fishing boats in Sinop harborSinop is one of the most beautiful natural harbors on the Black Sea coast. There are many legends about the foundation of the city but the most dependable is that the Miletion colonists founded it in the 7th century BC and the city is the birthplace of the cynic philosopher Diogenes. According to another legend the province is said to have received its name from the Amazon Queen "Sinova". The town's citadel dates from that early age and the foundations of the Temple of Serapis is to be found on the grounds of the Archaeological Museum where some beautiful golden icons are displayed. The 13th century Alaeddin Mosque, the Alaiye Medresse, and the Balatlar Church are of interest in the city.
Traditional nautical wood carvings, good crystal and the original cotton clothes of the city are praiseworthy and unique, so you will want to have examples of these artifacts. The seaside hotels and small holiday villages will make you stay longer and you will have the opportunity to sit in a fish restaurant by the harbor and watch the perfect combination of green and light blue while sipping your wine and tasting some traditional Turkish food. Hamsilos Fjord, 11 kilometers from the city center is the only fjord in the country.
Gerze, situated on a peninsula, 40 kilometers southeast of Sinop, will provide you with fine beaches, meadows, restaurants and parks, while Camgölü provides camping facilities in a large forest sloping to the sea. At Boyabat, the largest town of the province, there are many rock tombs and a citadel.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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Samsun
statue of Ataturk in SamsunSamsun is situated between two river deltas jutting out into the Back Sea, north of Turkey. West of the town the Kizilirmark (the Red River), one of the longest rivers of Anatolia, produced its fertile delta, East of the town the Yesilirmak (the Green River), a river that passes some remarkable towns on its way to the sea, did the same.
People always were attracted by the combination of fertile ground and shallow waters for a harbor, due to this Samsun has a long history and its myths go back even longer. According to ancient myths the delta east of Samsun was the land of the Amazons. The geographer Strabo (64 BC-23 AD) describes the Amazons as a people of female warriors. In order to shoot easily with bow and arrow they had one of their breast removed. Amazon is derived from the old Greek and means 'without breasts'. The Amazons used men from neighboring peoples to reproduce themselves and male children were sent to neighboring peoples. The myths situate the period of the Amazons about 1200 BC.
Fiction or non fiction, fact is that the Amazons' myth spread again under the conquerors in South America. Along world's biggest river a people of female warriors should live. The female warriors were never found but the river was named the Amazon.
What we know for sure is that Greek colonists settled in the 6th century BC and established a flourishing trade with the people of the interior of Asia Minor.
In the 3rd century BC Samsun came under the rule of the expanding Kingdom of Pontus. Initially the Kingdom of Pontus had been a part of the empire of Alexander the Great that broke up soon after his death in the 4th century BC. At its zenith the Kingdom of Pontus controlled the north as well as parts of central Anatolia and merchant towns on the northern Black Sea shores.
The Romans took over in 47 BC and were replaced by the Byzantines. The town was captured by the Seljuks (around 1200 AD), taken over by the Ilhanid Mongols and later became part of a Turkish principality. Samsun was incorporated in the network of Genoese trading posts and was taken by the Ottomans in the first part of the 15th century. Before leaving, the Genoese burnt the town to the ground.
Under Ottoman rule the land around the town later mainly produced tobacco. The town was connected to the railway system in the second half of the 19th century and the tobacco trade flourished. Its port had fallen prey to a slow decay and despite the tobacco Samsun became a rather dormant place.
Whatever their size, ports remain important gates for in or exporting new ideas and renovations. Here, on 19 May 1919, a man stepped ashore who would create a Turkish state, change a society and even alter a language; this great man was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
As a result of choosing the losing side in the First World War the Ottoman Empire was in shambles. The victorious Entente powers virtually occupied Istanbul. The Entente didn't only intended to divide the Empire but had a division of Anatolia in mind as well. The Greeks had visions of a new Hellenic Empire, the French had the Hatay and Syria and desired a part of South-Eastern Anatolia, to the Italians a southern part of Anatolia (Mediterranean region) was promised. The British already had Arabia, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
On 15 May 1919 Greeks forces occupied Smyrna (Izmir). The admiral of the British warships, at anchor offshore, had to order the Greek commander to restore order. A few days later the Italians landed in Antalya, taking a piece from their promised part of Anatolia.
The interior of Anatolia however was beyond any control (apart from some Entente, mostly British, detachments and officers) and was in the hands of the remnants of the Ottoman Forces and gangs of Greek or Turkish brigands.
To put an end to this situation the major Entente power involved (Britain) asked the weak Ottoman government to restore law and order in those parts. "If the Ottomans wouldn't do it, they would" was the threat.
Since the southern rim of Anatolia was more or less under control by British warships and by competing Greek and Italian troops, the restoration of law and order had to be carried out from the north of Anatolia.
Here laid the chance for general Mustafa Kemal (the victor of Gallipoli). In 1934 when the Turks had to adopt a surname, his became Atatürk (father of the Turks).
Clever manipulating and the help of friends and sympathizers at the right places, gave him the chance to become Inspector General of virtually all of the Ottoman forces in Anatolia. He and his carefully selected staff left Istanbul aboard an old steamer for Samsun on the evening of 16 May 1919.
The Inspector General who stepped ashore on 19 May 1919 set up his quarters in the Mintika Palace Hotel. He made the people of Samsun aware of the Greek and Italian landings, staged mass meetings (however he stayed in the background) and made, thanks to the excellent telegraph network, fast connections with the army units in Anatolia. He started to form links between various nationalists groups. He sent telegrams of protest to foreign embassies and the War Ministry about British reinforcements in the area and about British aid to Greek brigand gangs.
In Istanbul the British became alarmed when they learned that the victor of Gallipoli had been send as Inspector General and his behavior didn't make it any better. They urged a recall of the Inspector General. Thanks to friends and sympathizers in government circles a 'compromise' was worked out; the power of the Inspector General was curbed, on paper.
However, British and French control officers and the sea with British warships were uncomfortable and close by to keep on acting freely. After a week in Samsun Mustafa Kemal and his staff moved to Havza, about 85 kilometers inland. He did this with the pretext that he was ill and needed the hot springs of Havza to recover.
Today many visitors will find themselves in Samsun mostly for reasons of business or for Atatürk starting there the War of Independence. The dormant town of the times of Atatürk became an important trade centre and has a large modern port. The only thing that didn't change is the hospitality of Samsun's inhabitants and the growing of the aromatic Turkish tobacco in the deltas. Few things remind the visitor of the rich past of this town.
The town is pleasant and its centre, Cumhuriyet Meydani (Square of the Republic), is near the port. North of Cumhuriyet Meydani (at Atatürk Bulvari) is the Tourist Information Office. A bit west from the tourist information office you'll find the Statue of Atatürk's Landing. Further West along Atatürk Bulvari, you'll pass the Buyuk Samsun Hotel and thereafter you'll see the Kultur Sarayi (Palace of Culture), a building shaped as a ski jump. Events as concerts and other performances take place here.
East of the tourist office you'll find the Archaeological and Atatürk Museum. The archaeological part of the museum displays fine ancient artifacts found in the Samsun area. The Atatürk section comprises photographs of his life and some personal belongings (Open from 8:30 till 12:00 and from 14:00 till 17:00).
Following from Cumhuriyet Meydani the road north to the port and turning right brings you to The Russian Market (Rus Pazari). All kinds of goods are sold here at a friendly price.
East of Cumhuriyet Meydani you might have a glass of tea, coffee or something cold in the pleasant Park. In the evening it won't take long before you have a fine conversation with the friendly locals.
In the eastern side of the park stands an equestrian Statue of Atatürk, it's big and a bit overdone. The Austrian sculptor Heinz Kriphel worked three years on it (1928-1931).
It's also possible to have a ride in a two horse drawn carriage (Fayton), mostly there will be some of those waiting at Cumhuriyet Meydani or in the shade opposite Atatürk Bulvari. The Black Sea people love their horses and take a pride in and depend on them. The horses are well groomed and tenderly cared for, farmer's carriages are often painted with local motives.
South from Cumhuriyet Meydani you can follow the 19 Mayis Bulvari. It will take you right away to the Atatürk (Gazi) Museum. It houses Atatürk's bedroom, his study and conference room as well some personal belongings.
Nearby is the Pazar Mosque, Samsun's oldest building, a mosque built by the Ilhanid Mongols in the 13th century.
On the way to Amasya the road climbs slowly but steadily and passes over the Karadag Gecidi (Karadag Pass) at an altitude of 940 meters. The landscape is green and little streams flow beneath the road.
Havza is a little charming town and is still well known for its hot springs (56 degrees centigrade). In Havza Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, just before he started The War of Independence, learned that the area was harassed by Greek gangs of Pontus state. A mass meeting was staged and the citizens adopted a policy of resistance. The Sultan's government in Istanbul sent, under heavy pressure of the Entente powers, to the Inspector General Mustafa Kemal in Havza, an order to return to the capital (Istanbul). Mustafa Kemal disobeyed this and all succeeding orders. Since British troops were not far off and had heard what was going on in Havza, Mustafa Kemal decided to move about 50 kilometers further to Amasya. In Havza the goal of putting up resistance was reached.
Climate in Samsun in August/September is about 28 centigrade in the day, around 24 at night, rather humid.
There is one flight a day to and from Istanbul (1 hr and 25 minutes), and one flight a week to and from Ankara (50 minutes). For up to date information and flight schedule please contact Mr. Burak Sansal. From the airport it's about 3 kilometers to the town's centre.
There is at least a bus a day to all major destinations; Amasya (two hours), Giresun (four hours) and Sinop (three hours). The bus station is about 2 kilometers east of Cumhuriyet Meydani, in town bus ticket offices can be found south-east of Cumhuriyet Meydani.
People always were attracted by the combination of fertile ground and shallow waters for a harbor, due to this Samsun has a long history and its myths go back even longer. According to ancient myths the delta east of Samsun was the land of the Amazons. The geographer Strabo (64 BC-23 AD) describes the Amazons as a people of female warriors. In order to shoot easily with bow and arrow they had one of their breast removed. Amazon is derived from the old Greek and means 'without breasts'. The Amazons used men from neighboring peoples to reproduce themselves and male children were sent to neighboring peoples. The myths situate the period of the Amazons about 1200 BC.
Fiction or non fiction, fact is that the Amazons' myth spread again under the conquerors in South America. Along world's biggest river a people of female warriors should live. The female warriors were never found but the river was named the Amazon.
What we know for sure is that Greek colonists settled in the 6th century BC and established a flourishing trade with the people of the interior of Asia Minor.
In the 3rd century BC Samsun came under the rule of the expanding Kingdom of Pontus. Initially the Kingdom of Pontus had been a part of the empire of Alexander the Great that broke up soon after his death in the 4th century BC. At its zenith the Kingdom of Pontus controlled the north as well as parts of central Anatolia and merchant towns on the northern Black Sea shores.
The Romans took over in 47 BC and were replaced by the Byzantines. The town was captured by the Seljuks (around 1200 AD), taken over by the Ilhanid Mongols and later became part of a Turkish principality. Samsun was incorporated in the network of Genoese trading posts and was taken by the Ottomans in the first part of the 15th century. Before leaving, the Genoese burnt the town to the ground.
Under Ottoman rule the land around the town later mainly produced tobacco. The town was connected to the railway system in the second half of the 19th century and the tobacco trade flourished. Its port had fallen prey to a slow decay and despite the tobacco Samsun became a rather dormant place.
Whatever their size, ports remain important gates for in or exporting new ideas and renovations. Here, on 19 May 1919, a man stepped ashore who would create a Turkish state, change a society and even alter a language; this great man was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
As a result of choosing the losing side in the First World War the Ottoman Empire was in shambles. The victorious Entente powers virtually occupied Istanbul. The Entente didn't only intended to divide the Empire but had a division of Anatolia in mind as well. The Greeks had visions of a new Hellenic Empire, the French had the Hatay and Syria and desired a part of South-Eastern Anatolia, to the Italians a southern part of Anatolia (Mediterranean region) was promised. The British already had Arabia, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
On 15 May 1919 Greeks forces occupied Smyrna (Izmir). The admiral of the British warships, at anchor offshore, had to order the Greek commander to restore order. A few days later the Italians landed in Antalya, taking a piece from their promised part of Anatolia.
The interior of Anatolia however was beyond any control (apart from some Entente, mostly British, detachments and officers) and was in the hands of the remnants of the Ottoman Forces and gangs of Greek or Turkish brigands.
To put an end to this situation the major Entente power involved (Britain) asked the weak Ottoman government to restore law and order in those parts. "If the Ottomans wouldn't do it, they would" was the threat.
Since the southern rim of Anatolia was more or less under control by British warships and by competing Greek and Italian troops, the restoration of law and order had to be carried out from the north of Anatolia.
Here laid the chance for general Mustafa Kemal (the victor of Gallipoli). In 1934 when the Turks had to adopt a surname, his became Atatürk (father of the Turks).
Clever manipulating and the help of friends and sympathizers at the right places, gave him the chance to become Inspector General of virtually all of the Ottoman forces in Anatolia. He and his carefully selected staff left Istanbul aboard an old steamer for Samsun on the evening of 16 May 1919.
The Inspector General who stepped ashore on 19 May 1919 set up his quarters in the Mintika Palace Hotel. He made the people of Samsun aware of the Greek and Italian landings, staged mass meetings (however he stayed in the background) and made, thanks to the excellent telegraph network, fast connections with the army units in Anatolia. He started to form links between various nationalists groups. He sent telegrams of protest to foreign embassies and the War Ministry about British reinforcements in the area and about British aid to Greek brigand gangs.
In Istanbul the British became alarmed when they learned that the victor of Gallipoli had been send as Inspector General and his behavior didn't make it any better. They urged a recall of the Inspector General. Thanks to friends and sympathizers in government circles a 'compromise' was worked out; the power of the Inspector General was curbed, on paper.
However, British and French control officers and the sea with British warships were uncomfortable and close by to keep on acting freely. After a week in Samsun Mustafa Kemal and his staff moved to Havza, about 85 kilometers inland. He did this with the pretext that he was ill and needed the hot springs of Havza to recover.
Today many visitors will find themselves in Samsun mostly for reasons of business or for Atatürk starting there the War of Independence. The dormant town of the times of Atatürk became an important trade centre and has a large modern port. The only thing that didn't change is the hospitality of Samsun's inhabitants and the growing of the aromatic Turkish tobacco in the deltas. Few things remind the visitor of the rich past of this town.
The town is pleasant and its centre, Cumhuriyet Meydani (Square of the Republic), is near the port. North of Cumhuriyet Meydani (at Atatürk Bulvari) is the Tourist Information Office. A bit west from the tourist information office you'll find the Statue of Atatürk's Landing. Further West along Atatürk Bulvari, you'll pass the Buyuk Samsun Hotel and thereafter you'll see the Kultur Sarayi (Palace of Culture), a building shaped as a ski jump. Events as concerts and other performances take place here.
East of the tourist office you'll find the Archaeological and Atatürk Museum. The archaeological part of the museum displays fine ancient artifacts found in the Samsun area. The Atatürk section comprises photographs of his life and some personal belongings (Open from 8:30 till 12:00 and from 14:00 till 17:00).
Following from Cumhuriyet Meydani the road north to the port and turning right brings you to The Russian Market (Rus Pazari). All kinds of goods are sold here at a friendly price.
East of Cumhuriyet Meydani you might have a glass of tea, coffee or something cold in the pleasant Park. In the evening it won't take long before you have a fine conversation with the friendly locals.
In the eastern side of the park stands an equestrian Statue of Atatürk, it's big and a bit overdone. The Austrian sculptor Heinz Kriphel worked three years on it (1928-1931).
It's also possible to have a ride in a two horse drawn carriage (Fayton), mostly there will be some of those waiting at Cumhuriyet Meydani or in the shade opposite Atatürk Bulvari. The Black Sea people love their horses and take a pride in and depend on them. The horses are well groomed and tenderly cared for, farmer's carriages are often painted with local motives.
South from Cumhuriyet Meydani you can follow the 19 Mayis Bulvari. It will take you right away to the Atatürk (Gazi) Museum. It houses Atatürk's bedroom, his study and conference room as well some personal belongings.
Nearby is the Pazar Mosque, Samsun's oldest building, a mosque built by the Ilhanid Mongols in the 13th century.
On the way to Amasya the road climbs slowly but steadily and passes over the Karadag Gecidi (Karadag Pass) at an altitude of 940 meters. The landscape is green and little streams flow beneath the road.
