Many city names in different parts of the world such as Philadelphia, Paris, Antioch, Troy or continental name "Europe" originate in Anatolia.

Don Frey in Ulu Burun near Kas excavated the oldest known shipwreck on earth.

 

King Midas was an Anatolian.

Alexander the Great cut the Gordian knot near Ankara. The double knot in Turkish carpets is called"Gördes Dügümü"which is the Turkish expression for the Gordian knot.

 

Two of the seven Wonders of the world stood in Anatolia. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.

Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi) is in Anatolia. According to tradition, Ararat is the place where Noah's Ark landed.

Early Christians escaping from Roman persecution sheltered in Cappadocia.

St. Paul was born in Tarsus (southern Turkey).

 

The seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the revelation of John are all located in Anatolia. Ephesus (Efes), Smyrna (Izmir), Laodicea ad Lycum (Denizli, Goncali), Sardis (Sart), Pergamum (Bergama), Philadelphia (Alasehir) and Thyatira (Akhisar).

St. Nicholas, known Santa Claus today was born and lived as bishop of Myra in Demre.

Tulips were introduced to Holland from Anatolia by Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq. He was ambassador of Charles V to Süleyman the Magnificent in 1554.

The first man ever fly was Turkish. Using two wings Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi flew from Galata Tower over the Bosphorus to land in Üsküdar in 1554.

The number of species of flowers in Turkey is approximately 9.000, of which 3.000 are endemic.

Turkey is one of only 8 countries in the world, which consistently produces surplus food and cattle for export.

It's hardly possible to mention Turkey, without thinking of the worldwide famous Anatolian carpets and their different beautiful designs and colours.

It's said that three major kinds of cuisine exist in the world. Turkish, Chinese and French. Turkish Cuisine is always a pleasant surprise for the visitor.