you are thinking of living in Turkey and therefore buying or renting a real estate, as GRAND Real Estate, we are ready to give you the service you need in the best way possible.