Havza is a little charming town and is still well known for its hot springs (56 degrees centigrade). In Havza Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, just before he started The War of Independence, learned that the area was harassed by Greek gangs of Pontus state. A mass meeting was staged and the citizens adopted a policy of resistance. The Sultan's government in Istanbul sent, under heavy pressure of the Entente powers, to the Inspector General Mustafa Kemal in Havza, an order to return to the capital (Istanbul). Mustafa Kemal disobeyed this and all succeeding orders. Since British troops were not far off and had heard what was going on in Havza, Mustafa Kemal decided to move about 50 kilometers further to Amasya. In Havza the goal of putting up resistance was reached.
Climate in Samsun in August/September is about 28 centigrade in the day, around 24 at night, rather humid.
There is one flight a day to and from Istanbul (1 hr and 25 minutes), and one flight a week to and from Ankara (50 minutes). For up to date information and flight schedule please contact Mr. Burak Sansal. From the airport it's about 3 kilometers to the town's centre.
There is at least a bus a day to all major destinations; Amasya (two hours), Giresun (four hours) and Sinop (three hours). The bus station is about 2 kilometers east of Cumhuriyet Meydani, in town bus ticket offices can be found south-east of Cumhuriyet Meydani.
Ordu
At the foot of a verdant hill, is the province of Ordu, one of the calmest and greenest sites along the Black Sea coast of Turkey. Due to its rainy climate, the land is fertile, with vegetable and fruit gardens, and wide forests covering the whole area.
Ordu from the airOn the road to Samsun, there is the town of Unye, 77 kilometers west of Ordu, which is an attractive fishing village. There are clean, beautiful beaches to enjoy the restful atmosphere, and extensive hazelnut plantations, typical of the region. At this site with purple rock formations are historical tombs carved into the rock which remain from the early Romans. Also an 18th century town hall building stands there as an outstanding sight.
Fatsa is another little town famed for its hazelnut gardens, and nearby are the ruins of a fortress named Bolaman Castle and the Byzantine Jason Church now converted to an archaeological museum.
Previously named "Cotoyora", the ancient city of Ordu carries more recent signs; the Pasaoglu Mansion which belonged to a wealthy and influential Ottoman family of the 19th century, and holds signs of the life style once maintained; and a remarkable church dating back to the 18th century.
A distinct characteristic of Ordu is its being the center of hazelnut production. The Golden Hazelnut Festival held in September is hosted by this city, and the local chocolate-nut confection is a tasty specialty.
On March 29, 2006, Total Solar Eclipse was seen in Ordu as well at 14:08pm local time.
Ethnography Museum
Ordu museum, housed in the old Pasaoglu Mansion, is located in Selimiye neighborhood of the city. The building which was built by Pasaoglu Huseyin Efendi in 1896, is a very good example of Ottoman local architecture in the Black Sea region. The stones were brought from Unye, its wood and tiles from Romania, and craftsmen from Istanbul worked in its construction.
The mansion was opened to the public as a museum in 1987 after the restoration and display arrangements were completed. It's a two floor building over the ground floor. The ground floor is arranged for administration offices, the 1st floor as ethnographic materials section, and the 2nd floor to reflect the typical Ottoman Konak life.
Ordu from the airOn the road to Samsun, there is the town of Unye, 77 kilometers west of Ordu, which is an attractive fishing village. There are clean, beautiful beaches to enjoy the restful atmosphere, and extensive hazelnut plantations, typical of the region. At this site with purple rock formations are historical tombs carved into the rock which remain from the early Romans. Also an 18th century town hall building stands there as an outstanding sight.
Fatsa is another little town famed for its hazelnut gardens, and nearby are the ruins of a fortress named Bolaman Castle and the Byzantine Jason Church now converted to an archaeological museum.
Previously named "Cotoyora", the ancient city of Ordu carries more recent signs; the Pasaoglu Mansion which belonged to a wealthy and influential Ottoman family of the 19th century, and holds signs of the life style once maintained; and a remarkable church dating back to the 18th century.
A distinct characteristic of Ordu is its being the center of hazelnut production. The Golden Hazelnut Festival held in September is hosted by this city, and the local chocolate-nut confection is a tasty specialty.
On March 29, 2006, Total Solar Eclipse was seen in Ordu as well at 14:08pm local time.
Ethnography Museum
Ordu museum, housed in the old Pasaoglu Mansion, is located in Selimiye neighborhood of the city. The building which was built by Pasaoglu Huseyin Efendi in 1896, is a very good example of Ottoman local architecture in the Black Sea region. The stones were brought from Unye, its wood and tiles from Romania, and craftsmen from Istanbul worked in its construction.
The mansion was opened to the public as a museum in 1987 after the restoration and display arrangements were completed. It's a two floor building over the ground floor. The ground floor is arranged for administration offices, the 1st floor as ethnographic materials section, and the 2nd floor to reflect the typical Ottoman Konak life.
Giresun of Turkey
In the 2nd century BC, the Roman general Lucullus, who came to the ancient Cerasos, saw a delicious fruit here, and carried its trees back to his country. It was there then that the cherry (Kerasus) giving Giresun its name, spread all over the world. 52 km east of Ordu, this city is founded near the ruins of a Byzantine fortress. Situated on a cliff overlooking the Black Sea, this old castle possesses a panoramic view. Inside the city, there exists a church dating to the 18th century.
Just outsi
Trabzon of Turkey
Sights in TrabzonSumela Monastery (Macka)St. Sophia MuseumAtatürk Mansion When the Roman Empire was divided into two at the end of the 4th century, Trabzon remained under the sovereignty of the Eastern Roman Empire which later on was called as Byzantine Empire. When relations and wars between the Byzantines and the Arabs started, the Arabs called the people under the Roman Sovereignty as Rum, and the areas under the Roman sovereignty as Diyar-i Rum or Memleket-ul Rum (land of Rums). Anatolia, as it was under the Roman sovereignty at that time, was mentioned as Diyar-i Rum. Later, since the Turks also accepted to use the word Rum, the Province of Anatolia was called Eyalet-i Rum, the Anatolia Sultan, Sultan-i Rum, and Mevlana of Anatolia as Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi. Byzantines gave special importance to Trabzon from the military point of view. During the reign of Emperor Justinian in the 6th century the city walls were thoroughly repaired and enlarged. A road from Trabzon to Persia was opened. Huts for defense were built at bends and effort was given to establish Christianity so that the tribe Can, the dwellers along the road would be obedient. Aqueducts of Saint Eugenius were built. In the 8th century the Moslem Arab armies entered Anatolia and came down to Trabzon, invading the area around the citadel. They saw hazel nuts for the first time. In the 9th century the Moslem Turkish armies started coming to the Trabzon area and outer part of the citadel went under the sovereignty of the Moslem Turks. Inside the citadel there were still the Greek colonists. It is in this period that construction of the Saint Ann Church in the Ayvasil district completed. In the 10th century Islamism outside the citadel speeded up and the Turks around became Moslems. Two of the four routes of the Seljuk raids which began in the 11th century passed through the Eastern Black Sea region and Trabzon was then the native country Moslem Turks. Canik was one of the eight provinces of the country conquered by the Moslem Turks in Anatolia and the name Turkey was given for the first time in 1081. Its principal city was Trabzon (the name Canik derived from the word Canika, the place where the Can Tribe lived near Macka area in the south of Trabzon) and moved to the west, and the name Samsun as time passed by derived from it. In the second half of the 11th century there were two Trabzon's: The outer part of the citadel was under the sovereignty of the Danismeds; The inner part of the citadel was under the sovereignty of the Byzantines. After the fights over the throne started in Byzantium (Istanbul) in the 12th century, the Commenos family was dethroned, young Alexis Commenos escaped to Georgia. He declared his Kingdom in Georgia in 1204 and came to Trabzon by the help of the Christian Georgians. He took the citadel from the Byzantian governor who was at his side and made Trabzon the capital of his Kingdom; the state of Trabzon emerged. As the King was a Christian Anatolian, the state was also called as the Trabzon Rum State. But the people with the intention to capture Anatolia and the ignorant who were deceived by them used the name, Rum Pontus state. In the 13th century when the Trabzon state was founded, the Seljuk Turks besieged Trabzon twice and bound them to tax. The King of Trabzon, Alexis Commenos, fortified the citadel and ditches were dug around it. The outer part of the citadel became a large commercial city and was mentioned as "The pupil of whole Asia". The palace of the King and official buildings were placed on the high plains of the inner fortress. The commercial life of the country that extended from Batum to Kerempe including Crimea which was in the hands of the Genoese and the Venetians. On the coast of the city there were castles and warehouses. In the mid-13th century the Trabzon state, being rather small, began to be surrounded by the Cepnis. The Cepnis under the sovereignty of the Sungurlu tribe, from the Ucok subdivision of the Oguz division, who was the son of Kara Han and the grandchild of Turk Han, settled down on the borders of the Trabzon state. While there were Christian Kings in the inner citadel Islam was spreading quickly in the outer citadel. Ahi Evren Dede, an Islamic missionary, was buried in Boztepe after his death in the 14th century. Meanwhile Trabzon became the center of Europe-Asia trade. But Moslem pirates, coming particularly from Sinop, were raiding the coasts and plundering the city. The King of Trabzon, Alexis Commenos II (1297-1333) who had the Giresun castle built, had constructed walls against the sea which is supposed to be the Moloz District now. In the beginning of the 15th century Tamerlane invaded Anatolia and captured Trabzon too. But he did not add it to his Empire, he taxed it under the administration of his son Halil Mirza. In 1411 the Saint Savas Church built in the Boztepe slope was decorated; according to the people the construction of the bell tower and belfry of the Saint Sophia Church was completed in 1427 and the drawing of the pictures on the arches of the entrance door of the Church was terminated in 1444. A very bad struggle for the throne had started in Trabzon, it was evident that the last years of the Trabzon State had come. As a matter of fact the ruler of the Ottoman Empire Sultan Murat II had attacked Trabzon in 1442 from the sea and returned home taking slaves and taxes. The ambassador of Trabzon was also among those who congratulated Sultan Mehmet (The Conqueror) when he was enthroned in Edirne in 1451. During the preparation of the conquest of Istanbul in 1452, first the Bogazkesen Castle (Rumeli Hisari) was built in order to put an end to bonds between Trabzon and Istanbul; And after he conquered Istanbul in 1453, he also bound Trabzon to tax for 2000 duke golden coins. When it was not paid he sent Hizir Bey, the tutor of his son Sehzade Beyazid who was the governor in Amasya, over Trabzon in 1456. Hizir Bey surrendered Trabzon and established his headquarters in the eastern section (now the Municipal building). But since the King of Trabzon declared that he would pay the tax required, he returned. The tax was sent to Istanbul in 1457 and was accepted only if the amount was increased to 3000 duke golden coins. The King of Trabzon Commenos IV began to search remedies to be saved from this pressure of the Ottomans and tried to bring together all the governments and nations from Caucasia and the coasts of Euphrates (Firat) River to France and Vatican in opposition to the Ottoman State. At the end, by applying the old tradition, he engaged his beautiful girl to Uzun Hasan Bey, the ruler of Akkoyunlu, provided that he should defend Trabzon against the Ottomans. The last King David Commenos who took his place in 1458, first sent his niece to Uzun Hasan Bey so that she could be his wife and requested not to be taxed. Uzun Hasan Bey in return to Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, asked him not to tax Trabzon, and also that he wanted back the debt that remained from his ancestors. The Conqueror by sending back the envoys told that he would personally come and pay his debt. In 1461, he set off to Trabzon. Uzun Hasan Bey was afraid and begged pardon by sending his mother Sara Hatun to Ercincan, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror said that he would forgive in case no help was rendered to Trabzon, but continued his voyage to Trabzon taking Sara Hatun with him. The army was divided into two in Bayburt. One part went on taking a separate route under the command of the Grand Vizier Mahmut Pasha. The route which the Conqueror followed was very difficult, particularly while crossing the Bulgar mountain. Sara Hatun wanted to take an advantage of this and tried to persuade the Conqueror to give up the voyage. But he did not take her words into consideration and Trabzon was surrounded from land and sea. The King of Trabzon David Commenos who learned that the Sultan and the Grand Vizier were coming at the head of the army, forgot about Trabzon which in fact was not of his own. He notified that he would give back the citadel if another suitable piece equal to the income of Trabzon was given. He assigned Amirutzes, his chief private secretary, as a representative and the Conqueror made the Grand Vizier Mahmut Pasha his representative. Amirutzes and Mahmut Pasha were cousins. Therefore discussions of surrender concluded immediately and Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror entered the citadel of Trabzon on Monday, the 26th of October 1461, he closed the phase of the Trabzon State that lasted 250 years in history. The Commander of the Fleet and the Governor of Gelibolu Kazim Bey took over the administration of the city. Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror first of all changed the Panaghia Krys Krysokephalos church into a mosque and prayed in it. It was called the Ortahisar Mosque; now it is called Fatih Mosque. Later he turned Saint Eugenes church into a mosque and the first Friday Prayer was performed; it was called the Yenicuma Mosque. Since the community of a church in front of Mumhane became Moslems, this church was also turned into a mosque and was called Karabas Mosque. But it was destroyed in 1788. Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror gave the jewels left over from the Trabzon State to Uzun Hasan Bey's mother Sara Hatun and sent her to her son. The son of Commenos, the ex-king of Trabzon, settled in the region named Pera in Istanbul and accepted Islam. The people of Istanbul called that place Beyoglu meaning the place where the son of the Trabzon Bey stayed. The Christian families were taken out of the castle of Trabzon. The riches were sent to Istanbul. Others were settled in the neighboring called Meydani Sarki (Dogu meydani - Belediye meydani), Arafilboyu and Yenicuma. Suleyman the Magnificent came back to Istanbul, and Trabzon became a "Sancak" (outpost) which was later bounded to the Anatolian state. In 1489 the son of Sultan Beyazid, Sultan Selim Yavuz, became the governor of Trabzon and came to Trabzon with his mother Gulbahar Hatun (Ayse). He himself gathered the intellectuals in Trabzon for his first born child Suleyman the Magnificent in 1494. Then due to the threat of the Shiis developing in Persia, he had city-walls constructed around Trabzon. But he could not convince the political danger of the Persian ruler who was pretending to be a religious ruler to his father and elder brother, the governor of Amasya. In the end he pressed of Shah Ismail's forces with his troops formed by the citizens of Trabzon. In 1508 he overcame Shah's big army corps and drove them out of his borders. He was going to go further but returned on demand of the Sultan. Yavuz Sultan Selim was acting as a monarch and using the emperors rights. He himself attacked Georgia and owing to his heroic acts and successes he was named "Yavuz" (brave). Meanwhile his son Suleyman (Kanuni) was at the age of 15 and took over the governance of Kefe. Yavuz Sultan Selim went to Kefe by the sea with his army formed by the citizens of Trabzon and attacked Caucasia without permission; and not obeying the orders, he wanted to have a governor's post in Rumeli in order to be near Istanbul. As he couldn't get what he wanted, he attacked Edirne via Rumeli and was defeated by his father's (Sultan Beyazid) army and escaped to Crimea. In 1512 Sehzade Ahmet, during his father's lifetime, was called to Istanbul to become the ruler. But this time janissaries rebelled and he went back. Upon this, Yavuz Sultan Selim was called and became the ruler. Yavuz was interested in sports and science. During his governance he used the area called "Atapark" as a play ground; he shot arrows and organized competitions of bowshots for young Trabzon citizens. A beautiful mausoleum was built over his mother Ayse (Gulbahar), the daughter of Dulkavidli ruler Aleaddevler, who died in 1505. Haci Kasim Fountain dating 1409 and Seydi Haci Mehmet fountain dating 1500 on Kavak Meydan street survived from the time of Yavuz Sultan Selim's governance. Hatuniye Mosque which was built for his mother, was completed in 1514. It is one of the greatest master pieces of the Ottomans in Trabzon. After Yavuz Sultan Selim left in 1522, Iskender Pasha became the governor of Trabzon. In 1514 Erzincan became a state and Trabzon was bounded to it. Iskender pasha became the governor of Trabzon for four times. During his governance he built Iskender Pasha fountain at Belediye Square in 1519, another fountain at Hoca Halil Mahalle, Asagi Hisar in 1523 and a mosque at Belediye Square and a medrese (which isn't there anymore) in his name in 1529. Iskender Pasha, died in 1533, was buried within the mosque built by him. His tomb can be seen there. During Kanuni Sultan