HISTORY :

Turkey has been called "the cradle of civilization" and by traveling through this his toric land the tourist will discover exactly what is meant by this phrase. The world's first town, a Neolithic city at Çatalhöyük, dates back to 6.500 BC. From the days of Çatalhöyük up to the present time Turkey boasts of a rich culture that through the centuries has made a lasting impression on modern civilization. Many centuries of cultures makes Turkey a paradise of information and cultural wealth. Hattis, Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, lonians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans have all held important places in Turkey's history, and ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give proof to each civilization's unique distinction.

RECENT HISTORY:

Turkey also has a very fascinating recent history. Upon the decline of the Ottoman Empire, a young man named Mustafa Kemal who was a soldier by occupation but a great visionary in character, took the defeat of World War I and turned it into a shining victory by liberating Turkey of all foreign invaders. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk founded the Republic of Turkey on the 29th of October, 1923. He led his country into peace and stability, with tremendous economic growth and complete modernization. Through decades of change and growth Turkey still boasts of this success by affectively living by their adopted motto of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World."