1. The Capital Groove
Most people assume Istanbul is Turkey's capital because it's the most well-known city and the largest too. However, the true capital of Turkey is Ankara. It was declared as the capital in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, replacing Istanbul.
2. As Ancient As Time
Turkey is home to the oldest known human settlement, which dates back to 7500 BC. This settlement is none other than the ancient city of Catalhoyuk, which was discovered in the 1960s and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
3. A Nation Of Cat Lovers
Turkey is famously a nation of cat lovers. Istanbul alone is estimated to be home to around 125,000 free-roaming cats. The love and respect for cats in the country are so great that there is a famous quote “If you've killed a cat, you need to build a mosque to be forgiven by God”. There is even a popular Turkish documentary, Kedi, detailing the lives of seven stray cats in Istanbul.
4. World's Oldest Temple
Gobekli Tepe in Turkey is the world's oldest known temple, predating Stonehenge in England by around 6,000 years. Archaeologists believe this site was constructed over 12,000 years ago. Today, this archaeological site draws tourists from all over the globe.
5. Santa Claus, A Turkish Native
St. Nicholas, who the world now affectionately knows as Santa Claus, was born in Patara, a small town on Turkey's southern coast, in the third century AD.
6. Tulip Origins
Even though tulips are typically associated with the Netherlands, these beautiful flowers actually originated in Turkey. They were first grown in the Ottoman Empire before being sent to Western Europe and the Netherlands in the 16th century.
7. Home to Noah's Ark
According to popular belief and biblical tradition, Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey. While the ark’s existence is still debated among historians and scientists, Mount Ararat remains an important religious site for many.
8. Mecca of Oil Wrestling
Edirne, Turkey, hosts the oldest continuously held sporting event in the world - The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival. This annual event has been held in the area since 1346. Wrestlers from across the nation come to compete, covering themselves in olive oil.
9. Turkey’s Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets. Established in the 15th century, it spans 61 streets, houses more than 3,000 shops, and has up to 400,000 visitors daily.
10. Crossroads of Two Continents
Turkey is the only nation that occupies two continents - Asia and Europe. Approximately 95% of it lies in Asia, while the remaining 5%, known as Thrace, lies in Europe.
11. Birthplace of The Coffeehouse Culture
Turkey introduced coffee to Europe and is home to the world's oldest coffee shop, Kiva Han, which opened in 1475. Turkish coffee is so essential it is listed in UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
12. Turkey's Blue Mosque
Istanbul's Blue Mosque is the only mosque in Turkey that features six minarets, which is unique since most mosques only have four, or fewer. It gets its name from the hand-painted blue tiles that adorn its interior.
13. Turkey's Mobile Population
Turkey has more mobile phones than people. The number of mobile phone subscriptions in the country surpasses its population due to people owning more than one device.
14. World's Highest Concentration of Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia, Turkey, has the world's highest concentration of fairy chimneys - tall, thin spires of rock that protrude from the ground. These have been formed through natural processes of erosion and have even been carved into dwellings, churches, and monasteries.
15. The Unique Black Rose of Turkey
Halfeti is a small farming district on the east bank of the river Euphrates in Turkey’s district of Sanliurfa, home to unique black roses not found anywhere else in the world.
16. "Honey" As A Popular Phrase
Turkish people often use the word "honey" (Balım) as a term of endearment. It's similar to how English speakers use 'sweetheart' or 'darling'.
17. Two of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World
Turkey is home to two out of the seven wonders of the ancient world - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Temple of Artemis.
18. Bread And Salt Test
In the Turkish traditions, when a prospective husband asked for a girl’s hand in marriage, the father would invite the man over and serve him coffee with excessive amounts of salt. If the man could drink it without complaining about the taste, the father would allow him to marry his daughter.
19. The World’s Most Luxurious Silk Carpets
Hereke, a coastal town in Turkey, is famous for producing some of the world’s most exquisite silk carpets. Utilizing designs of the Ottoman palace, these carpets are unique treasures crafted with precision and skill.
20. The Land Of Prunes
Turkey is one of the world’s leaders in prune production. This includes a vast variety of prunes including the sour plums that are often consumed raw as a complete delicacy.