Suleyman's reign (1520-1566) the Anatolian state was divided into two; Rumeli (Thrace) and Anatolia. The capital of the new Anatolian state was Trabzon and the subdivisions called Kemah, Bayburt, Malatya, Kahta, Divrigi and Darende were joined to Trabzon. But in 1534 the administrative system changed again; Erzurum became the capital and Trabzon was joined to Erzurum. In 1514 the city-walls of Trabzon were restored by Sirvanzade Mirza Mehmet Bey. In the middle of the 16th century it is known that the Islamic religion hasn't penetrated into some regions of Trabzon. A man named Sheik Osman Efendi from Maras, who came by way of Bayburt, reinforced the Islamic religion. His tomb is in Caykara now. In 1563 Governor of Trabzon Kasim bey (Kasim Celebi) built Pazarkapi Mosque. In 1564 Batum was captured. In 1566 Suleyman the Magnificent died. It was seen that the suit array which was taken off his back was even from a material woven in Trabzon. Suleyman the Magnificent used to wear clothes from Trabzon linen and also made the royals and janissaries wear it. In 1578 Erdogdu Bey, governor of Trabzon, changed the small mosque by adding a minaret to it at Tekfur Cayi region. Therefore the mosque and the neighboring were named Erdogdu. In 1582 the Trabzon - Batum state, whose capital was Trabzon, was established; and St. Sophia church was changed into a mosque without laying a hand on any of its frescoes. In the 17th century the Russian Don Cossacks began to plunder the coasts of Black sea. Omer Pasha, the governor of Trabzon then, organized a fleet of boats named 'menkisle' with 5 crew each and stopped these attacks. Meanwhile riots in Anatolia had begun. One of the notables of Celali and Akkoyunlu Turkmenians, Ali Pasha from Murathan, became the governor of Trabzon. In 1608 while Celalis were being despoiled, Murat Pasha was called to Bayburt and killed there. In 1732, a famous traveler and writer Katip Celebi (Haci Halife)'s book titled "Cihannuma" was published. There is some information about Trabzon in this book. In 1640 Evliya Celebi came to Trabzon and gave a great deal of information about the city in his book titled "Seyahatname". He describes the citizens of Trabzon as cleanly dressed, educated people fond of good talkers, fond of reading and writing poems. He divides the people into seven classes as: Notables and Nobles with Sableskin coats, scholars in special array, Merchants wearing Ferace made of broadcloth, Kontos and Dolman, Craftsmen who can mint and can masterly make all kinds of gold and silverware and weapons, Sea conveyors and Merchants with Shalwvar and Dolman made of broadcloth, i.e. the sailors, gardeners and fishermen. Vizier Arnavut Mehmet Pasha who came to Trabzon as a governor in 1644 was dismissed from his position after a short time and went to Kopru district, the home-town of his wife, and settled there. Therefore he was called Koprulu Mehmet Pasha. He became the first member of Koprulu Family, and the name of Kopru was changed to Vezir Kopru. In the middle of the 17th century the raids of Kazak pirates to Trabzon shore turned into Russian attacks. That's why the Trabzon governors were generally in charge of guarding the castles on the border as an additional duty. Trabzon was often left without a governor and was governed by Aghas instead of governors. Public order began to deteriorate and governors became unable to render good service in the city. During the period of Biyikli Mustafa Pasha, governor of Trabzon in 1727, the conditions improved a little and Zeytinlik medrese which was the third great foundation of education of Trabzon was built. But public order in the city deteriorated again because in 1828 war with Iran broke out and this time the governors, in order to participate in the Iranian war, were handing Trabzon over to their assistants called Mutessellim. By then public order had deteriorated entirely, Laz and Cepni Aghas were attacking each other. In 1741 Omer Pasha established peace again and had the Trabzon and Gorele castles repaired, opened the Harsit road and built a nice palace in Guzelhisar for himself. He was confronted with the wrath of the Sultan and his palace was burned and he was executed. Hekimoglu Ali Pasha, one of the famous grand Viziers and the governor of Trabzon in 1749, improved the public order by his skillful administration. He repaired the Karabas Mosque. In 1754 he was appointed as the Grand Vizier for the second time and was taken from Trabzon. In 1762 Mustafa Efendi, from Saraczade Family, founded the Saraczade Library. During that time Trabzon was progressing in commerce and hazel-nut was being exported from Trabzon to Russia. But public order was deteriorating terribly. Canikli Haci Ali Pasha who was sent to Trabzon as a governor in 1772 improved the public order, but this time governorship inherited by this family from then on. The candidate governors began struggling for seat. Then Sari Abdullah Pasha, who was brought up as the slave of Canikli Family, was sent to Trabzon as a governor. In 1788 the misleading trends in the administration of Trabzon had become worse. The task of killing Sari Abdullah Pasha was given to Kuguzade Suleyman Pasha, the new governor of Trabzon in 1791. He immediately carried out his duty, trapped and killed him and buried him in the cemetery near the Tavanli Mosque. At the beginning of the 19th century the Russian attacks to Trabzon shores strengthened. The Russians captured the Azak, Anapa and Fas Castles on the border and in 1810 they landed on the Sargana shores of Akcaabat. Sakaoglu Mahmut Agha, the chief of Akçaabat, taking men along with him, and his wife Uluvve Hatun taking women as followers, opposed the enemy. By the participation of the people who came from the surroundings and the Trabzon governor Carhaci Ali Pasha himself, fierce battles started. They drove the enemy to the sea. Meanwhile public order was in a disorderly state in Trabzon Region. The Aghas and the notables didn't take the government into consideration. As Haznedarzade Suleyman Pasha who was appointed to Trabzon as a governor, with a rank of Vizier, to improve the public order, was in a disagreement with Hopali Tuzcuoglu Memis Agha, the chief of Rize. Tuzcuoglu Memis Agha attacked Trabzon with all the notables and Aghas of the region and drove his head officer Cecenzade Hasan Agha out of the city. He dominated the Trabzon Castle and he acted as the head of the state for exactly four months. When the State forces came, he escaped and went to Of. He was captured and decapitated in 1817. But the social tension caused by the Aghas went on. While Hazinedarzade Osman Pasha, who was sent to Trabzon as a governor in 1827, was taking protective precautions in his region against the Russian attacks, he was also trying to prevent the frequent revolts of the Aghas. In 1834 he completely stopped the revolts and improved the public order. He made the notables of Tuzcuoglu Family migrate to Ruscuk and Varna regions. As a result of the improving public order, the commercial life and public works became active. Charles Texier who came to Trabzon in 1832, gave many information about Trabzon in his famous book named Asia Minor and mentioned Trabzon as the transit center of the East. As steam ships began their tours on the Black Sea in 1836, the commercial transportation in the Mediterranean directed to the Black Sea. In 1837 the Fatih mosque in Ortahisar was repaired and one of its rooms was constructed as a Sadirvan (fountain for the ablutions before prayers). The Çarsi Mosque was built in 1841. In 1842 the Fetvahane Library was constructed. Abdullah Pasha became the governor in place of his brother Hazinedarzade Osman Pasha who died in 1842, and contributed a lot to the public works of Trabzon. The Hatuniye and Fatih Libraries were constructed in 1844, Kalcioglu Memis Agha Fountain was built in 1845. In 1848 Ismail Pasha, the Minister of public works, came to Trabzon with a group of specialists to examine the project about Trabzon - Baghdad Road in 1849. The Abdullah Pasha Fountain was put into service. In 1850 the Saraczade, in 1851 the Pazarkapi Medreses were founded, the Imaret Library was widened. Trabzon became the center of an intensive transit transportation in the middle of the 19th century; The trade in Trabzon Harbor started to expand continuously. Trabzon was the center of one of the 39 provinces of the Ottoman Empire. Sebinkarahisar, Samsun, Batum and Maradit were counties under the rule of Trabzon. There was a regular sea transportation between Trabzon and Istanbul every fifteen days and it was necessary to have a well constructed highway to go to the East. For this reason, Ismail Pasa, Minister of Public works, came to Trabzon in 1850 and the construction of Erzurum - Trabzon highway began. Primary and secondary Schools teaching with new methods were put into service in 1852. The marsh of Batum was dried, clean water was brought, and the Aziziye Mosque was built in 1862. Trabzon became a civilized and well-constructed city. In 1863 the St. Sophia (Ayasofya) Mosque was restored, the pictures in the mosque were covered with plaster; stairs were built for the bell-tower which was used as a minaret. The provinces were abolished and the big cities were organized in the second half of the 19th century. Trabzon became a big city too, and also three provinces were added to Trabzon: 1) Central province of Trabzon (Giresun, Bulancak, Tirebolu, Of, Rize). 2) Province of Canik (Samsun, Unye, Bafra). 3) Province of Lazistan (Batum, Arhavi). 4) Province of Gumushane (Torul, Kelkit). Trabzon was a lively and prosperous city. An American school was put into service in 1865 and an official printing office was established in 1866. Samsun, which was a subdivision of Trabzon, was completely burnt down and rebuilt on a modern new plan designed by the local government in Trabzon. In 1870 a formal newspaper named Trabzon and the first year book of Trabzon were printed. The sea transportation in Trabzon increased considerably in those days and four ship companies arranged tours to Istanbul once a week. Two foreigners ran a beautiful hotel in the city. The shopping district was very rich and lively, goods from all over the world were sold there. The square called "Gavur Meydani" (The Municipal square) used to be a place where people took walks. This centre reminded people of Champs Elysses in Paris. The Kavak Square was the centre of sports and people on horses used to play jereed (Javelin) there. The population of the city was about forty thousand. There were some beautiful houses in the city and there was a road to the west across the city. While some changes in the administrative body were taking place in 1870, the Sebin Karahisar subdivision was separated from Trabzon and became a separate province, and Giresun became a county of this province. On the other hand in 1872, the towns of Surmene, Vakfikebir, Gorele and Aybasti were joined together as county of Trabzon. Trabzon was developing day after day. In 1875 a French school was put into service in the city. There appeared a great progress in the commercial life and hazelnuts were exported to Belgium as well. When the Russian - Turkish war started in 1876, Trabzon was used as a supply centre of the army. In 1883 a Persian school was put into service. Akcaabat which was known for its tobacco, Yomra famous for its fruit and therapeutically waters, Macka as the centre of making quilts, covering copper goods with tin and carving stones, were towns under the rule of central Trabzon. From the big harbor called Vakfikebir, butter, corn and beans were exported. Surmene was a natural harbor and the people living there were mostly fishermen. There lived a lot of scientists and artists in Of. In those days there was a constitutional government ruling the Ottoman Empire. When the first elections took place, Trabzon sent three deputies to the legislature. In accordance with the Ayastefanos agreement, Batum remained under the Russian rule and Rize became the capital of Lazistan in 1877. Mehmet Ziver Efendi, who wrote many poems about the fish (hamsi, like sardines) died in 1880. Leyla Hanim, whose poems were widespread among women, was the wife of Sirri Pasha, the governor of Trabzon then. Hamamizade Ihsan, an inhabitant of Trabzon, who has acquired a very distinctive place in the Turkish literature, was born in 1884. Meanwhile Trabzon's nearest county Akcaabat has become a sub-district in 1887. Of, Surmene, Akcaabat, Vakfikebir, Gorele, Tirebolu, Giresun, Ordu, Yomra, Macka, Sarli and Tonya were sub-districts of Trabzon by the end of the 19th century. Trabzon continued to be the starting point of international road to Iran and an important seaport town of Eastern Anatolia. There were eight ship agencies, one of which was local. There were nine consulates in Trabzon. In brief, it was a big and rich city. The Armenians in Trabzon started a riot but it was soon overcome in 1895. When the Second Constitutional Regime was declared in 1908, seven deputies were elected from Trabzon for the parliament. In the 1912 elections seven parliamenters were elected again. During that period the administration of the Ottoman State had become weaker because of the struggle of rivalry of political parties. Italians took advantage of this instability and occupied the twelve islands in the Aegean and also landed at Tripoli (Trablusgarb) which was under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire. The Balkan war broke out; the government declared a state of emergency and wanted the aid of all provinces. People of Trabzon and its districts tried very hard to procure money for the government. The Ottoman Government frequently changed hands and the power of the state weakened because of the struggle and rivalry of political parties. Bekir Sami Bey, who was a governor in Trabzon twice in 1911 and 1912, was also the foreign Minister of the Ankara Government during the years of the Turkish National War of Liberation. The governorship of Suleyman Nazif Bey, who was a famous Turkish poet, didn't even last a year. The governorship of Professor Mehmet Ali Avni, who was famous with his scientific and artistic works, lasted shorter than Suleyman Nazif's. Samih Rifats's governance lasted only a month. In 1913, as the activities of Armenian Committees and the Second Balkan War started, Cemal Azmi Bey became the governor of Trabzon. When World War I broke out in 1914, the Istanbul Government couldn't keep its impartiality and was obliged to enter the war on the side of Germany. Disastrous days for Trabzon began. The city was bombed by 23 Russian warship on 1st November 1914. Bomb-shells followed one another, and a large group of young people from Trabzon died in the battle of Sarikamis in the east of Turkey. As the bombardments were continuing, Russian land troops passed the shore border on 24th February 1916 and occupied Rize and came to the border of Of. The people of Of and its sub-districts joined the 2500 soldiers under the command of Gurcu Avni Pasa, the commander of that region. They stopped the Russian Army on the border of Trabzon, in spite of the good state of the Russian army. But the Russians occupied Of on 5th March 1916 and Trabzon on 18th April 1916 anyway. Trabzon was saved from the enemy invasion on 24th February 1918 and was joined to the Motherland. Some people say that the name of the city comes from the Greek "Trapezous"; "trapezion" is the table, and the ending "-ous" means the place which possesses/has something (eg. Kerasous; the place that has cherries, todays Giresun). Trapezous indicates the flat hilltop in the old city, which is surrounded by the medieval wall.
The Sumela Monastery (Macka)
Situated in a very beautiful and natural setting, Sumela Monastery built in the 14th century is nestled into the side of rocks in a famous valley in Maçka, only 50 kilometers away from Trabzon. The setting is 1200 meters above the sea level.
Two Greek monks, Barnaby and Sophronios started the original building. The 7th century Icon apparently painted by an anonymous Trabizond (Trabzon) artist became the symbol of the monastery.
Some say that the name "Sumela" comes from the Greek word "melas" which means "black" and it refers to the characteristic dark color of this icon. But others say that "Melas is the name of the mountain above the monastery, "sou" in the Pontian Greek dialect means "at the", so Sumela (Sou + Mela) means "at the Melas (mountain).
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin and the large monastery complex had 5 floors and a total of 72 rooms. The upper floor was used as a gallery and a lookout post. The whole building was full of frescoes and the wall paintings. The large part of the building was hewn out of the rock. It stands in front of a beautiful valley scenery and sharp rocky mountains behind.
St. Sophia Museum
It was built in covered Greek cross architecture during the reign of King Manuel I Kommenos in 13th century. Muslim Seljuk stone workers also worked for the construction of St. Sophia Church and church continued its service until 1670 after Ottomans invaded the region. It was converted into a mosque in 1670 and served as a storage and hospital during World War I. Later it served as a mosque again. The chapel in the north of the church is older and the bell tower and was built in 1427. St. Sophia Church was converted into a museum in 1964 and is located in 3 kilometers west of the city. It is not to be confused with St. Sophia Museum in Istanbul.
Boat rules Turkey
Boat rules
Some Regulations Concerning the Use of Foreign-Owned Yachts in Turkish Waters and Leaving them in Turkish Waters
Entry
Yachts entering or leaving Turkey shall make their entry or departure at frontier ports. Ports of entry along the Turkish coast are : Trabzon, Giresun, Ordu, Samsun, Inebolu, Hopa, Rize, Sinop, Zonguldak, Bartin, Eregli, Tekirdag, Derince, Gemlik, Istanbul, Canakkale, Mudanya, Bandirma, Akçay, Ayvalik, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Didim, Güllük, Bodrum, Datca, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas, Finike, Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Anamur, Bozyazi, Botas, Tasucu, Mersin, Iskenderun. There are no standard harbor charges but some of the Ports of Entry may charge a small mooring fee. There no official charges except purchase of the Transit log. Marina stays of course are charged.
The entire crew must have a passport valid for the length of stay in Turkey together with a visa. All visitors to Turkey must have a date stamp in their passport from Port of Entry and date stamp on departure. Visas at varying cost are required by citizens of all countries, although some are free, and can be obtained at Port of Entry. Usually these are valid for 3 months. Visas for a longer period can be obtained from Turkish Embassies in Country of Residence or for 1 year if an annual contract is held with a Turkish Marina.
If you wish to enter Turkey, after you have sailed through international ports and waters, then you are required to obtain a Yacht Registration Form (Transit Log), which contains information about yachts and yachtsmen. You will need to complete this form in accordance with the explanations given there and you will need to go through the Customs, Health and Port procedures as per the international regulations stated within those explanations and in accordance with your declaration.
The cost of the Yacht Registration Form (Transit Log) is $30.00 and it is valid for one year. This allows a yacht to travel freely in Turkish waters and may be inspected by any harbor official at any time. The Transit Log / Cruising Permit is valid for 1 year but is cancelled if a yacht leaves Turkey; or there is a change of ownership of the yacht; or for charter yachts, at the end of the cruise; or when the yacht owner or captain leave the yacht in a marina for laying up. Under any of these circumstances, a new Transit long will be required. On leaving Turkey it is cancelled and at the same time the exit stamp is entered in the passport.
However, if the owner of the yacht or the legal keeper of the yacht changes within that year and if the yacht leaves Turkish Customs Area or the Form is lost, then the term of validity of the Form comes to an end. It is possible to obtain a new Yacht Registration Form in such occurrences.
Importing Yacht Parts and Inventory Change
Foreign yacht-owners can import duty-free spare parts and equipment for use their yachts under customs authority control. These spare parts and equipment will be recorded in the inventory of the yacht. Whilst your yacht is in Turkey, if due to any reason (i.e. repairs, etc.) a change occurs in the inventory of the yacht, you will be required to have the necessary changes logged through the relevant Customs officials on your Yacht Registration Form.
Spare parts belonging to your yacht and other material will be allowed to remain in Turkey as long as your yacht remains in Turkey. If any spare part becomes redundant following repairs carried out on the yacht and the owner wishes to take it out of Turkey, then the owner will have to have such parts registered in the inventory list of the yacht. You can also leave your old spare parts with the customs officials.
Cruising in Turkish Waters
You, as the owner of the yacht and your guests on the yacht, are entitled to sail freely in Turkish waters and between ports, on condition that the purpose of the trip is not commercial. You may wish to sail between Turkish ports for the purpose of travel, leisure or sport.
As long as the captain, crew and the yachtsmen of the yacht remain the same on such trips, you can sail freely to the bays on your route, except forbidden areas, without the need to go through any procedures. If any change occurs between ports, in terms of your captain, yachtsmen or crew, then you should definitely make an application to the Director of Port in your area and obtain a confirmation for the change.
Foreign-flagged private yachts belonging to more than one owner and yachts belonging to an association or a yacht club, may be used by four keepers only in one year.
If you are in Turkey with your yacht and you wish to extend your visa for your stay, then you will need to allocate a marina or a mooring place licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, as your address of residence and after you notify the authorities of the address you will be granted an extension. In such cases, the extension you can be granted on your term of residence and visa may be no longer than 5 (five) years, depending on your term of contract that you have with the marina or the moorage.
You can also use your own vehicle freely, after you inform the Directorate of Customs, whilst you stay in Turkey under the term of your visa and residency. Should you wish to leave Turkey for a period of time temporarily with your yacht, you can leave your road vehicle, if you have one, which you have brought to Turkey, at places that are allocated and monitored by the Customs authorities.
If, for example, you or your family need to be collected from another port or taken to another port, then your captain, on condition that he has your written or fax instructions to do so, can obtain a permit to sail from the Directorate of Port and can sail to another Turkish port, forth and back, without any yachtsmen or guests on board.
Unless the authorities receive a complaint or a claim, which should be made in accordance with the regulations, no searches, either of your yacht or for any goods, will be carried out. However, if the authorities conduct a search upon receipt of a complaint or a claim through the appropriate channels and establish you to be in possession of goods that are forbidden to be taken into Turkey, then any such item or items will be seized by the customs authorities and will not be returned until your yacht leaves Turkish waters.
In such instances when you have to depart from or enter Turkey for reasons of emergency, extraordinary conditions or under the obligations set out by the Law protecting life and property afloat, it is an obligation to report the case to the Turkish officials at the first port of arrival.
Leaving Yachts in Turkish Marinas or Leaving Turkey
Foreign-flagged yachts, on condition that they are sailed by their owners once every two years, can remain in Turkey up to five (5) years without a requirement for any permission. You can leave Turkey by other means of transport during this period after you leave your yacht at a marina or a moorage licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.
When leaving Turkish ports for international ports with your yacht, you need to complete the relevant section of the Yacht Registration Form, have it confirmed by the Director of Port and complete the required procedures at the Customs Directorate.
Regulations for Tax-Free Diesel Fuel for Foreign Yachts
Foreign-registered yachts may obtain tax-free diesel fuel subject to the conditions set out below:
Tax-free fuel will be available for use only in foreign yachts and will be obtainable only from marinas and shipyards licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism.
The owner of the yachts may be Turkish or foreign but must be a person having a permanent place of residence outside of Turkey.
The yacht may be brought to Turkey with the owner or may be brought two months earlier or later than the owner's arrival in Turkey.
The yacht may receive the tax-free fuel only in the presence of the owner.
Use of Vehicles by Foreign Yachtsmen
Foreign yachtsmen are allowed to use their foreign - registered vehicles in Turkey for 6 months in any one year. At the end of 6 months their vehicles must be taken out of the country. If the yacht owner or captain takes over the yacht, their vehicles must be put into the marina customs bond under the responsibility of the marina. The vehicles may be left in bond for up to 4 months. Before expiry, an application may be made to the chief customs authorities of the district for extension of period for a this period for a further 2 months. Foreign yacht owners cannot keep yachts and their vehicles on their passports at the same time. It is advisable that on entering Turkey, the yacht owners wife or friends have the vehicle recorded in their passport.
Underwater Diving
Diving for purposes of sport, with proper equipment and in non-restricted areas, is permitted. Foreign divers should have official documentation of their specifics and training and must be accompanied, when diving, by a licensed Turkish guide.
The limit for diving with diving gear is 30 meters. For educational purposes, this limit is extended to 42 meters. Dives exceeding 30 meters must be carried out with proper diving and medical equipment. In order to protect Turkish archaeological and cultural values, it is strictly forbidden to transport Turkish antiquities or natural specimens.
Note: Gelibolu - Çanakkale (ancient Gallipoli or Dardanelles) is a good area for shipwreck diving.
Your Responsibilities
You are not allowed to use your private yacht for commercial purposes unless you obtain the necessary permission from the Ministry of Tourism.
You are not allowed to charge individuals you have declared as your guests for any cruises.
You need to be aware that if any untruthful declarations are being submitted, these will be subject to legal proceedings brought against you.
If you export any historical artifacts, you will be subjected to legal proceedings brought against you. Such an act constitutes a crime.
You should not engage yourself in any way of exchange of goods (buying or selling) that have not yet been through the necessary customs and duty procedures, with other yachts or ships. Such an exchange is illegal.
Such occurrences as stated above are considered as acts of crime internationally and in Turkey, and if such an act is established to have taken place then the legal proceedings to follow will be in accordance with the relevant legislation in Turkey.
Some Regulations Concerning the Use of Foreign-Owned Yachts in Turkish Waters and Leaving them in Turkish Waters
Entry
Yachts entering or leaving Turkey shall make their entry or departure at frontier ports. Ports of entry along the Turkish coast are : Trabzon, Giresun, Ordu, Samsun, Inebolu, Hopa, Rize, Sinop, Zonguldak, Bartin, Eregli, Tekirdag, Derince, Gemlik, Istanbul, Canakkale, Mudanya, Bandirma, Akçay, Ayvalik, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Didim, Güllük, Bodrum, Datca, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas, Finike, Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Anamur, Bozyazi, Botas, Tasucu, Mersin, Iskenderun. There are no standard harbor charges but some of the Ports of Entry may charge a small mooring fee. There no official charges except purchase of the Transit log. Marina stays of course are charged.
The entire crew must have a passport valid for the length of stay in Turkey together with a visa. All visitors to Turkey must have a date stamp in their passport from Port of Entry and date stamp on departure. Visas at varying cost are required by citizens of all countries, although some are free, and can be obtained at Port of Entry. Usually these are valid for 3 months. Visas for a longer period can be obtained from Turkish Embassies in Country of Residence or for 1 year if an annual contract is held with a Turkish Marina.
If you wish to enter Turkey, after you have sailed through international ports and waters, then you are required to obtain a Yacht Registration Form (Transit Log), which contains information about yachts and yachtsmen. You will need to complete this form in accordance with the explanations given there and you will need to go through the Customs, Health and Port procedures as per the international regulations stated within those explanations and in accordance with your declaration.
The cost of the Yacht Registration Form (Transit Log) is $30.00 and it is valid for one year. This allows a yacht to travel freely in Turkish waters and may be inspected by any harbor official at any time. The Transit Log / Cruising Permit is valid for 1 year but is cancelled if a yacht leaves Turkey; or there is a change of ownership of the yacht; or for charter yachts, at the end of the cruise; or when the yacht owner or captain leave the yacht in a marina for laying up. Under any of these circumstances, a new Transit long will be required. On leaving Turkey it is cancelled and at the same time the exit stamp is entered in the passport.
However, if the owner of the yacht or the legal keeper of the yacht changes within that year and if the yacht leaves Turkish Customs Area or the Form is lost, then the term of validity of the Form comes to an end. It is possible to obtain a new Yacht Registration Form in such occurrences.
Importing Yacht Parts and Inventory Change
Foreign yacht-owners can import duty-free spare parts and equipment for use their yachts under customs authority control. These spare parts and equipment will be recorded in the inventory of the yacht. Whilst your yacht is in Turkey, if due to any reason (i.e. repairs, etc.) a change occurs in the inventory of the yacht, you will be required to have the necessary changes logged through the relevant Customs officials on your Yacht Registration Form.
Spare parts belonging to your yacht and other material will be allowed to remain in Turkey as long as your yacht remains in Turkey. If any spare part becomes redundant following repairs carried out on the yacht and the owner wishes to take it out of Turkey, then the owner will have to have such parts registered in the inventory list of the yacht. You can also leave your old spare parts with the customs officials.
Cruising in Turkish Waters
You, as the owner of the yacht and your guests on the yacht, are entitled to sail freely in Turkish waters and between ports, on condition that the purpose of the trip is not commercial. You may wish to sail between Turkish ports for the purpose of travel, leisure or sport.
As long as the captain, crew and the yachtsmen of the yacht remain the same on such trips, you can sail freely to the bays on your route, except forbidden areas, without the need to go through any procedures. If any change occurs between ports, in terms of your captain, yachtsmen or crew, then you should definitely make an application to the Director of Port in your area and obtain a confirmation for the change.
Foreign-flagged private yachts belonging to more than one owner and yachts belonging to an association or a yacht club, may be used by four keepers only in one year.
If you are in Turkey with your yacht and you wish to extend your visa for your stay, then you will need to allocate a marina or a mooring place licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, as your address of residence and after you notify the authorities of the address you will be granted an extension. In such cases, the extension you can be granted on your term of residence and visa may be no longer than 5 (five) years, depending on your term of contract that you have with the marina or the moorage.
You can also use your own vehicle freely, after you inform the Directorate of Customs, whilst you stay in Turkey under the term of your visa and residency. Should you wish to leave Turkey for a period of time temporarily with your yacht, you can leave your road vehicle, if you have one, which you have brought to Turkey, at places that are allocated and monitored by the Customs authorities.
If, for example, you or your family need to be collected from another port or taken to another port, then your captain, on condition that he has your written or fax instructions to do so, can obtain a permit to sail from the Directorate of Port and can sail to another Turkish port, forth and back, without any yachtsmen or guests on board.
Unless the authorities receive a complaint or a claim, which should be made in accordance with the regulations, no searches, either of your yacht or for any goods, will be carried out. However, if the authorities conduct a search upon receipt of a complaint or a claim through the appropriate channels and establish you to be in possession of goods that are forbidden to be taken into Turkey, then any such item or items will be seized by the customs authorities and will not be returned until your yacht leaves Turkish waters.
In such instances when you have to depart from or enter Turkey for reasons of emergency, extraordinary conditions or under the obligations set out by the Law protecting life and property afloat, it is an obligation to report the case to the Turkish officials at the first port of arrival.
Leaving Yachts in Turkish Marinas or Leaving Turkey
Foreign-flagged yachts, on condition that they are sailed by their owners once every two years, can remain in Turkey up to five (5) years without a requirement for any permission. You can leave Turkey by other means of transport during this period after you leave your yacht at a marina or a moorage licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.
When leaving Turkish ports for international ports with your yacht, you need to complete the relevant section of the Yacht Registration Form, have it confirmed by the Director of Port and complete the required procedures at the Customs Directorate.
Regulations for Tax-Free Diesel Fuel for Foreign Yachts
Foreign-registered yachts may obtain tax-free diesel fuel subject to the conditions set out below:
Tax-free fuel will be available for use only in foreign yachts and will be obtainable only from marinas and shipyards licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism.
The owner of the yachts may be Turkish or foreign but must be a person having a permanent place of residence outside of Turkey.
The yacht may be brought to Turkey with the owner or may be brought two months earlier or later than the owner's arrival in Turkey.
The yacht may receive the tax-free fuel only in the presence of the owner.
Use of Vehicles by Foreign Yachtsmen
Foreign yachtsmen are allowed to use their foreign - registered vehicles in Turkey for 6 months in any one year. At the end of 6 months their vehicles must be taken out of the country. If the yacht owner or captain takes over the yacht, their vehicles must be put into the marina customs bond under the responsibility of the marina. The vehicles may be left in bond for up to 4 months. Before expiry, an application may be made to the chief customs authorities of the district for extension of period for a this period for a further 2 months. Foreign yacht owners cannot keep yachts and their vehicles on their passports at the same time. It is advisable that on entering Turkey, the yacht owners wife or friends have the vehicle recorded in their passport.
Underwater Diving
Diving for purposes of sport, with proper equipment and in non-restricted areas, is permitted. Foreign divers should have official documentation of their specifics and training and must be accompanied, when diving, by a licensed Turkish guide.
The limit for diving with diving gear is 30 meters. For educational purposes, this limit is extended to 42 meters. Dives exceeding 30 meters must be carried out with proper diving and medical equipment. In order to protect Turkish archaeological and cultural values, it is strictly forbidden to transport Turkish antiquities or natural specimens.
Note: Gelibolu - Çanakkale (ancient Gallipoli or Dardanelles) is a good area for shipwreck diving.
Your Responsibilities
You are not allowed to use your private yacht for commercial purposes unless you obtain the necessary permission from the Ministry of Tourism.
You are not allowed to charge individuals you have declared as your guests for any cruises.
You need to be aware that if any untruthful declarations are being submitted, these will be subject to legal proceedings brought against you.
If you export any historical artifacts, you will be subjected to legal proceedings brought against you. Such an act constitutes a crime.
You should not engage yourself in any way of exchange of goods (buying or selling) that have not yet been through the necessary customs and duty procedures, with other yachts or ships. Such an exchange is illegal.
Such occurrences as stated above are considered as acts of crime internationally and in Turkey, and if such an act is established to have taken place then the legal proceedings to follow will be in accordance with the relevant legislation in Turkey.
Turkey Thermal Springs (Spa)
Turkey is one of the 7 countries in the world in terms of thermal source richness with almost 1300 thermal springs throughout Anatolia. Of course the existence of seismic faults make the country very rich in this aspect. The temperature of these hot springs varies between 20-110 degrees Celsius (68-230 Fahrenheit), and their flow is between 2-500 liters per second. Turkey is using only a small percentage of the country's potential in terms of mineral springs, but today the Ministry of Tourism and private investors are contributing more to Turkey's map of spa tourism.
Ankara - Kizilcahamam (ph: 6.52-7.6)
It is located 86 km from Ankara at 975 meters above sea level. The water (37-47 C) contains sodium, calcium magnesium, bicarbonate and chlorine. It's good for drinking and bathing benefiting the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, gynecologic and digestive disorders.
Afyon - Hudayi (ph: 6.64-6.84)
It's a small treatment center 66 km from Afyon, 7 km southwest of Sandikli. The water (75-80 C, radioactive) contains sulphur, hydro carbonate, sodium, calcium, carbon-dioxide, bromide and fluoride, and are good for drinking and bathing and benefit rheumatic, skin, gynecologic, and digestive complaints.
Afyon - Orucoglu (ph: 6.4)
Orucoglu Thermal Center, next to a modern 428-bed complex, is 14 km from Afyon. The temperature of the spring water is 49 C and it's rich in carbon dioxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, bromide and fluoride. The water has beneficial effects on arthritis, sciatica, disc hernia, neuritis, neuralgia, lumbago, osteoarthritis, and is also beneficial after orthopedic surgery and various other surgical treatments, such as post-operative therapy. Patients with skin ailments like psoriasis, eating problems, stomach, intestine and gall bladder, kidney, urinary tract and gynecologic disorders, and muscle and nerve fatigue also benefit from it. The composition is good for balancing the iron ratio, and has rehabilitation value in the treatment of hemiplegia.
Afyon - Gazligol
It's 22 km from Afyon on the road to Eskisehir. The water (40-71 C) benefits rheumatism, cardio vascular problems, digestive and intestinal complaints, kidney diseases, urinary tract, liver problems, metabolism disorders, orthopedic and skin problems.
Afyon - Omer and Gecek
It's 15 km to Afyon on the road to Kutahya. The water (51-98 C) has benefits to cure rheumatism, skin disease, cardio vascular problems, intestinal and gall bladder complaints, liver, joints and arthritis, eating problems, neuralgia and gynecologic disorders.
Balikesir - Gonen (ph: 7.36)
Situated to the north of Balikesir, it has a treatment center with 381 beds. Thermal waters (52 C) contain sulphur, chloride, sodium, hydro carbonate and carbon dioxide. Suitable for both drinking and bathing cures, the waters are beneficial for dermatologic, liver, rheumatic, urinary and nervous complaints.
Bingol - Kos
The Kos hot springs are located 20 km from Bingol on the Karliova road. The facilities include a hotel, several motels and guest houses, outdoor and indoor pools, restaurants, tea gardens, and a parking lot. Both locals and foreigners come here for healthy relaxation with peace in mind.
Bolu - Karacasu (ph: 5.82-6.32)
It is located 4 km south of Bolu on the Ankara - Istanbul highway, with a 250 bed capacity center. The water (44 C) contains calcium, magnesium, sulphur, bicarbonate, and benefit the cures of rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica and gynecologic, liver and kidney diseases.
Bursa - Cekirge (ph: 6.6-7.2)
Most of the thermal springs, in both modern and historical settings, are in the Cekirge district of Bursa. The waters (47-78 C) contain bicarbonate, sulphur, sodium, calcium and magnesium. It's suitable for drinking and bathing cures, and are beneficial for rheumatic, gynecologic and dermatologic diseases, post-operational problems and for the metabolism. A wide range of accommodations in tourist to deluxe-class hotels are available, as is medical supervision.
Bursa - Oylat (ph: 3.04-7.26)
Approximately 27 km south of Bursa in Inegol district, the water is very warm; the steam bath is heated to 40 C and the spring waters to 10 C. The water contains sulphur, bicarbonate, calcium, hydrogen ions and iron. With diuretic properties, the drinking and bath cures have a relaxing and sedative effect. There are a couple of hotels and motels near the center.
Canakkale - Kestanbol (ph: 5.92-6.94)
It's located 15 km into Ezine district south of Canakkale, 2 km from the Sea of Marmara. The waters of the various springs range between 21 C and 67 C, containing chloride, sodium, iron carbon- dioxide and calcium. Beneficial bath cures, mud-bath cures, steam and geyser cures are available at the thermal springs.
Denizli - Pamukkale and Karahayit (ph: 5.98-6.26)
It's located 20 km north of Denizli with over 500 bed total capacity hotels and motels. Thermal waters (42-56 C, radioactive) contain hydro carbonate, sulphur, calcium, carbon dioxide and iron, and are suitable for drinking and bathing helping heart and circulatory complaints as well as digestive, gall bladder, rheumatic and kidney diseases. Pamukkale is also a popular tourist destination in the Aegean region.
Eskisehir - Hamamyolu
Most of the thermal springs are near Hamamyolu Street in the center of Eskisehir. The waters (38-45 C) contain bicarbonate, sodium, and calcium and are suitable for both drinking and bathing cures of rheumatism, neuralgia, post-operational problems, digestive problems, kidney stones and gynecologic complaints, and for the metabolism.
Eskisehir - Sakar (ph: 7.6)
33 km north of Eskisehir near the town of Saricakaya. The water (35 C) contains sodium, magnesium and bicarbonate, benefiting skin problems, complaints of sciatica, rheumatism and kidney stones.
Izmir - Balcova (ph: 6.4)
Located 10 km west of Izmir in Balcova district with a 400 bed capacity and the largest indoor thermal pool in Turkey. A treatment center built nearby is very popular amongst Scandinavian tourists especially. The water (62 C) is suitable for drinking and bathing, benefiting sciatica, rheumatic diseases, gynecologic, orthopedic and nervous disorders, plus intestinal and urinary problems.
Izmir - Cesme (ph: 6.58)
They are located at the bay of Ilica and Sifne, 7 km east of Cesme (75 km west of Izmir) which has accommodation in every category and class with a total of 2,000 beds. The waters (42-55 C) contain chloride, sodium, magnesium, fluoride, and are suitable for drinking and bathing cures, benefiting dermatologic, gynecologic and urinary complaints as well as metabolic disorders.
Konya - Ilgin (ph: 7.0)
It's situated 88 km northwest of Konya with basic accommodations available but with an excellent treatment center. The water (42 C, radioactive) contains hydro carbonate, calcium, sodium and carbon dioxide, and are beneficial for rheumatic, dermatologic, gynecologic, urinary, circulatory and heart diseases, and also for glandular and digestive complaints.
Kutahya - Harlek (Ilicakoy)
It's located 27 km from Kutahya. The water (25-43 C) contains bicarbonate, sulphur, calcium and magnesium. The drinking and bath waters are beneficial for sufferers of rheumatism, hepatitis, bladder, skin and metabolic disorders.
Mugla - Sultaniye (ph: 6.68-6.74)
It's located in Koycegiz district of Mugla, at Sultaniye village. The water (32-42 C) contains chloride, sodium, hydrogen sulfide and bromide. Both the drinking and the bath waters have a relaxing and beneficial effect on sufferers of rheumatism, skin and blood disorders, heart ailments, bronchitis, nervous complaints, kidney and urinary complaints, metabolic disorders, and for elderly patients and convalescents.
Sivas - Balikli (Yilanli) Cermik (ph: 7.3)
This interesting and unique spa is situated 17 km northeast of Kangal in the province of Sivas. The water (36 C) contains bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium. The uniqueness of the baths comes from the fact that there are many small fish (2-10 cm long) in the water that play an important part in the cure of psoriasis. The waters are also beneficial for rheumatism, skin diseases, arterial sclerosis and gynecologic complaints. There are motels, restaurants and camping facilities as well as shop for provisions.
Yalova (ph: 6.88-7.48)
These thermal springs are situated 11 km southwest of Yalova with a capacity of about 800 beds between hotels and guest houses. The waters (57-60 C) contain sulphur, sodium and calcium, and are suitable for drinking and bathing cures beneficial for rheumatic, gynecologic, urinary and nervous complaints and controlling cholesterol and lipid levels.
Ankara - Kizilcahamam (ph: 6.52-7.6)
It is located 86 km from Ankara at 975 meters above sea level. The water (37-47 C) contains sodium, calcium magnesium, bicarbonate and chlorine. It's good for drinking and bathing benefiting the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, gynecologic and digestive disorders.
Afyon - Hudayi (ph: 6.64-6.84)
It's a small treatment center 66 km from Afyon, 7 km southwest of Sandikli. The water (75-80 C, radioactive) contains sulphur, hydro carbonate, sodium, calcium, carbon-dioxide, bromide and fluoride, and are good for drinking and bathing and benefit rheumatic, skin, gynecologic, and digestive complaints.
Afyon - Orucoglu (ph: 6.4)
Orucoglu Thermal Center, next to a modern 428-bed complex, is 14 km from Afyon. The temperature of the spring water is 49 C and it's rich in carbon dioxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, bromide and fluoride. The water has beneficial effects on arthritis, sciatica, disc hernia, neuritis, neuralgia, lumbago, osteoarthritis, and is also beneficial after orthopedic surgery and various other surgical treatments, such as post-operative therapy. Patients with skin ailments like psoriasis, eating problems, stomach, intestine and gall bladder, kidney, urinary tract and gynecologic disorders, and muscle and nerve fatigue also benefit from it. The composition is good for balancing the iron ratio, and has rehabilitation value in the treatment of hemiplegia.
Afyon - Gazligol
It's 22 km from Afyon on the road to Eskisehir. The water (40-71 C) benefits rheumatism, cardio vascular problems, digestive and intestinal complaints, kidney diseases, urinary tract, liver problems, metabolism disorders, orthopedic and skin problems.
Afyon - Omer and Gecek
It's 15 km to Afyon on the road to Kutahya. The water (51-98 C) has benefits to cure rheumatism, skin disease, cardio vascular problems, intestinal and gall bladder complaints, liver, joints and arthritis, eating problems, neuralgia and gynecologic disorders.
Balikesir - Gonen (ph: 7.36)
Situated to the north of Balikesir, it has a treatment center with 381 beds. Thermal waters (52 C) contain sulphur, chloride, sodium, hydro carbonate and carbon dioxide. Suitable for both drinking and bathing cures, the waters are beneficial for dermatologic, liver, rheumatic, urinary and nervous complaints.
Bingol - Kos
The Kos hot springs are located 20 km from Bingol on the Karliova road. The facilities include a hotel, several motels and guest houses, outdoor and indoor pools, restaurants, tea gardens, and a parking lot. Both locals and foreigners come here for healthy relaxation with peace in mind.
Bolu - Karacasu (ph: 5.82-6.32)
It is located 4 km south of Bolu on the Ankara - Istanbul highway, with a 250 bed capacity center. The water (44 C) contains calcium, magnesium, sulphur, bicarbonate, and benefit the cures of rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica and gynecologic, liver and kidney diseases.
Bursa - Cekirge (ph: 6.6-7.2)
Most of the thermal springs, in both modern and historical settings, are in the Cekirge district of Bursa. The waters (47-78 C) contain bicarbonate, sulphur, sodium, calcium and magnesium. It's suitable for drinking and bathing cures, and are beneficial for rheumatic, gynecologic and dermatologic diseases, post-operational problems and for the metabolism. A wide range of accommodations in tourist to deluxe-class hotels are available, as is medical supervision.
Bursa - Oylat (ph: 3.04-7.26)
Approximately 27 km south of Bursa in Inegol district, the water is very warm; the steam bath is heated to 40 C and the spring waters to 10 C. The water contains sulphur, bicarbonate, calcium, hydrogen ions and iron. With diuretic properties, the drinking and bath cures have a relaxing and sedative effect. There are a couple of hotels and motels near the center.
Canakkale - Kestanbol (ph: 5.92-6.94)
It's located 15 km into Ezine district south of Canakkale, 2 km from the Sea of Marmara. The waters of the various springs range between 21 C and 67 C, containing chloride, sodium, iron carbon- dioxide and calcium. Beneficial bath cures, mud-bath cures, steam and geyser cures are available at the thermal springs.
Denizli - Pamukkale and Karahayit (ph: 5.98-6.26)
It's located 20 km north of Denizli with over 500 bed total capacity hotels and motels. Thermal waters (42-56 C, radioactive) contain hydro carbonate, sulphur, calcium, carbon dioxide and iron, and are suitable for drinking and bathing helping heart and circulatory complaints as well as digestive, gall bladder, rheumatic and kidney diseases. Pamukkale is also a popular tourist destination in the Aegean region.
Eskisehir - Hamamyolu
Most of the thermal springs are near Hamamyolu Street in the center of Eskisehir. The waters (38-45 C) contain bicarbonate, sodium, and calcium and are suitable for both drinking and bathing cures of rheumatism, neuralgia, post-operational problems, digestive problems, kidney stones and gynecologic complaints, and for the metabolism.
Eskisehir - Sakar (ph: 7.6)
33 km north of Eskisehir near the town of Saricakaya. The water (35 C) contains sodium, magnesium and bicarbonate, benefiting skin problems, complaints of sciatica, rheumatism and kidney stones.
Izmir - Balcova (ph: 6.4)
Located 10 km west of Izmir in Balcova district with a 400 bed capacity and the largest indoor thermal pool in Turkey. A treatment center built nearby is very popular amongst Scandinavian tourists especially. The water (62 C) is suitable for drinking and bathing, benefiting sciatica, rheumatic diseases, gynecologic, orthopedic and nervous disorders, plus intestinal and urinary problems.
Izmir - Cesme (ph: 6.58)
They are located at the bay of Ilica and Sifne, 7 km east of Cesme (75 km west of Izmir) which has accommodation in every category and class with a total of 2,000 beds. The waters (42-55 C) contain chloride, sodium, magnesium, fluoride, and are suitable for drinking and bathing cures, benefiting dermatologic, gynecologic and urinary complaints as well as metabolic disorders.
Konya - Ilgin (ph: 7.0)
It's situated 88 km northwest of Konya with basic accommodations available but with an excellent treatment center. The water (42 C, radioactive) contains hydro carbonate, calcium, sodium and carbon dioxide, and are beneficial for rheumatic, dermatologic, gynecologic, urinary, circulatory and heart diseases, and also for glandular and digestive complaints.
Kutahya - Harlek (Ilicakoy)
It's located 27 km from Kutahya. The water (25-43 C) contains bicarbonate, sulphur, calcium and magnesium. The drinking and bath waters are beneficial for sufferers of rheumatism, hepatitis, bladder, skin and metabolic disorders.
Mugla - Sultaniye (ph: 6.68-6.74)
It's located in Koycegiz district of Mugla, at Sultaniye village. The water (32-42 C) contains chloride, sodium, hydrogen sulfide and bromide. Both the drinking and the bath waters have a relaxing and beneficial effect on sufferers of rheumatism, skin and blood disorders, heart ailments, bronchitis, nervous complaints, kidney and urinary complaints, metabolic disorders, and for elderly patients and convalescents.
Sivas - Balikli (Yilanli) Cermik (ph: 7.3)
This interesting and unique spa is situated 17 km northeast of Kangal in the province of Sivas. The water (36 C) contains bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium. The uniqueness of the baths comes from the fact that there are many small fish (2-10 cm long) in the water that play an important part in the cure of psoriasis. The waters are also beneficial for rheumatism, skin diseases, arterial sclerosis and gynecologic complaints. There are motels, restaurants and camping facilities as well as shop for provisions.
Yalova (ph: 6.88-7.48)
These thermal springs are situated 11 km southwest of Yalova with a capacity of about 800 beds between hotels and guest houses. The waters (57-60 C) contain sulphur, sodium and calcium, and are suitable for drinking and bathing cures beneficial for rheumatic, gynecologic, urinary and nervous complaints and controlling cholesterol and lipid levels.
National parks Turkey
National parks
The first national park in Turkey was established in 1958. Since then their numbers have increased to 39. Some of these parks, which were initially established for archaeological and historical purposes are at the same time rich habitats where biological diversity is being protected. The Olympos - Bey Mountains National Park in the province of Antalya in the Mediterranean region, for example, contains a wealth of flora and fauna, which are either endemic or relic distributions, in addition to important archaeological ruins. The Köprülü Canyon National Park in the same province is the home of Cupressus sempervirens forests. Natural forests of this tree no longer occur elsewhere in the world. In addition to its archaeological and geological treasures, this park also contains a large number of endemic plants and rare animal species.
Although the majority of the national parks are found in forest lands, there are also a number which are established in areas where steppe-type vegetation predominates. Examples are Munzur Valley (eastern Anatolia), Baskomutan, Göreme, Bogazköy - Alacahöyük (all in Central Anatolia), and Nemrut Mountain (Eastern Anatolia - Adiyaman).
Among the national parks, the famed Kuscenneti National Park is characterized by a particularly significant ecological structure. The Kuscenneti National Park is one of the many prime quality wetlands in Turkey and is located in the southern zone of the Marmara region. This area was established as a national park in 1959, was awarded "European Diploma" in 1976 by the Council of Europe, and Diploma was renewed in 1981, 1985 and 1991.
As of 2008, there are 39 National Parks all around Turkey, and their total surface reaches 877.771 hectares (2.169.011 acres). These are:
1. Adiyaman - Nemrut Mountain (since 1988)
2. Afyon / Kutahya / Usak - Baskomutan History (1981)
3. Agri / Igdir - Ararat Mountain (2004)
4. Ankara - Soguksu (1959)
5. Antalya - Altinbesik Cave (1994)
6. Antalya - Olympos Beydaglari Mountain Coast (1972)
7. Antalya - Termessos Güllük Mountain (1970)
8. Antalya - Köprülü Canyon (1973)
9. Artvin - Karagöl Sahara (1994)
10. Artvin - Hatila Valley (1994)
11. Aydin - Grand Menderes river Delta (1966)
12. Balikesir - Kazdagi (Ida) Mountain (1993)
13. Balikesir - Kuscenneti (Bird paradise) (1959)
14. Bolu - Yedigöller (Seven lakes) (1965)
15. Bursa - Uludag Mountain (1961)
16. Çanakkale - Gelibolu Peninsula History (1973)
17. Çanakkale - Troy History (1996)
18. Çorum - Alacahöyük History (1988)
19. Denizli - Honaz Mountain (1995)
20. Edirne - Gala Lake (2005)
21. Isparta - Kizildag Mountain (1969)
22. Isparta - Kovada Lake (1970)
23. Kars / Erzurum - Sarikamis Allahüekber Mountain (2004)
24. Kastamonu - Ilgaz Mountain (1976)
25. Kastamonu / Bartin Küre Mountain (2000)
26. Kayseri - Sultansazligi Marshes (2006)
27. Kirklareli - Igneada Longos Forests (2007)
28. Konya - Beysehir Lake (1993)
29. Manisa - Spil Mountain (1968)
30. Mugla - Marmaris (1996)
31. Mugla / Antalya - Saklikent (1996)
32. Nevsehir - Göreme History (1986)
33. Nigde / Adana / Kayseri - Aladaglar Mountain (1995)
34. Osmaniye - Karatepe Aslantas History (1958)
35. Rize - Kackar Mountain (1994)
36. Sanliurfa - Tek Tek Mountain (2007)
37. Trabzon - Altindere Valley (1987)
38. Tunceli - Munzur Valley (1971)
39. Yozgat - Yozgat Çamligi Pinewood (1958)
The first national park in Turkey was established in 1958. Since then their numbers have increased to 39. Some of these parks, which were initially established for archaeological and historical purposes are at the same time rich habitats where biological diversity is being protected. The Olympos - Bey Mountains National Park in the province of Antalya in the Mediterranean region, for example, contains a wealth of flora and fauna, which are either endemic or relic distributions, in addition to important archaeological ruins. The Köprülü Canyon National Park in the same province is the home of Cupressus sempervirens forests. Natural forests of this tree no longer occur elsewhere in the world. In addition to its archaeological and geological treasures, this park also contains a large number of endemic plants and rare animal species.
Although the majority of the national parks are found in forest lands, there are also a number which are established in areas where steppe-type vegetation predominates. Examples are Munzur Valley (eastern Anatolia), Baskomutan, Göreme, Bogazköy - Alacahöyük (all in Central Anatolia), and Nemrut Mountain (Eastern Anatolia - Adiyaman).
Among the national parks, the famed Kuscenneti National Park is characterized by a particularly significant ecological structure. The Kuscenneti National Park is one of the many prime quality wetlands in Turkey and is located in the southern zone of the Marmara region. This area was established as a national park in 1959, was awarded "European Diploma" in 1976 by the Council of Europe, and Diploma was renewed in 1981, 1985 and 1991.
As of 2008, there are 39 National Parks all around Turkey, and their total surface reaches 877.771 hectares (2.169.011 acres). These are:
1. Adiyaman - Nemrut Mountain (since 1988)
2. Afyon / Kutahya / Usak - Baskomutan History (1981)
3. Agri / Igdir - Ararat Mountain (2004)
4. Ankara - Soguksu (1959)
5. Antalya - Altinbesik Cave (1994)
6. Antalya - Olympos Beydaglari Mountain Coast (1972)
7. Antalya - Termessos Güllük Mountain (1970)
8. Antalya - Köprülü Canyon (1973)
9. Artvin - Karagöl Sahara (1994)
10. Artvin - Hatila Valley (1994)
11. Aydin - Grand Menderes river Delta (1966)
12. Balikesir - Kazdagi (Ida) Mountain (1993)
13. Balikesir - Kuscenneti (Bird paradise) (1959)
14. Bolu - Yedigöller (Seven lakes) (1965)
15. Bursa - Uludag Mountain (1961)
16. Çanakkale - Gelibolu Peninsula History (1973)
17. Çanakkale - Troy History (1996)
18. Çorum - Alacahöyük History (1988)
19. Denizli - Honaz Mountain (1995)
20. Edirne - Gala Lake (2005)
21. Isparta - Kizildag Mountain (1969)
22. Isparta - Kovada Lake (1970)
23. Kars / Erzurum - Sarikamis Allahüekber Mountain (2004)
24. Kastamonu - Ilgaz Mountain (1976)
25. Kastamonu / Bartin Küre Mountain (2000)
26. Kayseri - Sultansazligi Marshes (2006)
27. Kirklareli - Igneada Longos Forests (2007)
28. Konya - Beysehir Lake (1993)
29. Manisa - Spil Mountain (1968)
30. Mugla - Marmaris (1996)
31. Mugla / Antalya - Saklikent (1996)
32. Nevsehir - Göreme History (1986)
33. Nigde / Adana / Kayseri - Aladaglar Mountain (1995)
34. Osmaniye - Karatepe Aslantas History (1958)
35. Rize - Kackar Mountain (1994)
36. Sanliurfa - Tek Tek Mountain (2007)
37. Trabzon - Altindere Valley (1987)
38. Tunceli - Munzur Valley (1971)
39. Yozgat - Yozgat Çamligi Pinewood (1958)
Turkey's flora
flora
Turkey as a Gene Center
Anatolia is one of the foremost world sources of plants which have been cultivated for food, and the wild ancestors of many plants which now provide staples for mankind still grow here.
Turkish flora Wild forms develop defense mechanisms against predators, extremes of temperature, flooding, frost and drought. Moreover, they are resistant to the diseases so prevalent among cultivated plants. In addition, they preserve the taste, fragrance, color, hardness and other original characteristics which tend to be lost in the course of cultivation. Today thanks to strides made in biotechnology it is possible to transmit useful qualities of this kind to their cultivars. Moreover, wild forms are a fundamental reference source for the development of new cultivars. To put it metaphorically, wild forms of cultivated species are like the national archive of a country, or the core memory of a computer.
According to the principal international organizations active in wildlife research and conservation-the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (I-UCN), the International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI) and the World Wildlife Found, there are four gene centers in the world for cultivated plants used in agriculture. Two of these are in the American continent and two in Asia. In America, Mexico is the gene centre for maize and tomatoes, and Peru for potatoes and beans, while in Asia China is the gene centre for rice and millet, and the region of southwest Asia covering most of Turkey and parts of Iran, Iraq. Syria and Azerbaijan for wheat and barley. The most important of these strategic agricultural plants is undoubtedly wheat, of which over thirty wild species still grow in Turkey. The transmission of a disease-resistant gene from a wild wheat form in Turkey to the American cultivar has meant a saving of 50 million dollars a year for the US economy alone.
Turkish tulipsTurkey is also the home of many other cultivated plants, such as chickpeas, lentils, apricots, almonds, figs, hazelnuts, cherries and sour cherries. Their origin is recorded in the Latin names for some of these species, such as Ficus caria, meaning "fig of Caria". Caria was an archaic civilization of Anatolia in the southern Aegean region. Similarly the cherry's scientific name Cerasus comes from the ancient name of its place of origin, today the province of Giresun on Turkey's Black Sea coast.
Off the large number of ornamental flowers cultivated from Turkish wild forms, we can cite the tulip, crocus, snowdrop, lily and fritillary.
As the flora, Turkey is divided into 3 main division and 5 subdivisions, these are;
I) Euro-Siberian Flora Area
a) Kolsik Provence: includes central and western parts of the Black Sea Region and some of Marmara Region.
b) Oksin Provence: includes eastern part of the Black Sea Region.
II) Mediterranean Flora Area
a) Western Anatolia: includes Thrace, southern part of Marmara Region and Aegean Region.
b) Taurus Mountains
c) Amanos Mountains
III) Irano-Tranian Flora Area
includes the rest of the country
Turkey's Fauna
The diversity of fauna in Turkey is even greater than that of wild plants. While the number of species throughout Europe as a whole is around 60,000, in Turkey they number over 80,000. If subspecies are also counted, then this number rises to over a hundred thousand.
As in the case of plants, Anatolia is the original homeland of several species. For instance, the fallow deer now common in Europe was introduced from Turkey in the 17th century. This species comes from the foothills of the Taurus Mountains between Antalya and Adana. Another example is the pheasant which comes from Samsun on Turkey's Black Sea coast. The scientific name of this beautiful bird is Phasianus colchicus, "Phasianus" being the ancient name for the Kizilirmak river, and "colchicus" deriving from Colhia, an ancient kingdom which stretched along the Black Sea coast to the Caucasus. The domestic sheep is a descendant of the wild sheep, Ovis musimon anatolica, which as the scientific name indicates was a native of Anatolia. Few people are aware that the Anatolia leopard is one of the largest of these graceful cats, and that it was the species used in gladiator fights by the Romans constructed as traps for these creatures can still be seen scattered in the Taurus Mountains, and are known locally as tiger-traps. Indeed, the tiger is another creature whose original homeland was Anatolia, a little known fact reflected in the name tiger itself , which comes from the Latin name Felis Tigris, or Tigris cat after the Tigris river. The lions which survive only in Hittite statues today were once another member of the Anatolian fauna.
migrating storksBirds have taken advantage of Turkey's strategic position as a bridge connecting Europe to Asia and Africa for thousands of years. Two of the four main migration routes in the bio-geographic region known as the year, in spring and autumn. In spring migratory birds fly northwards from Africa to Asia and Europe, and in autumn they leave their breeding grounds to fly south to Africa again. One of these migration routes leads south from Hopa in northeast Turkey along the Çoruh river valley into Eastern Anatolia, passing through Kahramanmaras and Antakya in Southeast Turkey. Most of the birds which take this route through the Çoruh River valley are birds of prey, and at around 250,000 they from the largest migratory group of birds of prey in the world. However, the most spectacular migration in the world is the flight of storks down the Bosphorus in Istanbul in spring and autumn. Over a quarter million storks fly in clouds over the city in the course of a few weeks. Some species of birds of prey also migrate along the Bosphorus, a waterway which is not only migratory route for birds but also for fish making their way between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea. It is this phenomenon which results in unusually high catches, delighting fishermen and their customers alike.
Despite the fact that Turkey is an ancient land, crossed, exploited and sought over by a succession of peoples for millennia, there are still many areas which have remained virtually untouched, enabling many rare species of wildlife which have become endangered or extinct elsewhere to maintain viable colonies here. Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean shores provide a refuge for monk seals and loggerhead turtles, while is wetlands house colonies of numerous endangered species, such as the Dalmatian pelican, pygmy cormorant and the slender billed curlew, as well as flamingoes, wild ducks and geese.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment a program is underway to project the last surviving colonies of monk seal along Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, and in addition an international project is being conducted within the framework of the Bern and Barcelona conventions. Apart from a small colony of monk seals on the shores of the Western Sahara on the Atlantic Ocean, the only remaining colonies of this species are the eastern Mediterranean, the species having been wiped out in the western areas. The fact that the species has survived along Turkey's shores is due to the preservation of the natural environment in many areas and low pollution levels. Further evidence that environmental conservation along Turkey's coast is succeeding is the continued existence of pine forest and long un-spoilt beaches despite extensive construction in recent years. Seals are seen to a lesser extent in the Marmara and Black Sea, but they are most common around Foça, near Izmir, on the Aegean coast, a town whose name derives from the ancient Phoenician for seal. A local Seal Committee has beer set up in the town, followed by another at Yalikavak near Bodrum further to the south.
The total number of monk seals in the world is between 300-400, fifty of which live in Turkish waters.
Other endangered species include turtles which lay their eggs in the long sandy beaches of the Mediterranean. Two species breed in Turkey, where efforts to protect them have been extremely successful. A tourism development project at Köycegiz has been scrapped to preserve the breeding grounds of Caretta Caretta, and the lake and marshes of Köycegiz declared an Specially Protected Area. These measures were received with a standing ovation by the Standing Committee of Bern Convention of the Council of Europe in 1989, and cited as an example for other countries to follow. Studies of the turtles along all Turkey's shores have been launched, and seventeen sand beaches of foremost importance as breeding grounds for turtles are kept under constant observation by the Turtle Preservation Committee. The Ministry of the Environment's Authority of Specially Protected Areas is in charge of protecting the Belek area, and the Ministry of Forestry is responsible for the Yumurtalik and Akyatan wetlands.
Turkey as a Gene Center
Anatolia is one of the foremost world sources of plants which have been cultivated for food, and the wild ancestors of many plants which now provide staples for mankind still grow here.
Turkish flora Wild forms develop defense mechanisms against predators, extremes of temperature, flooding, frost and drought. Moreover, they are resistant to the diseases so prevalent among cultivated plants. In addition, they preserve the taste, fragrance, color, hardness and other original characteristics which tend to be lost in the course of cultivation. Today thanks to strides made in biotechnology it is possible to transmit useful qualities of this kind to their cultivars. Moreover, wild forms are a fundamental reference source for the development of new cultivars. To put it metaphorically, wild forms of cultivated species are like the national archive of a country, or the core memory of a computer.
According to the principal international organizations active in wildlife research and conservation-the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (I-UCN), the International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI) and the World Wildlife Found, there are four gene centers in the world for cultivated plants used in agriculture. Two of these are in the American continent and two in Asia. In America, Mexico is the gene centre for maize and tomatoes, and Peru for potatoes and beans, while in Asia China is the gene centre for rice and millet, and the region of southwest Asia covering most of Turkey and parts of Iran, Iraq. Syria and Azerbaijan for wheat and barley. The most important of these strategic agricultural plants is undoubtedly wheat, of which over thirty wild species still grow in Turkey. The transmission of a disease-resistant gene from a wild wheat form in Turkey to the American cultivar has meant a saving of 50 million dollars a year for the US economy alone.
Turkish tulipsTurkey is also the home of many other cultivated plants, such as chickpeas, lentils, apricots, almonds, figs, hazelnuts, cherries and sour cherries. Their origin is recorded in the Latin names for some of these species, such as Ficus caria, meaning "fig of Caria". Caria was an archaic civilization of Anatolia in the southern Aegean region. Similarly the cherry's scientific name Cerasus comes from the ancient name of its place of origin, today the province of Giresun on Turkey's Black Sea coast.
Off the large number of ornamental flowers cultivated from Turkish wild forms, we can cite the tulip, crocus, snowdrop, lily and fritillary.
As the flora, Turkey is divided into 3 main division and 5 subdivisions, these are;
I) Euro-Siberian Flora Area
a) Kolsik Provence: includes central and western parts of the Black Sea Region and some of Marmara Region.
b) Oksin Provence: includes eastern part of the Black Sea Region.
II) Mediterranean Flora Area
a) Western Anatolia: includes Thrace, southern part of Marmara Region and Aegean Region.
b) Taurus Mountains
c) Amanos Mountains
III) Irano-Tranian Flora Area
includes the rest of the country
Turkey's Fauna
The diversity of fauna in Turkey is even greater than that of wild plants. While the number of species throughout Europe as a whole is around 60,000, in Turkey they number over 80,000. If subspecies are also counted, then this number rises to over a hundred thousand.
As in the case of plants, Anatolia is the original homeland of several species. For instance, the fallow deer now common in Europe was introduced from Turkey in the 17th century. This species comes from the foothills of the Taurus Mountains between Antalya and Adana. Another example is the pheasant which comes from Samsun on Turkey's Black Sea coast. The scientific name of this beautiful bird is Phasianus colchicus, "Phasianus" being the ancient name for the Kizilirmak river, and "colchicus" deriving from Colhia, an ancient kingdom which stretched along the Black Sea coast to the Caucasus. The domestic sheep is a descendant of the wild sheep, Ovis musimon anatolica, which as the scientific name indicates was a native of Anatolia. Few people are aware that the Anatolia leopard is one of the largest of these graceful cats, and that it was the species used in gladiator fights by the Romans constructed as traps for these creatures can still be seen scattered in the Taurus Mountains, and are known locally as tiger-traps. Indeed, the tiger is another creature whose original homeland was Anatolia, a little known fact reflected in the name tiger itself , which comes from the Latin name Felis Tigris, or Tigris cat after the Tigris river. The lions which survive only in Hittite statues today were once another member of the Anatolian fauna.
migrating storksBirds have taken advantage of Turkey's strategic position as a bridge connecting Europe to Asia and Africa for thousands of years. Two of the four main migration routes in the bio-geographic region known as the year, in spring and autumn. In spring migratory birds fly northwards from Africa to Asia and Europe, and in autumn they leave their breeding grounds to fly south to Africa again. One of these migration routes leads south from Hopa in northeast Turkey along the Çoruh river valley into Eastern Anatolia, passing through Kahramanmaras and Antakya in Southeast Turkey. Most of the birds which take this route through the Çoruh River valley are birds of prey, and at around 250,000 they from the largest migratory group of birds of prey in the world. However, the most spectacular migration in the world is the flight of storks down the Bosphorus in Istanbul in spring and autumn. Over a quarter million storks fly in clouds over the city in the course of a few weeks. Some species of birds of prey also migrate along the Bosphorus, a waterway which is not only migratory route for birds but also for fish making their way between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea. It is this phenomenon which results in unusually high catches, delighting fishermen and their customers alike.
Despite the fact that Turkey is an ancient land, crossed, exploited and sought over by a succession of peoples for millennia, there are still many areas which have remained virtually untouched, enabling many rare species of wildlife which have become endangered or extinct elsewhere to maintain viable colonies here. Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean shores provide a refuge for monk seals and loggerhead turtles, while is wetlands house colonies of numerous endangered species, such as the Dalmatian pelican, pygmy cormorant and the slender billed curlew, as well as flamingoes, wild ducks and geese.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment a program is underway to project the last surviving colonies of monk seal along Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, and in addition an international project is being conducted within the framework of the Bern and Barcelona conventions. Apart from a small colony of monk seals on the shores of the Western Sahara on the Atlantic Ocean, the only remaining colonies of this species are the eastern Mediterranean, the species having been wiped out in the western areas. The fact that the species has survived along Turkey's shores is due to the preservation of the natural environment in many areas and low pollution levels. Further evidence that environmental conservation along Turkey's coast is succeeding is the continued existence of pine forest and long un-spoilt beaches despite extensive construction in recent years. Seals are seen to a lesser extent in the Marmara and Black Sea, but they are most common around Foça, near Izmir, on the Aegean coast, a town whose name derives from the ancient Phoenician for seal. A local Seal Committee has beer set up in the town, followed by another at Yalikavak near Bodrum further to the south.
The total number of monk seals in the world is between 300-400, fifty of which live in Turkish waters.
Other endangered species include turtles which lay their eggs in the long sandy beaches of the Mediterranean. Two species breed in Turkey, where efforts to protect them have been extremely successful. A tourism development project at Köycegiz has been scrapped to preserve the breeding grounds of Caretta Caretta, and the lake and marshes of Köycegiz declared an Specially Protected Area. These measures were received with a standing ovation by the Standing Committee of Bern Convention of the Council of Europe in 1989, and cited as an example for other countries to follow. Studies of the turtles along all Turkey's shores have been launched, and seventeen sand beaches of foremost importance as breeding grounds for turtles are kept under constant observation by the Turtle Preservation Committee. The Ministry of the Environment's Authority of Specially Protected Areas is in charge of protecting the Belek area, and the Ministry of Forestry is responsible for the Yumurtalik and Akyatan wetlands.
Tulips of Turkey
Tulips of Turkey
Turkish tulipsEverybody thinks that tulips come from Holland. Actually, Tulips are native to Central Asia and Turkey. In the 16th Century they were brought to Holland from Turkey, and quickly became widely popular. Today Tulips are cultivated in Holland in great numbers and in huge fields. Dutch bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, are exported all around the world so people think that it's originated from there as well. In fact many cultivated varieties were widely grown in Turkey long before they were introduced to European gardens.
In the 17th century the overgrown interest and high popularity of Tulips brought a sort of "Tulipmania" in Holland. Especially in 1637 bulbs were highly praised and prices gone up day by day reaching extraordinary numbers. Bulbs were sold by weight, usually while they were still in the ground. Some examples could cost more than a house at this time. The Dutch government unsuccessfully tried to outlaw this commerce but couldn't do anything to stop it, the trade was all about access and demand. But the end of the game came quick: Over-supply led to lower prices and dealers went bankrupt and many people lost their savings because of the trade, and the tulip market crashed.
Tulips in palace gardensAlso in the Turkish history tulips played an interesting role. The period in our history between 1718-1730 is called the "Tulip Era", under the reign of sultan Ahmed III. This period is also expressed as an era of peace and enjoyment. Tulips became and important style of life within the arts, folklore and the daily life. Many embroidery and textile clothing handmade by woman, carpets, tiles, miniatures etc. had tulip designs or shapes, large tulip gardens around the Golden Horn were frequented by upscale people, and so on. Also, the first printing house was founded by Ibrahim Müteferrika in Istanbul. The Tulip Era was brought to an end after the Patrona Halil revolt in 1730, ending with the de-thronation of the Sultan.
The botanical name for tulips, Tulipa, is derived from the Turkish word "tulbend" or "turban", which the flower resembles. It's considered as the King of Bulbs.
There are early, mid, and late blooming varieties of tulips. They come in a huge variety of bright colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, black, purple, orange, bi-colors, and more. There is a profusion of mixed colours to select from, too. A special breed from Manisa is called as Anemon.
Tulips should be planted as soon as they are purchased in the Autumn. But they can also be forced to bloom indoors during winter months. After blooming, let the plant continue to grow until it dies off. During the post bloom period, the plant is sending energy to the bulb to store for use next spring.
Turkish tulipsEverybody thinks that tulips come from Holland. Actually, Tulips are native to Central Asia and Turkey. In the 16th Century they were brought to Holland from Turkey, and quickly became widely popular. Today Tulips are cultivated in Holland in great numbers and in huge fields. Dutch bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, are exported all around the world so people think that it's originated from there as well. In fact many cultivated varieties were widely grown in Turkey long before they were introduced to European gardens.
In the 17th century the overgrown interest and high popularity of Tulips brought a sort of "Tulipmania" in Holland. Especially in 1637 bulbs were highly praised and prices gone up day by day reaching extraordinary numbers. Bulbs were sold by weight, usually while they were still in the ground. Some examples could cost more than a house at this time. The Dutch government unsuccessfully tried to outlaw this commerce but couldn't do anything to stop it, the trade was all about access and demand. But the end of the game came quick: Over-supply led to lower prices and dealers went bankrupt and many people lost their savings because of the trade, and the tulip market crashed.
Tulips in palace gardensAlso in the Turkish history tulips played an interesting role. The period in our history between 1718-1730 is called the "Tulip Era", under the reign of sultan Ahmed III. This period is also expressed as an era of peace and enjoyment. Tulips became and important style of life within the arts, folklore and the daily life. Many embroidery and textile clothing handmade by woman, carpets, tiles, miniatures etc. had tulip designs or shapes, large tulip gardens around the Golden Horn were frequented by upscale people, and so on. Also, the first printing house was founded by Ibrahim Müteferrika in Istanbul. The Tulip Era was brought to an end after the Patrona Halil revolt in 1730, ending with the de-thronation of the Sultan.
The botanical name for tulips, Tulipa, is derived from the Turkish word "tulbend" or "turban", which the flower resembles. It's considered as the King of Bulbs.
There are early, mid, and late blooming varieties of tulips. They come in a huge variety of bright colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, black, purple, orange, bi-colors, and more. There is a profusion of mixed colours to select from, too. A special breed from Manisa is called as Anemon.
Tulips should be planted as soon as they are purchased in the Autumn. But they can also be forced to bloom indoors during winter months. After blooming, let the plant continue to grow until it dies off. During the post bloom period, the plant is sending energy to the bulb to store for use next spring.
Earthquakes in Turkey
North-western Turkey, the county's most densely populated region and industrial heartland, has been struck by two massive earthquakes in less than three months. The first, on 17 August 1999 at 03h02 local, measured 7.4 on the Richter scale and lasted 45 seconds. Izmit, an industrial city of one million in western Turkey, was nearest the epicenter. The official death toll stands at over 18,000, with some 44,000 people injured, nearly 300,000 homes either damaged or collapsed and more than 40,000 business premises similarly affected. On the day of the catastrophe, the Turkish government declared a state of emergency and requested international assistance. The International Federation immediately launched a preliminary appeal, followed by a full appeal for CHF 65 million on 8 September 1999, which remains active.
The disaster was followed by more than 1,300 aftershocks, culminating in the second quake - which shook Düzce and Kaynasli in the north-western province of Bolu, some 100 kilometers (63 miles) to the east of Izmit for 30 seconds - at 18h57 on 12 November 1999 and rated 7.2 on the Richter scale. The jolt was felt both in Istanbul (some 260 km to the west) and Ankara, the nation's capital, 300 km to the east. This situation report concentrates primarily on Red Cross Red Crescent activities in response to this further tragedy in Turkey.
Lately another big earthquake hit the city of Bingöl, Eastern part of Turkey, on 1st of May 2003, killing 176 people (mostly elementary school kids sleeping in their dormitory). The quake came at 03:27 local time lasting for about 17 seconds with a Richter scale of 6.4.
You can click for the latest earthquakes in Turkey based on: Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 30 days, Last 1 year. All links open in a new window. (Provided by Kandilli Observatory of Bogazici University in Istanbul)
Izmit Quake
The Izmit earthquake occurred at 03:02 local time, and was centered at 40.702° N., 29.987° E., which places the epicenter about 11 kilometers, or seven miles, southeast of the city of Izmit. This location indicates that the earthquake occurred on the northernmost strand of the North Anatolian fault system. The earthquake originated at a depth of 17 kilometers, or about 10.5 miles, and caused right-lateral strike-slip movement on the fault. Preliminary field reports confirm this type of motion on the fault, and initial field observations indicate that the earthquake produced at least 60 kilometers (37 miles) of surface rupture and right-lateral offsets as large as 2.7 meters, or almost nine feet.
The earthquake likely occurred on a branch of the North Anatolian fault. Although this is the largest earthquake in the epicenter region in this century, the region of the earthquake has a long history of destructive earthquakes. In 1967, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused extensive damage along the North Anatolian fault just east of the current shock.
The 900 km-long North Anatolian fault has many characteristics similar to California's San Andreas fault. These two faults are right-lateral, strike-slip faults having similar lengths and similar long-term rates of movement. If a person is looking across a right-lateral, strike-slip fault during such an earthquake, that person would see the opposite side move to the right.
The North Anatolian fault has produced seven large (MS) 7.0 earthquakes in the period from 1939 through 1999. These earthquakes have ruptured the fault progressively from east to west.
Following are data for the seven large earthquakes that have progressively ruptured the North Anatolian fault:
* 1939 December 26. Magnitude (MS) 7.9 - 8.0. 30,000 deaths. Fault length about 360 km. Initiated the eastward migration of significant earthquakes on the North Anatolian fault. (Termed the 1939 Erzincan earthquake)
* 1942 December 20. Magnitude (MS) 7.1. Fault length about 50 km. (Termed the 1942 Erbaa earthquake)
* 1943 November 26. Magnitude (MS) 7.6. Fault length about 280 km. (Termed the 1943 Tosya earthquake)
* 1944 February 01. Magnitude (MS) 7.3. Fault length about 165 km. (Termed the 1944 Bolu-Gerede earthquake)
* 1957 May 26. Magnitude (MS) about 7. Fault length about 30 km. (Termed the 1957 Abant earthquake)
* 1967 July 22. Magnitude (MS) 7.1. Fault length about 80 km. (Termed the 1967 Mudurnu Valley earthquake)
* 1999 August 17. Magnitude (MS) 7.8; MW 7.4-7.5)
Earthquakes on the North Anatolian fault are caused by the northwards motion of the Arabian plate against the Eurasian plate, squeezing the small Turkish micro plate westwards. Also, compression in this region is due to the northwards motion of the African plate, which produces subduction at the Cyprus and Hellenic arcs. The small Turkish micro plate is bounded on the east by the East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ), on the north by the North Anatolian fault zone (NAFZ), on the west by a diffuse zone of deformation surrounding the greater Aegean region, and on the south by the Hellenic and Cyprus arcs.
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Düzce Quake
A major earthquake occurred 70 kilometers (45 miles) east of Adapazari or 170 km (105 mi) northwest of Ankara, Turkey at 18:57 local time on November 12th, 1999. A magnitude of 7.2 was computed for this earthquake. This earthquake is located about 110 km (70 miles) east of the magnitude 7.4 main shock on August 17 which killed over 17,000 people and injured another 50,000 around Izmit.
Casualty figures from this last earthquake stand around 845 confirmed dead and around 5,000 injured. The destruction in Bolu and Düzce was widespread, with the total affected population between 150,000 and 180,000. Some assessments indicated that over 18 thousand buildings have been heavily damaged and the Government has estimated the financial cost of the quake at 10 billion US dollars. Industrial facilities in the area have stopped their production due to power shortages and some have suffered major material damage.
During the morning of 17 November (Wednesday) two major aftershocks (4.9 at 02h00 and 5.0 at 10h10) were felt in the provincial capital of Bolu bringing more fear and despair to the population as damaged buildings collapsed. About 24,000 families (80% of the town's population) were homeless. The local crisis centre in Bolu called upon rescue and humanitarian workers in Düzce for help in the middle of the night. The Prime Minister's Crisis Centre (PMCC) urgently sent 10,000 tents for the affected area. Temporary houses were constructed as well.
Besides Bolu and Düzce, the neighboring districts of Kaynasli (70% of the town is considered to be destroyed), Akcakoca, Cumayeri, Gümüsova, Yigilca and Gölkaya have been affected. With night-time temperatures dropping as low as minus two degrees Celsius, the majority of the region's population remained outdoors either because their homes were damaged or for fear of entering buildings even though many appeared structurally sound. Population movements away from the region were also increasing on a daily basis. According to the PMCC, 1,000 prefabricated houses constructed in Düzce for victims of the August earthquake were been immediately reassigned to the locality.
Meanwhile, many hospital facilities in the affected area were damaged and were no longer functioning. Field facilities surrounding the hospital buildings were set up immediately after the quake, with volunteer doctors and nurses coming from nearby towns to treat the injured. Severe cases were referred to hospitals both in Ankara and Istanbul. All schools in Düzce and Kaynasli were closed due to damage and they continued to teach in winterized tents or temporary buildings.
Government crisis centers established in Düzce and Bolu, coordinating search and rescue teams from all over the world. To date, some 12,000 rescue workers came to the area and the total number of people pulled alive from collapsed buildings is estimated at 300. Rescue activities were ceased after some period giving way to the process of debris removal.
For a list of earthquakes that caused more than 10,000 deaths in Turkey, please Click Here.
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The Richter Magnitude Scale
Seismic waves are the vibrations from earthquakes that travel through the Earth; they are recorded on instruments called seismographs. Seismographs record a zigzag trace that shows the varying amplitude of ground oscillations beneath the instrument. Sensitive seismographs, which greatly magnify these ground motions, can detect strong earthquakes from sources anywhere in the world. The time, locations, and magnitude of an earthquake can be determined from the data recorded by seismograph stations.
The Richter magnitude scale was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology as a mathematical device to compare the size of earthquakes. The magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. Adjustments are included for the variation in the distance between the various seismographs and the epicenter of the earthquakes. On the Richter Scale, magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimal fractions. For example, a magnitude 5.3 might be computed for a moderate earthquake, and a strong earthquake might be rated as magnitude 6.3. Because of the logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude; as an estimate of energy, each whole number step in the magnitude scale corresponds to the release of about 31 times more energy than the amount associated with the preceding whole number value.
At first, the Richter Scale could be applied only to the records from instruments of identical manufacture. Now, instruments are carefully calibrated with respect to each other. Thus, magnitude can be computed from the record of any calibrated seismograph.
Earthquakes with magnitude of about 2.0 or less are usually call micro earthquakes; they are not commonly felt by people and are generally recorded only on local seismographs. Events with magnitudes of about 4.5 or greater - there are several thousand such shocks annually - are strong enough to be recorded by sensitive seismographs all over the world. Great earthquakes, such as the 1964 Good Friday earthquake in Alaska, have magnitudes of 8.0 or higher. On the average, one earthquake of such size occurs somewhere in the world each year. Although the Richter Scale has no upper limit, the largest known shocks have had magnitudes in the 8.8 to 8.9 range. Recently, another scale called the moment magnitude scale has been devised for more precise study of great earthquakes. The Richter Scale is not used to express damage. An earthquake in a densely populated area which results in many deaths and considerable damage may have the same magnitude as a shock in a remote area that does nothing more than frighten the wildlife. Large-magnitude earthquakes that occur beneath the oceans may not even be felt by humans.
The disaster was followed by more than 1,300 aftershocks, culminating in the second quake - which shook Düzce and Kaynasli in the north-western province of Bolu, some 100 kilometers (63 miles) to the east of Izmit for 30 seconds - at 18h57 on 12 November 1999 and rated 7.2 on the Richter scale. The jolt was felt both in Istanbul (some 260 km to the west) and Ankara, the nation's capital, 300 km to the east. This situation report concentrates primarily on Red Cross Red Crescent activities in response to this further tragedy in Turkey.
Lately another big earthquake hit the city of Bingöl, Eastern part of Turkey, on 1st of May 2003, killing 176 people (mostly elementary school kids sleeping in their dormitory). The quake came at 03:27 local time lasting for about 17 seconds with a Richter scale of 6.4.
You can click for the latest earthquakes in Turkey based on: Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 30 days, Last 1 year. All links open in a new window. (Provided by Kandilli Observatory of Bogazici University in Istanbul)
Izmit Quake
The Izmit earthquake occurred at 03:02 local time, and was centered at 40.702° N., 29.987° E., which places the epicenter about 11 kilometers, or seven miles, southeast of the city of Izmit. This location indicates that the earthquake occurred on the northernmost strand of the North Anatolian fault system. The earthquake originated at a depth of 17 kilometers, or about 10.5 miles, and caused right-lateral strike-slip movement on the fault. Preliminary field reports confirm this type of motion on the fault, and initial field observations indicate that the earthquake produced at least 60 kilometers (37 miles) of surface rupture and right-lateral offsets as large as 2.7 meters, or almost nine feet.
The earthquake likely occurred on a branch of the North Anatolian fault. Although this is the largest earthquake in the epicenter region in this century, the region of the earthquake has a long history of destructive earthquakes. In 1967, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused extensive damage along the North Anatolian fault just east of the current shock.
The 900 km-long North Anatolian fault has many characteristics similar to California's San Andreas fault. These two faults are right-lateral, strike-slip faults having similar lengths and similar long-term rates of movement. If a person is looking across a right-lateral, strike-slip fault during such an earthquake, that person would see the opposite side move to the right.
The North Anatolian fault has produced seven large (MS) 7.0 earthquakes in the period from 1939 through 1999. These earthquakes have ruptured the fault progressively from east to west.
Following are data for the seven large earthquakes that have progressively ruptured the North Anatolian fault:
* 1939 December 26. Magnitude (MS) 7.9 - 8.0. 30,000 deaths. Fault length about 360 km. Initiated the eastward migration of significant earthquakes on the North Anatolian fault. (Termed the 1939 Erzincan earthquake)
* 1942 December 20. Magnitude (MS) 7.1. Fault length about 50 km. (Termed the 1942 Erbaa earthquake)
* 1943 November 26. Magnitude (MS) 7.6. Fault length about 280 km. (Termed the 1943 Tosya earthquake)
* 1944 February 01. Magnitude (MS) 7.3. Fault length about 165 km. (Termed the 1944 Bolu-Gerede earthquake)
* 1957 May 26. Magnitude (MS) about 7. Fault length about 30 km. (Termed the 1957 Abant earthquake)
* 1967 July 22. Magnitude (MS) 7.1. Fault length about 80 km. (Termed the 1967 Mudurnu Valley earthquake)
* 1999 August 17. Magnitude (MS) 7.8; MW 7.4-7.5)
Earthquakes on the North Anatolian fault are caused by the northwards motion of the Arabian plate against the Eurasian plate, squeezing the small Turkish micro plate westwards. Also, compression in this region is due to the northwards motion of the African plate, which produces subduction at the Cyprus and Hellenic arcs. The small Turkish micro plate is bounded on the east by the East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ), on the north by the North Anatolian fault zone (NAFZ), on the west by a diffuse zone of deformation surrounding the greater Aegean region, and on the south by the Hellenic and Cyprus arcs.
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Düzce Quake
A major earthquake occurred 70 kilometers (45 miles) east of Adapazari or 170 km (105 mi) northwest of Ankara, Turkey at 18:57 local time on November 12th, 1999. A magnitude of 7.2 was computed for this earthquake. This earthquake is located about 110 km (70 miles) east of the magnitude 7.4 main shock on August 17 which killed over 17,000 people and injured another 50,000 around Izmit.
Casualty figures from this last earthquake stand around 845 confirmed dead and around 5,000 injured. The destruction in Bolu and Düzce was widespread, with the total affected population between 150,000 and 180,000. Some assessments indicated that over 18 thousand buildings have been heavily damaged and the Government has estimated the financial cost of the quake at 10 billion US dollars. Industrial facilities in the area have stopped their production due to power shortages and some have suffered major material damage.
During the morning of 17 November (Wednesday) two major aftershocks (4.9 at 02h00 and 5.0 at 10h10) were felt in the provincial capital of Bolu bringing more fear and despair to the population as damaged buildings collapsed. About 24,000 families (80% of the town's population) were homeless. The local crisis centre in Bolu called upon rescue and humanitarian workers in Düzce for help in the middle of the night. The Prime Minister's Crisis Centre (PMCC) urgently sent 10,000 tents for the affected area. Temporary houses were constructed as well.
Besides Bolu and Düzce, the neighboring districts of Kaynasli (70% of the town is considered to be destroyed), Akcakoca, Cumayeri, Gümüsova, Yigilca and Gölkaya have been affected. With night-time temperatures dropping as low as minus two degrees Celsius, the majority of the region's population remained outdoors either because their homes were damaged or for fear of entering buildings even though many appeared structurally sound. Population movements away from the region were also increasing on a daily basis. According to the PMCC, 1,000 prefabricated houses constructed in Düzce for victims of the August earthquake were been immediately reassigned to the locality.
Meanwhile, many hospital facilities in the affected area were damaged and were no longer functioning. Field facilities surrounding the hospital buildings were set up immediately after the quake, with volunteer doctors and nurses coming from nearby towns to treat the injured. Severe cases were referred to hospitals both in Ankara and Istanbul. All schools in Düzce and Kaynasli were closed due to damage and they continued to teach in winterized tents or temporary buildings.
Government crisis centers established in Düzce and Bolu, coordinating search and rescue teams from all over the world. To date, some 12,000 rescue workers came to the area and the total number of people pulled alive from collapsed buildings is estimated at 300. Rescue activities were ceased after some period giving way to the process of debris removal.
For a list of earthquakes that caused more than 10,000 deaths in Turkey, please Click Here.
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The Richter Magnitude Scale
Seismic waves are the vibrations from earthquakes that travel through the Earth; they are recorded on instruments called seismographs. Seismographs record a zigzag trace that shows the varying amplitude of ground oscillations beneath the instrument. Sensitive seismographs, which greatly magnify these ground motions, can detect strong earthquakes from sources anywhere in the world. The time, locations, and magnitude of an earthquake can be determined from the data recorded by seismograph stations.
The Richter magnitude scale was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology as a mathematical device to compare the size of earthquakes. The magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. Adjustments are included for the variation in the distance between the various seismographs and the epicenter of the earthquakes. On the Richter Scale, magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimal fractions. For example, a magnitude 5.3 might be computed for a moderate earthquake, and a strong earthquake might be rated as magnitude 6.3. Because of the logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude; as an estimate of energy, each whole number step in the magnitude scale corresponds to the release of about 31 times more energy than the amount associated with the preceding whole number value.
At first, the Richter Scale could be applied only to the records from instruments of identical manufacture. Now, instruments are carefully calibrated with respect to each other. Thus, magnitude can be computed from the record of any calibrated seismograph.
Earthquakes with magnitude of about 2.0 or less are usually call micro earthquakes; they are not commonly felt by people and are generally recorded only on local seismographs. Events with magnitudes of about 4.5 or greater - there are several thousand such shocks annually - are strong enough to be recorded by sensitive seismographs all over the world. Great earthquakes, such as the 1964 Good Friday earthquake in Alaska, have magnitudes of 8.0 or higher. On the average, one earthquake of such size occurs somewhere in the world each year. Although the Richter Scale has no upper limit, the largest known shocks have had magnitudes in the 8.8 to 8.9 range. Recently, another scale called the moment magnitude scale has been devised for more precise study of great earthquakes. The Richter Scale is not used to express damage. An earthquake in a densely populated area which results in many deaths and considerable damage may have the same magnitude as a shock in a remote area that does nothing more than frighten the wildlife. Large-magnitude earthquakes that occur beneath the oceans may not even be felt by humans.
Turkish climate
Turkish climate
Turkey's diverse regions have different climates, with the weather system on the coasts contrasting with that prevailing in the interior. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have cool, rainy winters and hot, moderately dry summers. Annual precipitation in those areas varies from 580 to 1,300 millimeters, depending on location. Generally, rainfall is less to the east. The Black Sea coast receives the greatest amount of rainfall. The eastern part of that coast averages 1,400 millimeters annually and is the only region of Turkey that receives rainfall throughout the year.
Mountains close to the coast prevent Mediterranean influences from extending inland, giving the interior of Turkey a continental climate with distinct seasons. The Anatolian Plateau is much more subject to extremes than are the coastal areas. Winters on the plateau are especially severe. Temperatures of -30°C to -40°C can occur in the mountainous areas in the east, and snow may lie on the ground 120 days of the year. In the west, winter temperatures average below 1°C. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures above 30°C. Annual precipitation averages about 400 millimeters, with actual amounts determined by elevation. The driest regions are the Konya Plateu and the Malatya Plateu, where annual rainfall frequently is less than 300 millimeters. May is generally the wettest month and July and August the driest.
The climate of the Anti-Taurus Mountain region of eastern Turkey can be inhospitable. Summers tend to be hot and extremely dry. Winters are bitterly cold with frequent, heavy snowfall. Villages can be isolated for several days during winter storms. Spring and autumn are generally mild, but during both seasons sudden hot and cold spells frequently occur.
Because of Turkey's geographical conditions, one can not speak about a general overall climate. In Istanbul and around the sea of Marmara the climate is moderate (winter 4 deg.C and summer 27 deg.C); in winter the temperature can drop below zero. In Western Anatolia there is a mild Mediterranean climate with average temperatures of 9 deg.C in winter and 29 deg.C in summer. On the southern coast of Anatolia the same climate can be found. The climate of the Anatolian Plateau is a steppe climate (there is a great temperature difference between day and night). Rainfall is low and there is more snow. The average temperature is 23 deg.C in summer and -2 deg.C in winter. The climate in the Black Sea area is wet, warm and humid (summer 23 deg.C, winter 7 deg.C). In Eastern Anatolia and South-Eastern Anatolia there is a long hard winter, where year after year snow lies on the ground from November until the end of April (the average temperature in winter is -13 deg.C and in summer 17 deg.C).
Turkey's diverse regions have different climates, with the weather system on the coasts contrasting with that prevailing in the interior. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have cool, rainy winters and hot, moderately dry summers. Annual precipitation in those areas varies from 580 to 1,300 millimeters, depending on location. Generally, rainfall is less to the east. The Black Sea coast receives the greatest amount of rainfall. The eastern part of that coast averages 1,400 millimeters annually and is the only region of Turkey that receives rainfall throughout the year.
Mountains close to the coast prevent Mediterranean influences from extending inland, giving the interior of Turkey a continental climate with distinct seasons. The Anatolian Plateau is much more subject to extremes than are the coastal areas. Winters on the plateau are especially severe. Temperatures of -30°C to -40°C can occur in the mountainous areas in the east, and snow may lie on the ground 120 days of the year. In the west, winter temperatures average below 1°C. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures above 30°C. Annual precipitation averages about 400 millimeters, with actual amounts determined by elevation. The driest regions are the Konya Plateu and the Malatya Plateu, where annual rainfall frequently is less than 300 millimeters. May is generally the wettest month and July and August the driest.
The climate of the Anti-Taurus Mountain region of eastern Turkey can be inhospitable. Summers tend to be hot and extremely dry. Winters are bitterly cold with frequent, heavy snowfall. Villages can be isolated for several days during winter storms. Spring and autumn are generally mild, but during both seasons sudden hot and cold spells frequently occur.
Because of Turkey's geographical conditions, one can not speak about a general overall climate. In Istanbul and around the sea of Marmara the climate is moderate (winter 4 deg.C and summer 27 deg.C); in winter the temperature can drop below zero. In Western Anatolia there is a mild Mediterranean climate with average temperatures of 9 deg.C in winter and 29 deg.C in summer. On the southern coast of Anatolia the same climate can be found. The climate of the Anatolian Plateau is a steppe climate (there is a great temperature difference between day and night). Rainfall is low and there is more snow. The average temperature is 23 deg.C in summer and -2 deg.C in winter. The climate in the Black Sea area is wet, warm and humid (summer 23 deg.C, winter 7 deg.C). In Eastern Anatolia and South-Eastern Anatolia there is a long hard winter, where year after year snow lies on the ground from November until the end of April (the average temperature in winter is -13 deg.C and in summer 17 deg.C).
Tigris River
Tigris River
Tigris river (Dicle in Turkish) is one of the biggest rivers of Turkey together with Euphrates (Firat in Turkish). Tigris rises from the mountains near Elazig province in eastern Anatolia, divides into several smaller rivers while passing from southeastern Anatolia, goes into Iraq passing across the border near Cizre, then joins with Euphrates in Shatt al-Arab just below Qurna in Mesopotamia, and empties into the Persian Gulf in Basra. It's approximately 1,900 km (1,180 mi) long, out of which 523 km (325 mi) are in Turkey. Important tributaries of the Tigris are Batman, Garzan, Botan and Habur rivers in Turkey, and Greater Zab and Lesser Zab rivers in Iraq. Its average water flow if 360 m3 (95,100 gallons) per second; around mid-September the flow drops to 55 m3 (14,530 gallons) per second because of dry summers in the region, and in March it goes up to 2,263 m3 (597,821 gallons) per second because of the winter precipitations and then snowmelting in the Spring. Tigris is shorter than Euphrates in lenght but it carries more water when both rivers are compared, thus it causes lots of floodings especially on the Iraqi side.
There are several hydroelectric power plants on the Tigris, such as Kralkizi (built between 1985-1997), Batman (1986-1999), Dicle (1986-1997) and Ilisu (under construction) Dams. Besides producing electricity, these dams provide water for irrigating agricultural fields in the arid GAP area as well. There are also several dams built on Tigris on the Iraqi side, Mosul Dam being the largest dam in Iraq.
According to the Book of Genesis, the Tigris (named as Hiddekel) was one of the four rivers branching off the river flowing out of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:10), and that the prophet Daniel received his visions near Hiddekel (Daniel 10:4). These four rivers were Pishon, Gihon, Hiddekel (Tigris) and Perat (Euphrates).
Tigris river (Dicle in Turkish) is one of the biggest rivers of Turkey together with Euphrates (Firat in Turkish). Tigris rises from the mountains near Elazig province in eastern Anatolia, divides into several smaller rivers while passing from southeastern Anatolia, goes into Iraq passing across the border near Cizre, then joins with Euphrates in Shatt al-Arab just below Qurna in Mesopotamia, and empties into the Persian Gulf in Basra. It's approximately 1,900 km (1,180 mi) long, out of which 523 km (325 mi) are in Turkey. Important tributaries of the Tigris are Batman, Garzan, Botan and Habur rivers in Turkey, and Greater Zab and Lesser Zab rivers in Iraq. Its average water flow if 360 m3 (95,100 gallons) per second; around mid-September the flow drops to 55 m3 (14,530 gallons) per second because of dry summers in the region, and in March it goes up to 2,263 m3 (597,821 gallons) per second because of the winter precipitations and then snowmelting in the Spring. Tigris is shorter than Euphrates in lenght but it carries more water when both rivers are compared, thus it causes lots of floodings especially on the Iraqi side.
There are several hydroelectric power plants on the Tigris, such as Kralkizi (built between 1985-1997), Batman (1986-1999), Dicle (1986-1997) and Ilisu (under construction) Dams. Besides producing electricity, these dams provide water for irrigating agricultural fields in the arid GAP area as well. There are also several dams built on Tigris on the Iraqi side, Mosul Dam being the largest dam in Iraq.
According to the Book of Genesis, the Tigris (named as Hiddekel) was one of the four rivers branching off the river flowing out of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:10), and that the prophet Daniel received his visions near Hiddekel (Daniel 10:4). These four rivers were Pishon, Gihon, Hiddekel (Tigris) and Perat (Euphrates).
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